Today is kind of a big deal. Today, I turn fifty years old. Neither of the previous Charles Parkers made it this far. It feels kind of weird to be here. This is, oddly enough, uncharted territory.

I am, in a lot of ways, at least below the neck, in the best shape of my life. My body can do fifty miles on a bicycle in less than four hours. I couldn’t have done that at 25. I weigh less than I did at 30. I’m almost 100 pounds lighter than I was eight years ago. I’ve got some other weird medical issues I’m dealing with, though I’m working with proper medical professionals, both in terms of physical health and mental health, to figure out how to fix things, and we’re making some progress.

Also, over the last five or six years, I’ve become kind of a big deal as a musician; sure, I’m not Taylor Swift, but next weekend, I’ll be performing as myself at one of the biggest fan conventions in the country (certainly in the top three on the east coast) and releasing my third full-length CD, which sounds rather good, if I do say so myself. I’ve gotten better at performing, writing, recording, and all that sort of business. I have fans, which, honestly, feels kinda weird, but also good.

Career-wise, I’m not in a bad place, all told. I’ve established my niche within the organization. People depend on me and my expertise. If there’s a problem, I’m the guy they call. It’s occasionally frustrating, but I’m doing good work, doing my part for the public good. I really can’t complain.

I can pay my bills, I can support my family and their needs, I’ve got a nice place to live, and a wonderful and supportive chosen family I love and can depend on, and who knows they can depend on me.

All in all, in spite of the stress and the occasional frustration, I’m in a good place, a half-century on.

I’ll take it.

Anyway, here are some tunes:

1. “She’s Kinda Hot” – 5 Seconds of Summer
2. “1983” – Neon Trees
3. “Mother’s Love” – Collective Soul
4. “Navigating” – Twenty One Pilots
5. “Breathe (2AM)” – Anna Nalick
6. “She’s a Genius” – Jet
7. “Everywhere” – Michelle Branch
8. “Breathing Underwater” – Metric
9. “I Think We’re Alone Now” – Tiffany
10. “All The Small Things” – blink-182
11. “Stacy’s Mom” – Bowling For Soup
12. “Let Me Be” – Radio Company