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+-- Thread: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? (/showthread.php?tid=7102072)
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Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - Doug_H - 09-21-2015
Admiral,
I did not vote, because I have not seen much evidence. But -- if you have to ask, maybe you are a curmudgeon, at least sometimes. May I offer an alternative? I call it the Geezer Path.
Now, I realize that, we “elders” do not like the term geezer. I have another view. I choose to follow the Geezer Path. Some years ago, investigators studying patients in a VA hospital wrote an article about “geezers” at that hospital. Geezers were elderly veterans who were feisty, opinionated, and talkative. Geezers wanted to be involved in whatever was being done to them or for them. They did not acquiesce. They complained or asked questions. This kept them (and their doctors) alert and probably dissipated a lot of anxiety, at least for the geezers. According to the study, geezers did better overall, medically and socially, than the nice, docile non-geezers. (The ones who made it back alive from WWII and Korea probably tended to be proto-geezers.)
I admit that my ambition for my old age once was to become a curmudgeon. I had been able to avoid fools and incompetents more than most other people, in part because of my career in academia. (Not that there is any shortage of fools in academia – but I could usually educate them if they were students or ignore them if they were colleagues – professors are hard to educate.) Still, I supposed that I would put up with no more of it after retirement. I would become a curmudgeon. I would strike fools down when necessary with my withering, caustic wit – a G.B. Shaw, H.L. Mencken sort of guy. Now that I am old enough to actually be a curmudgeon, however, I have reconsidered.
For one thing, ill-tempered, grouchy old men have become commonplace. We have plenty of them on Woodnet already. It’s the baby boom and the anonymity of the internet. Even those who are not quite old enough to qualify act like curmudgeons. They want to person and they want to person NOW. To hell with waiting until they are over 70 and qualified for the job.
Second, experimenting with curmudgeonhood is risky. It is almost impossible for curmudgeons to change their minds, or even to absorb information that they don’t already agree with. If they hear information contrary to their views, they get all Ann Coulter/Bill O’Reilly on you, which pretty well stops any useful information exchange.
Third, being a curmudgeon might be irreversible because you might burn so many bridges that apologies would be fruitless. I mean, where do ex-curmudgeons go?
So, then, what is the Geezer Path? In one phrase, it is an obstinate, purposeful and self-respectful approach to life. I decide whether I really care about the outcome. If I don’t I let it go. If I do usually I simply insist on my deep “belief” that the other party wants to do the right thing for me. I calmly continue to repeat my request until (a) I get what I want, (b) I decide I am asking too much or ( c) the other person escalates the transaction to another level.
Then and only then do I take out my inner curmudgeon, but only for a brief exercise, on a short leash, like taking a pit bull for a walk.
All the best
Doug
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - hbmcc - 09-21-2015
My vote does not qualify. I don't have the prerequisite thousands! of posts.
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - TroutVictor - 09-21-2015
Where is the entry for "honorary"?
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - Steve Friedman - 09-21-2015
Admiral said:
So I figured I'd put it to a vote.
Now THAT's funny! I'm guessing that half the WoodNetters would meet the definition.
Steve
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - cputnam - 09-21-2015
When the daughters started producing their own progeny, I was asked what I preferred to be called. I answered Grumpus. Don't know why they asked because they ignored me.
IMO, the title of curmudgeon cannot be properly self bestowed so it is proper that you ask the question. Most of us know you only through your writings in this forum so they form the only basis for judgement.
Prosecutorial skills combined with the related and evident comfort at wielding language as a weapon could lead one to assume that you are a curmudgeon. However those are brief moments in time and a relatively small percentage of the total body of your "work" to be found on Woodnet.
There are those on Woodnet who are mostly grumping about something or other. It is my [not so] humble opinion that you do not do this enough to be awarded the title of curmudgeon. Therefore I voted no.
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - AHill - 09-21-2015
I'm in agreement with Jack, but I would point out you ARE from New Jersey, so that adds to your curmudgeon score. I'm currently from California, so that makes me not too far behind.
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - Admiral - 09-21-2015
Doug_H said:
Admiral,
I did not vote, because I have not seen much evidence. But -- if you have to ask, maybe you are a curmudgeon, at least sometimes. May I offer an alternative? I call it the Geezer Path.
Hmmm, very thoughtful. I wonder if a geezer is related to an old coot?
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - Boatman53 - 09-21-2015
I've been to Admiral's house and never once heard him tell anyone to get off the lawn.
Jim
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - JR1 - 09-21-2015
I'd say that you are developing well. BTW loved your "how to list"
Re: Is Admiral a Curmudgeon? - Handplanesandmore - 09-21-2015
Doug_H said:
Admiral,
Even those who are not quite old enough to qualify act like curmudgeons. They want to person and they want to person NOW. To hell with waiting until they are over 70 and qualified for the job.
Doug
Best quote (or observation) of the day!
Simon