March 26, 2009

• Rumination on Birthdays

  Didja ever notice how birthday philosophy changes over time?

  When you’re a kid EVERY birthday is vomit-inducingly special.  PRESENTS!

  Then you get to the “Peg” birthdays.  13 (Yay! Teenager.  Next best thing to being an adult.).  16 (Gimme the keys to the car).  18 (I’m an adult, godamnit, so treat me like one [even if I don't act like one]). 21 (Ooooh baby, now I get to feel what hangovers feel like LEGALLY).

  Next up…the dreaded big 30.  Now not such a happy birthday philosophy. It should be noted that I whizzed right past my 30th birthday without the least bit of Angst.  Hell, as far as I’m concerned my Real Life didn’t start until I began my current career…and that was at age 31.

  Then you get (IMHO) into the Blah But For Decades birthdays.  You know…40 is impressive, 50 is made it this far, 60 means retirement might be in sight.  All the intermediate birthdays are just well…there.

  Birthday 65 brings the Sigh of Relief philosophy.  Medicare.  Social Security.  Finally someone else can take care of things.

  After 70?  I anticipate that it’s the Thank God I Made it Another Year mentality.

  Of course, for everyone, there’s an age where it’s more Do I Really Have to See Another One mentality.

  Personally I hope I don’t hit that last one. 

  And oh yeah…today’s my birthday.  At 42…today’s birthday was pretty much just…there. (Not to disregard the really nice birthday dinner my peeps had for me last Saturday.)

  • 5:53 pm
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