A Sense of Doubt blog post #4207 - GEN X - I am not a Boomer; I am a Gen Xer - Music Monday 2608.24

 A Sense of Doubt blog post #4207 - GEN X - I am not a Boomer; I am a Gen Xer - Music Monday 2608.24

I have been engaged in debates about my generation.

I have never felt that I fit in with BOOMERS. After all, the Baby Boom was a post-World War Two population explosion of veterans returning from the war and starting families. My father was not a WWII vet. My paternal Grandfather was but not my Dad.

My parents were ten and nine years old at the end of WWII; they married in 1958. I was born in 1962, during the Kennedy era, that's seventeen years after WWII ended.

I am Gen X. I identify with EVERY cultural marker of Generation X and none of the cultural markers of the Baby Boomers.

Just like I didn't fit in with my original class of 1980, graduating high school or entering college, and identified completely with the next college class, graduating in 1985. And so I graduated with them.

Accepting arbitrary decisions of so called experts divisions of generation markers as indisputable law is fatuous.

There's actually quite a lot of debate about the years of the Baby Boomers and the years of Generation X as I copy below from Wikipedia. Regardless, I hold to Strauss and Howe as well as Gordinier (whose book I have read) that puts Gen X between 1961 and 1981.

Even more interesting is David Foot's separation of Gen X to 1960-1966 and the "Bust" generation from 1967-1979.

Nevertheless, I consider myself Gen X, and I will die on this hill against anyone trying to argue otherwise.

Also, it's Music Monday, so I made a mix for Gen X.

It's 1980s and 1990s music with only some Nick Drake (late 1960s and very early 1970s before his death in 1974) and a Beatles cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows" (1966) as the only pre-1980s or even 1990s selections.

Thanks for tuning in.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_X\

Other age range markers

On the basis of the time it takes for a generation to mature, U.S. authors William Strauss and Neil Howe define Generation X as those born between 1961 and 1981 in their 1991 book titled Generations, and differentiate the cohort into an early and late wave.^[48] Jeff Gordinier, in his 2008 book X Saves the World, include those born between 1961 and 1977 but possibly as late as 1980.^[9] George Masnick of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies puts this generation in the time-frame of 1965 to 1984, in order to satisfy the premise that boomers, Xers, and millennials "cover equal 20-year age spans".^[44] In 2004, journalist J. Markert also acknowledged the 20-year increments but goes one step further and subdivides the generation into two 10-year cohorts with early and later members of the generation. The first begins in 1966 and ends in 1975 and the second begins in 1976 and ends in 1985; this thinking is applied to each generation (Silent, boomers, Gen X, millennials, etc.).^[49]

Based on external events of historical importance, Schewe and Noble in 2002 argue that a cohort is formed against significant milestones and can be any length of time. Against this logic, Generation X begins in 1966 and ends in 1976, with those born between 1955 and 1965 being labelled as "trailing-edge boomers".^[50]

The 1994 book Baby Busters: The Disillusioned Generation by George Barna refers to those born 1965–1983 as the "baby busters" generation rather than as Generation X.^[51]

In Canada, professor David Foot describes Generation X as late boomers and includes those born between 1960 and 1966, whilst the "Bust Generation", those born between 1967 and 1979, is considered altogether a separate generation, in his 1996 book Boom Bust & Echo: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Shift.^[52][53]

GEN X SAVES THE WORLD MIX

I am not sure what's wrong with the embed function, but the video is available.

TRACK LIST

[1] Let Down (Remastered) Radiohead

[2] Man Out Of Time Elvis Costello

[3] Pink Moon Nick Drake

[4] THE CURE - A Forest (lyrics)

[5] Teen Age Riot Sonic Youth

[6] Almost Blue Elvis Costello

[7] Pilgrimage rem

[8] Beck - Loser (Official Music Video)

[9] Gouge Away PixiesOfficial

[10] Billie Marten - This Is How We Move

[11] R.E.M. - Talk About The Passion

[12] Nirvana - All Apologies (MTV Unplugged)

[13] Providence Sonic Youth

[14] When It Hurts So Bad Ms. Lauryn Hill

[15] Jeff Buckley - Grace (Official Video)

[16] Mary J. Blige, U2 - One (Official Music Video)

[17] Mary J. Blige - Everything (Official Music Video)

[18] Echo & The Bunnymen - The Killing Moon (Official Music Video)

[19] Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under The Bridge [Official Music Video]

[20] Scorpions - Wind Of Change (Official Music Video)

