Reflecting on 47: An SMBC Comic

[sbrothy]

I recently "celebrated" my 47th birthday and this comic resonates weirdly with how I feel:SMBC: Getting Old.

Regards.

[EDIT: Maybe this should be moved to the"Collection of lame jokes thread....]

 

[hutchphd]

You ain't seen nothin yet........

 

[PeroK]

I recently "celebrated" my 47th birthday and this comic resonates weirdly with how I feel:

47 is getting middle aged.

 

[sbrothy]

47 is getting middle aged.

I'll admit as much. Taking my lifestyle into consideration though, I'm not at all sure I'll get to reap the many benefits of the gerontological experience. Is it any fun? (<-- rhetoric sarcasm).

 

[BillTre]

I'll admit as much. Taking my lifestyle into consideration though, I'm not at all sure I'll get to reap the many benefits of the gerontological experience. Is it any fun? (<-- rhetoric sarcasm).

You should make your own fun.

 

[sbrothy]

You should make your own fun.

It came out kinda harsh. Im not really in such a foul mood. :)

Live a heavy life, lave a fat corpse. :)

 

[pinball1970]

It came out kinda harsh. Im not really in such a foul mood. :)

Live a heavy life, lave a fat corpse. :)

Dr told me I need to reduce cholesterol, that made me feel old.
Best part was she gave me a leaflet on things to focus on to help lower it.
Thanked her and I stuck it straight in my rucksack without looking at it.
Got it out at home and on the front was a big cartoon drawing of a cheeseburger.
Caption, "Cholesterol and how to reduce it."
Or something like that.
Way to go NHS, good tips to reduce cholesterol whilst giving me a delicious cheeseburger brainworm.
EDIT: I had to check. BHF not NHS.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bri...&biw=534&bih=758&dpr=1.5#imgrc=6Z9cEakeLt0zTM

 

[hutchphd]

Thank you for not appending the cheeseburger picture......

 

[pinball1970]

Thank you for not appending the cheeseburger picture......

I tried but it just posted the link instead!

Not well thought out by the British Heart Foundation!

 

[sbrothy]

Dr told me I need to reduce cholesterol, that made me feel old.
Best part was she gave me a leaflet on things to focus on to help lower it.
Thanked her and I stuck it straight in my rucksack without looking at it.
Got it out at home and on the front was a big cartoon drawing of a cheeseburger.
Caption, "Cholesterol and how to reduce it."
Or something like that.
Way to go NHS, good tips to reduce cholesterol whilst giving me a delicious cheeseburger brainworm.
EDIT: I had to check. BHF not NHS.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bri...&biw=534&bih=758&dpr=1.5#imgrc=6Z9cEakeLt0zTM

On the other hand had they taken the cigarette pack approach noone would've dared open it. But perhaps then the picture would have been enough...?

 

[pinball1970]

On the other hand had they taken the cigarette pack approach noone would've dared open it. But perhaps then the picture would have been enough...?

I am not into marketing but I would not have used a double cheeseburger with mayo, lettuce and ketchup as motivation to avoid certain foods. Like a bacon double cheeseburger.
There are words in the cartoon that are in the actual burger representation.
I see those words as bacon or something similarly beautiful.

 

[gleem]

Is this thread really about "Mid-life Crisis"?

 

[sbrothy]

Is this thread really about "Mid-life Crisis"?

Guilty as charged. Pathtetic really. At last I'm not buying a muscle car (basically cause I'm broke). :)

 

[sbrothy]

Nah it's really about getting a few cheap laughs from a very serious subject we're all facing, Or ( considering the forum's members) probably already fazed [sic] Sorry ppl. :P

 

[hutchphd]

Thanks a lot. I had to look. Now I, too, have a cheesburger "Jones"

 

[mathwonk]

you are a lucky and wise man, in that you have begun to realize that some changes are in order to continue to live a relatively healthy life. the late forties are when i notice many people make some mistakes, namely not accepting that they are aging. I recall injuring myself about that age from trying to continue strenuous exercises that were more appropriate for people in their 20's. it is amazing how long you can remain fit by being prudent and yet appropriately active, if you are also somewhat lucky. with regard to diet, good healthy well made and well sourced food, is actually much more delicious than greasy kid stuff, although that may take a little adjustment period to realize. It also helps to be in close proximity with a good cook, or else you may want to become one. you might want to celebrate with a cooking class, or start a garden. fresh food is really good. at your young age, there is still time to do a lot, for which you are the envy of many of us. happy birthday!

