Mid-Life (No Crisis, I Hope)

Dr. Cheese · #1 11-17-2009, 05:08 PM

A few months into the New Year, I will be hitting a major birthday!

Reaching that milestone has really made me think. I have young children for my age, and they will be college age at about the same time I will be retiring (if that will still be possible

.)

I'm at peace with getting older, and I am improving my habits to live a more healthy life, for example, I gave up soft drinks almost two weeks ago and I lost about 8 lbs. in a week.

As I mentioned on a thread in basses, I have come to terms with the need to rethink my GAS: the purchases have to be fewer and I cannot flip gear at the rate I have in the past.

Most importantly, it is clear to me that the greatest happiness comes from achieving things, not simply buying things. My career is pretty straightforward, I know what success at work will look like.

I want to really improve as a player, and learn some of the things I always swore I didn't have time to study. I guess I have no great insights, I just wanted to say what is on my mind.

RWP · #2 11-17-2009, 05:13 PM

So, how old will you be?

Dr. Cheese · #3 11-17-2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWP

So, how old will you be?

What the heck, I'll be fifty!

It will beat the hell out of dying at 49!

Joe Gress · #4 11-17-2009, 05:53 PM

Only five years away form the seniors discount. Congrats old man!

bassrique · #5 11-17-2009, 05:57 PM

If flipping gear gives you enjoyment, why stop? Properly flipped gear [I know you do it intelligently] doesn't drain many if any net dollars from the bank.

And if you feel the MLC coming on, I'd go with it so as to get the thing over with quicker.

Eat right, stay in shape, check your nuts for lumps and get your prostate and rectum exams regularly done and you'll be fine.

EDIT: IIRC, AARP has some good deals starting at 50.

Dr. Cheese · #6 11-17-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Only five years away form the seniors discount. Congrats old man!

Hey, I'm joining AARP next year!

They have some cheap insurance.

Dr. Cheese · #7 11-17-2009, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

If flipping gear gives you enjoyment, why stop? Properly flipped gear [I know you do it intelligently] doesn't drain many if any net dollars from the bank.

And if you feel the MLC coming on, I'd go with it so as to get the thing over with quicker.

Eat right, stay in shape, check your nuts for lumps and get your prostate and rectum exams regularly done and you'll be fine.

EDIT: IIRC, AARP has some good deals starting at 50.

I enjoy flipping, but I would really get more out of some lessons at this point. I haven't seriously studied in thirty years. I have just picked up stuff from BassPlayer, the internet, playing by ear, and checking out other guys at stores and GTGs.

kesslari · #8 11-17-2009, 06:55 PM

Hey Doc, you're my age. I'm with you, some wisdom and better groove comes with the years. Learning and growing is where it's at. There are probably some good teachers there in St. Louis, but FWIW, I take lessons via Skype with Anthony Wellington and he is an AMAZING teacher. It's definitely bringing up my whole game.

guitar ed · #9 11-17-2009, 07:56 PM

Hey Dr. Cheese,

I am with you on this older father/younger kid thing. In my case, I am 40 years older than my daughter, who is 8.5 years old. And while I might not be able to spend $$ on gear the way that I once did, I am happier than I have ever been. Life is darned good.

Later,

edg

Dr. Cheese · #10 11-17-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guitar ed

Hey Dr. Cheese,

I am with you on this older father/younger kid thing. In my case, I am 40 years older than my daughter, who is 8.5 years old. And while I might not be able to spend $$ on gear the way that I once did, I am happier than I have ever been. Life is darned good.

Later,

edg

+1,000!!! When I look at my daughters, I know I'm the richest man in the world!

dangnewt · #11 11-17-2009, 09:23 PM

Not sure I can help with the MLC - for me, picking up the bass and putting together a band was how I dealt with it. Well, that and giving up a safe, steady government job in order to strike out on my own.

You have a good heart, follow it.

MakiSupaStar · #12 11-17-2009, 10:54 PM

Cheers Cheese.

Dr. Cheese · #13 11-18-2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dangnewt

Not sure I can help with the MLC - for me, picking up the bass and putting together a band was how I dealt with it. Well, that and giving up a safe, steady government job in order to strike out on my own.

You have a good heart, follow it.

Thanks for the kind words.

shadowtippy · #14 11-18-2009, 06:34 AM

You are right about turning 50 beats being dead at 49. I I passed that milestone (millstone?) 5 years ago. Since then I picked up bass, lost a wife, and have gotten back together with a woman I've been in love with for 27 years (We screwed up a long time ago and are making up for all those years apart.) Life doesn't end at 50. It may not be beginning, but there is a lot left of it to enjoy.

Phalex · #15 11-18-2009, 06:45 AM

50 is the new 30 man!! You're just hitting your stride!

DWBass · #16 11-18-2009, 06:54 AM

Welcome to the club (when that day comes)! I'm with you on having some sort of acheivement. The years start to go by much faster as we age! I'm trying to slow down on buying gear as well (probably one more bass and one more amp)! AARP does have cheaper insurance! And you can get discounts at 50 with your AARP card!

Dr. Cheese · #17 11-18-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWBass

Welcome to the club (when that day comes)! I'm with you on having some sort of acheivement. The years start to go by much faster as we age! I'm trying to slow down on buying gear as well (probably one more bass and one more amp)! AARP does have cheaper insurance! And you can get discounts at 50 with your AARP card!

I'm looking forward to those discounts. As for gear, I am tired of being the guy with a great bass who is only an OK player. I would much rather be the guy with the cheap bass who can blow you away!

I don't think I will ever be a superbad bassist, but it will fun to try to seriously improve.

Dr. Cheese · #18 11-18-2009, 06:49 PM

I worked out a deal with a great local teacher. I'm starting lessons in January!

danders · #19 11-18-2009, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I worked out a deal with a great local teacher. I'm starting lessons in January!

Cool! I hit 50 last summer - it feels pretty much the same as 49 (which felt a lot like 48, etc, etc). I've been taking lessons for right at 2 years now but I didn't start playing until 3 years ago when I was 47. I still pretty much stink, but not as much as I used to and I've enjoyed learning.

I don't subscribe to the idea that we can't learn things when we get older. It's just a matter of what you're interested in.

**peabody** · #20 11-19-2009, 08:10 AM

I'm with you...I hit 50 in about two weeks. No crisis on my part either.

I have a 14 year old son who, in addition to being an accomplished pianist and French Horn player, is also becoming quite the bass player (a chip off the old block). I often wondered why when I was playing in my rock n' roll band back in high school/college (and I still play with the same guys now) why my parents would come to almost every gig they could to see us play. Now that I'm a Dad and I've discovered what a rush it is to see your kid perform, now I understand.

Since my wife will also turn 50 in July 2010, we have already decided to skip the parties and the other hoohaw and buy ourselves a "fun" car to celebrate. I'm looking at some sort of two seat convertible, probably a used Boxter or something similar. Of course, in Wisconsin, the convertible season is pretty limited. However, I must say, shopping for one sure is fun.

I'll be spending my 50th traveling to KC on a business trip...just another day.