OT: And another day older...

Today is my 39th birthday. I'm at my day job, being visited by people
who come to say Harpy Bird Day, having been bribed by another co-
worker who thinks of these days as important. In my cube is a nearly
empty tupperware container with the remaining Oatmeal/Chocolate Chip/
Walnut cookies she baked to draw people in to offer their best wishes.

I love birthdays, and I love having them. Not because of the presents,
or the wishes (although the cookies are FREAKING wonderful!), but
because the alternative sucks.

I'm nine years away from being the same age as my father when he
passed away. Worst case scenario, I get to see my son graduate from
high school, and drop dead. Best case scenario, I keep going well past
the age my father was when he let go.

Interestingly, his passing ushered in a new age for me. Seeing him
dead in the hospital at the age of 48 made me realize I had a LOT left
to do. Four months after he passed away, I'd moved 150 miles away, had
a baby boy, separated from my wife, changed careers and become a much
happier person. One year later I was divorced, excited about my
opportunities to play the field a little bit, in a great band, living
in a cool place, working hard and making more money than I'd ever
thought I would.

Fast forward nine years to now. I've just turned 39, I'm madly in love
with my wife of four years, my nine year old son is awesome, I own a
great house, and I have the recording studio I've always dreamed of in
the basement. My job, while corporate and sometimes boring, has the
coolest title (I'm a - get this - Business Intelligence Developer! How
cool does THAT sound? lol), I'm making good money, drive a cool car,
am playing in an ok band that's getting better, and just enjoyed an
evening where people that didn't know any better treated us like we're
rock stars.

Anyway, I guess what I'm getting at is this: As I get older, I realize
there's always going to be more to do. There will always be another
song to learn or write. The years will get shorter and shorter.
Friends and family will disappear, or pass on, or stop talking to you,
or whatever, and that's all ok. It's part of the cycle.

I miss my old man. He was a great keyboardist, a consummate performer,
and a fantastic singer. He was a bigot and a jerk who could take over
a room full of arguing people with just a minor flex of his charisma,
and he was ten times the musician I'll ever be. My memories of playing
on stage with him are some of my finest, and hearing his approval of
different bands I was in was always wonderful. Getting the call to sub
with him was fantastic, and being in a position to hire him when he
had a rare weekend off was great fun indeed.

Another day older... but I still think I'm 25. Weird.

Anyway, have a great day, and thanks for letting me babble!

Corey

.

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