Final contract - aka veteran status.

[board]

Ok I have been thinking about this upcoming season and as every year before I am fully anticipating all the pow, storms,face shots,last run of the day, après board beers etc. however I can't ignore father time is catching up to me. yeah yeah I know 32 is not old by any means but if I was playing a professional sport I would definitely be signing my veteran and most likely final contract. I'm not succumbing to age gracefully though I will rage against the dying of the light ! I plan on making these next few years my best. If there is any doubt I will chase that storm and make the 5 hour drive, on day four of great conditions I will fight through the aches and pains and make another go at it, I won't be so snobbish about conditions, basically I will ensure ( pun fully intended ) these next few years will be fruitful and I won't leave room for regrets.

[Below Zero]

Yeah, man, it's all over for you. Suicide looks like the only answer!

[Benny Profane]

Stop whining schoolboy, I'll tell you about old. sheesh.

[Vinman]

My driver's license says 32 but my body and mind say 22, except for the boozing aspect. I just can't booze like I used to and still be functional the next day.

[Blurred]

George Foreman was the heavyweight champion of the world at 50 years old. Keep that in mind youngster.

[bad_roo]

Merlene Ottey just made the Olympic 100m semis at the age of 44.

I wonder if I could sell her a mean, lean grilling machine franchise?

[board]

Originally posted by Benny Profane
Stop whining schoolboy, I'll tell you about old. sheesh.

schoolboy ? if that's the case explain all the disgusted looks I had to endure at my girlfriends prom last spring.

[Baconzoo]

I'm 35 and my Father-in-Law is in better shape at 65, granted he spends quality time working out. I spend about 2 hrs a week skateboarding or walking the dog.

Age matters not...
Dedication is all you need to rock steady until your final days.

[jibij]

Age does matter in that you break easier and heal slower.

I'm getting ready to turn 45. My mind doesn't want to slow down. Even though I'm in the gym every day, my body is telling me to slow down. I won't stop loving it and I won't stop giggling like a schoolgirl while riding or skiing, but I also won't be on that edge of being totally-out-of-control any more.

and board... you'll miss the looks of disgust when they start looking right through you.

[irul&ublo]

Doug Coombs is 45. Plake has gotta be mid to late 30's. Andrew MacLean is pushing 40 (or over).

You might be able to squeeze out another year or two.

[bad_roo]

Originally posted by jibij
you'll miss the looks of disgust when they start looking right through you.

Yep. Just turned that particular corner.

[board]

This thread seemed perfect to share this little gem from the autobiography of Mark Twain. I think you will all agree it is very uplifting.

A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle for bread; they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each other. Age creeps upon them; infirmities follow; shames and humiliations bring down their prides and their vanities. Those they love are taken from them and the joy of life is turned to aching grief. The burden of pain, care, misery, grows heavier year by year. At length ambition is dead; longing for release is in their place. It comes at last - the only unpoisoned gift earth ever had for them - and they vanish from a world where they were of no consequence; where they achieved nothing; where they were a mistake and a failure and a foolishness; where they have left no sign that they existed- a world which will lament them a day and forget them forever.. Then another myriad takes their place and copies all they did and goes along the same profitless road and vanishes as they vanished - to make room for another and another and a million other myriads to follow the same arid path through the same desert and accomplish what the first myriad and all the myriads that came after it accomplished - nothing!

In Twain's defense this was written upon the death of his daughter.

[board]

Originally posted by bad_roo
Yep. Just turned that particular corner.

i've seen some pics of you...can you be sure they were ever looking to begin with ?

[bad_roo]

I miss those puzzled looks of curiosity and pity...

[meatdrink9]

Nice twain quote.

[Barnballs]

through the same desert and accomplish what the first myriad and all the myriads that came after it accomplished - nothing!

maybe it's time to quit my goverment job.

[board]

Originally posted by meatdrink9
Nice twain quote.

I just finished the book if you would like to borrow it.

[meatdrink9]

Originally posted by board
I just finished the book if you would like to borrow it.

Is the book on tape?

[board]

Originally posted by meatdrink9
Is the book on tape?

No but I could call you and leave it on your voicemail, it's only about 500 pages.

[two_planks]

My grandpa is 85 and rides his bike 20 miles a day. Last year he had triple bipass surgery and with in 2 months he was back riding. He said the surgery was the best thing that ever happened to him because before he could only ride 5 miles before he had to stop for a break, but now he can ride the whole 20 without stopping. My grandma insists on driving behind him in the lincoln though, just in case.

[comish]

Its all what you make of it. I'm stoked to still be surfing and skiing with my dad and he is >60. Went cat skiing in Targhee last year and while not steep, he was totally stoked and rippin the pow.

He will paddle out solo on days that are way overhead. He is lucky to be able to pick his days and now when a swell is coming the two of us take off for a surf day. He still dreams about surf trips to Mexico that we should take.

You just got get after it and stay in shape and then age becomes much less a factor.

[funkendrenchman]

Originally posted by board
Ok I have been thinking about this upcoming season and as every year before I am fully anticipating all the pow, storms,face shots,last run of the day, après board beers etc. however I can't ignore father time is catching up to me. yeah yeah I know 32 is not old by any means but if I was playing a professional sport I would definitely be signing my veteran and most likely final contract. I'm not succumbing to age gracefully though I will rage against the dying of the light ! I plan on making these next few years my best. If there is any doubt I will chase that storm and make the 5 hour drive, on day four of great conditions I will fight through the aches and pains and make another go at it, I won't be so snobbish about conditions, basically I will ensure ( pun fully intended ) these next few years will be fruitful and I won't leave room for regrets.

I'll see to that as best I can.

[PulverSchwein]

My dad celebrated his 80th birthday last year at my family's annual ski pilgrimage to Big White. While he sure likes the groomers (and decent light ) more than he used to, he keeps up with our group no problem and looks fine and stylie doing it.

He works out everyday which is about everyday more than I do so that's what keeps him going so strong.

Me, I'm 35 and keep feeling like every single year I'm getting faster, better, and smoother than the year before. I expect the bravery factor and getting faster and better will start to fall off once the big four-oh blows. I say just keep the legs and core strong and the mind hungry for the thrill of pow and you'll always be having the time of your life on the mountain no matter how old you get.

[Ski Beaver]

Originally posted by two_planks
My grandpa is 85 and rides his bike 20 miles a day. Last year he had triple bipass surgery and with in 2 months he was back riding. He said the surgery was the best thing that ever happened to him because before he could only ride 5 miles before he had to stop for a break, but now he can ride the whole 20 without stopping. My grandma insists on driving behind him in the lincoln though, just in case.

It is 9am Thursday morning and I can guarantee you that this is without a doubt the coolest thing I will hear today.

[freshie247]

Nothin like a S.L. Clemens quote ,now is there!