Being Old

As an intermission between some other blog posts I've been writing, I wanted to give my opinion on getting old. 

I'm looking forward to it.

It's truly amazing to see how much people bash on old age. Many close friends do not want to live past 40. More to the point, they would go sooner if they felt they could accomplish what they wanted. Siul wants to be a professor/researcher, so he has his work cut out for him for a couple decades. In that line of work, you have to put in your dues for respect. On the polar side of that, there's Francisco who has thought of doing acting, playing in a band, or anything else he can go balls-out in his 20s and find an explosion of success. After riding that "success" a few years, the best (at least figuratively) thing to do would be to drop out - drop out of the radar, or literally just drop out of life. At the funeral people would say, 

"We remember him for all the great things he did. For the person he was. He left us too soon."

It's interesting. If you die in your 20s, assuming you lived a fairly decent life, you haven't really lived long enough to really fuck up. At least, that's one way of looking at it. You haven't brought children into this world and abandoned them (well, maybe you did, but that's another story). You haven't built an amazing career and let it slip down the drain. Most people would (by my best guess) just presume you had a mental defect. True, you could mess up what you have going on...but I know from personal experience, you seem to have a pretty good grace period. It's tough, but you can bounce back. The system seems designed that way. People will sit pondering...  Maybe he offed himself/herself because he/she didn't realize his/her potential? - or something along those lines. 

Don't worry guys, I'm not suicidal. Just writing at 2 am. 

Your 30s are important...they actually set the stage

 I always joke about how turning 30 is like the end of your life. In a satirical way, it kind of is. I feel like when you hit your 30s it's time to make something out of what you were given. Rosette (a 20 - something - yr old professional - or at least my personal consultant on all things 20s)  says she feels like her "biological clock is ticking." Good point, actually. Physically, you can hold onto your peak strength and body type for your 30s with hard work. In your 20s, you have access to quick actions, good looks, and style (not just fashion). In your 20s though, you really try to make a plan. It all starts to come together towards the end. You have all your school complete, you may be in a serious relationship, you have that house and car...now you just have to bring it together. Your 30s are where all the adult stuff happens (in my opinion). Going back to my joke,

"In your 30s, it all gets serious. Your job becomes your life. Get ahead. Get what you need. Your time is precious. No more games. No time for rest. "

-Me

Here's where I get excited. After your 30s, you can finally look back. When I hear a 29 yr old talk about "all the mistakes I used to make" and "I wish you knew what I know now"... is really B.S. in my opinion. You haven't had enough time to let it settle. When you're in your 40s and 50s, you can still operate in your own body, but your mind has had time to marinate in all the knowledge you've collected. Your life has molded your brain. True, you may not have as much openness to new things - but that's not always the case! You have constructed ways to perceive to such a large extent. There seems to be so much potential! This is the age where you can really teach your children. They will most likely be teenagers or young adults during this time. This is where they need your experience.

Your 60s and 70s - synonymous to the climax of the story. 

Your body is falling apart, but you know what matters. Many try to retire. Go where they always wanted.  All of their obligations have died off before them. They persevered. For what?! Nothing. Well, it will sure look like nothing to everyone else. At this point, they have brought their family close. They think of their children and grandchildren primarily. They think of politics (people age 50 and up have the highest voting percentages), hobbies, and things to see. The hustle and bustle is gone. It's finally time to focus on fulfilling oneself and significant other. 

Your 80s and up....the falling action. 

You remember ALL of the Lord of the Rings moves?? I especially remember how there were like 10 endings after they threw the ring in the volcano at the end of the 3rd one. We say we just wanted it to end already. But look at it this way - we've spent like 8 hours watching these characters develop and play out all the roles for nothing more than a few minute final confrontation - they should get a satisfactory ending; they should each get their fair share of spotlight. When you make into your 80s, you can't always communicate with the world the same way. Your senses are dulled. You've become slow. You need help with EVERYTHING. Due to my career path, I've seen very successful 80 + people. I've seen 80 years olds with better hearts than 30 year olds (electrocardiographically speaking :) ). One of two things happen to 80 year olds. By then, they have been reduced to basics. By this, I mean they are usually kind hearted, or heartless. They don't have the strength to tightrope walk between the two. Some brave the winds and are exceptionally warm or cold, but mostly, they have become an essence of what they always were;

A SUM OF THEIR THOUGHTS, EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES.

Can't wait.

