To Be #1

I want to start off by thanking each and every one of you who have been visiting "The Center of the Universe" for the past six months. This blog is Blog #50 for me and what better way to mark the occasion than to once again visit the Greatness that is Me, the Center of the Universe!
Some of you out there already know my given name. I am Brian, named for the Greatest High-King of Ireland, Brian Boru. King Brian was the man who brought the regional rulers of Ireland under a single High-King, defeated the Vikings who constantly raided the island, and ruled Ireland strongly and yet fairly from 1002 to 1014. He was a great military leader of the time. He seized the initiative, defeated his enemies, and although he was ruthless and brutal by today's standards, he sought reconciliation in the aftermath of victory.
My given name is appropriate for my persona. "Brian", of Celtic origin, means Strength, Honor, Valor, and Courage. To one degree or another I exhibit these qualities. The name also means "He Who Ascends" in the Irish. Through this, obviously I am a born leader.
Of course, being a Leo, this expands on my natural authority. I am independent, active, passionate, and can be quite generous. Although I project pessimism, I am usually quite optimistic and determined to excel. I'm middle aged, and yet when I go indulge myself in my passionate hobby of go-kart racing, I am not satisfied unless I have set a time in the top three for that day. When I climb from the kart and pull off my distinctive green, gold,& blue helmet, I enjoy seeing the expressions on the young Gen-Xers faces when they realize a guy twice their ages just whipped them! I just grin like the proverbial cat that just devoured the canary and slip away.
I am an ambitious and self-centered man. I am kind-hearted, generous, and sympathetic. I enjoy conversation and relish repartee. Storytelling is a favorite pastime of mine, and sitting at the keyboard for hours on end as a story flows from my creative mind energizes me. Molding common words into a sculpture of my own is truly gratifying.
One thing I do like, I like to lounge when the time comes. I'm by no means lazy, but do enjoy basking in the Sun, my ruling Symbol and Fiery source of life, as well as curling up in a cozy corner, to be left alone until the time comes that I want your attentions again.
And center of attention I must be! I can be hot-headed, fiery, and passionate, all within the span of moments. Great emotions are my gift, as well as my curse. Controlling them is out of the question. It would be like trying to control a forest fire with a squirt gun.
Another thing about me is my protective instinct. Don't mess with my family, my pride, if you cherish your existence. Enough said.
"The brightest stars burn half as long". This is my destiny. I will more than likely die young, maybe within a decade. I can accept this on some levels. I live life today as if it were my last. I've been shot at, wrecked, busted up, concussed, and I don't know what else. My ankle, wrecked in a training accident, has been worked on and still aches nearly every day. As does my knee that was broken in Spain, from a fall down the side of a mountain. I've not been good to my body over the years, to say the least.
Yeah, I'm an Egotist. Among other things. Call me what you will, you are merely Minions to my Greatness. And yet I love and cherish each and every one of you. I will go to any length asked of me for your safety, security, and well-being. Treat me well, and I'll die for you if need be. But I'll be taking somebody with me, for sure!
I am Brian!
I am Leo!
I am #1!
I am the Center of the Universe!