[21] Candle Sonic Youth

[22] The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows (Cover) by Daniela Andrade

[23] Nick Drake - Day Is Done

[24] Hey PixiesOfficial

[25] Place To Be Nick Drake

[26] Pixies - Here Comes Your Man (Official Video)

[27] Just Fine Mary J Blige

[28] Red Hot Chili Peppers - Californication (Official Music Video) [HD UPGRADE]

28 tracks .... because.... Dad.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I originally created this post before Dad died - on this date - 2409.07 - 10:10

- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2608.24 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 4071 days ago & DAD = 725 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3994 - Reprint of a Reprint of Reflecting on the Time You Left - David Bowie from 2017

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3994 - Reprint of a Reprint of  Reflecting on the Time You Left - David Bowie from 2017

See yesterday's post.

Writing a final project.

Just this.

Thanks for tuning in.

In a 2002 interview, David Bowie reflected on aging by asking, "How long? And what do I do with the time I've got left?". He answered this by focusing on family and intense creative output, releasing four acclaimed albums—including his final work Blackstar—and stepping away from touring to spend time with his wife and daughter. 

Key Actions Bowie Took with His Remaining Time:

• Creative Productivity: He worked urgently to compose, record, and create videos, viewing his art as a way to achieve immortality.
• Focus on Family: He stepped away from the public eye and touring to spend quality time with his wife and daughter.
• Acceptance and Challenge: Instead of succumbing to despair regarding his mortality, he actively challenged death through the release of his final, deeply personal music. 

Bowie's approach to his final years was characterized by a conscious decision to make his remaining time purposeful through art and love, rather than fear. 

Link to the reprint and the original post reprinted below:

Thursday, January 23, 2025

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3628 - SoD Reprint of #904 from 2017: Reflecting on the Time You Left - David Bowie

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3628 - SoD Reprint of #904 from 2017: Reflecting on the Time You Left - David Bowie

Catching up.

Second reprint of three in a series.

BOWIE MONTH.

Link to the original post reprinted below:

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #904 - Reflections- Bowie - the Time Left

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #904 - Reflections- Bowie - the Time Left

Hi Mom, Not to bring down the party, but I didn't post a blog today. I let the day go by as I reflected and spent a day of doing basically nothing productive.

Okay, not true, I ran some errands, including going to the pet store to buy food for Ellory. I should count that as a productive thing.

But here at home, I am surrounded by things to do and did not muster the wherewithal to do most of them.

I am not depressed. I just needed a day of whatever.

I had several other plans for a post to catch up on this day, and then I spotted this Bowie message on Twitter.

It seemed a good one to share and share with not much else.

The message speaks for itself without me adding to it beyond, as I did, placing it in the context of my day of reflection.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you, Mom.
I miss you so very much, Mom.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
- Days ago = 906 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1712.26 - 10:10
NEW (written 1708.27) NOTE on time: I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of your death, Mom, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of your death, Mom. I know this only matters to me, and to you, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2501.23 - 10:10
- Days ago: MOM = 3492 days ago & DAD = 148 days ago
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2601.23 - 10:`10

- Days ago: MOM = 3857 days ago & DAD = 512 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3628 - SoD Reprint of #904 from 2017: Reflecting on the Time You Left - David Bowie

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3628 - SoD Reprint of #904 from 2017: Reflecting on the Time You Left - David Bowie

Catching up.

Second reprint of three in a series.

BOWIE MONTH.

Link to the original post reprinted below:

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #904 - Reflections- Bowie - the Time Left

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #904 - Reflections- Bowie - the Time Left

Hi Mom, Not to bring down the party, but I didn't post a blog today. I let the day go by as I reflected and spent a day of doing basically nothing productive.

Okay, not true, I ran some errands, including going to the pet store to buy food for Ellory. I should count that as a productive thing.

But here at home, I am surrounded by things to do and did not muster the wherewithal to do most of them.

I am not depressed. I just needed a day of whatever.

I had several other plans for a post to catch up on this day, and then I spotted this Bowie message on Twitter.

It seemed a good one to share and share with not much else.

The message speaks for itself without me adding to it beyond, as I did, placing it in the context of my day of reflection.


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you, Mom.
I miss you so very much, Mom.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
- Days ago = 906 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1712.26 - 10:10
NEW (written 1708.27) NOTE on time: I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of your death, Mom, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of your death, Mom. I know this only matters to me, and to you, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2501.23 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3492 days ago & DAD = 148 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1429 - My Birthday 2019 (and again and again and...)

