Nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh-nuh: They Say It's My Birthday

[eldritchhobbit]

While reading Christopher Morley's Book of Days for 1931 this year, I came across this quote.

"Between thirty and forty, one is distracted by the Five Lusts;
Between seventy and eighty, one is a prey to a hundred diseases.
But from fifty to sixty, one is free from all ills;
Calm and still -- the heart enjoys rest.
I have put behind me Love and Greed; I have done with Profit and Fame;
Strength of limb I still possess to seek the rivers and hills;
Still my heart has spirit enough to listen to flutes and strings.
At leisure I open new wine and taste several cups;
Drunken I recall old poems and sing a whole volume."
- Po Chu-i (A.D. 772-846), translated by Arthur Whaley

Po Chu-i conveniently doesn't mention the forties, in the smack-dab middle of which I now find myself today.

I most certainly have not put behind me Love, although I recognize Profit is a lost cause.

Wine, old poems, and song? I can get behind those with enthusiasm.

So here goes nothing. I'm grateful to all of you, my friends, for enriching my life. Here's to another year! And to all of you who have wished me happy birthday: thank you!

Comments

[gilda-elise.livejournal.com]

And a Happy Birthday to you! I hope it'll be everything you hope it would be. So celebrate, it's your day!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[mosinging1986.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a great quote! Though, yeah, what's up with missing the 40s? Happy birthday!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I know, right? Those mysterious, missing 40s...

Thank you so much! :)

[internet-sampo.livejournal.com]

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yay! *bounces* Thank you!

[lizziebelle.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday to you! 🎂

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[dwight l. macpherson (from livejournal.com)]

Happy birthday to you from Rebecca and me! We hope you have a fantastic day! We are so happy to call you our friend! xo

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

We are so happy to call you our friend! xo

I really appreciate it -- and the feeling is mutual! *hugs*

[agameofthree.livejournal.com]

Happiest of Birthdays! May the Force be with you... always. ;)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[estellye.livejournal.com]

Have a glorious day. Remember, Po Chu-i had no way of knowing we'd be able to choose how we feel at almost any age! Plus, you're just a youngin' anyway, so choose whatever works for you! *hugs!*

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you for these wise words, my friend -- and for the lovely v-gift! *huge hugs*

[litlover12.livejournal.com]

Happy birthday!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[st-crispins.livejournal.com]

To my fellow academic, cousin, collaborator and friend:

A very happy birthday and many happy wishes for the day!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you so much! Most appreciated!

[abbie culbertson (from livejournal.com)]

Ahhhhh HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I love this post! I, too, noticed those missing decades...

I came across a quote from Kate Bush that made me feel better about my point in life: “I think it’s a very important time from 28 to 32-ish, where there’s some kind of turning point. Someone said in your teens you get the physical puberty and between 28 and 32 mental puberty. Let’s fact it, you’ve got to start growing up when you’re 30, it does make you feel differently, I feel very positive having gone through the last couple of years.” -Kate Bush, 1989

Would not relive my 20s for anything. Here's to moving onward and upward! I'm so glad you were born, and so grateful to know you! <3

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you, thank you!

That Kate Bush quote is marvelous. And you're right: here's to moving upward and onward!

I'm so glad you were born, and so grateful to know you! <3

Oh, how lovely! Thank you. I hope you know I feel the same way about you, because I do. <3

[ftsfest.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday to you! Lovely quote. Thank you for enriching our lives with meaning on your day. Hope your day is going off great :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, on all counts!

[acciochocolate.livejournal.com]

Happy natal day!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Many thanks!

[northwestmagpie.livejournal.com]

Happy Birthday! :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[greenhoodloxley.livejournal.com]

*raises a glass in toast* Hope it was a good one and this year brings good things to you!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

Slightly late

[ace hamilton (from livejournal.com)]

Happy Birthday!!!

Didn't you just have a birthday last year?

Here's to friendship, the highest form of love, which in its purest form is the most selfless, can coexist with any other kind of love, and forms the foundation of every great relationship. Wishing you good friends and long life.

Re: Slightly late

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

>Didn't you just have a birthday last year?

I know, right? I was just thinking the same thing! LOL.