are you over 30 yrs old?

[queenlives]

if so, i'd be interested in your thoughts. in another thread, i mentioned that i am beginning to work on our son's 30th bday present - a "this is your life" one hour dvd, packed with pictures and video's of his life (we've taken >1k photos and many hours of videos of him/family over the years). i've also been filming interviews with his childhood friends, former neighbors and his relatives, asking them to cite 3 things they remember about him over the years. i've also asked the >30 yr olds, "looking back, knowing what you know now about life, what do you wish you knew or **got better** (sorry, sloppy language) at age 30?".

it's been really interesting to hear the thoughts that have come from those aged 91 yr old (former neighbor) to his best friend, age 30.5

so if you're >30 yrs old and care to share your thoughtful feedback, i'd be interested in hearing them... and i bet others here would, too.

thx in advance.
hal

 

[loNfastNSX]

Wow! What a great idea. Ill be turning 30 soon and a gift like that would really touch me. Much better than anything material.

Good job on being a great Dad!
(sorry I dont have much else to add) :redface:

 

[liftshard]

I dunno...30 for me was really no big deal. Just the number after 29. I guess I was supposed to grow up or something? If I put that off successfully for 29 years...

 

[heySkippy]

I'm way over 30...

My dad gave me a VCR tape 15 or so years ago that I'm told is all the old Super-8 home movies of birthday parties when I was a kid and so on that he had put together by an outfit that specializes in such things and set to music and all that.

I never watched it. Not interested, not even a little bit. Sorry dad.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it for your son but do you have an idea that he'll appreciate it or are you really doing it for you?

 

[DrVolkl]

I think it's a pretty cool idea. Nice little way to document his life up until now. If nothing else, it's something his own kids will really enjoy someday.
(On my way to 31 in a month...crap)

 

[White92]

I'm way over 30...

My dad gave me a VCR tape 15 or so years ago that I'm told is all the old Super-8 home movies of birthday parties when I was a kid and so on that he had put together by an outfit that specializes in such things and set to music and all that.

I never watched it. Not interested, not even a little bit. Sorry dad.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it for your son but do you have an idea that he'll appreciate it or are you really doing it for you?

Wow that's tough. If my dad did something like that for me I'd at least watch it. Even if I wasn't interested in it, the fact that he put that much time and thought it was a good idea would make me feel good. But then again everybody is different and has different relationships with family members.

 

[queenlives]

I'm way over 30...

My dad gave me a VCR tape 15 or so years ago that I'm told is all the old Super-8 home movies of birthday parties when I was a kid and so on that he had put together by an outfit that specializes in such things and set to music and all that.

I never watched it. Not interested, not even a little bit. Sorry dad.

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it for your son but do you have an idea that he'll appreciate it or are you really doing it for you?

bp,

i've seen enough of your posts to *hear* your thinking on this... excellent points, thanks for the thoughtful feedback.

our oldest son is very much the type to value this a great deal. he's a father and i've heard him tell his daughter about his childhood sax-solos at school concerts, etc. it's those kinds of things i'll include and i'm betting he'll enjoy them more than 1 viewing.

related: when his mother and i were married 20 yrs ago, we bought a large trunk for each member of the family. since then, we've each placed items that we value and want to keep as we work our way through life. on more than one occasion, each member of the family has broken out there trunk and looked at their items... report cards, childhood toys, travel diaries, etc.

thx again for your thoughts, bp, i appreciate them. (btw, you hit *a* nail on the head in your response in that his mother and i are enjoying our efforts on this so far... given our 20th is a few days before his 30th, it provides a wonderful means of looking back over our time together and how we've enjoyed our lives.)

hal

 

[queenlives]

Wow! What a great idea. Ill be turning 30 soon and a gift like that would really touch me. Much better than anything material.

Good job on being a great Dad!
(sorry I dont have much else to add) :redface:

thx for the kind words, i appreciate them

as for material gifts, he'll get the 1969 honda cl 160 and 1970 ct 70 that i promised to him when he was a kid.

 

[queenlives]

I think it's a pretty cool idea. Nice little way to document his life up until now. If nothing else, it's something his own kids will really enjoy someday.
(On my way to 31 in a month...crap)

thx much - our hope is it'll give him a nice, consolidated overview of things we were able to capture over the years. his daughter will **love** seeing him as a kid, skateboarding, dressed up for halloween, on our motorcycle rides, scuba diving, etc...

 

[heySkippy]

I just re-read my earlier post and I want to make clear that I thanked my dad for the tape and I never told him that I didn't watch it. We live 1500 miles apart so it's not like I see him all the time and have to keep it a deep secret. I appreciate the effort he made, I really do, I'm simply not interested in watching myself as a kid.

 

[Projet]

That's a wonderful idea. I'll make sure I do that for my kids when they are turning 30 (very very far from now) :smile:

 

[queenlives]

I just re-read my earlier post and I want to make clear that I thanked my dad for the tape and I never told him that I didn't watch it. We live 1500 miles apart so it's not like I see him all the time and have to keep it a deep secret. I appreciate the effort he made, I really do, I'm simply not interested in watching myself as a kid.

i understand what you're saying, pb. i have a very poor memory of myself as a kid and avoid seeing pics of me; otoh, having lived in an orphanage when i was a puppy, i've gone back and acquired bits and pieces of my childhood and enjoy reflecting on the journey thus far as i look at them.

