Ready or not, I'm turning 50 this afternoon! I've tried not to dwell on this earthshaking event, but circumstances haven't made it easy. Indeed, it seems as if the world has been conspiring to remind me about the consequences of aging as my mega-birthday approached!
First came the inevitable, dreaded letter, inviting me to join AARP. My spouse urged me to tear it up and forget all about it, but not only did I sign up, I added her name to the membership list as well.
Perhaps I'll see a benefit someday, maybe in terms of a group insurance purchase--for me, life always comes down to insurance...an occupational habit! But for now it's just depressing to see their magazine arrive every month to inform me how to age gracefully.
Then a week before my birthday, I received a rude awakening that entering another decade has financial implications. My private disability carrier (again, insurance!) hiked my premium rate 23% in recognition of my turning 50. Have I really become that much more of a risk at 50 than I was yesterday at 49??? I guess I have those cold, cruel actuarial tables to thank. Nothing personal, right? Just another rite of passage!
If that wasn't disturbing enough, when I returned from RIMS, my mailbox contained a letter from a firm selling about the only real estate that hasn't dropped in value lately--a cemetary pitching prime plots out on Long Island. Besides inviting me to "visit and inspect" their available locations, they offered me "an informative and complimentary book" with a rather rude title, "Let's Face It Now." It promises to teach me all I need to know about long-term care coverage, as well as health and life insurance (I can't escape this business!), along with wills, Social Security benefits "and much more." Cheerful stuff to ponder, indeed.
I'm surprised they did not offer me a free copy of "Death For Dummies." (No, they haven't really written THAT book yet--I doublechecked on Amazon.com. But give it time.)
The kicker, however, came when I recently went to see the Rolling Stones concert film, "Shine A Light." I handed the kid at the ticket window a 20-dollar bill, expecting eight bucks back in change. Instead, when I got inside the theater, I saw she had given me $12!
I checked the ticket, and, good lord, she had sold me a Senior Citizens discount admission!!!
Since I don't think I really look THAT far along in years, I can only imagine that someone born in the 1990s no doubt assumed anyone going to see a Rolling Stones concert movie must be REALLY, REALLY OLD! Talk about a reality check!
I thought about going back to correct her mistake, but then decided to pick up a "free" popcorn instead with the money I'd saved, rationalizing it was the theater's birthday gift to yours truly after years of loyal patronage, not to mention compensation for all those ads and trailers I've had to sit through.
The truth is, turning 50 is really no big deal. I still feel like a kid, especially when I'm watching baseball--even though most of the players are now young enough to be my sons. Even most of the managers are younger than me these days! Thank God for "old men" like Joe Torre and Lou Pinella to grant me the illusion of perpetual youth!
The ultimate shocker, however, may be yet to come. What if Barack Obama somehow manages to get elected President? That would make me older than the Leader of the Free World for the first time in my life.
Of course, if John McCain or even Hillary Clinton is elected, I can remain a spring chicken by comparison, but it's not worth the cheap thrill. Vanity does not come before politics in my book.
How do you folks feel about all this? Is 50 really "the new 40"? Or is that just another gimmick to lighten the mood of those who will have to work until their 70s to get Social Security?
Wish me luck!
Comments (25)
Happy birthday, my friend, and 50 years more...!!
Posted by Pavel Archila | May 7, 2008 9:20 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 09:20
Oh, Sam, wait until you are 64 and have to hear that terrible Beatles song all day long. You'll be ready to dig John Lennon up and kill him all over again. Happy 50th.
Posted by Ida Swearingen | May 7, 2008 9:39 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 09:39
Happy Birthday, Sam.
When you turn 70 you will remember just how young 50 really is (and 70 ain't bad either, at least from the start of work at 6 AM until mid-afternoon)
Posted by Bob Hunter | May 7, 2008 9:43 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 09:43
Happy Birthday, Sam. You wear it well.
I must admit that being a four-year veteran of AARP myself, and having entered the middle years of my sixth decade of life, I find I have a much broader perspective on things.
And although I am entering that period when I will be reaching ages my parents never did, I find my nine-year-old son keeps me anchored in the fun in life.
You talked about the ticket seller's perception of a Rolling Stones' fan as being VERY old. Well, as you know, my son distinguishes between 20th Century Rock & Roll versus 21st Century, the latter is all he listens to. [Smile]
Posted by Rick Gilman | May 7, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 11:15
Hey, Sam, you are the youngest 50-year-old I've ever met! And that 'Blonde' hair of yours will never go gray.
