Turning 50 Reflections on Aging
Just this past week I turned the big "50". Truly a milestone. I had more calls from long time friends around the country than the usual annual greetings. Passing this milestone provides a good time to reflect on the first half century of living.
The current pace is hectic with the relaunch of each of our sites - www.Siewierski.com and Mountain Sports Club and new conculting and email clients coming on board it was nice to take time to spend with family and friends this past week.
I did not realize all the historical events that coincide with the year -1956 that I was born, but the various informative gits and gag gifts made sure I was mad eaware of such things. One of the more interesting events was Allen Ginsbergs inital reading of "Howl" his landmark poem that has been a reference point for many groups and movements over this last 50 years. It also provide a launching point for Beat writing and culture.
It was an interesting counterpoint to the realities of the Cold War post World War II that was punctuated with the US exploding the first airborn hydrogen bomb over Bikini Atoll and Fidel Castro launching a revolution against the Batista regime.
Other factoids that I have become awar of include:
- John Lennon and Paul Mc Cartney first teaming together as The Quarrymen.
- Martin Luther King organizes the boycott of Montgomery Alabama public busses.
- Average cost of a new house - $11,725
- Average income - $4,454 per year
- Gasoline - $22 per gallon
- Top movies - The King and I, Around the World in 90 Days, The Ten Commandments
- Top Tunes - dominated by Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel, Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog, Love Me Tender and Dean Martin's Memories are Made of This, The Great Pretender by the Platters.
The world was in an early state of accelerated change that has continued on all fronts at what appears to be an ever increasing rate of change. In spite of that the fundamentals of right and wrong and the role of friends and family is still an anchor for me in terms of navigating life and looking forward to an eventful and rewarding next half of life.
A big thank you for all the greetings recently and the opportunity to share in life great adventure. Remember to appreciate all your dear friends, family members, passions of life and be open to continually adding to them.
Hope to see all of you soon.
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