I don't want to get old(er)

[NaMeaHou]

but I don't want to take a dirt nap either. Is there anything good about getting old(er)?

Getting old means:

(fill in the blank)

[soothsayer]

1. getting to use the NEW and IMPROVED medicare!

hip hip hooray---er, yeah

[Maple]

2. Yes, dozens of things

And listen...there is only one alternative to getting older.

NOT getting older.

[mlawson]

3. Um... I'm trying ! I'm trying!!

Shit.

[Racenut20]

4. Sex is better

[Maple]

6. Yes, I agree

Sex is definitely better.

[Nikia]

5. How old are you?

I'm 25 and feel the same way. At this age, you are actually near your physical peak, not 18 as many believe. I know that I am not on the downhill yet as far as physical strength and physical beauty. I see it coming in the near future and know that I should preparing now as far as getting in better shape to perserve what I have and using skin creams and stuff for that end of things. I know that I am still getting wiser though and probably will for quite some time. I think that I am starting to be taken more seriously now. Although earlier this year, several of my coworkers thought that I was actually a few years longer than I was. In another five years or so, the kid factor should go away. I suppose that's a good thing about getting older.

[XanaDUer]

8. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen, SPF 15 at least

I am in my thirties and still get carded! Use it everyday, no matter what.

:)

[amazona]

17. I have bad news...I still get carded too ...

...and I'm in my mid40s. It quite obviously has nothing to do with my use of sunscreen -- sunscreen keeps you from getting a sunscreen that day, and that's it. If I look at the skin on my face (where I wear make-up plus sunscreen) and the skin on my arms (where I only wear sunscreen), it's quite obvious that the sunscreen did diddly. My HMO actually sent around a notice reminding us that sunscreen does not protect from melanoma and may even encourage it because, since you don't burn, you spend more time in the sun. I'm only a little bitter about this development....

The reason I get carded in my 40s is not because of my make-up or sunscreen but because laws are different today and many people are trained to "ID under 40." So all it may mean when I get carded is that someone thinks I can pass for under 40.

My friend just got carded a couple days ago. He's 44 and BALD!

Sad to say, being carded is no longer much of a compliment, more of a privacy invader if you ask me.

I saw a woman get carded the other day who turned out to be 53. She was more than a little pissed, because she had to assume she was being jerked around. My opinion is that the old man who carded her just needed new glasses.

"always happy to be a little ray of doom and gloom"

[XanaDUer]

34. Sorry about that

but, truthfully, my sunscreen, or genetics, or something did something, 'cause I look damn good. I also wear what a friend calls "geezer glasses" over my specs out in the sun.

I see teens with more crow's feet than I have.

And I will take my happiness where I can find it!

[britpopper]

49. Man, you guys are killing my self-esteem!

I am 30, and I have not been carded since I was 16! Once in a great while, when I'm with my wife (28) they will token ask me, but I could walk in to the liquor store in high school and buy Jack Daniel's, Absolut and a case of Heineken and the dang clerk wouldn't even hesitate! Oh well, I don't look at it as looking old, I just look more distinguished! Ha!

[boilerbabe]

72. I got carded for cigarettes and on occasion for beer...

I figured they were looking for my senior citizen's discount!! wheee! got a couple of years or so to worry about that......

[NaMeaHou]

9. I'm an old fart(er)

I am beginning to notice lines on my forehead and wrinkles around the eyes when I smile, so I try not to smile too much.

Oh, the pain. Oh, the agony of it all!

[Maple]

10. Define old

and with something more than minor lines.

[NaMeaHou]

13. Old

I realize that the back was not designed to be my friend.

I seem to be getting a little shorter, and a little wider.

My keys are always playing hide and seek games with me that I don't want to play.

I don't like the music I hear on the top 40 stations.

[Nikia]

14. Well, I was/am still young with some of those things

I started having back problems doing sit ups in track when I was 18 and retired from black flips because of that before the end of college. I started not liking most top 40 songs when I was 20. I've always had a problem remembering where I put things. I've gone through my second plump out and then lose weight phase, the first happening with puberty, not counting the minor end of cross country/winter plump outs. I am not getting shorter. I thought that didn't happen until you were in your fifties or sixties, at least, but maybe I'm wrong about that.

[NaMeaHou]

15. I started getting shorter in my early 20's

and I'm in excellent health. It was weird. One of those strange occurrences.

[Maple]

16. Oh cut it out

and just give us an age.

[NaMeaHou]

18. Sung to the tune of that song I can't remember the title of

I am 43 going on 44

My supervisor is 32 and thought we were the same age.