 

2 Directions

Congratulations Antonio and Soraya!
One of my close friends has been dating his girlfriend for 9 years (pretty sure...maybe 8). He finally worked up the courage - and hired the right crew - to propose to her. The plan was in motion for the last month. We would meet up once or twice a week at Marlon's house to practice the dance. To be honest, we really didn't put a crap-load of effort into it. We even dumbed some of the moves down. We each had difficulty with different parts, so it was fun teaching eachother opposite moves. Regardless, we were all very pleased with the outcome. She said YES! That's what it was for, and that's what we got. In a way, I kind of liked it with shotty choreography. It showed that it was just friends getting together to make something awesome happen. We received compliments for the entire night. It felt great to do something for Antonio.
 I always gave him a lot of shit for dating Soraya that long. Thinking back, it was probably because they seemed like an old couple from day one. You know that 40'ish year-old couple that finds something to argue about in THE GROCERY STORE?!They bicker all the time (he says it's only when we're around. Says that I only get to see that Soraya). They hardly ever go out anymore. And yet...they really do suite one another. They both share many interests and dislike many of the same things. They are comfortable just being around the other one, even when doing unrelated things - Antonio could be doing work on his laptop and Soraya could be knitting a scarf (seriously), and they would be content. That's nice. That is also hard to find. So props to them.
Secretly, it always bugged me that they found a way out. In that kind of gang-mentality. You know, once you're in, you have to make yourself available all the time? Well, minus the killing and jumping people part. Now they live 4,000,000 miles away and have full time jobs. Soraya's always tired...so we don't get to hang out as much. I desperately try to hold on, but it's an uphill battle. One thing I like about being friends is that sometimes, it only takes one person to keep a friendship going. One person to text the other one. People wax and wane over the years, but you can always rekindle!
That's kind of depressing actually.
Here's to turning over a new leaf!
I had a great time that night. With both of them. It's time to stop giving them shit because I want to sit there and be selfish.
More appreciation from this guy! That's the future.
I feel like I should of learned all this already. Why is it coming so late? Can't I just be 27 and wise already?

First Post

     I just watched a movie on Netflix called, Jiro Dreams of Sushi. The premise is basically a guy who has worked his whole life to master everything sushi. At the ripe age of 85, he charges $300 a plate, requires reservations months in advance, and stares you down (apparently, uncomfortably so) while you feast on his 3/3 star rated cuisine. The man literally dreams about sushi. Jiro is admirably referred to as a true Shokunin. A japanese woodworker aptly describes the Shokunin existance here,

“The Japanese word shokunin is defined by both Japanese and Japanese-English dictionaries as ‘craftsman’ or ‘artisan’, but such a literal description does not fully express the deeper meaning. The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skill, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness. These qualities are encompassed in the word shokunin, but are seldom written down . . . . The shokunin demonstrates knowledge of tools and skills with them, the ability to create beauty and the capacity to work with incredible speed . . . . The shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, the shokunin’s responsibility is to fulfill the requirement.”
– Toshio Odate

     Did you guys think this post was going to be about how awesome sushi was? If you're reading this, I hope you know I'm not the biggest fan of sushi. I dislike rice. It's never been a food I could enjoy, to be honest, it always seemed to drain away the flavor from the food I did desire.
     Regardless, the film did spark a cluster of thoughts for me. Why do people hate their jobs? Some people are 45 years old, working jobs (not careers - don't ever tell them their occupation is a career) that they can do nothing more than complain about how long the day is, how terrible their boss is, or what activities await them after their shift. I only hated one job. I was 19 in a sales position and felt that I was truly ripping people off; it got to me - deeply. I quit after 3 months. The way of a Shokunin would sound impossible to these job-haters. We all have responsibility. My heart goes out to all those people working shitty jobs to make a way for their family. I respect their determination. Still, there is a part of me that wholeheartedly believes one can be more than happy within their career choice.
 

    This blog allows me to lay my thoughts on the ethereal table of the internet and expose myself in ways I have never tried. I have always thought of myself as a very fluid person. I can be totally different around different people. Never fake, per se, more like I adapt to my audience. People always refer to me as a veeeery quiet person. (this is terrible...but) A good boy. When people truly see me, it's usually a shock. At least that's what they tell me. Maybe this blog will dampen the effect?
Will people think the same of me? Will I think the same of me after reading my own writing?
We'll see.

Promise -- the rest of the blogs shouldn't be this long.