I turn 68 in March and I feel exactly the same way, mingled with some disbelief that I really am this number. There are the cliches ("you are only as old as you feel") but I get it now. As we have no models for healthy and youthful and spirited living at our age; our parents' generation was so buttoned up and largely not adventurous which would have been frowned on then - except in the music and arts world - it is a pleasure to see and live this new paradigm. Forever young!
I’m 69, my partner is a guitarist and vocalist who has played the NY, NJ, Philly clubs in the 80’s and 90’s, so we can relate. Enjoyed the story, thanks for sharing.
I love this essay. Luckily, I was a pro at diagramming sentences, so the nuns at St. Joseph Elementary School never gave me a hard time. But I sure was happy to graduate from 8th grade and then go to ninth grade in public school in Belmont, Mass., where I met my chosen people, the smart and progressive Jews!
I do find the notion of surprise at "still being here" resonant...surpassing a parent who died prematurely or our own limiting expectation. I had managed two cancer diagnoses by 46 and now past 60 age is a well-earned medal in which I delight.
"You can at least start with yourself, turn off the monkey mind, and realize you have the power to tune it out and get on with that which is positive and brings joy to you, your loved ones, and society."
That's what I aim to do, focus on the positive. help others and find the joy in life. All that other stuff happening is just noise.
Yes on everything said here, except I would like to comment on the ravioli with the ashes. Ashes are very gritty. Like the top of a piece of sandpaper. Might not make the ideal pasta, just my thought. I believe some cultures add them to beverages. Might be more palatable.
That's my dad! He's as cool as he sounds. :)
Sweet!
I love the description of running like the intro to Baywatch in slow-mo 😁
I love reading the varying answers to these questions so much. ❤️. What a cool guy.
Thanks, Nell. I think of the Oldster Questionnaire series sort of as "Humans of NY" but for aging.
I turn 68 in March and I feel exactly the same way, mingled with some disbelief that I really am this number. There are the cliches ("you are only as old as you feel") but I get it now. As we have no models for healthy and youthful and spirited living at our age; our parents' generation was so buttoned up and largely not adventurous which would have been frowned on then - except in the music and arts world - it is a pleasure to see and live this new paradigm. Forever young!
P.S. Forgot to mention that I am launching a startup business next month: Functional and beautiful, elegant chairs for Oldsters!
Interesting...
I’m 69, my partner is a guitarist and vocalist who has played the NY, NJ, Philly clubs in the 80’s and 90’s, so we can relate. Enjoyed the story, thanks for sharing.
I love this essay. Luckily, I was a pro at diagramming sentences, so the nuns at St. Joseph Elementary School never gave me a hard time. But I sure was happy to graduate from 8th grade and then go to ninth grade in public school in Belmont, Mass., where I met my chosen people, the smart and progressive Jews!
I do find the notion of surprise at "still being here" resonant...surpassing a parent who died prematurely or our own limiting expectation. I had managed two cancer diagnoses by 46 and now past 60 age is a well-earned medal in which I delight.
Great interview, I really liked this:
"You can at least start with yourself, turn off the monkey mind, and realize you have the power to tune it out and get on with that which is positive and brings joy to you, your loved ones, and society."
That's what I aim to do, focus on the positive. help others and find the joy in life. All that other stuff happening is just noise.
“In 2024, I played 78 gigs with multiple bands, way more than in my rocker youth, and published over 70 stories.”
Always love how the gentlemen share their metrics and measurements of life. Totally and completely absent from how I would think about my 2024.
No judgement - just amazement of a different evaluation system entirely.
I loved reading Sal's answers and finding out more about him - what a dynamo and a wonderful, generous writer.
<3
I know Paulie, but who the hell is Salman?
Pass the gravy!🍜
You might like my book “Men as Friends: From Cicero to Svevo to Cataldo”. It features your cousin-from-the-Bronx.
Yes on everything said here, except I would like to comment on the ravioli with the ashes. Ashes are very gritty. Like the top of a piece of sandpaper. Might not make the ideal pasta, just my thought. I believe some cultures add them to beverages. Might be more palatable.
Pasta bowls.
70 articles in a year! Holy moly! Whatever Sal's bottling, I'm buying... ;)
Yay Sal !!!