OREGON’S BOOMER BLOGGER

To the moon. image via DG Studios

An interview with BoomerPdx, Oregon’s Boomer Blogger

You are Oregon’s boomer blogger? How did that happen?

By default. Baby Boomer bloggers seem obsessed with two things. Dating and retirement dominate that part of the blogosphere.

Doesn’t that make sense? As a generation you’re going headlong into the retirement age. As a generation of horn dogs, you’re not going alone.

Retirement advice comes from marksmen shooting fish in a barrel. And we’re not the marksmen. On the other thing, who do you think commercials for Viagra and Cialis aim for?

Are you retired?

I talk to retired people who admit being retired. Some rejoice, some more on the rejected side. I’m somewhere in between. I wouldn’t call myself retired, but that’s how it looks from the outside.

What’s the difference between you and retirement?

I have goals to achieve every morning, noon, and night. Sometimes I make them, sometimes I almost make them. It’s an anxious way to live, but better than just letting it go. That’s not part of my deal. I don’t let go.

Why not let go?

Grabby people hold on. If I let go of one thing, I’d grab another, and I’ve got my hands full now. One of my friends could retire but won’t. “I’m making more money than ever. I see all of my friends at work, or after work. Who wants to retire from that?” He’s a good role model. The hidden question is what to do if you retire?

What will you do when you retire?

Probably blog about retirement like the rest of the baby boomer retirement bloggers. But it’s a full market. Who needs another sham blogger on something they don’t believe in. No one. I’ll do what’s best for the common good, nag people to get UP, to Boomer UP, keep track of What’s UP, and Who’s UP. Maybe a little travel and Buckle UP.

You say UP a lot. Why?

Once you head down, start the death spiral, it’s hard to break out. Get UP, stay UP, as long as you can.

You mentioned dating sites. Are they important for baby boomers?

Dating is a way to stay current, to keep up with others, not always hook up with others, which might be the overall plan. I don’t know, being married thirty years. My wife would say go ahead if I said I needed to research dating sites, but that always comes with conditions. The trade off would be her doing something different.

Like dating someone besides you?

Maybe. Things go off the rails on their own. Not everyone needs a push. People make an effort to connect, and online dating is an easy path. Someone spends five minutes scanning a bio to find the love of their life and you never see them again. They change, they move away, they send a rescue email.

Is online dating a good choice for baby boomers?

It’s a start for someone starting over once their spouse runs off. Imagine meeting someone and all they talk about is their last relationship. That’s not progress, but it’s a step in the right direction. Maybe the next person they meet won’t be a sounding board for life’s regrets.

What advise does Oregon’s Boomer Blogger have for other baby boomers?

Ken Kesey said his goal was to make every new day different than the last day. Change something, do something, make a small difference. Makes sense to me.

What sort of change do you see today?

This is the day after election day. If you’re a Hillary fan, or Trump fan, you need to adjust. Make a change and move on. Clear out the fog of democracy and plan a better effort with more vision. That’s enough of me.