[mlawson]

19. Oh for crying out loud! I'll trade ages with you!

Hmmmm?????

[Nikia]

21. That means that you look younger, rather than older

That's good, isn't it?

[Maple]

22. Oh big deal

Come back and tell us when you actually get 'older'

[greatauntoftriplets]

53. You are a kid...

LOL.

[boilerbabe]

70. You have a couple of weeks yet to worry about it...

It seems like no one took me seriously when I was 19, 25 or even now at 42! I noticed this last year really put some age on me physically. (I was told "It will ALL catch up with you...wait until you get to be my age...") After I get done paying of this new computer, maybe some Botox and virgin 25 year old guy therapy would do it.

It seemed like for so long that I was underqualified and too young for whatever job I was doing...next thing you know, I may not be overqualified, but what ever happened to that in-between thing? Gone...

My advice is have a lot of fun, do and see as much as you can, try to put away a little money for when social security is totally ripped out from under us (soon, if Bush stays around too much longer)

If you are living clean (can't say that I ever tried that one) and drinking a lot of water...you might weather it ok, just remember, heredity and environment may also be factors.

Don't worry about it too much, resist society's unrealistic beauty standards, tell the world to fuck off, we arent' going to weigh 15lbs and be 6' tall. Remember most of those people you see in magazines are airbrushed. I'd look good, too, if I knew how to do photoshop!!

XXXXXXXXOOOOOOOOOOOO

Boilerbabe
(I ain't dead yet,,,,)

[populistmom]

7. Are you wiser, smarter, more sure of yourself than 10 or 15 years ago?

Most people get that with age. That's a very good thing.

[NaMeaHou]

12. Wiser? maybe

Smarter? doubt it

More sure of self? Yeah. Sure that this existence is a road paved with broken glass and land mines, and I am forced to walk on it daily. (just kidding)

Oh, the bitter taste of a mouth without teeth. I will not be able to bear it.

[amazona]

20. after 40 you don't get smarter, sadly

I think it's truly terrifying how quickly you start to lose your memory. I don't think I fully realized that people started to lose their memory so young. It seems you reach your intellectual peak at 35 and after that, you're winging it based on your greater experience, but it's truly difficult to remember new things or to follow long, complicated directions in an unfamiliar field.

When I was younger, I used to think older people were just the most awful liars. Now I realize that they simply didn't remember saying this or promising that...

I'm being very unhelpful. Hmm. Well, I can say that being older makes you more understanding of some of the events of your past...those events that you can remember, that is. :-)

[Maple]

23. You don't lose your memory

Get serious.

If you are doing so, see a doctor.

It's not normal.

[amazona]

25. sadly, it's perfectly normal

I've had it checked. It's just the way it is. It might be more painful for me because when younger I had a photographic memory. Gone. All gone. I know exactly what she's talking about when she mentions the keys playing hide and seek.

I'm not at the stage where I can have an Easter egg hunt all by myself, but it's still an annoyance.

[Maple]

27. No it is NOT normal

Whatever your doctor told you.

People of 100 are now taking college and doing just fine.

Sorry, but this is silliness.

[NaMeaHou]

29. I agree with that

my mother is in her mid 70's, and she is still sharper than any of her children. I think she raised us to be a tad dumber than her.

[shanti]

58. i dunno about that

my mother is a very bright woman, but since she turned 70 (she's 71), her memory has been going downhill. she sent me a birthday card with the friggin wrong date a couple of weeks ago! even my sister can tell, and she was in denial about it for a long time.

now me....well, at 48, my memory is starting to deteriorate too. it's embarassing sometimes, but you make adjustments :shrug:

[Snow]

68. Huh! Still have memory -

not photographic but does tricks like being able to hold all the pieces of music I've ever learned. I had a friend who did have the eidetic memory thing - extremely cool. He could still do it up till he died, age 60. Which brings me to my other point....DON'T SMOKE!!! Or if you do, quit. Smoking makes you look older faster worser even more that sun. Also kills you when your friends don't really want you to die. (I'm 58, by the way).

[Maple]

11. 1980 Census

2% of the population was over 100

in the 2000 census 15% is over 100

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

31. Are you talking US or WORLD?

2000 US census only 12.4% was over 60, IIRC

[Maple]

33. Well actually

I was talking Canada.

