Thread: When is it that time in life....?

Originally Posted by ENT

Retirement or early redundancy can have a negative psychological effect on folks

the ones that have a problem are those that have just worked and have no other interests

then their days have nothing in them, except eating and drinking

Some extremely good points made on this thread.
In my father’s day, a lot of men retired at 65 having had what is now regarded as an unhealthy life style: diet, smoking & drink. By 70 they were dead.
The post war mob (myself included) has been taught to look after ourselves better, both physically & mentally.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Well, JP with gas >$5.00 a gallon in CA I'm surprised those boys are not complaining about that instead of health issues.

That did get touched on but all these guys are Silicon Valley Execs. None of them sweat money.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Must be a cultural thing.

Culture???? Come on Boon, there is no culture here. Too young to have a culture other then a place where you can make alot of money yet live like a pauper...

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Damn expensive there & I'm not sure the weather makes up for that...

I might argue the weather point of view. But the rest is simply ridiculous..

Originally Posted by bobo746

F--k that they don't have lives thats the problem.

Honestly that is pretty much it IMO. Work in office, cubicle life. walls no windows. Like a science experiment. endless meetings. Most of these guys are under stress from the constant push to succeed and make more. Their lives are crammed into weekends. Few do little outside work. Their weekends are tied up with Billy and Becky swimming, soccer, Water polo and the parents sit around and brag about how great their kids are. Sadly the kids are all ungrateful

Originally Posted by MANICHAEAN

Some extremely good points made on this thread.

Yes, I agree.

I was laughing as just the other day as my Dad at 76 and I were out pitching the clubs golf cart sideways after we had a few cocktails. We were laughing until it hurt. I expect to be no less of a kid at 76 then my Dad. Of course my Dad and I are gear heads and have been. we will trash anything on wheels...... My GF did not know what to think other then she called us Dek Noi's

I'm neither a pill slave or a wage slave, but I'm only 52. Some bits are starting to get a bit creaky, but I put that down to over use. The 'happiness quotient' of the west has being going south for quite some time in my observation, and the GFC has certainly exacerbated that. It seems such concepts as the pursuit of happiness, the property ladder etc etc fell flat in real life.

The artificial happiness biz is huge in our society, be it the multi-billion trade in 'happy pills', both legal and illegal, or Tony Robbins & the rest of those motivational wankers charging thru' the nose to turn unhappy folk into supposedly dynamic, happy, healthy, empowered individuals. Neither of them work.

Originally Posted by JPPR2

It was awkward as their lives appeared miserable and slaves to their doctors and medicines.

The American way, you know that. Never sick, no drugs, plenty of activity, interests and happy with life. Can't understand folks who give up so young, but then it makes the world a better place as they depart sooner and make more space for those of us who enjoy it here.

Fuk'em JP, move on.

that's young mate

not sure, if we get that much older...

but for some there is the chance to stay healthy and fit for longer...
with pills?

sure, as with everything, every good thing spins out of control at some point...

They really sound like a dynamic laugh-a-minute bunch of mates there, JPP..

Probably best to upgrade them before they pull you down into their morass of doom, inertia, and poor health as well.

I remember in a couple of jobs, sitting at my desk thinking "wtf am I doing here, I could be xx or xxx or yyyy instead"

I suppose the money they gave me helped

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

I need one of these signs round me neck that just says do not feed

that is Jan's job, to keep you fit and healthy

Originally Posted by Norton

Old is someone 15 years older than I am.

And you never quite get there do you

Originally Posted by DrAndy

I remember in a couple of jobs, sitting at my desk thinking "wtf am I doing here, I could be xx or xxx or yyyy instead"

I suppose the money they gave me helped

I have to say that even as I sit and type this there are so many other places I'd rather be. TRUST ME!. I'd personally like to be riding my bike from Cha Am to Hua Hin and back along as much beach side road as I can find. I really miss that. I had a nice 35 mile ride path that I did virtually every morning. I keep that in front of me all the time. Fortunately this is temporary deal here and my GF reminds me of that frequently. We have a short mission(3 years) then bounce back. The only thing nice is the pay. At least we are not bleeding off money but rather saving it in large chunks. She wants to go to work to bank all her check. I totally support that. She is very baht conscience.

Again I cannot live in Thailand full time, Few months here and then balance there. There is just not enough to do to keep me busy. I like my sporting/hunting/fishing stuff and Thailand just lacks it. Maybe when I am mid 60's I will pull the plug on the travel back and forth but who knows, that is 13 years from now. But for now, I have rivers to fish for Salmon, Mountains to Hunt for Turkey and Pig and lakes to fish for bass and occasionally wakeboard. Its about to start to snow and soon I can get back on a snow board up in Tahoe

Originally Posted by kmart

Probably best to upgrade them before they pull you down into their morass of doom, inertia, and poor health as well.

