[Leica] 30th birthday - OT

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Frank F. Farmer wrote and enjoyed:
>Tonight I turned 30.  Granted, nothing that spectacular and I don't even 
>have a photo of the party . . . yet.  Anyway, I did receive a bottle of 
>Lagavulin and Gunter Osterloh's Leica M book from my father-in-law.  Just 
>thought it was appropriate to share.  Happy weekend to you all.<<<<

Hi Frank,
A belated happy birthday and many many more! Looks like you received a 
couple of fine gifts, but the greatest gift of all is the life ahead for at 
least the next 60 years. :-)

I tried to think back to my 30th, it was tough, however when I put it into 
"photo assignments" things came swishing back like it was yesterday as it 
was such a wonderful time. I was just getting rolling and the next 46 years 
became the most exciting anyone could expect and enjoy.

To reach 30 is a plesaure, :-) 40 it begins to rock and roll. 50 it's so 
damn exciting you never want it to end! :-) 60? At this point you begin to 
do all those wonderful things you couldn't do in your younger years, well 
most of them. ;-) And what can I say for the next 16 after that? For example 
you can make it what you want. But always make it fun and enjoy it for more 
than any other time in your life. By then you've earned it just in 
surviving. ;-)

For examle in my case while shooting from helicopters or fixed wing planes 
over the years, picture taking that is, I always wondered what it would be 
like to just roll out with a parachute and float gently to earth? So at 65 I 
did just that, my first and only solo jump. :-) It was every bit as exciting 
as I imagined, actually more so. I'm sure you can imagine how many people 
thought I'd lost it, :-)

However that was not to be until the next opportunity on the 76th! ;-) 
Fooled them again. ;-) Still haven't lost it (completely) and when I do 
there's no point taking up space around here.

But those between 65 and 76 I never let down nor backed off, oh a few minor 
things that come with aging, not too much you can do about those other than 
attitude! Screw it don't give it the time of day, work & live around it. Put 
it out of your mind, well as much as you can and move on.

But as long as you stay young at heart and spirit, life is amazingly 
wonderful to have lived long, enjoyed family, friends and so many wonderful 
experiences. In my case all because my wife bought me my first camera and 
gave me the life and opportunities of ten men, if not more!

I'm sure a dram or two of the Lagavulin will do you no harm while reading 
that Leica book. :-)

Have a wonderful life the best is yet to come. :-)  Happy Birthday. :-)
ted