Thursday, July 26, 2012

Turning Sixty

Before I tackle the monumental subject of aging—my aging in particular—I have a few announcements. First, you may have noticed that I surpassed the fifty followers I needed to award the prize of an autographed copy of one of my books. The winner is Christa Polkinhorn, who has chosen the award-winning Protecting the Cittern. Congratulations, Christa, your book is on its way.

I've been informed that some followers weren't showing up on my view of the blog, because they set themselves up as a "private" rather than a "public" follower. If you did that, check your settings and make the change, because you'll want to be included in my next giveaway. That's right, I'm doing it again. This time my goal is 100 followers, and when I reach that lofty number, I will ask three questions whose answers can be found in my blog posts. Don't worry, they'll be easy. The first person to answer all three questions correctly will receive his or her choice of book. All you have to do to add yourself as a follower is click on "Join This Site" by Google Friend Connect, or click on "Follow This Blog" by Networked Blogs. Both sections are on the right. Then follow the instructions.

Now, on to some serious business. Recently, July 24 to be exact, I reached a personal milestone—my 60th birthday. I don't know how that happened. I should have been paying more attention, but I turned my back for what seemed like only a few minutes and BOOM, there it was. Last I remembered I was graduating from college, got a job, got married, my daughter was born, then she got married and had two kids, and here I am. As quickly as it took to read that sentence, my life flashed before my eyes, thumbed its nose and said, "Hope you enjoyed it!"

I never gave much thought to aging as I reached each new round number. Thirty, forty, and fifty came and went without me batting an eye. For some reason this one is making me reflect a bit more than usual. I've been kidding my friends and family that I finally reached middle age, but obviously I know better. The odds of me reaching 120 are pretty remote, although I'll do my best to get there. But I'm fairly sure the truth is I'm closer to the end of the book than the beginning. I just hope the book is War and Peace and not The Old Man and The Sea!

I also have started wondering if I'm acting my age. This was never a concern of mine before, either. For example, I still listen to rock music, mostly the artists who were popular when I was younger. Some who are no longer recording, The Beatles are a good example, and some who continue to put out new music, like Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen. Over the years I've added jazz and classical music to my listening rotation, but the music I loved as I was growing up will always be my favorite. Some artists have adjusted to their aging fans, some might say they sold out, but I wouldn't be so harsh. Rod Stewart has been doing fine with his last few albums of standards, but I'd rather hear him sing "Bad 'n' Ruin" with The Faces, or anything he did as a vocalist for Jeff Beck. I also still play a little air guitar during the introduction of "Layla" when no one is looking. Pretend you didn't read that!

Some countries have customs to honor people when they turn sixty, mostly Eastern cultures who revere their elders. Traditional Chinese calendars were organized in 60-year cycles, so on a person's sixtieth birthday the calendar turns over and they customarily celebrate their second birth. They receive symbolic presents, like long noodles to symbolize a long life. I received a card with "Over the Hill" in large type, and a box of adult diapers.

In Korea, guests at a 60th birthday party sit at a banquet table in order of age. Starting with the youngest, the children bow to their elders and pour them wine. Guests take part in activities to remind them of their youth, playing games and dressing up in silly clothing*. At my party we all played kick-the-can wearing tie-dyed t-shirts and bell-bottomed jeans.

Fortunately, there are two activities I participate in that I can continue for years to come. First, I play golf. Admittedly, I play golf badly, but I can play golf badly until I drop. And, of course, I write. That's my main source of activity and social contact. I'm inspired by writer friends I've come to know who are in their eighties and nineties and continue to write well and market their books, and participate in workshops to help novices. They helped me when I got started and I hope I am following their example. I think I can honestly say that because of them I now write much better than I play golf.

So for now, I just hope to be able to continue what I'm doing and derive as much pleasure as I can from it for as long as possible. And who knows? In another sixty years, if you sneak up on me, you may catch me playing air guitar while listening to Jimi Hendrix.

* Cultural information courtesy of eHow.com



38 comments:

  1. Congratulations on turning 60 John. Many more birthdays to come for you I hope.

    Only a few less here so will be paying more attention to my outside influences now. How the years fly when we are so busy.

    Here is my blog.... not as well organised as yours yet but will get there.
    http://cloudsmum.blogspot.com.au/

    Regards Dawn Millen

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    1. Thanks, Dawn. I visited your blog, too. Very touching posts. And it looks pretty organized to me!