 

[sbrothy]

you are a lucky and wise man, in that you have begun to realize that some changes are in order to continue to live a relatively healthy life. the late forties are when i notice many people make some mistakes, namely not accepting that they are aging. I recall injuring myself about that age from trying to continue strenuous exercises that were more appropriate for people in their 20's. it is amazing how long you can remain fit by being prudent and yet appropriately active, if you are also somewhat lucky. with regard to diet, good healthy well made and well sourced food, is actually much more delicious than greasy kid stuff, although that may take a little adjustment period to realize. It also helps to be in close proximity with a good cook, or else you may want to become one. you might want to celebrate with a cooking class, or start a garden. fresh food is really good. at your young age, there is still time to do a lot, for which you are the envy of many of us. happy birthday!

Thank you, and kudos for bringing my sarcasm back to groundlevel where it belongs.

[EDIT: Unless of course you're being sarcastic yourself. But let's not add paranoia to a somewhat innocent "crisis". :P

 

[PAllen]

you are a lucky and wise man, in that you have begun to realize that some changes are in order to continue to live a relatively healthy life. the late forties are when i notice many people make some mistakes, namely not accepting that they are aging. I recall injuring myself about that age from trying to continue strenuous exercises that were more appropriate for people in their 20's. it is amazing how long you can remain fit by being prudent and yet appropriately active, if you are also somewhat lucky. with regard to diet, good healthy well made and well sourced food, is actually much more delicious than greasy kid stuff, although that may take a little adjustment period to realize. It also helps to be in close proximity with a good cook, or else you may want to become one. you might want to celebrate with a cooking class, or start a garden. fresh food is really good. at your young age, there is still time to do a lot, for which you are the envy of many of us. happy birthday!

I broke my first bone ever playing ping pong in the style of pros (without commensurate skill) on a slippery floor. First time I realized I could not pretend to be 25 when over 70.

 

[hutchphd]

I knew I was old when I threw my back out (very uncommon for me) reaching for the TV remote control.
I agree about the exercise though. I recommend the bicycle (but don't fall off)

 

[berkeman]

I recommend the bicycle (but don't fall off)

Easier said than done, I'm afraid.

 

[hutchphd]

I am very circumspect but did do an ass-over-handlebar about a decade ago. Happilly I did a right-cheek landing so I bounced pretty good (it is one of my crumple zones). Helmut was good also. No particular damage!

 

[Mark44]

I recently "celebrated" my 47th birthday

Geez, I wish I could remember as far back as my 47th birthday...

Helmut was good also.

I hope Helmut wasn't injured too badly. Was he wearing a helmet?

 

[gmax137]

start a garden

I want to, but I haven't found anyone selling bacon seeds yet .

Actually, I do grow hot peppers every year, mmm.

 

[pinball1970]

I am very circumspect but did do an ass-over-handlebar about a decade ago. Happilly I did a right-cheek landing so I bounced pretty good (it is one of my crumple zones). Helmut was good also. No particular damage!

All my friends have fell off bikes, they tell me to get cycling then list their accidents.
One friend went over in the snow landed on his hip and fractured his femur!
I'll stick to power walking.

 

[BillTre]

I'll stick to power walking.

Not as exciting!

 

[George Jones]

I recently "celebrated" my 47th birthday and this comic resonates weirdly with how I feel:

The man in the cartoon is much older than 47 . Given that the boy is a teenager, the man has to be at least something like 14 + 25 + 25.

I had my first (and only) kid when I was 46. At 47, I could still; skate like the wind; more than hold my own when playing ball hockey in the street with neighbourhood teenagers. Not so much at 62.

You ain't seen nothin yet........

A song from nearly 50 years ago!

 

[sbrothy]

The man in the cartoon is much older than 47 . Given that the boy is a teenager, the man has to be at least something like 14 + 25 + 25.

I had my first (and only) kid when I was 46. At 47, I could still; skate like the wind; more than hold my own when playing ball hockey in the street with neighbourhood teenagers. Not so much at 62.A song from nearly 50 years ago!

