Another Day Another Year

I'm at the point in my life where I don't need to celebrate my birthday.  I mean... sure I'll receive a few presents from my students, open a few birthday cards, go out to dinner a few times, and receive your typical share of text messages and Facebook posts.

Sadly... it's just not the same as when I was a kid.  Heck... even when I was in my twenties... I still looked forward to celebrating.  But today... as I turn forty-two... I'll be content just knowing I get the day off from work.

2010 Topps Turkey Red #TR70

Obviously when most baseball fans hear the #42... they think of Jackie Robinson.  But I'm always showing off cards of Jackie.  Today I wanted to do something different.

2005 UD Replica Legends Mini Jersey #JR

I decided to research historical accomplishments that people did at the age of forty-two.  Y'know... kinda compare myself to historical figures.

Here's what I came up with:

2009 Topps American Heritage Heroes #46

On September 14th, 1901 President McKinley passed away after being shot twice by Leon Czolgosz eight days earlier.  Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States at the age of forty-two.  Umm... I don't think I've been the president of anything.

1983 Donruss Hall of Fame Heroes #11

On July 9th, 1948 Satchel Paige made his MLB debut for the Cleveland Indians against The St. Louis Browns two days after his 42nd birthday.  He pitched two innings allowing two hits and zero runs.  The last time I pitched was over fifteen years ago to a bunch of drunk softball players.  I don't see myself pitching in the Big Leagues anytime soon.

2000 UD Century Legends Legendary Signatures #KA

During the 1989 season, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar played the final twenty games of his NBA career at the age of forty-two.  He's technically not the oldest to play in a NBA game, but he's the oldest everyday starter to play in the NBA.  Let's see. I'm short, overweight, and my legs get sore after shooting a round of golf.  I'm more likely to pitch in a Major League game.

There were several other notable events accomplished at the age of forty-two:

• Richard Raskin underwent sex reassignment surgery and became Renee Richards.  Two years later she played in the US Open as a female.  Although I'm happy with being a male... a sex change is possible.  The US Open is not.

• Arlette Schweitzer became the first woman in the United States to be a surrogate mother for her daughter.  Odds of playing in the NBA > Odds of being a surrogate mother

• Joseph Hazelwood was captain of the Exxon Valdez when it struck the Bligh Reef and dumped millions of gallons of oil into Prince William Sound.  Thank goodness I don't own a boat containing millions of gallons of oil.  And even if I did... I definitely wouldn't want to be famous for spilling all of that oil.

It makes me think what the next three hundred sixty-four days have in store for me... and what I'll be remembered for accomplishing at the age of forty-two.

What about you guys/gals...

Any of you accomplish anything cool at the age of forty-two?

Happy Monday and sayonara!