January 11, 2011

Tomorrow is my birthday.

I will be 60.

Any ideas?

126 comments:

David Wharton said...

Cake!

coketown said...

A 60 word essay on what turning 60 means to you. Or a list of things you hope to accomplish before you merge with the infinite.

R.L. Hunter said...

Have Meade make you a nice dinner, take a photo of it and let us vote on whether it's good enough for such an auspicious occasion.

Happy Birthday and many more to come.

Chase said...

Hippo Birdy Two Ewes!

Hippo Birdy Two Ewes!

Hippo Birdy, Hippo Birdy,

Hippo Birdy Two Ewes!

Hope your day is great. Meade has got to feel he's one of the luckiest men on earth.

Revenant said...

I like R.L.'s plan. Meade better step up his game. No pizza!

Ron said...

Best memory of each of the last six decades...

Sharc 65 said...

Look at it this way. Have you ever been more content in your life? More financially secure? More sure of yourself? More influential? If you're the poster girl for 60, I can't wait to get there. HBD!

Trooper York said...

Happy Birthday!!!!

I jumped the gun with my happy birthday posts but I wish you a happy and healthy New Year.

Michael said...

Eat cake, skate on the lake, get laid.

1775OGG said...

AA: Eat cake! Oh, have a glass of wine, plus order Meade to make breakfast for you!

Cheers and many more!

Kevin said...

Sky Dive or get some other item on your bucketlist accomplished!

john bord said...

enjoy.....


Happy Birthday

Fen said...

Do something Bold.

Gabriel Hanna said...

You should accept the gratitude and good wishes of all of us here, and little thoughtful presents from those of us close enough to you to give them.

Peter V. Bella said...

Yesterday was my birthday. I am now 58. I always go to a high end restaurant for dinner and drinks. Of course I live in Chicago so there is a huge selection. Afternoon Martinis at the Drake and dinner at the Palm.

Peter V. Bella said...

BTW Happy Birthday.

victoria said...

Cake totally. Nothing beats a great birthday cake. Dinner with your main man and son. Other than those 2, who cares. I will be 60 in December, my bestest friend (next to my hubby), my college roommate, will be 60 in September. Tell me what it's like Ann. I am actually looking forward to it.

Happy birthday and many, many more to come.



Vicki from Pasadena

victoria said...

OMG, Ron, I love your idea. Look back with fondness on the last 6 decades and go boldly in to the fray, face forward.

Vicki

coketown said...

Oh, snap, I got it. Get smashed on your favorite (Pabst blue ribbon) and do a one-woman bloggingheads where you divulge what you really think about Glenn Reynolds. Keep it under 80 minutes.

Irene said...

A photo montage of ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty, and sixty?

Happy Birthday!

*wink*

Hoosier Daddy said...

Do something different and wild, like hit some swakny coffee shop or cafe.

SteveR said...

I'd say do whatever you want to but you do that already, seems to me.

Talk to people that you love and tell them so, as many as you can.

Meade said...

Let's skate on the lake.

You wear that extraordinarily beautiful new hand-knit scarf that came in the mail - the one that flatters your eyes. And then dinner at your favorite place.

Want to?

Fritz said...

Colonoscopy?

chickelit said...

Your mission is to redefine sexagenary.

Happy Birthday!

EnigmatiCore said...

Make love in the morning as if you were 19.

Ann Althouse said...

Meade said... "Let's skate on the lake. You wear that extraordinarily beautiful new hand-knit scarf that came in the mail - the one that flatters your eyes. And then dinner at your favorite place. Want to?"

Anything with you, baby.

And I will wear the beautiful scarf, that's the perfect color and design, and has the exquisite craftswomanship, etc. etc.

Irene said...

*double winks*

Marica said...

What did you do when you were 60 -1? What do you imagine/hope you will do when you are 60 +1?

And how about 60 -2, 3, 4? (Don't know when Meade showed up, but you get the drift.) If it were me-- and of course is it all of us-- if what worked works, just keep on doin' it. Adjusting for age, of course. :-)

Ann Althouse said...

"Cake totally. Nothing beats a great birthday cake. Dinner with your main man and son. Other than those 2, who cares. I will be 60 in December, my bestest friend (next to my hubby), my college roommate, will be 60 in September. Tell me what it's like Ann. I am actually looking forward to it. "

Now, I have 2 sons, but they are not in Madison. One is in New York City and one is in Austin, Texas. But I do have my adorable husband here with me, and what makes it so hard to figure out what to do is that I love normal days, and every day here with Meade is so beautiful. I can't think of a way to do things better than what we do every day. And there's nothing I did when I was 19 that was better.

