Birthday Reflections, Courtesy of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"

OK, I'll state it right off: This should've been posted two days ago on my actual birthday. First week of December, and it's starting to feel like old news. And in my case, the "old" factor can't be underestimated.

Anyway, I found myself recalling a line from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air's" first season, as I gallivanted around South Tampa, Carrollwood, the USF area, etc., during the day. (I did work for two hours from home, just so you know.)

In the particular episode I'm referencing, Will's attempt to take Geoffrey out for a birthday night on the town backfires. Without belaboring too much of the plot, I'll put it this way: Geoffrey tells Will something to the effect of, "You look at birthdays as a time to paint the town red; I see them more as a time for reflection."

Here's what I did on my birthday (after grading essays and student responses in the morning): I ate lunch at Skipper's. I went to Mojo Books and to Sound Exchange on Nebraska. I bought some Christmas gifts and a book for myself at Inkwood Books on Pratt. I took a leisurely bike ride up to Lake Park and read for awhile.

Later on, my wife and I went out to dinner and then met some friends at a place called Mr. Dunderbak's for a few beers. I was home by 10:45 p.m.

I sure felt like I had "painted the town red." For a nine or 10-year old, to whom staying up til 10:45 p.m. alone would be an occasion, sure, it might seem that way.

But I reflected on how I spent this birthday. No rounds of shots. No barhopping (of any consequence). No piles of gifts. No cake other than the German chocolate I purchased myself at Dunderbak's (without letting the staff know it was my birthday). No post-2 a.m. bedtime, either.

And that felt good - patronizing local businesses and local parks and getting home and in bed at a reasonable hour.

Back to "reflection." I think my typical birthday plans these days have evolved favorably over the past 20 years. Still unfashionably self-centered, but a little more humble, more low-key. I'm sure I'm not unique in this regard.

Oh, and the CD I purchased as a gift to myself at Sound Exchange? It was released in 2011, in the last few months. A re-mastered version of Dark Side of the Moon. Sigh. So it's probably obvious by now that I have a lot of past birthdays to reflect on.