January 19, 1972...Or WTF, I'm Forty?!?

Thursday, January 19, 2012
It isn't that often that I mention personal accomplishments on this blog; it's better served showing you pictures of bell bottom pants. But today I turned 40 years old, and I'm not sure why, but it seemed relevant to mention it. A few weeks ago, I wasn't in love with the upcoming milestone. I understood why Jack Benny kept his age at the perpetual 39. But now that it's actually happened, I don't feel any different than when I turned 30 (and where the heck did those past ten years go, anyway?) Sure, there are some things in life that I wish had happened by now (ahem, finding my life partner) but there's been a lot of incredible things that have happened the past four years or so that previously didn't seem possible. I can honestly say that I've never been as happy and confident in my entire life as I am now. I discovered my love for a newer area of marketing--social media--and I finally feel like my writing has taken off the past few years. Last year I posted about how women in their 40s in this day and age have a somewhat more positive experience and are viewed by society differently than women who lived through their 40s in the 60s and 70s. Yes, life is good and continues to get interesting and more fulfilling. 

But I'm sure you don't want to hear me jabber on about...well, me. For fun, I thought I'd pull together some key facts about January 1972, the month and year I was born:

*The song topping the music charts was Don McLean's American Pie.
*Gas cost 55 cents a gallon (yikes!)
*The cost of a first-class stamp was 8 cents. 
*The average cost of a new house was $27,550.
*The first Star Trek convention was held in New York.
*All in the Family was the top rated show, followed by The Flip Wilson Show.
*Life cereal had a popular commercial with the famous line, "He likes it! Hey Mikey!"
*The Godfather was a few weeks away from winning the Oscar for Best Motion Picture. 
*The Dallas Cowboys were a few weeks away from being the Superbowl VI champs. 

Famous people who share my birthday: Janis Joplin (yeah!), Dolly Parton, and Robert Palmer. 


I'm looking forward to seeing what my 40s are going to bring. If Go Retro goes quiet the rest of this month, I've just been extremely busy. On that note, I'm planning on a small surprise here for the month of February. Nothing earth shattering, just going to slightly change things up a bit for next month. Stay tuned.

22 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day.

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  2. Happy Birthday!

    Mary Ellen
    The Working Home Keeper

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  3. It's Pam's birthday
    It's Pam's birthday
    And we would like to wish her all the very best
    It's Pam's birthday
    It's Pam's birthday
    And it's so nice to have you back to be our guest

    At Pam's birthday
    At Pam's birthday
    We'd like to wish you all what you would wish yourself
    On Pam's birthday
    It's Pam's birthday
    And it's so good to have you back from off the shelf
    And it's so good to have...
    You back from off the shelf...

    Happy birthday retro Pam!

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  4. You say it's your birthday; it's my birthday too, yeah (well, I'll be turning forty in July, but in the scheme of things pretty close).
    The photo must be from the same session that was used for the cover of the American LP Beatles IV

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  5. Happy Birthday Pam. I hope the next 10 years are as good as the last xx

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  6. You don't look a day over 29...:)

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. Happy Birthday to you..
    Happy Birthday to you..
    Happy Birthday Dear Pammy..
    Happy Birthday to you..
    "Cha Cha Cha"
    (and many more)

    40's are nice, you start feeling like you're finally figuring stuff out, and become more at peace with yourself. For me, my mid thirties were my confusing mid-life crisis years. Now other than getting in better shape, (Something you've obviously got WELL under control) I'm pretty happy with myself.

    I'll raise a glass tonight for you, and toast the next 40 years. In the mean time.. here's an electronic "Cheers"!

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  9. Happy Birthday Pam! know how you feel I just turned 50 on Jan 6th myself and felt like there's been some kind of horrible mistake because I feel like I'm 30.

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  10. Happy birthday from a 42 year old!

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  11. Happy Birthday! Love your blog!!!!

    40 is the new 30!

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  12. Happy Birthday Pam! I was 10 years old in '72 & for some reason it's always been one of my all-time favorite years. Now I know why :)

    Hope you have a super-special day!

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  13. Happy Birthday darlin! A big birthday hug for you.

    So sorry I missed this post yesterday. Hope you enjoy your celebrations and have a lovely weekend! Hooray! :)

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  14. A very happy birthday and I wish you the best for your 40's.

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  15. Thanks, everyone, for the birthday wishes!

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  16. Happy belated birthday wishes to you Pam.I turned 50 on 12/28 but still feel young in spirit.

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  17. A very happy birthday to you - sorry that the wish is a belated one. Welcome to the 40's. I too had dreaded reaching this age but like you said I don't feel much different than I did than in my 30s and I turned 42 a month ago but I am dreading the big 5-0 now. I love your facts about the day of your birth. I only remember sharing my b-day with Jane Fonda whom I'm not really a fan of, you are lucky to share Dolly's - I love her music.

    I hope that you enjoyed your holidays and that the new year has been a nice one so far. I'm sorry that it has been such a long time since I've been in touch with you. I've really missed reading your posts. I am trying to get over my depression and reconnect with my blog friends who I am so greatful are a part of my life. Looking forward to catching up with your fabulous posts.

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  18. Cool. I am impressed that you published your real age. Since I turned the big 4-0, I've been silent about my age. Good for you. Hope your birthday went well.

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  19. You're only 11 months and 10 days older than me? I'm so cinfused... You talk like you're ancient, like there's a monument being built for you somewhere... Yet you look not a day of 24! WTF? Hope your B-day was wonderful! Still a MAJOR hotty!

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