As of today, June 14, I am now officially

[blonndee]

31 years old.

and I feel like I'm 23. Except I'm totally not.

I'm no longer "cool" among my college freshman students--although I might be "cooler" than most, I'm definitely an outsider in that respect. And I guess that's okay.

I've learned a lot since I was 23. Back then I didn't give a shit for politics or anything that didn't concern me directly--it just didn't concern me. I do remember debating with myself whether or not we should get involved in Kosovo--but that was the extent of my involvement. I didn't vote until 2004. I know, how shameful.

But that's who I was. I sometimes wish I was who I was back then.

[Swede]

1. I wasn't political til my thirties also.

A lot of that going around.

[mwooldri]

2. 31 isn't too bad. We're just young whippersnappers.

Apparently life begins at 40. Only 9 years to go!

Well, getting involved into politics at one level or another depends on the individual. I started at 17. More local politics, volunteering for the Liberal Democrats.

But it is heck being weird being in school. Oh, and I guess you have decided you are 23 for life. My dad decided on 18. I haven't reached my ideal age yet.

Mark

[hfojvt]

6. no, it ends at 40

40 is fatal. Now each year, I 'celebrate' the anniversary of my death. You only have nine years left to live. Make the most of them. Carpe diem!

[hfojvt]

3. Happy birthday

ya youngster.

Wow, I was 31 way back in 1993. I had just started my first factory job and my own small business was 2. Things were marginally better than when I was 23 which was when I first graduated from college. I was a little bit more comfortable in society instead of hoping or wishing to escape it. In some sense, I had lost that foolish youthful hope. Still thought I could help to change the world. Also still thought I would one day marry and raise a family.

I am not sure if I am getting wiser as I get older, or just losing a little bit more hope. Is it wise to give up hope? Actually, it seems to make me happier in a Zen way - give up the striving and associated frustration of dashed hopes.

There are worse things than not voting. I voted since I was 18, but my first time I voted straight ticket Republican. Now that is shameful. I helped, in my own very small way, to elected Ronald Reagan and defeat George McGovern. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. :banghead:

[blonndee]

7. Thank you dear. You are an inpsiration.

In so many ways.

[WCGreen]

4. Thirty is the new 20....

Or some such nonsense...

[Blue_Tires]

5. happy b-day

i turn 30 this september

[scoey1953]

8. Happy Birthday ...O Tanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu....

Japanese 101:
A formal Happy Birthday Greeting:
O Tanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimsu...
(Oh-Tan-JO-Bee Oh-Med-Tou GOZA-EE-maus..)
Just in case you ever get the wild hair to learn a new language! Happy Birthday!

Hope you get a nice cake!