CHANGE IS AFLOAT

I was reading an Internet article about the “boomers” beginning to enter their senior years. I missed the “boomer” designation by four years. I’m just too old I guess. The article was discussing how marketing is changings to appeal to this new class of wealthy oldsters. We are told they don’t want to be called or perceived to be old. Good luck. If you don’t want to be called a “senior,” what is acceptable? I’ve been thinking about this. I guess they are against the word old, aged, antique, or way, way over the hill. Maybe we should coral an old word and simply change the meaning. As a youngster I remember the word gay meaning joy. That has changed.

Maybe we could be called youngsters. We can make the kids give it up. After all, we put that word on them. It wasn’t their choice. Maybe they don’t even like to be called young. Many say: “I’m not little, I’m big.” I’ll give them the word big, OK; you struggle with old people being called with any variation of the word young. How about, “Executives” A little professional, but it indicates being in charge. We could add Chief Executive for even more power. Too business oriented? I like “The wise one.” I worked a long time to gain some wisdom, and a little recognition would be nice. As a group we would be called “Wise Guys.”

Frankly, I find it quite nice to be considered a senior. Some pressures and expectations are less and discounts are more prevalent. I admit that getting old does make you an idiot to younger generations. While I’m actually smarter, wiser, and gentler (hard to believe), I can live with being considered stupid, if means I am asked to do very little. I don’t mind being left out of the loop. I have been in the middle of more loops than I ever enjoyed. It is nice to see someone else getting trapped and NOT ME. Besides I now have the privilege of complaining about their choices and saying that these youngun’s don’t know nothin’.

While I’m comfortable in my own skin and know I am old, there are some good things the boomers are bringing our way. The print on packaging it getting bigger, as is the color contrast and lighting. Being able to see and read is a good thing. Nine-point type is the absolute smallest print and even it is too small when it is not black on white. The typeface is also important. Make it a serif style.

Being a movie addict I am thrilled about the cry of some against 3-D movies. They are too hard to see. It was my nine year old grandson who pointed out that large sections of Avatar were not in 3-D. Aha, it’s just a new gimmick to get me to pay more for an already over priced film. They can’t fool me.

Coming changes are adult diapers that look more like underwear. Tyco is making “Companion Services,” not medical supplies. How do you look that up on the Internet?

The biggest change of the boomer generation is that they are spending their wealth and not leaving it to the next generation. I know I’m doing that. I spend my entire monthly income before the month runs out, In fact, by the seventh of the month I already know what I have left. It was 4.82 late month, and I’m keeping that for my use. I know I’m selfish. I know it’s all about me. Wait! I’m not a boomer, I’m a poor old man from the “Greatest Generation.” I may have nothing, but I am “The Greatest.”