Just read this article, Dave. Question: did you ever talk to the dark haired beauty ever again? Like you, I turned 70 this year. Unlike you, I had to deal with cancer, but looks like I’ve beaten it. That said, it’s funny how death wakes you out of your slumber. The doctors have given me some extra time. Don’t know if I’ll use it wisely or not, but gotta try. Keep up the good writing. And maybe you can go back on YouTube again someday? I really miss hearing your voice, even if I don’t always agree with you
I very much enjoyed this writing, Dave. What you describe is alien to my experience in many ways. I never knew my grandparents. We left my dad when I was five. Our mom passed when I was 10. Our youngest sister passed at seven years of age when I was 15. All that loss made it hard to plan for a future that may never arrive. As a result, I’m still working in my mid-sixties and was fortunate to have found a capable, tolerant woman about 30 years ago, nine years my junior, willing to start a life with me. Our kids are out of college and starting their own journeys.
We all take much for granted, but I attempt gratitude regularly. And at times, remember to consider each day a gift. I also do my best to acknowledge the efforts of those, like you, who contribute to a community. Be it the performance during employment, a concert, an essay or assisting a friend with a project, there is beauty in such endeavors and recognition is a valuable fuel for expansion.
Hey Bub, you're as valuable as Ed with these writings. Thanks for continuing. And also, not that we want to hear this (I too hit 70 this year), we're both already in our 71st year! Yikes.
Retired and 66 years old, I still do a bit of handyman work to keep from being completely useless. Potassium will help ease or eliminate those nighttime leg cramps that follow a day of heavy labor. A couple of bananas will do wonders. Having one in the morning and one in mid-afternoon seems to work best for me.
Your writings are a fine balm in these turbulent times. Thank you.
I'm a bit younger than you and I am looking at the next milestone birthday and wondering if I will actually get there. See, my mother's heart just stopped beating one day when she was a few weeks shy of turning 53 and my Dad's brain succumbed to haematoma when he was just 63. I'm about midway between those ages now.
Congratulations to you on your 70th. I enjoyed reading your enthusiasm for getting even older. I think that if you can see something worth living for it makes it a little easier on the mind, if not the body.
I like the idea of a series of renewals, and I think it's true. Even when I was much younger, if I am honest with myself, there were days when I felt old and done, sad and tired. And then the wind blows through and lifts the sails, and life is a wild card with possibilities that you can't measure. I don't know how much being able to exercise adds to that; I suspect it is a substantial part of it actually. Being able literally to climb new mountains...explore new places on foot. I don't know if I will have the spiritual depth to do it all from a chair. But your ever renewing re-creation of yourself is definitely an inspiration, Dave.
I asked an AI yesterday that I noticed a year ago that AI was giving me spun data to meet political goals.... but had ceased doing that for some reason.
I know the reason....if it is trained to output dogma, but learns by searching whats going on in the entire world....that limitless data base contraviens the political baloney... and in order then to even fuction and be coherent the AI must drop the spin and baloney.
On that basis I have great hope for AI and mankind, for the short term at least.
Good work Dave...I had no idea that you had progressed so far! I had you figured for 45 like a 1911 automatic
I am 84 myself... its been an entirely different life, if I sang in a room people would scatter like daffy ducks running through walls to get out of there.....
I wasn't entirely bad on the racetrack though...all along the west coast dirt ovals....500cc class... and I saved the pics! I will pass with a huge grin on my face I need to use a walker, a cain and a crutch to get anywhere these days.
You will make a world class mentor Dave, and as that chain reacts and spreads exponentially through time will change the world.
Maybe leave something tangible behind...maybe a coffee table book of letters and photos and a CD with you and Ms Fong... print a few million of em.
I am still looking towards 60 and enjoy the transition from hard charging dad/doer to my new and next role as an “Elder Statesman” guiding the young people God has put in my life.
I believe we both have been given the life we have experienced to help our younger peers to navigate the challenges they face.
at 60 or 70 and in good health and with the AI medical advances.... projections are that many in that class will go to a hundred or a whole lot longer.....
for myself, however and at age 84, with a few entirely fatal issues... I will likely miss most of that boat... which I promise not to mind.
only one in a hundred of US males last to 85.....but if a man makes it that far a man gas a fair shot at 90... and a whole lot longer if he is still in good shape.
And for wormen stretch that by at least 6 years..... AI is quite likely going to triple that for many ladies,
I asked an AI yesterday that I noticed a year ago that AI was giving me spun data to meet political goals.... but had ceased doing that for some reason.
I know the reason....if it is trained to output dogma, but learns by searching whats going on in the entire world....that limitless data base contraviens the political baloney... and in order then even fuction and be coherent the AI must drop the spin and baloney.
On that basis I have great hope for AI and mankind, for the short term at least.
Last year, turning 70 really did a number on me psychologically. Just that first digit turning over on my age odometer really rocked my world—and not in a good way. It’s taken me a full year to reclaim my optimism. Now, as 71 is a mere month away, I’m totally fine with it. Other than a few chronic conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, I’m far better off than most of my friends who are battling serious illnesses and, sadly, a few have passed away. So I’ll shut up and stop complaining and be grateful for what I CAN do, relying upon my never-ending and always young passion for life. I wish you the same, Dave, and Happy 70th Birthday! Thanks for another well-written essay.
