Three simple words . . . I'm too old!

[S-Des]

Why is it so difficult to admit? You'd think that two bad knees from years of competitive athletics & martial arts, painful finger joints from 35 years of being a musician, an incident involving the lovely Kiten where my heart rate hit a point that almost made me cry uncle, a bad back from being . . . well . . . just old would be enough, but it just doesn't seem to sink in. I still work out too hard at the gym, I don't take care of my body like a middle aged man should, and I constantly assume everything will be OK.

Today I finally found the watershed moment . . . I'm at Six Flags with my daughter. We're having a wonderful day and looking to kill 20 minutes before a very cool stunt show (that was so great she blew off rides to see it a second time, later in the day). As we're wandering aimlessly, she suddenly lights up and looks at me with a devilish grin and points at the 150' vertical drop ride saying, "I want to see you ride that one, daddy!" Not being one to back down from a challenge (obviously far more due to character flaws than any hint of bravery), I said, "Sure".

I'll avoid talking about my fear of heights (I often cling to the side of elevators in high rises, refusing to let go of the railing . . . just in case the floor drops out ), my dislike of rides that rely on fast, vertical drops for thrills, or my paranoia that every ride is just about to break down . . . I'll just stick to the abject fear that overwhelmed me as the ride hit the high point, paused for 5 seconds, then dropped at a rate so fast that my ass never touched the seat, instead the only thing keeping me from a horrible death being the shoulder harness that I buckled myself before the ride started (seriously . . . what are my qualifications?). We descended so rapidly that my chest constricted and I had a moment of panic that I might not be able to catch another breath. At the halfway point, I considered severly punishing my child for daring me to do something so utterly stupid (and I had plenty of time to consider the options, since my life was passing before my eyes in slow motion). When the brakes kicked in, and we gracefully settled to the ground, I saw her laughing at me and screamed, "Never again!"

Seriously, I can say it now . . . I'm too old!

 

[DeeZire]

I've been too old for years. The good part: I can walk past a six-foot woman without having an anxiety attack. (Did I mention I like tall women?) The bad part: I can walk past a six-foot woman without having an anxiety attack. (I miss those anxiety attacks.)

Everytime I get on a ride at the fair, I start looking at the nuts and bolts that hold it together, and the rusty metal braces, and the worn bearings, and the yahoos who are running the rides...I don't get on rides at the fair much anymore.

 

[S-Des]

I keep telling people I'm too old, and they always say, "You look young for your age." Yeah, but I am the creakiest 41 year-old alive. I will say that age has some benefits (at least Kiten tells me so).

 

[impressive]

I've never felt younger ... or looked older.

 

[rgraham666]

You look older? You look fine to me.

 

[TxRad]

Don't go there. Don't even consider getting old unless you like pain..... You'll find places that hurt that you didn't even know you had....

The only up side is the bad memory.... You forget everything and thats how you you live with the pain and irritation.... Oh, I forgot to mention the irritation... I'll save that for another time....

Old ain't that great but the alternative is worse....

 

[carsonshepherd]

I'll add this little story as a warning to the youngsters. I was in a bad accident as a child and the doctors said I might never walk again. I made a complete recovery - 7-year-olds are very resilient - except for one lasting effect, my left leg is about 3/4 inch longer than the other. I ignored my back pain for years, did nothing about the problem, had jobs where I stood on my feet for 14 hours a day and lifted heavy things all day. When I hit 30, it caught up to me. I was in such pain I couldn't turn my head. I went to a doctor, who showed me my x-rays and told me I have the spine of a 50-year-old and not a 30-year-old, and that if I didn't do something, I would be having back surgery one day.

That put the fear into me. I have to wear a device in all my shoes now and it helps, but the constant back pain does get tiresome. I went so many years unable to exercise from pain that it's a long road back to getting all my muscles corrected. So, don't ignore those little aches and pains. Don't abuse your body while you're young, because you're going to be in it a long time.

Des - might be time to swallow your pride

 

[Guest]

Welcome to the club Des. We've been saving a rocking chair for you.

an incident involving the lovely Kiten where my heart rate hit a point that almost made me cry uncle

She really should have a warning label tatooed on her ass. In 24 point type or bigger so a geezer doesn't need to put on his glasses.

I've been too old for years. The good part: I can walk past a six-foot woman without having an anxiety attack. (Did I mention I like tall women?) The bad part: I can walk past a six-foot woman without having an anxiety attack

The saddest part is, when you reach the age where you walk by someone who gets you going, and know you didn't even appear as a blip on her sexual radar. Not even as someone she's say "Hello No" to.

 

[kiten69]

This is the message I found on my answering machine regarding the 150' ride. . .

