Divide your age by three...

[GoddessOfGuinness]

Now select one perfect moment from each third of your life, and describe it here.

I'm 46, so I can divide my age into 3 15 year increments, give a little.

Age 3: I remember sitting in the warm sunshine of a spring morning, having played with my favorite toys, thinking that I needed to always remember how nice that moment felt.

Age 22: Lying on the rocks on the coast of Maine, gloriously independent and unattached, but not really lonely. I was spending the summer making wonderful music that rang through my head constantly. I closed my eyes to listen to the sounds of the water and the birds, and to feel the sun's rays. When I opened my eyes briefly, an otter was standing about 5 feet away, staring at me. I closed my eyes lazily, opened them again, and he was gone.

Age 39: The day my youngest came into this world was the happiest day of my life. It wasn't without pain; but the pain seemed so insignificant. Learning to give into pain instead of resisting was an epiphany for me.

[khashka]

1. OK

At 39 my life divides equally into three parts too.

Age 12: Sitting in the dark in my parent's bedroom with my Dad listening to Pink Floyd. We've never gotten along very well, but that moment shines. Just us alone together, accepting each other, and glad we were together. We were father and son, and comrades, and friends, and buddies and in that moment I loved him so much. More than I'll ever be able to tell him.


Age 17: Getting gang banged by five guys. When I say that everyone says "Oh my god I'm so sorry!" It was a perfect moment. I'd never had sex with a man before... and five at once was simply a case of "my cup runneth over". So to speak. Even the memory of it gets me amazingly high.


Age 32: Sorry but this is another sexual one: my lover tied me down and flogged me. I went through so many emotions - boredom, fear, pain, homocidal rage, lust, desire, gratitude, love, devotion, bliss. It was amazing.

Khash.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Hmm..... I can't top that. :-)

[ogradda]

3. Have you ever read Kushiel's Dart? n/t

[khashka]

4. No

What about it? I've never even heard of it.
And I seriously need something to read....

Edit: Just checked Amazon.... thanks for the heads up :)

Khash.

[ogradda]

5. Snip below.

The physically exquisite inhabitants of Terre d'Ange reckon themselves descended from an angel, Blessed Elua. Among them, the arts of sexual expression are highly developed, with the various Houses of the Night Court catering for all needs. Young Phedre is unremarkably lovely-except that one eye is marked with a pinprick of red: Kushiel's Dart distinguishes her as a rare "anguissette" whose gift is to enjoy any form of sexual stimulation, including pain. Sold by her parents, she becomes the indentured servant of the noble Anafiel Delauney, who arranges for her an orthodox education-languages, politics, history, philosophy-as well as training in sexual skills. He also helps her sharpen her observational and critical faculties-she'll be not merely an exotic sexual toy, but a capable and unobtrusive spy. Phedre accepts only those clients she chooses, and receives no payment, though the satisfied ones give rich gifts. The information astute Phedre gathers for Delauney feeds some mysterious purpose he refuses to reveal-but his intrigues involve the Royal Family and the succession to the throne, as well as revenge. Delauney's former partner, now rival, the cold, calculating, and utterly ruthless Melisande Shahrizai nestles at the center of a series of truly Byzantine plots, intrigues, and treacheries; she aims not only to destroy Delauney but to rule Terre d'Ange. Phedre cannot resist Melisande or prevent Delauney's downfall, and is sold into slavery among the barbarian Skaldi. And Phedre's adventures, like Melisande's intrigues, have only just begun. Superbly detailed, fascinatingly textured, and sometimes unbearably intense: a resonant, deeply satisfying, and altogether remarkabledebut-but, emphatically, not for squeamish or judgmental readers.

This is the first book of a trilogy. I read them all, and thought they were excellent.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

16. Thank you for sharing yourself...

For me, reading your post is like looking through a window into an alternate reality. I don't understand the second two segments at all; but I can appreciate that you discovered something profoundly moving to your soul.

Peace... :)

[LynzM]

25. Wow, Khash....

I wish I could just sit down and talk to you sometime... the wealth of things you know and have experienced is amazing to me. Thanks for sharing those. I agree with GoG, those aren't things I can imagine experiencing, but I'm certainly interested to hear about other's experiences...

