Well, maybe I am being a little dramatic. This Sunday I will turn 26…. I mean 31 years old. I can’t believe how fast the time has flown by. It seems like it was just yesterday I was a kid playing stick ball on the beach. I just can’t believe that I am in my 30s, how did that happen so damn fast?!?! Mr. Fab’s post inspired me to look through some of my old photos from growing up.
Take a look at my father and I here:
That couch looks awesome. Apparently it was comfortable. Man… those were the days. No job, no mortgage and all my meals were prepared for me.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bummed out. 31. hmmm. Sure doesn’t seem to have the same magic and excitement as 21 did. There’s nothing really special that happens at 31. There are no new privileges, no laws that I am not breaking any more. It’s just 31, one more year. I suppose if I was a tree I would have another ring in my trunk, but that is about all I can think of and I am not a tree (anymore).
But maybe, just maybe I am misinformed. Maybe 31 is the best year of your life and I should be celebrating in the streets and bragging to my friends. Maybe they should start making shirts that say “I”m 31 and I’m a badass”. The only people that know are those of you who have seen 31 come and go. You are the people I want to hear from. If 31 was the best year of your life (hell even if it was just a pretty good year) I want to know. What happened? Any awesome milestones to look forward to.
Give me hope (and send cake) : )
Lisa said on 7.30.07 at 12:15 pm
I don't turn 31 till March though I think Colleen just had a birthday
Pam Hoffman said on 7.30.07 at 12:22 pm
Hey Ted!
I was SO HAPPY to enter my 30's and leave the 20's a.k.a. "The Decade From Hell" I entered single-motherhood at 21, barely an adult myself and I was responsible for another life. I'd like to create a bumper sticker with...
"Single Parenthood has completely cured me of unwanted pregnancy"
And for a little perspective: it's only orbits, on any other planet, it'd be different.
Does that help?
Pam Hoffman
http://seminarlist.blogspot.com
jane said on 7.30.07 at 12:47 pm
happy birthday dude , you are not so old altough , 30's are good for living family life so give your best
good luck :)
Adam said on 7.30.07 at 12:53 pm
Happy belated birthday Ted. Welcome to the 30s ;-)
Colleen said on 7.30.07 at 1:09 pm
I'd like to welcome you to twenty-eleven land.
Becky said on 7.30.07 at 1:30 pm
Turning 30 was exciting because everyone made a big deal of it but when I turned 31, it was actually a bit more "traumatic" because then I was IN my thirties, not just turning thirty, LOL. ::Shrugs:: I just turned 41 though and 31 looks really good! Happy Birthday!!
Randy Mountz said on 7.30.07 at 1:34 pm
Happy Birthday Ted I just turned 35 this year! LOL!
Cheryl said on 7.30.07 at 2:16 pm
My early thirties were the best years of my life...embrace them !!
Kurotenshii said on 7.30.07 at 2:19 pm
Its ok that you are turning 31....think about the people who are turning 41....they have ten years extra of life than you and think about how they feel. lol.
Ghosty said on 7.30.07 at 2:20 pm
It's all about how well you rock while you're rollin', man. I'm 18 years down the pike from you and I can tell you, the number means nothing - it's the attitude that counts. So have a happy birthday and enjoy the ride!
Jaz said on 7.30.07 at 2:42 pm
The end is near? ROFL!! I suppose I thought that too way back when. Trust me, when you get my age you look back and wonder why you cared so much about that. (I turned 60 this year)
The years have been fun, difficult and more fun. Enjoy them. Don't waste it on how the years are passing. Use it to beef up my PPP account....no wait, uh, use it to enjoy what you have!
So, happy birthday!!! It's just the beginning. :)
Selif said on 7.30.07 at 2:55 pm
Oh to be only 31 again.
Happy Birthday
I love payperpost most said on 7.30.07 at 2:56 pm
Good for you tedster! You should write for the founder at webmasterworld on how to get pages yanked by a now fired 23 year old google crawler team member!
herbgirl said on 7.30.07 at 2:59 pm
Hey! I turn 31 tomorrow! Happy birthay, and here's to making it a good year.
BTW, I'm not bummed at all about getting older. It's better than the alternative...
