Each year as Halloween approaches my co-workers begin to get all excited about what costumes we should wear. There is a team theme developed and everyone is expected to participate by wearing a costume for Halloween. Everyone except me.

I really don’t get into it … and they know it. So as this year’s holiday approached, we all sat around and talked about what we could wear and as the costume ideas were brainstormed, I just ignored them and said nope. Nada. No thanks. And it was at that last nope that Jessica gave me a look and said something like fine, we’ll just dress like YOU!

And so they did. With great enthusiasm.

It was pretty simple. Here’s the getup of the Phil Halloween Costume!

• hair
• polo or Hawaiian shirt
• jeans or khakis
• cowboy boots
• black glasses

Jessica found the hair that afternoon. Jamie ordered each member a wig. Cost $5 EACH.

Here’s the group.

The group had no idea the amount of work it takes to look like me. We had to start the Friday before Halloween preparing the hair.

Emily and Victoria are excited as they said they had always wanted hair like this!

Chrystyna, who is my friend that has completed both Valley Walks with me, carefully measured the locks being very careful to get the exact layer effect I keep.

Jamie, my manager, put the total package together the best, right down to the black boots!

She’s a Pittsburgh Steeler fan … I told her that the beverage of choice was to be COFFEE, not beer in that cup!

I really appreciated the teams’ attention to detail. Here, they modeled my technique for checking my Droid for messages and Facebook updates.

Also note Jessica, who wore THE OHIO STATE University t-shirt in my honor. I was born in Ohio and the Bucks had just taken care of the Wisconsin rodents two days before. Tony, far left, wore the look in Scottsdale that weekend and said it was a huge hit. He called it the Aging Hipster. I think the Cougars digged it.

All in all, I really appreciated the honor of my co-workers desire to be like Phil for just a day. I think they have a new appreciation and maybe some envy for what it’s like to go through a day looking like me.

A facebook friend, Cindy, probably voiced it best. In seeing the pictures, she commented, “One Phil is more than enough!”  And to that, I think all would agree.

Here’s a great shot of Victoria and me. When told she really looked just like me … when I was 30 years younger, she said, “I guess I have a lot to look forward to!”

Thanks for a great team effort and making my Halloween participation the easiest ever. I’m thinking of marketing the look next year as Tony’s Aging Hipster. I’ll keep ya posted.

I have what many might find weird about how I feel about celebrating one’s birthday. I kind of don’t. And I even find those that make such a BIG deal about theirs to be … not sure the best word here. It is not a bad thing if you enjoy your day or week or in some cases, MONTH. I find I do those things every other day.

I am in the camp that feels it may be too pretentious to call such attention to oneself. Like the person who announces it’s their BIRTHDAY to all who will listen. (I hope this doesn’t offend as this is NOT my intention.) Maybe I need to loosen up! I have made plans in the past to have a party, but for various reasons, did not.

Yet, it is not a day I do not acknowledge or find un-important. It is. And I do think about it as it approaches and all day of the day itself. I’ve just changed in what or how I choose to celebrate it.

Fun versus Meaning

The common question asked is always what did you do? I ask the same one myself of others. Did you have fun? And my answer is always about the same. I ususally don’t do anything; if it happens to fall on a Friday or Saturday, I go out but no one is told it’s my birthday.

I braced for the day at work. It is a place that is notorious for doing SOMETHING to your cube ….

I work with some very creative, talented people … with way too much time on their hands.

My Celebration

There is only one thing I really want on this day, every year. It’s been the same thing for over 20 years now. And it has made for the best birthday every time.

That thing is a call from my daughter and son. I look forward to this every year.

Birthdays to me have become events that mark each year for us. More so than holidays or even the start of a new year. I feel the day of my birth is more significant as a benchmark in life than any others. They naturally cause us to reflect and realize time is short … or getting shorter.

It’s gotten kind of humorous as I tease my kids as to which one calls me first. Texts don’t count. And voice messages don’t count either. My daughter (being the oldest) once called just after midnight once and tried to claim she was the first. The rule also allows that as long as they get that call in before midnight, it’s good.

For me, my focus is less on doing something celebratory and more on doing or receiving something meaningful. And in that regard it is important this be authentic. I appreciate everyone who sent out a Happy Birthday. I really appreciate the dinner from my friend Kathy and all those little things some of you did to remember this day! But my day of birth isn’t measured by how many happy birthday wishes are on a Facebook wall (and this year I removed it so no one got a heads-up to post a note on the wall.) Or cards and gifts.

It has become a day, above all others, to make a call to the person(s) that are the closest to you. Or to receive that call.

So when anyone asks if I had a good birthday … yes, it was great. What did I do? I got two calls. This year, the first from my son, and the second from my daughter — before midnight.

I was cleaning out a box today and found some notes I had written for a future blog post on the topic of things I said I would never do, or say, or give up. And here we are in 2010. These are some of the things I thought I would never stop or start. ?Here is that list:

1. my land line telephone (6+ years ago)

2. the morning or afternoon paper (NEVER thought I would stop reading it … can’t tell you the last time I sat down to read one.)

