Perhaps it’s just because of my age back then but life seemed so much simpler. Mind your manners. Be polite and respectful. Go to school. Get a job. Retire. Buy what you need; waste not.

Music was simple. I know she was only B list but I enjoyed Olivia Newton John (ONJ) back then and listening to her now brings strong nostalgia and yearnings for days past. Life got so complicated when I wasn’t looking.

Especially poignant is the song Have You Never Been Mellow. I try to keep more abreast of current events and be more informed. But I think it makes me a little tense. People can tell when I’ve been reading the green pages (of SF). This song hit home - I think I need to relax more in my life. Smell the roses.

There are many calls to action these days. It seems relentless and unforgiving. But I need to remember to switch it off once in awhile.

ONJ "B list"? I think not.

Agree on all points. Since I retired 2 months ago and moved away from Portland 1 month ago, my stress level and blood pressure are both down.

Oh, and Olivia Newton John was one of my top 2 or 3 performers when I was a teenager, and remains so to this day. She's not "B list" to me.

Most of your post, yes. Olivia Newton John? Fighting words. Lol. Merry Christmas.

Life has gotten simpler for me these days. and more enjoyable.

Sometimes I think back to the 60s and 70s when I was young. Things were simpler culturally and likely because I only had two things to worry about. I remember when on the 4th of July and during the patriotic parade, people lining the street saluted or placed their hand over their heart when flags went by. This was Southern California. Imagine that. Men were clean cut and women were dressed modestly. In California.

Since then I completed my education, lived and worked abroad, got married and raised our children, bought a house, ran a business and will retire in a few weeks…..maybe. That’s a lot of water under the bridge. The whole time a fraction of the population has been working to change the culture and recruit more unto themselves. It happened progressively and in the dark at first. Now in their numbers they are overt and bold. Their progress is greater and faster.

I can see there’s only one way back and that is through cataclysmic turmoil. I’m too old for that. I fought the good fight as a young man. I’ve about finished my course. I kept the faith. Now I’m insulating and isolating with my family. Wake me up when the shooting starts.

Life was never simple, you just thought it was.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Life was never simple, you just thought it was.

No, you just think it was - now.

Different, yes. Simpler, no.

quote:

Originally posted by darthfuster:
I can see there’s only one way back and that is through cataclysmic turmoil. I’m too old for that. I fought the good fight as a young man. I’ve about finished my course. I kept the faith. Now I’m insulating and isolating with my family. Wake me up when the shooting starts.

Figured it was worth repeating.

I call it BCE -> Before Cellphone Era.

Back when people knew their neighbor and would look each other in the eye when talking to complete strangers.

Yeah, the choke may have stuck a few times, tires would go flat, but the panhandler's union hadn't started yet?

Well, I don't want to wait in any more gas lines or file paper 1099s (damn, I'm old).

quote:

No, you just think it was - now.

Different, yes. Simpler, no.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think you misinterpreted what I said. Life has never been simple. There are just different challenges. People look back at the 40s and 50s with nostalgia. Hindsight has never been 20/20.

Yeah, life was simpler. The “challenges” have been around, but do you think a wheat farmer from Tennessee gave two shits about the Cuban Missile Crisis? Same farmers grandson is terrified of what is happening in Ukraine. Although, neither can or could do anything about it.

Life was simpler before everyone became hyper informed. And most “news” is not news, it’s advertising in disguise.

Lots of things are simple when you can look back at them decades later and know the correct answer.
Things are not quite as simple in real time.

I switched off commercials over 20 years ago. That helps tremendously. At that time I also decided that I’m going my own way and don’t really care what the herd does. The herd is mindless.

All you can do is shut the bullshit off and live your own life. Moving rural helps too, and I’m working on that now. Less bullshit in the country.

I’m still above ground, I got that goin’ for me!

Merry Christmas to all!

Maybe not simpler, but certainly more civil.

quote:

Originally posted by bald1:
Maybe not simpler, but certainly more civil.

Less civil is more complicated. So, it really was simpler.

quote:

Originally posted by jljones:
Yeah, life was simpler. The “challenges” have been around, but do you think a wheat farmer from Tennessee gave two shits about the Cuban Missile Crisis? Same farmers grandson is terrified of what is happening in Ukraine. Although, neither can or could do anything about it.

Life was simpler before everyone became hyper informed. And most “news” is not news, it’s advertising in disguise.

Insightful summary, very good. Thanks.

Merry Christmas Eve Night to all. 14 degrees here.
Happened to read texts here about one of the most beautiful and talented performers, Olivia Newton-John,whom I met at a party in the mid 80’s.
She came to my Boss’s home with the then Ky. Gov Martha Layne Collins. Every man in the room was stunned speechless!! She spoke to all of us, our wives and dates, as did the Governor. A totally wonderful time for everyone from these women who spent over 2 hours with us. Never will forget her.
Kind regards to all.
Blackhorse4