Meade said...

@ EnigmatiCore, I think she's looking for new ideas, things she doesn't already do every day. :-)

Ann Althouse said...

@Marica Yeah, we cross-posted, but... exactly. That's my point.

Ann Althouse said...

@Meade LOL

KCFleming said...

Give thanks for each other.

Multiply by 60.

Ann Althouse said...

"AA: Eat cake! Oh, have a glass of wine, plus order Meade to make breakfast for you!"

Meade already makes me breakfast, but perhaps it would add pizzazz to order him to make me breakfast. The truth is, however, that it's more fun when he tells me what to do.

Meade said...

I think I just heard someone drive by shouting something about getting a room.

Freeman Hunt said...

You could do something fun you've never done before. I don't know what that would be. Ever been to a nice, indoor gun range?

Later, big dinner with your best friends in the area.

Freeman Hunt said...

Of course, lots of artistic blogging as per usual should be part of the day.

Ann Althouse said...

"I think I just heard someone drive by shouting something about getting a room."

Wow. Cool. Thanks.

Freeman Hunt said...

Call into Limbaugh's show.

Meade said...

Shhh....!

Beta Rube said...

Happy Birthday and thanks for all the time and effort put forth in keeping me entertained.

I was gonna suggest a spirited game of the Naughty Contessa meets the Randy Driver, but it sounds like you kids are way ahead of me.

Ann Althouse said...

"Ever been to a nice, indoor gun range?"

A very interesting suggestion!

Calypso Facto said...

Happy Birthday!

C'mon across the lake to Monona and Garage Mahal and I will grill for you and Meade. Right, Garage?

Whatever you end up doing, enjoy!

Unknown said...

Have you ever parasailed or sky-dived (dove?)?

How about a Polar Bear (or Polar Bare, if you really want to be adventurous) swim?

Cake and ice cream, conventional as it may be, still works, but maybe as a flambe.

This is the beginning of a new part of your life and I'm wishing that you will share it with your honey for many years.

MadisonMan said...

Walk through and explore the Capitol. It's such a beautiful building.

Go sledding at Elver Park.

traditionalguy said...

Celebrate your love. Also give thanks for all of your days of good health enjoyed together over a full life span. We all love you.

KCFleming said...

I'd go for the gun range.

Unknown said...

PS There's always sing your favorite song at the start of conlaw class (assuming you're going in tomorrow).

WestVirginiaRebel said...

Act your age by ranting about those damn kids and their loud music.

Declare yourself immortal just to spite Obamacare supporters.

Have yourself cloned so that Althouse can live on.

If you fall on the ice, say, "I've fallen and I can't get up" just to get Meade to carry you around all day.

Remember that you're not getting older. You're appreciating in value.

hat said...

My birthday is the day after. We should hang out!

Meade said...

Wouldn't that make you old, hat?

chickelit said...

Freeman Hunt said...
Call into Limbaugh's show.

I forgot-- Althouse is connascent with Rush Limbaugh.

Born on the same day.

Sprezzatura said...

Pop in some Unchained Melody.

And let the magic happen.

Wince said...

Throw a birthday party where everyone dons Kabuki masks representing thier favorite Blogging Heads personality in some kind of kinky Eyes Wide Shut Masked Ball encounter.

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Happy Birthday..

Pete said...

The last few years before my wife passed away, I put an excerpt from September Song on the fridge--"...the days dwindle down, to a precious few...". Treat each coming day as precious.

john said...

Ann, just kick the bucketlist. Worrying about things others think you should do will age you prematurely.

Happy Birthday!

JAL said...

Have a happy one.

Not an idea. An order.

(Everything needs to be regulated these days.)

JAL said...

Happpy un-birthday Peter B.

wv drostus
What Gorbochev said to Reagan?

R.L. Hunter said...

Will we get a picture of You, Meade, and the Scarf on the lake?

KCFleming said...

Please take my Xmas white elephant present to the gun range.

AlphaLiberal said...

Breakfast at Monty's Blue Plate on the east side.

Happy birthday, Ann!

JAL said...

Cynthia McFadden is doing a piece on Nightline on The Weather Bomb.

Have they no shame?

Bruce Hayden said...

