My Day in Chicago (More Recently, but Not Today)

We had a model train garden, where all the buildings were famous landmarks made entirely of wood or natural substances. And now the internet won't let me upload any more photos....so that was my day at the Botanical Gardens! Only backwards! Hey, I've got some really good Random Sarah posts coming up, but I'm going to try to catch up with my pictures...or maybe I'll start doing one per...that'll work!

The "water" gardens - you could look at lily pads - very modern looking!

I kind of grew tired of taking pictures after a while - mostly because it was all so beautiful! Thank goodness for digital cameras that don't run out of film!

Some of these pictures I'm more without comment. I just thought they were cool and should be shared. Not that I'm some photography guru who adds color and beauty to the world through her work. I just thought, for those who couldn't be there...and maybe as an incentive to go yourself someday!

This "secret" path kind of led me to nowhere, but it was kind of dreamy going down it!

Beautiful bridge over to the Japanese gardens. It's so simple and useful, and yet intriguing!

This Faun fountain reminded me of Mr. Tumnus. But it also made me think you could pull back the head and a doorway would open to a secret passage!

The English Garden was my favorite. Isn't this just the most perfect place to sit down and talk or read a book? Study?

I thought this rose very pretty. The gardens made me think about nature and humans. How nothing's perfect. As a whole, God's creation is perfect. But every thing has some flaw to it. The Amish and Muslims insert flaws into their artwork to convey the idea that man cannot create perfection. But I think God inserts it into nature to remind us that we cannot be perfect on our own.

My Day in Chicago (A Long Time Ago)

This is the view from the Hancock Tower. It's shorter, but you can get closer to the window, so you can see practically straight down. Those buildings would be considered tall!

I took this photo from the top of the Sears Tower. I took a lot of photos up there, but I'm posting this one because a) the building looks cool, doesn't it? and b) That's the view to the south side of Chicago. Where the mafia had its run....

At the planetarium they had a huge exhibit on the Medieval times...I think the purpose was to show us how they watched the planets back in the day of limited means, and with superstitions abounding. Ironically, I got home that night and watched a TV show on Nostradamus - an astrologer. Anyway, I got to see what it was like to be a student at a Medieval university. Of course, I tried on a purple robe, but I'm not going to show that. Then I got to be the king of Ancient Babylon consulting the stars to determine if my empire was going to fall. I figured I could just consult Daniel....

The something something Planetarium...why can I not remember the name? Anyway, it was so pretty on the outside! So was the Field Musuem! Very Roman/Greek...just beautiful.

Apparently I get to show you my day backwards, because I can't figure out how to move the pictures around on the page. After being shrunk to 1/100th my size and exploring dirt, wandering through and ancient tomb, and Africa, I found the Hall of Plants! I took this picture for Janel, then, when I was done with the musuem (jewels were next....oooh....aaah) I actually went inside. At which point I experienced severe deja vu. I would experience it again later in the day....

This is a lovely view of the Chicago skyline as I took the boat taxi from Navy Pier to the Field Musuem. When I came in the first time on the airplane, we turned so I could see the skyline, and I thought, "Wow! It really is huge! It's more buildings than any city I've ever seen!" Then the plane turned some more, and I really saw Chicago.

My Chocolate

I have decided to take a break from my usual rantings and opinions to talk about some of the interesting things I'm seeing and experiencing here in Chicago.

There is the quaintest little downtown area in Naperville. It's got cute shops and restaurants. Adorable. And if you're ever in the southwest Chicago suburbs area, you have to stop in at
"Ethel's Chocolate Lounge."

In college I was introduced to the "coffee shop." It's a place people go to do homework, meet friends, conduct business, meet Christian guys (according to my friend - although I've never seen evidence of this), and, of course, to drink coffee.

This shop is like a coffee shop, only it's totally devoted to chocolate. Chocolate! What a wonderful idea! Now, granted, this idea is a little more girly, so I doubt you'll be meeting any Christian guys there - unless their girlfriends persuaded them to go. Actually, the place made me think of the little Tea House Harry Potter went to on is date with Cho Chang...nerdy, I know.

Anyway, it's decorated in pink and brown. There's chocolate like any candy store. But there's so much more. You can get a pair of cups of cocoa and a dozen or so little chocolate pieces. Then you take it back to one of the couches in the back, or some of the tables, and just chat and socialize with your friends! Better even than the cocoa deal - fondue!