My 57th birthday pre-dinner at the Waterfront, Twigs, Vancouver

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1429 - My Birthday 2019 (and again and again and...)

Here I am in the photo above about to go to dinner at a restaurant called Twigs on the Columbia River waterfront, the Vancouver side.

Last year, on my birthday, I suggested that it may become a tradition to re-post all the birthday posts each year. It seems as if I have decided to do that.

Also, I am including some links to some other birthday posts as well as the famous (at least to our family and friends) Tower cake archive, showing all the pictures that I have yet found of the cakes my father decorated throughout my life for both myself and my sister. He got quite good at it as you can see if you click the link. I added photos with all these links, and so I chose the Mad Magazine Alfred E. Neuman cake.

I also re-posted previous birthday posts going back to 2016 and the first HEY MOM post since my mother died.

I had to work too much today, on my birthday, but I am hoping to get some relaxation with comic books and football tomorrow, Sunday.

Here's some links and photos and then the re-posts. Thanks for clicking in and scrolling around.

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #962 - Random Thoughts and First Birthday - Throwback Thursday for 1802.22

BIRTHDAY 1969 BLOG POST

birthday 1969

BIRTHDAY 1974 BLOG POST

birthday 1974

TOWER BIRTHDAY CAKE ARCHIVE BLOG POST

birthday 1973 - 11 yrs

REPOST BEGINS

Me and Liesel Birthday 2018 Caldera Public House Stark st Portland Friday 1801.19

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #928 - It's My Birthday, (and Again and Again - (2018))

Hi Mom,

Perhaps it will become an annual tradition to just keep re-posting the same material...

For my birthday in 2018, I worked. Then I went to dinner with friends and family at Caldera Public House after which some of us attended a lecture at Oregon Friends of Jung. The lecture was horrible, though, as by the date and time stamp of this post, I had not experienced that yet.

It was a good birthday even though the lecture was sub-par. Good times with friends and family, and I LOVE Portland.

BTW, the drink in the picture above is a GINGER infused old fashioned. It was yummy. I'd have another or three. :-)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ORIGINAL -

http://sensedoubt.blogspot.com/2017/01/hey-mom-talking-to-my-mother-562-its-my.html

RE-REPOST BEGINS

My birthday 1973

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #562 - It's my Birthday (again)

Hi Mom, Usually, I do not re-post entries from Hey Mom within Hey Mom. I figure once is enough. But with this marking the 562nd entry in Hey Mom alone and with 696 total published entries on this blog, I feel occasional re-posting is worth my time and yours (and yours, reader). Maybe some new readers will check out this entry again or ones who didn't check it last year will check it or maybe I will get brand new readers who have never seen my blog.

Also, I can reflect on what I wrote last year an update my remarks (here at the top) if necessary. I will also include a new photo up top. And I did. A photo from 1973. I am hypnotizing my sister with a yo-yo. This is a great photo. Not the usual poses with cakes or presents, and it both shows our great wardrobes -- check out Lori's headband -- but also has the fish tank in the background.

Looking over last year's birthday post from Facebook and the blog, much is the same. Though this year I had two teach two classes and attend Calculus, though I had to go to the store, drive Satchel to and from Camp Fido, and even take Ellory for a solo walk, many things were the same. I had work to do. I am still watching Y&R episodes from before Christmas just like last year (though Christmas 2016 right now not Christmas 2015).

I was missing you, Mom, but the feelings were not as strong as they were in 2016, the first birthday I celebrated since she passed. If anything, I was missing both parents as Dad is in Mexico. No Pistons game with Dad this year. They did not even play that traditional MLK matinee game this year, which is disappointing.

I let myself get behind on the blog. It's Monday January 23rd as I type these words. But that's okay. I needed a little break, and I had many other things to do. There was a test in Calculus Friday. I had work to get through. And Liesel and I needed to do stuff together. We drove Ivan home Friday and ate a great meal at a nouveau Mexican place in East Towne of GR (on Wealthy) called Donkey Taqueria Saturday, I had more work, but Liesel took a ride with her new bike and had a great time PLUS she took the dogs for a walk, and then we went to dinner at Rustica and had one of the most amazing meals of all time. It was truly outstanding: old fashioned with Knob Creek and a rosé - La Bergerie "K," Languedoc—France, `14. The meal consisted of a grilled romaine salad with fresh white anchovies -- which are for sale at Tiffany's and I must get some -- a Scottish poached Salmon with carrot, daikon radish, calamari pasta, ikura, red curry broth, and charred brussel sprouts with house bacon, parmigiano reggiano, walnut, horseradish. All of this was followed by dessert: Olive Oil Cake with pine nut butter, mascarpone, candied lemon. You would have loved it all, Mom. I am not exaggerating. It was truly one of the best dinners I have ever had.

