Really Getting Older

[+ FreshFluff]

Someone did that to me one time and while he was doing it I decided to put my seat back. Launched him right into his seat with a nice bounce.

 

If you're in a coach window seat, it's almost impossible to step over a reclined aisle seat without holding the seat back for balance.

[+ glennnn]

Without my eccentricities, I would have very little personality at all!!! I enjoy being well known locally, but must remind myself that there is a thin line between being famous and being infamous. Ha!

[klifhangar]

Ha, that is a great post. However, at 50, I find myself being a bit more tolerant, rather than crankier. I have been through enough hell in my life to know that the small shiz isn't worth worrying about. I see people's quirks and faults as endearing more and more too.

 

But I do hate how much harder it is to lose the few extra lbs you pick up during the holidays, to stay out later at night and party etc. Some things definitely DO change.

[rogerG]

You left out, jerks who use your seat back as handles to lower themselves into their airliner seats.

If you select a seat in the last row in any section of the plane, you won't encounter the "jerks."

 

Many people struggle with balance issues. It isn't necessarily an age thing. I pity the poor airline passengers who aren't in aisle seats, about 70% of the plane. Given the design of Coach Class seating, if you're not in an aisle seat, it's impossible to simply stand up and walk past another passenger. If the seats in front of you are in recline position, which they often are, even during dinner, you are stuck, like a sardine in a closed can. There is no way to stand up easily or get out from your seat.

 

I'm not sure who designs these planes, but clearly, cramming as many people onto them is the key to making more money. It seems to me, if you're going to call someone a jerk, the finger should point to the correct source.

[Phil_musc]

So I guess today is the big day, right?

 

Happy Birthday, Actor. I think we may have been separated at birth.

[+ honcho]

Many happy returns of the day, Actor. We'll all still love you

[robberbaron4u]

The buggy only becomes more ragged and worn as it approaches the final destination of the road trip of life. Enjoy the ride whilst you can. . .

[+ Oliver]

Happy Birthday. actor! Even though you are a mere child.

[+ Truereview]

http://www.zingerbug.com/Comments/glitter_graphics/feliz_cumpleanos_glitter_birthday_cake.gif Y muchos mas, @actor61

[+ WilliamM]

Happy but increasingly cranky. I'm fighting like hell not to become an angry old man like my father was but sometimes, the bile rises and I get very grumpy. When someone with his nose in his cell phone bumps into me on the sidewalk, I want to throw him into traffic. When someone texts during a movie (as happened yesterday), I want to choke him with popcorn. When someone jumps a spot in line, interrupts me when I'm talking to a salesperson or cashier, talks during a performance, takes up an entire seat on the subway with her purse, shopping bag and coat, I want to tell them what inconsiderate human beings they are.

 

I have a very quick temper, which I have mostly learned to control.

 

But. my 16-year old cat, Clinton, died about 6 ago. Wonderful cat.

 

A week ago I saw a kitten in a pet store window. Too quickly, I knew that kitten was perfect for me. I talked to the owner and she referred me to the shelter. When I called the shelter, I was told immediately I was too old (I'm 72) for a kitten. She was right.

 

But, I was angry at the pet shop for calling and warning her. It strongly implied I would lie about my age to the shelter. Minor issue, but I lost my temper for the first time in months. So a defeat.

 

But, there is hope actor 61, especially since you are so aware of your few issues.

[+ Eric Hassan]

Tomorrow is my 64th birthday. I feel 34 but the reality is I'm 64, so I'm dealing with it. I'm very active physically and mentally, in excellent health, loved by a generous family who I love in return, and have a spiritual life that gives me comfort so I'm not complaining. I haven't been in a relationship for nearly 30 years and probably have myself to blame for that as I became very gun shy when a relationship I cherished ended. But I have good friends, I date, and sometimes even get laid so I'm reasonably happy.

 

Happy but increasingly cranky. I'm fighting like hell not to become an angry old man like my father was but sometimes, the bile rises and I get very grumpy. When someone with his nose in his cell phone bumps into me on the sidewalk, I want to throw him into traffic. When someone texts during a movie (as happened yesterday), I want to choke him with popcorn. When someone jumps a spot in line, interrupts me when I'm talking to a salesperson or cashier, talks during a performance, takes up an entire seat on the subway with her purse, shopping bag and coat, I want to tell them what inconsiderate human beings they are.

 

I can't stand Donald Trump, Bruno Tognoli or commercials. Charlie Rose never lets anybody answer a question. Why is Phantom of the Opera still running? Is there ANYthing Jennifer Aniston won't shill for? Or Oprah? Her Weight Watchers ad used to make me howl with laughter: "I love bread! I love, love, LOVE bread!"

 

I love babies. I love my nieces. I love that they send me cards and call me and actually ask for my advice and opinions. I adore my sister. We just traveled together for 4 weeks and it's the best vacation I've ever had. I don't think a cross word has ever passed between us. I love being retired. I love cooking for people.

 

I just wish I didn't have this tendency towards crankiness. Or wrinkles. Or that I didn't always fall asleep in front of the t.v.

 

You can be right or you can be happy.

