Time and tide wait for no man. - Chaucer

[anm]

In a few days I will be 70.

I don't miss my youth (though I do miss the lasses), the problem I have with getting older is that the older I get, the lonelier I get. It used to be that when I heard of people dying they were always older, by many decades, then a few decades, then years, but now they're often younger than me. I don't have a problem with dying, I've had a good run, done a lot of things, traveled, raised a family, gotten drunk, high when I can, done stupid things, no, it's living that's the problem. How does one cope with getting old? We're supposed to age gracefully? How the hell does one do that? Just sit demurely waiting for life to end?

I'm sorry, but I have too much to do to put up with that kind of crap. My sons are going to treat me to dinner in a restaurant. I have every intention of getting falling-down drunk, possibly not in the restaurant, though it will be as soon after as possible. And with any amount of luck I'll be able to find a hooker and spend my first day as a seventy year old in bed with her...

 

[cyndi]

Happy Birthday, anm! You've got some good years, still to come. Enjoy them!

 

[dragonflyinthesky]

Don't forget to tuck a condom in your wallet. Be responsible. Be safe.

 

[Sameer]

Nobody on the planet ages gracefully! I certainly am not aging gracefully! Our friends and family pass thru transition and we feel left alone. If you are sitting in El Paso reading this then get rid of everything and hit the road! The most amazing thing I have discovered is that I am meeting my peers out here doing just what I am doing. Finding adventure and comrade and seeing the sites. You will feel younger and healthier and have peace and joy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF ADVENTURE!

 

[mockturtle]

I think we can enjoy our old age more fully if we don't abuse our bodies. JMHO, of course. Sameer has the right idea. Adventure! That's the ticket. Have a Happy Birthday!

---

Here's a clip from my favorite movie of all time.

 

[Patrick46]

I had a customer in my shop some time ago.
A really neat guy with a killer hot-rod and an outstanding attitude!! (he was 82!!)

"You're never too old to have a happy childhood" is what he told me!!


Words to live by.

 

[Terry]

The worst part of growing old is/was loosing my wife and partner. After almost 40 years with one woman, I don't know how to meet and/or even talk to women. I found a pen pal on craigslist but am ready for something closer to home. I don't have the luxury of getting drunk and just letting go. I would become a drunken alcoholic again if I started down that road and that isn't a very good thing for me, or the rest of the world for that matter. Growing old suks when I planed on having my sweat heart with me forever and losing her way too early.

 

[Sameer]

When we are old, and I am 65...We need to think "from this moment forward". All that is left of my 'core' family is my Sister. Everyone has passed thru transition. It is the impermanence of life and the fact that everything changes from moment to moment that catches up with us as we get older. We must live our lives with the same passion as we did in our youth. We need to put away all the past and live from this moment forward. Tomorrow is more important than Yesterday! Grieve for all the hurt and sadness and loss and let it go. Move forward and have great adventures like we did in our youth.

 

[Zil]

When we get this old, they grow teeth. Don't need no condom.

 

[akrvbob]

I'm only 59 so can't really comment (but I will anyway!). Next year when I turn 60 I'm going skydiving wherever I am.

Right now is by far the best times of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine how it can get better, but I'm effing sure it will!!!!!

I expect every year to be better until my body gives up on me. Then I'll face some hard choices. If life isn't still a joy, my plan right now (very subject to change) is l will move onto the next life and get to start all over again!!! YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!
Bob

 

[anm]

Nobody on the planet ages gracefully! I certainly am not aging gracefully! Our friends and family pass thru transition and we feel left alone. If you are sitting in El Paso reading this then get rid of everything and hit the road! The most amazing thing I have discovered is that I am meeting my peers out here doing just what I am doing. Finding adventure and comrade and seeing the sites. You will feel younger and healthier and have peace and joy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF ADVENTURE!

Thanks for the birthday wishes Sameer!

I am going to hit the road as soon as I've got my van liveable. I finished the seat cushions/mattress today. I have some more wiring to complete, and I need a small portable computer since I just sold my laptop to Peter (my oldest son), he needed it for University. I think I'm going to pick up an old Mac mini, should be able to get one for ~$100, and it will be old enough to run some equally old software that I have.

