meeting of those who feel OLD and as if they do too many things at once [Archive]

SleepyWitch

12-04-2006, 02:19 PM

inspired by mir's meeting of those too young to drive, I thought I'd start a nursing home for those of us feel old/ worn out/ wonder how they got to be the person they are all of a sudden when they were somebody totally different only 20 years ago :D
if you feel any of these come on in and have a cuppa :)

today I thought of all of the things I somehow am: a tutor, a linguist (sort of), an A student :blush: , a writer (:blush: *artsy fartsy* but it's true, I feel like "I'm a writer" even if I've only written half a handful of stories), a swimmer (yeah, it sounds grand. it's only a hobby and I'm not in a team or anything, but whenever I swim I feel like "I'm a swimmer" as opposed to "somebody who happens to go swimming"), a youthwork councillor/tutor/socially committed kind of person, one of 3 girls who run a group for international students.....

as a kid/teenager I was just myself.. I dunno how it happend???

alhara

12-04-2006, 02:22 PM

you do realize unless you are lying in your profile you were 5... 20 years ago and that is not a fun age to be.... you wet yourself and you have go to school but you can´t read yet so schools no funn and the only music availble to you is like barney and junk. If i could go back and relive being 5 just that year and then go back to where i am now i would totally pass it up

SleepyWitch

12-04-2006, 02:26 PM

i was in kindergarten when i was 5 and was kept under lock and key there till I was almost 7. where i live kindergarten means playing, singing, drawing, doing happy clappy baby things all day. We don't learn anything.

I did not wet my pants when I was 5!

what was I going to say (see I'm so old and scatterbrained I forget what I want to say midway through a post): yep, you're right, kindergarten/primary school sucked worse than being 25 :)

Stanislaw

12-04-2006, 02:27 PM

Heh...though the 20 years thing doesn't apply to me...I feel old:

- Gots me a new SUV
- Gots me a busy job: IT
- Gots me a crappy server at work
- Gots me a crappier work vehicle cause my boss didn't like the idea of buying a sports car for onsite repairs
- Gots me a bunch o responsibilities
- Gots me a copper bracelet for repetive motion strain in me rist
- Gots me a club membership...
- and gots me a toaster.:eek2:

SleepyWitch

12-04-2006, 02:31 PM

How old are you Stan?
outch repetitive motion strain sounds icky.
gotta go and take my pills (psychosomatic tummy)...
see, it's like at a nursing home already :)

Virgil

12-04-2006, 02:40 PM

Great idea for a thread, Sleepy. I will have lots to contribute here. :D Too busy now to really delineate a bunch of old folks's gripes, but let's just say I was graduating college (Uni) before you were five. :bawling:

mir

12-04-2006, 02:54 PM

*sidles in*

Sleepy, i am owned.

and also, why am i feeling those symptoms you describe at 15? *fetches cane*

ok *sidles out*

alhara

12-04-2006, 03:00 PM

yeah doc sometimes i forget things said to me like second before or things that happanded that morning and last year i pulled a mussle in my back(studey too hard if that makes any sense at all) and i couldn´t walk for a month i can´t play any sports all the bands i like are dead...my favorite movie is black and white. i can still eat solid food and am not offend by swear words but thats about as young as i get.

Petrarch's Love

12-04-2006, 03:18 PM

SummerSolstice

12-04-2006, 04:33 PM

While the suggestion might seem ludicrous to some, I feel old because I'm finding it harder to relate to the kids I want to write for. I considered myself a kid for so long, but now the things "real" kids like often seem uncomfortably below my level. I've reached twice the lower bracket of my "ideal" age--about 9-12--and I'm finally going to big, bad, scary college, of which I've spent most of my schooling years in trepidation. So many of the kids' movies coming out these days look dumb, dumb, dumb, and the kids channels we get have slowly but surely cancelled each of the cartoons I've recorded and watched religiously for the past couple of years, replacing them with inane, poorly-drawn, formulaic shows. The Disney channel is a factory for untalented and underdressed pop-stars, Cartoon Network has been taken over by anime and plotless farces, and hand-animation films are officially extinct. KIDS these days!!!

