I love Advergirl’s blog. This is one of the most useful bits of advice I’ve seen in ages – take a look at what you could have done differently before you blame others. It’s easy to forget….
Even more votes since it’s nice to able to get a female point of view in an overly macho industry, oh, and she’s a suit.
So what’s good about being older then? Here’s 10 thoughts that may be useful.
1. You’ve had the chance to learn from a lot of mistakes – this means you’ll make less from now on and appreciate what they can teach you when they still occur from time to time.
2. You’ve gone through the impatient ‘I want to experience everything’ phase. You know what you want now, but you appreciate what you have more.
3. As you get older, you become more inclined to play it safe. This means you have to work harder at being childish – this is fun.
4. If you’re single, it’s far nicer to meet someone than it was. Now the waistline, bone density, hairline and other stuff aren’t what they were, you appreciate being wanted. Since you’ve had practice at relationships, you’re more likely to make this one work (or there’s no help for you!).
5. Women improve with age. They become calmer, less idealistic. Instead of believing there is one person who may give purpose to their lives, they become far more independent. His happiness isn’t totally your responsibilty, nor is his yours. Much better for all concerned.
6. Men get better with age. They’re less bothered about impressing their mates and more bothered about pleasing themselves. Much better for all concerned (see above).
7. Your circle of friends has been edited down. You’re left with relationships that have stood the test of time, and will probably stay that way. If you’re married, you’re more likely to stay married.
8. You’ve had time to collect experiences. This makes you more interesting, which makes meeting people easier. Since you’re in less of a rush these days, you also take time to listen more – this is probably even more helpful.
9. The people that like you will probably stick with you, since they’ve had long enough to get sick of your annoying habits. You’re also more patient with rash, impatient youths, since you now understand you were this bad once too.
10. You’ve always loved your parents and elders (hopefully). Now that you’re going through more of what they did you learn to respect them more. It also means you’ve got more in common, so they become friends as well as Mum and Dad. Trust me, one of the nicest things is sharing a beer with Dad and having plenty to talk about.
11(bonus) You’re more comfortable with what you like. If you like U2 your not embarrased to play it any more. You buy clothes because they suit you, not because the style police say so. You’re not as confused by the ever growing choices we’re faced with these days either.
12 (bonus) Retro trends mean you can recycle some your favourite old stuff AND appear cool.
13. (bonus) You have more money to do the things you like, and not waste time on things you don’t.
14. People stay younger for longer, espescially mentally. This gives you the scope to enjoy far more stuff than people your age did twenty years ago.
In a tight spot yesterday
Speaking of getting old my big sister turns forty today.
Big sisters are good things.
They have kids before you, which means you get all the fun of being an uncle without the responsibilty of a being a Dad.
They’re another Mum to turn to when you’re sulking with the real one.
They’re around when your parents are starting out instead of you, so you don’t have to make do like they did.
They make friends with your wife, and although you pretend to hate having loads of women fussing over you, it’s nice really.
When you get older they turn into friends.
They make really, really nice chocolate cake (or at least mine does).
Will the future be selfish? According to the Henley Centre the answer is yes. Three out of there four scenarios for 2025 are based on people following their own self interests. It doesn’t make sense in the face of Live 8 or the Tsunami fund; or does it?
I’m not sure this report is that new, since anyone who works for a charity will tell you that that there’s only a small pocket of community minded people, while most give money away to salve a social conscience. If you’ve done a little bit (as long as it was convenient) it makes you feel better about looking after number 1. Time is most people’s most valuable commodity these days, which is why charities find it hard to find volunteers.
Thanks to Scott for the heads up.
This skeptical envirnomentalist has an interesting twist on global warming. He argues that we’re better off promoting free trade or tackling Aids before thinking about climate change.
Four Nobel winning economists asked, "How can you spend $50bn to achieve the most good possible?", the answer was a ‘to-do’ list with climate change at the bottom. For example, spending $27bn in Aids prevention would save more than 28 million lives in six years.
They’re not saying don’t do anything, just not right now. If you agree is one thing, it’s an argument based on the good of humanity alone, which is maybe a tad arrogant and short sighted, but I like the way he’s not afraid to say the unsayable, I like the way he makes me examine what I think I know.
There’s been some trouble at Knowsley Safari Park near Liverpool, where the baboons have been ripping out St George’s flags from the cars of football mad visitors.
Vandals or aesthetes?
The thing about stereotypes is that they’re usually right. Yorkshire Trading Standards have found that measures of beer and spirits usually fall short, proving Northern England’s legendary reputation for meanness.
The shining exception was Leeds, where the problem is over pouring. This isn’t why I live there, honest.
