2021: Don’t let the door hit you in the ass
Hey, everybody’s writing reflections, so why not me? I mostly do it in my personal journal. But one year I did publish a great list of resolutions for my readers to try. This year I definitely have some things on my mind.
No doubt like a lot of you, I’m worried about the COVID-19 pandemic. How many more times will we need to hunker down and quasi-isolate? How many more times will things we want to do and people we want to see be unavailable, or at least inadvisable? Most especially, how many more lives will be lost, and will ours or those we love be among them?
I’m concerned about the investigation into the January 6 uprising at our nation’s Capitol. The committee handling the investigation seems to be doing a stellar job. It has been gratifying to see some of the insurrectionists be held accountable. It’s worrisome that many more will go unpunished. Most frightening is the evidence that members of our own Congress, as well as our lame duck President at the time, aided and abetted and helped to fuel it, fund it, or even give directions on where to find the lawmakers they wanted to KILL. Yes, fucking KILL. I want them to suffer the full effects of the law. But will they? Law-breaking rich conservatives often seem to be coated in Teflon. Nothing sticks. I hope this time will be different.
I’m scared by how the Republicans in Congress seem determined to block almost every effort to pass bills that will improve life for American people. WTF? Isn’t standing up for the American people supposed to be what they ALL are there for? And for those who don’t, how do they keep getting elected? Why does a poor and uneducated populace in red states keep voting against their own interests? I’ll never understand it.
And I’m worried about the redistricting efforts that are putting more votes into white communities. The challenges to voting rights that will affect poor people, people of color, elderly people and disabled people (I myself am in two of those groups!)
I’m terrified that Roe v. Wade is finally going down the toilet. In spite of the fact that a majority of Americans approve of the law that allows a woman to control her own reproduction. And the effects that will have on women and children (yes, children. Because when women cannot handle the burdens of parenting—often carried out alone and without enough money— their other children suffer).
Bringing it home, I’m concerned about me. I’m facing the challenges of getting older. Health problems, my face and body changing. The time of life when people look back on our lives and tally our successes and our failures. When we reflect on the legacy we are leaving behind. Sometimes that picture is gratifying—that we did so much and had so much. Other times that picture is lacking—whether love we lost, people who hurt us or left us, dreams that never came to fruition. Add on to that failing health that can take away from what we do have left. Facing how much of the had vs. the had not in our lives can be daunting.
So needless to say, I wasn’t especially psyched about 2022.
Until I got a call the other day. No, it wasn’t the love of my life saying that he wanted me back. It wasn’t the Nobel Committee telling me, Congratulations! It wasn’t President Biden saying, We did it! It was my health plan saying that they could fit me in for hip replacement surgery.
What??? Being splayed out on a medieval torture rack while someone goes at me with a big knife, a hammer and a hacksaw? That’s what’s gotten me excited about 2022? YES! Because the bone-on-bone arthritis in my left hip has made me increasingly unable to walk for the past year. If I had fallen and broken my hip, I would have qualified for emergency surgery. But otherwise, it’s considered “elective” surgery and has to wait in queue behind all those who got to the surgeon before me. And it’s been a long list. Thanks to the strain that COVID has put on the health care system (and here I need to say a big FU to the unvaccinated people who have contributed to that—you don’t know what’s in the vaccine? Really? Like you knew what was in all the other vaccines you had, or even in that chili you ate for dinner last night?)
Anyway. So I have a surgery date and it’s coming up soon. And I know the first couple weeks are gonna be a bitch. But everyone tells me that the recovery is quick, and then I can get back to living the life that I want to live. Yeah, I still have back problems and high triglycerides and my life isn’t perfect and whatnot. But here are some of the things I look forward to doing:
- I’ve moved to a beautiful city, Sacramento. City of Trees it’s called. Which I have seen mostly driving in a car to my various health appointments. I want to WALK around Sacramento!
- I want—NEED—to get out in nature. I want to hike, which I haven’t done since before the pandemic. To camp, which I’ve done twice since the pandemic, the last time in April. Sit by the campfire with a hot toddy (or a cool toddy depending on the weather). Listen to the wind in the trees, the owls hooting softly, the coyotes yipping. Maybe a stream trickling. Heaven on earth.
- The memoir I’ve spent the last seven years writing and revising is coming out in July! I need to plan a book launch, hell, maybe even a book tour! Virtual at least.
- And I want to date! Go to a bar! Dance my ass off! Kiss a man! And who knows, maybe even more! Really test that hip out. 😉
That’s not too much to ask, is it?
So yeah, I’m a little excited about 2022.
Are you? Why or why not?
(I hope they don’t just cut through my snowsuit.)
Hooray for your hip replacement at last!
Thank you! So excited!
