OK, I think I’m officially old.
OK, I think I’m officially old.At least in my teenager’s eyes.
This morning I put on my brand new pair of New Balance sneakers.
I was so proud. They were comfy as slippers and white as the driven snow.
I mean, look at those beauties…
My daughter noticed them the second she laid eyes on me.
“New sneaks Dad?”
Yeah, whattya think?
Her answer: “Nice. You look like grandpa.”
Needless to say, I was deflated faster than a Tom Brady football.
In fact, it sort of gnawed at me all morning. I even took to Google to see if there was some sort of stigma with this particular style.
Much to my surprise I found more than one website backing up her opinion.
One site went so far as to say that this model of New Balance was strictly for “old white guys”.
Yikes. I had no idea when I bought them.
Certainly I’d never star on that reality show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, but I always considered myself at least somewhat style savvy.
However thinking back to my shopping experience, I was indeed elbow to elbow with a few other “old white guys”. Maybe that should have tipped me off.
But wait a minute!
I did hit the big FIVE-OH fairly recently. And yes, I do cake on a heavy application of SPF 30 when I play golf.
Hey, I am an old white guy!
And what’s wrong with that?
After all, I still feel young most of the time.
I’m active.
I’m pretty open-minded.
I stay up to date on technology.
And I learn new stuff all the time…
In fact, they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but look at all the things I learned this year…
- I learned that if you leave your battery in your lawn tractor all Winter it may not start in the Spring.
- I learned that there are people earning six figure incomes selling tee shirts online using hands-free strategies like this.
- I learned there’s a new indoor golf facility near me so I can now play year-round.
- I learned that changing my golf grip gives me new blisters.
Oh yeah, and I learned that my new sneakers make me look like grandpa.
Whatevs.
(I learned that one from my teenager too.)
Note: Today’s BizWeb eGazette is from a previous post, that’s why the comments below are dated. I’m preparing for our first big snow storm of 2019 and didn’t have time to write a fresh post. But I’ll be back next week with something brand new.
love the way your emails are becoming more “readable” and interesting. It should improve your biz by leaps and bounds. I am guessing you will get a lot of comments.
Thanks Randy, I did get a lot of email replies when I sent this post out. I’m glad you’re finding my new format more interesting. I know you’ve been a big proponent of this style for years and I should have listened to you long ago! Good luck with your new book launch.
Well, I guess if you look like Grandpa, I must look like Great Grandpa because I’ve never STOPPED wearing white sneakers as I’ve grown older … in fact if I were to wear a pair of “shoes” my son (whose 51) would look at me REALLY funny and I have no idea what he’d say!
As I look around, I see men of all ages wearing white sneakers of all makes… I find the best fit in a less expensive “Dr. Scholles” model and I fit them out with Dr. Scholles custom orthotics, too. (Hint…when you wear shorts, don’t wear knee high sport socks…that REALLY makes you look old)
So, join the club! Incidentally, I turn 81 this year! LOL
Thanks for the welcome to the club Burt. I appreciate the tip on the socks. 😉
I think they look cool, Jim. Then again, I myself am an old white guy. 😉
Thanks Ed. I’m starting to feel a little better already.
Guess my comment had a “typo” ’cause you posted it with the name “Burt Ellid” in place of Burt Ellis…but that’s another hazard of growing to be an “old white guy” I guess…Eh? (as we say up here in “Canader”). :- (
Too funny! It looks like you got it right this time around Burt. 🙂
I’m sure your daughter is awesome, however as a teenager haven’t you heard they are brain damaged. I am 74/75 and your sneaks look fresh and ready for whatever you wish to accomplish.
I believe your e-mail was a tongue in cheek and just to let you know ten days, years, minutes, or seconds from the time of her comment you are still her “bestest dad ever”. I would believe no one outside of your family would dare say anything in front of her without a very fast response on how great your choices are.
Just tell her your starting a new trend for those of us with a lot of Life Experience. She will have to wait and if the trend is still around when she qualifies she can join in. Ha.
Trish
I love that advice Trish, I’m going to keep that in my back pocket for the next time she “compliments” my style choices!
50? That’s the age of wisdom Jim. The day I turned 50 I became oh so wise! First thing I did was throw out my propper flash Nike runners, turned my cap around the right way, put on some new jeans that didn’t look like they’d been thru a shotgun massacre, had a shave, learned to listen and then talk and guess what Jim. The next thing I did was go out ‘n’ get a new pair of New Balance white sneakers.
I haven’t walked well since, my cap peak keeps getting in the way, i can’t scratch my knee without dropping my strides, I got a rash from the razor and I don’t get a word in cause no-one stops talking long enough to listen to an “old white guy” who’s full of all this new found wisdom that 5 decades knocked into me. Hang in there, it gets better.
You had me laughing out loud while reading this comment Jack! Thanks for sharing your ‘wisdom’! I’ll put my razor away but I’m keeping my new sneakers. 😉
I like your new set up for the blog. And yes, those are grandpa sneakers. But I’m not judging. I’m one of your peers. But my hubby surprised me when he broke out in some Turquoise Sneakers by Nike. And I’ve got to tell you, he looked so cool. I love it. He can wear his same clothes and the shoes give him that edge. Next time, break out and buy some sneakers in a different color. I think you’ll like it. Here are the ones he got on sale. Keep your eye open. http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=52151946
This is not an affiliate link. If this style is to costly, just look for a cool color. By the way, he has feet with issues and loves the comfort. You’ve only got one life. Have fun with it.
Thanks Sandy, I’m glad you like the new setup. And yeah, I think it’s the color that is the key. I’m learning… it’s a fine line between looking age appropriate and looking like I’m trying to be a rapper.
Well I thought so too. But you know what? The inspiration for him to get those Turquoise shoes is far from the rap culture. Check out this picture. Hubby was inspired by the show Top gear: Hubby is your age by the way. And I’m telling you these shoes look cool. Let me know what you think. Look at the guy on the left. Come on Jim, I know you can pull this off and it’s good press for the blog too.
http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Ty67-DYahR8/maxresdefault.jpg
Jim, if your daughter thinks white shoes are so outdated put on your saddle shoes!
Ouch! How did you know about my saddle shoes. 😉