On Turning 40...

Posted At : October 16, 2008 11:29 PM | Posted By : Scott Stroz
Related Categories: Rambling,Stuff About Me

I always used to say that your age was just a number.  Of course, that was before my own age became a big number.  Today I turn 40.  Which, to many, means I am 'old'. Like most people (ok, men) I know, I spent the last week or so fretting over turning 40.  I spent a lot of time dwelling on what I have wanted to do, but have not; things I had hoped to accomplish, but fell short.

It was not until a recent IM conversation with a friend of mine that I realized I was going about it the wrong way.  I should not be dwelling on what I have not accomplished, rather embracing that which I have. So, with that in mind, I tried to come up with a list of all the things I have done in my life, rather than those I have not.  And, because you are a faithful reader, you get to see my list.  This is in no particular order, other than how it came to my mind.

  • I married my best friend
  • I have been to the Parthenon
  • I have been to Spain
  • I was the 'king' of the circus (I was 10 or so)
  • I used to do stand up comedy
  • I have delivered 3 babies (1 even has 'Scott' as his middle name)
  • I have gone hang gliding
  • I have saved someone's life
  • I have had 2 successful careers
  • I have flown in a helicopter
  • I have a somewhat popular blog
  • I have visited the White House
  • I have gone bungee jumping
  • I have played golf at the Old Course
  • I have seen the birth of both of my children
  • I tried out for Jeopardy
  • I have seen Tiger Woods play golf in person
  • I have seen Wayne Gretzky play hockey in person
  • I have been to Yankee Stadium (numerous times)
  • I have taken my kids to Yankee Stadium
  • I have taken my kids to Disney
  • I have met Bruce Springsteen
  • I have met Leonard Marshall (true Giants fans will know who this is)
  • I have seen my favorite football team win 3 Super Bowls
  • I have seen my favorite football team lose a Super Bowl
  • I have been to a Giants palyoff game
  • I have been to a Yankees playoff game
  • I voted for Ross Perot
  • I have been on TV
  • I have been in the newspaper
  • I was at 'ground zero' after 9/11
  • I have played golf in 4 different countries
  • I have written an article for a magazine
  • I bought a house on a golf course
  • I have had 2 eagles in one round of golf (on a course I never played)
  • Did I mention I married my best friend? If so, its worth mentioning again

Keep in mind this list is by no means all encompassing, but more to help me appreciate all the things I have accomplished in my life, rather than to dwell on those I have not.

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charlie griefer's Gravatar heh... dude you're old (shut up) :)

so... you went to the white house *and* you've been in the paper. excuse me while i whip this out...

http://charlie.griefer.com/whitehouse.jpg

happy 40th, man.
# Posted By charlie griefer | 10/17/08 12:23 AM
ike's Gravatar Yeah, positive reinforcement is important. :) Ahh, the good old "mid life crisis". I'm a few years behind you, but I remember having a similar experience a few years into my marriage. I can't say that my life has been nearly as eventful. I've moved around a lot, but mostly because I got fired a lot. Though I did get to ski when I was in boarding school in Colorado and got to visit Costa Rica that same year... and I've presented at cf.Objective, written for trade papers and have done stand-up although it was open mic. :) I must say though, you've got a pretty good list goin' there. :)
# Posted By ike | 10/17/08 12:39 AM
Chris's Gravatar Congratulations! I hope you'll have at least 40 more years to come.

Focussing on what you got is a good approach. And looking at your list, I could have done worse. ;-)

All the best to you, have a great day!
# Posted By Chris | 10/17/08 2:59 AM
Evagoras Charalambous's Gravatar "I have delivered 3 babies" and "I have seen the birth of both of my children".
I am sure there's a good story behind the 3rd child...
# Posted By Evagoras Charalambous | 10/17/08 3:12 AM
Gary F's Gravatar I don't know you, but from that list your 40 years look very worthwhile indeed. :-) The one about saving someone's life could have been the only thing on your list and it still would have been a great list!

I'm a few years off 40 and am panicing at the prospect. Now I feel worse because I haven't saved a life or delivered 3 kids! (Were they yours or are you a doctor?). Anyway, enjoy your birthday and look forward to all the great things you can do in the next 40 years! Best wishes!
# Posted By Gary F | 10/17/08 6:43 AM
Scott Stroz's Gravatar @Evagoras - The birth of my children to not figure into me delivering 3 babies. I used to be a paramedic and actually delivered the babies in the back of an ambulance.
# Posted By Scott Stroz | 10/17/08 6:53 AM
Raymond Camden's Gravatar Happy Birthday, Scott. I have to say - this was not just a good blog post, but an inspiring blog post as well. (Which sounds sappy but screw it.)
# Posted By Raymond Camden | 10/17/08 7:24 AM
Andy Allan's Gravatar Shouldn't there be something about reach-arounds in this list? ;)

Happy birthday ya old git.
# Posted By Andy Allan | 10/17/08 9:10 AM
Gary Funk's Gravatar pfft... I have socks older than you are.

Happy Birthday. I baked you a cake and it was good.
# Posted By Gary Funk | 10/17/08 12:36 PM
Rey Bango's Gravatar Happy birthday man and welcome to the Club40! :D
# Posted By Rey Bango | 10/17/08 4:48 PM
Andy Sandefer's Gravatar I don't really know you but Happy Birthday @Scott

@Charlie - that fake article was the bomb! LOL - I couldn't breathe there for a minute or two - good show!
# Posted By Andy Sandefer | 10/17/08 5:32 PM
Ben Nadel's Gravatar Happy Birthday Scott!
# Posted By Ben Nadel | 10/17/08 8:27 PM
Javier Julio's Gravatar Scott... how do I tell you... you aren't old. You just happen to have a number that is largely considered... We'll end it there. :) Happy birthday man! Hope the family is doing great! I remember them all well so I'm glad you are reminiscing on the good things in life. It's what you should be doing. Again happy birthday buddy!
# Posted By Javier Julio | 10/19/08 5:02 PM
karen loofborough's Gravatar Happy Birthday. I turn 40 on Oct. 22 2008. After i saw your list it has inspired me to also make one and try and add a few things to it every year. I want to start dong more exciting things in my life. Have a great one.
# Posted By karen loofborough | 10/21/08 1:20 AM
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