Lordy, lordy, look who's 39.
Yes, today is my 39th birthday.
Happy Birthday, Mom.
Thirty-nine sounds like an 'old' age to be. I don't have the "oh my god, what have I done/will I do with my life, I need to leave my mark" panic that some people do around this point in their lives. The only regret or sadness I have is that my body has aged more than my mind. In my brain, I still feel like a twenty-seven year old (the pinnacle age to be, I suppose), but my body tells me otherwise. I'm the anti-Dorian Gray. Sometimes, I walk by a mirror and I think "who the hell is that old geezer?". And I think the regret is there because I still believe that I could reverse the trend. There's still time to get healthier.
So, it's not the "time's running out, when will I write that great novel" neuroses that occupies my mind. It's more a sighing of "I couldn't play a competitive set of tennis now".
The "write a novel, quick!" panic will likely strike next year when I turn four-oh-my-god. By that time, of course, I'll have completely given up the belief that I can still improve my body and physical health, and all I'll have left are frettings over more intellectual pursuits.
14 comments:
Dear Rob,
Believe me when I tell you that it is never too late to whip that body of yours into a fine, firm, fit wonderland. It can be done. The finest example of this later-in-life-transformation I can think of as of late is Nils Ling, who I just saw last night. He is wearing a size medium shirt! No more maternity sized clothing for Nils. He looks fab, and feels fab too. I checked.
Oh, and Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday,Robert ... and Cyn, stop making me blush ... well, OK, go ahead, but I insist you stop by the New Year. Or ... sometime after that ...
Cyn's right - I do feel better about myself since deciding in May to reverse some of the damage I'd been systematically doing to myself since age 18. But a big part of why I feel better is the encouragement I got - and continue to get - from family. And friends like Cyn.
I took a lot of inspiration during my battle with the bulge from people like Cynthia, who beat smoking (!!!), packed on a few, then worked to slim down. And from another good pal of yours, Dave, who, lest we forget, didn't always have the body of a Greek God (an Indian God, perhaps ...?).
It starts by saying "If they can do it, I can do it ..." And I can promise you, it's absolutely, demonstrably true. If I can lose weight, anybody can, because I'm the laziest bugger on the face of the planet and my eating habits were so bad that McDonald's had to restructure their finances to recover from my decision to stop going there. The guy who had to climb the ladder to change the sign every time I drove up is, however, delighted. I understand, though, that he's put on a few from the reduction in exercise.
Anyway, this isn't a lecture on losing weight. Be what you're comfortable being, and look however you want as long as you stay healthy. Your friends - your real ones - love ya skinny or love ya chunky. As long as YOU love ya, it's all good.
And yes, you can play competitive tennis again. Depending, of course, on who you're competing against. Life is all about accepting change ...
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go write a great novel ...
Oh ... and ... one of the best, wittiest, and most thoughtful essays on weight loss I've read lately is right here:
http://www.tomatonation.com/gocarbs.shtml
Hey Rob! Happy birthday! I know what you're going through about the health thing. But trust me, you can make the change...surprisingly fast. Just before Sketch began, I started at the gym. I'm now about 50 pounds lighter.
It's hell some days, but by the 3rd / 4th month you begin asking yourself "why didn't I do this sooner".
The key is starting it. Give it a shot and stick with it. You'll notice the time fly by
Cheers, and I'll see ya at Enemies.
Happy birthday to you, comrade.
Miami came close, they had it.. ah well... Just keep swimming... I can't think of anything else to say. Just yea! It's been great working with you on things. Hey I think I quit Baba's for the winter. Does anybody have any good work for me? Im capable of almost anything ( if I put my mind to it).
Happy Birthday, Rob
I can't express my thoughts in mere human terms, but they're good.
Happy Birthday Rob.
And I can't believe anybody who commented didn't say, "why Rob, you don't need to lose weight! You look fabulous!!"
Some friends you've got!
Have a happy day; today (the 20th) is my anniversary. I'll have some cake for ya. ;)
Umm ... 'cause friends don't blow smoke up other friends' asses? Well, unless there's a specific request ...
Nils dawlink,
Leave poor Frankie alone. She's the real thing baby. And BTW, friends DO blow smoke up other friends asses. Got a light?
Wunt pickin' on her, Cyn, dahling .. just explaining. And you come near my ass with a match, better be wearing asbestos ...
Happy birthdate Rob. I don't know you. However I do know you have a sense of humour that I understand.
If you had ANY hand in writing that horrible "Tasty Treat" commercial, I will hunt you down and urinate on your car tires.
Calico
What is the 'tasty treat' commercial? I've had my hand in a few horrible commercials, but I don't think I know this one.
Kensington dairy bar, a commercial that caused me to consider suicide, it was video (TV), so I 'think' you were not involved, I may not urinate on your tires.
"Frosty treats, frosty treats, frosty treats" enough.
Ah yes, the Frosty Treat ad. I thought that was what you probably meant, but you called it Tasty Treat.
No, I did not have anything to do with that ad, other than cringe and scramble for the mute button on the remote whenever it comes on.
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