2025: Still Kicking

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   "You know, staying slumped at your desk isn't going to help you get things done." Amethyst laughs as she takes a seat on the floor nearby. "It also doesn't help your old lady back. Come on." She kicks my leg a little. 

  "Are you sure slumping doesn't help? It feels nice." I groan. I barely catch my crochet hook in my lap and realize I should probably continue crocheting to stay awake. 

  "You look like death warmed you up for a snack." 

  "At 6pm? Sounds like dinner more than a snack. Unless death doesn't eat like I do."

  "Still making self-deprecating fat jokes? In 2025? I thought we got past this." Amethyst sighs.

  "I thought I got over the thoughts of wanting to die just to escape my life, but hey. I guess the old sayings are true about cycle repeating and all that." I retort as I try to remember what row of my crochet pattern I'm on.

  "Hey, we've been through this. You were told you weren't allowed to die until you were 50. Or at least die by your own hand." Amethyst rolls her eyes and leans against my tea station. We both seem to have the same thought; ten minutes later, steaming tea greets us both with the warmest hello. "But still, why are you feeling like this again?"

  "Because, apparently, the whole population of this planet and I are on a crash course for having big stuff change. Something like that. I had to stop listening to the astrology and tarot nerds for a day because the messages were all repeating. Which I know means something, but I am too tired and lost in my thoughts to really think about it too much."

  "Well, I mean, this would be a nicely numbered year to do it. And besides, you're still kicking around this mortal coil. Might as well make the most of it."

  I look up at Amethyst with a classic "Really?" look that most of my family knows too well; one eyebrow slightly raised, my stare a mix of both disbelief and disdain for the thought brought to me. "I guess I am. Might as well keep kicking. What do we need to start with first?"

  "A blog post or two couldn't hurt. Then you can go back to that blanket and chatting with your friends while they play that weird game." Amethyst dictates to me like a helicopter parent. 

  "Okay, okay. I guess that could be something useful." 

  "Welcome to 2025 then, Novus Scriptor."

~

Written 8 January 2025

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