[The Animator]

6. Well, I'll be 30 next year, so to make for easy math I'll do 3 sets of 10.

1 - 10

Go-carts... defintely go carts. My dad and I worked on it together, well he did most of it, of course. It was orignally black, and fairly ordinary. My Dad welded on a roll cage and we painted it metallic-flake silver. We put small 1 foot tires in the front, and three foot golf cart tires in the back, thing looked like a bad-ass drag racer. It had a small two stroke lawn-mover engine when we stared, but it got replaced by something with a little more kick. Perfect moments were had everytime I got in it. My parents have an acre of land, plenty of room to cause all kinds of havoc on a go-cart.

It made me feel like I was "Spy Hunter". I'd always loved that game (probably why I painted it silver). Best times were had on rare Sunday mornings, we'd load the go-cart in the back of Dad's van, and head to local shopping mall. The mall opened late on Sunday so the parking lot was huge, and empty. Let me tell you what, those three foot slick golf cart tires got good enough traction on dirt and grass, but man when you get them on a large paved surface, you can really fly!

11 - 20

I'm sixteen. My cousin Dave (17), and my best friend Mike (14) are spending the day at Clearwater Beach. We drove up from Tampa in Dave's "Love Machine" a gigantic, tan GMC Van. Just the three of us, having a blast, cruising the coast, joking, flirting with girls... good times.

20 - 30 (er... 29)

These last ten years have certainly been the most eventful. There have been alot more positive memories to choose from in this past nine years than the previous two decades, so it's hard to choose one. So I'll settle for the most recent perfect moment. I'm at City Jazz (a night club at Universal Studios FL). We're having a going away party for one of our fellow co-workers there. It's a two story theater which features live Jazz bands, Comedy, and Swing Dancing. It's Monday though, so it's Karaoke night.

Although every once in a while, we get some drunken fratboy who does little more than scream into the mike, and make an ass of himself, for the most part it's a really pleasant experience. City Jazz is never in short supply of very talented singers. Anyway one guy gets up and really impresses everyone with one power ballad or another, and all the women swoon.

We can't have any of that now can we, I mean seriously, if there's gonna be any swooning in the club tonight it's gonna be because of me! None of the people I work with had ever heard me sing before, so I decided to suprise the hell out of them. See, I'm one of those guys who just doesn't look the part. I'm a little soggy around the midsection, usually a bit scruffy and have all the grace of a bull in a china shop. So the audience, friends included, prepare for what's sure to a be a drunken screech fest as I take the stage... so the look on their faces is priceless when I begin to sing "Music of the Night" from Phantom of the Opera. Halfway through the song, at least a hundred people have lighters, candles off their tables, and glowing cell phones waving in the air. The song reaches it's high point and the place goes ape-shit. By the end of the song everybody, and I mean everybody, even the people on the second floor balcony are on their feet and applauding. A two-story, candle waiving, standing ovation for a dumpy-looking karaoke singer, if that ain't a perfect moment I don't know what is.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

13. Very cool!

Isn't it great to be appreciated?

[LynzM]

24. The last one is awesome

It's so much fun to totally blow people's perceptions of you, isn't it? I love that song, btw! *swoon* :)

[In_The_Wind]

7. a stroll down memory lane

I'll still be 56 for a few more months ... so I'll divide that by 3 for 18 year segments.

Age 2: I don't seem to have any memories that early. However I do know that my mother left me when I was 18 months old. Not a perfect moment by any stretch of the imagination - but a perfect start for someone who has become strong, independent and learned at an early age *how to make lemonade out of lemons*.

Age 20: That was another year of major changes for me. I became a bride and moved north to New Jersey. Later that year I moved to Brooklyn. It was a big difference for a very naive (recently single again) young woman from Atlanta, alone in the Big Apple. Everyday became a new adventure. When I wasn't at work I wandered the streets of the Village in New York enjoying treats like goats milk ice cream. :hippie: Love was in the air back then.

Age 38: Life was good. I was starting my second summer sailing my own little boat after spending a lifetime on powerboats. I enjoyed parts of that summer laying in a hammock (which was tied between two pilings stretched over ocean water) splicing new dock lines for other boaters. It was also the year that people really acknowledged my boating skills as it was more of a challenge than some of the boat owners could handle to back their boat in-between the pilings when the tide was running. I was also enjoying the longest love relationship of my life.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

10. Your strength and independence show in your posts...

You sparkle, my friend! :-)

[VelmaD]

8. I'm 34....

so we'll go in 11 year increments:

age 6 - taking my first piano lesson. I couldn't wait to start taking real lessons. My momma had promised me I could as soon as I learned to read. She had already been teaching me a few basics but I really really wanted to take lessons for real. I took from a woman who lived down the street and I can still remember how it felt to walk down the block holding my momma's hand for that first lesson. :)

age 14 - I was an athlete for a long time as a kid. I had my greatest athletic moment at age 14. I served an ace to win the district volleyball championship. That felt good...but what felt better was my daddy rushing out onto the court and picking me up high into the air. It was about the last time he was still able to really pick me up and it was a little like flying. :)

