...and here I often feel that I have failed at all those things.

One thing I think we have in common on this -- triage in our lives. You wake up one day, and say "Screw all this, I'm going to do THIS -- "

And you do it. I had that Epiphany again this weekend. If I no longer enjoy conventions, because stress triggers LBb symptoms, I should do fewer -- or none -- and just write. Either it's my turn for the gold ring, or not.

Simple as that.

But I wish I'd thought of Odd Friday -- a very Good Thing. ;^)