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Feb 01 2008

Chapters (streamy, unfocused)

Posted by: Rich | Championable in Life, Work

Today is my last day of being 38.  For some reason this bothers me a wee bit.

I ran into one of the business partners who screwed me over last year. He was going the wrong way from his office, so I called out “Hey, SK, you’re going the wrong way!”  He turned and smiled a little.  I shook his hand and he said “Happy New Year.  I hear things are going well for you.”  I smiled and said “Going well?  I’m not sure.  But we’re not closing today, and that’s good enough for me.”

We said goodbye and parted ways.

What was odd about the interaction is that he wouldn’t make eye contact.  The only other time he did that was last year, when he was going back on his promise to release our phone numbers.  I actually said “SK, look at me.  Are you going to  do what you promised or not?”  He wouldn’t look at me, as he mumbled a “we’ll see.”

My understanding is that his business isn’t going so well… so perhaps he felt he wasn’t speaking to me from a position of confidence.  Interesting stuff.

I’ve started a tradition of getting little presents for the kids on my birthday.  I’m giving them Silly Putty and the Wii game “Endless Ocean.”

I wonder why 39 bothers me so much?

I DO like chapters, though… so I’m using today to officially close the 2007/failed merger/some-other-things chapter of my life, and starting the next.

I’m also letting myself leave an hour early today so I can secretly shop for really horrible snack foods for Super Bowl Sunday.

We have another family tradition of cooking breakfast in bed for the birthday person. This tradition was modified to make the breakfast significantly bigger, since the kids tended to eat the vittles before the celebrant could start in on ‘em.

Love to all.  Even you, SK.

This entry was posted on Friday, February 1st, 2008 at 2:26 pm and is filed under Life, Work.You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

13 Responses to “Chapters (streamy, unfocused)”
  1. Peter says: February 1st, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    because you are one year closer to the top of the hill. That is why the prospect of 38 bothers me.
    Happy Birthday Rich

  2. Mrs. Chili says: February 1st, 2008 at 4:07 pm

    Happy birthday, my friend!

    It’s ALL attitude; I’m tellin’ ya. If you let the number bother you, then you’re going to have a lousy time. My 30s have been pretty damned good (I’ve been 39 for 17 days now, and it’s not so bad), and I’ve heard that the 40s fairly rock, too, so I’m actually looking FORWARD to them. I’m hoping you enjoy yours, too.

    MMMMMmmm! Breakfast in bed! Will there be bacon?!

  3. Kizz says: February 1st, 2008 at 4:42 pm

    Whoever makes that breakfast in bed is pretty lucky your birthday is on a Saturday this year.

    I’m not usually bothered by the numbers but 39 wigged me out, too. If you figure out why let me know, willya? I’ve been over here on the other side of the number for a couple of weeks now and it doesn’t seem so very bad.

    Happy Birthday dude.

  4. Dan says: February 1st, 2008 at 6:45 pm

    Happy birthday for tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be getting my own breakfast in bed thing too.

  5. A. says: February 1st, 2008 at 7:01 pm

    I spent most of 39 practicing saying I was 40 (in my head), so it wouldn’t freak me out when it got here. Lesson: enjoy 39, because 40 comes along anyway (and is just terrific btw). Happy Birthday, oh ye last of the 1960s-born.

  6. dawn says: February 1st, 2008 at 7:17 pm

    Now I know why I think you’re so cool. Tomorrow is my oldest son’s birthday. Brendan is turning 5. It’s also my husband’s twin brothers’ birthday. They will be 41.

    I’ll add you to my prayers for the birthday folk in our family as we celebrate tomorrow.

    I hope your day is truly happy.

  7. Themom says: February 1st, 2008 at 7:30 pm

    Happy Happy Birthday YOUNG MAN!!! Hell, age is just a number - I tell everyone I’m 70 - just so they say I look GREAT!!! So what if I am adding 14 years. My game - my rules!! Everyone in my family has had problems with the “age” thing - and I never really understood it. Maybe since I work with numbers - I know they can be manipulated!! HAVE A GREAT BREAKFAST IN BED!!

  8. Not Fainthearted says: February 1st, 2008 at 8:03 pm

    It’s just a number. And I can absolutely truthfully testify that the 40’s are waaaay better than the 30’s.

    Rock on, daddy-o

  9. DCup says: February 2nd, 2008 at 12:18 am

    Dude. Happy birthday. 39? Piece o’ cake.

  10. ITS says: February 2nd, 2008 at 12:52 am

    Happy birthday playa!

  11. Tori says: February 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 am

    wait… is your bday 2/2??? MY bday is 2/2!!!! I’ve never ever ever (36 years tomorrow) met someone with my birthday… well… I guess I still haven’t… anyway… HAPPY BIRTHDAY/GROUNDHOGS DAY!!!

  12. po says: February 2nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm

    Oh man, to be 39 again :p!

    Seriously, 40 was sooooo much less traumatic than 30. By 40, life had beaten me down enough, shown me what was really important (thanks kids!), and made me realize that it’s just numbers. It ain’t the years, it’s the mileage.

    Plus, at 41 and a half, I’m still getting carded buying beer in the grocery store :D

  13. James says: February 9th, 2008 at 1:39 am

    It’s weird, but 39 bothered me a lot too. Much more than 40 did. Or 41. Or 42…

    Crap, now 42’s kind of bothering me!

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