....

...*lays head down on desk* I need a nap.

Pendragon

12-04-2006, 06:19 PM

Butterfly

Hope is a gentle butterfly
riding on uplifting winds,
that raise it far above the chasm
into which my depression makes me descend.
It’s pretty, but it’s fragile,
torn by rivers of rushing air,
that finally sweep it away
and I never know just where.
But it leaves behind a chrysalis,
attached to some tiny twig
on the Tree of Life that still blooms there,
although it isn’t very big.
In time the pain will vanish,
the shattered mind will mend,
and there’ll be another butterfly
to ride the winds again.

DL Harris
© 1997

As a book collector, I have paperbacks on my shelves that are older than I, some original Ace copies of Edgar Rice Burroughs books from 1957, and some even older. I've spent 40 years in this area, and remember a lot of it. When a can of soda hit a quater a can and we thought that was bad, gas hit a dollar a gallon and people thought the end of time had come. I've seen the theater in town when it was busy, when it closed, when they were raising money to renovate it, and now, it's open again. I saw the house I grew up in destroyed in the great flood of 77, and lived through the time when it was 30 below zero outside this house. Times change, and the lanky cowboy becomes a 300+ guy that writes poetry. Go figure. :lol:

Shalot

12-04-2006, 06:27 PM

I know I am old because I don't enjoy driving around at night anymore (too difficult to see). Also, due to continuous road constuction, the road may or may not be where it was the day before and they don't bother to line the road with the cones and the barrels (instead the cones and barrels are in the middle of where you're supposed to be driving) and of course there is no lighting except for your own headlights, which may or may not help you if someone has their fog lights on behind you in your rearview. And sometimes at night, the workers will move the barrels and cones -- I saw a guy doing this and he was wearing what was supposed to be a reflective vest but it was dirty and it didn't reflect so well and he is lucky I didn't hit him.

And of course, I hate the brats on their cell phones driving carelessly in cars that cost more than what I make in a year----yep I am old.

Stanislaw

12-04-2006, 07:49 PM

How old are you Stan?
outch repetitive motion strain sounds icky.
gotta go and take my pills (psychosomatic tummy)...
see, it's like at a nursing home already :)

heh...only 20 :blush:
yeah the repetitive motion strain is not fun...but the copper seems to be working...may I ask how old ye be?

Shalot

12-04-2006, 10:55 PM

heh...only 20 :blush:
yeah the repetitive motion strain is not fun...but the copper seems to be working...may I ask how old ye be?

Geez... what are you? A genius? You're too young for repetitive motion sprain!

SleepyWitch

12-05-2006, 03:51 AM

is that poem by you, Uncle Pen? :eek:
i mean I knew you were a great poet, but: WOW!

As a book collector, I have paperbacks on my shelves that are older than I, some original Ace copies of Edgar Rice Burroughs books from 1957, and some even older. I've spent 40 years in this area, and remember a lot of it. When a can of soda hit a quater a can and we thought that was bad, gas hit a dollar a gallon and people thought the end of time had come. I've seen the theater in town when it was busy, when it closed, when they were raising money to renovate it, and now, it's open again. I saw the house I grew up in destroyed in the great flood of 77, and lived through the time when it was 30 below zero outside this house. Times change, and the lanky cowboy becomes a 300+ guy that writes poetry. Go figure
I like these lines, too :) you should make them the opening lines of a story!

Stan, I'm 25

SleepyWitch

12-05-2006, 03:55 AM

Hmm...Five was a big year for me. School, reading for the first time, listening to Beethovan's sixth every night before I went to sleep...come to think of it not much has changed. My books just don't have as many pretty pictures as they used to. Actually I guess twenty years ago I was still four, so I wasn't reading yet and I was still in preschool. Of course back in preschool I was married in a big ceremony to a very handsome little boy who proposed with a big plastic jeweled ring, and now I'm free and single, so I suppose if anything I've gotten less mature and commited.

heheh :) you're hilarious, PL :) I was a cranky silent kid in kindergarten. I would spend all day painting. I had a best friend (Benny) but he wasn't my boyfriend. The other girls teased me about him, because they couldn't get their heads round it that we were not married! No I'm cranky and noisy and haven't seen Benny for 15 years

Nightshade

12-05-2006, 04:04 AM

RSI stan? was it the computers?
well not quite 20 but I am told I was born an old lady. 5 oh yes 5/6( that summer) was the year I discoverd people who have everything cant be trusted and its better to befriend the underdog because youre more likley to gt real friendship in return.

