How many times have I been around the sun so far? 600?
No, I’m not some cursed immortal, roaming the earth for centuries. I’m just a regular guy who enjoys walks on the beach and the occasional jewel heist.
But seriously, where has the time gone? There must be some explanation. They say that if you harp on the past, you die a little each day.
What’s wrong with a little trip down memory lane every now and then? I’m not hurting anyone!
Who am I arguing with?
Once Upon a Time in ’80s America
I was born in 1979. You might’ve heard of this year in that Smashing Pumpkins song of the same name. I entered the world anew on the precipice of a new decade. The ’80s were a magnificent time to grow up in. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
By the 1990s, computers were commonplace in most homes and classrooms. Initially, their antiquated monochrome screens left a lot to the imagination, but it was a start. Such technological advancements were only the beginning.
We witnessed the rapid rise of the Internet age and the gradual takeover of cell phones, which soon found their way into every pocket.
These days, it’s common to overhear a stranger’s phone conversation or be subjected to whatever movie or music they’re blasting, no matter where you are. Headphones are just too much to ask for in today’s fast-paced world. We may be advanced, but we’re still assholes.
The 21st century hasn’t fully lived up to either the hopeful visions or dystopian fears we were once promised about the future. We’re somewhere between Tomorrow Land and the rise of Skynet.
The inevitable prevalence of AI has undoubtedly shaped the direction we’re headed, rendering many jobs obsolete. We’re already seeing its effects on art, music, and writing. We’ve seen the impact it’s had on teachers and students. Can it even be contained at this point?
I’m all for technology and how it improves our standard of living, but I find the unstoppable shift toward AI and our eventual reliance on it a bit concerning.
I’ll ask ChatGPT what all the fuss is about.
The Present
I can’t say too much has changed since last August. I haven’t taken any big trips this year. There never seems to be time.
I went to Fort Irwin, California, for a few weeks in May, but that wasn’t much fun. My adventurous traveling has seen a 25% drop since last year. I have no idea what those numbers mean, but it sounds like a startling statistic.
I haven’t finished my great American novel yet (big surprise), but I’m working on it. I’ve been working on a lot of music too. Is it too late to be a rock star?
Sometimes the scariest realization is that all the ideas you’ve carried for years may never come to life. But there are no shortcuts. You just have to work harder.
I’d love to attend one of those turn-of-the-century World Fairs in Chicago or Paris in the early 1900s. It would’ve been extraordinary to see state-of-the-art science and technology from around the world back then.
To witness the advancements of the industrial age in real time would be a sight to behold. Imagine seeing the first telephone, automobile, or head-massaging hair hat. Imagine catching a glimpse of the world’s first dishwasher. It’d probably be the size of a house.
They have World Expos today, held every five years, with the most recent global exhibition in Osaka, Japan. I never got an invitation, probably because I had nothing to contribute.
The next one will be in 2030 in Saudi Arabia.
I’d better think of something before then.
Shawn McKee 
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