Archive for September, 2010
The Big Three Oh
In western culture, or at least Canadian, Albertan culture… one’s thirtieth birthday is a milestone of note. It’s called the “Big Three Oh”, of course all the decennial age points are called the “Big Oh*” so is it really that big of a life milestone? I don’t know.
I admit I have some anxiety over it all. Part of that is a largish party being thrown on my behalf that appears to be grown beyond what I would have expected. It will be a little overwhelming I think. Another part of the anxiety I think is the milestone-ness of it, or lack thereof. I don’t feel like this is a milestone for me. It feels more like another arbitrary date that is supposed to mean something, but I don’t know quite what. I don’t think I was paying attention in class.
I was talking to a friend how I had thought that by this age, certain things were to be achieved and that I had the feeling of not quite making it. She was good enough to point out that in truth I have achieved quite a lot. Another’s perspective is a good way to… put things back into perspective. Notwithstanding there are things that I want to have done by now, but for one reason or another or no reason at all I have not. I have no intention to list those things here. Let’s say I might redouble my pursuit of such things.
I am looking forward to the impending doom party that is being thrown. It will be an unprecedented meeting of my friends and my extended family. I’ve, by choice or by chance always seemed to keep those two circles fairly independent of each other. This will be two worlds colliding and I’m not sure what the result will be. Of course it will be fine, well and good and everyone will have a good time and get along swimmingly! (To the weather-gods, please let the day be warm and pleasant such that the mass of people attending will not be forced to congregate into the small quarters of house.)
I would like to mention to those who are perhaps wondering what gifts to get me… you don’t have to, nor are you expected to gift anything. Birthday wishes or attendance to the party are more than enough. Of course there will be some who will insist on gifting something… thanks 
* Not to be confused with Big-O. If that comes<snicker> only every ten years, then I’m sorry. Support meetings are the third Thursday night of the month there is coffee and doughnuts.