Rich Geib's Wonderblog

"4" IS THE MAGIC NUMBER!

Today my wife and I celebrate our fourth wedding anniversary; and several weeks ago, I celebrated my fortieth birthday. But with a baby girl on board such events, especially my birthday, seem to take on much less importance.

They say many women as they turn forty lament bitterly the supposed onslaught of middle age and loss of youth the events supposedly symbolizes. I barely had time to notice. How do I feel about turning 40? I don't feel much. I don't think this is a lack of self-awareness on my part but of so many other more important activities going on. It is just another day.

"How do I feel generally about myself at this stage of my life?" Well, that is different, entirely more important question, and it is one that did not have much to do with my birthday.

My father did, however, throw a catered birthday party for me down in his Laguna Beach house. This brought together a whole slew of my far-flung friends at the same place at the same time. Sadly, someone has either to die or get married to make that happen.

So I guess on balance I appreciate turning 40! They birthday itself is inconsequential; the seeing of good friends and staying connected is hugely consequential. I wish it could happen more often.

And so I look forward to a summer (mostly) free from work where I can spend many rich hours napping and playing with my new daughter. Let it begin!

Life is good but full of change.

Posted by Rich at 06:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

STILL GOT IT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

There is much talk about the "hegemony" of the American film business, and how it is driving everyone else out of business - American "cultural imperialism," and the like. The French, for example, actually have laws limiting the amount of American TV footage that can be played per week. As if without the clumsy power of the state, there would be no French programming left. How sad! A quota system! When the situation has gotten to that point, there can be little hope.

But I watched "Pride and Prejudice" the other night, and it was an entirely Brit run operation. It was such a well done job that any idea that the English are out of the game is clearly not true.

Any country that can produce such a work of art is clearly alive and culturally vibrant, with a beating heart and a soul worth preserving.

Posted by Rich at 12:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)