So, looking over my post from last year, my birthday treats were not as extensive. I did not watch any shows. Liesel sprung for Thai take out, but I had to go get it. All Thai's phone was not working, so I had to go order in person and then return to get the food. It was yummy, and we set together to eat it. Then I actually had more work to do before I could go to bed.

But many things I wrote last year are still true this year.

I loved all my birthday wishes.

I have a new puppy, so that's awesome.

I am all right being 55.

I enjoy school, though for every year it takes me to work on this added degree I have to question if it's worth it.

I still regret not publishing a novel, and with school, work, and family, I have not had enough time to write this year as I would have liked. I have been mulling over ideas for fiction work but so far have not been able to fit it in the schedule. This seems to be the story every year. Maybe 2017 can be different, but with plans being made to move out west, I kind of doubt it.

Anyway, here's last year's post if you're interested.

My Birthday - 1971
not the HULK cake

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #196 - It's my birthday

(SUBTITLED: "It's my Birthday and I can denial if I want to, denial if I want to, you would denial too, if it happened to you...")


Here's my FACEBOOK POST about my birthday

The picture of me above is taken is from 2006. During my T-shirt year, I devoted T-shirt #303 to discussing the wonderful birthdays hosted by my mother throughout my life. Read there at that link if you want to know more about my idyllic childhood.

I am lucky to have had you as my mother, Mom. Thank you.

Birthday 1973 with Jeb Jacobs
note the ALFRED E. NEWMAN cake

 Hi Mom,

It's my birthday. Another holiday passing without you for the first time. This one seems to be hitting me harder than Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, your wedding anniversary, my wedding anniversary, Lori's birthday, and your birthday combined.

I am really missing you A LOT today, especially, Mom.

I know I write that statement (missing you) a lot, too. But it keeps being true, and it keeps stinging like a sword through the heart (assuming that stings as I have not experienced the physical thing). I was hit the other day with the overwhelming sense that I did not want to live in a world without you in it, and yet, I am sentenced to live in just that world. No choice.

That's kind of sucky.

WHAT I DID FOR MY BIRTHDAY

See the image post above that captures what I posted to Facebook this morning, which is now January 20th, as I did not finish my birthday post yesterday. It was a strange day. I had to work at pellmell pace as I had taken Monday off to see the Pistons game with dad, as described in yesterday's blog post. So, I turned on my DVR and loaded the next episode of THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS that I needed to watch, as I am about a month behind. I was watching pre-Christmas episodes, which were filled with CHRISTMAS commercials, which I try to avoid but catch in sneetches. And THEN, this viewing (or I should say playing as I simply play Y&R next to me as I work and mostly listen to it, looking at it occasionally) makes me think of you Mom, as we watched Y&R together so much. And this thinking makes me miss you even more.

Though I wish I was riding a bicycle in the sky with ET... who wouldn't?

So, little birthday fun yesterday as I had to work and then attend Calculus and Java classes. But I did take some time at the end of the day to watch two episodes of The Big Bang Theory and the pilot episode of The Flash (which was so-so... the dialogue is pretty awful) as birthday treats. More enjoyment of birthday coming this Friday and Saturday when I do my official celebration.

REFLECTION AND REGRET

Last week, my therapist asked me how I felt about turning 54. He specializes in men's issues and has made quite the study of men's response to aging. I think I answered him honestly, but you know, the mind, the heart, all those thoughts, all those feelings, the unconscious mind, the ego, the shadow, they are all very tricky things. VERY tricky.

Was I really honest or have I repressed my true feelings?

There's no way to really answer that question because if I have repressed feelings, if I am in denial about things, then I am hardly aware that I am in denial or have those repressed feelings because, then, they would not be repressed, and I would be coming out of a phase of denial.

But it feels right to tell him that I am all right with being 54, and that, overall, I am regret free. My regrets are few and manageable. And I have a lot that makes me happy, a lot of things and people and situations that I LOVE. I am very blessed and lucky. It's true. I am touched by something that will grow and bloom in you... sorry, went off on song lyrics there.

