Celebrating 50 Years

On March 8, 2019 I turn 50.

What does it mean to turn 50?

Is it 50 turns of the planet?

50 times I've turned through the calendar?

Thankfully, I love my age and embrace my 50 years

At 50 I do feel calmer, wiser and as though I have finally arrived

When I grow up...well...here I am

Embracing 50

Ah, but I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now

A week into my 42nd birthday and I feel so much younger. Could it be that I'm aging backwards? I am light, free, happy, and vibrant. The final stanza of Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages" captures the feeling so well:

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now

Copyright © 1964 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1992 by Special Rider Music

Birthday Indulgance

It's my 42nd birthday and I can't get out of bed because I'm having so much fun reading the New York Times online and receiving Facebook birthday greetings! Loving my virtual birthday.

Countdown to 42!

In less than 24 hours I will be 42. The great news is that I still love my birthday, even at 42!

Happy Birthday Frida!

Thank you Google!

Food Coma or Food Poisoning?

That last photo of me is pre-disaster. We went out for a fantastic dual birthday dinner of me and Sam and hours later I was, well, reliving the food if you know what I mean. Three days later and I'm still barely on solids and now have some kind of cold or flu. Is this how 41 hits you? Double-fisted punches.

The good news is that I'm back in Oakland and tomorrow I receive a delivery of new furniture from Ikea thanks to the generous underwriting of my grandmothers, parents, sibs and sibs-in-laws. Is this yet another sign that I'm settling into Oakland for the long haul?

Cold Stone Creamery Birthday Club

I scream for ice cream and no better place to get it than free from Cold Stone Creamery on your birthday! Dangerously delicious.

A ReGenXer Contemplates 40

A few months ago my aunt asked me how I was planning to celebrate my 40th birthday next year. The question took me by huge surprise as I hadn't even been thinking about my "big 40". Gosh, I was just settling into being 39.

After getting over the initial shock of the question I started experiencing a series of emotions. Disappointment came up. My dreams of starting a family had been derailed, temporarily, with the end of my marriage. But that feeling of loss was soon replaced by anticipation. What would my life look like in 6 months?



Now I am seeing my March 8 birthday as a benchmark. It is a start, end and continuation date. This relates to the articulation of my personal and professional goals. What drives me forward? What gets my mojo pumping?



Ultimately I am working towards a huge and ongoing celebration of me and my friends who are, in bulk, also turning 40 next year. I propose that we embrace the year, savor our friendships, rejoice in our evolution and reaffirm our dreams.



Bring it on!

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Birthday in Bratislava

The adventure continues today as we celebrate my birthday in Bratislava. We hope they speak some English!

Take the Leap

People have been sharing some good ideas for celebrating February 29 as it is a leap year. Here are a couple:

1. Let your employees take the day off since it would have been a holiday anyway.
2. Give employees the day off and ask them to volunteer or do something for the planet.
3. Challenge yourself by "taking the leap" do something challenging, new, different.
4. Celebrate my brother-in-law Michael's birthday!

On the Eve of Returning

Tomorrow Stephen and I head back to the States for a visit. It is very strange to be going back to my country for a visit as opposed to coming out to the UK for a holiday.

I'm worried about how it will feel to be back. Will I feel different? Will people seem different? Will I sound like Madonna with a fake English accent?

My work associates predict that I'll be shocked by how big and open the States are compared to the twisty little streets in London. I've hardly been out of London for the six months that I've be in the UK. It may be a shocker to see green and wide open spaces.

What I'm psyched about is the trip since we fly on my birthday. Although this wasn't planned we will be able to celebrate my birthday for much longer then 24 hours. Hip Hip Birthday!