I kid you not, doesn't this just sound like the best place to go on a winter Saturday morning? Actually, to me, it seems like you could have a serious chocolate overload if you go there. But as long as I'm writing reviews, I give the chocolate lounge three thumbs up, and I can't wait to go there again!

My Catch Phrases

I'm not going to lie. That particular phrase first came to my attention over Spring Break, 2006. In fact, I think someone pointed out that it was kind of a "catch phrase."

Ever since I've been in Chicago, I've been surprised to hear people saying things that I only recently started hearing in Kansas. Now, I'm not surprised that phrases can be just as trendy as any fad of fashion. What I wonder about is how they spread!

Who comes up with this particular phrase? Perhaps it was a movie star, or public figure, like other fads. But I think the words we use are more a reflection of the people we hang around with. A lot of our mannerisms come from those who are close to us, until we can't always tell who started them.

What amazes me is how phrases like that can spread so quickly! I mean, think about the very real differences between how people talked in the '50's and how they talk now. And also think about the geographical differences between Chicago and Kansas.

So, imagine it like a plague. Buddy says something new and unique. His friend Allison hears it and start using it herself. Her friend Joey comes in from the big city, and starts to say it himself. And then he flies off to New York city, where someone overhears his cell phone conversation, and so on...

Isn't it amazing? And what would be more amazing would be able to work backwards. To find Buddy. Does he always come up with fun catch phrases? Or was it just lucky that this one caught on. Does he even know he was the first one to say it? Did he say it all his life, or did he just make it up one day? Is he an influential personality in general, or is he usually quiet, and the wonderfulness of the phrase was due mostly to the fact that he speaks so little, and therefore everything he says is inspired?

So, here's the challenge. Find something that will be the next big language fad. A phrase, a word....I want to hear it on national TV in a year, and I want it to have come from you! (Or me)

My Chopsticks

So, I wanted to write about more substantial matters, but we went to sushi today, and it got me thinking.

How in the world did Asians come up with the idea for chopsticks? And how come it spread to so many different countries? I mean, when you think about it, wedging your food between two sticks of wood is a very good idea. Did western cultures start off with a chopstick device and then develop up to the fork? Just curious...

I personally think that the fork was a little better instrument - you can stab or scoop, and it works well with the knife.

On the other hand, if you ever watch a native-born Asian eat, they are just as efficient as I am with a fork. Perhaps more so.

My Sequel

Yesterday in my quiet time, I decided I wanted to give the day to the Lord. I think that in doing this I wanted to be the kind of "holy" person CS Lewis had been talking about who fulfilled all these qualities: busy, but not stressed, kind, but doesn't need anyone, joyful, etc. Qualities that make a person stand out, without them even having to say anything.

Well, that lasted about until I went out the door. I mostly forgot about the whole thing.

At work, I was stressed out because I had nothing to do. At all. Actually, I suppose I did have assignments, but they were few and far between. It was starting to look like my old Raytheon internship, where I'd make the rounds, asking for work to do, complete my 15 minute task, and start all over again.

Then things got shook up. Literally. They moved us from my cozy 6th floor room, where I had a few people who would give me tasks to do, down to the 1st floor - smaller group and (even more stressful) NEW PEOPLE!

So I went home utterly depressed. This was supposed to be the job I had for life, and yet, I had nothing to do. When I did have something to do, it wasn't really a task that required a CPA. At this point, I was thinking, "God, I gave this day to You. What happend?"

Now, before you judge me, I wasn't asking him how he could do this to me. Although that did come up. This question was about myself. How could I let myself get so caught up in my own cares? I was not pleasant at work yesterday - and less so as the day went on. How could i forget that easily?

If you're at all wondering about the title of this post, I'm getting to it, and it's the best part! This morning I got to work and, while setting up, one of my new roommates (a senior manager)introduced himself to me. And he asked me if I had anything to do! He immediately set me up with a project that took several hours, and which fully met all the expectations I had preconcieved about being an auditor. Then Ryan, a former and current roommate who used to use his right-hand man Dan, asked me for help - because I was there and Dan wasn't.

Further, when I got to thinking about it, it was probably better to be away from the people who had given me tasks before, just because their tasks were short, and these new tasks were....longer.