Pensive

12-05-2006, 05:56 AM

I feel jealous of all of you who are old, have accomplished your dreams. You don't have to go to school. You don't have to prepare for tests. You don't get homework from teachers. You don't have to feel bad thinking about if you wouldn't get 8 A's in your O-Level examinations, you would be grounded.

Your views are not respected unlike that of thirteen/fourteen year olds. When you say something, you are not cut in between and you don't have to listen, "Oh you don't know such kind of things. You are too young to understand things."

Ahhh...I can't wait to turn eighteen. Hmmm....but then I will have to cook, and pay electricity bills, and and and do lots of more things. Ummm...I liked it when I was five. No tension either no paying bills and stuff. I wish I could be five again. :)

SleepyWitch

12-05-2006, 06:05 AM

Your views are respected unlike that of thirteen/fourteen year olds. When you say something, you are not cut in between and you don't have to listen, "Oh you don't know such kind of things. You are too young to understand things."

really? I wish somebody'd break the news to my mum :lol:
hehe, I still go to school Pensy :) and I have to set myself homework because our profs don't always tell us what to study but expect us to know things anyway :)

Virgil

12-05-2006, 08:21 AM

I feel jealous of all of you who are old, have accomplished your dreams. You don't have to go to school. You don't have to prepare for tests. You don't get homework from teachers. You don't have to feel bad thinking about if you wouldn't get 8 A's in your O-Level examinations, you would be grounded.

No we don't go to school. We only go to work and have to pay bills and clean and repair the house and the car and worry about the family, whether the children are growing up correctly and whether the spouse is happy and whether the parents are in good health. We only have to go buy the groceries and cook dinner and buy clothes and wash clothes and fold them and put them away and check on the children's homework and check with their teachers and visit extended family and friends to make sure they are doing well. We don't have anything important or stressful to do. Oh, I wonder when we get a vacation to sit and do nothing but read books and play with our friends? :D

Pendragon

12-05-2006, 10:17 AM

is that poem by you, Uncle Pen? :eek:
i mean I knew you were a great poet, but: WOW!

I like these lines, too :) you should make them the opening lines of a story!

Stan, I'm 25Thank you, Sleepy. Yes, that poem is one of mine. D.L. Harris is my real name, my first name is Dale. I always used pseudonyms for various reasons when submitting of publishing poetry, but I don't mind the forum family knowing who I am. I'm writting short stories, I have had 33 Shadow short short stories published on the web, you can find some in the back pages of the Brain Teasers Thread. I've never submitted any others that sold, just poetry. You are too kind! ;)

Pensive

12-05-2006, 10:48 AM

No we don't go to school. We only go to work and have to pay bills and clean and repair the house and the car and worry about the family, whether the children are growing up correctly and whether the spouse is happy and whether the parents are in good health. We only have to go buy the groceries and cook dinner and buy clothes and wash clothes and fold them and put them away and check on the children's homework and check with their teachers and visit extended family and friends to make sure they are doing well. We don't have anything important or stressful to do. Oh, I wonder when we get a vacation to sit and do nothing but read books and play with our friends? :D

But you don't have to depend on your parents any longer? Your views are also respected more. :p

Why not bury the hatchet by saying that all ages have their advantages/disadvantages. I agree that adults have more responsibilities but it does not mean that they can't enjoy their lives. They do enjoy their lives as well. And they enjoy the sense of authority/power which us, poor ones can't. :bawling:

