Over-50

Leonard Marsh aka "Mr. Snapple" - Another late bloomer

Leonard Marsh, who created the off-beat beverage Snapple, struggled for the big time for decades.  In 1992, he got there through bringing his company public. Then in 1994, he sold it to Quaker for $1.7 billion, reports Stephen Miller in THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.  Marsh died on May 21st, at age 80.  He could become an iconic role model for all of the rest of us late bloomers. 

In his book "Old Masters and Young Geniuses," University of Chicago researcher David W. Galenson documents that there is such a phenomenon as the late bloomer. Unlike the Mozarts of the world, they don't find a way to express their talent until late in life.  Until then they keep experimenting. An example is Frank Lloyd Wright who didn't start Falling Waters until he was 60 years old.

Now that the economy is improving, more of us Baby Boomers can go for what for us will be the big time.  During the worst of times during The Great Recession we learned plenty.  For example, I finally nailed down that was standing in my way of success was me.  In the next few years the media could be reporting on how we Baby Boomers are bursting into bloom.

Suicide: Aging Baby Boomer seemed to be doing okay

In our age bracket, suicide is becoming a common cause of death.  Last night our 12-step group in North Haven, Connecticut was rocked by the news that one of us had checked out.  Let's call him Pete.  He was a regular "in the rooms" for two years.  He had developed a diverse network of fellow members to help him over the rough spots. The day of his divorce, he spent the time after court at his sponsor's house.  We thought he was doing okay.

He wasn't.  When it comes to males, it is difficult to read what is really going on inside of them.  Since he had held on to a good job, the tendency is to assume that he is functioning. 

Now, we ask if there were signs that he was planning to leave us?  Maybe I'm obtuse but I didn't see them. In fact, I envied the way he seemed to bounce back from life's surprises.  May this Baby Boomer, who worked so hard his life to support his children, rest in peace.

Michael Musto: Makes headlines for being classy, after getting boot from VILLAGE VOICE

Getting the boot is always a disaster - emotionally, financially, and inpossibly also in unwanted media attention.  With the availability of e-tools, ranging from Twitter to simple email, some of those who've been canned lash out against their former employer in a public and ugly way.  That seemed to have some positive impacts for comic Conan O'Brien. But in general burning that bridge doesn't seem to get anyone much.

Former gossip columnist for the VILLAGE VOICE Michael Musto may have made a smart move speaking well about the powers-that-be there.  On his Facebook page, reports Adam Martin at NEW YORK Magazine, Musto praises the VILLAGE VOICE for making possible so many opportunities to cover what he wanted and how we wanted as well as to meet with compelling personalities, celebrities among them.

In an era in which the default has become anger, not being angry can provide a wonderous personal brand.

Everything Changes: What we had chased crumbles

As NEW YORK Magazine sadly reports, the iconic alternate weekly THE VILLAGE VOICE has laid off some heavy hitters such as gossip columnist Michael Musto.  Times are hard in journalism.  And it was for a career on the side in journalism that I chased.  I wanted the big bylines.  I wanted the excitement. I wanted the power of walking into a news event and the crowds parting like the Red Sea.  I craved that even though I had a thriving career as a ghostwriter/speechwriter.

Now that dream, of course, has crumbled. There are still journalists who are thriving. But most are caught playing a scary game of musical chairs.  Those who lose those good jobs may never land comparable ones. Meanwhile, after some hard times for it, the field of executive communications has bounced back.  I even have a waiting list. 

When we will learn to value what we have?  Is the lack of satisfaction the curse on mankind?

Baby Boomer Bullies on Facebook

We Baby Boomers might assume that the rest of us have mellowed with time - and suffering.  Don't bet on it. 

This week was one from hell because of a fellow Baby Boomer on Facebook.  Since we had had some things in common such as both working in public relations and both being from the same town, we developed one of those casual Facebook relationships.  One day, on my communications blog, I posted a funny commentary about my experiences growing up in that town. I mentioned her and raised the question if she had shared some of those experiences.  My allusions to her were neutral, not comic.

After I posted, I sent a link to her via Facebook.  At the time she seemed to enjoy it.  There was no request to take it down.  Had there been I would have.  Then this week I received a number of notes from her via Facebook how the post has attracted "unwanted attention."  I took it down.  Then I was vilfied by Ms. High-Handed for the original post since I had not asked her permission.  Hey, did you ever hear of the First Amendment and that increasingly courts are ruling that bloggers have the same protections as journalists?  There was no need for me to get permission from her for mentioning her on my blog. 

She only stopped laying into me, ever so WASPY cool-like, when I informed her of the legalities and that lawyers and public relations folks were planning to turn this chamber of horrors into a case study.  A media property is also interested in covering this Facebook grim experience. Then she was all sugar and spice and everything nice.  I informed her that if she ever contacted me again I would file harassment charges.