So, here's the lesson I learned in this: to wait upon the Lord. Just like in my song. See, even though I never actually gave myself to Him yesterday, I guess you could say I started. But whether or not we're talking blessings or not, my timeline was obviously different than the rest of the world's. All the work I could hope for fell into my lap, and if I had just stopped my whining yesterday and turned around to greet my new coworkers, I might have realized that sooner.

As it happened, I've had yet another lesson in patience and timing.

And keeping my promises: they could have helped me out more yesterday than they could have today!

My Everlasting God

There’s a song we sing at church that I like to think of as “my song.” This seems very possessive, but I offer no apologies. In fact, I feel more guilt over the fact that there have always been other songs that speak to me as well, and that perhaps by singling this out, I am leaving out an important part of my life and past.
But, this song is not just wonderful: it is one that I feel as though I have an inside scoop on. Every part of it has a special meaning to me. And I think that if you sat and pondered every word...I mean every individual word...you would see the beauty and power of the song, too. Musically, I suppose the song is simple. Yet that simplicity aids in the power of the song. In fact, as much as I love and am even obsessed with music, this song could work as well as a poem or a chant. Or a prayer.
I am going to discuss each of the parts of this song, in order of appearance, because I think that the messages are ones that should be shared. The song is called “Everlasting God,” and it was written by Chris Tomlin.

“Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord.
Wait upon the Lord.
We will wait upon the Lord.”
Repeat

Okay, I must first mention that there are two versions. In the other one, the second line is, “We will wait upon the Lord.” I think the one I have written is more powerful. Here’s why. This can be sung as a wonderful chant, or mantra if you will. There are so many times in life that we get impatient. We want things to happen now. Or, in my case, we want answers, clarity. I recently heard a discussion in the car about how Mother Teresa refused to pray for clarity for a man. She instead prayed for trust. I don’t know if I agree with that entirely – you have to know that what you are doing is right. But the point is the same. God does things in His own time, and we need to wait for His schedule. So this chant is a wonderful way for me to stop being impatient and wait. And, perhaps unspoken, I am hearing in these words to listen to the Lord.
I think the wording is more powerful in the first version because of the change in presence. The first line is first person plural: all together we will wait upon the Lord. The second line is a command. “You – wait!” before going back to the collective style. I think this shows how we can work together and hold each other accountable. When a friend’s impatient, we can strengthen them with these words. “This is working for me, and I think you should do it. Let’s do it together.”

“Our God You reign forever.
Our hope. Our strong deliverer.
You are the everlasting God. The everlasting God.
You do not faint you won’t grow weary.”

Wow. Okay, this is my favorite part and the reason this song is so special to me. If you look at this chorus yourself and think about it, you will probably see that it conveys God’s strength. He lasts forever. He’s always there.
But I want to draw your attention to the word “faint.” It doesn’t say, “You won’t walk away….You won’t take a nap.” It doesn’t even say, “You won’t go so long without food that your blood sugar drops and you get really shaky and pass out.” The word is faint.
I can tell you all about fainting. It is a biological process in which, because of some weakness, the blood rushes to the feet, the heart, or outside the body, leaving the head empty. First you feel faint. Then, it feels as though someone has put earmuffs over your ears, and everything gets muddled. At this point, it is the point of no return. Your vision zooms out like a camera zooming out of focus, and then you wake up in a position very different from the one you started in.
Well, of course God doesn’t faint! But the way this is phrased just makes me feel so warm. And I don't know if I can even explain it, becuase it's such an experience personal to me. When I faint, there’s nothing I can do about it. At some point I pass that point of no return. I can’t control anything about it, and I hate that. But God doesn’t faint. He’s in control. He does not have any weaknesses. There is something that I physically cannot do for myself, something that I cannot control. But he does not have that problem. So even when I’ve fainted, he’s still running strong.
Yes, it would be so easy to say that God just never leaves our side or sleeps. But this word, "faint" speaks to me specifically. Even though I have never thought that God would leave, I suppose it makes me feel good to know that I am not the center of my life and also that when we finally go to be with Him, we won’t faint either.

“You’re the defender of the weak.
You comfort those in need.
You lift us up on wings like eagles.”