Stacey said on 7.30.07 at 3:18 pm
That's your dad? I thought it was you! lol
The 30's are fun - enjoy - I can't even remember how old I am now on my birthdays and at the doctor's office (for real...I guess that's aging for you) Happy B-day!
Judy Andrews said on 7.30.07 at 3:45 pm
A big congrats to you. You actually made it to 31. You should be well pleased with yourself. I have loved all my years because it gives me another chance to learn something and enjoy what I have. My son turned 37 this year and I am very grateful he survived his early years and I will turn 54 and yes before you do the math I was young and single, but with age hopefully comes maturity and wisdom. You have much goodness and wonders to look forward to....Jude
Tim said on 7.30.07 at 4:21 pm
Now that you're 31 and all you should now that when you take your girlfriend to Europe, a ring is expected the following Christmas. You might as well have taken her to a wedding. You're obligated now.
Now there's an awesome milestone...
Marisa said on 7.30.07 at 8:50 pm
31? Well, back then I had 3 kids and was still feeling energetic. Nothing ached. Most of my stuff was still in the right places. (You know, gravity hadn't played its evil trick on my yet.) My skin was wrinkle-free.
But honestly, the best year of my life was 40. I'd rather go back to that year than any other. You have so much ahead of you that you just won't appreciate for another decade. 31 is fun but 40 was the best.
Now someone tell me that 50 is going to be good because that number is freaking me out!
webduck said on 7.30.07 at 8:59 pm
Dear Ted,
The end is not near. In fact, you are in the prime of your life. How do I know this? Because I am 57, and at about 50 everything started going downhill health-wise. Count yourself lucky if you can still run a block, you haven't forgotten your keys in the trunk, or your father's middle name. My advice is to enjoy every minute NOW.
1. Don't worry about what other people think, say, or do.
2. Spend time with small children: their innocence will empower you to see the world as full of possibilities when it seems utterly impossible.
3. Take care of your health. It isn't a cliche, it is imperative!
4. Before you know it, you will be 51 and wish you had done more with your life.
Happy 31st Birthday, you young punk! LOL
Karen_S said on 7.31.07 at 9:30 am
http://www.chatbugkaren.com/2007/07/31/happy-birthday-ted/
Marisa said on 7.31.07 at 11:31 am
Hey, Ted. One more thing. Colleen and I want to know if you have any pictures with you wearing your underoos on the outside of your clothes. My Leo son was famous for that and apparently Colleen has a picture of herself in similar attire. We're wondering if that's a Leo thing. Should we contact your mother to find out?
Lisa Marie Mary said on 7.31.07 at 3:41 pm
HAPPY BIRTHDAY (early) TED!!! :D I hope you have a great day and fantabulous twenty-eleventh year! And quit yer bitchin', wouldja? Heck, your 30's is when you get to add 'wisdom' on top of the craziness - and when you do that - you can do ANYTHING!!! Enjoy it!
tedmurphy said on 7.31.07 at 4:31 pm
You guys are awesome! I am actually excited for this Sunday!
tmpmama said on 7.31.07 at 10:30 pm
Happy Birthday. Don't feel old. I will be 47 on the 12th.My the 30 were great the 40 is better. Lets see what 50 will hold. Hope you have a great Birthday.
Drew said on 8.1.07 at 7:45 am
Ted, have a very happy birthday, the 30's aren't so bad. I've been there for 3 years, almost four, and you still have milestone of being 35 and eligible to run for President.
Trel said on 8.1.07 at 8:16 am
There are many more surprises and fun in store for year 31 - I'll be sure of it!!!
Daethian said on 8.1.07 at 7:15 pm
I am 34 and as rough as it was to be 30, it was even WORSE when my baby sister turned 30 last year :sob:
Jen said on 8.2.07 at 4:21 pm
Happy Be-lated Birthday! I am 31 as well, and can't believe that I am already over 30. Don't I have a choice in this??? I hope you had a great one! :-)
BeachBum said on 8.4.07 at 6:07 pm
Ahhh, 31, I remember the day as if.... no wait, I don't remember that much about 31.
Happy Birthday.
BeachBum Michael