Well that was the last get together with that crew. It was good to see my old friends but that is exactly what they have become physically and mentally. OLD!!! I have been mentoring 2 Mfg Engineers here. Both mid 30's. Lots of fun and I have been off doing stuff with them which is refreshing. My GF adjusted well to their wives. So all good. They are constantly asking me what it is like to live abroad...Fun telling them the pros and cons.

I agree you clearly become who you associate with. If you want to be an old decrepit guy hang with them. However if you want to have fun, live life etc hang with a circle of friends doing that instead.

Been an interesting transition moving back here and seeing it for what it is.

Another good and thoughtful post JPPR2.

Yes, hang around with people who have little motivation other than sitting around comparing bad luck stories and worrying will only bring you down as fast as any begrudger.
They don't have much hope or optimism, so will always bring you down.

Don't let anyone rain on your parade mate, you've got dreams to live yet, things to do.

About 20 years ago I used to go on a fast walk on a coastal path in Cornwall to the next village, better than driving or catching a bus, and I was the fastest walker on that track at that time. One day I spotted a guy walking fast ahead of me, so I put on a spurt until I managed to catch up with him and chat as we walked. He was 82, a cheerful chappy, and was heading to the next village past my destination, a daily trip for him. Just goes to show you.

Originally Posted by JPPR2

I agree you clearly become who you associate with. If you want to be an old decrepit guy hang with them. However if you want to have fun, live life etc hang with a circle of friends doing that instead.

Indeed. I shall tell Peterpan to sling his hook the next time I see him.

On a similar note, I have noticed myself getting very creaky over the last couple of years. When I was in Bangkok I walked a lot, every day, but now I work from home. With the support of a couple of friends, I've had to kick myself in the arse and seriously change my lifestyle. It's a long road, but the benefits are being felt after only a couple of months. It's surprising how quick your body turns to shit once you hit 40 if you don;t look after it.

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

It's surprising how quick your body turns to shit once you hit 40 if you don;t look after it.

Absolutely. I have been an extremely active guy my entire life. I have been very conscientious about staying that way as I know it is easy to fall into a sedentary life style. I am by no means a health freak but I do not believe anyone has to be. Its all about balance, moderation and a forward thinking mind. However I definitely shaved a few years off my life expectancy with the hardcore partying I did through college and shortly after. AMA Motorcycle racing plus a few street wrecks with all the broken bones will show up eventually. For now though I continue to get a "Boring" report from the docs when I have gone in for check ups and am 100% med free.

Btw this post was not to bag on the USA or western culture but moreover how disturbing it was to catch up with friends who have really gone to hell in a hand basket. I called up one of them last night to chat about it, Robert said, "Shit dude we are all getting this way" I just laughed.

But you know here it is soooooo easy to get lazy, fat and out of shape. People just think they will take 1 pill and all the fat burns away... Very few jobs are activity based and almost everything done in this country is made super easy and convenient. Garbage men never get out of their trucks, Drive up fast food restaurants and Starbucks everywhere, Valet parking, everybody drives everywhere, electric carts for stores, home food delivery, everybody has gardeners and pool boys. People seldom even wash their own car. It is only getting worse as time goes on here.

I think you can either live your life

Or like some just count down the days .

Personally I just can't wait until its time to wake @4 in the morning 7 days a week , there is just never enough hours in the day for me

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

I think you can either live your life

Or like some just count down the days .

Personally I just can't wait until its time to wake @4 in the morning 7 days a week , there is just never enough hours in the day for me

prezacterly!

i have met some people in their late thirties who i consider to be old.

...and have some friends in their seventies who i consider to be young,



...all just a state of mind, i think.
you get old when you sell your motorcycle and take up golf or bowls or shit like that instead
..or allow your wife to talk you into joining the book club or social club or go to bingo evenings and such.

I reckon you're old when you;
a) can't get out of bed in one smooth move of, rise up, legs over the edge of the bed and stand.

b) you feel the tendons from hip to thigh hurt when you get off the couch.

c) you can't bend to tie your boots without a pain in your back.

d) if you can't look over your shoulder any more.

e) take a heap of pills, the first to fix a problem, the next to fix that pill, the next to fix that one and so on and moan about it all.

f) just give up, no interest in things.

i have an old friend who has unbelievably bad arthritis.
his hands and feet are grotesquely swollen and he walks with difficulty and battles to open a beer,
his wife nags him consistently and even his dog growls at him:

..but he is so full of life and doesn't let any of the shit get him down.
he is a laugh a bloody minute and an inspiration to all.

attitude is everything!

^ Good on him to mate ,, I hope he has many more years keeping a smile on his face

You are as old as the woman you feel!
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don't know where this puts B/F en al !