January 29, 2012

On The Back Nine...

Bugger me.

I have reached the age of 50. Today I begin my 51st trip around the sun.

Mostly it has been a good ride, and I am extremely fortunate to be surrounded by lovely people. Both here at home and in the world of ether.

Long may that continue.

For most of those first five decades I was a yes man. In this second phase I shall mostly be saying no.

Having travelled around the world a couple of times, and having done some weird and wonderful stuff during my service days, I am not averse to risk. If you never take risks you are more likely to live a dull, dull life.

That was never for me.

Let's see what I can do with the next fifty years.

Extreme sports may be off the menu now, but I am finding out that sometimes, the pen can be just as much fun as a parachute. Sometimes writing a Notice to the powers that pretend to be can be as exciting as abseiling down a 600' cliff. Even the most hazardous activity can be mitigated with the right safety measures thrown in.

Lawful Rebellion is the same. It looks risky to some, to others it is easier to deny the right to rebel exists, and to many more it has become a new way of life, and opened doors to friendships that will last a very long time.

Thanks for being part of it all these last few years.

It would not have been the same without you.

CR.

60 comments:

The Filthy Engineer said...

young whippersnapper!

Happy Birthday.

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks FE!

WitteringsfromWitney said...

A most happy birthday CR!

Mind you, at 50 you are still a baby in my eyes........!

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks David!

Odd, isn't it? To some I am a dinosaur and to others I am a mere stripling.

George Speller said...

Happyt birthday Cap'n!

Unknown said...

All good wishes CR and ever onwards and upwards. Enjoy reading your "rants" very enlightening.
What happened to Norman Scarth the other day at Leeds court? any idea?
Enjoy your celebrations
Rossa nd Magnum

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks George!

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Rossa!

Normans case was deferred, the last I heard.

I'll check and report on progress here.

Pesky Anonymous said...

Aye, you're well behind me too young Captain.
Happy birthday.

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Pesky!

NelsonsGoodeye said...

Happy Birthday! Have a "wee one" on me, woncha?

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Nelly!

I certainly will.

Joanne said...

Behind me and my other half too! Just had our 50 and 56 last month and this un.

A very Happy Birthday Captain and good celebrations!

Jo

coz said...

Happy b'day, Captain.

L.R. is like extreme 'legal' sport, yeah, nice comparison.

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Jo!

Belated happy birthdays to you and OH.

Christ, is anyone younger than me??? :)

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Coz!

Anonymous said...

happy birthday cap.

Forget about the past,you cant change it.
Forget about the future you cant predict it.
Forget about the present.
I did`nt get you one.

keep up the good work.

Captain Ranty said...

Anon,

Love it, thanks!

Groompy Tom said...

"Today I begin my 51st trip around the sun."

Happy 51st revolution you magnificent old fart!
Here's to many more ;)

Oldrightie said...

Bloody whippersnappers!
Two thoughts, "Growing old is not for wimps!"

"It's a privilege denied to many."

More lawful rebellion would make the world a better place, happy birthday!

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks GT!

You can't beat a bit of rEvolution!!

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks OR!

LR-a new lease of life!!

pitano1 said...

happy nativity cap`n.

as bill said life is but a ride,may you have many more revolutions.

as one of your many elders,i can assure you,that taking all night;to do what you used to do all night,aint all bad...l.o.l.

keep up the good fight.

karlos said...

All the best to you Capitan, and I will be joining you on this 51st voyage in may - Keep me a seat warm :)

Russ said...

HB CR: informative, enlightening and never a dull moment!

Stabilis!

Russ

Anonymous said...

Youse young rebels
... ah yoof ....

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Pitano!

You can help keep me on the straight and narrow!

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Karlos!

Room for many more on this ride!

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Russ!

Let me know if I get boring in my twilight years...

BulloPill said...

Happy Birthday to You, Cap'n!

Having spent the past few years growing increasingly aware that something has being going disastrously wrong in this country of ours, I've found your blogging and those of other like minded writers has clarified my thoughts and I've become much more sceptical and cynical about the way we're governed. Thanks for opening my eyes.
WV: rebened !

