Old Man, Take A Look At My Life
The careful reader may have noticed that this site went a little light toward the end of last week. Had to go off into the woods and turn 50. A night in New York with the wife helped. So did a small gathering at home with friends and family - including Mom, who had me on Mother's Day and cannot be blamed for considering me the gift that keeps on taking.
Yesterday I filled out an online survey from my local library, which then asked me to check the right box for my age. Now I'm not just 50. I'm 50 to 64. I'm told the AARP stuff comes next. They find you. They must hire trackers from the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
As I type, I'm listening to Frank Sinatra sing "You Make Me Feel So Young," which to me isn't about feeling like spring has sprung. It feels like a warm cup of Geritol. Do they still make Geritol?
My parents had the Sinatra album in their living-room cabinet underneath the hi-fi. The song is featured on a mix CD my pal Dan DeLuca presented to me last night. I think he put it on there because I make him feel so young.
Other songs usher me over the hill with the appropriate fanfare.
It starts with The Strokes and "You Only Live Once." "Bruises" by Steve Wynn follows with its chorus:
Blood shot, tired and torn apart.
I'm at my best when I can barely start
I fall down easy but I get up slow,
I really really hope that the bruises don't show.
Other cheery tunes include Butch Hancock croaking how time "Eats Away The Night," Moe Brandy reminding that I'm "Too Old To Die Young," Hazel Dickens warbling "Old And In The Way."
It's time for a red sports car. Or some funky reading glasses.
Then the soundtrack takes another tack. The Flying Burrito Brothers, reminding how "the older guys get the ladies with the style," Bob Dylan assuring it's "Not Dark Yet," a spry Willie Nelson suggesting "Don't Be Ashamed of your Age."
A few little speeches preceded last night's champagne toast. My son observed how I'm entering my sixth decade. A friend told how when my kids were young, she and her husband came over for New Years, and by 10:30 p.m. I'd fallen asleep under the dining room rug. I'll have that Geritol now.
Happy belated Birthday Dan! Half a century old..Wow. You don't blog a day past 35 :-)
Happy belated birthday!! If it's any consolation, AARP is already sending me flyers....and I'm only 36.
50 and there's so much more.. no wait.
Congratulations Dan ! Don't worry you'll be over it by the time you hit the double nickle
I'll never trust technology again; my Palm was supposed to warn me about this so I could send greetings on the appropriate day. Ah, well, I seem to remember celebrating this once at the Bantu. Or was it the Pinguin? Whichever, I do remember that the important ingredient of Geritol was signaled by the -ol suffix, geddit?
I believe it was the Pinquin, with some sort of Polish prince pouring Koenig Pilseners, which had such heady heads, that each took 8 minutes to serve. They were playing western swing and Muddy Waters and some song by the Clash. And yes, my head was writing checks that my body couldn't cash (thank you Richard Thompson).
Happy Birthday, dude! Wishing you 50 more. As a wise newsman once told me: "Just 'cause there's snow on the roof don't mean there ain't a fire in the furnace!"
The roof could use some new shingles.
I'm glad there are at least a few bloggers out there older than me! ;) (I hit 45 very soon.) Congrats and happy b-day. As my father used to tell me, it's better than the alternative .....
Cheers, Dan. Belated happy b-day. And 50 is the new 30...
Boys, boys, don't be naive, 50 has Always been the new 30 for women... Dan, Happy Birthday and welcome to what I call The Highway Decade: Well-traveled, with slightly soft shoulders and a nice metaphorical median. You notice a few more ruts, it's true. And some additional maintenance and repair will be needed. There's less stop-and-go and more always going, especially late at night. But you don't hit the speed limit til halfway through. AARP takes care of the EZ Pass. And in the end--north, south, east or west--it's just a number.
those PPA agents are like ninjas. they swoop in out of nowhere!