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A Milestone Birthday for this NYC Kid!

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Even the Pope joined for my birthday dinner! Quite the audience I must say. He’s a big fan of Buca di Beppo’s meatballs. Too bad we all cursed so much. Hope he blessed us.

It sounds like an age-old cliché but time sure does go by fast when you’re having fun! Never did I think I would be sitting here at this point in my life reflecting back and yet still looking to the future. Age is a funny thing for sure. The young relish in their youth. The old wish they had more time. We look forward to celebrating the day of our birth, and yet many also dread that day when hitting a certain age plateau signifies what is perceived as past their prime. I never thought of age as something to fear or even be aware of. Seems like it’s more on the mind of those around me who keep bringing it up. Yes, it’s my birthday today, and as I prepare to party it up at the casino in Atlantic City I’m staying at with my loved ones all I want to do is gamble hard, eat with gluttonous abandon, booze it up, and enjoy life! Blackjack, craps, cocktails, high limit slots, cigars, a good whiskey, cold beer, and a tasty meal are all on the agenda. All. Week. Long. This Regular NYC Guy has come here to experience all the vices I can. Boom!

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Yeah, I have my vices. I’ll drink to that!

When it comes to age don’t ever let anyone tell you what you can and can’t achieve. Pay no mind to those naysayers who preach what you can or can’t do just because you’re a certain age. Heck, to me it’s just a number. After all, there is a huge difference in being old and being older. A person can be old at any age. I know many who act old and they are just in their 30’s. They feel as if their more youthful life needs to end just because they get married, have kids, own a home, etc. Sure, I realize that as we get older things like jobs, bills, and responsibilities take over many people’s lives, but some act as if it’s a law that they give up on everything they loved from their past. Maybe I am cut from a different cloth but that just does not sit well with me. I refuse to be old. I never want to be perceived as one of those old dudes who should just give it up and fall in with the herd. No way. No how. Not for Peter Pan here.

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Keep moving forward as living well is the best revenge. Life is too short to sit still and let it pass you by. Eat, drink, party, surround yourself with good friends, live and love.

I also have surrounded myself with great friends of all ages. Why limit yourself to being around those that are all of the same age? That’s no fun. You get a broader spectrum of ideas and viewpoints when those around you are from different generations. We do a lot of things together and none really cares who are older or younger. No offense to those who are in my age bracket but I find many of them kind of boring. It’s perhaps that I discover so little in common with those who are my age and just can’t associate with them. Heck, I still go out a lot, watch MTV and VH1 shows, go on every crazy scary amusement park ride, listen to loud metal music, drink way too much and party on weekends (and sometimes midweek ), and go out dancing among other things. Someone recently asked me when I am going to grow up. I laughed and asked why would I want to do that when I’m having so much fun now? Don’t ever grow up – it’s a trap!

The Most Interesting Man In The World, Bad Santa, or Dirty Uncle Phil? No matter what the title I’m still living life large! No complaints here. Yelp Winter Break 3 Weekend March 6-8 Atlantic City.

I’ll admit over the course of my lifetime I have experienced a lot. Some truly great things and some pathetically bad. Sure, there have been many mistakes, mishaps, and boo-boo’s I wish I could change. We all have our regrets and things we did which we are not too proud of. Then there are those things that we achieve which makes us proud. Things we have done that are in the forefront of our memories. I have saved a man’s life. I have buried relatives. I have failed and succeeded. I have refound my high school buddy which has become my life love and have been with for 18 years now this summer. How she puts up with my shenanigans is beyond me. All these things make up the fabric of who we are. We live and learn. Isn’t that what age is supposed to bring? A bit of wisdom, knowledge, and know-how? I’ll admit sometimes I am a bit scatterbrained and act the dumb fool, but that’s just me I guess. Keeps life interesting. Somehow she loves me anyway.

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How she has put up with me all these years I’ll never know. Love ya Stacey!