 

Stick with the kids and the sister. And I'm headed over for dinner. I like meat.

[+ glennnn]

Bon Anniversaire und froeliche geburstag, my young friend!!!! I can't recall how to say it in Italian.

[bigvalboy]

When I called the shelter, I was told immediately I was too old. (I'm 72) for a kitten. She was right.

 

To me that sounds outrageous. My baby is quickly aging, and I know in a few years she will be gone. I may not adopt a puppy, (I'm aging also) but I will adopt an older dog, one that many have passed over, or forgotten about. Too many out there need homes. If you are so inclined William, perhaps an older cat would do nicely for you.

[+ WilliamM]

To me that sounds outrageous. My baby is quickly aging, and I know in a few years she will be gone. I may not adopt a puppy, (I'm aging also) but I will adopt an older dog, one that many have passed over, or forgotten about. Too many out there need homes. If you are so inclined William, perhaps an older cat would do nicely for you.

 

Absolutely agree. I was upset with the way it was handled, not the basic issue. The pet store has recently changed owners. My guess is the new ownership regrets continuing the practice of having cats for adoptions because the store is really there for a huge variety of pet supplies.

[instudiocity]

I'm not sure who designs these planes, but clearly, cramming as many people onto them is the key to making more money. It seems to me, if you're going to call someone a jerk, the finger should point to the correct source.

Interestingly, it is the traveling public that requires the airlines to load the seats in these configurations... If they could get an extra $100 per fare, they could spread the seats on a 22" pitch instead of the 17" pitch... It's a matter of revenue - They need $7,500/hour for 737's to cover operating costs and return a paltry profit. If we would all buy seats at $100 more than the current fares, they would gladly increase the pitch.

 

My brother, an airline executive, says he can make a call and have the plan to reconfigure seats in about 15 minutes - but getting sales and marketing to raise the price per seat is THE big issue.

[rogerG]

If we would all buy seats at $100 more than the current fares

Even though I can't afford it, I actually pay that $100 extra. The service is called Economy Plus. It doesn't matter. If I'm in a window seat, I can't stand up straight without hitting my head on the overhead bin because I'm tall. If the seat in front of me is reclined, which it always seems to be, I have to contort my aging body in a slumped position while trying to balance myself on one foot. And through it all, I have a feeling you'd still call me a jerk, because I simply cannot leave my seat without using the seats around me to balance my body and protect me from falling. I have arthritis in several parts of my body, and sitting for long periods of time is a killer for me.

 

I try to be a considerate person, and I warn the people around me when I'm about to leave my seat, including those in front of me (I always have to ask someone to straighten the seat). I'm very careful when applying pressure to someone's headrest, because without it, I couldn't make it to the aisle without falling.

[+ glennnn]

Interestingly, it is the traveling public that requires the airlines to load the seats in these configurations... If they could get an extra $100 per fare, they could spread the seats on a 22" pitch instead of the 17" pitch... It's a matter of revenue - They need $7,500/hour for 737's to cover operating costs and return a paltry profit. If we would all buy seats at $100 more than the current fares, they would gladly increase the pitch.

 

My brother, an airline executive, says he can make a call and have the plan to reconfigure seats in about 15 minutes - but getting sales and marketing to raise the price per seat is THE big issue.

 

On my last transatlantic flight (LAX to CDG) I paid extra for Air France's "economy plus" seat. Vive la diffence! So much more comfortable with more room in all directions at a price much lower than business class. I'm never going back to the sardine can seats!

[jjkrkwood]

The trick to Aging is to always stay FAGULOUS.....

 

http://images.huffingtonpost.com/2014-02-14-IMG_1234.JPG

[mike carey]

On my last transatlantic flight (LAX to CDG) I paid extra for Air France's "economy plus" seat. Vive la diffence! So much more comfortable with more room in all directions at a price much lower than business class. I'm never going back to the sardine can seats!

When I flew back from LAX to Melbourne at the end of January I used points to upgrade from economy to premium economy (on QF) and it was absolutely worth it, about the same as business class was 20 years ago. Depending on when you book the fare premium can vary, if the difference wasn't huge I'd pay up front, if the difference was great I'd probably pay for flexible economy and take my chances on a points upgrade.

[instudiocity]

Even though I can't afford it, I actually pay that $100 extra. The service is called Economy Plus. It doesn't matter. If I'm in a window seat, I can't stand up straight without hitting my head on the overhead bin because I'm tall. If the seat in front of me is reclined, which it always seems to be, I have to contort my aging body in a slumped position while trying to balance myself on one foot. And through it all, I have a feeling you'd still call me a jerk, because I simply cannot leave my seat without using the seats around me to balance my body and protect me from falling. I have arthritis in several parts of my body, and sitting for long periods of time is a killer for me.

 

I try to be a considerate person, and I warn the people around me when I'm about to leave my seat, including those in front of me (I always have to ask someone to straighten the seat). I'm very careful when applying pressure to someone's headrest, because without it, I couldn't make it to the aisle without falling.

So you're the exception that proves the rule. Inconsiderate people who don't care how they effect others lives are jerks.