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?

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Just turned 50 in August.

Professionally, I am starting to really come into my own. I received a promotion a few weeks ago and now I have two administrative appointments -- one academic and one in research. So I rub elbows with everyone from undergraduate students to the chancellor. This opens a whole new chapter on my career. I worked really hard in my 40s (maybe too hard) and I'm now getting some great opportunities as a result.

Not to mention Sandbox Simulations, which is a very cool side project. It's a lot of fun, is intellectually stimulating, and harbors some dreams of the young man still inside me.

Physically, things aren't what they used to be. Sometimes I'm shocked to see a picture of myself, because I'm starting to look like an old man. I have to really work at keeping the weight off. I tore a tendon in my finger in a pick up basketball game a couple years ago and I realize it will never be the same. I've got a few aches and pains every morning. My ass is starting to disappear. I pop a couple of pills every morning (one for cholesterol and one for heartburn) and probably will for the rest of my life.

My family life is way better than it was a few years ago. Our daughter is 21 and has been clean from drugs for almost 2 years. She is taking steps toward independence and our relationship with her is 1000 times better. I'm glad the child raising years are behind me.

If I could change one thing, I'd make each day last 30 hours. Just too much good things going on to cram into one day.

Somehow I had you pegged in your 30's.................. not a putdown...

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by beer me

Bragger.

I did nothing special. Every single person on Chiefs planet is capable of duplicating my efforts. welllll maybe not losing the 80 pounds part but the rest, nothing but hard work and education. Like I said anyone can do it.

[luv]

Originally Posted by beer me

I didn't define it on purpose. Many people here are in their 20's... some 30's... some 40's and up. You're in your low 30's right? To me you aren't old but to Joey you are.

A week from today, I will be 35. Besides my weight, I'm great, and I'm working on changing that. I may not be living on my own right now, but I'm working on overcoming a setback I experienced last year. I have a friend who is 23 who thinks he's got everything rough. I try not to laugh.

[BIG_DADDY]

There are some good stories in this thread. Life for me like many of you is better in many ways but I miss the physical things I could do earlier in life. There was a big difference in 45 and 49 for me in what was possible. Then again I beat myself up pretty good over the years.

[burt]

Originally Posted by cdcox

I tore a tendon in my finger in a pick up basketball game a couple years ago and I realize it will never be the same.

I got coaxed out of softball retirement a few years ago. Pulled a hammy. First of my life. Next week we had a bye, so I had two weeks R&R, then came back. Hit the ball shitty and pulled the other hammy! It was easy to coax me back into retirement.

[burt]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

Then again I beat myself up pretty good over the years.

You and me, both.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by luv

A week from today, I will be 35. Besides my weight, I'm great, and I'm working on changing that. I may not be living on my own right now, but I'm working on overcoming a setback I experienced last year. I have a friend who is 23 who thinks he's got everything rough. I try not to laugh.

Happy early birthday. I edited my first response to you to say the idea of the thread was about getting older rather than being old. I guess imo most people don't feel like they're "getting older' until around 30... or at least that's how it was for me.

[burt]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I did nothing special. Every single person on Chiefs planet is capable of duplicating my efforts. welllll maybe not losing the 80 pounds part but the rest, nothing but hard work and education. Like I said anyone can do it.

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

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

I did nothing special. Every single person on Chiefs planet is capable of duplicating my efforts. welllll maybe not losing the 80 pounds part but the rest, nothing but hard work and education. Like I said anyone can do it.

All that and your team won the World Series. You make me sick.

[burt]

Originally Posted by beer me

All that and your team won the World Series. You make me sick.

He's NORTH of me!

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by beer me

Somehow I had you pegged in your 30's.................. not a putdown...

Face used to match. When I was 30 I could easily pass for 20. I was still getting carded at 40. Last 10 years I've lost the baby face and acquired a bunch of grey hair. Looking more like my age these days, but definitely more distinguished.

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by burt

He's NORTH of me!

Huh?

[Dr. Johnny Fever]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Face used to match. When I was 30 I could easily pass for 20. I was still getting carded at 40. Last 10 years I've lost the baby face and acquired a bunch of grey hair. Looking more like my age these days, but definitely more distinguished.

I was kind of the opposite in that I had a full beard as a senior in high school heh. I was the guy all the other kids asked to buy them beer... but I never did it. In a town of 2,000 people... really?.... like they've never seen me before?

However other than graying and filling out my face hasn't aged a ton over the years.

[burt]

Originally Posted by beer me

Huh?

Tampa & BRC





























Sarasota & burt

[cdcox]

Thing that bugs me the most is how fast the years 30 to 50 went by, and in 20 more years I'll be 70. That does seem old. I've got pretty good genes, though, so if I take care of myself I have a decent shot of making it into my 80s.