Thoughts and Ramblings on Entering Old Age

At 80 years I guess I'm in the process of moving from middle aged to old aged. I'm finding it interesting and even a little challenging, but overall satisfying.

One up-side is having mostly appointment free days and the freedom to choose what to do each day. This coupled with not having to be somewhere early morning results in many a sleep in and a late breakfast before cruising on to do whatever we choose. In my case usually a visit to the nearby Les Mills gym.

Having no job and plenty of free time also has allowed us to travel regularly and enjoy our favourite places, London, Barcelona and Australia’s Sunshine Coast. 

Ageing’s downside is one's ever declining physical ability with increasing aching joints, loss of hearing and fading eyesight. 

Not having a salary and little income brings a new worry; are we going to outlive our capital? How long can we live this wonderful lifestyle?

As I've aged, my taste in TV, movies, music, reading and the need for a variety of smart clothes and catering for the demands of others have changed or even disappeared.

When I met my wife JT, on the pretext of a romantic long weekend, I invited her to join me in Sydney. My real agenda was actually to attend a Rugby League clash on all three days of the break, such was my passion for Rugby League and sport of almost any kind. Today I couldn't give a toss and rarely watch League or Rugby unless it is a Warriors game or a League or Rugby test match. JT has taken over the family trait of following sport and watches cricket, in all its forms, at any time, day or night and for hours on end. JT will know who is playing who in tennis, rugby, cricket, football whilst I'm obliviously reading or sketching on my iPad. It is JT who enthusiastically discusses sport with our adult children and grandchildren, not oblivious me.

                                                JT

Having spent a life time working in music, radio and TV I remain a media addict. Its just that now, not having to make work decisions on what I view or hear, my own tastes have been revealed. Now a TV show has to be exceptional to get my continued interest. Reality TV was probably introduced to New Zealand TV screens by me and back then, I loved most of it. Now? Give me a break.

My love of good TV drama has not changed and has in fact increased, so now I search the world for quality drama and we, as JT shares my passion, spend most evenings engrossed in drama from the UK, USA, Australia, Scandinavia, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Spain and even from countries, not normally known for their TV production such as Columbia, Croatia and Argentina. Sadly, little of the drama produced here in New Zealand makes our viewing cut, although Australia still competes well with the wider world for our screen time.

Who would have believed in my TV working days, certainly not me, that 95% of our TV viewing today would be from internet downloads or streaming and only 5% from regular local TV? Who in 1957, when I started work in the music business, would have believed that today I have my entire music library of around 23,000 songs on a personal phone and that the device also has access to millions of music tracks on demand? Love it❤️

Radio? Hardly ever tune in anymore. I get my music leads from Spotify, YouTube, family, friends and on-line music news sites.

Pop music has changed. What hasn't changed is my need to seek and find new artists and music. However, there is less of it I like and the daily searches are sometimes frustrating. It is all worthwhile though when you come across artists like THE WAR ON DRUGS, DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE, FLORENCE and THE MACHINE, JESSIE WARE, LONDON GRAMMAR, RAY LaMONTAGNE and CHRISTINE and THE QUEENS.

Clothes? Gone is the wardrobe of tailored suits, designer label ties and smart shoes. One lone suit is surrounded by T shirts, a couple of comfortable sport jackets, jeans and shorts. Footwear is only one good pair of hardly ever worn street shoes, the remainder a variety of trainers. The aim is to avoid long trousers and jeans for as many days as possible; T shirts and shorts being the choice. The lone suit is reserved primarily for weddings and funerals, the latter more regular unfortunately.

Whilst I have always cared for those close to me and above all family, I have never really sought their approval and generally, selfishly, did what I wanted to do. In that respect the change in me is minimal; the difference now is now that whilst I care even more for those around and our ever increasing family, I still selfishly continue to do what I want to do and have even firmed in my ability to say no to attending events I don't want to go to. The upside I guess, if that I do go to an event or function it is, for me, special and a compliment to the event or host.

When JT and I met we were both fitness fanatics, our first date actually being an aerobics class. We are still exercising 4 to 5 times weekly, but neither of us are able to move freely and without joint pain. I guess the need to strive for fitness is part of who we are and a positive now we are ageing. We just love seeing our grandchildren enjoying and succeeding in their chosen sport or activity, though wish we were better able to enjoy it with them, rather than just watch from the sideline.

We often say that getting old sucks, but in reality it doesn’t. We just enjoy the positives it brings and continue to look forward, whilst warmly remembering a wonderful past. 

        At LES MILLS on my 80th