You know you are getting old when:

[Haversack]

Grew up with a copy of Webster's Second. Almost as good as a set of encyclopedias. When quite young I was fascinated by the marbling seen on the edges of the pages when the book was closed. Later, the pages of photographs of flags, currency, warships, etc. were memorized. Parents sold it when I was in the service.

 

[Harp]

^My mom tossed out my Playboy collection when I was overseas.

 

[tonyb]

My late brother, who was 15 months older than me, taught me the alphabet by using the spines of our World Book Encyclopedias as a teaching aid. I must’ve been 4.

As to Playboy …

The old man “read” that stellar publication back in the early- to mid-’60s. I’m confident my mom disapproved, to no apparent effect, though. I liked the pictures, too.

 

[Haversack]

My father showed me a copy of the October 1968 Playboy when I was 10. I was a bit embarrassed but later that day asked if I could see the magazine again. Read it cover-to-cover. What stuck to memory was an excerpt from J.P. Donleavy's latest book, The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B. A few decades later I ran down the entire book which in turn led to me reading all of Donleavy's books. Made something of an impression. Particularly as by then I had had a girlfriend attending Trinity College in Dublin...

 

[ChiTownScion]

I’ve mentioned before that I still have the Red Wing boots I bought new in 1974. I also have a pair of RW Iron Rangers (union made in the USA) I bought a couple years ago. It took a while to break ’em in, but I wear them frequently now.

Those are amazing looking boots. Definitely on my wish list.

 

[tonyb]

View attachment 357942


Those are amazing looking boots. Definitely on my wish list.

Don’t be discouraged if they’re a tad uncomfortable the first several times you wear them. They break in fine.

 

[Harp]

My father showed me a copy of the October 1968 Playboy when I was 10. I was a bit embarrassed but later that day asked if I could see the magazine again. Read it cover-to-cover. What stuck to memory was an excerpt from J.P. Donleavy's latest book, The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B. A few decades later I ran down the entire book which in turn led to me reading all of Donleavy's books. Made something of an impression. Particularly as by then I had had a girlfriend attending Trinity College in Dublin...

Oscar Wilde was a Trinity alumnus. Donleavy's Playboy excerpt is quite alliterative, good that he sparked
a lasting interest. Playboy's exacting editorial standards always impressed and I too read the
mag cover-to-cover. Funny story, once sat my sister's kids, found a nephew with a Playboy, avuncular
confiscation and later back home tossed in kitchen trash after giving the magazine the once-over.
The next week or so while passing through O'Hare Airport TSA checkpoint security, I noticed a young
lady escorted by an airline attendant to the checkpoint. She looked familiar, and was the Playmate of
the Year, same gal in my nephew's issue. My bag was being searched, and the playmate stood next
to me while her purse and carryon bag examined. And the TSA gal found the same issue I took
off my nephew, the playmate explained who she was, and I later told my nephew the story.

 

[tonyb]

My father showed me a copy of the October 1968 Playboy when I was 10. I was a bit embarrassed but later that day asked if I could see the magazine again. Read it cover-to-cover. What stuck to memory was an excerpt from J.P. Donleavy's latest book, The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B. A few decades later I ran down the entire book which in turn led to me reading all of Donleavy's books. Made something of an impression. Particularly as by then I had had a girlfriend attending Trinity College in Dublin...

I always liked the pictures.

 

[green papaya]

the police dont bother arresting you, too old & fragile or crazy to go the police station/ jail

my neighbor shot a rifle at me and the bullet went through the rain gutter and missed by an inch of hitting me

he was taken away by the local Sheriff dept , but was back home the next day, they never even charged him with anything

complained to the DA / Sheriff , and they couldnt do anything, no restraining order either since he lives next door

 

[Fifty150]

What stuck to memory was an excerpt from J.P. Donleavy's latest book, The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B

Oscar Wilde was a Trinity alumnus. Donleavy's Playboy excerpt is quite alliterative, good that he sparked
a lasting interest. Playboy's exacting editorial standards always impressed

Really? There were naked girls, and they didn't stick to memory?

I get naked girl magazines to see the naked girls.