I have family and friends that I love. Most importantly, I am married to the woman of my dreams. I would be SO MISERABLE if I had not found and fell in love with Liesel and been so blessed to have her return that love and even more importantly STAY in love for seven years now. Our first date was shortly before my birthday in 2009, almost exactly seven years ago. My life has never been the same since, and I am so very very happy. Liesel is the best partner I could ask for. I have written about the joys of being married to Liesel a lot, like HERE: HEY MOM #89 - Sixth Wedding Anniversary.

Since Liesel is the woman of my dreams and marrying her was the best decision I EVER MADE, then I have no regrets about past relationships that didn't work out. I have FOND MEMORIES of many (most) of my past relationships, but I do not regret any of them or wish I could return to any of them. I am where I want to be with whom I want to be.

I have the greatest Dad ever, which you know, Mom, as you married him. My sister and brother-in-law are also wonderful and kind people. I have many fabulous friends, too many to name, but all of whom make me super happy and loved.

Though I am trying to change careers, I love my jobs. I love teaching. I am good at it. On the scale of jobs that I could be doing, these jobs are not bad at all. I say jobs because right now I am teaching six classes at four different schools and will be doing freelance writing and editing on the side. It's a lot. It's a bit crazy. It actually sounds much worse than it is. But I am well aware that it could be much worse. I could have a horrible job that I loathe. I could be doing something meaningless and without reward. I blessed to have done great work as an educator and a writer. Check out these kind words from former students proving my point!

So, that doesn't suck at all.

I like school. I am really enjoying my return to school to study computer science. Though often difficult, especially the math, I am having a lot of fun being a student again. There is a regret here, though. I probably should have studied computer science at K as a young man. I was doing computers in high school. Heck, Tim Travis, Jeff Waldeck, and I helped TEACH computer science our junior and senior years. So why did I abandon it when I got to K? Not a smart decision. I should have returned for this degree years ago. I should have been able to see that I was never getting a full time teaching job, but then, I WAS MISLED. But that's a very long story for another time, though you know it, Mom. You lived through it with me.

PETS. I have two of the most amazing pets in the universe. My puppy, Satchel, and my cat Vespers are an ever flowing and never ending source of love. I am very lucky to share a home and a bed with them.

And I am achieving BALANCE. Though I have TONS of work work and homework, I try to practice good living practice. I take time each week to relax and read. I find time for myself but also time with family and friends, especially my wife. I eat well. I drink, just enough. I enjoy life. I laugh, I sing, I dance a little. I exercise and walk the dog. Each month I make time to play some games with friends, and I make time each day, more or less, to write to you, Mom. ALSO, I am trying to make time to work on my fiction, even if it is just a little bit, it helps and it makes me happy BECAUSE now, we have reached the subject of my big regret.

ONE LIFE; ONE REGRET

My biggest regret, and really my only regret, is that I have not yet published  a novel and I have let so much time slip away without even finishing  a novel. I wish I was a full time write and novelist. I know it's never too late. I know. But I will never get back the last twenty years in which I left so many projects unfinished. I AM NOT crippled by this regret, but it is a thing that I think about, and I do wish it was otherwise.

I love you, Mom. Thank you for all my birthdays. I feel you here today. I appreciate your presence.

Happy birthday to me.

- Days ago = 198 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1601.19 - 10:10

&&

- Days ago = 564 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1701.19 - 10:10

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you, Mom.
I miss you so very much, Mom.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
- Days ago = 930 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1801.19 - 10:10
NEW (written 1708.27) NOTE on time: I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of your death, Mom, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of your death, Mom. I know this only matters to me, and to you, Mom.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
REPOST ENDS

- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1901.19 - 10:10

- Days ago = 1295 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #396 - Middle-age-plus memory decline may just be a matter of changing focus

When middle-aged and older adults were shown a series of faces, red regions of the brain were more active; these include an area in the medial prefrontal cortex that is associated with self-referential thinking. In young adults, by contrast, blue regions — which include areas important for memory and attention –+ were more active during this task. (credit: N. Rajah, McGill University)

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #396 - Middle-age-plus memory decline may just be a matter of changing focus


Hi Mom,

Though this is not a new thing, I have been forgetting things that I normally do not forget more often lately.

For example, two weeks ago when I drove to the trail head for my bike ride, I realized I had forgotten my ear buds. Luckily, I keep a spare in the car for just such occasions, but still, this is a fundamental thing, a necessary thing for the long ride. Then yesterday, I forgot my helmet. I got so caught up in putting the bike rack on the car that I forgot the helmet. I realized this half way to the trail, so I turned around and went back to get it. But this cost me valuable time with the deadline of picking up Satchel from camp looming.

And there's all the other forgetting.

