A year older, somewhat wiser

There are only 10 shopping days left until my birthday. So, what are you getting me?

About this time every year, I reflect on what's changed over the past year. I fall into a notion that I need to become more mature, more serious, more "adult-like." So for a few weeks, I act more sullen and serious before my actual birthday arrives and then I tread backwards to a child-like mentality.

I still love comic books. I find quality time in front of my TV playing video games and watching cartoons. I can spend hours at the arcades — though it is much more expensive than when I was 14. I still eat waaay more than I should in order to compete when someone else does.

But I have noticed that I'm paying attention to certain things that I didn't before.

I was never big into politics, but seeing the ramifications of what happens when an unqualified person is elected into a power of authority has made me much more active to inform myself.

I never thought much about a retirement fund or IRAs or financial security for my retirement years until I got a job. I'm sure my focus is stronger with the economy in the state it is. I mean, my bank's been bought out twice this year.

Perhaps I would still be wallowing in ignorance if the country was running smoothly and the economy was in stellar shape, but I'm sticking to my feeling that I'm getting older.

Now let me get back to the latest issue of "Marvel Apes." Superheroes in monkey-form — can't beat that.