I think you could just read these lines slowly and thoughtfully to find the beauty in them. God not only stays strong, but he uses that power to defend the weak. When I’m down, he’s going to be watching over me. And non-physical weakness is so much worse than the physical kind, and that’s where He really steps in to defend us. He comforts us.
He lifts us up on wings like eagles. Ever wonder what heaven will be like? Ever wonder what it would be like to soar on an eagle (yes, I’m picturing riding the eagle). To fly without an airplane. Perhaps you haven’t. I think there’s something that drives some of us to the skies, which is why I learned to fly and why I can’t explain why I did it. But even for those of us who aren’t pilots, flying is an idealized form of traveling.
I cannot imagine the joy and freedom of soaring through the air, supported by absolutely nothing! Nothing!

So that’s my song. I suppose if you follow the words in order, it really gives a pretty good picture of a day in the life of a Christian. And perhaps hope for those who are still searching. First we wait. And the waiting’s hard. But God does not faint, he’s still there waiting to defend us and comfort us. And when he finally comes through, in his perfect time, we will be lifted up on wings like eagles: higher and better than ever before!

My Analogy

Today I would like to talk about explicit words. But since I don't cuss, I am going to have to use stand-in curse words to get my points across. I think this could be fun. Now, on a level of least offensive to most offensive, I am going to use: "flower," "petal," "pollen," "stem," and "dirt." That last one is a really dirty word! (Ha! CHEESY!)

Now, I'll say "flower" every now and then. I don't like to, and I usually feel funny afterwards, but I really don't think it even qualifies as a cuss word. It's just because I didn't start saying it until I was older. In fact, if you ask me what it really is, I'll tell you, but not right now because it would look out of place on this pretty little page.

"Petal" and "pollen," (Petal especially) can be used in the correct context of their real meanings. You might guess what "petal" is. I say this one, too, when I'm not trying to curse. In religious discussions, it is most useful.

And then, of course, are "stem," and "dirt." And this is the point of my little discourse. Because I don't cuss, I get so confused by people who do. "Dirt," is the worst word out there. So, if a person cussed, I would think he would save this word for anything he considers to the be worst possible scenario. The rest of the time he would limit himself to "pollen" and "stem." Conversely, if cussing really was his thing, then I would think he would stick to "dirt" all the time. It's the most offensive, and it conveys the most emotion. It would be like me saying "flower" a lot.

But they don't. People who cuss switch from "pollen" to "dirt" to "stem" back to "dirt" a couple of times, "stem" "stem" and even a "flower" thrown in for good measure. And they may use any of these words in any situation.

Pollen! My computer's running slow today.

Dirt! That file won't open.

Stem! (A stand alone expletive used when someone runs into your car).

Now this is exactly what I'm talking about. I would think that "dirt" would be more appropriate for the car wreck...if you're going to say a curse word, that seems like a better time than a file not opening. And yet, this file gets a higher ranked curse word.

So I guess the saying, "Where you eyes are, there too will your heart be," cannot be switched around to say, "Where your cusswords are, there too will your heart be." I think the phrase would be, "Just say whatever the petal you feel like."

My final observation is that I can be confused about this, but I can't really be judgmental (I mean about how they choose to use their cuss words...the fact that they are cussing does bother me). I mean, I can't think of a time I've really cussed. It's a sign of today's world that I've thought cuss words a lot.

But I've already said that I'll say "flower" sometimes, and the cutsie language of my youth has conformed to the crasser version society uses - not cuss words, just...crass. I guess that's a product of age. But sometimes I'll use "flower" when I could just as easily not have. And other times, when I'm in the worst of moods, and things are all falling apart, it doesn't even occur to me to use that word or cuss at all.

So I guess it's just what comes to mind. I mean, that's the point of explicit language: essentially nonsensical words used to display usually negative emotions. (My friend came up with "nutbunnies" because it didn't resemble any known curse words...but she still used it in the form of one...like I use "drat.")

My Lover

Oh, I'm excited to write this. I have just a little giddy feeling inside, and I've been looking forward to this all day! Kristal, if you're out there, this post has nothing to do with you.

As I've grown, I've realized that the power to hurt us the most lies with the people we love. It is those whom we love who have the power to make us angry.

This realization has been most useful in rating my friends and family. It also keeps me in check when it comes to treating the people who I love - with great power comes great responsibility.

And then, of course, there's an upside to love as well. So through all this I've discovered a new love in my life. I hadn't known it before, but now it's pretty obvious, and the thought just sends shivers down my spine. How could I not have realized? It's been there all along! And so, I have to share my new joy with you.