Just read this article, Dave. Question: did you ever talk to the dark haired beauty ever again? Like you, I turned 70 this year. Unlike you, I had to deal with cancer, but looks like I’ve beaten it. That said, it’s funny how death wakes you out of your slumber. The doctors have given me some extra time. Don’t know if I’ll use it wisely or not, but gotta try. Keep up the good writing. And maybe you can go back on YouTube again someday? I really miss hearing your voice, even if I don’t always agree with you
I very much enjoyed this writing, Dave. What you describe is alien to my experience in many ways. I never knew my grandparents. We left my dad when I was five. Our mom passed when I was 10. Our youngest sister passed at seven years of age when I was 15. All that loss made it hard to plan for a future that may never arrive. As a result, I’m still working in my mid-sixties and was fortunate to have found a capable, tolerant woman about 30 years ago, nine years my junior, willing to start a life with me. Our kids are out of college and starting their own journeys.
We all take much for granted, but I attempt gratitude regularly. And at times, remember to consider each day a gift. I also do my best to acknowledge the efforts of those, like you, who contribute to a community. Be it the performance during employment, a concert, an essay or assisting a friend with a project, there is beauty in such endeavors and recognition is a valuable fuel for expansion.
Thanks again, Dave!
Sorry to hear the romance didnt bloom. At least you had an enjoyable evening. Single serving liaison. Thanks for the stories.
At 62, it all rings true. Very well said, Sir.
Looking forward to my “4th Quarter”, and all that it brings.
Hoping and planning to be a difference maker.
Thanks for sharing!
Being not too many months away from 70 myself, I appreciate the wisdom in this post.
Hey Bub, you're as valuable as Ed with these writings. Thanks for continuing. And also, not that we want to hear this (I too hit 70 this year), we're both already in our 71st year! Yikes.
Retired and 66 years old, I still do a bit of handyman work to keep from being completely useless. Potassium will help ease or eliminate those nighttime leg cramps that follow a day of heavy labor. A couple of bananas will do wonders. Having one in the morning and one in mid-afternoon seems to work best for me.
Your writings are a fine balm in these turbulent times. Thank you.
That was a good read, Dave.
I'm a bit younger than you and I am looking at the next milestone birthday and wondering if I will actually get there. See, my mother's heart just stopped beating one day when she was a few weeks shy of turning 53 and my Dad's brain succumbed to haematoma when he was just 63. I'm about midway between those ages now.
Congratulations to you on your 70th. I enjoyed reading your enthusiasm for getting even older. I think that if you can see something worth living for it makes it a little easier on the mind, if not the body.
I like the idea of a series of renewals, and I think it's true. Even when I was much younger, if I am honest with myself, there were days when I felt old and done, sad and tired. And then the wind blows through and lifts the sails, and life is a wild card with possibilities that you can't measure. I don't know how much being able to exercise adds to that; I suspect it is a substantial part of it actually. Being able literally to climb new mountains...explore new places on foot. I don't know if I will have the spiritual depth to do it all from a chair. But your ever renewing re-creation of yourself is definitely an inspiration, Dave.
I asked an AI yesterday that I noticed a year ago that AI was giving me spun data to meet political goals.... but had ceased doing that for some reason.
I know the reason....if it is trained to output dogma, but learns by searching whats going on in the entire world....that limitless data base contraviens the political baloney... and in order then to even fuction and be coherent the AI must drop the spin and baloney.
On that basis I have great hope for AI and mankind, for the short term at least.
Good work Dave...I had no idea that you had progressed so far! I had you figured for 45 like a 1911 automatic
I am 84 myself... its been an entirely different life, if I sang in a room people would scatter like daffy ducks running through walls to get out of there.....
I wasn't entirely bad on the racetrack though...all along the west coast dirt ovals....500cc class... and I saved the pics! I will pass with a huge grin on my face I need to use a walker, a cain and a crutch to get anywhere these days.
You will make a world class mentor Dave, and as that chain reacts and spreads exponentially through time will change the world.
Maybe leave something tangible behind...maybe a coffee table book of letters and photos and a CD with you and Ms Fong... print a few million of em.
I always look forward to reading your stacks.
I am still looking towards 60 and enjoy the transition from hard charging dad/doer to my new and next role as an “Elder Statesman” guiding the young people God has put in my life.
I believe we both have been given the life we have experienced to help our younger peers to navigate the challenges they face.
Keep being the Dave you are!
at 60 or 70 and in good health and with the AI medical advances.... projections are that many in that class will go to a hundred or a whole lot longer.....
for myself, however and at age 84, with a few entirely fatal issues... I will likely miss most of that boat... which I promise not to mind.
only one in a hundred of US males last to 85.....but if a man makes it that far a man gas a fair shot at 90... and a whole lot longer if he is still in good shape.
And for wormen stretch that by at least 6 years..... AI is quite likely going to triple that for many ladies,
I asked an AI yesterday that I noticed a year ago that AI was giving me spun data to meet political goals.... but had ceased doing that for some reason.
I know the reason....if it is trained to output dogma, but learns by searching whats going on in the entire world....that limitless data base contraviens the political baloney... and in order then even fuction and be coherent the AI must drop the spin and baloney.
On that basis I have great hope for AI and mankind, for the short term at least.
Last year, turning 70 really did a number on me psychologically. Just that first digit turning over on my age odometer really rocked my world—and not in a good way. It’s taken me a full year to reclaim my optimism. Now, as 71 is a mere month away, I’m totally fine with it. Other than a few chronic conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, I’m far better off than most of my friends who are battling serious illnesses and, sadly, a few have passed away. So I’ll shut up and stop complaining and be grateful for what I CAN do, relying upon my never-ending and always young passion for life. I wish you the same, Dave, and Happy 70th Birthday! Thanks for another well-written essay.
Outstanding today. Thanks Dave! Greg
And some of us will be walking up that hill right there beside you…