Maybe you'd better think that one over.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

36. You are still incorrect...the population over 100 might have grown

15% but here are the stats from your census:

The 2001 Census showed that seniors aged 65 or over accounted for 13% of the nation's population in 2001, up from almost 12% in 1991. Projections indicate this proportion will reach 15% by 2011. At the other end of the age spectrum, 26% of the population was aged 19 or younger, down from 28% in 1991. If fertility remains low, this could fall to less than 23% by 2011.

http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census01/Products/Analytic/companion/age/canada.cfm

[Maple]

38. I'm sorry

but you are quite wrong.

People over 100 are the fastest growing segment of the population.

Check world stats.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. Don't send me on a goose chase..if you have a link give it to me

I checked US because I thought you meant US....you then said CANADA..I realize the older population is growing and experts speculate it will increase in size but I could NOT accept that 15% of the population was over 100 in the 2000 census as you said above..went looking for the facts and confirmed it was not correct..if you have better info...feel free to post it..

[Maple]

40. No I said 'I 'was in Canada

How be you do your own searches?

It'll keep your mind active. :D

[Maple]

41. To cheer up all these 'seniors at 40'

http://www.svcn.com/archives/sunnyvalesun/09.01.99/seniors-9935.html

But if you all want to have 'pity parties' at 40...enjoy yourselves.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

46. Not to worry...not with the medicare bill that just passed

Best way to reduce the aging population is make it more difficult for them to get medical care...mission accomplished. :D

[Maple]

51. Not my problem

I'm Canadian.

[boilerbabe]

71. Good article...spank me for feeling old!! n/t

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

43. here is what you said "I was talking Canada."

The world's population for 2000 is more likley than NOT not 15% comprised of people over the age of 100. If you have proof feel free to offer it. It IS estimated that this segment of the population will grow significantly by the year 2011...but it is currently NOT at 15%...feel free to prove me incorrect...it will keep your mind sharp :D

[Maple]

47. Yes, I was talking Canada

because I live here.

Look it up Jack.

Do you more good than complaining.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

52. OK so you admit you were talking Canada and were incorrect since

Canada's population does not consist of 15% centagenarians. Thankyou for your eventual admission of error:D

I already did look that up and wasn't complaining of anything...except to underscore the inaccuracy of your post.

Always a joy to spar with you, my dear :D

[Maple]

54. I'm not going to play head games with you sweetie

look it up and do something useful with your time instead of complaining and moaning.

It's not Canada alone.

And I'll let you know when and if you ever rise to the level of 'sparring'

So far you're in the basement talking to yourself.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

56. It is a projection. It is NOT the current census from 2000

at least I am confronting myself with facts.

Is it that difficult to concede inaccuracy?

[bloom]

57. 11.8% over age 55 in 2001 in Canada

http://www.cbc.ca/news/features/census2001.html


How's the memory doing?

(maybe it grew by 15%? :shrug: )

[Maple]

24. C'mon folks

enough with the nonsense already.

Old at 40 something....be real.

[amazona]

26. a little note of cheer from a friend on turning 40

I commented on all the vitamins and what-have-you that he was taking, saying that it couldn't be natural to take so many pills, and he pointed out that Mother Nature intended us to die at around age 40. I'm sure he's right. The life expectancy at the turn of the 19th into the 20th century was only a bit over 40 -- every year after that is a bonus!

[SiobhanClancy]

28. If Mother Nature intended for us to die at around 40....

I should have died 10 years ago. That is a very depressing thought...good thing I don't believe it:) The human heart can beat for 60-70+ years after that. Mother Nature should have set it for automatic shutoff at 40,if that was her intention.

[Maple]

30. In the stone age

death at 20 was normal. So?

This is NOT the stone age.

What is it with you guys and 40....?

Some kind of leftover baby boom crap??

Japan alone has over 18,000 people over 100

By 2050, "The number of people 100 years or older in the world is projected to reach 3.2 million, a phenomenal increase from the estimated 180,000 centenarians worldwide today."

http://www.indiana.edu/~rcapub/v24n2/p20.html

[NaMeaHou]

32. yeah, but

will they be able to do the boogie woogie?

I don't know.

[Maple]

35. Well I LOVE boogie woogie

and you'd better believe I can still do it.

And I'll do it when I'm over 100 too.

[Nikia]

42. No, many died early

Infectious diseases claimed the lives of many. Most large families lost over half of their children before they reached the age of ten. Of those who survived, many lived much longer than 40. I don't have the statistics but I remember reading that those who reached later adulthood, post child bearing for women which also claimed many lives, lived almost as long as we do now. I know that many of my ancestors lived to old age with a couple reaching 100. We are supposed to be able to live into our sixties and seventies without medical intervention. Female menopause is an adaptation to allow grandmothers to help raise grandchildren, which would not be necessary if women who survived childbearing would die at 40 anyway. Although medical technology helps save us, modern living also as increased the incidences of some diseases that we need saving from.