So excited for your upcoming surgery, good luck! Wishing you nothing but a speedy and healthy recovery!
(P.S. I love your writing style, you’re so funny!)
I’m doing well so far. Thank you for reading!
Hi Professor Hoggan
As one of your current students, I’m glad that the surgery went well. I have not been to Sacramento since 1999 I think, sorry forget things with age, but I’m also glad that you are in a peaceful place, and don’t worry, you will test your new hip soon, look at it like the 6-million-dollar woman instead of man your bionic now. And I got to say reading your blog is very interesting you have lived an interesting life.
I think Sacramento has really changed in the last decade or so. More cosmopolitan while still keeping a small town feel. Thanks for reading!
I’m glad that you were able to get your hip replacement surgery! With everything going on, it’s important to be able to do some of the things that make you truly happy. I hope you have a speedy recovery :).
My recovery has been amazing! I will be posting more about the surgery experience. Thanks for the good wishes.
Love that you’re not afraid to write about your point of views on political things. It was nice reading what was going through your mind before your surgery and I’m so happy to know it all went well. Did the snowsuit survive? I also look forward to reading your posts once you’re able to go back to bars and dance the night away!
Dance the night away! That sounds so fun! Thanks for reading. I will be posting more about the surgery exxperience.
I am new to your Blog Posts and you never cease to say amazing things Ms. Hoggan, really have fun reading your post. Hope you are doing alright after your surgery? And for the Roe vs. Wade, it seems like what you are terrified about, is happening. It seems like our government doesn’t really know how their ongoing decision about Roe vs. Wade will really affect a lot of women, not just women, but their children. If most women keep having unplanned pregnancy, there is a higher chance they might hate their own child because they might put their blames on their child based on the reason that having the baby ruined their lives. What about women who struggles financially, how can they afford to take care of their children if they keep having unplanned pregnancy. If the government is really worried about Abortion, I guess they don’t really care about overpopulation.
Glad you’re enjoying my blog posts! I hear you are a true believer in the power of Roe vs Wade, as am I. I am just heartsick to think of all the damage to families such as you describe. We must keep fighting – and voting!
Hi Ms Hoggan, this my first Blog post I’ve read from you and I can already tell I’ll be coming back to read the rest I love how you just give ur straight point on what you think and how it should be, using that freedom of speech to its full extent. I’m glad you were able to get your hip replacement as well hope your well.
My hip is finally doing great, thank you! Glad you’re enjoying my blog posts. 🙂
first thing I like to make a comment about it I am glad you spoke up about the truth in this country! many people not wanting to get vaccinated nor wear a mask when it was needed. I was hospitalized with covid in early 2021 and my own family didnt believe the virus was true until I was wheeled out the hospital with an oxygen tank attached to my side.
Oh my god! I’m so sorry for that and for your family’s failure to understand what you were going through.
Hello! I really appreciate your writing style and how passionate you are about the things you write. I hope that your hip has fully recovered by now. I actually am super interested in reading your memoir. Has it already been published? I hope you are settling in well and enjoying all that Sacramento has to offer!
Thank you! My memoir is due out October 11 this year. It’s available for preorder at places like Amazon. If you follow my blog you will be seeing more about it.
Lynda, that apparatus for hip surgery you have pictured here looks like a commercial for kinder, gentler torture devices. But I’m thrilled that your hip replacement has gone well and that you are getting out more and more! That bodes well for dancing, swimming, walking, and even more exciting adult activities in your future! As the Wisconsin state motto says, “Forward”!
This hit home because my grandma passed from Covid at the end of 2021 so I can personally relate to the anger and irritating with people who didn’t get the vaccine or where mask and laughed at the pandemic and the ones who were truly affected.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your grandma.
Hi Professor Hoggan! I was reading through your blog and found this post interesting! It’s wild that the health care system would prefer you break your hip then have surgery, rather than fixing it before you fall and hurt yourself. I know realize this post was over a year ago, But! I hope the procedure went well!
It took a long time to get it, due to the pandemic. But I had it a year ago January and it now works perfectly! Thank you for asking.
I remember back 10 years ago when you were sitting on the chair in the classroom at Mt.SAC and I never thought you’d need a hip replacement. I hope all goes well!
That’s so cool that you knew me from before. Lotta changes since then LOL!
AS I AM NOW SLOWLY ENCROACHING UPON THE NEW YEAR, THIS IS SUCH AN INSIGHTFUL AND FUN READ. IT’S QUITE FLABBERGASTING THAT NOTHING HAS REALLY CHANGED MUCH REGARDING POLITICS. NONETHELESS, IM GRATEFUL TO HAVE SURVIVED COVID AND TO BE READING THIS PIECE (:
Boy, you just said a lot: we all who survived need to be grateful.