tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post3072382388553639027..comments2023-11-02T02:31:45.015-05:00Comments on Banned And Dangerous Ministries!: The Count Is Having Yet Another BirthdayMr. Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09579584580534433342noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-4266971744383129222008-09-11T14:53:00.000-05:002008-09-11T14:53:00.000-05:00Happy Birthday a day late!But I did remember!Happy Birthday a day late!<BR/><BR/>But I did remember!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-28778627032653075182008-09-10T22:13:00.000-05:002008-09-10T22:13:00.000-05:00Happy birthday!Happy birthday!Sergei Andropovhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15264025738916361584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-52848440182028234232008-09-10T17:05:00.000-05:002008-09-10T17:05:00.000-05:00Thank you :) everybody. And it's still the tenth s...Thank you :) everybody. And it's still the tenth so it's not late :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-66801821124263287742008-09-10T16:49:00.000-05:002008-09-10T16:49:00.000-05:00Count!Happy Belated Birthday!Visitor55Count!<BR/><BR/>Happy Belated Birthday!<BR/><BR/><BR/>Visitor55Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-86962646158890818642008-09-10T16:25:00.000-05:002008-09-10T16:25:00.000-05:00Happy Birthday, Count!Happy Birthday, Count!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-40906087982276348242008-09-10T02:58:00.000-05:002008-09-10T02:58:00.000-05:00I think you are spot on. :)I think you are spot on. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-37215553200256350162008-09-10T02:52:00.000-05:002008-09-10T02:52:00.000-05:00Happy Birthday, Count!As someone who is within a y...Happy Birthday, Count!<BR/><BR/>As someone who is within a year and bit from crossing over to a new and rather alarming radio button for choosing my age demographic in surveys, let me add (just a little) to your excellent list.<BR/><BR/>- - - - - -<BR/><BR/><I>You show me somebody who gets along with everyone and I'll show you a phony.</I><BR/><BR/>ET's corollary to this is that when someone serves up platitudes to you about making amends with people you lost touch with years ago, you'll regret it if you don't mend fences, etc. - - it's all so much B.S. and nonsense. Trust your instincts, accept that if you severed your ties you had good reason, and move on. Not everything from the good old days is good. (Channeling Billy Joel, there...)<BR/><BR/><I>When I was 15 I had no idea how fast I would be 30. I am sure I was told but I didn't get the message. It took longer going from 10 to 15 than it did to go from 15 to 34. My older relatives tell me I'll be 60 even faster. I believe them.</I><BR/><BR/>They're right. I still <I>feel</I> 30-something but people are already trying to give me senior discounts. Ouch!<BR/><BR/><I>You should never make your loved ones say they are sorry and vice-verse...if it's forced it's worthless.</I><BR/><BR/>And the measure of a compatible couple is sometimes found in the ability to understand when you <I>should</I> or <I>must</I> say it without prompting.<BR/><BR/><I>Sometimes you have to drop the f-bomb and throw the damn plate. I use to admire people who kept an even keel but I don't anymore. <BR/><BR/>Also your life does not get any better the older you get. You do however build up a defense to handle the shit. Things that seem like the end of the world don't slow you down near as much once you've been there and done that.</I><BR/><BR/>It's also partially that you have more self-confidence, having gotten as far as you have (wherever that may be), such that you simply and quite rightly care less about how you're perceived by others than you used to. Self-realization or just giving yourself permission to call it as you see it? Probably both. <BR/><BR/><I>From depression comes the best creativity.</I><BR/><BR/>This <I>can</I> be true but I'm not sure it's a long-term strategy. Maybe it's more that creativity is a ladder out of depression, and it's possible to take some of the best steps of your life on it. But sooner or later you'll have to step off it onto level ground and get moving. Otherwise, you're in Sisyphus mode, pushing the same boulder of negativity up the same slope again and again.<BR/><BR/>ET's Additions:<BR/><BR/>Never dismiss an idea on account of the messenger...but you can almost always dismiss the messenger on account of the idea.<BR/><BR/>Don't allow yourself to be railroaded or guilted into social situations you would prefer to avoid. This list includes but is not limited to company Christmas parties (even if they're held at the home of your department head, who has a nasty penchant for karaoke), parent auxiliary social nights, and your co-worker's-kid's baby shower. White lies are OK in this context, compared to the discomfort you will probably not be able to hide when lame activities and trite conversations rear their heads, as they invariably will. It can be better to be conspicuous by your absence than conspicuous by your boredom.<BR/><BR/>Choose your battles. You can't rage effectively against every machine, so select where you can have and <I>want</I> to have the most impact, whether your cause is getting a stop sign at 5th and Elm or drawing attention to global climate change. Don't spread yourself too thin. You'll only damage yourself and fail your chosen causes if you do.<BR/><BR/>And always remember...it's OK to switch off, read a good book, have an afternoon nap, or take a long walk. Look after yourself and you'll be better able to look after what you care about.<BR/><BR/>Happy Birthday again, Count. You're one in a million and I hope you and the Contessa have a great day, however you choose to celebrate!<BR/><BR/><I>P.S. - I'll try to bait Reformed Liberal to come over here. You'd be highly amused, I am sure.</I>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3538186867576403896.post-6307915285635479532008-09-10T01:35:00.000-05:002008-09-10T01:35:00.000-05:00Thank you :)Thank you :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com