Yes, I joined AARP--their marketing tie with The Hartford is a fantastic perq and I saved a bundle on homeowners and auto. Their customer service is top-notch. I think they know service is key with us 'oldsters.. So growing old does have its compensations.
When you celebrate your 50th anniversary with National Underwriter, then we will think of you as 'older.' But now you are no more than middle-aged like the rest of us.
All the best!
Posted by Andy Goodenough | May 7, 2008 11:34 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 11:34
Happy 50th, Sam!
I just turned 60 and I know I don't look it (well, I don't feel it). However, I used to have people say, you don't look old enough to have a 30-year-old child, etc.
Now no one even bats an eyelash when I refer to my age or my children's ages. I keep expecting someone to say you don't look that old--but no one does anymore!
It is very depressing!! But I feel young and my hubby and I still scuba dive, so life's not over yet! Hang in there!
Posted by Carolyn McNamara | May 7, 2008 11:51 AM
Posted on May 7, 2008 11:51
One of the things you realize as you age is that age doesn't mean a thing--it's all about health.
So drink a martini for your birthday and, whether you're religious or not, pray for good health.
Posted by Phil Lieberman | May 7, 2008 1:03 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 13:03
Happy Birthday, Sam!!!
Having hit 55 this year and being a cancer survivor with a double bypass makes me look at each additional year as a bonus.
Age is but a milestone, not a condition. Enjoy life and remember they say life begins at 50--or maybe we're just smart enough to appreciate it at that age.
Posted by Marc Dubois | May 7, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 13:09
Happy Birthday, Sam!
Look on the bright side. You qualify for all types of discounts--that is, as long as you're willing to declare your age and ask for them!!
Cheaper haircuts, meals, discounts at Shop-Rite and more!
Posted by Nancy Garafano | May 7, 2008 1:28 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 13:28
Happy Birthday, Sam!
Cin d'anno.
Don't begrudge 50, it beats the he77 out of the alternative!
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Forgive my ignorance, but as Jim explains, "Cin D'Anno is Italian for 'One Hundred Years,' and is a toast frequently given on a birthday or significant event.
Posted by James P. Reilly | May 7, 2008 2:02 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:02
Just wait til you turn 65! I did, last year, and it is a real reality check.
Re AARP--their homeowners and auto programs can't be beat. The rest of it I haven't taken. Oh, and when I signed up, I signed up in my wife's name, then added mine!
Posted by Bill Lockhart | May 7, 2008 2:08 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:08
Happiest 50th Birthday!
Or... Happy 1st Anniversary of your 49th Birthday!
My secret to eternal youth? Laugh a lot. Botox a little. And lie about my age!
:)
Posted by Lynn | May 7, 2008 2:19 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:19
My wife's uncle Louis called her from Florida a few months ago to ask how to set up e-mail and how to "Google" on the computer he just bought. It's his first computer, but he had to have one since his girlfriend passed away and he wants to meet new people. (He'd heard that the Internet was a fast way to do this.)
Uncle Louis is now a fan of YouTube, Facebook, and other social networks, and has met several dance partners and bowling partners. His criteria is that his girlfriends must be younger than 65, over 5 feet 2 inches tall, have blond hair, and a drivers license.
This is truly amazing when you consider that Uncle Louis is 94. He survived the Battle of the Bulge, and has outlived three wives.
When I asked him how he stays so young, his answer was that he never looks back, only forward to new challenges.
Simple enough! At 50, he had barely passed the halfway mark. So SAM, keep looking forward to new challenges and congratulations on passing your halfway mark!
Posted by Edward Kalbaugh | May 7, 2008 2:24 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:24
Happy Birthday, Sam!
However, now that I know your age, you do seem rather young for your "august" position! Gee, should I be relying on your wisdom when you're only a couple years older than me (47)?!?!
But, what I REALLY want to know is:
So how was the Stones movie??? Back in the "salad days" of my insurance career, the company I was with insured the 1981 tour. (Notable in that it was the first tour to be commercially sponsored--by Jovan, if anyone remembers them!)
May you have many, many more! (Confound the Actuaries!!)
SAM RESPONDS:
I loved the Stones movie. It wasn't like all the concert recordings you see on HBO or DVDs....Scorsese put you right up on stage with them! it was awesome!
Posted by Gail | May 7, 2008 2:35 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:35
Happy Birthday, Sam.
It sounds like you are weathering the rite of passage fairly well. They say you’re as old as you feel, but the other part of that equation is that people react to you based on how old they think you are.
