One last hurrah on a drunken night out. Too much alcohol, not enough sleep and a hangover that is considerably worse than a decade ago.
Self-reassurance then followed.
"Thirties are the new twenties."
"Here's to the best decade of my life."
Then, inevitably, acceptance.
That'll be me soon, I thought.
But a quiet few moments of reflection at the weekend changed my view of the impending big day.
I'm sure some of our readers of more advanced years will consider a 29-year-old reflecting on life as a bit rich. But, nevertheless, I did.
I quizzed myself as to whether I'd achieved what I'd hoped by the time the big three-oh arrived. Whether I'd travelled and experienced life enough.
I then came to the conclusion that it was what I was doing, at that moment, that I need to do more.
To think about memorable moments in my life, where I'd been, who I love and who I've lost.
Meeting my fiancée, having a son and moving to the Bay - it's not been a bad three decades in all.
Days have a habit of speeding by into weeks, which inevitably turn into months and rapidly into years.
Sometimes it's necessary to sit and enjoy your memories.
