Turning 60

I turn 60 in a few days (on the 16th).

I'm grateful to be still kicking after all of these years (especially to have survived the 1960s and early 70s). I'm fortunate to have had the love and support of my wife Wendy for over 33 years. And together we've raised two children, Athena and Alex (who are now out working in the world).

In doing my own work, I've learned that people enjoy having their minds stimulated, and that a "whack on the side of the head" can be a positive experience. Having my own business has given me the opportunity to present my material and meet people on six continents. It has also allowed me to try a variety of things — some successful, others less so.

I’m sometimes asked what my favorites are, so here are a few of them.

• Favorite pieces of music: Bach’s Goldberg Variations, and Stravinsky’s Pulcinella Suite.
• Favorite modern novelist: Paul Auster.
• Favorite painting that I’ve actually seen: Hieronymus Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights (hanging in the Prado, Madrid).
• Favorite film directors: Akira Kurosawa, Ingmar Bergman, and Stanley Kubrick.
• Favorite creative thinking “thinker”: Arthur Koestler.
• Favorite classical play: Euripides’ The Bacchae.
• Favorite vegetable: habanero chili peppers.
• Favorite places that I’ve visited just before sunrise: Varanasi (on the Ganges), Karnak Temple (Egypt), Machu Picchu (Peru), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), Erg Chebbi Sand Dunes (Sahara Desert, Morocco), and the Temple of Concord (Agrigento, Sicily).

For inspiration, this morning I looked at card #60 of my Innovative Whack Pack (a deck which deals with the ideas of the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus). Heraclitus' message here is:

 "The sun is new each day."

I believe that Heraclitus' advice to me on the eve on my sixtieth is:

"Keep an open mind and think again. Life will continually surprise you. Nothing is permanent and you shouldn't be a slave to your assumptions."

I look forward to being surprised at what comes my way in the coming years.

So, what am I doing on my birthday? I plan to go swimming. My wife and I will then take our dogs (Razzbo, Zack, and Wally) to the beach (Mavericks), then meet up with my family and see an old Hitchcock movie at the Stanford Theatre (complete with a live organist on the Wurlitzer), and then out to dinner. Should be fun!

Next week, Wendy and I are off to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and then business in Hong Kong.

Comments

[Jeevan Sivasubramaniam]

Happy birthday Roger! Next time you're in the city I owe you a beer/green tea/coffee

[Lewis Green]

Happy Birthday Roger! I turn 62 in a few months, traveled with a rock back in my early days and, too, was fortunate to make it through the '60s and '70s. Since, every decade has been better. God bless!

[Traci]

As one of your readers, I've enjoyed your blog for the past few months. I was shocked to see that many of your favorites are my own (Bach, Auster, the lovely afternoon I spent in the Prado with Bosch, Kurosawa, Kubrick, The Bacchae). You've inspired me to discover the other places and thinkers who have inspired you. Happy birthday, Roger!

[ann michael]

Happy Birthday, Roger!!!!!

[Stuart R. Kaplan]

Dear Roger:
Congratulations on reaching the 60 year milestone. However, I suspect you have forgotten that 2008 is also important for another reason: it is "OUR" 20th anniversary. On June 4, 1988 you contacted U.S. Games Systems with a sample of your Creative Whack pack. Shortly thereafter you gave a workshop at the Sons of Italy complex in Stamford and I attended as your guest. At the workshop. I witnessed several hundred employees of General Foods Group (I think) jump up and down as you put on your different hats of explorer, artist, judge and warrior and jolted them to think differently. In August 1988 we entered into our first publishing agreement and it has been an exciting 20 years. I am a big admirer of your accomplishments. Working together with you on the Creative Whack Pack and recently on the Ball of Whacks has been invigorating, challenging, exciting, fun, and a positive learning experience. Happy Birthday and many more successful years.
Stuart Kaplan

[Ann Handley]

Roger -- I know it might be trite to say you an inspiration, but indeed it's true. Your work, your story, your attitude is such an inspiration to me, personally. You make me think of things differently.

Happy 60th!!

[Patrick Hunt]

Roger, Happy 60th Birthday! Bach and his Goldberg Variations - and so much else that he composed - continue to inspire me as well. My own birthday was this week and memorable, although my journey is a few years behind yours and you so often light the way. I'm always happy to see you at the Stanford pool and elsewhere. Keeping your mind intensely active with your continuing profound insights into Heraclitus and paradox (like the Hebrew mashal), your commitment to staying fit in swimming and your own pioneering creativity are no doubt keeping you decades younger. Two of my favorite maxims that you embody are" Nothing is strange to the wise" (Antisthenes) and "You can't begin to teach people what they think they already know" (Epictetus). Continue to embrace enigma, Patrick Hunt

[Dan Corbo]

Roger, You have changed my life in many ways. I don't think a day goes by with out using your wisdom. Happy Happy B-Day

Dan

[David Armano]

Roger,

Happy 60th! You have one of the youngest minds I know—and I'm sure your creative insights will only get better and better. Thanks for being an inspiration and a creative force in our world.

Enjoy your upcoming birthday.

[David Armano]

Roger,

Happy 60th! You have one of the youngest minds I know—and I'm sure your creative insights will only get better and better. Thanks for being an inspiration and a creative force in our world.

Enjoy your upcoming birthday.

[Jim Ley]

Happy Birthday,

I hope to meet you someday in person.

I appreciate the questions you ask in your blogs!

Here's to another 40 years of stimulating living!

[David Lehman]

Have a great birthday! It's fun reflecting on many of those 60's and 70's bullets that we dodged together.

[Mack Collier]

Happy 60th Roger, and thanks again for the unique and creative voice that you continue to bring to the blogging community. We are all richer for your insights and wisdom.

[Luc Debaisieux]

Hey Roger,

Today is "THE" day... JOYEUX ANNIVERSAIRE my friend. Getting to know you and your blog has been a insightful experience. Wish you all the best for this special year and the many-many to come.

[cousin chris]

Happy 60th Roger! Talk about synchronicity... I havent checked my e-mail since Friday and here is the news that you have just a couple hours left of this milestone birthday... this afternoon I was talking about/ bragging ;-] about you to a visiting neighbor and pulled out my little Creative Whacks box... opened up the one that says "Age Means Nothing"... I didnt know at that time how appropriate that particular "whack" was for today... anyhow, hope you had a great day... your plans sounded wonderful... hugs and love to you and Wendy, Chris

[Paul Lloyd]

Hey Roger,

Just passing by and read the news - Happy 60th Birthday! Sounds like there is still many more adventures to be had! And swimming 'an easy' 3000 meters, you have just put this 27 year old to shame!

Paul

[jonny]

happy 60th!

[Chris Corbo]

Hey Roger,

I just wanted to let you know I have been touched by your creative spirit in many ways. Through the words that my older brother Dan echo to me that he learned from being your friend, to the wisdom that I myself have gained from our conversations. Happy B Day!! Thank you for dedicating your life to making all of ours better..

Chris C.