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  2. Hello John, I have often wondered about actong one's age and what this might mean in terms of personality and style - I have yet to find the answer.

    I like the idea of a second birth, which may in fact explain my tendency to dribble and totter about in recent times. If I were to combine this with the Korean tradition of being waited on by those younger then there is a conmfort in having one's chin wiped reverently.

    I enjoyed reading this article.

    Merlene

    http://merlenefawdry.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and following my blog, Merlene. I went to yours and followed it, too. Interesting style of poem you're working on. I don't write poetry, but I think those who do are extremely creative - especially working within the rhyme schemes of various types of poetry.

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  3. I don't pay much attention to birthdays. My father taught me that. Instead, he celebrated anniversaries of his thirty-ninth birthday. Forty-five of them, as I recall, before he went to that great billfish tournament in the sky (or wherever it is). Not a bad way to deal with a marker for the passage of time, I suppose.

    He was an engineer, my old man, and what he knew was that things are built, and things run, and things break. My brothers and I learned to fix stuff, most any stuff, actually. That was Dad's idea of preparing us for the world. You build, you operate, maintain, and repair. None of us could quite fix him at the end, of course, but it wasn't a sad thing. Not really. It was a celebration. But not a birthday party. An anniversary.

    When I turned sixty, Dad was still around. He kind of cocked an eyebrow at me. My mother said, in the background, "Happy Birthday." The old man shook his head and grinned. "Which anniversary is this?" he asked. I gave him the shrug I'd learned from him about thirty-nine years and seventeen or eighteen anniversaries earlier, when I was maybe four. Said in reply, "Damned if I can remember." "Me, too," he said. "How about a taste of that scotch I gave you for no reason at all." So we had a little taste, also for no reason at all.

    I like Hendrix. Dad had a tin ear. By the time he was thirty-nine plus twenty-one anniversaries (you know, John's age), Dad had taught me a lot. I'm a better golfer than he was. A better shot with most anything that shoots. I drink better whiskey. Drive better cars. And never knew a better man. He was the best he'd ever been--at sixty. And got better as he went along.

    Here's hoping you do the same, John. In fact, let's hope we all do. Happy twenty-first anniversary of your thirty-ninth birthday. And may you have many more.

    Vance Bradley

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    1. Hi, Vance. Glad you dropped by. Great story about your dad. Sounds like you both had a wonderful relationship. And I agree, I hope we all get better as we go along - it's something to strive for!

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  4. Congratulations on your birthday, John! Sixty is just a number, as long as you feel young inside, that is all that counts. Continue to write your books and your stories, and continue to listen to your favorite music and you will be just fine. I also admire the elderly in our Writing Group. There is so much , as kids, could learn from them about life and perseverance.

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    1. Thanks, Etya. You're right about sixty being a number, and I do feel young inside - I just hope you never catch me playing air guitar - you may never recover from it!

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  5. Happy Birthday! We missed you at Weavers tonight, a workshop on planning a book launch party. Lots of info was applicable to other events like signings. See you soon, we hope.

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    1. Thanks, Serena. I'm sorry I missed the Weavers but I've had so much going on lately I couldn't make it. From the FB posts I understand Ava did a great job. I should be at the next meeting.

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  6. Happy BD, kid.
    Gini

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    1. Thanks, Gini. It's nice to be called "kid"!! I usually get "old fart"!

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  7. I like your extended metaphor: "But I'm fairly sure the truth is I'm closer to the end of the book than the beginning. I just hope the book is War and Peace and not The Old Man and The Sea!"

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    1. Thanks! You're only showing up as "anonymous" so I don't know who you are, but I appreciate the comment.

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  8. John - Camillieres notoriously stay young (e.g. immature) for a looooong time! I will be turning 50 and I plan on acting young and foolish for the duration of my stay on the planet. We also look younger than we are. Blessed genetics! I think 60 is a great age. You are old enough to be "distinguished" and young enough to still get pop culture and be a cool grandpa! BTW - I have never known a golfer who admits to being good. Golf is an OCD sport!

    Enjoy this year and all that you have accomplished! If you ever want to talk about the family for your next book let me know. I always say our family puts the "fun" in dysfunction!

    Much love - Cousin deb

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    1. Thanks, Deb. Actually 60 really isn't bothering me. I still feel young inside, and I agree, our family does look younger than we are. I like your line about "fun in dysfunction"! I may have to borrow it some day. Maybe we should touch base for some more family stories - I know I have more books in me.