One of my biggest fears in life is to just give up and become old. Become boring and complacent. Why do some many do that to themselves? I still listen to hard driving rock and metal music. I still listen to my favorite bands from years back, while discovering new groups and artists on the music scene. I am always up to hitting a concert, or hanging at a bar or club to have some fun at. I attend all kinds of events and special festivities. If it’s a party then I am there. I like to travel, attend all kinds of festivals, and just do things on a whim. I hate just sitting around watching TV except for a few shows now. Life is too short to just give up and sit on the couch. People complain that they are too tired. Bullshit! They want to convince themselves they are tired and blame it on their job, commute, kids, age, and anything else. Just get up and move your ass. I still to this day keep going to the gym, work out when on the road, even train when on vacation as I have been doing this week. In consecutive years now I have run a Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, and this summer an Urban Mudder which will be right here in NYC. All at an age when many have long ago given up on athletics of this sort.  Maybe I am a bit warped at this age and have a screw loose. Maybe it’s because I want to challenge myself and keep moving forward. Maybe it’s because I refuse to let age dictate my life. That last thing is what many people do and it’s a slow killer. It will suck the life right out of you. Don’t do it. Choose to live and never give in. Keep moving forward.

That being said I’m not going to be around much when it comes to blog posting and commenting these next few days. That can all wait until I get back home after this week. In the meantime it’s all about having fun and celebrating the here and now. Isn’t that what we are supposed to be doing anyway? Life is too short to be old. Age is relative. Sure, it’s just a number, but if you act old you’ll be old and look old. Blah – not for me!

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In the words of the immortal Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High –

“Hey, Bud, let’s party! All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I’m fine.”

Words to live by……..

66 thoughts on “A Milestone Birthday for this NYC Kid!”

  2. Happy birthday, Phil! I love your sentiments on getting older versus getting old. I’m hitting a milestone birthday myself in less than two months (the big 3-0) and I still feel like a young whippersnapper. Age is just a number and it’s not the years that count, but what you do with them that really matters. Enjoy your time in Atlantic City and we’ll “see” you when you get back.

    Oh, and I just wanted to thank you for running Urban Mudder for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. I am a volunteer Wish Granter and love the work the foundation does for children with life-threatening conditions all over the world. Thank you so much for the support!!!

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  3. I haves birthday coming up next week and I’m not going to lie I’m getting pretty nervous the closer I get to 40. I always thought if have accomplished so much more in my life and be further along than I am but I love the message in this post. Life is for the living! I’m trying to be in the present more often and just live!

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    1. Hey Jill!

      Happy Birthday to you too. Don’t worry about the age so much as living a good life which is what counts more. Glad you liked what I had to say here.

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  4. Happy Birthday – hope it counts in every way….. milestone??? C’mon man come out with the number… it’s only a number. I’ve passed several milestones and feel pretty darn good…. at least most of the time. Enjoy yourself and don’t make the papers!

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  6. Hope you knock AC on its ass this week my friend! Happy Birthday!! It also happens to be my mom’s birthday and she lives in the senior citizens building on the Taj Mahal property. So swing by and yell ‘Happy Birthday Jane’ to her! And I hope you both have a fantastic day!!

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  7. Happy Birthday, Phil! A fellow Pisces I see. I just celebrated a milestone birthday a few days ago, 40 , and I completely agree with everything you said. Age is just a number, live life, enjoy it, don’t ever grow old or up for that matter. Show AC who’s boss and have a great birthday spending time with those you love.

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  13. Happy “Party Down” Birthday Phil! Have a wonderful week in Atlantic City, make sure you eat enough cake and drink enough beer for all of us working stiffs. I admire your workout ethics and attendance at the mudder-type events. It takes a certain kind of person and commitment to take on that challenge. Anyhow, be safe, be well and carry on.

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    1. Hey Mary!

      I sure ate and drank enough last week, that’s for sure! It was a fun BDay week. Now it’s back to training and the gym! Thanks!