3. Facebook – never thought I would do it. ?(my FB)

4. Twitter – Definitely thought this was one of the biggest jokes … for over a year. Now I get it. ?(my Twitter)

5. Books – I still order books, but I am ready to buy a Kindle. I see the day coming where books will go the way of newspapers.

6. Text messaging – DESPISED texting. But now prefer it.

7. Records -> 8 track -> cassettes -> CDs -> MP3s. ?I now buy my music from Amazon.

8. Blockbuster movie rentals – NETFLIX.

9. Regrets – thought I would get through life without many. The last 15 years have changed that.

10. Christian music – really couldn’t listen to it. Mercy Me, Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, Jeremy Camp, Vineyard Music, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Third Day, and others changed that.

11. Libraries – haven’t used one for YEARS. Stopped in last summer to charge my cell phone. Friends were adamant?that did not count.

12. 35mm camera — gone. Actually, I have the Pentax ME Super in a box and have no idea what to do with it.

The list just keeps growing … what things are on your list of things you thought would never happen?

Mt. Bierstadt is a Front Range Colorado 14er. It’s elevation is 14,060 feet. It is considered one of the easier Colorado 14ers because of its gradual and well built trail. I was fortunate to be able to return to Colorado this month and hike Mt. Bierstadt with my friend, Steve Garufi.

In 2008, I had put on my Bucket List the hope of hiking a 14er or two again. A Colorado 14er, for those wondering, is a mountain whose elevation is 14 thousand feet or higher. Colorado has 56 of these peaks … more than any other area in North America.

Hiking mountains in general takes some effort, all the more so those reaching elevations above timberline (11,400+ feet). It had been over 30 years since I had last climbed one. Back then I was able to scale Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet, the longest base to summit 14er in Colorado at 26+ miles round trip. I would normally do that in a day … a LONG day.

On Sunday I had driven to Buena Vista, to spend the night so that we could get an early start and head to the trail head early. I have developed a custom of taking pictures of my coffee cup from various locales. It is kind of my moniker … here is the one from Mt. Bierstadt:

Mt. Bierstadt is on the right with Saw Tooth saddle in crossing left to Mt. Evans, another 14er that is behind the saddle. I picked up this coffee from a crappy gas station brew. Not what I would normally drink. (I am collecting my coffee shots at www.perfectcoffeeshots.com.)

The hike begins. (about 8 A.M.)

The sun is still shaded on the western slope. This boardwalk has been built to help protect the marsh.

The west views are stunning as the morning progresses. Steve keeps pointing out Mt. Torres and Grays and saying those will be our next possible climbs next summer. The parking lot is just above that alpine lake and to the left. I was feeling pretty good here as the trail begins to gain elevation. Having hiked Arizona’s highest mountain, Humphreys Peak (12,633 feet) twice in the previous three weeks seemed to help.

Here is the same shot of Grays and Torres from about 13, 000 feet. They look like twins. It is also about this elevation that I have to put on gloves and a jacket. We estimated the wind chill to be in the 20s, quite a change from the 108 degree temp we had in Phoenix the day I left. My left hand confirmed the temp was below freezing as the west to east gusts numbed it!

Here I am as I approach Mt. Bierstadt’s summit … Steve yells for me to say or do something. All I can think of is raising my hand like in victory. Lame. But at 14 thousand feet I am oxygen deprived as well as a bit exhausted. It is a good feeling.

I sent a tweet on Twitter that stated all 14ers have unexplainable views. The awe and wow factors are evident.

Steve Garufi and myself feeling pretty good. This was Steve’s 20th 14ner, my 4th. As a side, his prompting my return this fall to climb this 14er was sprurred on by the events that we both had celebrated birthdays in the previous days. Steve had turned 39 and I 29 — for the 23rd time.

As we made our way down, I snapped a final shot of the Sawtooth saddle. It turned out to be a perfect fall day for a hike of a Colorado 14er.

I am motivated to continue to hike in the coming months as we in the Valley of the Sun enter into our nicest weather months of the year. November to April! The winter months for the most of you. Enjoy.

July 28, 2009 I got up early to take a hike I had done numerous times as a teenager, only this time, at 50, I would only be going one way … descending Pikes Peak, Colorado Springs’ most famous landmark and America’s mountain. Katherine Lee Bates was inspired on her trip up the Peak to write America the Beautiful. I knew that I was in no shape to hike up it, but I had no idea I really wasn’t in shape to hike DOWN it either!

Pikes Peak is a 13.5 mile hike, one way, and the longest base to summit 14ner of the 56 peaks in Colorado that exceed 14 thousand feet. I had hiked it up and down in a day numerous times 30+ years ago. I knew that the hike down is tough on the body. But I thought I could do this.

It was a great day. I have some video I will put together and post later. Here are the pictures from this day.

