At times I'm comfortable with my age.

[John Schmidt]

When I look around I see the mislead cross-gendering identification taking place and the fact some schools are introducing it to kids in the early grades. What is wrong with these people, kids in those early grades can't decide who they like the most from one week to the next. Why do they think they're educated enough to make a life changing decision. They're still vulnerable to suggestion(s), especially when done repeatedly.

Then you have the multi-killings around the country which seem to be on the uptick. What kind of mental instability causes a person to think killing a bunch of people will make their own life more tolerable. Some go as far as to take their own life...thank you for doing so except you've gained nothing and just lost everything for eternity.

I take a look at the current political scene and it's pathetic. We have a VP that's an embarrassment to her own party, to say nothing of the POTUS who often can't find his own butt with a roadmap and a seeing eye dog. That's national embarrassment spelled in caps. Then looking further down the power grid, I see some of the absolutely ridiculous bills introduced and the outlandish arguments in support of them. Some of these selfserving politicals need to have a nose job to increase the size of said appendage since so many don't think beyond the end of their nose.

These are but a few of the irritating topics these days. At age 85, some days I'm glad mainly because I'm nearing the time when I won't be exposed to stupidity such as this. Other days I hope I hang around for a lot longer cuz I can't wait to see how some of it all comes back to bite them in the butt. The governor of California comes to mind. 

[..]

Today's crazy makes crazy from 6 months ago seem near normal. 

[Chrisj CMA]

To quote Ed Alzate from Last Man Standing sometimes I feel  it’s close.

He says at times like these “It’s time to die”.

Ok don’t take me too seriously, it’s just a quote. Lol

[_Sheffjs_]

For me, I would to have liked to see the 50s, not saying it was perfect or everything but I did not get the chance.

[John Schmidt]

For me, I would to have liked to see the 50s, not saying it was perfect or everything but I did not get the chance.

Yes Jerry, times were different then. I lived it and have great memories of an easier and less hectic time. If something happened and we lost today's technology I wouldn't have a problem. We had one phone in the kitchen with a long cord. I drove a '48 Doge 4-door that was paid for and got good mileage. I could take $5 and get enough gas(under $.30/gal.) for the evening, pick up my date, take in a movie and have $$ left over for a stop at the local drive-in for a burger and coke...or whatever your taste. Most business closed at or shortly after 5:00pm, never open on Sunday. Life was easier then and America was strong. Today...not so sure.

[old2soon]

     John Everything you've stated I see happening all over our fair Country AMERICA. I can NOT seem to recall more folks Beyond WILLING to give away all the freedoms that have been fought for so hard by Young Men and Young women. And it sickens me to see this chit happening. 58000 plus of my Brothers and Sisters made the Ultimate Sacrifice in Viet Nam alone. I am in fear of Exactly WHERE all this givin away "stuff" is headed. russia cina or nk decide to attack individually or in concert we already KNOW ther is NOT enough ammo and not sure at all about AMERICA'S ability to fight a war on 1  2  or 3 fronts. I'm comfortable with my age too but I'd like the chance to at least equal your current age. RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

i for sure would not want to be in my 20's or 30's again, although in better shape then would be nice, but i sure would like to be 10 years OLDER so I could retire ASAP.  My wife is the same way but 10x's worse she has been working 12 hour days salaried so no overtime and deserves 20K more per year in pay.  It is not about the money, but totally about spreading the work out and hire others or make the big shots actually do some work for once making 2-3x's her salary.  I hear daily from her she wants to quit and now can tell is affecting her health/mental well being. 

Today's new working generation of kids in their 20's are pathetic after working with 2 of them now.  They think they deserve it all without putting in the time.  Both have said if they had to work either until 6 p.m. or a full 5 days in the office vs. at home 2 days per week, they would quit.  I say good riddens, do not let the door hit them in their _ss....

