Have You Passed Your « Best Before » Date?

Duracuir1 · Mar 18, 2022

Five years cancer free! Still, until I had cancer in 2016, I felt invincible. 8000 to 9000 kms of cycling a year and unstoppable.

Five years after treatment now. Retired and feeling pretty good. But I know that I am human now and reminded regularly that I am past my best before date.

Signs that I am getting older.

Exhibit number…

1) I am drawn to smaller older watches.

2) I go to more funerals than weddings.
3) The last suits I bought was in 2018. They were nice Brooks Brothers suits but recently, to prepare for a funeral I checked GQ, Mr. Porter and other fashion sites and finding a white shirt and tie is like trying to buy a new sports Rolex. Apparently you have to dress like a freak now. It’s not you, it’s me. I am getting older.
4) Unable to find a decent white shirt and tie at Hudson’s Bay, who used to have walls full of them, I pulled a bunch from my closet and washed them.

I am still fit and often mistaken for a runner - to which I respond that I will only run if fired upon. My suits still fit so I will opt for the «Carey Grant in North by Northwest » look rather than the Milan Fashion week look. It’s me. I am aging.
5) I still have a wallet and cash.

6) When I go to the dentist they check my blood pressure now. Will they make me pay before they perform their work if my BP is off?
7)My tool box contains a credit card instead of tools.

8) By 9 or 10 pm I am ready for bed! And by 4 or 5 I am checking the OF joke thread to send to my retired friend, who is waiting. Oh, and between 10 and 4, I probably had a trip to the WC.
9) I was annoyed by the guy on Hodinkee who recently spent a week with a Grand Seiko. And when I noticed he was wearing a bath robe during his review, I stopped watching. He got glowing reviews in the comments section. It’s not you, it’s me. I am getting old.
10) I still love NFL football but can only watch Tirico/Collinsworth/Michaels. They are gentlemen and don’t all yell and scream at the same time.

Positive note: I do not have to look for a starter home for $850 000.00 like today’s kids.

And I like older watches.

Now I am only still 53 and likely average age among OF members, so don’t be insulted by this.

Are you sometimes reminded that you are past your « best before » date?

9:03. Good night!

STANDY · Mar 18, 2022

Turned 50 last year and I’m slowly getting grumpy and angry. (I’m liking it)

Got a new ———— at work that is valid to 2037 and I laughed (no way I’m going to be at work in 15 years let alone anything after turning 55)

Dress for weather more than fashion.

shaun hk · Mar 18, 2022

I have to acknowledge, I am past my prime, but still have a ways to go. I do like this as it's so easy to read the time on.
And a couple of years ago I had the dawning realisation that how fit and active I will be at 60 is dependant upon how fit I am at 50. So I made the conscious decision to exercise frequently and have stuck to it.

Fatcat · Mar 18, 2022

Well life is life me too 54 and see more and more things I was better before and still not thinking about age , trying to fix everything but not more possible .

but Dureacuir1 with your nick name everything is said « Hard to cook » you are suppose to last until the end 😀)) all good

Paul

Syzygy · Mar 18, 2022

I have my actual age, and then I have my 'holy sh*t, I feel like....' age. It all depends on the insanity of the day at work. I love what I do, so I'm incredibly lucky, but in these times of broken supply chain, the stress is more than I've ever experienced. But, I do find it exhilarating when I figure out a solution to the problem (whatever it is) and look back and say "that was awesome!"...but when you're in the middle of it, it totally sucks.

Am I at my 'better before' date? Nah, I'm just at that date...give me a few more years and I'll reassess.

BTW, you have excellent taste, I'll take the Carey Grant look over Milan any day!

Barking mad · Mar 18, 2022

I am definitely past my best but am dedicated to growing old disgracefully😀
I worked in the corporate world for a big chunk of my working life and therefore had to conform to certain (personally set) expectations.
I like most have had a few hard knocks in life plus a couple of failed marriages which necessitated starting finanancially from scratch.
Finished with the corporate world in 2017 and went into my own business which I sold at the end of last year.
Had Covid July last year, pre vaccine (definitely a bummer), lost 10 kg and decided to come back stronger than ever.
I am 62 have tattoos now (something I decided I couldn't have in the corporate world), exercise every day and am about to embark on the next project which is building a boutique resort on a little island to the south of Vietnam. We have also purchased ocean front land for our house on the island which I guess i will be finally leaving in a box.

The time since I sold the business has taught me that I don't think I will ever retire but will be doing what I want to do not have to do😁
Me now, a little Mad Dogesque😀 The pic, not me.

Some of my tats

The island dream..

Nepomuceño · Mar 18, 2022

I guess I am a spring chicken to most on OF being only 25 but hey I share lots of your sentiments:

1) I recently got some Brooks Brothers ties, haven't had a chance to wear em however.
2) I only buy small vintage (mostly) because they are comfortable on my skinny wrists.
3) I am in bed by 9pm but that's mostly because I wake up for work at 5am

Keep those small vintage pieces coming @Duracuir1 😀

Dan S · Mar 18, 2022

I'm so old I actually access OF on a computer instead of a smartphone! 😲

vintage hab · Mar 18, 2022

shaun hk
So I made the conscious decision to exercise frequently and have stuck to it.

