bARTknows

If you've ever had a sleepless night wondering how you could possibly squeeze an extra moment of accomplishment from your day, then you know what this is about. I don't mean an accomplishment of any great magnitude. Perhaps you wanted to exercise, but didn't. Maybe you wanted to read a little more of that novel that captivated your interest so purely for the months before you took a new direction, but didn't. And that time you wanted to keep talking to one of your closest family members, but couldn't. For one reason or another, you had something to accomplish that took precedence over others. The moments piled up in a queue that languishes with precedence.

Goals and accomplishments exist in all varieties. I've always been a dreamer to the tenth degree. You probably have your own dreams. You may not call them dreams, perhaps goals, perhaps to-do's. It's true we aren't all dreamers to the same extent, but our accomplishments, big or small in relative comparison, are the things that materialize who we are in our lifetimes.

When I was 6, I wanted to become a truck driver. At 7, a fighter pilot thanks to an 80s icon that answered to his call sign, Maverick. Somewhere around 9 or 10, if my memory serves me well, a professional skateboarder. My ambitions evolved--the ingredients: my living passions seasoned with age and the flavorful hallmarks of my dreams. Fantasy always surpassed reality. Then at one point, for better or worse, the two converged. I can't remember when it happened. Do you know what I'm describing?

I've noticed more of a recurring trend in my life. The mention of time. Really, the realization of a lack thereof and a dependency upon it. For the past month, I've wallowed in my lacking and forgone the realities I've dreamed of in small portions. Rather unfortunate if you ask me.

I've always loved to cook. Rather than dream of becoming a professional chef, I want to prepare one more delicious meal for my hungry friends. And then another. And yes, another after that.

I've always loved to tell stories. If you're reading this and you've gotten this far, you're probably one of the few that know this. Rather than dream of writing a best selling novel bloated with words that'll sell in the millions, I want to tell you a story. And yes, many more after I am through with the first.

So, join me, and learn more about what Bart knows...and knew, and lived through. Though, be prepared. Chances are it's nothing special. But, I'll leave you to be my judgmental little friend.