Friday, August 26, 2011

Seventy


By CHRIS MILLSPAUGH

Good Lord, I'm 70! Now, what do I do? I never thought I'd make it this far, yet here I am. I know what I want to do: nothing. I just want to be. People tell me you have to remain active and keep busy. I don't think so. Active and busy are overrated. You know what I'd like to do? I'd like to do absolutely nothing. But if I had to do something, I'd go on interviews knowing that I would never get or take the job. Interviews are all mind games and I've been through too many of those. And, that would be a way to be busy and active and make those people who like to offer advice happy. "Look, he's busy and active. Why, today he has two interviews. He's got good color, doesn't he?" Hey, maybe it's my blood pressure.

Look, I know I can't live in the past and I don't know what's coming tomorrow so I have to be in the now. I'm in the now, now, and guess what I want to do? Nothing. Oh, I intend to take care of my Cs and Rs (commitments and responsibilities) and pay what I owe, but as far as my day-to-day assignments, there will be nothing on my agenda. OK, I'll probably write a bit and there are some creative projects I'd like to try, but other than that, my intentions border on zero. I will have to keep my home up and take care of the car, but I won't be adding any extra rooms. People will look at me and say, "Hey, is that guy flat-lining?" That how much I will be doing—nada.

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But what about my goals and aims in life? I see nothing on the horizon. Being works for me. Oh, I'll help people out when I'm needed and give advice to my children and friends if they ask, but as far as me asking or taking ... no. In the final analysis, I'm on my on. On my own doing what? Not a damn thing.

I look forward to seeing you all on the streets, the parks, the walkways, the movies and the shops. I'll be the guy you see who's doing nothing.

Nice talking to you.




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