I pulled the pin 3 months ago. Still not acclimated to it yet. I am on occasion surprised when someone asks me if I qualify for a senior discount, and it turns out I do. You shouldn't have as much of a problem though, since my hair is going from gray to silver.

For me, 60 was harder than 50, and maybe even 40. Don't know why. Maybe it is in recognition that I will be eligible for SS at a reduced rate in 2 years, Medicare in 5 (I think), regular SS in 6, and full boat in 11 or so. And, likely I will be considering retirement sometime in the next decade or so. My 50s just flew by, and things seem to be speeding up.

JAL said...

hey hat -- happy un-birthday to you too!

JAL said...

@ Pogo 10:37

Have you no shame man?

That's a made-in-China angel!

Not to mention your violent rhetoric is inappropriate on the Professor's birthday.

MadisonMan said...

Breakfast at Monty's Blue Plate on the east side.

Meh. I'd suggest Marigold Kitchen.

madAsHell said...

Please...no more black fingernail polish!

JAL said...

For Chip --

Is there a Card, perhaps?

John Burgess said...

1. Have a happy birthday
2. Send an interdepartmental memo filled with an assortment of printers marks overlaid on a campus map.
3. Continue with happy birthday celebrations filled with wine, song, and beloved.

(Been there; done that)

I'm Full of Soup said...

Don't change a thing! Be yourself and have Happy Birthday!

BJM said...

A suggestion for Meade; make a stack of I.O.U.'s that Althouse can redeem for, um, personal services; a back rub, reading aloud, toenail polishing, a favorite meal, de-icing her car, running an errand, whatever floats her boat.

Everso often my Spousal Unit redeems one and it's always a surprise. They must be honored on the spot that's part of the fun.

I love Irene's suggestion of posting a pix for each decade...a birthday pix would be even better.

Anyhoo...Happy Birthday!

Ken Mitchell said...

Happy birthday, youngster!

Roger von Oech said...

Happy Birthday.

Guess you're on the "back nine" of life now!

Methadras said...

Let Meade pinch your bum 60 times. :D

Methadras said...

David Wharton said...

Cake!


Forget cake. PIE!!!

Irene said...

Roger, the back forty!

Randy said...

Happy birthday! Others have better ideas than I. Whatever you do, have a marvelous time with your husband and good friends on your special day.

Penny said...

The first thing I suggest you do is to publicly put yourself into a situation that just BEGS for some impolite moron to ask your age.

Answering the first time is the hardest.

And I suppose that you already figured out that you can no longer reply to that question with the more general, "in my 50's". ;)

LegosnEggos said...

Same as at 20 -- regularly leave your comfort zone, continue making plans and then abandoning them for things more fun, and know you've carved out quite an impressive niche for yourself so far. 60's the new 40, you know.

Happy Birthday, Althouse!

vnjagvet said...

Trust me, 60 looks real good when you're 71. Enjoy it and break out the Champagne. Since it's now officially your birthday, Happy Birthday and have many more.

WV Skinesse - now that's too good to be coincidental.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday! Celebrate life in any and all ways you deem appropriate. (Hint: Cake. Pie often works, too.)

Years ago, the editor of a science fiction magazine wrote a piece about turning sixty. "It is a sobering thing to realize that almost a quarter of my life is already over."

wv: sputing

No Comment.

The Musket said...

Chocolate and whisky -- good for any occasion.

The Musket said...

Happy Birthday!! My birthday is later in the month and growing up, I always wanted snow. Enjoy skating and a picture of the scarf please -- pretty please.

Kirk Parker said...

No pizza, sure, but more importantly no popcorn!

And my real advice: keep getting older, it so totally beats the alternative!

Happy birthday!


wv: rituous -- the kind of fun you should have on your birthday.

Lucien said...

Bollinger Grand Annee! + have Meade get you a bottle of Armagnac from your birth year.

Palladian said...

Meade could buy you a nice, expensive piece of art from a struggling New York artist.

Otherwise, I suggest doing everything you would on a nice, normal day, but doing it FABULOUSLY.

The Scythian said...

Happy birthday, Althouse! Hope this one's a great one for you and you have many more!

Fred4Pres said...

You should treat yourself (and us all) to multiple ice skating posts. Happy Birthday.

Anonymous said...

Hookers, blow, massive coronary...

No wait, that's my plans for my 60th.

It's wintertime in Wisconsin, what can you do? Spend a weekend in Chicago on the Miracle Mile.