Here is a picture of a snow-capped Pikes Peak from Pikes Peak Avenue, downtown Colorado Springs. I took this March 14, 2004.

Entering Manitou Springs that morning. 6:35 A.M.

The Cog Railway depot. Hoping at this point to get on as I had to go standby.

Didn’t take too long before we were above timberline, approximately 11,000 feet.

Arrival Summit Pikes Peak, 14,110 feet. It was just after 9 A.M. Cold. Upper thirties and with the wind chill it had to be in the twenties. My teeth started chattering! Hadn’t experienced that since moving from Colorado over 2 years prior.

The photo op. In the backpack was 4 bottles of Smart water, warm-up pants (which I threw on shortly after this), power bars, blueberries, rain gear.

The trail head.

Clouds forming. Just starting.

Read on ….

At 13,300. Starting to feel better. Summit in background.

Met a number of nice people this day. This guy had an unbelievable story. Something about doing this for his parents who had passed. He was not prepared. Had survived the night at the A-frame after getting drenched in a thunderstorm. Notice shoes! He was out of water and food. I gave him one of my Smart Water liters and the rest of the blueberries. He was very appreciative.

12,700 ft. 4 miles from the summit. It has taken me almost an hour and a half to this point. I started to realize I had really underestimated how long this was going to take me. Although, it was at this elevation I started feeling a lot better. Only 9.5 miles to go.

Really awesome to be literally in the clouds as they started to form.

Looking back up the trail.

By the time I got to timberline (about 11 thousand feet), the clouds were moving in. The concern for hikers of 14ners is lightening. I was relieved to be below timberline.

The A-Frame.

Peaceful trail. Approx 10,800 ft.

I did not have a map with me. First, I had been on this mountain and trail many times before. And with directions such as these, who needs a map! Notice the arrow to the Springs.

Barr Camp! Half way point. 10,200 ft. Nice accommodations for overnight stays.

Finally, the first site of the end. Below you can make out the Cog Railway station. Unfortunately, I still had about 4 miles to go, with the final 3 miles coming down Manitou Mountain, a steep final part of the trail. Lots of switchbacks that took me forever.

Two major thunderstorms with hail and over 7 hours later, I got back to the car. I didn’t take any pictures of the last part as I was exhausted! And I had to book it to Denver to catch my return flight that night back to Phoenix. I had less than 3 hours to get there. I took a shower, 800 mg of ibuprofen, and threw my drenched clothes and shoes in my bag.

I am so glad I made time to do this hike. It brought back so many memories. On another post, I will talk about my unsuccessful attempt to find the Penny Tree, the stump I used to place coins in on every climb. The last time I saw it was back in the early 1980s. That forest has seriously changed since then!

I hope to someday and return to ascend the Peak. That will take some training.

For now, my descent provided me the opportunity to see America’s mountain once again.

50! Twenty-nine for the twenty-first time!

Looking at that number is surreal. What comes to your mind when you look at “50″?

So what is planned? Well, actually nothing! LOL

Kind of pathetic in a way. But on the other hand, I decided not to make the day itself the focus but the year. This year is going to be significant. My 50th year will be one of consequence and importance.

A few of you know that there is only one thing I really want (and expect) on my birthday. It’s simply a call from my kids. That’s it. Ever since they were little and they would ask, “Dad, what do you want for your birthday?” Every year they would hear the same answer — a phone call. This was especially true after they had moved with their mom to New Mexico. And I really meant it. I wanted a phone call. That was meaningful to me.

I think every year they have always called. And this year was no different. My daughter called me just after mid-night on the 12th from Kentucky (9ish on the 11th in Phoenix) so that she would be the first, technically, to wish me a happy birthday on this, my fiftieth. I told her that didn’t count! But she insisted it did.

After talking for a few minutes we said goodbye. This was a meaningful start to this most significant day.

At first, I didn’t know what this was. It’s a 45 RPM spindle. It allowed you to play 45 RPM records on a 33 RPM record player. I’ll bet that sounds GREEK to anyone under 40. Forty-fives were records with one song on each side. Thirty-threes were the album size. At least that is how I remember it. And I don’t remember the spindles being yellow.

My Mom used to collect these! S & H Green Stamps. I remember licking them and sticking them in the book. This would have been in the early 1960s for me. I remember thinking they were pretty valuable. I don’t think they were and it took a lot of them to get things.

Metal ice cube trays. While I don’t quite remember these, I do remember the novelty of the new and innovative plastic trays in the 1970s.

Didn’t read the comic but do remember a cartoon with that green creature! Check out the price — 12 cents!

Here’s a roller skate key. Maybe because I didn’t do much roller skating, I don’t recognize this key.

The Cork Pop gun. Fun and harmless, unless you hit someone in the eye! I can only imagine the disclaimer that would probably be required on it if it was sold in stores today — I don’t think they are. I know I never saw them in stores when my kids were growing up. They would have had one for sure because DAD would want that toy!