How old are You?

General Discussion Forums Life, The Universe and (almost) Everything!
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57.

I’d liken the life I’ve had to a game of snakes and ladders.

Sorry to be so cryptic but that’s the way it’s been. Having read Gerryn’s post I can identify with the core of it… and if you happen to read this Gerryn… write the book sir, write the book! Much to my wife’s consternation I own around 2000 books and there’s always room for one more. I prefer Vonnegut to Hemmingway but - so it goes.

As for the little Mazda. I bought my first, a Mk3 just 12 months ago and initially as a lifelong motorcyclist I wondered what I’d done?  Now I wouldn’t be without it, although I do still miss the motorcycles it replaced,

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Peter - thanks for the encouraging words, but the main thing always in my mind was, and still is, “Who will buy or read a book containing an autobiography of Joe Bloggs life?” They would sooner read about the exploits of Errol Flynn, for one. (Ghost written - - ) I could of course write it as an observer, of someone else’s life - supposedly, but that also would receive scant attention IMHO. That would allow me to embroider it, for the sake of readers, but it wouldn’t be my life, as I’ve lived it.

I wouldn’t say I crave success, but if you spend time doing something and then find no-one is interested it can be disheartening, though I have accepted that after many years of being good at my job, and not being thanked for the outcome, was a normal part of life. Even worse when you do something exceptional and it isn’t rewarded with a pay rise, they just want more from you. There would be a lot of that in such a book.
Also the parting comment, as you leave for a better position “We are sorry to see you go, and we were about to give you a rise” (yeah - thank’s a lot!) On the other hand, a few did say “We don’t want you to go, but seems you’ve made your mind up; if you ever wish to return, there’s always a job here for you” - now that was reassuring! I didn’t add “So for more money?” as that was the driving force.

Only truly satisfying leaving comment was my last job in Canada. Long story, I won’t bore you with it, but they were about to lose a franchise, and the boss, who everyone called Cy (Cyrus?) and was a friend to all, called me in, and asked for an opinion as to whether they should fight to keep it or give it up? I gave him an honest appraisal of what I thought, knowing I was talking myself out of the job, and told him to let it go, detailing why. He sat and looked at me, and then said “Thank you for a honest opinion, I appreciate it” He then said, to my surprise “But I don’t want you to leave us, we’ve never had an estimator”, (My fault really, as I could do far more than just estimate, but I never told them.) I then told him why they didn’t need me, and this time it was his turn to look surprised. Then he said those famous words - “If ever - - -”

I thanked him, and left Canada a few days later. Another bad choice, but hey, my life is full of them. I had three other companies offering me work, but turned them all down, for what seemed logical reasons at the time. Looking back, I did have good reasons. Leaving Canada? Never sure, it was a better and more rewarding time in my life. As my mother used to say “Make your bed, and lay in it”, but I went with the wind.
A la chocalot - - - -

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Gerryn I understand the points you raise regarding a publishers need to ‘spice up’ a story for it to sell.  I was approached seven years ago to write a semi autobiographical tale based on a period of my life that was indeed fertile ground for publication.  The first draft was submitted to the agent, and returned with a request that I celebrity name drop more, and place a greater emphasis on the various salacious acts of those ‘hinted at’ celebs.

I argued that the central theme of the book was in fact one of overcoming adversity, and not the documenting of human weakness in those I encountered along the way. The answer came back that sleaze and scandal sells!  Given that there are enough people out there willing to dish the dirt for money I declined, and the book remains unfinished

I’d like to recommend two books to you that may give you the necessary inspiration to continue. The way I see it the film, media and publishing industry, like the fashion industry are subject to constant fluctuations. What is ‘hot’ today is gone tomorrow and vice versa. The current clamour for sleaze and titillation will hopefully wane, while an interesting and well written bio such as the one you propose will always stand the test of time. The stories you could impart complete with incidental period details (given you are 83) transcend from being a mere story. Times have changed, so they would in some way become a glimpse into the past, a social record you might say. My own father is 87, and his tales of delivering milk with a horse and cart at age 14 seem incomprehensible to the modern ear, yet such stories if not documented are lost to us forever.

The first book I would recommend for inspiration is an autobiography in two parts; ‘The road to Nab End’ by William Woodruff. The second part being ‘Nab End and beyond’. The story of a working class lad from Blackburn Lanc’s, raised in the 1920’s, who became successful and coincidentally emigrated to Canada. A captivating tale, and proof if ever proof was needed that the life of an ‘ordinary’ working man can provide all the ingredients to produce a work of note.