Deb said...

Happy Birthday; celebrate a day of spontaneous joy with Meade; and please please post a picture of the scarf/

Anonymous said...

"Whatever with the past has gone, The best is always yet to come."
- Lucy Larcom

WardBlawg (Gavin Ward) said...

In which case, happy birthday sir. Hope you have a great day.

Looking forward to more posts on your Althouse blog.

Best wishes
McSporrans
Criminal Defence Lawyers in Edinburgh

yashu said...

Feliz cumpleaños!

Althouse & Meade are an inspiration to me (someone with a depressive bent) to live each day, each normal ordinary day, with happiness.

Toad Trend said...

Happy Birthday Ann!

The posts and suggestions have been inspiring as its my wife's birthday on Friday...

Its terrific to see how you and Mr. Meade enjoy the interplay. Everything in life is better when you can share your happiness.

God Bless!

Unknown said...

Happy birthday!

No suggestions, but have some good wishes.

Unknown said...

What yashu said. I think a great many people's batteries have been given an extra charge by your sharing a very intimate part of the last few years with us.

You have intrigued, challenged, and bemused us with your comments, delighted and enthralled us with your photographs, and honored us by sharing your life and romance with us.

Know that you hold a very special place in a great many hearts and we all wish you the best.

A very Happy Birthday, Ann.

Unknown said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dbQqrEamdQ

DaveW said...

Happy birthday professor!

I'd suggest a nice quiet dinner for two at your favorite restaurant, followed by a slow walk through your favorite park/nature area.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!

I agree with the "cake" sentiments.

Have your favorite wine

Have your favorite food.

Do not work today

Mick said...

Happy Birthday! Pretty hot for 60. Just sayin...




wv: whoutish---- sort of woot

Carl Vero said...

Happy birthday! – and take up painting.
Paint a raven that's vile
A pigeon’s smile;
If the raven is not quite a raven
If the pigeon on the grass
Is nothing but alas:
You are not painting things,
But ideas with wings!

Deborah M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Deborah M. said...

Whoops, wrong link!

Roger J. said...

Happy birthday professor--not too bad for a young pup--I would suggest tango lessons. Or since you are in Wisconsin, polka lessons.

Anonymous said...

In 9 days I will be 74. You are fortunate to be so young.
Time seems to move more rapidly. Probably because you have fewer days left each day, so ...
Spend less time doing things you don't like.

AlgonquinS said...

Happy Birthday, Professor!

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, Althouse!

Cake and something sparkling to drink, for certain! And only the company of those you love best, if you can help it.

Here's to many more happy, healthy years~

Bob_R said...

Have a happy one!

kjbe said...

A cake...with 60 candles. What a site! Have at it...

Golden West said...

All best wishes for any happy returns of the day!

Golden West said...

Make that "any" many!

Ignorance is Bliss said...

I think we need a long and detailed post answering the age-old question - "What is sex like after 60?"

MadisonMan said...

Or since you are in Wisconsin, polka lessons.

Who in Wisconsin doesn't know how to polka!?

A boot at the Essen Haus is called for. Happy Birthday!

David said...

Cake.

Then sex.

Or vice-versa.

Joe Biden, America's Putin said...

Happy Birthday.

You look amazing.

DADvocate said...

Happpy Birthday!

I'll be 60 in April.

Lockestep said...

Certainly not what I did 21 times to celebrate my 21st.

Freeman Hunt said...

Good morning and happy birthday!

Nena's 99 Luftballons Song said...

Invite Sir Archy for a toast at the local steakhouse with a table of best friends. Prince Meade, though, sits at the head of the table. Happy Birthday Annie !

A.Worthing said...

happy burpday. *belch*

michaele said...

It's fun being a young looking and young feeling 60 and over.It's like thumbing your nose at the passage of time.
I think all of us know that you recognize and deeply appreciate the special life blessings that you have been gifted with. Your day will be wonderful because you share it with someone who loves you.
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday.

TML said...

I agree with everyone who said "cake". Because cake is yummy. But not with too much frosting. Cake--the actually baked component--needs to be in harmony with the frosting component. So enjoy some cake! And Happy Birthday!!!

Bartender Cabbie said...

Chippendales?

Deb Haws said...

Birthday wishes from snowbound (but MN raised) CT, looking out the window at a clear sky with a moon cut perfectly in half. Hope you're enjoying the same.