Today I am 40
 

I thought about doing an "Ask Me" thread, but figured just sharing a few short life observations on this occasion might make more sense. (If this turns into an Ask Me thread I will not be disappointed.) OOT MODS -- If this is better suited for the Lounge, then please move it there.

My philosophy has always been that age is juts a number and you are only as old as you feel. However, now that I have hit what many consider to be a milestone, I find myself reflecting on the first half of my life.

I have many things to be grateful for. I have a loving (and IMO hot) wife that has put up with me for 16 years. 2 beautiful daughters who I love more than words can convey. Finally, I have enough friends to fill up my house yesterday for a birthday dinner.

I have what many would consider to be a great situation and I am very thankful for it. Of course, my life is not perfect and there are things I wish I could change, but on the whole, I have to admit that the last few years have been one of the happiest periods of my life. I am truly blessed in this regard.

I really do not have a secret. I try to appreciate every day and live in the moment as much as possible. That doesn't mean doing things that you will regret later. It means taking the time to do the things that you would later regret not doing.

For example, yesterday evening I was playing cards with my buddies when my oldest daughter asked me to proof read her short essay. I know proofing homework is SOP for most parents, but my daughter and I had a very good 8 minute philosophical discussion on the meaning of freedom based on her short paragraphs. It's not a topic I would ever have brought up on my own because, quite frankly, it never would have occurred to me to do so. Anyway that's just a very small example of what I am referencing.

At the risk of making this entirely TLDR material here is one of my favorite poems that sums up much of my life philosophy these days:

Robert Frost
The Road Not Taken

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Re: Today I am 40
 

Congrats on (a) your 40th birfday, (b) leading a happy life. May it go on for as long as you wish.

Re: Today I am 40
 

You are, indeed, shockingly old.
You are so very, very old.
Old

Happy to hear that someone from SSNL is older than me, even if only by a few months. Happy B-Day.




Old

Re: Today I am 40
 

Mazel Tov.

Re: Today I am 40
 

"I have many things to be grateful for. I have a loving (and IMO hot) wife that has put up with me for 16 years. 2 beautiful daughters who I love more than words can convey. Finally, I have enough friends to fill up my house yesterday for a birthday dinner."

I didn't have to (but I did) go any further. This is what makes it all worth while.

I could tell you were an old fart I just didn't know you were THAT old [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Today I am 40
 

congrats frank - i think your old location, running good at life, was quite fitting.

Re: Today I am 40
 

on this day:
1963 - 20 African-American students enter public schools in Alabama.
1967 - The people of Gibraltar vote to remain a British dependency rather than becoming part of Spain...and YOU!
1972 - The United States loses its first international basketball game in a disputed match against the Soviet Union at Munich, Germany.
1987 - At his residence in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden launches al Qaeda. (ironic considering the day that follows)


births:
1949 - Bill O'Reilly, American journalist and commentator
1958 - Chris Columbus, American film director
1963 - Randy Johnson, American baseball player
1989 - Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol contestant

Re: Today I am 40
 

Others with Sept 10 birthdays:

Randy Johnson. Joe Perry, Arnold Palmer, Dan Castellaneta and Matt Geiger!

Re: Today I am 40
 

Happy Birthday, old man!

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
Others with Sept 10 birthdays:

Randy Johnson. Joe Perry, Arnold Palmer, Dan Castellaneta and Matt Geiger!

[/ QUOTE ]

cant believe i missed arnold palmer. so many randoms on wikipedia that he got lost in the shuffle...

Re: Today I am 40
 

Woah, older than me!?!?

Happy Birthday.

I'm 39, married, with 2 girls (5 and 7). How old are your girls?

Re: Today I am 40
 

Jesus. 40? So freaking old. Thanks goodness I still have my youth. Being only 36 I can't imagine what you are experiencing. My condolences.

Oh yeah... Happy Birthday! [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]


Added to Sept 10 b-days: Pope Julius III (1487); Ian Fleming (1888); Roger Maris (1934).



List of Notable Sept 10 Birthdays

Re: Today I am 40
 

Happy Birthday, 40 is the new 30, and with recent advancements in medical technology 50 could soon be the new 30, hell you could even be entering a 30 year prime of your life.(40-70 is my new prediction to take over for 20-40 as the prime of your life)

Re: Today I am 40
 

microbet,

My girls are (soon to be) 14 and 10.

jtown,

From your lips to God's ear......

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
Happy Birthday, 40 is the new 30, and with recent advancements in medical technology 50 could soon be the new 30, hell you could even be entering a 30 year prime of your life.(40-70 is my new prediction to take over for 20-40 as the prime of your life)

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm 36 with a ex-wife, wife, and 4 kids. I was starting to think that 36 was the new 56 [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Today I am 40
 

happybirthdayfrank!

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Others with Sept 10 birthdays:

Randy Johnson. Joe Perry, Arnold Palmer, Dan Castellaneta and Matt Geiger!

[/ QUOTE ]

cant believe i missed arnold palmer. so many randoms on wikipedia that he got lost in the shuffle...

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks to this, i found out that i share a birthday with Sisqo, Uncle Kracker and Nick Lachey.

[censored]

Re: Today I am 40
 

Happy Birthday. I'm 34 and 40 seems awfully close.

Re: Today I am 40
 

congrats,
you still suck at FFL

Re: Today I am 40
 

Happy birthday! Going on 39 myself so I'm right there with ya almost.

