I’m 58, soon to be 59. So the big six-o is just over a year away. I nearly died from a brain tumor ten years ago (I wasn’t supposed to live more than five years after surgery), so I’m on my second lifetime. Bought a Harley as a divorce present four years ago, collect firearms (they allow that in Arizona), drive my Audi as fast as I can, got my first tattoo three years ago to celebrate a new girlfriend (who’s still with me — SHOCK!!!). That, and I’m an audiophile.
I don’t know how much time I’ve got, but I plan to live it as well as I can. Basically, I’d say I’m a stand-up candidate for OLD GUY!!! Anybody wanna disagree?
sfmittels, It sounds to me like you are doing all the right things. Add this to your “to do “ list...... ride your bike to Sturgis in August for the motorcycle rally. It’s a trip you wont forget. I am going one last time this year with my youngest brother {he’s 59} , and never been. Ride safe, Roadhawg.
I’m only 47 but I play paintball. That puts me up against teens & early 20’s players all day long. I’m proud to be the “Old Guy” that schools them. They may be younger and faster but I have experience and the ability to buy beer!
Hey big dog! I think the irony here is that we are old guys who try to act and behave like we are young. I am about to turn 54 and finaly realize that other people consider me old (especially those who are under 30). But I continue to pursue activities that one generation ago, were only done by the young.
I had a good teacher......my father! At age 55 he started riding motorcycles, and was riding bycycles 20 miles at a time before that. Sadly he died of cancer at age 61 but prior to that he was in seemingly perfect health.
So the message here is have fun now!! For our days are numbered!! Could be gone tomarro or could be years from now.
I got my first T-shirt from my clients when I turned 40. I’m 42 now and the 20 somethings call me Sir and 70 somethings call me Sonny. Age is just a number, buddy.
You know you are an old guy when you hear yourself saying things like, “turn that music down, it’s too loud”, “I can’t understand the words to the song”, “I don’t get rap music”, and start giving directions using phrases that contain “Where they tore down the grocery store”, or “turn at the corner where the old gas station used to be”, or tell your kids “when I was your age, I walked to school uphill, bothways!”
As Willie says, there are a lot more old drunks than old doctors, so let’s all have another round!
A “ Old Guy” is anyone who may have a little mileage on their bodies but still feels 20 years old in their hearts and minds which brings me to a statement I remember making when I was living at Balboa as a kid. On the beach I would notice the “Old Guys” staring at the girls in bikini’s and say to myself, “Man what a bunch of dirty old men.” but today I am 53 years old and do the same thing while I’m at the beach. I guess being 53 years old but having the heart and mind of a 20 year old is a fun thing for me but my wife always gives me that disgusting look and reminds me that I’m just a “Old Guy” on the beach. So be it, I’m happy staying young if only in my heart and mind…
That’s the first thing that crossed my mind when I read the post that started this thread. I’ve known people who hadn’t turned 30 but acted like they were at death’s door, and people in their 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s who didn’t let a little thing like age prevent them from doing the things they wanted to do. Age is only a number; it’s your will and mindset that allows or inhibits you from personal accomplishments.
On the other hand, a while ago a buddy and I were exiting a bookstore after being assisted by a very nice young lady who appeared to be in her mid-20’s. My buddy suddenly turned to me and said, “You know, I used to think they were flirting with me until I realized they were just being nice to the ‘old guy’.”
Thanks for your Support of Old Guys Rule. Yes age is only a number. I too am 58 and very close to 59. I still keep up with most of the kids half my age. If you try to stay healthy and active who knows what our limitations are. Yes we approach things a little more methodically and careful but that’s because we paid our dues along the way. We don’t need that hard go down anymore to have a good time. Sure they still happen from time to time but for the most part we avoid them. And best of all we’re still doing what we love to do in our spare time.
So I say Stay Young at Heart. Don’t pass up that magic day!!
I just turned 60 yesterday (Sept 9th). Got my first OGR hat from my best buddy who is 58. I’ve added a tshirt and a sweatshirt. I look in the rearview mirror and I see people grinning as they read my OGR decal on the back window. I’ve known my buddy since we were about 10 years old. We figure with past marriages, more than a few kids and the fact that we enjoy life more now than ever .... it’s all about attitude. At 30, you can’t even begin to fathom what lies ahead. A word of warning .... brace yourself because before you know it, you’ll be 50. It’s one helluva ride, but a great one. I’m looking forward to the next 40!!
Never thought there was age involved, although that goes with it. Seems to me it’s what you know and what you can contribute to whatever your doing. I grew up listening to those who were could do “things”. Chop a tree down and drop it right where it had to go. Change the oil in their car. Paint a house. Know the name of things in a hardware store and how to use them. Stuff like that. Book learnin’ and life learnin’ from the old boys. I was always in awe of them and the things they knew. Gradually you seem to stop being so much the student and graduate to teacher. Sharing some of that learnin’ soaked in over time. Happens when someone can’t get something to work or doesn’t know who to talk to to get something done and you say “Try this” or “Check with so and so”. Then it happens more and more as time passes until you overhear someone say “Ask Joe. He’s been around here forever. Bet he knows” and you know you made the grade. Tee shirts and gray hair (if you have any) are only part of the equation.
At 51 years of age, I am now participating in sports that I wish I would have 30 years ago. The best thing I can say of what qualifies you as an Old Guy, is when you take control of your life and have the desire, drive and attitude that you did not have when younger.
Are you old enough to qualify as an Old Guy if the brand new state of the art submarine that you commissioned when you were 18 is now the oldest fast attack submarine in the fleet? Yeah, I think that qualifies me…
