Yeah, I know, I appear to be a gibbering idiot of slightly lesser years.
I have been trying to think of what I want to do for this occasion and this, for what it is worth, is what I came up with.
Since my birthday is on a Sunday, I have decided to celebrate on the 20th. So ... here is the cunning plan that cannot fail. I'm going to Chicago.
At about 3:30 pm on Saturday December 20th I will be at the Lincoln Park Zoo ... dressed warmly I am sure. When I lived in Chicago I went there for my birthday several years running. The idea is to be there about dusk ... to listen to the wolves. There is no more sublimely lovely and unnerving experience. On one hand it is one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. On the other hand there is some primal thing in the back of your head that starts screaming !!! RUN !!! RUN YOU FOOL !!! RUN !!!
After that we will head south to

So ... please ... show up to one or the other or both. It would be a terrible thing if I am the only person there (guilt guilt guilt).
Presents are not necessary, but if you do feel the urge to go buy me something, I have a wish list on Amazon that includes
Mostly I want friends around me. Living in Iowa gets to me sometimes. I have a few friends here, but I really don't see them often enough due to traveling and the responsibilities inherent with the WSPA.
If you can read this, you are invited. Some folks I don't know as well, I'd like to get to know you better. Oh, and anyone who brings black balloons or anything like that will be thrown to the wolves. I have never been so alive as I am at this time. Come celebrate with me. 50 years ... it's been quite a ride.