To be honest I never said I *was* that old, only that I *felt* that old.

 

[gleem]

@sbrothy Here is something to contemplate and maybe look forward to even if you are just starting down the "the gray turnpike of middle age" as the following article references. The article discusses why some people feel younger in their heads than their chronological age.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/t...d=hpmsn&cvid=b1e5e1a69ef94d79a6544504b14c2c15

I can imagine that many if not most elders in this form feel younger in their heads for the reason that I do and that is their deep involvement in activities that focused their attention for so much that time flew past unnoticed and remain as focused as they were decades ago.

 

[sbrothy]

@sbrothy Here is something to contemplate and maybe look forward to even if you are just starting down the "the gray turnpike of middle age" as the following article references. The article discusses why some people feel younger in their heads than their chronological age.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/t...d=hpmsn&cvid=b1e5e1a69ef94d79a6544504b14c2c15

I can imagine that many if not most elders in this form feel younger in their heads for the reason that I do and that is their deep involvement in activities that focused their attention for so much that time flew past unnoticed and remain as focused as they were decades ago.

I haven't even read the article yet but you're hitting awfully close to home. :/

Its like stress and feelings of old age come from the things we wished for but didn't have - or made - time for.

 

[sbrothy]

I haven't even read the article yet but you're hitting awfully close to home. :/

Its like stress and feelings of old age come from the things we wished for but didn't have - or made - time for.

Now just to be clear I started this "midlife crisis" thread with a twinkle in my eye bordering on annoyed sarcasm. I really never expected (or indeed wanted) to be taken too seriously.

But perhaps it's healthy for me to face some unwelcome facts....

 

[hutchphd]

Now or later...but it is the best of all possible worlds. Voltaire told me so. How wonderful is that?

 

[gleem]

Or was it Pangloss?

 

[sbrothy]

Or was it Pangloss?

hutcphd meeting either seems equally (un)likely. :)

 

[sbrothy]

I am not into marketing but I would not have used a double cheeseburger with mayo, lettuce and ketchup as motivation to avoid certain foods. Like a bacon double cheeseburger.
There are words in the cartoon that are in the actual burger representation.
I see those words as bacon or something similarly beautiful.

Is that what they call "an aquired taste"?
With the cigs certainly anyway.

 

[pinball1970]

Easier if you see it. @sbrothy

 

[pinball1970]

Now just to be clear I started this "midlife crisis" thread with a twinkle in my eye bordering on annoyed sarcasm. I really never expected (or indeed wanted) to be taken too seriously.

But perhaps it's healthy for me to face some unwelcome facts....

Getting old is not that bad until you notice something, like dropping a coin on the floor then contemplating how you are going to get it. (I messed my knees up playing football - certain movements)

That is the rubbish part of getting old.

 

[berkeman]

Getting old is not that bad until you notice something, like dropping a coin on the floor then contemplating how you are going to get it. (I messed my knees up playing football - certain movements)

Reminds me of a middle-aged mom of small kids that told us recently that she noticed that her 3-year-old was grunting and groaning when she got up off the floor. The mom asked her what was wrong, and why she was groaning when she got up. Was she hurt? The kid replied, "No mom, I hear you make that sound so I thought we were supposed to make it."

 

[pinball1970]

Reminds me of a middle-aged mom of small kids that told us recently that she noticed that her 3-year-old was grunting and groaning when she got up off the floor. The mom asked here what was wrong, and why she was groaning when she got up. Was she hurt? The kid replied, "No mom, I hear you make that sound so I thought we were supposed to make it."

Bending, crouching down difficult. Yes

One last one I woke up looked at my phone, 6.15am ish got up to get ready for work.
Got to the bus stop and there was no one there. Strange. The stop services 5 different buses, always at least two or three waiting. Something not right, a bit dark too?
Looked at my phone. 5.50am NOT 6.50am! The 5 looked like a six when I was checking to get up.

A few days later I did exactly the same thing, this time it hit me when I was locking the door. A bird chirped, quite dark. No point going back in again, already up and ready. It looked like a damn six I swear it!
So age? Body clock shot? Or just an eye test required!
I check VERY carefully now.