The last third of my life is a lot harder...there haven't been so many really good moments. I'm gonna go with age 33. After a year and a half of eating right and exercising I was really starting to see the effects. I met someone at a party and for the first time in my life I ended up lip-locked with someone I just met. It was the most amazing first kiss I've ever had...an almost perfect moment. But the best part was the feeling afterward...knowing that I finally had the self-confidence to meet new people and that I was an attractive human being. :)

[GoddessOfGuinness]

11. Do you still play?

It's wonderful that you have fond memories of your lessons.

Oh, and with or without the buff body, you're an attractive person, Velma. :hug:

[VelmaD]

22. I can still play...

I just don't very often. I started college as a piano major but got seriously burned out after a couple of years. 16 hours a day practicing will do that to you.

Now I mostly play xmas carols or other simple and fun things when I visit my parents. I still haven't really reached a place where I'm comfortable playing more serious music. Which makes me sad sometimes...I used to be quite good.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

26. I'll bet you could get it back pretty easily

if you ration yourself, and make fun your goal rather than pressuring yourself.

I hope you do! :-)

[kick-ass-bob]

9. about 10 years each...

Summer vacation before 3rd grade - we took a trip out to the west and toured around national parks. I remember being in Bryce Canyon and seeing the rock formations and taking pictures - one of the most intriguing and beautiful places I have ever seen.

Age 18 - going off to summer orientation for college - getting my first taste of what it was like to be completely on my own - it was exhilirating.

3rd third: The day my son was born. We had been up for 26 hours at that point. After my son was born I laid down to take a nap, with him on my chest. Crazy emotions.


:thumbsup:
Thanks for the thread!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

12. Those are beautiful moments...

One of these days I want to see Bryce. The pictures I'v seen are magnificent!

How old is your son now? Being the parent of newborns was among the most deeply satisfying times of my life. I can relate to that moment you shared with your new little person...

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

17. Welcome to DU!

"the thing that stays with me is the reminder that everything may change in an instant, and I have to appreciate the moments as they occur"

That's what it's all about...Living in the moment.

[Name removed]

19. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

20. It's busy around this time of day...

You'll get the hang of it! :hi:

[LynzM]

23. If you've posted in a thread

You can use the 'my threads' at the top of the page to see replies to your post, or find the thread again!

Hi and welcome! :hi:

[Xipe Totec]

15. Here are mine

Age 16: The electric spark of love's first kiss.

Age 21: The salty, bitter taste of the first spoonful of soup bought by the fruit of my own labor.

Age 28: The scream of my first born son taking his first breath of fresh air.

(Sorry, they just don't divide evenly in threes).

[GoddessOfGuinness]

18. Here's to your perfect moments...

However you divvy them up! :beer:

[trof]

21. 21, 21, 21.

At 21, I turned 21!
I'm LEGAL!
Go ahead. Card me!

Married Miz t. at 27.
Best thing I ever did.
Next best thing:
Our daughter was born when I was 30.

Mid 21:
Hmmm...
I can't remember much good that happened in my forties.
Turbulent. Job layoffs. Generally a bad time.

Last 21:
Very good.
Daughter married well, grandson arrived, and I RETIRED!
Whoopee!

[GoddessOfGuinness]

27. LOL

You look pretty good for a 21 year old... :D

[Deja Q]

28. I'm 33. 3 11-year increments:

Age 11: "V" came on the telly. 6th grade. I recall lots of taunting bullies. My 'speech impediment' was a factor as, because I never got along with real people, learned my vocabulary from PBS. Being predominantly British, I picked up an accent too. (Took 15 years but I eventually lost it. :cry: ) My home room teacher thought I was bizarre because, in response to all the normal people getting dates, I started putting up signs on my pitiful desk. Boy, was I a loser. :rofl:

Age 22: Just got out of college with my new MIS degree to go into... data entry. (Brown's placement assistance program was crap. That or I was a loser. :rofl: )

Age 33: Searching for my soul; lost job so my time is short; diagnosed with Asperger's and ADD. Am considering technical writing, journalism, or related field. If anything is available, I know I cannot get help. Also noticed my keyboard keys are sticking, need to get a new one...


