Does Age Quash Our Spirit of Adventure?

[Capt Jack]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

I had just brought myself to the point to where I was comfortable being in my 30's.

heh. well if its any help, 39 was where I started my freakout. once I crossed 40, I was cool with it. now that Im rapidly closing the gap between where I am and 50 I think I'll handle that a lot better than I ever did "approaching 40".

hmmm....with that, I think Im due for a new 'midlife crisis' (as if I'll make it to 100 )...anyone have ideas for the next one?

[lizziebith]

Ahhhh, finally got to listen to the program. I took notes! [/nerd] I found the connection the neurobiologist made between success in ones (one's?) field and risk-taking to be a most interesting factor. I've hopped about between potential careers over and over...and now that I've finally got financial security I'm more interested than ever in play. The key element is that I don't have any emotion whatsoever invested in my current career. It's fun, I like my colleagues, and the pay is great -- and I don't care if I ever move "up." I didn't train for this job -- in fact I never would have imagined I'd end up as a glorified secretary after grad school and a lifetime of kinda hoping to end up as an artist. But the "being able to walk away" aspect appeals enormously, and bleeds over into a general feeling of freedom. I think that because I've never really "grown up" -- read: taken a permanent job that I truly care about -- I'm able to stay young (childish?) in other areas. The fun part about being older is that I have money now to spend on books, music, travel, new experiences. Maybe the lack of risk is found in the fact that I do things I can afford, whereas younger folks do those same things whether they can afford to or not.

As to the benchmarks?
1) Music -- still seek out new stuff ALL the time. Makes the kid pretty proud.
2) Sushi -- tried in my twenties, but due to my seafood aversion is still out. Isn't an age thing for me.
3) Piercings -- tongue, no. Nose -- did in 84. Still wear it sometimes. Friends have the tongue labret and make clicking noises when they talk...cute, but I can't do it. Navel...well I'd like to!

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

At my last concert at the Trubidor, I was the creepy old guy.

That's exactly how I feel when I go to Rocky Horror! Not that I let that stop me.

[innerSpaceman]

The fudz phenomena. More and more of my (ex) friends have succombed to it over the years. The not having get-up-and-go, or let's go play, or yeah, sound's like fun.

Hahaha, the first wave came when I was barely out of my twenties!!! My friend Jim, who I didn't hang out with much before then, became very close because many of our mutual or respective friends faded fast as their 20's faded.

Since then, all but the truly young-at-heart have fudzed out. Some in their 30's, some later. I am truly fortunate, at 46, to know so many people who are truly young-at-heart ... otherwise I'd have no one to play with (well, except for all the truly young people I tend to get along well with).

To me, this is the gist of it. Some softening of energy-levels notwithstanding, I still have just as much get-up-and-go as I always did. And falling prey to the "normal" benchmarks of music, tattoos and cuisine don't change that fact.


Sactown hit something squarely on the head. I haven't had a steady stream of new music introduced to me since my teenager lived at home. Similarly, I haven't gotten into anything active like rollerblading or snorkeling since I broke up with my last girlfriend. It seems that I don't self-motivatingly seek out unknown music or fun quasi-sporting ... but I'm all for it once I'm in range.

I just need to find some way to keep getting in range.




.

[€uroMeinke]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I just need to find some way to keep getting in range.

I think that's where I was going with, with my mention about Anamie and Manga - there's just so much, that I require a guide to help me find the cool stuff - and truely appreciate the media - so that I don't just throw up my arms and call it all crap.

Fortunately these boards are full of people with a broad range of interests who continue to guide me to things that are truely new and cool.

Thank you all

[MouseWife]

That is definitely true. My kids introduce me to quite a lot. Of course, I pick and choose.

They did introduce me to Nirvana, Sublime, Green Day, Cake...but now I have taken that and found my own niche.

I think that a lot of people my age find music {the kind I listen to} and going to concerts as 'too much'. Most people my age watch 'American Idol' and love Kelly Clarkson....{well maybe not now since she's 'changed' }

I think the connection between age and making these choices is that most people over a certain age have minds that are pretty set and unwilling to accept change.

I was discussing this with my daughter today and how some people have open minds throughout their lives but eventually their minds are open...to people who think like them! LOL This is a person in their fifties now who was totally a groundbreaker/open minded type.

Oh wait, we were also discussing how when I grew up, we were open to evolution and creation. It wasn't a big freakin' deal. But today, it seems the kids are being raised one way or the other. We are raising our kids to believe in both, religion being one they have the option of but I still give my opinions and expect them to respect me.

I think music & fashion are adventurous. Do you know how hard it is to be a bold dresser? Or to listen to music when people criticize you for it? To not sit down with the women and talk about cooking and your men but instead jump up and shake your booty to 'Baby's Got Back' or shake your fists at 'BYOB' while everyone else is afraid to say anything against the president?

When you get to a certain age, in my opinion, it's like they want to put you in polyester and loafers and shuffle you away. We aren't supposed to have fun. Really. It is insulting when people seemed surprised that we go on hikes or whatever.

Getting old happens~peoples' attitudes can suck, though. Oh, like at Disneyland when I turned 40. I got my sticker and my Hubby told them my age and the CM chuckled and wasn't going to write it down but I said 'Go for it.'

I'll stop there....I can rant all night....

[LSPoorEeyorick]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

I haven't gotten into anything active like rollerblading or snorkeling since I broke up with my last girlfriend.

Pairing up with someone else (be it roommate, for me in the case of Audra, or spousal-type, in the case of Tom) has always proved to inspire me to do more. Solo I'm capable of venturing out now and then, or seeing movies... but having a partner in crime inspires one to expand their active horizon. Both Tom and I love travel, and museums, and art, and exploring the city. But when we are together we're far more likely to venture out and actually do those things when we're there to encourage each other and revv each other up for adventure. Plus, there's the blending of interests... heaven knows I'd never take up tennis without him, and he'd never have come to DL without me.

And I'll agree with Chris-- having a group like this, where the spearheading and planning is spread out among people-- makes ALL of the difference in the world. Have I told you lately that LA is a good city if you're on LoT? I told my friend who just moved here, at least.

[innerSpaceman]

Originally Posted by LSPoorEeyorick

having a partner in crime inspires one to expand their active horizon.

Le Sigh - zapppop and I stopped sneaking backstage at Disneyland even long before he became a CM. It was our uniquely incommon brand of mischievous adventure (you might even say it was how we were introduced).


I wonder what adventure my next lover and I will share???

[Disneyphile]

I must be weird, because I'm just the opposite. Every day that passes builds my desire to roam the world in search of exciting new stuff.

[innerSpaceman]

Freak.