Happy Old Me
It'll be my birthday in a few days and this year I'm feeling it. My ankle is still a little shaky and it has made me physically unsure. It gets a little better every day but it has made me contemplate my mortality anew. I step off the curb more deliberately; I put on an elastic bandage if I think I'll be walking for a while. I think about the body I usually take for granted.
My barber, an old Italian man in a toupee, horrified me yesterday. He said, "You know, your hair is very thick at the back. You could easily do a transplant and put some up front." I barked out a laugh but he was serious, "One session, not very expensive at all.". For the briefest of moments, I imagined what it would be like to have a full head of hair and then dismissed it in a vision of doll's hairplugs and snickering comments behind my vain back. I told him that receding hairlines had been a family tradition for generations and to go easy on the gel.
Time does seem to be fleeting. Jack is nearly up to my shoulder these days. Summer's almost done. And we are repainting our apartment and replacing the furniture we bought when we moved in nine years ago. Sic transit. Last weekend we went to 18 West 18th Street, the address where Patti and I met in a long defunct restaurant called Café Seiyoken. When we got married there, five years later, it was a another restaurant. Now it is a children's book store. The spot where we said our vows is now a cupcake counter. The bar where we first met has been replaced by a rack of Eric Carle books.
I know, I know. What's more tedious than a middle aged man bemoaning the passing of time? The odd thing about it all is how full life seems to be of things I've never done or known. In many ways, I feel dumber and more inexperienced withe each year. I am still learning how to be married after two decades, how to be a dad after eleven years. I still wonder where my career is going, still plan on getting into an exercise program, still consider getting a therapist, still consider moving to the other side of the world.
My grandfather was born in 1909 and he's still alive and kicking, so chances are I may only be halfway through my journey. Then again I may be electrocuted by this computer and die today.
I do know I wish I had more time to draw so I could get really good at it. Last night I was curiously liberated when I spent an hour tracing a devilishly complex drawing by Ronald Searle. For months I have been looking for the right pen to duplicate his lines, thinking he must have used a dip pen or a rubbery fountain pen of some sort. But when I studied and reproduced his drawng, I discovered that his individual lines are remarkably consistent and that my Rapidoliner traced them perfectly. There's no trick, no tool that I am missing. My pen is just fine.
Enough excuses. I should just take it outside and use it. But first, let me wrap up my ankle and suck down some Geritol.
A record of my exploration into all aspects of drawing, illustrated journaling, creativity, and the inspiring aspects of art. By the author of "Everyday Matters," "The Creative License", and "An Illustrated Life" and other books.
Comments
Will that be Geritol straight up, or on the rocks with a twist? Happy birthday! Oh, btw, I think your lines are glorious as they are.
Posted by: Laura F | August 31, 2005 03:08 PM
You gave me a good, sympathetic chuckle, Danny. Ah, middle age. Any chance we can see your study 'after Searle'?
Posted by: Karen Winters | August 31, 2005 03:19 PM
You ain't seen nothing yet Danny...Enjoy your sprain...And celebrate your Birthday..they are
a wonderful way to know that you are still kicking.
About the sprain...If you are not into
homeopathic medicine...you should be and know about "Arnica"...the all time favorite. I
have seen miracles when it comes to sprains and
bruises. It is still not too late to take it.
I would be available at any health food store and
information would also be available there
as well. I never travel without it in my purse.
It has helped in many small falls or trips.
It is not medicine in the allopathic way...it is a minute dilution of Arnica Montana...there is info on line as well. To use it could improve your sweet ankle even at this point.
Give it a try...Carole JOY in Illinois
Posted by: Carole Joy | August 31, 2005 03:43 PM
Hi Danny, I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels dumber and dumber as the years go by.....wanting to do more. I think your drawings are just wonderful...love the watercolors you have put in there too. Yes, there is no secret to any of this...just get out and DO IT!!
Thanks for your thoughts!
