A Pirate Looks at 40

[TroyK]

If you get the musical reference, then you are at least as old as I am...

My wife and I are headed to the Oregon coast in a few hours so that I can turn 40 with some quiet dignity. I thought some of you might enjoy calling me a geezer, while others would enjoy looking at me as a shadow of your youth.

I don't have anything particularly wise to say as an elder of the tribe now. In general life is better at 40 than it was at 30, than it was at 20. That's all we could really want, right? Man, it takes longer to heal when you hurt yourself, though, doesn't it?

My back barely made it through my gig last night, I'm going follow a strict protocol of sand, ice and alcohol for 5 days. Maybe throw in some fresh crab, although that's a bit of a psuedo-science.

Just thought you guys might want to know. Want to get my a birthday present? How about this, for my birthday, you all agree to stop selling or trading me stings? I'd hate you until the DTs cleared and then I'd understand what a loving gift it was.

Peace and love to my Talkbass Family.

Troy

[jlilley]

Happy Birthday Troy!
It is great to have someone like you to guide the rest of us through these major life changes.
Personally, I'd always hoped to have my musical s*&t together by 40...I'd better get my butt to the woodshed.
Have a great time at the coast.
John

[Jake deVilliers]

Happy 40th Birthday Troika!

Drink the single-malt straight, no chaser, and save the ice for your back.

I could promise to not abet your string habit, but I'd have to go back on my word. Part of my self-awareness now that I'm well over 50.

Seeya, Jake

[Uncletoad]

I had a huge party the day I turned 40. Very fun. Two days after I went in for a total knee replacement surgery that had me sidelined for 2 months. I don't recommend that.

Vacation, sloth, these are good things. Enjoy them.

Strings. Bad. Sand/Ice/Etoh Good. Your priorities are correct.

[Chris Fitzgerald]

40 isn't so bad. I can relate to the bodyache part, though: a few weeks ago, I had a "midlife moment" and ran for the very last time...just a couple of miles, but enough to let me know that my knees and ankles are through as far as that goes. Back to the elliptical for me.

Anyway, other than bothersome little details like the above, I've never been happier. Other than that whole "my body is falling apart" thing, life after 40 has been pretty sweet. Enjoy your trip, and I promise to never ever send you any strings.

[christ andronis]

The only problem with 40 is that 50 seems to get here really fast.

Happy Birthday...you have no choice!!!

[johnvice]

Originally Posted by TroyK

In general life is better at 40 than it was at 30, than it was at 20.

+1.

I'm a 20 year old and I've had 22 years experience being 20 ...and more disposable income to buy bass toys !

[mcnaire2004]

Happy birthday you crazy old man.

[anon_6j591b0]

John Hiatt bowing his head into the spot light asks:
“So, whatta ya think of my hair transplant?........Yeah, I got it transplanted from the top of my head to my back and ass.”

I turned forty fighting a forest fire in Northern California running kids half my age into the ground. Forty can be a nice balance between not being too far over the hill physically and having had enough experience not to be dumb as a post. Enjoy it.

[evertalbers]

Congratulations! I just (aug 7) turned 40 too, and I agree to all you have to say, except that I seem to have a better physical condition now than 20 years ago. Strange, indeed.

[RD]

Happy Birthday Troy! You're still a spring chicken compared to me, and a much better bassist.
Have fun in Oregon and get back safely!
RD

[TroyK]

Hey my birthday thread is still going! Woohoo!

Thanks Randy and all for you well wishes. To make myself feel better about my age, we took our 14 year old labrador retriever to Oregon with us. She loved being back at the beach, but clearly she's even older than I am. Or maybe she was just hobbling around like that because she hadn't had a chance to shop for a present for me and wanted to make me feel better.

[fingers]

There is a piano player I gig with that is in his mid sixties. He said to me one day, "Man, as soon as you get your head together your a** falls apart." Happy belated.

[Steve Clark]

I'm 41 and life couldn't be better. I am fitter than ever. My dad's heart and mom's aches and pains kick started that. As a result I'm less stressed and therefore a better husband and father. Heck I do all the laundry and cooking but I love it because I'm home all day with my 13 year old son in the summer and see him right after school in the fall. After starting playing bass again in 2003 I'm busier than ever musically and playing with some really great players who motivate me to raise my game. I've adopted a mantra from the guy that runs the mountain bike trails in my town: "Living the life"

We spend our 20's getting educated starting families and careers and our 30s trying to get established. The 40s are where we begin to enjoy the fruits of our labours. At least that is where it is at for me. I hope everyone can do the same thing.

Cheers

[TroyK]

Originally Posted by Steve Clark

We spend our 20's getting educated starting families and careers and our 30s trying to get established. The 40s are where we begin to enjoy the fruits of our labours. At least that is where it is at for me. I hope everyone can do the same thing.

Cheers

Thanks to all. the above is not too far off for me. Life is indeed good.

Hey Steve, couldn't help but notice your signature. You got a birthday present for me? I wouldn't want you to spend too much on shipping, something small and light would be fine. I'm an off the rack 300 micro. =^)

40? I wish.

George