Another book that is an absolute masterclass in depicting the lives of a group of working men is ‘The ragged trousered philanthropists’ by Robert Tressell. Written in 1904 it is as relevant today as it was then, proving that although times and fashions may change, human nature remains the same. In this age of google the temptation is always to become an instant expert rather than actually read the books themselves, but those who take this route deny themselves the true pleasure such tomes impart.

From your posts Gerryn I always get the impression that were we to meet and converse over a pint or two, time would perhaps pass very quickly. Long may your posts continue! 

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My age is my business but I’ve been happily married for 50 years so there’s a clue ! Still working part time - I usually tell people that I have’t decided what I want to do when I grow up yet. In spite of all the aches and pains associated with old age I still do a three mile dog walk every day come rain or shine and am considering buying a puppy to keep the eight year old company.
My wife didn’t speak to me for best part of a week when I bought my first 5 ( I did have three other old cars at the time ) but she came round to my way of thinking and enjoys top down drives now as much as I do.
I’m certainly accused of being more grumpy than I was but I think there is more to be grumpy about now and I refuse to suffer fools gladly.

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At 30, I feel like the child of the forum.

Passed my driving test 20th September 2013 and bought my NB 20th October 2013.

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Hello Andy,

Pleased to see you have good taste in cars, even if, at passing your test at 27, you might be considered a late starter.

All are welcome, because we all have something to say.

Have fun with your MX-5.

Chris Phillips. 

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My love of MX-5’s started when I used to do an evening paper round and one of my last customer’s had a lovely silver NA and I guess that stuck in the back of my mind ever since so when the time came to get my driving license, I knew what I wanted. 

For those of you that bought Evo magazine last month, the review of the ND in Iceland was done by my good friend Antony Ingram, owner of an NA himself 

 

 

 

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Brilliant thread

72 and a 1/2 here and regressing every day 

Regarding marriage, having said never ever ever again, life struck back 15 years ago - no regrets  but like earlier poster she is fond of lists.  Trick is never to finish it, and beware as soon as you knock one off the list two more go on   She worked for car magazines and then Japanese and Italian car importers - loves driving - so it’s always a race to the MX5 keys.

Frog

 

 

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47 and older than my wife’s mother hence why I’m never grumpy?? but with a 2 yr old running round I’m bloody shattered

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That sounds familiar! Though I wasn’t older than her mother, who died several years ago - so did the father in law. So far I’m outliving all immediate relatives except my Mother, who died at 89 - time will tell.

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There I was thinking I was joint youngest in this thread at 38.

Then Andy rocks up a full eight physical years younger than me. 

Mental age TBC. Likely much lower.

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[quote=seriousrikk]

 

Mental age TBC. Likely much lower.

That’s all of us on this forum then.

 

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69 and still working shifts (earlies, lates and nights) which, I hope, keeps brain and body working and pays for new ND

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70 1 wife new dog & NA still working found fun job

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70 1/4 and I am getting married on 2nd June 2017 to a very young Patricia (she will not let me give her age)!!!but I know she was born in 1950…

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I think the clue is on John’s post above!!!

78 
 73 in August this Year, On my Fourth MX5 And cannot fathom why I did`nt buy one Years Ago. Married for 53yrs To Wendy. Dodged the C bullet a few years ago And looking to Live Forever.
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It’s a marvellous trend I’m starting to see… 

 

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At 25 I think I’m currently winning for youngest in this thread! Bought the NC a month before my 25th! 

 

I saw a comment about time seeming to get faster the older you get. I’ve had this discussion with SWMBO - time is relative. Time is a concept. We have given a fixed portion of our life and called it a ‘second’ or a ‘minute’ etc.

If you think about it, when you’re young the idea of being in the car for half an hour is a terrible, lengthy process. When you’re older it’s not so much an issue, some people double it or even quadruple it to get to work on a daily basis.

Back to it feeling faster as you get older… If you’re a second old, one second is 100% of your life, therefore it will be “forever”, for that fleeting moment. When you hit 10 years of age a second is less time, relative to the time you’ve been on the planet. At 20 a second is half as long as when you were 10, relative to your time on the planet. This continues throughout life so, yes, as you age time gets faster! Time doesn’t slow down or stop still so why should we?