Comments on: Turning [a little more than] thirty

By: walt

walt — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:28:23 +0000

Donna, thanks.

I was already aware of the increased presence of “find it in a library” links, both through Google blogs and through actual use. Doesn’t hurt to repeat it here, though…

By: Donna Wentworth

Donna Wentworth — Fri, 22 Sep 2006 14:04:50 +0000

Happy belated birthday, Walt! It turns out we share a birthday – I was born on September 14th, too, 37 years ago.

On a separate note, here’s something I know you’ll be interested in reading: http://booksearch.blogspot.com/2006/09/find-it-at-library.html

By: Ruth Ellen

Ruth Ellen — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 07:11:20 +0000

“â€œmiddle aged,â€ which Iâ€™d currently define as, oh, 55 to 75.”
Hmmm…. I’m a few years shy of that, but started defining myself as a “middle-aged lady” when the hot flashes started.

By: walt

walt — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:51:05 +0000

Not directly related, but yesterday’s paper had a story about a centenarian who still plays violin in a local symphony orchestra (using a 1748 violin). The story said that he looked 60 (or maybe he said he thought he looked 60). Today’s paper had a picture. My comment to my wife was, “If he looks 60, I look a lot younger than I am.” The truth, to be sure, is that I look just about 61…and this guy looks to be a very healthy 85 or so. But, of course, a healthy 61 is probably comparable to 55 or 50 a couple of generations ago, so I’m not complaining.

One long-term generational change, where I’m either in or close to the first changed generation: The idea that you really should keep most or all of your own teeth (in working order) past middle age, and ideally all of your life. I think we were called “the Crest generation” growing up. If you own stock in companies entirely devoted to denture-related products…if there are any such companies left…plan on selling soon, I’d guess.

[Thanks to Steven Cohen, I won't cop to "old." I will cop to "middle aged," which I'd currently define as, oh, 55 to 75. Ask me again in ten years...]

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 17:06:53 +0000

Happy belated birthday Walt! As much as I may be anxious about turning 50 in a small number of years, I *am* looking forward to my 50s being so much better than my 40s.

By: Brad K.

Brad K. — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 01:32:15 +0000

Happy Birthday!

By: walt

walt — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 22:06:13 +0000

Alane, Daniel, I think I enjoyed my 50s more than my 40s, and I *know* I enjoyed my 30s and 40s more than my 20s, so…

By: Alane

Alane — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 21:27:05 +0000

Walt, we share an astrological sign–as well as an employer now! My birthday is on Monday….and it’s my 50th. I can’t say I am thrilled about that–although as the cliche goes, it’s better than the alternative.

By: walt

walt — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:42:05 +0000

Michael, I left that part out: My definition of middle-aged always used to be “five years older than my father.” But he’s going on 98, so that really doesn’t work well any more.

By: Daniel Cornwall

Daniel Cornwall — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 20:41:33 +0000

Here’s another belated happy birthday from someone who will face the so-called big 4-0 and the end of the month. I’m much happier about it than I was about turning 30.

Just this morning I heard someone on NPR say “60 is the new 40!”, making it the second time in a month I’ve heard that phrase. So enjoy!

Hm. If 60 is the new 40, then is 40 the new 20?