75 And Counting

Yeah, Another Blogger

Eleven months ago I published a piece in which I noted that I couldn’t believe how fast 2021, and hence my life, was flying by. Well, somehow 2022 has equaled or maybe even surpassed 2021’s fleetness. And I have no doubt that 2023 will tear out of the starter’s block like Usain Bolt and then do nothing but pick up speed. Man, time unquestionably is the most precious commodity of all. It’s unsettling too.

Now, not everybody would agree with my perception of time. Most young people, for instance, don’t sense time as being a high-speed train.  Hell, for the most part they don’t think about time at all. Like many senior citizens, however, I have time on my mind pretty often. Meaning, I’m anything but oblivious to the facts that I’ve been on Planet Earth for a good long while, and that I’m a whole lot closer to the end than to the beginning. I don’t become badly depressed about it, or anything like that. However, the reality of the situation definitely gets my attention now and then.

I mention the above because I was stunned big-time a couple of months ago as I neared the completion of my 75th journey around the Sun. I did not feel at all celebratory about the upcoming birthday. The cockles of my heart refused to warm even one little bit. “75? Are you shitting me?” I asked myself. “How is it possible that I’ve become so f*cking old?” I mean, it seems like only yesterday that I was in my twenties, let alone in my 40s. Holy crap, where in the world did the time go?

By anyone’s definition, 75 is old as frigging dirt, or nearly so. Yeah, I know that plenty of people are older than me. Not as many as you might think, though, nor as many as I thought until I researched the subject earlier this month on a website that can tell you where you fit, age-wise, on the human population ladder. (Click here if you’d like to see the site. When it opens, click on Let’s Go. Next, click on My Place In The Population, which is where you enter your age.)

The answer, for 75-year-old me, was not joy-inducing. That’s because I learned that I am older than 96% of the people on our beautiful, polluted planet. That figure was an absolute kick to the balls. All I could do was shake off the pain and acknowledge the bad joke with a half-hearted chortle. And then I got right back to doing the things I love, such as palling around with my wife and other friends, exploring the natural and man-made worlds, writing, reading, and imbibing cool music. They make for a good life. With luck, this regimen will continue for a bunch more years.

With 2023 a mere handful of days away, the time now has arrived for me to wish all of you a most Happy New Year. May it be rewarding. And may peace, love, understanding and freedom fully permeate the human condition one day. They are in short supply in many parts of the globe, as we know all too well. So, as I’ve been thinking about freedom a lot lately, I’ll conclude this essay by presenting a song, Miles And Miles, that knocked me off my feet when I heard it for the first time recently. It’s a brilliant rocker, released this year by The Heavy Heavy, a young British band that I wouldn’t mind hanging out with for a while, traveling with them from gig to gig and absorbing their vibes. For the song’s about being flushed with freedom as you groove to life’s rhythms and grab hold of the good stuff out there in the world. I tell you, that orientation has appealed to me exquisitely since I reached adulthood many moons ago. I hope I never stop feeling, and acting, that way.

155 thoughts on “75 And Counting”

  2. ckennedy December 31, 2022 / 6:12 pm

    That song is such a vibe! Perfect for ringing in the new year. Cheers to 2023!

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  3. Platypus Man January 2, 2023 / 9:55 am

    I know just how you feel, Neil. When I was young I so much wanted to be older, so I could go out, see the world and do stuff. And now I think, what the *** was I thinking, wishing my life away like that. Whatever, what will be will be and until then, lets have fun…and plenty of chocolate cake! Happy New Year, my friend.

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  4. rkrontheroad January 2, 2023 / 11:36 am

    It was somehow encouraging to see the maximum end of the graph was 125 yrs old! The video brought back memories of wandering around in younger days. At the end, I clicked on the link to their version of Guinnevere. Lovely. Have a wonderful year and stop obsessing over the numbers!

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  5. Anonymous January 2, 2023 / 11:38 pm

    Gosh young man, what should I say???? 86!!! If that isn’t older than GOD, what is???? You’ve got a long way to go to catch up with me. Stick around. Life IS an adventure. Happy New Year, Muriel

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  6. Anonymous January 2, 2023 / 11:39 pm

    Gosh, WordPress is giving me a hard time in MY old age. I wrote a comment already and it disappeared. You’ve a way to go before you catch up with me kid. Happy New Year. Muriel

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger January 3, 2023 / 6:58 am

      Hi Muriel. Your original comment arrived. Thanks for adding your thoughts! All the best. Neil

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  7. D. Wallace Peach January 3, 2023 / 2:33 pm

    I didn’t like that website, Neil. Lol. I’m due for a birthday in less than a week, and I’m older than 91% of the population. Yikes. Well, time is zooming by, for sure. Time to live it up. 🙂 Have a splendid new year full of adventure.

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  9. Linda Pearce Griffin January 4, 2023 / 9:45 pm

    Oh, Man! I FEEL ya! In July of 2023 I will turn 73 so I’m close on your heels and i can hear the wind whipping in my ears as we continue to zip through the years together. Like you, I will continue to enjoy life in all its forms. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to meet (even if it is only virtually) folks like you in particular – an irreverent, spicy, fun loving soul who loves life and good music. Thank you for introducing me to The Heavy Heavy – I will be sharing them with my husband – an old musician who will likely appreciate them as well. I love how you add music to your blog posts! Keep on keeping on, my friend. I send my very best wishes for your new year. ~ Linda

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  10. Ally Bean January 7, 2023 / 10:01 am

    At 75 you’re older than 96% of the people on our beautiful, polluted planet? I’m shocked by that fact. I’ve never thought about age in that way, yet it is interesting. As for being 75 y.o. you know they say 75 is the new 50! Happy New Year

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger January 7, 2023 / 12:48 pm

      It’s a pretty amazing website. Like you say, it puts things in a new perspective. Anyway, thanks for the input. Have an excellent day!

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  12. America On Coffee January 12, 2023 / 7:54 pm

    I love it Neil, “completion of my 75th journey around the Sun”. Around the sun pretty much describes my journey too. 👍👍

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  13. Emma January 15, 2023 / 4:21 am

    Such a great post. May you always groove to life’s rhythms.

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  14. Juliette January 18, 2023 / 1:17 pm

    Have a wonderful 2023! I loved the song so thank you for sharing it!

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger January 18, 2023 / 3:48 pm

      Hi. Since writing the story, I’ve heard that song a few times on various channels. Radio programmers like it!

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  15. Christie January 18, 2023 / 3:04 pm

    Here is to many more peaceful and joyful journeys around the Sun!
    p.s. the video is no longer available

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  19. Silver Screenings February 6, 2023 / 10:07 pm

    I’m very late to the party, but Happy Belated Birthday anyway!

    I hope the new year is treating you well.

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  21. alisendopf May 7, 2023 / 3:10 pm

    Congratulations on making it to 75. I agree – where does the time go? Thanks for sharing your journeys with us. Always entertaining and enlightening.

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