Birthday Shots

On the occasion of my 65th Year

© Susie Bright 1963, Berkeley, McGee Street. Mommy made me that dress with the rick-rack!

I have always loved my birthday, even when things were a little tricky.

The magnificence of a real cake, was first witnessed on my birthday. I’d never seen one before. The awe of lighting candles, and then the blowing-out — amazing! Who knew you could make a wish, and with a little puff, it would all come true?

Today, the 25th, I am 65. Yes, that’s Sun in Aries, also Aries Rising — and a Taurus Moon, so I’m not completely nuts. ;-)

© Susie Bright, 1967, Sierra Madre. The only “badge” I earned was for Book Reading.

I just retired this year from working as an editor and producer for Audible. I started there when Audible started, in 2000, and we did the very first “podcast” in history! (iPods didn’t even exist at the time). That was “In Bed with Susie Bright.”

Then in 2012, Aud asked me to join in as an acquiring editor, and what a grand time I had— getting to produced thousands of artists I truly love. I always wanted an imprint, and this was such an amazing place to grow one.

I wasn’t sure I could handle retiring — but I also knew it was going to kill me if I didn’t. I worked across five time zones and seven days a week. It feels so much better not to work 60 hours a week. I feel positively “well-rested.”

I’m still going to produce audiobooks and shows — in fact, in my retirement wishlist, I want to cut some vinyl, baby! I have been an audiophile-artist for so long, ever since I learned how to carefully put the needle down on my story records as a tot.

© Jon Bailiff, Santa Cruz, 2008. I loved learning how to sew late in life, and of course, made many rompers.

My great pleasure in retirement, aside from walking outside whenever I feel like it, and not knowing whether it’s Saturday or Monday — is this blog.My dream is to write every day here, and also publish people I think are remarkable.

I am writing film and book reviews again — you’ve probably seen my work at The Chronicle and Book&Film Globe — there will be more. I got my start as a movie critic, when I think of it. My first fulltime writing gig. Pauline Kael of porn, indeed.

I’m writing a novel and an anthology, and a new book of essays. Don’t get me started on my book of my dad’s and my poetry! I wish I could stay up all night.

Greg Brown wrote that wonderful song with the refrain, “Time ain’t money when all you go is time.” And yet I’ve craved those hours of freedom, spontaneity, intimacy. I’ve tasted it now for three months. I feel like a human bean, Ma!

I think 65 could be kinda great. Gonna put on my red silk jammies on and get that birthday STARTED.

Birthday morning selfie. I love my new glasses.

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