As I was audibly musing in the newsroom about what the topic for my weekly dose of 500 words to fill this space should be, my co-worker Nikki Childers mentioned it is almost my birthday.
It's not unusual for Nikki to have to remind me of things coming up. We've been sitting four feet from each other for nearly eight years and I've come to rely on her to keep me on task at times. But the fact she was aware of my upcoming birthday when it had slipped my mind is further proof birthdays lose a bit of their luster once you've put 50 of them behind you.
Specifically, Monday will mark the commencement of my 51st trip around the sun. Rather than pen another column about all the wonderful and not-so-wonderful things associated with aging, I thought I'd explore the things which were introduced to the planet the same year I was - the grand ol' year of 1974.
I was born the same year as Post-It Notes. Unlike many things turning 51, the Post-It Note has aged quite well, still playing an important role for many. In fact, the Post-It Note is a frequent tool Nikki uses to remind me what I'm supposed to be doing.
The Rubik's Cube also made its debut in 1974. The puzzle, developed by Erno Rubik, was a phenomenon which still enjoys popularity today and was the source of much consternation for me throughout my youth. It was only a couple years ago I, with the help of an instructive YouTube video, figured out how to master the cube.
The lifesaving Heimlich Maneuver was introduced in 1974, as was the UPC code. Stephen King released his first novel, "Carrie" in 1974, launching the career of the king of horror.
Tabletop role-playing game Dungeons and Dragons was introduced 51 years ago. I never got swept up in the D&D craze, but I have fond memories of playing Connect Four and the Atari 2600 while downing handfuls of Skittles, all things introduced in 1974.
In theaters, 1974 saw the premieres of "The Godfather Part II," "Young Frankenstein," "Blazing Saddles," "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" and "Chinatown." TV presented the debuts of "Happy Days," "Good Times," "Little House on the Prairie," and "The Rockford Files."
As far as celebrities my age, 1974 saw the birth of Amy Adams and Christian Bale. I can live with being the same age as Lois Lane and Batman. Also, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jimmy Fallon, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Derek Jeter, Hannah Waddingham, Penelope Cruz, Alanis Morissette, Rey Mysterio, Jr., Seth Green, Elizabeth Banks, Joaquin Phoenix and many other notable names have turned or are turning 51 this year. Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Tiffani Amber Thiessen (Zack and Kelly!) are also part of the 51 club. If you're my age you probably know who they are.
So I suppose I'm in good company. Let's see what my 51st year has in store.
Standard Managing Editor Seth Wright can be contacted at editor@southernstandard.com