 

[sbrothy]

[...] like dropping a coin on the floor then contemplating how you are going to get it. [...]

Picking up lost coins is probably a very human trait, but really: the slightly frugal (read: the obsessive compulsive miser), who drops a coin, ought to wonder whether the coin is worth the amount of calories burnt in the very process of picking it back up.

Or indeed the pain involved in the old bones. :)

 

[pinball1970]

Picking up lost coins is probably a very human trait, but really: the slightly frugal (read: the obsessive compulsive miser), who drops a coin, ought to wonder whether the coin is worth the amount of calories burnt in the very process of picking it back up.

Or indeed the pain involved in the old bones. :)

Bones are not too bad it's all that complicated stuff that joins them together that I have trouble with!
If it's silver and higher value than a 5p I make an effort.

 

[sbrothy]

Bones are not too bad it's all that complicated stuff that joins them together that I have trouble with!
If it's silver and higher value than a 5p I make an effort.

It's an almost idiomatic expression, no? "Them old bones and scattergun weddings"?

But yes, it's always "the stuff inbetween" isn't it? Like between my ears. ;)

 

[pinball1970]

Picking up lost coins is probably a very human trait, but really: the slightly frugal (read: the obsessive compulsive miser), who drops a coin, ought to wonder whether the coin is worth the amount of calories burnt in the very process of picking it back up.

Or indeed the pain involved in the old bones. :)

One thing I do like about getting older. Realising you are trying to emulate the person in the family you admired, respected and loved when it really matters.
I cannot emulate the female members, they were something else but I am trying with the men, all dead now.
Pep talk to my niece before she went to University was a big one. A privilege for me.
Taking my son to a science theme center in Wales was one of the best moments in my life.
Me and his mum split but ok and I was walking round this centre thinking it was naff to be honest he would have been 8.
There was a piano with kids banging on it. Sacrilege (a sign of age) anyway I sat down and played Lady Madonna because his mum had told me he was getting into the Beatles.
The bass, left hand makes it for me and the kids went nuts.
We moved on and he looked at me and asked.
"Can you do anything dad?"
It does not get any better than that. Not for me anyway.
Twenty years ago now. Wow.

 

[sbrothy]

One thing I do like about getting older. Realising you are trying to emulate the person in the family you admired, respected and loved when it really matters.
I cannot emulate the female members, they were something else but I am trying with the men, all dead now.
Pep talk to my niece before she went to University was a big one. A privilege for me.
Taking my son to a science theme center in Wales was one of the best moments in my life.
Me and his mum split but ok and I was walking round this centre thinking it was naff to be honest he would have been 8.
There was a piano with kids banging on it. Sacrilege (a sign of age) anyway I sat down and played Lady Madonna because his mum had told me he was getting into the Beatles.
The bass, left hand makes it for me and the kids went nuts.
We moved on and he looked at me and asked.
"Can you do anything dad?"
It does not get any better than that. Not for me anyway.
Twenty years ago now. Wow.

So cool. I envy you of that.

Well that took care of my selfpity. Someone should call (theoretical) Godwins Law now. I don't expect the thread to get any better.

 

[WWGD]

Wow, I thought this was about the upcoming election in the US.( Edit: Meaning Biden was No 46, and the upcoming president would be No 47.) No wonder comments seemed frankly bizarre.

 

[gmax137]

Getting old is not that bad until you notice something, like dropping a coin on the floor then contemplating how you are going to get it. (I messed my knees up playing football - certain movements)

That is the rubbish part of getting old.

How about when you bend over for the coin, and then think, "what else can I do down here now, before I get back up again?"

Sorry for the necro-quote, @pinball1970

 

[sbrothy]

So cool. I envy you of that.

Well that took care of my selfpity. Someone should call (theoretical) Godwins Law now. I don't expect the thread to get any better.

Wow! That took you some time to come around to :)

I mean of course you, @pinball1970.

 

[sbrothy]

Seriously, how come you're resurrecting this year old thread all of a sudden? Not that it bothers me. I'm just puzzled.

 

[gmax137]

Ask @WWGD

 

[WWGD]

I just kind of randomly ran into it.

 

[sbrothy]

I just kind of randomly ran into it.

At least it ignites a little hope of a second chance here. :P