Jack 5.0

I saw a reel on Instagram the other week saying you should think of your birthdays as point releases and big ones as major version updates.

Think what is coming in the next version.

As a former Software Engineer, it amused me.

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

Jack 5.0 is released this week.

In the last 50 years I've achieved a lot.

Shared nearly 29 years with my lovely wife. Nearly 24 of them married.

Raised two wonderful girls to 9 and 13.

Got a degree and a PhD.

Earnt a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Started four companies, two of which are still going (one pushing on 9 years!).

Held numerous jobs and earnt many promotions.

What does Jack 5.0 do better than Jack 4.9?

I've spent the last week feeling like an old man.

I put my back out during (but not at!) the Expo last week.

I've been moving slowly and gingerly, unable to sit for long before I seize up.

Plagued by stabbing pains if I bent or twisted too much.

It's improving steadily and I'm much better now than last week.

But it's put physical health into focus.

I exercise daily. But briefly.

I walk a lot, and fast, but don't do any real cardio.

And only bodyweight strength training.

I need to take better care of myself.

Including eating less junk.

Eurydice Games will be 9 in a couple of months.

The limited company with Paul will be 8.

In the last 9 years we've released 7 games. 8 if you include Xeno Wars.

And 6 FlickFleet expansions.

I practice games design daily.

Sometimes it's tiny.

I try to do something to help the business every day too, no matter how small.

But we've struggled.

We're barely affording Paul's pitiful salary.

I've not taken out any dividends in years.

We keep having to lend the company our savings to keep it afloat during tight periods.

I need to get it on a more sustainable footing.

Despite last week's injury I'm extremely grateful to reach 50 in good health. 

On Friday 13th April 2006 I was diagnosed with active relapsing remitting MS. It's difficult to predict how it will go, but approaching my 30s the best guess, based on my early symptoms, was 50/50 on whether I'd be using a wheelchair within 10 years.

15 years later, at 45, I ran a 5k in 22 and a half minutes.

20 years later, at (almost!) 50 I'm still the fastest walker I know.

I've been very lucky.

And I'm very grateful.