Not all Baby Boomers are decent human beings. 

 

Commencement Speeches - Aren't they an anachronism?

One thing the new generations know is this: There are no right answers.  The exception, of course, is getting through college.  There it's assumed there are right answers in the form of what the professors expect.

We Baby Boomers had to learn the hard way that reality of no right answers.  We stumbled into adulthood wanting someone or some institution to tell us the right way to find a good job, find a husband, and find inner peace.  Then we got it that all that was something we had to figure out on our own.

Isn't it a carry-over from our Baby Boomer times of innocence to have commencement speakers spouting out supposed wisdom. Where do they get off pontificating.  Wouldn't it be more useful for the graduates to have a panel on the stage in the gym or the athletic field opining on how to slouch toward making one's way in a very tough, violent world?

Baby Boomers: Remember our classmates who peaked too soon?

Jennifer Haigh, author of the 2005 novel "Baker Towers," has a lot of insight into the young who peak early.  In high school they are the cheerleaders, class president, prom queen and king, and winner of the appointment to West Point.  Then there was the rest of us. 

It took me until my late 50s to find myself, then after that I found a way to get professional attention on my own terms.  University of Chicago professor David W. Galenson studied our kind.  He documented there really is such a thing as a late bloomer. Frank Lloyd Wright didn't design Falling Waters until he was around 60. 

Some years ago I attended a reunion of members of my high school class.  The former student president bored us with talking about the satisfaction he derives from teaching back at our same high school.  The one who was known to have the highest IQ (homerun teachers took to boasting) had a conventional career in the helping professions.  The kid who had achieved national fame on television through a spelling bee contest had hung himself in college.

Me? Those attending probably still labeled me a loud, overweight loser.  Yet, at the time I was operating a thriving business in executive communications, one which I got going again in the past 8 months.  Those who had dominated social life in the past continued to that day. 

65-69 Age Bracket: A lot of us are still working (Source: LFPR)

For whatever reasons, a lot of us in the age bracket 65 to 69 are still working. 

The statistics for that come from the Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR), reports Doug Short at BUSINESS INSIDER.

Some opine that with an improving economy more of us aging will hang it up.  They shouldn't bet on it. I'm 68, recently repositioned my business, and am now earning more than I had before my industry crashed at the turn of the century.

Class of 1967, Seton Hill, Greensburg, PA - We sure did grow up

Calm.  That's probably the best way to describe the difference between who we used to be and the women we have become.  Because of Facebook, over the past three years we women from the Class of 1967 (the college was all-female then) of Seton Hill, Greensburg, Pennsylvania got to meet up after being out here for almost half a century.

Like most graduates, at least back at a time when women tended to be conflicted (no leaning in), we were lost after the four years we had spent together.  Compulsively we clung to those old friendships.  We crisscrossed the U.S. visiting each other.  Instead of wanting to problem solve, we mostly unloaded our woes.  Usually I was frantic, unable to believe that bad and disappointing things happen. 

How we have grown up.  In my recent Facebook posts, emails, and phone conversations I sketch out what is.  I know what to do.  It's simple talk, the thing that has gotten mankind through whatever since the caveman discovered the symbolic system of language.

Instead of demanding to be shored up, we reach out.  I can't believe my luck good in having all-grown-up relationships with school chums Pat Serra, Lee Harrison, Irene Nunn, Kathy Huebner, and Charlotte Toal.  What a gift that comes with aging.

Working When Near 70: Actually, we get better at presenting ourselves

Thanks to Facebook, everyone in the world seemed to know that one week ago I turned 68.  There was a pile-on of cliches about aging.  I buried myself in bed, trying to sleep through it all, the way I used to sleep through my clinical depression in graduate school. 

But, the reality has been that the older I am getting the more contract assignments I am getting in executive communications and at a higher rate than in my middle age.  My hunch is that it's because I have gotten much better at how I present myself to prospects and interact with clients.

The eagerness to please has been toned down.  That transmits a message that I really do know my stuff, at least enough so that I don't have to sell my personality so much.  Another change has been that as we age we need less of the status symbols so we're not desperate for money.  About 12 years ago I owned a house as a primary residence and a cottage down the Jersey shore. I felt then like I needed that.  Currently I rent in affordable housing established for senior citizens.  The savings on heat, hot water, and electricity are wonderful. So, when I pitch for an account I'm more relaxed.  No, I don't need the money. The money would only be nice. 

Another advantage coming with aging is a thicker skin.  When criticism comes, I absorb it.  Therefore, my cover letters and resumes have gotten better through feedback. 

The only regret I have, at least this week, about aging is the reduced energy level.  I could once work non-stop for days and nights.  Now I need my zzzzzzzs.