Happy Birthday Current Dan (past Dan has not aged). I turned 76 this year and recently retired from 50 years of law practice. I can confirm that the aches increase and the number of prescription meds also increases. However, paradoxically time in some ways had slowed down and in other ways had speeded up (seemingly to Mach levels at times). There is room for much reading, room for sitting outside in the late afternoon watching the sky as well as room for worry. But life continues with a strong wife, three daughters and six grand kids. In one life time we live many different lives each one an adventure. As the dong says: “Who knows where the time goes.” My past self sits with me every day and we calm each other. Cheers.
Happy birthday fellow 1968 Leo. As I have been told, at this age, if nothing hurts when I wake up, I am probably dead. Here’s to the aches&pains of this wonderful existence!
Happy Birthday, Dan. Admittedly, I thought you were a couple years older--we're only a year apart. I've followed you at least since 2008, and appreciate your thinking. I learned of Gilpin and, believe it or not, FiveThirtyEight from you. I still have your old recommended book list from the aughts saved away somewhere.
Perhaps our similar age makes your piece so coincident with my own recent experience. Since I turned 50, I've become keenly aware of my... diminishing. I don't say this very acceptingly--I work out far more regularly, my diet is almost crazy-wholesome, and I now read 80-100 books a year. I'm fighting it, but I also can't ignore it. For some baseless reason, I had imagined this wasn't supposed to happen for another 10 years or so--guess the Boomers gaslighted me there too.
But there are obvious signs that I can't "bring it" like I could just a decade ago, especially cognitively. I too had COVID at the turn of the year, and I've felt ever-so-slightly mentally less since (and now research is showing that MANY cases of COVID, severe and mild, diminish brain volume. Great). Ive been assured don't have long COVID, but it is what it is. I can't keep up mentally with the younger philosopher and literary types I associate with now--it's humbling and disappointing.
I came to the same conclusion you did: that the greatest thing I can do for humanity, and maybe myself, is teach and MENTOR; emphasis on the latter.
So, I'm going back to teaching, ramping up my tutoring, but also getting re-involved in scouting and more hands-on mentorship of young people in general (hopefully, eventually, passing things like gardening, civics, and outdoor skills). I even support a Gen Z voter-activist group.
Happy birthday. When I turned 60, I began to think in terms of being in the last third of my life. This shuts the door on trying to linger at the "middle age" party when there are more important things to do. It has gradually moved me to thinking about what might be important fifty years from now. I'd like to travel to Tokyo, but if I don't make the trip, it won't matter. I'd also like to have dinner with my daughter once a month, and that's something where the memories just may outlast me, where my daughter might do the same if she has children. Tidy up and get ready to plant seeds that will outlast you.
Happy Birthday. Enjoy it for what it is. Someday you're going to wish you had 55-yo blood coursing thru those veins.
Best gift you can give yourself at this point in your life is faithful dedication to a regular physical regimen and give that the priority in your life and schudule that it deserves. It really does make a difference later on.
Happy Birthday Current Dan (past Dan has not aged). I turned 76 this year and recently retired from 50 years of law practice. I can confirm that the aches increase and the number of prescription meds also increases. However, paradoxically time in some ways had slowed down and in other ways had speeded up (seemingly to Mach levels at times). There is room for much reading, room for sitting outside in the late afternoon watching the sky as well as room for worry. But life continues with a strong wife, three daughters and six grand kids. In one life time we live many different lives each one an adventure. As the dong says: “Who knows where the time goes.” My past self sits with me every day and we calm each other. Cheers.
Happy Birthday, Professor!
Happy birthday fellow 1968 Leo. As I have been told, at this age, if nothing hurts when I wake up, I am probably dead. Here’s to the aches&pains of this wonderful existence!
Happy Birthday, Dan. Admittedly, I thought you were a couple years older--we're only a year apart. I've followed you at least since 2008, and appreciate your thinking. I learned of Gilpin and, believe it or not, FiveThirtyEight from you. I still have your old recommended book list from the aughts saved away somewhere.
Perhaps our similar age makes your piece so coincident with my own recent experience. Since I turned 50, I've become keenly aware of my... diminishing. I don't say this very acceptingly--I work out far more regularly, my diet is almost crazy-wholesome, and I now read 80-100 books a year. I'm fighting it, but I also can't ignore it. For some baseless reason, I had imagined this wasn't supposed to happen for another 10 years or so--guess the Boomers gaslighted me there too.
But there are obvious signs that I can't "bring it" like I could just a decade ago, especially cognitively. I too had COVID at the turn of the year, and I've felt ever-so-slightly mentally less since (and now research is showing that MANY cases of COVID, severe and mild, diminish brain volume. Great). Ive been assured don't have long COVID, but it is what it is. I can't keep up mentally with the younger philosopher and literary types I associate with now--it's humbling and disappointing.
I came to the same conclusion you did: that the greatest thing I can do for humanity, and maybe myself, is teach and MENTOR; emphasis on the latter.
So, I'm going back to teaching, ramping up my tutoring, but also getting re-involved in scouting and more hands-on mentorship of young people in general (hopefully, eventually, passing things like gardening, civics, and outdoor skills). I even support a Gen Z voter-activist group.
I think this is the way (sorry, Star Wars).
Definitely continue to push the idea of a reboot of The Golden Girls with those actors!
Love the gratitude for past Dan
Wait until you turn 80, mate, then you'll REALLY have stuff to complain about!
Really great read, for me at 67 retired for a few years. Congratulations to you!
Just think about this
You are only 20 years away from my birthday next month of 75. That’s entering the forth quarter.
Let that sink in.
Forth quarter.
Next is overtime
I’m drinking to overtime!
Happy birthday! Ooh yeah Ming-Na!!
For past Dan to be immature but to get the big decisions right is truly remarkable. Well done!
Happy Birthday, Dan. On turning 60, I coined (with apologies to T.S. Eliot):
I have grown old, I have grown old/I am starting to feel the cold/And to doctors and hospitals am giving much gold.
Happy birthday. When I turned 60, I began to think in terms of being in the last third of my life. This shuts the door on trying to linger at the "middle age" party when there are more important things to do. It has gradually moved me to thinking about what might be important fifty years from now. I'd like to travel to Tokyo, but if I don't make the trip, it won't matter. I'd also like to have dinner with my daughter once a month, and that's something where the memories just may outlast me, where my daughter might do the same if she has children. Tidy up and get ready to plant seeds that will outlast you.
Happy Birthday. Enjoy it for what it is. Someday you're going to wish you had 55-yo blood coursing thru those veins.
Best gift you can give yourself at this point in your life is faithful dedication to a regular physical regimen and give that the priority in your life and schudule that it deserves. It really does make a difference later on.
Happy Birthday!
54 last month.
Also thanking past me for choosing teaching as career change at 30! Keeps me young (even with painful knees!)
It's a great day to be here!