On Becoming An Old Fogey

OK I admit it.  I'm guilty.  Just when I crossed over I can't say, but I've become one of those.  You know, the ones whos say, "Why back in my day...".  Caught myself thinking that way a lot lately and even saying it once or twice.

I recall disliking old fogeyisms while growing up.  If we complained about something, we'd get that, "Why when I was a kid I had to walk two miles to and from school" or "When I was your age... da da da da..."  I'd groan (inwardly of course), and think here we go again, shut my mouth.

(Nowadays kids don't bother to hide those feelings or complaints. - Oops, just regressed into fogeyism again.)  

old fogey = someone who has old-fashioned ideas, especially someone who is old.  People who are old-fashioned or do not like change: anorak, bogan, bore, conservative, diehard, dinosaur, drip, drongo, dweeb, fogey...   :O(  oh dear!

Old Fogeyisms:
back in my day
when I was your age
nowadays
when I lived at home
when I was a kid
when I went to school
new fangled
good old days
we never had
(and so on...)

This awful revelation about myself came as I was thinking of all the Mom's across the country frantically preparing for junior or young misses' high school graduation.  Before I retired I would hear fellow workers talk of all the heavy house cleaning, even some major home renovations, food preparation or even catering and other highly expensive party plans.  I would think to myself, "Back when I graduated, my parents didn't go to all that trouble and expense!  How wastefully extravagant!"  I guess these were my first signs of passage into old fogeyhood.

Now when I had those thoughts again, as graduation time approaches, my "old days" suddenly came back to me bit more realistically.  I DO recall our frantic housecleaning, baking and party planning for my high school graduation.  The budget may have been a bit more restrained out of necessity, but the intensity and the importance of the event were the same.  And that's a good thing.  High School Graduation is a very significant event.  It's usually the end of life at home as it was and passage into adulthood.  It should be honored and celebrated.  Also, perhaps the house did need major cleaning and renovation. (I should be so motivated!)  So I'm dumping my old fogey critical thoughts about this subject.  None of my business anyway!

This all makes me wonder how many other "good (or bad) old days" memories I've falsified.  Maybe a lot of things haven't changed as much as I thought.  Lesson learned, don't be critical based on distant (possibly clouded) memories.  Even if something isn't like it used to be, it just might be better.

But I still say folks nowadays spend way too much on weddings!  :O)

Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia

Ever get on a winding endless trail of trivia on the net? I can blow a huge whole in a day doing that sometimes. This morning I started browsing through page after page of interesting lacy items on Etsy with the thought of gathering ideas for using and selling my crocheted lace. That led to googling for free patterns, which is always an addictive behavior for me, and eats away the hours. (Kinda recall doing that yesterday too.)

Then I finally broke away to go clean another flower bed, but was soon back to check the latest news (you know, just in case some world shaking event occurred while I was away from my pc for a whole hour)! I read an article with the word 'eponymous' in it, so of course I had to look that up. Then that opened up another batch of fun things to do.

BTW, just so you know, eponymous means giving one's name to a tribe, place, etc., example: Romulus, the eponymous founder of Rome. And then I found another good one! Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia = fear of long words. (Another obscure word that means the same is sesquipedalophobia)

So now you cognize that! Aren't you glad you got your trivia fix for the day without hours and hours on your pc? :O) One of these days my mind is going to wander so far off course it won't find it's way back. But it sure is fun traveling in cyberland. Just wish someone would scurryfunge my house while I'm away! (hehe - now you can look that up)

To Work Or Not To Work

I really love being retired, but once in a while I have a passing thought that I could have my nursing license re-instated and get a part time job. (That thought evaporates at the speed of light.)

I found the following while surfing the net for my daily humor fix. With a little editing it kind of expresses the way I would think about applying for a job.

NAME: Roberta Roddy [also known as Ma].
DESIRED POSITION: Company's Chief Executive or Managing Director. But seriously, whatever's available. If I was in a position to be picky, I wouldn't be applying in the first place - would I?
DESIRED SALARY: $295,000 a year plus share options and a fully paid 30 day per year vacation package. If that's not possible, make an offer and we can haggle.
EDUCATION: Yes.
LAST POSITION HELD: Target for middle management hostility.
PREVIOUS SALARY: A lot less than I'm worth.
MOST NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENT: My incredible collection of stolen pens and post-it notes.
REASON FOR LEAVING: It was a crap job.
HOURS AVAILABLE TO WORK: Any.
PREFERRED HOURS: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.
DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS?: Yes, but they're better suited to a resort type or retail environment.
MAY WE CONTACT YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYER?: If I had one, would I be here?
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHYSICAL CONDITIONS THAT WOULD PROHIBIT YOU FROM LIFTING UP TO 50 lbs.?:Of what?
DO YOU HAVE A CAR?: I think the more appropriate question here would be 'Do you have a car that runs?'
HAVE YOU RECEIVED ANY SPECIAL AWARDS OR RECOGNITION?: I may already be a winner of the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes, so they tell me.
DO YOU SMOKE?: Only if set on fire.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE DOING IN FIVE YEARS?: Living in the Bahamas with a fabulously wealthy drop dead handsome billionaire who thinks I'm the greatest thing since sliced bread. Actually, I'd like to be doing that now.
NEAREST RELATIVE: ....11 miles
DO YOU CERTIFY THAT THE ABOVE IS TRUE AND COMPLETE TO THE BEST OF YOUR KNOWLEDGE?: Oh yes, absolutely.

(borrowed and edited from: http://www.guy-sports.com/jokes/retirement_jokes.htm#Seven_Retirement_one-liners_to_work_into_your_speech_ )