Thus, this article gives me hope. Maybe it's just how I store information; maybe the problem is one of focus.

I love science.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

FROM RAY KURZWEIL

Middle-age-plus memory decline may just be a matter of changing focus

MRI study reveals different parts of the brain involved with younger vs. older subjects

July 15, 2016

Are you middle-aged or older and having problems remembering details, like where you left the keys or parked your car?

Cheer up, it may simply be the result of a change in what information your brain focuses on during memory formation and retrieval, rather than a decline in brain function, according to a study by McGill University researchers.

In the study, published in the journal, NeuroImage, 112 healthy adults ranging in age from 19 to 76 years were shown a series of faces. Participants were then asked to recall where a particular face appeared on the screen (left or right) and when it appeared (least or most recently). The researchers used functional MRI to analyze which parts of brain were activated during recall of these details.

Different parts of the brain involved

Senior author Natasha Rajah, Director of the Brain Imaging Centre, and colleagues found that young adults activated their visual cortex while successfully performing this task.

But for middle-aged and older adults, their medial prefrontal cortex was activated instead. That’s a part of the brain known to be involved with information having to do with one’s own life and introspection. This may reflect changes in what adults deem “important information” as they age, she said.

Rajah says middle-aged and older adults can improve their recall abilities by learning to focus on external rather than internal information, using mindfulness meditation, for example.*

Rajah is currently analyzing data from a similar study to discern if there are any gender differences in middle-aged brain function as it relates to memory. “At mid-life women are going through a lot of hormonal change. So we’re wondering how much of these results is driven by post-menopausal women.”

The research was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and by a grant from the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.

* Other options to improve memory include:

• Peppermint tea or rosemary essential oil, scientists at Northumbria University found in studies with subjects over age 65, presented at the British Psychological Society’s Annual Conference in Nottingham in April. Rosemary aroma significantly enhanced prospective memory (for things you plan to do).
• Eight nutrients to protect the aging brain: cocoa flavanols, omega-3 fatty acids, phosphatidylserine and phosphatidic Acid, walnuts, citicoline, choline (found especially in eggs) and magnesium (avocado, soy beans, bananas and dark chocolate), and blueberries, according to a study published in the journal Food Technology.Details here.

---

Abstract of Changes in the modulation of brain activity during context encoding vs. context retrieval across the adult lifespan

Age-related deficits in context memory may arise from neural changes underlying both encoding and retrieval of context information. Although age-related functional changes in the brain regions supporting context memory begin at midlife, little is known about the functional changes with age that support context memory encoding and retrieval across the adult lifespan. We investigated how age-related functional changes support context memory across the adult lifespan by assessing linear changes with age during successful context encoding and retrieval. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we compared young, middle-aged and older adults during both encoding and retrieval of spatial and temporal details of faces. Multivariate behavioral partial least squares (B-PLS) analysis of fMRI data identified a pattern of whole brain activity that correlated with a linear age term, and a pattern of whole brain activity that was associated with an age-by-memory phase (encoding vs. retrieval) interaction. Further investigation of this latter effect identified three main findings: 1) reduced phase-related modulation in bilateral fusiform gyrus, left superior/anterior frontal gyrus and right inferior frontal gyrus that started at midlife and continued to older age, 2) reduced phase-related modulation in bilateral inferior parietal lobule that occurred only in older age, and 3) changes in phase-related modulation in older but not younger adults in left middle frontal gyrus and bilateral parahippocampal gyrus that was indicative of age-related over-recruitment. We conclude that age-related reductions in context memory arise in midlife and are related to changes in perceptual recollection and changes in fronto-parietal retrieval monitoring.

references:

• E. Ankudowich, S. Pasvanis, M.N. Rajah. Changes in the modulation of brain activity during context encoding vs. context retrieval across the adult lifespan. NeuroImage, 2016; 139: 103 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2016.06.022

Topics: Cognitive Science/Neuroscience

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Reflect and connect.

Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.

I miss you so very much, Mom.

Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

- Days ago = 398 days ago

- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1608.06 - 10:10

NOTE on time: When I post late, I had been posting at 7:10 a.m. because Google is on Pacific Time, and so this is really 10:10 EDT. However, it still shows up on the blog in Pacific time. So, I am going to start posting at 10:10 a.m. Pacific time, intending this to be 10:10 Eastern time. I know this only matters to me, and to you, Mom. But I am not going back and changing all the 7:10 a.m. times. But I will run this note for a while. Mom, you know that I am posting at 10:10 a.m. often because this is the time of your death.