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday, when I read your stuff, it's like I've been given a present.
John Gibson

ArtCo said...

Happy Birthday CR ,keep up being a thorn in their sides.
ArtCo

IanPJ said...

CR,
A very happy birthday to you, and welcome to the fifth decade.

For me, as it appears to you also, it was the decade of eye opening, of learning the power of saying NO, and of shining the light where others do not want it shone.

I will be exiting the fifth decade shortly, but I have to say I have enjoyed it immensely, easily the best of my life so far.

wayne said...

Happy Birthday mate

B.B. Wulfe said...

Congratulations on the half-century, Cap'n. Now take a fresh guard and go for the big one!

Never go back. Never apologise. Never explain.

Woodsy42 said...

Coincidentally we have a birthday in the house today too, although She Who Must be Obeyed is a few years your senior.
I'll raise an extra glass in your honour when the party starts. Happy Birthday.

Woman on a Raft said...

Happy Birthday, and many more of them.

Dave_G said...

and so say all of us

Anonymous said...

I'm not that far behind you Captain and I know that my next 50 years is going to involve saying 'no' a lot too.

I'm on the edge of my seat after your 'silver bullet' post. I listened to the Dean Clifford and Max Igan interview and watched all the previous Dean Clifford vids you put up. Will now be studying Trust Law hard and have bought The Lioness's 'So They Say You've Broken The Law', manual.

I feel that the Lawful Rebellion movement is really gaining momentum now, so thanks for everything you've shared so far and have a splendid birthday - you deserve it!

David

Jacobite said...

Happy birthday Capt, and all the best

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday Captain!

Have a good one and here's to the next 50!

Regards

TSL

Angry Exile said...

Many happy returns, CR.

Rob F said...

Happy Birthday, Cap'n!

It was mine yesterday. I'm now thirty - eleven!

mescalito said...

happy b day my friend, thank you for all your hard work.

Pete said...

All the best old guy!

dak said...

Happy Birthday CR.


I started saying NO a couple of years ago. Much of that is down to you.

I reach 52 this week. 50 doesn't hurt.

dak

Anonymous said...

happy birthday cap,50 years young!!
nige.

Mr Frost said...

Happy Birthday Capt'n!

Keep on keeping on...

Cheers,

Mr. Frost

Stealthy said...

This explains all the wisdom I find here :P Happy birthday captain!

Mitch said...

We share a birthday, many happy returns mate.

Captain Ranty said...

Wow! So many good wishes!

I was keeping up with you all for a while there.

Thank you very much for stopping by!

Yer a lovely bunch.

CR.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday mon Capitan

Keep on rockin'!

Seems absurdly late, but could've sworn I posted something yesterday - it seems not to have made it! :-D

Regards

TSL

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks TSL!

I found you in the spam bucket. Along with a few others.

I'm gonna keep on rockin'. The boat.

CR.

Nick said...

Sorry it's late Captain, but, best wishes for yesterday.

May you have many more.

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Nick!

Much appreciated.

(I was expecting one or two comments, but then a lovely deluge arrived.)

CR.

Reinhard said...

I know I'm a bit late but may I extend my own heartfelt felicitations. Long may you yet live, and free. I haven't been commenting a lot that I can remember but reading most things. You have been an inspiration to me and to others and I hope and pray that you will continue courageous to the end whether it be bitter or sweet.

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Reinhard!

I decided some time ago that this campaign is all or nothing.

My determination has not waned in the slightest.

From time to time I get despondent, but I usually bounce back!

Thanks for your support. It means more than you imagine.

CR.

subrosa said...

Birthday greetings Ranty. How I wish I were so young again.

Captain Ranty said...

Thanks Rosie!

A mutual friend tells me that you have boundless energy, so I'm not sure it matters what age you are: just a willingness to keep at it!

CR.

nominedeus said...

late to this (hangs head in shame) but happy hearsay day Ranty young pup, lets hope theres plenty more of them to go eh!