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  14. Happy birthday to yooooouuuuu *singing loudly and slightly off key* ~ Keep enjoying every day, Phil, with the love of your life, your family and friends. And … yeah … age is just a number … onward!

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  17. Happy Birthday Phil and fellow Pisces! I just love all of your zest for living life at the fullest. Sometimes I feel like I could burst with excitement over trying new things, so I get you. Enjoy all of your celebrating!!

    Ps. Stacey needs to share her secret on looking like she is in high school!

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    1. Hey Lisa!

      Thanks for the bday wishes! Life is all about enjoying whenever possible, right?

      Stacey is a few years younger than me and she has not on wrinkle. Good genes and Noxema is her secret!

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  25. Life is too short. I just saw someone post on FB a little while ago:

    Who are these grownups who silence their inner kid? That’s gotta be boring.
    LET YOUR INSIDE KID OUT TO PLAY REGULARLY! – Monica Mingo

    Well said.

    Happy belated birthday and a hello and nice to meet ‘cha to Stacey!

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    1. Hey Kenya!

      That’s right – life is too short – so don’t waste it worrying about the little things. Go out and have fun! Thanks so much!

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  26. Happy Birthday! Celebrating in Atlantic City doesn’t sound too bad! I like your reflections on old vs. older. I’m definitely also one of those, who’ll grow older but never old. So sweet that you’re with your high school sweetheart (or refound high school friend). I would love to hear more about that.

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    1. Hey Mitzie!

      Thanks! AC is pretty close to us in NYC and I like to eat, drink, and gamble so it was a good choice. I’ll always be partying. Yeah, my gal is tha bomb!

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  29. Your adorable smile and bulging biceps are the only characteristics superseded by your amazing attitude. You WILL be forever young. Age is 70% attitude, I really believe that. 🙂

    Happy Birthday, Hotberg. Your lap dance awaits…..*pulls blouse off shoulder and winks*

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  30. Belated birthday wishes Phil. Many congratulations on whichever milestone you’ve just achieved.

    As someone who is past their thirties myself I love the self reflection and view on life you have expressed here. It is true that being young at heart and as young as you feel is what it is all about.

    You know how to make life worthwhile and enjoy the finer things. Your humour and writing style always bring this to the fore even though we have yet to meet face to face.

    Love the pictures and I’m sure Pope Francis will understand, he’s that type of guy.

    Lovely to see a picture of your wonderful girl, I hope you both had a great time and won a few notes at the tables.

    Best wishes my friend.

    Reply

    1. Hey Guy!

      I appreciate the birthday wishes! Pleased that you enjoyed the message of my post. Be young, act young, play young, write young, and you will stay young. It’s all in the mind. Also, all the hours I put into the gym!

      Yeah, we did ok at the tables, and won some cash on my day. All good fun!

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  31. happy happy birthday Phil!! I agree with everything you said in this post. I am just a few years shy of the big 5 0 and I don’t feel like I act it or look it. I do sometimes feel it in my bones but what can you do? Hope you have a fabulous birthday!! Stacey is a lucky girl to have someone full of life such as yourself.

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    1. Hey Holli!

      Thanks so much! Never act your age. It’s more fun that way. Just keep rocking like hard!

      My gal keeps me on my toes, and we both have lots of fun.

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  32. Happy Birthday, Phil! Taking a week off is thrilling, enjoy your time. Also… self reflection is important. I agree with you– the getting older and giving up fear. But if you don’t give up, you don’t “age” in a bad way. Life is for the taking at any age and some adventures are meant to be lived later on, when we have the wisdom and maturity to not freak out in certain situations and enjoy the ride for what it is. No hangups or constantly comparing.

    I hope you and your beautiful lady have a great time together. The pictures were a great touch to this post 🙂

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    1. Hey Jean!

      Thanks! Glad you liked my post and pics. My bday week was a blast, but now it’s time to get back to work and reality! That said, we are again going out to party this weekend even more. Never give in or give up. Life is too short to sit on the couch!

      Reply

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