Shannanigan

12-05-2006, 11:00 AM

20 years ago...I was...err (counts fingers)...almost 7 months old :D

Since then, I guess I've done a lot...learned to walk, use a "big potty," changed my favorite color from orange to purple to blue to now red....moved across the country, gotten two tattoos, gone through 3 boyfriends and am stuck on my 4th...oh, I'm sure there's more but it all escapes my poor, old, memory-disabled brain :p

In the next 20 years, I hope to visit Europe, become a teacher, get a third tattoo, build one house with my boyfriend and buy another for myself (to rent out), start running again, get published, and go to a real concert with a huge mosh pit for once in my life before it sounds too crazy! (Sorry, listening to My Chemical Romance....carry on...we'll carry on...)

I like to look to the future.

Virgil

12-05-2006, 11:07 AM

But you don't have to depend on your parents any longer? Your views are also respected more. :p

True.

Why not bury the hatchet by saying that all ages have their advantages/disadvantages. I agree that adults have more responsibilities but it does not mean that they can't enjoy their lives. They do enjoy their lives as well. And they enjoy the sense of authority/power which us, poor ones can't. :bawling:
Oh I wasn't really fighting with you Pensy, more just a little teasing. When I was your age I wanted to be older too. Given all that I know, now that I've been at both ends, I would prefer to be younger. Perhaps not as young as you. College age is great; lot's of great learning and your first real sense of freedom. But ideal probably was around 25 for me. I was out of school and working and so I had real money and I didn't have to study for tests but I was still learning casually and I was still living at home and not having great expenses nor large responsibilities. Plus I was young and single. :) Young and single with money and no responsibilities. Can't get better than that. :D

Madhuri

12-05-2006, 12:00 PM

Young and single with money and no responsibilities. Can't get better than that. :D

I agree....:nod:

kilted exile

12-05-2006, 12:37 PM

I turn 25 in under 2 months time. The way I see it that is 1/3 of my life down the drain. So far I was happiest at about 3: no-one bugged me, the bank didn't want any money, the only concern was whether I would get allowed ice-cream & jelly without finishing my brussel sprouts

Pensive

12-05-2006, 01:06 PM

True.

Oh I wasn't really fighting with you Pensy, more just a little teasing. When I was your age I wanted to be older too. Given all that I know, now that I've been at both ends, I would prefer to be younger. Perhaps not as young as you. College age is great; lot's of great learning and your first real sense of freedom. But ideal probably was around 25 for me. I was out of school and working and so I had real money and I didn't have to study for tests but I was still learning casually and I was still living at home and not having great expenses nor large responsibilities. Plus I was young and single. :) Young and single with money and no responsibilities. Can't get better than that. :D
I can't wait for my 20's. University must be a great experience. :) *counting days*

Madhuri

12-05-2006, 01:22 PM

It will be Pensy, and when you start working it will be better, financial independence is a very important thing. :nod: And, believe me getting first salary is a different experience all together. There are so many responsibilities when you'll grow older, but they will not be a burden, so long as you are financially sound, they will pinch only when one doesnt has enough to fulfill the obligation. Growing up is good. :thumbs_up

I do look back to my childhood days, and sometimes I do think they were good old days, but that is a past now, and I would like to keep those days in my memory only. I dont want to go back and be a child. :)

Virgil

12-05-2006, 01:50 PM

alhara

12-05-2006, 01:54 PM

It´s not 1/2 full its 1/2 empty (empty as 40(or more) fantastic thought filled years)

Nightshade

12-05-2006, 04:45 PM

finishing my brussel sprouts

Dont you like sprouts then?:eek2:
How shocking Ive always loved sprouts...:D:D

kilted exile

12-05-2006, 06:44 PM

Dont you like sprouts then?:eek2:
How shocking Ive always loved sprouts...:D:D

I have no real strong feelings towards brussels either way. I was 3 and if it didnt contain a lot of sugar I wasnt interested.

Shalot

12-05-2006, 10:32 PM

No matter how old I get, I will never eat brussel sprouts. Or aparagus. I've grown into brocoli, but never will I eat brussel sprouts or asparagus. I would rather die.