"There are some things you should never do for your children. I just went on a 150' straight drop for her so she could laugh at me.

*pause. . .takes deep breath*

I'm not quite sure I'll ever be the same again.

*another pause. . .another deep breath*

*giggling* Oh my gosh. . .I'll tell you about it later.

I laughed so hard my sides hurt and I was crying. . .you should've heard how shaky the poor mans' voice was.

ROTFLMAO!!!

 

[Guest]

This is the message I found on my answering machine regarding the 150' ride. . .

"There are some things you should never do for your children. I just went on a 150' straight drop for her so she could laugh at me.

*pause. . .takes deep breath*

I'm not quite sure I'll ever be the same again.

*another pause. . .another deep breath*

*giggling* Oh my gosh. . .I'll tell you about it later.

I laughed so hard my sides hurt and I was crying. . .you should've heard how shaky the poor mans' voice was.

ROTFLMAO!!!

Anyway that is a tape you can save for him? Or send to me to digitize for us all to enjoy?

This will be one of those moments they will always share. It will be part of his toast at her wedding.

 

[R. Richard]

Getting old is the worst possible thing that can happen to a person, except for the only other alternative.

 

[S-Des]

I'll add this little story as a warning to the youngsters. I was in a bad accident as a child and the doctors said I might never walk again. I made a complete recovery - 7-year-olds are very resilient - except for one lasting effect, my left leg is about 3/4 inch longer than the other. I ignored my back pain for years, did nothing about the problem, had jobs where I stood on my feet for 14 hours a day and lifted heavy things all day. When I hit 30, it caught up to me. I was in such pain I couldn't turn my head. I went to a doctor, who showed me my x-rays and told me I have the spine of a 50-year-old and not a 30-year-old, and that if I didn't do something, I would be having back surgery one day.

That put the fear into me. I have to wear a device in all my shoes now and it helps, but the constant back pain does get tiresome. I went so many years unable to exercise from pain that it's a long road back to getting all my muscles corrected. So, don't ignore those little aches and pains. Don't abuse your body while you're young, because you're going to be in it a long time.

Des - might be time to swallow your pride

I'm not sure if it's pride or simple ignorance (or possibly that I'm too lazy to bother).

 

[S-Des]

This is the message I found on my answering machine regarding the 150' ride. . .

"There are some things you should never do for your children. I just went on a 150' straight drop for her so she could laugh at me.

*pause. . .takes deep breath*

I'm not quite sure I'll ever be the same again.

*another pause. . .another deep breath*

*giggling* Oh my gosh. . .I'll tell you about it later.

I laughed so hard my sides hurt and I was crying. . .you should've heard how shaky the poor mans' voice was.

ROTFLMAO!!!

I'm glad my suffering can bring a smile to your face. You should have seen my hands shaking . . . moving at least a half inch each way. But the beautiful thing about middle-age is that I've learned lots of new tricks, but am not old enough to have forgotten them yet. I'll be sure to demonstrate in two weeks.

 

[neonlyte]

I always tell the SO that getting old requires more maintenance and that while the engine may not be as powerful as it once was, frequent lubrication will ensure it lasts for a few more years.

I haven't been on a fairground ride since that time I lost my false teeth.

 

[S-Des]

Anyway that is a tape you can save for him? Or send to me to digitize for us all to enjoy?

You are an evil, evil man.

This will be one of those moments they will always share. It will be part of his toast at her wedding.

Thanks for making me feel really old (and quite afraid).

I've never felt younger ... or looked older.

I wonder how many people really have that dichotomy. I hear so many say that they feel younger, but I don't in any way, shape, or form (although to be fair, it could be the extra 60lbs I'm carrying now). I was kind of hoping to get people's take on it in a humorous way, because it is interesting how different people's experiences are as they age. My 20's were very wild with the long hair and all the shows, so now I feel like I'm slowing down as I play less and do sound more (and have less girls ask me to sign their breasts ). I think in my case, the aches and pains contribute greatly to my feeling my mortality. Nothing is going to make the knees or back better, and it's hard to play the whole, "I feel young" card when I'm limping.

 

[S-Des]

I always tell the SO that getting old requires more maintenance and that while the engine may not be as powerful as it once was, frequent lubrication will ensure it lasts for a few more years.

I haven't been on a fairground ride since that time I lost my false teeth.

And you know they probably landed in the middle of a game and some carny gave them away as a prize . . . "Look mommy, I won new teeth!" *chomp chomp*

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

I'm getting old, but I can honestly say that I'm happier with who I am now than I've been since I was a child. Of course, I threw away some years in the middle to wild nights and ridiculous sexual imbroglios, but if I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have any good ideas for porn writing. All in all, I like where I am now.