If retired,  some places in the USA can be dangerous going out and about.  Cannot even go to a mall without fear of being shot.  Or, if you talk to your neighbors as what happened in TX about stop shooting guns,  you will get shot yourself by him/her shooting the guns.    Staying home is safest but one cannot live in fear of going out and doing stuff fun either. 

[TJ]

For me, I would to have liked to see the 50s, not saying it was perfect or everything but I did not get the chance.

Yes Jerry, times were different then. I lived it and have great memories of an easier and less hectic time. If something happened and we lost today's technology I wouldn't have a problem. We had one phone in the kitchen with a long cord. I drove a '48 Doge 4-door that was paid for and got good mileage. I could take $5 and get enough gas(under $.30/gal.) for the evening, pick up my date, take in a movie and have $$ left over for a stop at the local drive-in for a burger and coke...or whatever your taste. Most business closed at or shortly after 5:00pm, never open on Sunday. Life was easier then and America was strong. Today...not so sure.

All you have said is so true....     Where will it end....

[Ramie]

My kids and grandkids don't understand me,  I hate talking on my cell phone, I hate going through the drive through, I hate listening to the news that for some reason now sides with politicians instead of investigating them.  I hate that todays generation seems to think that what ever the  government tells them must be true.  The one good thing about being and old fart is that I can say what ever I want and everyone marks it down to me be being an old fart.  A lot of good memories from the 50's that I'm afraid today's kids will never have.

[carolinarider09]

I look back on it all, and yes, at my age, I am comfortable.  Not as agile as I once was, don't think I would trade my life (in my teens) for a teenager today.  

There have been several other stories, but I worked at a gas station in Myrtle Beach for three summers while I was trying to attend Clemson University (had to leave in my Junior year, grades).

I met young ladies there, we dated, my friend also dated them when I was working. Why you might ask?  Because I trusted him implicitly and I knew they (the ladies) were safe with him.  

You can't make this stuff up.  After our Saturday night dates (different young women, ladies) we would go back to his house and watch the late night shows. I will look up the names but there was a lady and a gentleman, maybe The Great Swangallie, and maybe Vampira.

Don't know if we drank beer or not but... it was not a big thing to drink.

In 1967 I dropped out of school and worked for the local paper company helping to clear trees.  In December I joined the navy and went to boot camp in Great Lakes.  Then onto ET "A" school in Great Lakes.  

I needed some extra money (I had to pay for the gas for my 1959 MGA and "dates") so, I started to work at a local laundry.   You should have seen the 'whites" we washed and starched they would just sort of lay over the hanger not flat sort of a loop.

I needed some more extra cash, again, so I went to the Great Lakes Credit Union, gave them $25 to start an account, signed up for deductions from my navy pay, and got $25 for a date (it was all a single loan of $50, $25, to join and $25 for me).  Took her to a movie in Chicago, 2001 A Space Odyssey.  Small but very nice theatre.  I am still a member of that Credit Union. 

Met my wife at a Diary Queen in Kenosha, WI. Friend of mine was with me, another story entirely.  

I could go on an about the things I experienced, never really scared, but some many "learning" things (in hindsight).  And no, I would not change a thing.    Just thinking about a singular experience, in a bar in Rotterdam and the people we (my friend and I from the Carrier) met.  



The bartender was from Australia (I was invited back to his house one evening for dinner and drinks. We watched "westerns" on TV).



Seeing the Little Mermaid in Person (don't know if I knew what is was depicting when I saw it.)



And getting engaged on the same day that Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon.   Think of that, you and I have seen men walk on the moon.  The last man walked on the moon in 1972.  And we have not been back since.   Why???? 

The saying, "been there done that" comes to mind for a lot of us who grew up on the late 50's and 60's. 

My children grew up on the late 70's and 80's, still a different time, and much different that today, it would seem.   They are doing all right.  Still think I missed some opportunities for them.   

My apologies for the long post.   But, yes, I am comfortable with my age, where I have been, were I am and where I might end up.