Today I am 54. Instead of allowing myself to be burdened by birthday blues, I decided to make a list of ten things that give me reason to smile today.

My own glass is half full because :

TOUCH WOOD, MY HEALTH IS GOOD
This is something I never take for granted. Having passed the half century mark four years back I am all too aware of the ageing process and, being fearful of middle age spread , I exercise regularly, eat sensibly and drink moderately. In consequence I feel in better shape than I did 20 years ago.

I’M STILL A MUSIC JUNKIE 
Up until his untimely death at the age of 60, John Peel always said that he remained as massive a fan of new music as when he was in his teens. I feel the same way. The limitless availability on the net and the CDs I get to review help fuel an insatiable passion that I’m sure will never wane.

MY NAME IS MARTIN AND I’M AN APPLE-HOLIC
Today I visited the Apple Store in Bologna and by the end of the month hope to have my grubby mitts on my first ever iPad. My love to all Apple products blatantly contradicts by general anti-consumerism and no global stance but, hey, nobody’s perfect.

MY JOB’S OK
I’ve never been particularly ambitious for wealth and status (just as well!) so I’m content that I have a job teaching English that (just) pays my way, doesn’t corrode my soul and gives me plenty of free time.

MY BLOG HAS OVER 50 FOLLOWERS
Ok, that may sound like a big deal (or a large number) to you but it’s something that motivates me to write a blog every day and I love to blog.

THE OCCUPY MOVEMENT IS ALIVE AND KICKING
There’s never any shortage of bad news but the occupy movement gives some cause for optimism since it shows that, in response to the sleazy powermongers of the world. the new generation are aware that apathy does not rule, ok.

I LIVE IN ITALY
With the current financial crisis, this is not quite the ‘dolce vita’ of legend but the high quality of coffee, wine, women, food and climate together with the general pace of life combine to provide a more conducive and contented existence than I would have if I were still living in the UK.

THE OLYMPICS IS IN LONDON THIS YEAR
I’m not a massive fan of athletics but I do like big events like this and this should be BIG.

MILAN ARE OUT OF THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
I’m not a massive fan of soccer either (although I used to be) ; the main reason for being so pleased that Barcelona have eliminated Milan is that it gives one less thing for Berlusconi to gloat about.

IT’S ALMOST EASTER
No, I haven’t converted to religion – it’s simply that one thing I AM a massive fan of is chocolate!