January 26, 2005
The Big 4-0, I Guess
Well, today is my 40th birthday.
I tried to think of something profound to say about it, but honestly, this birthday seems pretty much like about the last six or so, none of which I can even really remember.
Lacking any genuine sense of occasion, I asked myself why this was.
Part of it, I think, is because 40 isn't the waypoint it used to be, what with better health and increased longevity and all. To be 40 in 2005 isn't the same thing as being 40 in, say, 1975. On top of this, I still look and feel quite young for my age. (I got carded again last night by a clerk who confessed he thought I was in my late 20's.)
Part of it is also because the Llama-ettes are now the primary markers of life's journey in our family. I focus so much of my attention on the milestones of their growth and development that I now tend to ignore the passing of the years as they relate to myself.
Most of it, I think, is because one doesn't look at the clock when one is having fun. And I have to say that I'm having a lot of fun. [Secret message to Steve-O: this is in the Scoggie sense of "having fun."] By this I don't mean that life is perfect or even that I am happy all the time. What it means is that by a combination of very hard work and what my mother often describes as my fool's luck, I have been able to put together pretty much exactly the kind of life I've always wanted, with all of its attendant ups and downs, trials and tribulations, and I'm so busy living it (and, let me hasten to add, being profoundly grateful for it on a day-by-day basis) that I really don't have much sense of its passage.
UPDATE: Many thanks to all of you for your comments. You guys rock! Yip! Yip!
UPDATE DEUX: Wow! Now I've Kathy setting me up with Hollywood Hotties, Sadie doing Marilyn Monroe and Jordana offering to dress up as Morgana Le Fey! Now that's what I'm talking about. Did I mention tomorrow is my birthday too?
Posted by Robert at January 26, 2005 11:03 AMHappy birthday, old-timer. Glad to see you're facing the gaping maw of your mortality with such good grace.
Posted by: JohnL at January 26, 2005 11:44 AMHappy Birthday! Yip yip!!
Posted by: Misspent at January 26, 2005 11:56 AMHappy Birthday Robbo. I only hope that when I turn forty, I'll have the same culture and appreciation of Classical music as you do. Thirteen months and counting...
Posted by: Gordon at January 26, 2005 11:56 AMHappy birthday!
Posted by: red at January 26, 2005 11:56 AMHappy Birthday, Bud!
I'm working on your present;) I think you'll like it. (And if you don't, I know Steve will.)
Posted by: Kathy at January 26, 2005 12:14 PMHappy birthday, sir! You've got it right--4-0 ain't so bad, and for those that have had the good sense (or is it luck) not to peak early, it only gets better. Cheers!
Posted by: Chan S. at January 26, 2005 01:00 PMHell, in 10 more years you'll only be half done! Here's to the next 60.
Posted by: Ted at January 26, 2005 01:37 PMRobbo: happy birthday. My twin called called me on our 30th birthday and told me that now he was initially depressed when he realized we were in the same age range of that insufferable TV series "Thirtysomething." He perked up when he remembered he had nothing in common with the characters on the program because he was not weak, vulnerable, sensitive, or sniveling. Same for you and yes, you are holding up better than most of your contemporaries.
Posted by: LMC at January 26, 2005 02:16 PMPart of it, I think, is because 40 isn't the waypoint it used to be, what with better health and increased longevity and all. To be 40 in 2005 isn't the same thing as being 40 in, say, 1975.
Well for one thing, the fashion is better.
Happy ***grumble grumble*** birthday.
Posted by: Bill from INDC at January 26, 2005 02:19 PMHappy Birthday, Mister President! Yip!
Posted by: sadie at January 26, 2005 03:45 PMHappy Birthday! May your 40th be better than my 38th .
Posted by: owlish at January 26, 2005 03:53 PMHappy birthday. Have you thought about throwing yourself a catered party with an actor playing Merlin and lots of felt capes and wooden swords? :)
Posted by: Jordana at January 26, 2005 04:25 PMHappy Birthday Orgling One! Hope you'll have lots of occasions for joy today.
Posted by: Liz at January 26, 2005 05:07 PMAwwww, RobertLlama- Happy Birthday to you :D
R turned 40 this year, too. Oh, wait- ummm, last year (fall). Darned 16 years of government education! I still can't keep my body on a calendar year.
Anyway, I will link you later. What a lovely portrait you painted- so very real and endearing, too.
Posted by: Rae at January 26, 2005 08:04 PMHappy Birthday LB! Please tell us what the Llamaettes conspired to get you?
Posted by: Wittysexkitten at January 26, 2005 09:30 PMHappy birthday! take lots of pictures, eat lots of (banana) cake! 'splain me what Scoggie sense means! oh... sekrit messuj. skippit. Happy birthday tomorrow, too, if I don't amble by!
Posted by: tee bee at January 26, 2005 10:45 PMI realize I'm a little late on this, but I posted a sneak picture of Robbo on his birthday on my site: Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Denise at January 28, 2005 04:27 AM