This love of mine has been with me for some time, and is almost like family to me, although I don't think you can qualify our relationship that way - there's so much more to it than that. The other day, though, I was getting angry. So angry! And I didn't know why! I mean, such a seemingly little thing shouldn't upset me so much.

And that's when it hit me. I am in love with the wind.

Oh yes. It's true. All my life we've had a good thing going. I mean, we were friends, right? I'd stand facing into the wind on a fall day and just grin! When I got over my fear of tornados, I learned to love them, too! And, of course, who was there for me when I became a pilot? The wind was beneath my wings.

But through the good times, I never realized that what I felt for the wind was love. I mean, sure, I'd used that phrase before, but I hadn't really meant it. The wind was just around to makd me feel happy.

And then I got to thinking about how the wind blowing my hair in my face really annoys me. I mean, I have pet peeves, but this one is ridiculous. And there's no person to blame really. The wind makes me so mad sometimes! And when I drop something, and it goes flying across the parking lot? I mean, give me a break! I don't know what I did to deserve this.

Ah, the ups and downs of love.

So really, what I'm trying to say, is that even when somebody hurts us, it doesn't mean we have to stop loving them, or that they don't love us anymore. In fact, it just shows us how strong our love is that they can hurt us so much. Look at me and the wind. Believe me, anyone else messing up my hair does not boil my blood the way the wind does.

And I'm also trying to say that there's a new love in my life, and everyone is just going to have to accept it. (Then again, I'm sure someone will tell me that they knew all along this was going to happen). Aaaahh...I just love happy endings!

My Kid

Okay, right after I wrote last night's post, I watched the Scrub's episode: My Butterfly, which pretty much said the same thing, only with more eloquence and humor.

Anyway, I think part II is going to be much more fun, at least as far as I'm concerned.

I enjoy psychological self-analysis (as well as analyzing others), and often find myself wondering why I do something, or why I feel a certain way. To aid in this analysis, I have decided I would like one of three tools: a pensieve, a ghost of Christmas past, or a kid.

The first item is a Pensieve, from the Harry Potter books. This device allows you to take thoughts out of your head, let them swirl around for a little bit, and then replay them for you. But even better than all that, it can make connections that you never would, replaying them in an order that makes you go, "Ah ha! So that's what happened." Haven't you ever had memories that just pop up out of nowhere? I've always wondered if they were important somehow. This way, I could just siphon those off, and look at them later to see if they really were important. And what about bad memories? You can store those away and never look at them again unless you really wanted.

Now, the last purpose of the pensieve also ties into my ghost, so I'm going to explain them both at the same time. Anyone who has read or seen A Christmas Carol knows about the ghost of Christmas past, and how he spirited Scrooge away to different occasions. Now, my ghost would have to have the ability to take me to places other than Christmas, because not a lot really has happened on that holiday in my life. But as he hops from place to place, the ghost discusses with Scrooge what he's seen and what impact that has had and what happens next. So you see, this kind of adds on to the pensieve because there's a guide. However, the purpose is still the same. For instance, I used to be quite a bit like Hermione (I think) in the Harry Potter books: always answering any question that I knew the answer. I don't think I was trying to show off. Anyway, I can't remember raising my hand in class since at least high school. I'm assuming somewhere along the line I missed an easy question, got too many wrong, or realized (as Hermione never did) that people don't like know-it-alls. But I can't be sure, and I would love a ghost to take me back to fourth grade and show me getting laughed at. Not to relive the pain. Just to help my psychoanalyze.

Finally, there's the kid. One of my favorite movies is The Kid, where a 40 year old man meets his 10 year old self (in the present). I could have little Sarah come visit me and tell me just exactly what she thinks of what I have become. I think that our personalities are shaped by the people and events that surround us as we grow up. But I also think some of our personality is with us from the beginning: maybe not genetic, but God-given at least. Being able to talk to a younger me (or observe one) would show me which aspects of my personality are inborn, and which have been shaped. I know, for instance, that as a kid I wanted to be a teacher, and now I don't trust my tutoring skills. I'm sure I could explain that to Little Sarah if she asked. But you know how kids view "grown ups." They're either boring or they lead exciting lives. Would she envy me or tell me I'd let her down? Not that I'd take advice from someone ten years old or younger. But it's me!