 

[SeaCat]

*snerk*

My father ran a mini Tri-athalon a couple of months ago. He SCUBA dives, bike rides and runs. Last week he decided he just had to play Monkey Man and remove a 70 foot Pine from his yard. He did so by climbing it, Limbing and topping it then piece cutting it. He turned 70 Last January.

S-Des, I too am 41. I Dive and I ride. (Have you ever chased Wild Pigs through heavy brush on a Mountain Bike? What a blast.) I lift weights. I would still be skydiving if I had the money. I am rebuilding a Mobile Home and do general handyman work on the side.

Cat

You're only as old as you feel. I get up at 80 and go to bed at 18.

 

[McKenna]

Des, you're a doll, at any age!


My dad is 62. He's had one heart-attack and bi-pass surgery. He walks 4 miles a day; sometimes more, sometimes less. He wants to hike (with me) to the top of Cloud Peak in Wyoming next summer. The hike will be about at 5,000 foot ascent from our base camp. (Cloud Peak is 10,000 feet high.)

Am I worried? Yes.

Do I think he will make it? Yes, if he trains now and continues to train.

This is the trip he's always wanted to take but never has for one reason or the other, probably because he was too busy taking care of us and earning a living to support us. I know his thoughts at this point are something like, "This is my last chance to do this before I'm too old, or die." I want to see him succeed.

Too old? Meh. Maybe. Maybe not. I just know I'm looking forward to spending time with him hiking in the backcountry --not unlike, I'm sure, the way your daughter appreciates her time spent with you, even if you do scream like a girl!

 

[McKenna]

My father ran a mini Tri-athalon a couple of months ago. He SCUBA dives, bike rides and runs. Last week he decided he just had to play Monkey Man and remove a 70 foot Pine from his yard. He did so by climbing it, Limbing and topping it then piece cutting it. He turned 70 Last January.

So that's where you get it!

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

I'm getting old, but I can honestly say that I'm happier with who I am now than I've been since I was a child. Of course, I threw away some years in the middle to wild nights and ridiculous sexual imbroglios, but if I hadn't done that, I wouldn't have any good ideas for porn writing. All in all, I like where I am now.

I echo the sentiment. My version goes like this though:

"I threw away some years in the middle to quiet nights and longing for ridiculous sexual imbroglios."

 

[SeaCat]

So that's where you get it!

Yep,

I come by my insanity honestly.

Cat

 

[Guest]

superman ride.
last november.
my heart is still dangling somewhere after i spewed it from my chest.


i am, indeed, too old.

 

[SeaCat]

Des, you're a doll, at any age!


My dad is 62. He's had one heart-attack and bi-pass surgery. He walks 4 miles a day; sometimes more, sometimes less. He wants to hike (with me) to the top of Cloud Peak in Wyoming next summer. The hike will be about at 5,000 foot ascent from our base camp. (Cloud Peak is 10,000 feet high.)

Am I worried? Yes.

Do I think he will make it? Yes, if he trains now and continues to train.

This is the trip he's always wanted to take but never has for one reason or the other, probably because he was too busy taking care of us and earning a living to support us. I know his thoughts at this point are something like, "This is my last chance to do this before I'm too old, or die." I want to see him succeed.

Too old? Meh. Maybe. Maybe not. I just know I'm looking forward to spending time with him hiking in the backcountry --not unlike, I'm sure, the way your daughter appreciates her time spent with you, even if you do scream like a girl!

So get him training.

Three years ago my father hiked the Chilkoot Pass both ways. He had an absolute blast.

Last year I went north to visit my parents. I spent a week with my father ridge walking and camping among the Presidentials. (New Hampshire) Oh we had fun. I might get a chance to head north this year but it doesn't seem likely.

My father refuses to admit to his age. His scars and injuries sometimes slow him a bit but he never gives up. Somehow I seem to take after him.

Cat

 

[SeaCat]

When I was 21 I returned from Europe an absolute mess. Mentally I was terminal. My father was 50 and a combat vet himself. He knew what was needed.

I found myself being flown out west to the Wilderness. My father had rented the horses and packed the gear we would need. He led me out into the wilderness on a two week odysee(sp).

It was rough, it was harsh. We lived off the land and what we carried. He forced me to face what I had done and what I had become. It wasn't easy for him just as it wasn't easy for me. We dealt with some terrible weather, we were wet and we were cold. We froze our asses off yet we survived.

When we came out a ranch hand commented to my father that he was too old to be camping like that. My father just smiled and told him he didn't find the camping hard at all, it was the mental gymnastics that were the hard part. The ranch hand just looked at him with a blank expression.

Cat