Always loved that Frost poem also, esp. the 3rd verse. Hits home how every choice we make in life closes off other choices forever - even if we don't realize it at the time. It feels good to be grateful for the choices made and where they led you to in life.

Re: Today I am 40
 

http://web.tiscali.it/fabioracco2/images/Whois16.gif

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
congrats,
you still suck at FFL

[/ QUOTE ]

Heh. My team is fine.

Re: Today I am 40
 

4_2, Happy birthday sir. Loved the post and am glad to hear that you're doing so well. As I read what you wrote, I was just thinking that I hope I have that sort of life going on when I hit 40. As Nicksdad said, that seems to be what makes it all worth it. I really enjoy your posts and insights, so best wishes in the future 4_2.

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
My girls are (soon to be) 14 and 10.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll start the countdown!

42it: Are you the oldest mod? I'm sure Mason and Sklansky are older, but i dunno if youre old man rivers of the mods or what.

Re: Today I am 40
 

Happy Birthday.

Re: Today I am 40
 

Congrats from another >30-er.

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
on this day:
births:
1989 - Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol contestant

[/ QUOTE ]
DAMN! This is the ONLY bad thing this day!!! But no worries, you have WAY more cosmic power to boost the Yen/Yang! Don't ever stop loving, living and appreciating or we could all be doomed by Sanjaya!

Most congratulations on your milestone birthday- and 40 is the new 20, so sounds like your living to the fullest!!! Age is a number, and it is only in your mind, so i act younger b/c that's what i feel. Live outside the box, and you will achieve your own personal successes (like you are doing) Great message you posted for the youngsters on here! I too have a daughter, and i treasure those little moments too! And i've always loved that Robert Frost poem- definitely one to live by!!!!

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY 4_2_IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

-ala

Re: Today I am 40
 

Happy Bday and congrats for making it this far [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Some birthday questions for you to answer:

(1) Which 5 year period of your life would you want to relive if you could do it again? Why?

(2) What major mistakes have you made along the way, and what would you do differently?

(3) If you were not married, please rate your ability on how well you could still get hot women at your age. (scale of 1-10)

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]

42it: Are you the oldest mod?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure I'll regret this, but I can confirm that he's not the oldest mod. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

Of course, I'm still hotter than he is. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] (OK. Maybe just because I am a woman.)

Happy, Happy 42it! I can confirm life only gets better after 40. I've done things since 40 I would never have considered possible for me.

The Poker Mom

Re: Today I am 40
 

that poem is corny. Sorry, but I can't read it without rolling my eyes. It just reminds me of every idiot I've ever met who justifies their abominable existences by that goddamn cannard "taking the road less traveled by"

Nonetheless: happy birthday!!!!

Re: Today I am 40
 

4_2,

You're the best of the best. From our interaction, I consider you one of the most balanced people I know. Consider that a huge compliment.

Happy Bday.

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]

(1) Which 5 year period of your life would you want to relive if you could do it again? Why?

[/ QUOTE ]

That one is tough. I didn't meet my wife until my senior year of college so going back to college armed with the knowledeg I now possess would be very interesting; however, I think go back to the 30-35 era and work out more and spend more time with my girls again. That would be a lot of fun to relive.

[ QUOTE ]
(2) What major mistakes have you made along the way, and what would you do differently?

[/ QUOTE ]

I've had a couple of ill-timed job changes and there have been a few stock market investments that I wish I could have back. Trading Sterling for Jerome Bettis cost me a FFL championship back in the day as well.

[ QUOTE ]
(3) If you were not married, please rate your ability on how well you could still get hot women at your age. (scale of 1-10)

[/ QUOTE ]

Hot women my age I'd rate myself close to a 9. Those who met me in Vegas can probably offer a more unbiased view on this one......

Re: Today I am 40
 

seeing epdaws in a thread makes me happy.

42yearold(hey soon that will be right),

You didnt act a day over 25 in vegas, and are a great man. Happy Birthday.

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
that poem is corny. Sorry, but I can't read it without rolling my eyes. It just reminds me of every idiot I've ever met who justifies their abominable existences by that goddamn cannard "taking the road less traveled by"

Nonetheless: happy birthday!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Those idiots miss the entire point of the poem...

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
4_2,

You're the best of the best. From our interaction, I consider you one of the most balanced people I know. Consider that a huge compliment.

Happy Bday.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is one of the best presents I could receive.

[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] epdaws

Re: Today I am 40
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
on this day:
births:
1989 - Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol contestant

[/ QUOTE ]
DAMN! This is the ONLY bad thing this day!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

clearly you missed:

[ QUOTE ]
on this day:
1987 - At his residence in Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden launches al Qaeda.

[/ QUOTE ]

but nonetheless, this day in 1989 was troublesome indeed.

Re: Today I am 40
 

One day closer to the grave. Happy birthday!!

Re: Today I am 40
 

4 2,

You have a 14 year old daughter and you post in OOT? Yee gods man, that is a hell of a conflict of interests there.

Happy birthday anyway.

Re: Today I am 40
 

4_2 - great OP, and happy birthday man. You've long been one of my favorite posters. I'm listening to INXS right now in honor of your 40th [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

-Al

Re: Today I am 40
 

adsman,

I consider hanging out in OOT part of my obligation as the parent of a teenage daughter.

Al,

I was listening to Devil Inside on the way in to the office this morning [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]