So anyway, what do you think you'd find if you had these tools? What would you do with them? (Now I really do sound like a teacher, "Write a story about a time when...")

So also, I'm really looking forward to the stuff I've been collecting in my head to post. I think the next one's going to be really cool! Scandalous even! And the next one will be explicit! ;)

My Fall

I've been wanting to do a two part post (C.S. Lewis style - read Mere Christianity, maybe you'll get it) about revisiting our past.

The first part deals with wanting to go back and change the past. I honestly don't know if everybody wants to do this but I know I'm not the only one. And I know everyone has regrets of one kind or another. I mean, I have a really great life, but some people have really messed up theirs. Wouldn't you want to go back and change it if things were as bad for you as they are for some people?

The question is, would you know how? I think movies and books about time travel are amazing because they are thinkers. Each path you take branches out into literally millions more: can you really say that changing just one thing will have the effect you want?

I don't. But what I do know is that things would be different. I would love to be able to go back, having lived my life, and not do something or change how I did something, and the relive it. It's important to be able to remember how you did things the first time, because otherwise, when you get to the end of your new road, you may want to go back and try again and always be bouncing between the two lives you've lived.

Now, since this is all theoretical anyway, I want to get to the main point: where I messed up. Honestly, I can't say that my life is really bad right now. But I feel like it could be better. And I've always been able to pinpoint exactly what instant of time I would change if given the chance. The lucky day used to be in my junior year of high school.

However, that has been superceded by the fall of my junior year of college. Fall has always been a special time for me. I stand in the wind, and it feels like something's coming. What that is, I don't know. But looking back, I think something really was headed toward me that fall. How could I have known it then? I guess I lied earlier, because I'm not sure exactly what point that semester I would have changed, but I think my reactions to the events that followed could have been better.

I've often said that in the winter of my junior year I underwent a personality change. Now I think that assessment is a little harsh. But I began to adapt my expectations as a result of the changing world around me. A door closed, and I suddenly became the perfect little accountant everyone always knew I would be. A friend left, and I tried to replace her with false hopes and someone who could never even come close. And so on...

Essentially, I wonder where I would be today had I not done some of the things I did. What I want to know is exactly how much that one semester affected me.

Now, this probably sounds very negative, and I don't want anyone to get the wrong ideas. I'm a thinker, so I have to think about 'would have beens' 'could have beens' and 'what ifs.' Because where I am right now is probably better than most of the other roads I could have gone down. And it can only get better from here (not because I'm in a rut, but because I believe in continual personal development...and now I'm talking like a girl again, so I better end the post).

Their Generation

I'd like to take a moment to reflect on Senior Citizens. Grandparents. Everybody has them. OLD people - most of us have to deal with them. And we all have stereotypes about them: the little old lady who has to count out each penny, the old man who regales us with stories about the "good old days," and, of course, has anyone ever met an old person who can drive?

However, as I walked around an older neighborhood in Independence a couple of weeks ago, I realized that there are definite positive aspects to Senior Citizens as well. Those old men who "bore" us with stories? Sometimes those stories are really cool! And even though it seems like they have an opinion about everything, they have experiences to go along with those opinions. But the thought that struck me hardest was that this generation of senior citizens is fading away, only to be replaced by another.

And who will the next generation of senior citizens be? You got it - Baby Boomers! Our own parents, in some cases. The hippies. The feminists. The generation that broke all the rules.

Why do I mention this? Well, I don't know if anyone has ever thought about the generational differences that will destroy stereotypes. We will get to see what stereotypes come from simple geriatrics, and which are due to generational differences. For instance, I'm sure even the Baby Boomers will have trouble driving as their eyesight and reflexes get worse.

However, think about the Baby Boomer culture. Instead of either having childlike wonder or getting angry at new technology, the baby boomers will want to learn it, be used to the quick pace of the changing world, and probably be able to keep up.

We think of senior citizens as being opposed to change: opposed to different cultures, rap music, technology, and young people in general. But will baby boomers be that way? They seem to be more of a generation that wants to try new things.

So, here's the question. Was it some side effect of the Great Depression that makes old women love to count out exact change at the grocery counter? Or will our own mothers start this habit when they reach, say 50?

What do you guys think? How will the Baby Boomers age differently than their parents? With medicine improving all the time, there's going to be a lot of examples out there to watch.