ESPN's got 30 for 30. I've got 40 for 40. Forty things I've learned in my 40th year.
1. Just when you think you've maxed out the love for the people you care about most, they will surprise you -- or you'll surprise yourself -- by how much more you can love them and how much more they can love you.
2. Stick up for yourself. You are worth it.
3. Don't discuss politics on Facebook. Your friendships are not worth your attempts at clever turns of phrase and rhetoric.
4. That being said, Mark Twain was right about the human race.
5. There is no better place to celebrate your birthday than at the Third Ward Social Club and Klimek's Tavern in North Tonawanda, N.Y.
6. When in doubt, trade in the Subaru. NOT the Toyota. Though if you had, the Toyota would have needed as many repairs as the Subaru.
7. I don't mind gray hair and whiskers.
8. Anxiety is for suckers.
9. Buy a drum set. It's more fun than humans should be allowed to have.
10. Play guitar every day.
11. Play bass every day, too.
12. The Bills will do just enough to make you think they're finally going to beat a good team and turn the corner, then kick you squarely in the groin.
13. When you let your kid try something new and a little scary -- to you, at least -- the rewards are not just hers alone. You realize that you can let go at the same time she learns that she can fly.
14. Growing in faith reminds you of the stuff in life that really matters and brings out the better person you were meant to be.
15. You play the regular season so you can have Game 7 at home. It matters.
16. It's not easy to stick to your principles when everyone else is discarding theirs. But in the end, whether your argument carries the day or is ignored, it's a lot easier to look in the mirror, sleep, eat, etc.
17. It's not healthy to hold grudges. They will eat you from the inside out.
18. Don't dwell on things in the past you can't change. It's a waste of time.
19. Next time, buy the Neko Case tickets and stop being so darned responsible.
20. Trust the people you love the most and who love you the most.
21. Don't be afraid of yourself or your own ability.
22. Regrets are a crappy way to live your life. Don't do it.
23. Eat less. You're not missing anything.
24. You are not your job and your job is not you. That paradigm might have worked for your immigrant ancestors trying to carve out a niche in this country, but that was then and this is now -- and it's not good for you.
25. When you turn 40, your metabolism slows to a crawl but the hair on your ear and in your nose grows like kudzu.
26. Listen to your daughter and buy a real Christmas tree.
27. Make the effort to connect (or re-connect) with your extended family. You'll realize you're not alone in the world and learn more about yourself.
28. You don't have to "take your talents to South Beach" to be happy.
29. Some clever ideas were not meant to be implemented.
30. It's startling how someone you never met can affect your life and perspective in ways you never realized until he or she was suddenly gone. RIP George M. Parks
31. Every recipe turns out better when Sofia helps. Even if the pie looks homely or the pasta turns out funny, it's so worth it.
32. If you don't want the hot water to come out cold and the cold water to come out hot, hire a plumber.
33. Don't ride a waterslide head-first if you don't want to re-injure your thumb.
34. Next time, cut out the middle man and bring the stuff to Goodwill instead of holding a tag sale at which everyone touches your stuff, but no one buys it.
35. Don't be surprised when your six-year-old daughter screams the name of her friend-who-is-a-boy and runs past you without so much as a "bye, dad." I knew it was coming ... but so soon?
36. I love going out to dinner with Sofia -- just her and me.
37. It's a beautiful thing to realize, when Sofia does the right thing by a friend or family member and makes us truly proud, that we've actually done OK so far as parents.
38. Everything they've told you about Mexican Coca-Cola is true.
39. Don't mess with supermarket chicken salad.
40. Dinner tastes better when you get to watch it catch fire right in front of you.
