I will be 59 next month. I’d been feeling fine about getting older for, actually, most of my life! I was pretty much born to be an old lady, and I was sorta looking forward to it.

But now I find myself feeling kind of lonely and hopeless. Suddenly I’m really fearful that I’m going to wind up alone and homeless with no way to take care of myself. I don’t think I can retire. I have fears that I never used to have, like my husband might die.

I’m pretty sure I should seek (Bleah!) therapy. Which sounds awful. Because why should I reach out for help when I can keep it to myself, it’s not that bad, I’m fine I’m fine…

Does this happen to anyone else?

And their piping all the GenX music 🫪

I went to Ohio University (not Ohio State 🤪) and became obsessed with Candlebox’s self-titled debut album. It was released in 1993, but I didn’t find it until 1994. Over the years, they faded into obscurity within my music rotation. I saw they were playing near me months ago, and I bought a ticket after relistening to that album.

To my surprise, the opening band was GREAT and the voice was so familiar. I was up close, so didn’t want to look to see who they were… and then the song begins… The Freshman by The Verve Pipe!!! They were my ultimate frosted-tips band… and they are even more beautiful now😍

If you are on the fence about seeing a 90s band… do it!!!! I went by myself, the dude behind me had the best voice… 90% GenXers! Also… if Candlebox or The Verve Pipe are near you… do it!!! 😂

I've never been one to really celebrate my birthdays, but man.. it kinda sucks to have your work friends and acquaintances send messages, but your lifelong "best friends" since high school forget your 50th birthday.

Came and went without even a text. Even worse, I got a text about sports several days later, but nothing about a birthday.

Saw this on a post today and at first I was baffled but halfway through thinking that, I busted out laughing because I absolutely remembered that zebra.

I have a 23 year old neighbor who has always seemed nice enough. Casual neighbor stuff.

This afternoon as I was unloading groceries she asked if I had ever considered not wearing underwear. WHAT?! I was caught completely off guard and finished what I was doing.

Is this some young person joke trend?
First: she knows I’m happily married and my wife is ill so I can’t think she was hitting on me. Second: I’m overweight, bald, and almost twice her age.
It creeped me out way more than any feeling of flattery.

So I love post-punk music, and have tried to also keep current. I’m GenX, OG! I’m 60! I listen to Joy Division, for example, but love the 2000’s bands, too, like Interpol and the Strokes ( maybe not so post-punk; whatever). Lately, just loving Fontaines D.C. Here’s my Q: I want to see them, but I am afraid (?) I’m too old. Like, everyone will be like, who invited grandma? 🤪

Tell me to get over myself, but kindly. Or, tell me I’m right and stay home. I’ll probably be going alone, and yep, I’ll probably need ada seating due to back surgery. But damn, if I still don’t just love live music…… 🖤🤷🏼‍♀️🥹

Do you have any current friends anymore? I've got my work buddies, my wife, our friendly neighbors, and the the people from when I was young that I interact with on the socials, but an actual, flesh-and-blood, live, in-person, current **friend**? A person whose primary attachment to me is based on common interests/personalities instead of proximity or employment? Nope. All those others are primarily connected to me for other reasons, not friendship. If I leave my job or we sell our house, etc. that connection is severed and I'll never talk to those people again. What I mean is, it's the circumstances holding us together, not the friendship. Got any friends you hang out with because you want to hang out with them, not because they need to borrow your hedge trimmers or it's your lunch break?

I would think that many of us had a hard enough life that BiPAP vs CPAP is now something NOT uncommon, and I want to know I'm not the only one plugged into one of these machines every night so that my SO and I can both sleep.

This is just for fun so don't take it too seriously! I'm Gen Z and I've been wondering what sorts of bands and artists were considered cool for Gen Xers. Do you think the perception of the bands has changed over the years?

Yes, he suffered a severe burn. He knew he f’ed up immediately. His hand was bandaged up for weeks afterwards.

Do they even offer Shop Class, Home Ec, or Auto Shop anymore? Social Studies was a great class. Is that still taught? A SS class in today’s society would be so hard to teach(without getting fired) but would be interesting to be in.

Are we watching Jason Voorhees’ origin story on Netflix?

It looks good, but I’m conflicted. That mofo traumatized me in 80s. Not sure I’m ready to feel sympathy for small-child Jason.

For my 54th last month, my kids went in together and got me one of those kneading neck massagers that sits on your shoulders. They were very proud of themselves.