Good for you: I’ve tried and tried but it doesn’t seem to stick 😬

Shabbaz · Mar 18, 2022

Great post! And good you're still here after surviving cancer!

Recently I had to change the size of the letters on my phone because I couldn't read them anymore. I also bought reading glasses. I notice my hair is getting thinner and the other parts of my body getting thicker. On top of my head a bald spot develops. When I need to pick up something from the ground you hear things I've never heard before. I had to say goodbye to the most enjoyable things in life like drinking excessively, smoking and eating. Luckily for me I now use a calorie meter so I can count the calories in my salad. Boy, what a life! But... I'm glad to see my kids grow up and my family and friends getting older. I like the more quiet life. No more running but more looking around. You notice different things. Things you did'nt see before. It's good to be still alive.

pdxleaf · Mar 19, 2022

Beautiful post.

Don't think there's a best by date. More like a recipe that needs a little something new, maybe more salt. When people ask "is it ready yet?", the answer is not quite, it needs some more time.

13 years older than my father who died at 52. Almost two years an orphan from Covid. Used to have 20-10 vision, now have tri-focals. The days that don't hurt are far fewer than the days that do.

But I feel very lucky, and surprised. This part is impossible to explain, but here goes. In the last year I have learned more about myself than I had in decades before. I started working part time and interacted with a young 20 something person who was self described as Attention Deficit, including taking medication. Short story is a light went offand I realized that was me. I was mostly shocked that at my age I could still learn and grow and change and mature.

Robert Bly was a poet who said something to the effect that we don't change from one year to another as we get older but add years. We are still 10 and 20 and 30. We just add 60 to what came before.

About 25 years ago we had a neighbor who lived alone. He volunteered with a local theater group and would take the bus several times a week, which gave us time to talk, as well as when he walked his dog. One winter he died from pneumonia. His daughter found him sitting in his chair. When we heard that he had died, our family all felt the same, that he had died too young and before his time. He was 83.

Some people are old at 40. Some people are young at 80.

[Insert Forest Gump quote here]

Engee · Mar 19, 2022

Last time I went to the barber he asked me, for the first time, if I’d like him to trim my eyebrows. I’m thankful that I still have a reason to go to the barber.

I’ve never had any life threatening illnesses, but I worry that I might have or that I am about to. (So good to read you have received the 5 year all clear - I lost a dear friend to cancer 6 months ago, it was awful).

My son is about to get married, and I’m looking forward to grandchildren.

I’m working harder than I have in years, and enjoying my work more than ever.

I ride my bike at least once a week and try to take it into the mountains at least once a year.

I’m learning to play an instrument and still hope to play on stage in front of an audience one day.

Sure, when I bend over I hear noises; they’re usually me groaning. Or the tinnitus. The tinnitus is a constant companion.

I get up in the night and usually take a while to get back to sleep.

I probably forget more than I remember.

Am I past my best-before date?

Nah. I have too much to do and too much to enjoy. I’m not as agile of body and mind as I was, but I’m more content and wiser than I was.

My 93 year old father in law, a professor of medicine, has dementia. I don’t know what it’s like to be him. He doesn’t recognise anyone but most of the time he seems content. He’s loved, cared for, he plays with early-learning toys and enjoys food.

He’s certainly past his best-before date but I don’t think he’s past his sell-by date.

whyboddau · Mar 19, 2022

Wonderful thread. I’ll be 48 this year, keeping up with my 6 and 4 year olds is all the exercise I get. I’m enjoying and experiencing long days and short years with them. I’m not at my past due date. I can’t be!
But I am finding it handy to have a larger watch or two to see the time. I consider 20 years ago to be the 90s. I should dust off the rowing machine…I haven’t worn pants since before Covid…I’m it confident any of my jeans will still fit.

Shabbaz · Mar 19, 2022

Engee
Last time I went to the barber he asked me, for the first time, if I’d like him to trim my eyebrows. I’m thankful that I still have a reason to go to the barber.

Haha. I had the same! I did'nt know that existed. Now I always tell the girls: dont forget the eyebrows. And why does hair all of a sudden grow out of your ears and nose!?! I see no reason for it other then some cruel joke of nature!

Omegafanman · Mar 19, 2022

Old....but still an amazing lover....... but just cant be bothered :0)

(59) Greg Davies' Sexual Knowledge - Live at the Apollo - Series 8 Episode 6 - BBC One - YouTube

lillatroll · Mar 19, 2022

Duracuir1
Five years cancer free! Still, until I had cancer in 2016, I felt invincible. 8000 to 9000 kms of cycling a year and unstoppable.

Five years after treatment now. Retired and feeling pretty good. But I know that I am human now and reminded regularly that I am past my best before date.

Signs that I am getting older.