Pendragon

12-06-2006, 12:59 PM

I'm about to be 45, Kilt, and and unless I'm extremely lucky, then I have less than 1/2 of my life left. :bawling:Since I just turned 46, Virgil, maybe we can cry on each others shoulders! :bawling: But then my family is rather long lived, my aunt who shares my birthday is almost 90... http://www.invision.smileyville.net/smilies/cha (82).gif

Niamh

12-06-2006, 03:18 PM

No matter how old I get, I will never eat brussel sprouts. Or aparagus. I've grown into brocoli, but never will I eat brussel sprouts or asparagus. I would rather die.

I love green veg. I'd gladly eat a plate of brussel sprouts, asparagus, spinach, broccolli and cabbage. not to mention peas.

Virgil

12-06-2006, 03:47 PM

subterranean

12-06-2006, 08:32 PM

I'm doing a project at the moment and I'm working from 07.00 to 20.00 almost every day. It definetly makes me feel so old, even much much older than Virg and Pen :).

Madhuri

12-07-2006, 01:46 AM

Since I just turned 46, Virgil, maybe we can cry on each others shoulders! :bawling: But then my family is rather long lived, my aunt who shares my birthday is almost 90... http://www.invision.smileyville.net/smilies/cha (82).gif

Yes, Pen, let's cry together. :bawling: My grandfather lived to 86 and it's always been my goal to at least match that.

Hey why dont you start a thread -- Above 40 only.....

we'll stop by to sympathize....he he he...:p and get some gyan on getting old. :D

PS: You do know you guys are not that old....its all in the mind....

SleepyWitch

12-07-2006, 05:25 AM

I'm doing a project at the moment and I'm working from 07.00 to 20.00 almost every day. It definetly makes me feel so old, even much much older than Virg and Pen :).

wow, sub (arthur? ;)) that sounds like a lot of work. i hope you can relax at the weekends?

Virgil

12-07-2006, 07:53 AM

I'm doing a project at the moment and I'm working from 07.00 to 20.00 almost every day. It definetly makes me feel so old, even much much older than Virg and Pen :).
Gee, thanks. You really know how make a guy feel good. :p ;)

Hey why dont you start a thread -- Above 40 only.....

we'll stop by to sympathize....he he he...:p and get some gyan on getting old. :D

PS: You do know you guys are not that old....its all in the mind....
Gyan? I don't know what that is. As to starting an old man's thread, might not be a bad idea. I could find out where I can buy a cane cheep. Perhaps this fellow can set me straight:
http://www.ehrlesparty.com/images/Cesar/50032%20Old%20Man.jpg
Hey, I'm beginning to look a lot like him. This is me in a few years.

http://joemonahansnewmexico.blogspot.com/uploaded_images/old_man_with_cane-720867.gif

Madhuri

12-07-2006, 08:18 AM

Virgil

12-07-2006, 08:29 AM

Gyan, is Hindi for knowledge.

You make me laugh, Virg. I really dont think you or Pen are old. :nod: I have seen your picture and you look as good as any of the guys, very poised. I will say this for Pen too.....Dont cry.......:D

Thank you Maddie. That photo is three and half years old. My hair has turned half grey since then. :bawling: I'll have to update that soon. Luckily I'm not balding. Otherwise I would have looked like this:

http://www.greatwigs.co.uk/shop/media/wigs/2240005_Bald_Pate_Grey.jpg

subterranean

12-07-2006, 08:40 AM

Gee, thanks. You really know how make a guy feel good. :p ;)

....................

Shalot

12-14-2006, 11:14 PM

I love green veg. I'd gladly eat a plate of brussel sprouts, asparagus, spinach, broccolli and cabbage. not to mention peas.

There's nothing wrong with peas. They're good when you put them on top of your mashed potatoes and eat them together.

Pendragon

12-15-2006, 10:49 AM

There's nothing wrong with peas. They're good when you put them on top of your mashed potatoes and eat them together.I will give you a big Amen, Sister! on that one! Always eat mine that way! http://www.cosgan.de/images/midi/figuren/a085.gif