The getting older doesn't really suck thread

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

I've been thinking about this topic lately and a couple of my posts today have reffered to age so now I'm thinking about it more. I know there are a lot more middle aged people around here than many of us realize and I'm curious about some of your thoughts if you fit into the category.

I'm 42. Like every damn kid I thought this age was light years away when I was in my 20's. I hated turning 30 because it felt like I was officially losing my "youth." However turning 40 didn't bother me nearly as much. By then then I guess I had more perspective... and perspective I've discovered means everything.

I have some gray in my hair and beard now and I used to hear people say it makes you looks distinguished. I thought that was a nice way of saying you're starting to look old. You know what? It does actually make you look distinguished. However that may be that perspective thing coming into play I realize.

At work I'm the immediate supervisor for 6 people... all younger... and they call me the father figure of the station and look to me for leadership and direction that in my younger days I wasn't nearly as equipped to provide. Rather than that making me feel old though it makes me feel good. I didn't expect that. It might help that I can still party with them if I want and am invited too heh.

My chosen career does keep me young naturally so I do have that going for me... which is nice (Carl the groundskeeper).

No crows feet yet... a little pudge but that's what happens when you drink beer and plenty of younger folks have it a lot worse than me... I don't have aches and pains and I feel real good most of the time. If I don't it's usually my own fault.

So this getting older thing isn't so damn bad. Not at all. I wouldn't trade the things I've learned from experience and the persepctive I've gained with age and the calm and cool I've achieved though living through some things with youth again any day. I don't remember who said it but one of my favorite quotes is "youth is wasted on the young."

I'm growing older gracefully I'm proud to say and it kind of rocks.

Any of you other old timers care to chime in?

[memyselfI]

Originally Posted by Predarat

Thats true, hopefully in 4-5 years I will have a better point of view.

Hope so. The flip side is that you only 'lost' ten years to those things. You could have invested even more time, energy, and resources in them only to end up in the same place. Consider yourself wise, lucky, and going in the right direction because you didn't.

Best to you.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by Frosty

Well, part of it is that both of his parents are nerds, so he probably comes by it naturally. However, he really took to the competition which is something that I didn't like to do in school.

The funny thing is that when he was in grade school, he was kind of an indifferent student. He had trouble concentrating so didn't like to read. Six years ago, we took both boys off of gluten and they both became better students almost right away. The youngest is also now a voracious reader as well as a 4.0 student.

My oldest is also a 4.0 student in advanced classes but is also a bit of a video game slacker and refuses to do much outside of class. Hopefully he can get an after school job soon to start earning some college money but the job market around here sucks, even for the minimum wage jobs.

Off the gluten? How do you do this? Do you eliminate grains or is this the crap they are using as additives in processed food?

The dieticians advised us to remove high fructose corn syrup, and we have even done it with our dogs.

Originally Posted by beer me

This... plus at my age I think I'm suppossed to start getting my butt and prostate checked every so often... but I don't really want to...

It is not that bad, the stuff they give you to almost knock you out is the same stuff that Michael Jackson killed himself with, I think. I got into a heck of spat on this board one time coming off of that stuff after the test

[Frosty]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Off the gluten? How do you do this? Do you eliminate grains or is this the crap they are using as additives in processed food?

We just don't eat anything with wheat, barley or rye in it. It was a struggle at first but the boys are really good about being vigilant about it.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by Frosty

I think a lot of it is to save the patient from embarrassment. More people will get the exam for that reason.

Another good point

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by burt

Dude.....PM me a recent pic! I promise NOT to put it online or use it for an avatar!

When you work for my employer there are no more secrets. Pics posted it into the Faces and Names thread but its not after 80 lbs but after 60lbs.

[KurtCobain]

Today woke up, checked out my perfectly smooth wrinkle-less face in the mirror and walked to work. Then this evening I went to a club and rocked out with nobody stopping to say, "Dude, you're old!"

Youth is awesome.