Also just realized that 3 increments of 11 starts at age 11, not 3. :crazy:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

29. What do you mean by

"I never got along with real people"?

[salin]

31. GOG - are you still around tonight?

:hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. Hi Salin!

Gotta tell my little guy a Space Family story...
BRB! :hi:

[salin]

34. When you get back... I dare you

to start a free association thread - I'll be around for an hour or so.. and love the interchange - but yours are so much more lively (and entertaining) than my own.

You start it - and I'll play...

If not - thats cool - another time when our paths intersect...

:hi:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

35. Consider it done!

:D

[salin]

36. let's enjoy it while we have the energy!

always fun to try to keep mentally going to that next line...

[Piltdown13]

30. I'm almost 30, so in ten-year intervals:

About age 8 -- In elementary school, I won some sort of Kiwanis club citizenship award. My grandfather, who had recently passed away, had been very active in that organization, and I remember being so happy when my grandmother told me how happy he would be to know about it. I was very close to my grandfather, and I imagined him watching me "on TV" up in heaven getting that award. (I also have a vivid memory of staring fixedly at the casket at his funeral, watching for his soul to go up to heaven, but that's not exactly a *happy* moment!)

Age 20 -- After speding a semester in London, I traveled around Europe alone for three weeks. There were plenty of amazing moments on that trip, but one of the best was sitting on the plane on the way home, realizing that I was capable of handling just about anything that came up by myself -- it was the first time in my life I'd been so far from home as to make it basically not possible for my parents to "bail me out" of whatever crisis arose, and that trip proved to me that I could handle it.

As for the third moment -- well, I'm hoping it's coming later this year, when I'll be defending my dissertation :-). But, in the meantime...

Age 25 -- The first day on my first archaeological dig in Africa. Even though I'm not primarily a field worker, I felt like I had officially joined the palaeoanthropology field that day. (That field season was also the first time I had ever been camping...which, of course, I told NO ONE prior to the trip!).

[GoddessOfGuinness]

37. I could dig digging!

Best of luck with your dissertation! :thumbsup:

[Piltdown13]

39. Thanks!

I figure if I just keep plugging away, it'll be finished before I know it...and then I have to find a faculty job somewhere! :-)

[salin]

33. won't say the increments

but in the first period - My older sister trained dogs with the 4H; We had a new pup, and with her help I joined 4H and learned to train and show the dog. Frankly I had the more trainable dog - so things were in my favor... at the county fair my pup got a higher score than my much more capable (and older) sister's. It was a thrill. And my gracious sister allowed me a moment in the sun.

Second period - I had been known as the underachiever in the family. My father, a college professor, took me to meet a colleague at Dartmouth (while we were on a vacation together) - who took me to meet a NYT editor in my field. To hear my father describe my work - for the first time (as opposed to comparing me to my very successful siblings - they made more stable livings - I was doing nonprofit work and scraping by) - sent me to cloud nine. As an out growth of meeting that editor (and getting into a brief communication over the next year and a half as a result of the meeting) - I learned of an outstanding program in my field - and got the nerve up to apply - even though the U was one of the top in the country, and one I thought was far, far out of my reach. Realizing that I finally had my father's respect and belief that I could really perform at a top level - both professionally and academically - opened my own mind and ambitions. Sadly he passed a half year before I was accepted into the program and a year before I entered the program (at a U that was a rival and on level with where he got his phd). I like to believe that he knew - he certainly encouraged me to go for it.

Last period - within the last year - watching the last letter go up on the outside of a building - of the organization (non profit) that I founded. Realizing that it was becoming a real entity - and that only three years earlier it had simply been a concept paper out of my head. So now I kill myself to get this "baby" off the ground and to the point of long-term self sustainability - and it is the hardest thing that I have done - and I have to go back to that last letter of the name of the org going up - and the amazing feat that it represented - and the energy comes back to keep pushing myself hard to make this thing work.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

38. Your second one brought tears to my eyes...

He knows... :hug:

[salin]

40. I believe

that he does. It was very hard at the time - but now - it gives me a warm feeling. He got that ball going, encouraged me, and thought that my professional work would give me fair consideration in the admit process (and his experience both at the U for which he worked, and having come through and elite grad program gave him insight - though at the time I cast it off as "you are supposed to say that to your own daughter.") I am thankful that we had the period, before he died, when I started formulating this plan of action - and he encouraged me (with more belief than I had in myself).

Any of this would have been painful to write a few years ago. But now - they give me joy - to dwell for a moment in those memories. Thanks fo the opportunity to do this.