 

[queenlives]

That's a wonderful idea. I'll make sure I do that for my kids when they are turning 30 (very very far from now) :smile:

thx for the comment. between now and 30, the trunk is a pretty neat thing, too.

 

[White92]

My parents did the same thing like your trunk. We had a remembrance box full of our awards and such. Crafts we made at summer camp, awards we got in school, etc... My parents still have it at their house. I'm flying out there next month. I think I'll get it out and take a look. Thanks for helping me remember this. I forgot all about it. I can't wait to find my perfect attendance award! Ok, I just now realized that I was a nerd growing up! :biggrin:

 

[queenlives]

My parents did the same thing like your trunk. We had a remembrance box full of our awards and such. Crafts we made at summer camp, awards we got in school, etc... My parents still have it at their house. I'm flying out there next month. I think I'll get it out and take a look. Thanks for helping me remember this. I forgot all about it. I can't wait to find my perfect attendance award! Ok, I just now realized that I was a nerd growing up! :biggrin:

how very cool for all of you - make sure you share the memories with your folks, too

 

[SilverStone05]

I'm well under 30 but old enough to say that I think that you have a great idea for a gift. I'm sure the boy will appreciate it.

 

[Shumdit]

You know queen, I have no real beneficial input on this (other than to say it sounds like a great idea), but I was a little shocked when you said you had a 30 yr. old son. I would have guessed by your sense of humor that you were around that age!! :biggrin: :biggrin:

 

[queenlives]

I'm well under 30 but old enough to say that I think that you have a great idea for a gift. I'm sure the boy will appreciate it.

thanks for the nice words, silver - from your lips to god's ears

 

[queenlives]

You know queen, I have no real beneficial input on this (other than to say it sounds like a great idea), but I was a little shocked when you said you had a 30 yr. old son. I would have guessed by your sense of humor that you were around that age!! :biggrin: :biggrin:

thx for the support on the idea and... about my age... it's important to stay young, no?

 

[Shumdit]

Agreed!

 

[queenlives]

Agreed!

you know, after reading your post, as i was shampooing the carpets in the house (and they say being a house-stud isn't fun!) i was reflecting on this topic/thread and thinking through what i'll say in my interview portion of the video.

one of the things i'll comment on is that - when done with the proper frame of mind - getting older is among the least acknowledged, best gigs going. i've found that at 52, the kids are launched and making their way, income is comfortable, debt is non-existant (sp?) and i work if/when i want, with those i choose to spend my time with.

save the body not being quite what it was at 30, the rest of me is sooooo much better (and i've adapted to the changes, thank you very much that i wouldn't go back to 30 to (pardon the pun), save my life.

having said this, i've found that being an active father with growing children is the **very best** gig there is... and driving my vyacura for more than 4 hrs ain't bad either

overnout.
hal
"the older i get, the better i was"

 

[White92]

you know, after reading your post, as i was shampooing the carpets in the house (and they say being a house-stud isn't fun!) i was reflecting on this topic/thread and thinking through what i'll say in my interview portion of the video.

one of the things i'll comment on is that - when done with the proper frame of mind - getting older is among the least acknowledged, best gigs going. i've found that at 52, the kids are launched and making their way, income is comfortable, debt is non-existant (sp?) and i work if/when i want, with those i choose to spend my time with.

save the body not being quite what it was at 30, the rest of me is sooooo much better (and i've adapted to the changes, thank you very much that i wouldn't go back to 30 to (pardon the pun), save my life.

having said this, i've found that being an active father with growing children is the **very best** gig there is... and driving my vyacura for more than 4 hrs ain't bad either

overnout.
hal
"the older i get, the better i was"

Wow. Can I call you dad? :smile:

 

[Ko-nsx]

I just hit 32. Got my nsx at 30 :biggrin: . it was my birthday present. i think what youre doing is great. I lost my dad this year at 59 :frown: . He did not go in a peaceful way. Now i worry about a lot more stuff than before. My 20's were very good, traveling, money,etc. Now most of my friends are married with kids, i'm single and things have changed. My 30's have been rough, lots of questions that need answers.

 

[Jin1976]

queenlives,

Please tell your son he is very lucky to have a dad like you. Since I can remember my birthday was never celebrated with/ by my family. I am the eldest son and at the moment the most successful among my siblings. I envy your son for having great family. :smile:

 

[queenlives]

I just hit 32. Got my nsx at 30 :biggrin: . it was my birthday present. i think what youre doing is great. I lost my dad this year at 59 :frown: . He did not go in a peaceful way. Now i worry about a lot more stuff than before. My 20's were very good, traveling, money,etc. Now most of my friends are married with kids, i'm single and things have changed. My 30's have been rough, lots of questions that need answers.

i'm sorry about your loss, ko...

as for your 30's with lots of questions, that sounds similar to my 30's, too... lots of things going on and, finally, me learning to define my short & long term priorities, then focus on them to the best of my ability. my awakening occurred at 35ish; hopefully, yours will come earlier

thx for the kind words, btw.
hal