Well, today is my birthday. I'm not embarrassed about my age; I turn 53 years old today. For the most part, I guess the previous year was pretty good to me, even though it didn't seem that way for a while, and I like to think that I am something of a better person for it and all. The year saw various ups and downs in my life, but *that is life*. That's how it works.

So, what was 1955 like? Well, a lot of stuff happened in 1955.

The Wikipedia page on events in 1955 gives a good account of what happened during the year.

For some of the musical stuff that was going on back in 1955, check out this good link.

Some of the movies from that year include Bad Day at Black Rock directed by John Sturges, The Blackboard Jungle directed by Richard Brooks, East of Eden directed by Elia Kazan, one of my favourite films of all-time, Kiss Me Deadly directed by Robert Aldrich, Disney's Lady and the Tramp, The Night of the Hunter directed by Charles Laughton, Rebel Without a Cause directed by Nicholas Ray, The Rose Tattoo directed by Daniel Mann, The Seven Year Itch directed by Billy Wilder, and of course, To Catch a Thief directed by Alfred Hitchcock, to name but a few.

Lots of good stuff the year of my birth.

I'm not going to celebrate all that much this year, as I've got plenty of things to do this year, although I'll be spending some time with friends and family. I'm not sick or anything like that, thank Goddess ::knock on wood::, and my health is pretty good for the moment. Lots of stuff to do this month, especially since Gen Con is coming up in 6 weeks or so (ye Gods, where does the time fly??). I'm going to go out and eat dinner at least a couple of times between now and the weekend, and am looking forward to it. Not going to push my luck too much, and promise not to indulge too much. (Besides, if I can't have a bit of cake or whatever on my birthday, when can I, I ask you?)

Anyway, I hope that I'm a better person in the coming year, and I hope that I get a bit of peace and prosperity for the coming year as well.