As one ages, which as a baby boomer, I didn't think I would, here I am at age 55 and I don't feel any different than I did when I was 20 except that I have a few more aches and pains and I have gained a little wisdom and pounds. My biggest words of wisdom are that the more I know, the more I know I don't know and that is the truth. I also am not so eager to jump into things because I now know what I can and can't do. The other side of the coin is that now I don't want to try anything new anymore because I don't care; well that might not be true. I joined a fitness center in the last couple years and I never did that before.

When my mom and dad were in their 50's, they went to work and came home and watched TV; they were too tired in the evenings after working all day to do anything else after supper. THAT I can relate to. I use all my energy to get up, go to the job, come home and cook supper and then relax either by watching TV or get on the computer. I am usually too tired to do anything else. When I work out at the gym, I either have to do it on the way home from work or it doesn't happen. This past week, I have been too tired to even work out so I come home, make supper and watch TV. I think I might be fighting some bug off. Actually, I enjoy television--I always have back to the 50's when we first got a television set. There is nothing better after a day of crap at the office then sitting in front of the TV and watch something I like and zone out, thinking about nothing. It's great. Also when one has to be gone which happens occasionally, I tape my favorite shows and watch them later at my convenience. The advantage to that is speeding through the commercials. One of these days I am going to get cable or satellite TV, so I have several channels to choose from. Sometimes the broadcast TV is not the Best. The public television station is GREAT and I watch that when there are topics I find interesting such as nature or oldies like Lawrence Welk. Yes, I admit it...I LIKE WATCHING THE OLD LAWRENCE WELK SHOWS ON public television and ballroom dancing plus the ice skating competitions and shows on broadcast TV.

My first full time job as an 18 year old in 1968 was at a computer company, where the first computer originated--Univac. So I learned all about computers and even had my first PC and inter company email in the 80's. But to the dismay of many, the mainframe was passed by with the new personal PC, and unfortunately, it wasn't invented soon enough by Univac or Sperry, so then I got out before things got real bad in that company as they started laying off.

After I left there, I learned about computers working in a church office in a small town and discovered Microsoft Windows. And I have been learning about computers ever since even in my own home. That brings me to why some older people are afraid of the computer? It is totally entertaining with internet, email, etc. although it doesn't replace TV but it's good. I think alot of people my age have dug their heels and learned the computer but alot of people haven't and are afraid to. My hushand, who is 11 years older than I am, won't touch the computer even though his children gave him a laptop for his 65th birthday. He pecks on it once in a while but he kind of hoards it. I offered to show him how to do things on it but alas, he is stubborn. He also can't program the VCR or update digital clocks because he refuses to try but he can fix any car, tractor or anything that moves--he is very gifted that way.

I know of people older than he is, in their 70's who learned how to run the computer and to operate functions on it. I am amazed with that. Even at the tender age of 55, I find myself getting frustrated with the new fangled things such as ipods, DVDs, and all the music that can be downloaded off the computer unto the ipod. And also digital cameras where pictures can be downloaded unto the computer or printed. I don't know when or if I can learn these newer things. I just know that I am glad I learned the computer because it is staying and changing our lives whether we like it or not and we might as well accept it.

I possibly might have 30 years left before I leave this earth and I have to keep up with things, or I'll die a slow, uninformed death of not knowing what's going on. So I have tried to keep up. My 19 year old son has an ipod and downloads music plus he talks to his friends through the instant messaging on his computer. I don't have a need for an ipod right now or instant messaging. I still use my cassette player/AM/FM radio when I work out. I don't know many people my age that do instant messaging or who hang on the computer for hours like the kids today. There I said it--LIKE THE KIDS TODAY! I remember when my dad use to complain about my rock and roll music, the Beatles, etc. but he died before he heard the crap they play today. See I sound just like him. And I can't understand the words on the music the young people listen to and I remember when my dad used to say he couldn't understand the words on my music which was mild compared to music nowadays. BUT I will have to say that I do enjoy an occasional newer song played today and even watch the Music award shows to watch some newer entertainers and keep up on the latest fads which are wild.

The greatest newer invention is the cell phone. I would have LOVED the cell phone as a kid but I really enjoy it now. Actually I can't live without it. I can even play games on it which I do occasionally. I don't have to stop and find a phone booth and try to find change to put in the public phone. Now I can just dial up in the privacy of my car. When you have had to find a phone to call somebody for whatever reason, it is a pain and after years of that, the cell phone is a welcome relief. Yes I am one of those who drives and talks on the cell phone BUT I am very careful when I talk while I'm driving and I don't start talking when there's a lot of traffic. YES I PLAY GAMES ON THE COMPUTER and on the cell phone. I don't like to admit that to many people. My mother would have loved the cell phone in her day but at 83 with alzeimers. there's no way she could ever understand it. She would have maybe also liked the computer in her younger days but now she would just break it. Now she is in a nursing home where at least she is safe until her last breath.

Yes there are good and bad things about the new technological age we live in but I guess I like most of it, even at my age.