New Year Observations

Resolutions.  Well, no. just observations.  I find that I am closer to the lifetime National Park pass for $10.  just not there quite yet.  But I am finding that turning 61 is hitting me harder than 60.  For some reason, my mortality is deepening in my soul more than ever.  I may have 20 years max if I am lucky.  Enough time to see the rest of my grandchildren.

I don't anticipate retirement soon.  Observations of the friends that have retired.

They are aware of the non peak hours to shop at Costco.  This includes the best time to fill up the gas tank, and run in for the roasted chicken for dinner.  Lunch of hot dogs on Fridays.

They have wives that leave them daily to do lists with the expectation that they will be completed by the end of the day.  It seems unanimous that the list is never completed and the most difficult creative problem is how to explain why when the wife comes home.

The gravitational forces on men's zippers increases with age.  Don't ask why, but the times where I am aware of the potential embarrassing situation, are no longer embarrassing.  Just a part of life.

Grand parenting is a joy.   Let me repeat that.  Grand parenting is a joy.

I have a sister in-law that does not like my grey hair.  My solution is to avoid her as much as possible.  Grey is better than no hair

There is no consistent age to get senior discounts.  It can vary from the 50s to usually a minimum of 62.  It also depends on membership (AARP) or the non public posting of policy.  Of course the question is always, does my younger spouse qualify per my age?  Of course she has to be willing to admit she is that old........  Scratch that.

You can get away with a lot being old, feigning memory lapses, slow movement, getting young people to do things for you, especially hard physical exertion.

Most importantly, Thanking God each day you are alive to see another day, to see friends, family and re-runs of NCIS.

Facebook vs. Anti-Social Paranoia

I have always tended to lean towards the Anti-social side of life. I have seldom been comfortable in Social situations. Dinners, informal social gatherings, meetings, just about anything in excess of two people. I am highly dependent on my wife to guide me through those situations. One example is that I always have her in front of me during the visitation line after a funeral service. Her actions guide my behavior. I am uncomfortable with exposing my life. That is why this blog is infrequent and a oxymoron (Wada and blog). I am currently struggling with Facebook. I was tricked into Facebook by a cousin (thanks Grace). She sent out a notification of pictures posted on Facebook. Little did I know that in order to view them, I had to create a Facebook account. My curiosity won out. I freaked when I found out that when I post something new or update my profile, notifications go out to all of my "friends" Of course according to Facebook, it is all nine of them. I don't request friends, but if someone requests if of me, I accept. Who am I to deny someone the privilege of viewing my life of in- activity. I gave in to LinkedIn as part of my professional development and now I am slowly sliding down the slippery slope of Facebook. The other side of the coin is that my wife is not to thrilled with this blog. Some have commented to her on my writing, and she then requested editing rights. That is why I write this late at night while she sleeps. I have to be especially careful in the pictures I post. Her sense of humor tends to fade when it borders on public embarrassment. On the other hand, I am still struck by other folk's life story. I have a quote from Bill Clinton. “ I learned that everybody has a story but not everyone can tell it”. Facebook only gives you glimpses into their story. What is reason why they chose a certain dish to order and photograph? How did they meet the friends in the picture and what continues to tie them together? What is it about that specific point of time in their life that compelled them to post it for public view? When I view a Facebook page, I see a title page of the story of their life.