Echoing what others have said, Tom. Late middle age these days is probably early 60s prior to retirement, and people are leading active lives and having a blast doing it well past that. You're still in the prime of your life, and hot, and most importantly a smart, funny guy who brings kindness and care into the lives of those around him.

Oh, for sure, Tom.

Remember, I'm going to be 40 in August, and I never thought I'd be with anyone and I found a cute geek and started freelancing and lost 50 lbs. and got kinda hot and become a stepmom and shit.

My late 30's just started to get interesting.

I guess I assume that the best years of my life will have the best fit of circumstances and ability to take advantage of them. I don't think my 20s achieved that -- I expect to have more financial security, wisdom and competence later in life. I think youth is maybe your best years if (a) something really terrible happens to you later or (b) your best life depends on being young-looking and at peak physical fitness. So AFAIC dewy skin and the possibility of being a better runner have passed me by (and maybe some eggs) but that's about it.

I get what you're sayng, bon, and I agree.

I don't think my "youth," if you mean 18 to 30 was the best. It was the most confusing, trying to figure shit out.

Now, 30-36 was fun, because I had more confidence,in various areas of lie. 36 to now has been great because of a number of variables.

30 was actually my best year, but I think I'd take the decade after over the decade before.

You know what I say? Every year I'm alive is the best year of my life. I've had too many close friends and family die of cancer, I've had a cousin die of an overdose, I've had family members commit suicide. I look at every day with the feeling "there but for the grace of the FSM." I am here and I am damn well going to enjoy it to the best of my ability. The "best" isn't a set of years, it's a moment to moment experience. I may grouse about anything at anytime, and I reserve the right to, but at the end of the day, I've lived one more day and I find that the most excellent thing I could have.

Skipping oh-yes-yet-again, because according to t he Buffista Calendar, today is Vortex's birthday.

Happy birthday, Vortex! With lots of wishes for a great day and a wonderful year!

Also, exactly 10 years ago, took place the first Buffista F2F. I can't believe it's been a decade ago.

[Edit: Remember that little avatar we sent all around the globe and took pictures with it and then shipped it over to join the F2F as our replacement? Ten years ago. Wow. Oh, I miss posting with you guys.]

Yay Vortex!

Happy Birthday, Vortex!

Kidney ~ma, Morgana.

Yesterday the thermometer I was using on my daughter was reading 105 degrees, and she was miserable. Today she woke up and asked what we were going to do today because, "you didn't take me to the park yesterday."

There was a survey a few years back that looked into happiness. It found that on average, people hit a nadir of personal happiness around their mid-40s. From there, as they get older, they also get happier. People in their 60s are, on average, happier than people in their 20s.