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  9. Hi John, I loved your "anniversary" message. I agree completely on how fast time flies. That's why I tell our three grown daughters to enjoy their kids and live in the moment because soon they'll wake up and it'll be 50 years later. I do have one question for you. How do you get your relatives to read your blog?

    http://www.donnajeanmcdunn.wordpress.com

    http://www.facebook.com/donnajeanmcdunn

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    1. Thanks, Donna. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Maybe I'm lucky because most of my relatives do read it. When I post something I let them, and all my friends, contacts on FB, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. know about it. This is only my seventh post since starting the blog, so maybe they just haven't grown tired of it yet. I hope they continue to read it, as I hope I continue to write something worth reading!

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  10. Happy belated Birthday, John-- and may you have many, many, many, and many more. Just forget that business about acting your age. No profit in it and no fun either. Just be able to say at the end of life's road, "I've had a helluva ride doing it MY WAY!"
    The best of the best to you,
    Linda

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    1. Thanks, Linda. I really don't care about acting my age. I don't think about it - I just do what I do. Fortunately, most people I know who are my age do the same things. None of us grew up!

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  11. Happy birthday, John! And thank you for inviting me to your blog.
    BTW, who doesn't love the Boss?

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    1. Thanks! Actually, I know a few people who don't like Springsteen, but that means I know not to trust their opinion on anything else! I'm at a loss, though. You're coming through as DRW, and I'm just not connecting the initials. Don't forget, I am 60 now!

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    2. Oh, that's true! Sorry, John, this is Valeria. See? It's not you getting old!

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    3. Thanks, Valeria! I feel better now!

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  12. I enjoyed your post about your sixtieth birthday. It's funny how certain birthdays affect us while others pass by without a whimper. My 50th bothered me more than any other. Maybe it's because someone said "Wow! Half a century!" Somehow that sounds really, really old.
    By the way, I found you through LinkedIn's "Book Marketing / Do You Have a Blog?" group.

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    1. Thanks for dropping by, Sandy. I hope you make it a regular destination. you may want to look at some of my earlier posts - there are only seven so far. I try to post something monthly so it's not too much work for me or too overwhelming for my readers. You're right about the "half century" remark. That puts it in another light. Sometimes I'll think back and say, 60 years before I was born, it was 1892! That makes me seem even older!

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  13. Happy Birthday, John. I know what a good writer you are, but look forward to finding out how you play golf! You might keep in mind the mantra I rely on for my golf game: "Lower your expectations and you will enjoy it more."

    Congratulations on your many achievements. That's more worth celebrating than a birthday.

    Lois

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    1. Hi, Lois. Great timing. Your comment came through as I was responding to the ones above. I didn't know, or didn't remember (I am 60 now and tend to forget things!) that you played golf. When you come back to Florida, I'll be happy to show you just how bad I am!

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  14. Hey John....a VERY belated Happy Happy !!! So if
    the big six-O came as a surprise you're just gonna
    love the next big zero !!!! Stay well and keep
    enjoying what you love to do..
    oxoxox Linda and Frank Patti

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    1. Thanks Linda & Frank! I'm guessing the next 10 years until the next big zero are going to fly by even faster! But, I'm loving what I'm doing now and couldn't be happier. All the best to you!

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  15. Happy Birthday, Uncle John!!! We love you lots and wish you many more happy years!

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    1. Thanks, Krissi! At least I assume you're Krissi, the comment came through from Anonymous! Otherwise, thanks, Mike!

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  16. Hey there, we are all "young" hippies at heart! It's easy to feel young & wonderful at any age, while living in this beautiful paradise! Enjoy, happy birthday!

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    1. Thanks, Chrystal! It was a great time, might as well continue to enjoy it!

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  17. Congratulations to reach that wonderful age and great article. I am closer to the next one, and enjoy life tremendiously after, well, that, you can read in my blogspot. Writing at my Talon series. Love it, just love it. I hope you will follow me as well, because i am following you now.
    All the best for the next 10 years.
    Gigi
    http://maticatalon.blogspot.com.au/

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    1. Hi, Gigi - so we meet again! In reality, I'm loving every minute of my post-retirement life and wouldn't change a thing. I'm enjoying writing and getting involved in various aspects of it. I've also gone to your blog and followed it. Glad to get to know you.

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  18. Nice dedication to the age, love how you worked in a little cultural background on reaching this milestone. Happy birthday. Keep writing!

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    1. Thanks, Celia. I'm glad you stopped by, and thanks for the follow.

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