Exhibit number…

1) I am drawn to smaller older watches.

2) I go to more funerals than weddings.
3) The last suits I bought was in 2018. They were nice Brooks Brothers suits but recently, to prepare for a funeral I checked GQ, Mr. Porter and other fashion sites and finding a white shirt and tie is like trying to buy a new sports Rolex. Apparently you have to dress like a freak now. It’s not you, it’s me. I am getting older.
4) Unable to find a decent white shirt and tie at Hudson’s Bay, who used to have walls full of them, I pulled a bunch from my closet and washed them.

I am still fit and often mistaken for a runner - to which I respond that I will only run if fired upon. My suits still fit so I will opt for the «Carey Grant in North by Northwest » look rather than the Milan Fashion week look. It’s me. I am aging.
5) I still have a wallet and cash.

6) When I go to the dentist they check my blood pressure now. Will they make me pay before they perform their work if my BP is off?
7)My tool box contains a credit card instead of tools.

8) By 9 or 10 pm I am ready for bed! And by 4 or 5 I am checking the OF joke thread to send to my retired friend, who is waiting. Oh, and between 10 and 4, I probably had a trip to the WC.
9) I was annoyed by the guy on Hodinkee who recently spent a week with a Grand Seiko. And when I noticed he was wearing a bath robe during his review, I stopped watching. He got glowing reviews in the comments section. It’s not you, it’s me. I am getting old.
10) I still love NFL football but can only watch Tirico/Collinsworth/Michaels. They are gentlemen and don’t all yell and scream at the same time.

Positive note: I do not have to look for a starter home for $850 000.00 like today’s kids.

And I like older watches.

Now I am only still 53 and likely average age among OF members, so don’t be insulted by this.

Are you sometimes reminded that you are past your « best before » date?

9:03. Good night!

53, bloody hell you sound like you are about 153. Past your best? No way. It's all in the mind. (I am 49 in just over a month) While I share many of your experiences, ready for bed at 9, I run 200+ km a month, need night time trips to the bathroom etc, I definitely don't feel anywhere near past my best by date. You are as young as the woman you feel.

Omegafanman · Mar 19, 2022

Engee
Last time I went to the barber he asked me, for the first time, if I’d like him to trim my eyebrows. I’m thankful that I still have a reason to go to the barber.

I’ve never had any life threatening illnesses, but I worry that I might have or that I am about to. (So good to read you have received the 5 year all clear - I lost a dear friend to cancer 6 months ago, it was awful).

My son is about to get married, and I’m looking forward to grandchildren.

I’m working harder than I have in years, and enjoying my work more than ever.

I ride my bike at least once a week and try to take it into the mountains at least once a year.

I’m learning to play an instrument and still hope to play on stage in front of an audience one day.

Sure, when I bend over I hear noises; they’re usually me groaning. Or the tinnitus. The tinnitus is a constant companion.

I get up in the night and usually take a while to get back to sleep.

I probably forget more than I remember.

Am I past my best-before date?

Nah. I have too much to do and too much to enjoy. I’m not as agile of body and mind as I was, but I’m more content and wiser than I was.

My 93 year old father in law, a professor of medicine, has dementia. I don’t know what it’s like to be him. He doesn’t recognise anyone but most of the time he seems content. He’s loved, cared for, he plays with early-learning toys and enjoys food.

He’s certainly past his best-before date but I don’t think he’s past his sell-by date.

In the UK in the seventies the sexier politicians actually had eyebrow extensions...if they were a silly billy ;0)
.

blufinz52 · Mar 19, 2022

Great post Steve. I'm looking at soixante-dix (it sounds better in French) next month. Sacré bleu! But I'm still on the right of the grass. 👍

Omegafanman · Mar 19, 2022

Reading back through this thread ........
. ;0)
.

stonestone · Mar 19, 2022

Congratulations on hitting the five-year mark, @Duracuir1. I will hit the five-year cancer-free milestone by the end of the year.

I try not to spend time thinking about whether I've hit my peak or not. Sure, I'm not in the same physical shape as I once was, but I run about 15km-20km a week and pump out pushups and leg lifts regularly. I gave up drinking after I got cancer -- not that the two were related, but because I decided I wanted to eliminate risk factors -- and caffeine about a year and a half ago. I don't miss either and I enjoy life now as much or more than ever before.

I try to keep a learner's mindset. For the last few years I've been teaching myself jazz guitar and I take advanced Mandarin and German lessons via Skype. I carry cash but I also pay for things with my phone and invest in virtual assets.

I don't know how much time I have left, but I hope to keep things fresh and interesting with whatever time there is. Who knows if the best is already behind any of us? Too early to say, for me at least.

Have You Passed Your « Best Before » Date?

Duracuir1

STANDY

shaun hk

Fatcat

Syzygy

Barking mad

Nepomuceño

Dan S

vintage hab

Shabbaz

pdxleaf

Engee

whyboddau

Shabbaz

Omegafanman

lillatroll

Omegafanman

blufinz52

Omegafanman

stonestone

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