AARP’s constant mailings don’t help, but the worst is having people in their mid-30s call you sir and acting deferential. When they stop calling you “Dude!”, you know you’ve passed the point of no return.
It was reassuring to read Bob Hunter’s comment that turning 70 is not such a big deal, either. Bob is an inspiration that one can be considered the enfant terrible of the insurance industry at any age.
But if you really want to stop the aging process dead in its tracks, just run for President. Candidates for President remain ageless until the moment rigor mortis sets in.
Just consider Ralph Nader or Harold Stassen. (And if you remember who Harold Stassen was without doing a Google search, you ARE old).
Posted by Ted Besesparis | May 7, 2008 2:55 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:55
None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
Henry David Thoreau
Sam, by that standard, you have nothing to worry about.
Happy Birthday!
Posted by Paul Equale | May 7, 2008 2:55 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 14:55
Happy Birthday, Sam!
I turned 59 a few days after catching the same Rolling Stones concert film. I figure if Mick Jagger can strut down the ramp and shake his booty at women one-sixth his age and get away with it, then being 59 isn't so bad.
The AARP people never did find me. Good luck I guess.
Like you, I don't feel that old. It's because you're in media. I have been in media all of my life and find that the media has this way of keeping you current at all times. It's a perpetual state of now.
Enjoy the day.
Posted by Gary Wolcott | May 7, 2008 3:09 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 15:09
"Resistance is futile"!
Whoever originally said 50 is the new 40 was probably over 60 at the time......As for the senior citizen discount at the movies, you're lucky. I'm older than you and I don't have that courtesy yet!!!
Bon Anniversaire!!
Posted by Wayne Salen | May 7, 2008 4:06 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 16:06
One urban legend about President Bill Clinton concerns when he turned 50 in August of 1996.
The press asked him if he had any words of wisdom about hitting the big Five-Oh. He replied that he was still in his forties. When he saw the puzzled look of the reporters, he replied that he celebrated his forty-ninth birthday in 1995. Both Hillary and he were looking forward to his forty-tenth birthday dinner that month.
Sam, have a Happy Forty-Tenth Birthday !!!
Posted by Tom Icatar | May 7, 2008 5:40 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 17:40
Happy Birthday, Sam!
Amazing to think that you were 11 when Seaver and company beat the Orioles--and that you predate your beloved Mets by five years!
Come to think of it, that does make you something of a fossil.
But if you are a fossil, what does that make me?
Posted by David Katz | May 7, 2008 5:58 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 17:58
Happy Birthday, Sam!
Aside from physical maladies, I think age is a matter of attitude. My father kept a youthful, upbeat perspective throughout his life, which is a primary reason he made it to age 90. I'm trying to do the same, and if I know you, you're doing it, too.
All the best on your 50th.
Posted by Tom Wetzel | May 7, 2008 11:44 PM
Posted on May 7, 2008 23:44
Happy Birthday, Sam!
Hey, just think of it this way. All those senior discounts you get will offset the higher cost of your disability insurance so you come out even!
Now if we could just figure out how to offset those pesky gas prices.....
Posted by David | May 8, 2008 10:49 AM
Posted on May 8, 2008 10:49
Happy Birthday, Sam!
I've passed 50 by about 14 years, and age is just a number that society uses to trick us into believing we're getting old. You're only as old as you let yourself believe you are!
The benefits, however, are many. Retirement to do as you wish, senior discounts, Medicare, (no, it's not as bad as many postulate if you do your homework and choose wisely), no more commutes in the ugly traffic, dressing as you wish, and perhaps best of all, time to be yourself and not what Corporate America wants you to be or do.
The first year or two can be both frightening and overwhelming, but people seem to find their "groove" and eventually become comfortable with the "new life."
Look forward to getting old, Sam! It sure beats the alternative!
Posted by BJ | May 8, 2008 1:46 PM
Posted on May 8, 2008 13:46
Happy Belated Birthday, Sam.
To keep the global flavor of your blog going--Sto Lat! (Polish version of may you live a hundred years), which would mean that you're just warming up, which is fine with all of us.
Hope you have a lifetime filled with many happy surprises--good health, good times, and continued success.
Janice
Posted by Janice | May 8, 2008 4:23 PM
Posted on May 8, 2008 16:23
Fifty is definitely the new 40. I am turning 50 in June. Like you, I feel like a kid.
Posted by Rhea | May 18, 2008 9:31 PM
Posted on May 18, 2008 21:31