Ups and downs

It seems that Dave likes the later years in a decade, as far as age is concerned, such as 46-the end of 49.

I quite disagree, without making an argument of it.  I visualise a decade topographically – starting on the plains, the years rise cheerfully to a plateau before sinking towards the nines.  So, as far as I’m concerned, the ages ending in 8 and 9 are the ones not to like.  Especially 9.  It’s like standing with one foot about to drop for a whole year.

I can’t say that this is reflected in the events of my life particularly, it’s just a feeling.  I’m certainly not superstitious about it. I prefer not to pass a decanter of port the wrong way (not bothered about a bottle) but otherwise, I’m fairly free of superstition.

11 comments on “Ups and downs

  1. Anonymous

    I had a great uncle who started telling people he was nearly 80 years old–when he was 72. I don’t like the birthdays ending in 0 or 5, as it usually means a big increase in health insurance premiums.

    Reply
  2. Roses

    Dave, you’re a man of the cloth, you’re not supposed to be lying like a cheap rug.

    I agree with you Z, the years ending in 8 and 9 are all geared up to the next decade, which always seems not to live up the expectation and angst preveiously imagined.

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  3. Z

    Numbers are arbitrary, aren’t they, anon. I’ve taken to putting down the wrong year of birth in those over-inquisitive online forms where you sign up to something where birthdate is irrelevant, but I’m as likely to put myself older as younger than I am.

    So, what does being in your our later 50s say about us then, Dave?

    I’m sure Dave only likes like an Axminster, Roses.

    Reply
  4. 63mago

    I am constantly amazed, perpetually perplexed, when I realize that I am in the second half of my forties.
    It’s amazing how these ten numbers or the decennia form our perspective: The “long 19th century” (Hobsbawm) is 125 years long, the short 20th only 75 years. Of course from a eurocentric perspective.

    Reply
  5. Mike and Ann

    My late (very late now actually) grandmother used to say that you can’t count age in years. I always thought that was a bit silly, as what else can you count them in? But I think what she meant was that some people are older at seventy than others are at ninety, so perhaps it makes a sort of sense (?)

    Reply
  6. Mike and Ann

    My late (very late now actually) grandmother used to say that you can’t count age in years. I always thought that was a bit silly, as what else can you count them in? But I think what she meant was that some people are older at seventy than others are at ninety, so perhaps it makes a sort of sense (?)

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  7. Z

    That’s true, I think. Also, I didn’t start to feel comfortable in my skin until I reached my thirties, but I still am. I was born to be (in a broad range, for you young thirty-somethings) middle-aged – so let’s hope I won’t feel old when the time comes!

    Reply
  8. luckyzmom

    My husband is seven years younger than I in years only. If you don’t mind it doesn’t matter. I refuse to start down the “getting older” slide. When my husband starts to complain about getting older I tell him that he needn’t worry, because he will always be younger than I. So, I credit myself with keeping him young.

    Reply

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