I've been out camping twice so far, once with Owen (my other son) and once by myself. I prefer going alone. As soon as I get some money owed to me I'll pay off a couple of debts and then should be good to go. The main thing I want to do is go to RTR and meet some of the other crazies...

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Don't forget to tuck a condom in your wallet. Be responsible. Be safe.

It's been so long... a condom... what's that again?

---

Happy Birthday, anm! You've got some good years, still to come. Enjoy them!

Thank you cyndi! Yeah I know I have lots of time left, and I do/will enjoy them. My only (well almost) physical problem is that I am slowing down, I can't run much, though I still pedal my bike 10 miles a day, my long barreled .45-70 buffalo gun is getting pretty heavy, and I don't have the stamina that I used to have (at least that's what the girls say lol, but I think they're kidding me).

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I think we can enjoy our old age more fully if we don't abuse our bodies. JMHO, of course. Sameer has the right idea. Adventure! That's the ticket. Have a Happy Birthday!

---

Here's a clip from my favorite movie of all time.

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Thank you mockturtle! Abuse is all in the eyes of the abusee, but you are right, a little care can pay dividends, just use a little common sense...

---

...
Here's a clip from my favorite movie of all time.

Excellent clip BTW...

---

I had a customer in my shop some time ago.
A really neat guy with a killer hot-rod and an outstanding attitude!! (he was 82!!)

"You're never too old to have a happy childhood" is what he told me!!


Words to live by.

Kool, what I'm trying for, the oldest juvenile delinquent...

 

[anm]

I'm only 59 so can't really comment (but I will anyway!). Next year when I turn 60 I'm going skydiving wherever I am.

Right now is by far the best times of my life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't imagine how it can get better, but I'm effing sure it will!!!!!

I expect every year to be better until my body gives up on me. Then I'll face some hard choices. If life isn't still a joy, my plan right now (very subject to change) is l will move onto the next life and get to start all over again!!! YAHOOOOO!!!!!!!
Bob

That's a good attitude to have Bob! I couldn't do the jumping out of airplanes bit, I spent too much time fixing them to just go and jump out of 'em! I agree about the best time of your (my) life, I do whatever I like, the kids might question it sometimes, but they're not going to change it!

 

[caseyc]

Bag as many hookers as you can. Especially young hookers. Why? Cuz they will make you feel young again, if even only for an hour. Congrats on living a full life. I can't wait to get there myself. On second thought, I can wait. As for condoms, fuuuuughet about 'em, haha!

 

[Outis]

Sounds like a solid plan for a birthday celebration, anm!

Sometimes I feel blessed that I've got so many years ahead to live my life.

At the same time, I certainly am starting to feel a little bit old every now and then.

But I digress. Go get 'em tiger!

 

[anm]

@caseyc: but they cost so damn much!

And a quote attributed to my dear Lauren Bacall:

Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete. If you’re alive, it isn’t.
- Lauren Bacall

 

[caseyc]

Divorce costs more! Haha!

 

[user 2252]

I'm turning 61 in a week or so and a couple of years ago, after the last child left the nest, it occurred to me that OMG, I'm on the backside of life and I finally have the time to do what I want. I better get to it! (don't most humans feel this way as the age?) HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANM!

 

[anm]

I'm turning 61 in a week or so and a couple of years ago, after the last child left the nest, it occurred to me that OMG, I'm on the backside of life and I finally have the time to do what I want. I better get to it! (don't most humans feel this way as the age?) HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANM!

Thank you Vonbrown! When the obligations are taken care of, it's time to do what you want, make the most of it!

 

[offroad]

Better to burn out. Then fade away. Alright. Gonna start a fire. Rock this place to the ground.

 

[Patrick46]

don't know if I will ever be able to be me again.

Guy...I find this a totally scarey sentiment...
however, I know EXACTALLY where you're coming from.

and you know what???

...me is all I ever really wanted to be anyways!