The dichotomy: the "Edgy" old guy just looks silly

**Lyle1** · 31st December 11, 12:45 PM

As I continue through he aging process, I find that I am constantly raising the bar on what "old" means. I recently realized that a friend was in his mid 70's, and I was quite surprised, because I always thought of 70 as being old, and I don't think of my friend as old at all.

**Gryphon57** · 4th January 12, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Lyle1

As I continue through he aging process, I find that I am constantly raising the bar on what "old" means. I recently realized that a friend was in his mid 70's, and I was quite surprised, because I always thought of 70 as being old, and I don't think of my friend as old at all.

Everytime I think I'm getting old I think about my father-in-law. He's 87 and still rides his motorcycle, goes dancing 3 nights a week, and is dating a younger woman (she's 80). Maybe I need to adjust my concept of old also.

**Lemurfist** · 14th January 12, 08:22 AM

My leg braces provide correction and support that hasn't been there for 30+ years. Many aspects of walking need relearning. A kilt allows for more fluid movement and also makes adjustments about 100x more efficient/accurate. Their being so visible causes problems for others fairly frequently. Some can't hold back morbid curiosity, ask about the root cause, then get squeamish because it relates to birth defects. Others get wrapped up in their own world then later realize they just let a door go on top of a disabled person. The feelings of these people and those who just feel bad about being able to walk unassisted aren't my problem. I'll wear whatever style kilt I please and just be glad I can walk in the thing.

**zjrog** · 18th January 12, 03:15 PM

Lemurfist, I understand exactly what you are getting at. I just turned 49, have been mostly healthy all my life. But a bicycle crash last summer changed some of my attitudes and made me see things differently.

I was against the grain in High School. Saturday Night Fever and Urban(e) Cowboy and the like had people dressing funny. I wore T-shirts and blue jeans. I even wore a set of Mork suspenders one year more to watch the others around me than needing my pants held up.

I spent 20 years in The US Navy, conformist all the way. Except, when on my own time, I usually wore, T-shirts and blue jeans. Sure, as an "adult" I had to wear "dress" clothes or Sunday suits. But didn't give a lick about fashion of the day. My wife (Love ya Babe!) tried her best to change me, but that just hasn't happened.

Retiring a bit over ten years ago, took a job where I had to wear, GASP, slacks and nice shirts... Though sometimes I could wear jeans if I was going to be dirty. Though a collared shirt was the bare minimum... Next job allwed me to wear my T-shirts and blue jeans. And SHORTS! I even wore shorts in the winter. Had to change jobs again, and shorts are allowed, but only after certain dates. And of course, I'm the first when that date hits, even in driving snow and rain.

Wearing the kilt for as short a time as I have, just seems to suit me. And with my new outlook on age, getting older, whats expected of me and such, means so much less than it did before. I revel in being able to STILL do things I have always done, but with the relish near fatal events tend to arouse in folks. But refuse now to settle in my recliner for the next 40 years. New knee a year back and now this? Only slowed me down a bit, a short pause... If you see me around, good luck keeping up. But I've got a really good story for ya if you do.

**Alan H** · 19th January 12, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by zjrog

Lemurfist, I understand exactly what you are getting at. I just turned 49, have been mostly healthy all my life. But a bicycle crash last summer changed some of my attitudes and made me see things differently.

I was against the grain in High School. Saturday Night Fever and Urban(e) Cowboy and the like had people dressing funny. I wore T-shirts and blue jeans. I even wore a set of Mork suspenders one year more to watch the others around me than needing my pants held up.

I spent 20 years in The US Navy, conformist all the way. Except, when on my own time, I usually wore, T-shirts and blue jeans. Sure, as an "adult" I had to wear "dress" clothes or Sunday suits. But didn't give a lick about fashion of the day. My wife (Love ya Babe!) tried her best to change me, but that just hasn't happened.

Retiring a bit over ten years ago, took a job where I had to wear, GASP, slacks and nice shirts... Though sometimes I could wear jeans if I was going to be dirty. Though a collared shirt was the bare minimum... Next job allwed me to wear my T-shirts and blue jeans. And SHORTS! I even wore shorts in the winter. Had to change jobs again, and shorts are allowed, but only after certain dates. And of course, I'm the first when that date hits, even in driving snow and rain.

Wearing the kilt for as short a time as I have, just seems to suit me. And with my new outlook on age, getting older, whats expected of me and such, means so much less than it did before. I revel in being able to STILL do things I have always done, but with the relish near fatal events tend to arouse in folks. But refuse now to settle in my recliner for the next 40 years. New knee a year back and now this? Only slowed me down a bit, a short pause... If you see me around, good luck keeping up. But I've got a really good story for ya if you do.

I like your attitude. A lot.

**zjrog** · 24th January 12, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Alan H

I like your attitude. A lot.

Well sir, I'd say I earned it. And I believe, the Dude would approve...

(I thought I had mentioned in the previous post, that bike wreck resulted in a broken neck and crushed vertebra in my back. 2 rods and 10 screws now hold things together. Feeling, is better than not.)

**ronstew** · 20th January 12, 02:58 PM

I think my 73-year-old father looks odd in his canvas kilt (Utilikilt? Not sure.) I would not say that to his face, though.

He looks smashing in Black Stewart.

**Tahshar** · 3rd February 12, 04:34 PM

At 51 I have had one occasion or another to address the "act your age" or "dress your age" issue. At times I may also have a bit less tolerance for bad manners than could properly be called polite. Usually when faced with a person who simply must throw common courtesy to the winds and seek to correct my percieved age inappropriate fashoin choices, I smile politely and make no response. However, I have responded thus on more than one occasion.

<rude stranger> Dont you think you are a little old for that? <or some such thing>

<me> (shocked) Oh my! I had no idea! This was all the rage when I fell asleep! What year is it? Or. (placing finger under ear, voice aghast> Our intel was very wrong! Local dress customs outside sociatal norms! Returning to ship at once!

That usually ends the encounter, not polite I know, but I get a little chuckle from it.

As noted in someone elses signature. "If you arent living on the edge, you are taking up too much room!