{"id":8221,"date":"2021-08-30T21:49:25","date_gmt":"2021-08-31T01:49:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=8221"},"modified":"2021-08-30T22:09:05","modified_gmt":"2021-08-31T02:09:05","slug":"thoughts-on-thirty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stripedpineapple.com\/?p=8221","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on Thirty"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Friends,<\/p>\n

As we speak, I am perched atop my narrow bed, scorching my tongue on some sleepytime tea in my favorite cracked mug, which only spills three drops every time I fill it, so I figure it’s still worth using, and listening to a record on my new record which is decidedly not “Benjamin Britten Conducts Mozart” as the cover says, but a rather off-key collection of classical Christmas music. Somehow that makes me even happier than Benjamin Britten conducting Mozart. My face is covered in a ghostly sheet mask which makes sipping the tea rather tricky, but which I hope will defeat the relics of the sunburn I acquired during my recent stint in the California sunshine. Basically, I’ve got the ideal set up here, don’t you agree?<\/p>\n

But let’s get to the topic at hand, the scary three-oh. There isn’t much to make you reevaluate all your choices and accomplishments and realize how very little you’ve done yet with your life like hitting another decade. From the wisdom of my upper twenties I scoffed at the thought of minding this birthday, but when it came around the bend, I found myself quailing with the best of them. It’s hard not to, when the next step after this is middle age and you haven’t yet reached many of the measures of success which culture holds up for you.<\/p>\n

Still, since the dread age actually arrived, I have found myself astonished at the abundance of goodness it has held for me. From an actual, flesh-and-blood visit by an actual, flesh-and-blood sister and her kin (showing the kiddies the city was so fun!), to a veritable outpouring of gifts and cards from family and friends and friends I didn’t even know I had, to the not-so-surprise birthday evening my roommate threw for me (pineapple themed of course), to the absolutely golden trip I just had to California with my tribe, to other blessings upon blessings coming up in my life, it’s been pretty stellar, I have to say. You all were the kindest, with your cards and presents and well wishes and visits. Thank you and thank you.<\/p>\n

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Blurry and warm and happy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

So, sometime in my twenties I compiled a list called “Thirty Before Thirty”, which, you guessed it, was thirty things I wanted to accomplish before my thirtieth birthday. And guess what. I almost did it! There were only three or four I didn’t accomplish, and they were the sort of thing like writing a book (does a draft count?) and learning French (does, “Oui oui, mon ami, je m’appelle Lafayette!” count?). I also wanted to up and hie off to an airport with a little backpack, find an agent, and buy the cheapest flight anywhere, for a night or two. Even though it would probably be to Cincinnati or something- let’s be real- I still want to do this someday just for the adventure of it. Besides, I bet you I could find something<\/em> charming to see even in Cincinnati.<\/p>\n

Would you like to see some of the things I did accomplish?<\/p>\n