36 years ago today, on a Monday, my mother brought me kicking and screaming in to this world. And while there have been times in our lives where we didn't always see eye to eye, she did a pretty good job raising me, and I don't think I turned out too badly.
Born with the first name of Clinton, which comes from a surname which was originally from an Old English place name meaning "settlement on the summit". More often I go by the gaelic spelling of my middle name, Aerik, which comes fom the Old Norse name Eirkr, derived from the elements ei "ever" and rkr "ruler". So apparently, when all is said and done, I am the Forever Ruler who Lives on Top of the Mountain. I bet that would sound much better in Chinese.
I have been a father now for 16 years, which is 4 years shy of being half my life.
The #1 Song on the Billboard the day I was born was "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. The #1 TV Show was "All in the Family". At the boxoffice in 1972, "The Godfather" was number one. The average Cost of new house was $27,550.00, average income per year $11,800.00. The average monthly rent for an apartment was $165.00 and a gallon of gas cost 55 cents.
Digital watches came on the market in 1972, the Volkswagen Beetle became the most popular car ever sold with sales in excess of 15 million vehicles and Atari kicked off the first generation of video games with the release of PONG.
Looking back on my life, are there things I might have done differently, given the chance. Definately. I would have liked to have done more with my education. I would have liked to avoid some of the mistakes and pitfalls I made on my way to where I am today. But at the same time, many of those mistakes were lessons I learned and scars that healed to make me who I am today. I wouldnt' give up my daughter for anything in the world, she is the most precious gift I have ever received and the most important thing in my life. So in the end, I would probably do exactly what I have done and be here today, being exactly who I am.
I am healthier, weigh more and am in better shape now than I have been in almost 20 years. I have a good job, make more money and have a better lifestyle than I ever have had. I have some good and close friends, hopefully not too many enemies and a loving and supportive family. While I often lament the passing of my youth and the effects of time on my body and my life, all things considered, I can't really complain.
Happy Birthday to me.
Born with the first name of Clinton, which comes from a surname which was originally from an Old English place name meaning "settlement on the summit". More often I go by the gaelic spelling of my middle name, Aerik, which comes fom the Old Norse name Eirkr, derived from the elements ei "ever" and rkr "ruler". So apparently, when all is said and done, I am the Forever Ruler who Lives on Top of the Mountain. I bet that would sound much better in Chinese.
I have been a father now for 16 years, which is 4 years shy of being half my life.
The #1 Song on the Billboard the day I was born was "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. The #1 TV Show was "All in the Family". At the boxoffice in 1972, "The Godfather" was number one. The average Cost of new house was $27,550.00, average income per year $11,800.00. The average monthly rent for an apartment was $165.00 and a gallon of gas cost 55 cents.
Digital watches came on the market in 1972, the Volkswagen Beetle became the most popular car ever sold with sales in excess of 15 million vehicles and Atari kicked off the first generation of video games with the release of PONG.
Looking back on my life, are there things I might have done differently, given the chance. Definately. I would have liked to have done more with my education. I would have liked to avoid some of the mistakes and pitfalls I made on my way to where I am today. But at the same time, many of those mistakes were lessons I learned and scars that healed to make me who I am today. I wouldnt' give up my daughter for anything in the world, she is the most precious gift I have ever received and the most important thing in my life. So in the end, I would probably do exactly what I have done and be here today, being exactly who I am.
I am healthier, weigh more and am in better shape now than I have been in almost 20 years. I have a good job, make more money and have a better lifestyle than I ever have had. I have some good and close friends, hopefully not too many enemies and a loving and supportive family. While I often lament the passing of my youth and the effects of time on my body and my life, all things considered, I can't really complain.
Happy Birthday to me.
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