30

My first thought on the morning I turned 30 was that I was sore. I will just assume it has more to do with the fact that I had a long workout last night than the fact that I am now an old man and my body is breaking down. In the end it was nothing that a little stretching couldn't fix. While stretching I was watching Olympic table tennis. One of the competitors plays in the equivalent of a double-A league in China. Who knew there was minor league table tennis anywhere?

Today is going to be a good day. After watching table tennis I went to a diner near work for breakfast and had chocolate chip pancakes. One thing I like about the place is that they leave the syrup in the Aunt Jemima container. I like Aunt Jemima. Tonight Lelaine is taking me to Rustico, a pizza place in Alexandria. I'm looking forward to it. And my office always has cake for people on their birthday, which is very nice. I'm also looking forward to this weekend when my mom and dad are coming into town - unfortunately Matt can't make it due to work (Lelaine wanted to call a GE lobbyist and yell at him) but Matt Vega can, so at least one Matt will be there - and Lelaine is throwing a big party Saturday night. It is a going to be a banner week.

Many people have asked how I feel about turning 30. I understand why. It is kind of the thing to say, like when you fly somewhere and after you land someone asks how your flight was. Of course it was ok. If it weren't you would see the results on the news. And if I wasn't "ok with turning 30", would I really want to talk about it? Anyway, I feel fine...maybe even indifferent...about turning 30.

Part of it is probably because I'm not the type of person who worries about age, at least I don't right now. It might be different if I was born in the 14th century and life expectancy was in the 40s while you tried to dodge the black plague, but luckily times have changed. The biggest life altering event that happens today is that in the gym on the ellipitcal machine I now move down the list to the 30-39 age group when looking at my target heart rate. And this is a good thing, because according to the chart I can exert myself less and still qualify for the "fat burn"! [Yes, I realize this is incorrect, but I think it is funny.]

The other part, as in most things I can think of, is best explained through a Pearl Jam song, or in this case just a small part of the song. The other night, EV played I am Mine, which includes these lines:

I know I was born and I know I will die
The in between is mine
I am mine

My in between is great. I have a wonderful family, great friends, good health, and a job that I enjoy. Life is good. If you are reading this, there is a 99% chance you are part of the wonderful family or great group of friends (the other 1% typed in the wrong url). So thank you very much for making my life enjoyable to the point where turning 30 isn't a bad thing. It is pretty much like any other day, only with chocolate chip pancakes, cake, pizza, and parties to look forward to. I couldn't have made it here without you, particularly if your name is Lelaine, Marcia, Chris, Matt, or last name is or was Vaughan, Pinkerton, Moore, etc. Thanks again.