I didn't have the heart to tell them I'd already bought myself a wraparound one back in the spring and had been wearing it out in the garage.

So now I own two. Each one has a job, which is how I justify it. The kneading one is for the couch when my wife and I are watching something, it's the closest thing to an actual massage. The wraparound one I wear while I'm cooking or after I mow, when my neck's stiff and I'm not ready to sit down yet.

Last week my son caught me with both out on the coffee table, he thought this was hilarious and asked "so skg and breo, who wins?" The honest answer is they don't do the same job.

Feels like every guy I know has picked up some kind of gear since 50. But my dad had one tube of Bengay his whole life. So what did you all end up buying? Tell me I'm not the only one.

It seems to be a universal GenX experience to have found discarded porn mags in the woods. I know I did. Did you? And, who the hell leaves a porn mag in the woods? Playboy. Oui. And more gynecological publications. Was that as universal a GenX experience as I think it is? Or did I hang out in areas where more periodical porn was randomly discarded in the shrubbery than the norm?

Recently I started listening to Rod Stewart's album Every Picture Tells a Story which I hadn't listened to in a long time.

I used to own it when I was younger, but I remember not liking it too much: it was too acoustic, too folk. At the time, I was into heavy all-electric guitar rock and the album wasn't what I expected.

Now when I listen to it, I feel like it's one of the best albums out there. I guess I needed to be older first before listening to it. Especially the song "Reason to Believe" which expresses how I feel about things now.

The album is a bit before GenX's time, but still a timeless classic and well worth a listen for those who've been around the block some.

Remember that Fred Dryer was and is one of the coolest mofos around. No way in hell he’d color his hair or fuck around with implants or some shit.

My daughter is turning 18 soon. We have long referred to her as an "honorary" member of Gen X. She has a very "whatever" attitude. She was a bit of a free range kid, walking home alone from school starting in third grade and riding her bike all over town. She loves 80's music and can often be found wearing a vintage concert T.

So I'm trying to think of a really great gift to commemorate this milestone birthday. It doesn't have to be GenX/80's related, but that's where my mind is heading. Maybe a "mixtape" on a thumb drive with songs that are meaningful to her?

Any other suggestions? What have you given your kids for milestone birthdays? I know cash will be the answer, and we will give her some, but I want something else to go with it. Could be sentimental or funny.

What did you guys do? What would you have done differently?

Last night I started watching the series Castle Rock (am enjoying it, but that’s beside the point).

When Henry Dever returns to his mother’s house and into his old bedroom, the bedroom, of course is perfectly intact, supposedly just the way he left it, still with its baseball theme. But of course, the house is a huge old 3 story.

Did any of you yourselves or even maybe someone you knew have a bedroom that was preserved after you left for college? Did you not take your bed and your decor with you when you left?

We do need someone…even if it’s just to get us to get a grip

Spoke to my ma tonight. First time for about a year.
Nothing new, same negativity, same bleak outlook on life, no ‘how are you, how are my grandchildren’ just moaning and endless reflection on how hard her life is. All the reasons I don’t have any contact are still there…

So I’m married to someone who had the opposite. Who has a healthy loving, incredible relationship with all their family…so the odd occasion I have to face my own is met with sympathy and empathy, but only so far…

It’s hard if you can’t relate, I get it…

But it seemingly isn’t getting easier. I have my own family I love beyond all imagination, so why am I still seeking this love from the past..?

I’m ok, I’m just in a very reflective mood, ya know..

You got that right. It's Saturday October 17th, but it's 1987.

What would typical you have done on this night? How old were you if you care to say, and where would you be, or what were you watching/listening to?

...because of the sopranos, the wire, mad men, saul, thrones, breaking bad, west wing, er... i struggle to find anything of quality (top tier writing/strong characters), to contently waste hours binging.

...suggestions? (new or not new)

(snl & law & order 1-20, are my emotional support show, whenever there's a drought.)

EDIT: so what i've tallied Gen X, is we're all connected by a similar timeline in life & almost the same 50 or so shows. awesome list.

...thank you for sharing.

I am attending my 40th high school reunion next week. The theme is Old Skool 80s.

It’s a bbq being held at the home of a classmate.

What should my hubby and I wear?

Cinemax after 10 you can see if you hit both buttons on side of channel…sometimes then tech of wavering arm up and down horizontally you could get in phase almost to minimize lines interference

That is all