[shanti]

60. maybe current events are making people feel older

...it's a thought.

[Demobrat]

37. I just turned 50 and I like everything about getting older

except one thing. I love having a lifetime of experience, even bad ones, and there have been some very bad ones, to draw on. I wanted to make it on my own and I did, and saw the world while I was at it. But I just hate that I can't run anymore!!! I can walk all day with no problem, but it's almost like I can feel myself slowly slowing down. But I can't run without blowing out my knees. And I'm gaining weight. Help! Make it stop!

[Maple]

44. We have some very good

runners over 100.

People gain weight around their 50's, and lose it later.

Just keep your knees in shape.

I had 2 operations on mine in my very early years, so it's harder and I sympathize, but it can be done.

[shanti]

61. so how do you keep your knees in shape?

any tips? mine are ok, but my elbows ACHE! being mentally and physically active is important. my mother was complaining to me the other day that everyone else around her age is getting sick and/or is unhealthy. she is very healthy and feels guilty about it. i don't know what to tell her...

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

66. Glucosamin chondroitin and quad strengthening exercises

Keep your quads strong, don't stand with your knees locked and you can reduce wear and tear. Quad exercises take the strain off the joints and ligaments and not locking your knees helps to avoid microfractures associated with degeneration of the bony tissue.

[sandnsea]

45. Being free to be 'eccentric'

That's what I hope anyway. I want to be the craziest little old lady possible and say the most outrageous things and tell everybody exactly what I think. Not gross or anything, just a feisty old curmudgeon.

I know, you thought I already was.

[SiobhanClancy]

48. You're right...

the older I get the less I care what people think about what I say and do(not that I ever cared too much about it:)

[shanti]

62. haha!

i hear ya! the older you get, the less you give a flying rat's azz what anyone thinks. there is a limit tho. my grandmother became a BIATCH in her 80's and she would be nasty to waitresses, etc. She used to be such a nice woman too. i miss her.

[Maple]

50. Sex is better

Your outlook is better....you don't worry about as much because you've heard it all before....you are more confident and outgoing...you don't sweat the small stuff...and you realize 99.9% of life is 'small stuff'.....you know exactly what and who you are...you have more money...you don't put up with shit...or gameplaying....you have better vision about humanity....your ability to learn is majorly improved because you WANT to do so, it isn't forced on you...you know 'this too will pass'....and you are far more satisfied.

I wouldn't be 18 or 25 again for all the money in the world.

[Demobrat]

77. I feel that way too.

I was on my own at 18 and my late teens and early twenties were very hard. There were times I had to choose between gas and food, and gas always won. Now I have a great career, a comfortable home, money and free time, since I don't have to work two jobs or go to school at night anymore. I'll take this age over my youth any day.

[Maple]

55. Something to cheer up the mopers, whiners and complainers on here

http://www.discover.com/issues/nov-03/cover/

"A century ago, most Americans lived to be about 50. Today people over 100 make up the fastest-growing segment of the population. As some researchers bet that children born today will live to be 150, others say there is no upward limit on longevity."

Go party!

[salinen]

59. have all my

hair, fit and trim, can climb a mountain faster than anyone I know. But my face looks like it caught fire and someone tried to put it out with an icepick. dammit!

[shanti]

63. the worst thing about getting old

everything that you did in your youth catches up to you!

[NaMeaHou]

64. That was my evil twin

that wasn't me!!!!!!!!

Stay the hell away from me!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[shanti]

65. hee hee!

busted!

[MissMillie]

67. Getting older sucks, but it's still better than the alternative

think about it.

[Cleita]

69. Yeah, you don't have to take a dirt nap.

Also, all those things that bothered you when you were young, you don't give a fuck about anymore.

[boilerbabe]

73. I take Dust Naps...bad housecleaning!! N/T

[guitar man]

74. I can't think of anything great about it

My wife is 36 and she still gets carded.


I just turned 40 and get offered the senior citizens discount:(

[Piperay]

75. I'm not thrilled with

it either but it beats the alternate. :-( :shrug:

[Booberdawg]

76. Getting older doesn't bother me

At least not now - at 47.

Neither does the dirt nap. I don't fear dying. In fact, I see it as being able to see a few people that have passed before me again.