On January 24th – I will officially be on this Earth for 40 years – and while I am not afraid of turning 40 – I am amazed at how long ago things were both in world history and my personal life.

I was born at 10:59am on Monday, January 24, 1972 at Beth Israel Hospital In Long Island, New York. On that day:

· After hiding for more than 27 years, Sergeant Shoichi Yokoi was discovered in Guam by two hunters, Manuel de Garcia and Jesus Duenas. One of 19,000 Japanese soldiers occupying the island during World War II, Sgt. Yokoi had disappeared into the jungle near the Talofofo River after American forces recaptured Guam in 1944. Although raving mad at the time, he went on to support democratic candidates for the remainder of his life.
· Meeting with scientists at Multan, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto secretly launched Pakistan’s program to build a nuclear weapon.
· A month after bringing the Emirate of Sharjah into the United Arab Emirates, the emir, Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi was assassinated in a coup attempt by the previous ruler, Saqr bin Sultan al-Qasimi, whom Khalid had overthrown in 1965. Saqr failed to regain the throne, and Sharjah has been ruled since then by Khalid’s brother, Sultan bin Mohamed Al-Qasimi.
· Country Singer Gene Austin, 71 and Sharjah Monarch Khalid bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, 50, passed away that day.

Besides those historical events that occurred on the day of my birth – what creeps me out is that these were the prices of average items on that day:

· A loaf of bread was 25 cents
· A gallon of milk was $1.20
· A new Ford was $3,853
· A gallon of gas was 55 cents
· A new home costs $27,600
· The annual income was $11,859

The truth is – what really is freaking me out is how long ago certain milestone events in my life – good or bad – took place:

· I married my first wife Elisabeth 17 years ago
· My first article was published 18 years ago
· I graduated high school 23 years ago
· My first job, which was at New York Radio Station WPLJ was 24 years ago
· I had my first kiss 28 years ago
· My father passed away 31 years ago
· I went to my first wrestling event 34 years ago

As I await the day that I begin my approach to 41 and on the way to 50, I can’t believe that I am in my fifth decade on this planet and that so many major events in my life took place while my wife Julie was still in diapers. The only thing that is helping me get through this is that if I have accomplished as much as I have in the last 40 years – how much will I in the next 40…

…and beyond.