Nancy
Posted by: Nancy Patterson | August 31, 2005 03:48 PM
If not the hair on the back of your head...how about those babies on your leg! Age, schmage, watch the news today and love your life. Don't forget to appreciate a middle aged woman now and then too. I am one
Posted by: Andy | August 31, 2005 04:20 PM
wow. what an orange foot!
Posted by: mary | August 31, 2005 08:01 PM
Congratulations on another year sketched and a new one to draw in.
Posted by: Kristen | August 31, 2005 08:28 PM
Happy Birthday Danny. I also did my ankle in a couple of years back, so I smiled at your description of your tentative steps thereafter. I'm no mountain goat anymore. Take it easy ok. :)
Posted by: Terri | August 31, 2005 09:13 PM
The other day my husband and I went to an art exhibit and purchased a modest sculpture directly from the artist. In an otherwise lovely thank-you note the artist sent us a few days later, he wrote, "Joyzg, you must have been really lovely when you were in your twenties." (I'm now 39.)
This is my first and last experience supporting the arts! Thank you for your honesty, DG!
Posted by: joyzg | September 1, 2005 03:43 AM
Hi Danny
I do wish mortality would stop knocking on the door. My Doctor kindly gave me a new toy to check my blood pressure for a month. Surely only old folks have to check their blood pressure...
Be happy, at least you have thick hair at the back (and still need to visit the barber).
Best wishes
Michael - who can just remember what having hair was like.
Posted by: Michael Nobbs | September 1, 2005 03:45 AM
Happy Birthday Danny! Hope your ankle is feeling better soon... isn't being middle-aged sobering? ;-) You have a lot of company! lol
I'd also love to see your Searle.
Posted by: Rose | September 1, 2005 09:29 AM
Middled aged and bemoning the passage of time? Get out of my head!!! Get out, get out!!
Posted by: Lil | September 1, 2005 11:27 AM
My birthday is in a few days, too!
On Sunday the 4th.
When's yours?
Posted by: JennySmith | September 1, 2005 02:54 PM
Terrific post. Everyone needs to remember to cherish their time a little more I think.
Posted by: Mac | September 2, 2005 01:38 AM
Hi Danny: I dropped into your blog (googling for a pen brand) some year ago and was a daily visitor everafter. So, I think is time to introduce myself.
I'm an Argentinian. I've been drawing caricatures for newspapers since 1978. I started publishing in Maariv and Davar of Tel Aviv by chance, after a year studying History at the Hebrew U. of Jerusalem. Then came back into Buenos Aires.
Reggretably it was too late to give you my support against the critics of your Jerusalem Journal when I found you but you're right (even mild), as time proves.
Your blog openened a whole new perspective to my work and posibilities and I'm gratefull to you for this. I also visit other blogs by now (Vitriolica, Book Lust, Drawing Club, et al.) but Everyday Matters is still one of my fav. Your drawings an watercolors are a measure for mines and you life and personality are a source of similarities and differences to think of myself.
Hope we'll know each other a little more in time.
Happy birthday and recovery!
Posted by: Bob Row (Roberto Bobrow) | September 2, 2005 01:55 AM
Happy Birthday Danny. :) My husband says that having a full head of hair is highly overrated (he is experiencing the thinning phase). Of course, I bet he wishes he could draw like you. :)
Posted by: Kathleen Marie | September 2, 2005 08:40 AM
Welp, if the art thing doesen't pan out...you can always be a foot model. Huge demand for you Cinderella types!
Posted by: Lindsay | September 2, 2005 03:28 PM
if i were thinking about marriage i think saying
"i do" at the cupcake cafe would be the
perfect expression of what i consider important:
love and good sweets!
good luck with the ankle...and let it mend all the way.
Posted by: zephyr | September 3, 2005 02:38 PM
Happy birthday in advance Danny, and hope you will keep posting in your blog for long to come even though we all grow older. I visit every now and then and enjoy your blog a lot.
take care of you, your family and that foot.
Posted by: Hanna | September 3, 2005 04:19 PM