Welcome to Focused at Fifty!

"Cheers to Focused at Fifty!"

SO. Here was are and here we go again!  I'm on to a NEW DECADE. I am still living by the glass half full mantra. I am still the positive GOOFY happy-go-lucky guy you know. What has changed? Why the name change on the blog? Didn't I say I was GOOFY? I'm really a Pluto fan 💖. LOL But I'll still be Goofy. But now I am also "Focused at Fifty"!

It was a tough decision. When I began this as "Frazzled at Forty", I truly was, but now that moniker, identity, and brand just doesn't fit me anymore. After countless hours of therapy (thank God for co-pays!) and just figuring myself the fuck out, I may still have my frazzled moments but I am not longer the epitome of "Frazzled at Forty". As we all do, I have evolved. 

I cannot believe that I have had this blog for 10 plus years. It has been a wonderful journey. Yes, I do look back at what I've wrote before, and sometimes cringe. LOL. All good and part of growth. I do share a lot more about my life but still try and keep some under-wraps here and there. It's good to keep a bit of mystery out there even though my life is basically an open book. 

I started this blog  as an homage to my dear Mom. Right before her passing, she asked me to continue my writing and write, write, write. This was the week of April 10th, 2009. She passed on that date approximately 11:30 AM surround by each one of her kids. It was a moment obviously I won't forget and I was blessed to witness. To say a final goodbye, it was so precious.

It took me a year to finally heed those words and begin the blog "Frazzled at Forty". 445 blog posts later and over 223,000 views, I have achieved more than I ever thought I could. I had a wonderful interview on AOL video for one of them, mentioned several times in other pieces, and even had a stint as a podcaster as a result! It's been a wonderful experience. I continuously say as I turned 50 (and beyond) how blessed I am. Just wonderful. 

This has never been about exposure or money. I have always been SO thankful about everyone who has read my blog. It has meant the world. Some blog posts have worked, some have not. I'm happy to say my writing has grown. I know who has stuck with me and I so appreciate it. I have always laughingly called this my unpaid part time job. And its all good! I just love writing and if you will continue to read, I will continue to write. 

Fifty has taught me alot. It has been eye-opening and refreshing. Ya just don't give that flying fuck anymore. I do what I want which makes me happy. Of course this becomes within reason. I am not going to hurt others and rob a bank or steal Splenda anymore from the diner (um, ok that last one I cannot commit to).  

Turning 50 is about self discovery and if I don't like something, I pretty much move on immediately. Time is precious guys. No time for me to to dwell on things I know won't or can't change. And if you need me to explain this further, buy me a drink. Preferably, a top shelf bourbon Manhattan at the Summit View restaurant by my house. Make it two and you will find out ALL SORTS of stuff!  

The blog will continue as a journey through my life, now my 50s. I would love it to continue another 10 years. Maybe I'll get a paycheck for it by then? LOL Prob not and that's all good. Seriously, I love people's feedback and letting me know you read my blog just warms up this little old lump of coal in my chest. 

I am trying new foods and will continue to do so and blog about it. Chalk that up to my hotel - bar - restaurant history. Also, I will be cooking some recipes I have always wanted to and blogging about it. I have Coq au Vin in mind as well as a good Cioppino and Bouillabaisse. I'm also gonna make my family's traditional recipes again such as some damn good brisket or matzoh balls that actually bounce! 

For the longest time I have put off all the baking recipes because they scare me. TOO SCIENTIFIC. LOL I know I'll fuck them up. But, hell, I'm 50 and who cares! I know my family will be guinea pigs for my cooking (whether they realize it or not!). 

I will also continue blogging about what's happening in my life. All the fun and boring stuff. Yard, travels, new kitchen gadgets, my cats crazy lives, and of course, the Big Ragu. Work still won't be mentioned but I will open up more about my history and my twenties. I am working on a project about it and hope to talk about it more soon. I really looking forward to this new chapter in my life and hope you tune in to it. 

WOW. I just cannot believe it has been over 10 years. I am so thankful as well as overwhelmed that I actually still have people reading my ramblings. LOL 

I dedicated Frazzled at Forty to my dear AWESOME Mom, Abby. I shall dedicate the next 10 years to the Big Ragu and my siblings, Adam and Sheryl. 

I considered many other names for the next ten years. "Focused" suits me and where I am in my life now. Some people have suggested Fabulous at Fifty. That's just too obvious. We all know I am. LOL I liked Farklempt but alot of people don't even know what that means. I am not Fucked at Fifty, life is good. I considered Fatty, Flatulent, Figidty, Fern Gullied, Fraggled, Frightened, Flabby, Fingered, and a host of others. I chose Focused. I know what I wanna do and am more focused than ever on my goals. 

I hope you will continue to join me. 😍