When I want literature, I go to a library. But the librarian isn't naked. Which may, or may not, be good.

the police dont bother arresting you, too old & fragile or crazy to go the police station/ jail

my neighbor shot a rifle at me and the bullet went through the rain gutter and missed by an inch of hitting me

he was taken away by the local Sheriff dept , but was back home the next day, they never even charged him with anything

complained to the DA / Sheriff , and they couldnt do anything, no restraining order either since he lives next door

When did this happen? Last week? Or 50 years ago?

 

[green papaya]

Really? There were naked girls, and they didn't stick to memory?

I get naked girl magazines to see the naked girls.

When I want literature, I go to a library. But the librarian isn't naked. Which may, or may not, be good.



When did this happen? Last week? Or 50 years ago?

back in 2008 - 2009 , his relatives eventually took him somewhere else , he was an alcoholic and had mental problems

 

[Haversack]

Really? There were naked girls, and they didn't stick to memory?

Oh, to be sure. I can even now recall to mind the centerfold photograph of the Danish girl in that issue. However, the excerpt from Donleavy's book made a deeper impression as it described a boy's first time.

 

[Bushman]

back in 2008 - 2009 , his relatives eventually took him somewhere else , he was an alcoholic and had mental problems

I'd have returned fire, just to see what happened.

 

[Harp]

Oh, to be sure. I can even now recall to mind the centerfold photograph of the Danish girl in that issue. However, the excerpt from Donleavy's book made a deeper impression as it described a boy's first time.

First deep impressions can be misleading.

 

[Fifty150]

he was an alcoholic and had mental problems

Sounds like most of my girlfriends.

 

[Rmccamey]

Because things we buy (or used to buy) that will last a lifetime don't make the manufacturer any money. We are a disposable society in which the vast majority of products are cheaper to replace than to repair (think "cost") - shoes and boots, TV's, appliances, phones, guitars and amps, clothing - and why we have a New Model every year. As a society, we have lost our ability to consider utility of products (think "value") and the boot theory you post is the classic Cost vs. Value discussion. I think one reason many of us are drawn to the Lounge is that we see the value in vintage apparel and products and we hope to find more of those hidden gems in today's throw-away world. I think the "newest" pair of boots I own are a pair of 25-year old Luchesse's.

For many things, I take the view that if you can't see any need to spend more, why do it. With footwear, I do find I tend to be ready to spend more, though. I wear leather shoes regularly everywhere, and I like a pair that lasts. I'm endlessly fussy about what I wear, always have been - when I finally find something I really like, I want it to last... I think in part too it's an environmental thing for me; I don't want to buy four or five pairs of new shoes over time if I can buy one pair that lasts me as long. Then there's the economic side:

 

[belfastboy]

back in 2008 - 2009 , his relatives eventually took him somewhere else , he was an alcoholic and had mental problems

My high school sweetheart was a librarian.....best of both worlds.

 

[belfastboy]

Because things we buy (or used to buy) that will last a lifetime don't make the manufacturer any money. We are a disposable society in which the vast majority of products are cheaper to replace than to repair (think "cost") - shoes and boots, TV's, appliances, phones, guitars and amps, clothing - and why we have a New Model every year. As a society, we have lost our ability to consider utility of products (think "value") and the boot theory you post is the classic Cost vs. Value discussion. I think one reason many of us are drawn to the Lounge is that we see the value in vintage apparel and products and we hope to find more of those hidden gems in today's throw-away world. I think the "newest" pair of boots I own are a pair of 25-year old Luchesse's.

I had (have) a pair of Meindl - German made - walking shoes - that I wore almost everyday for 25 years. Had them rebuilt 4 - 5 times until the upper leather just wore out. They are now my garden shoes. Went to the shop a few years back to buy a new pair wearing the old ones. Explained to the very young clerk that given my age and the incredible life span of the Meindl shoe this could very well be the last pair of shoes I ever buy. Poor young thing really did not know what to do with that information. She stumbled over her response then fled to the stock room to find my size.

 

[tonyb]

^^^^^
And to the layperson’s eye the build quality isn’t visible. My 47-year-old Red Wing boots don’t *look* sturdier than lesser shoes. But they are.

 

[belfastboy]

Oscar Wilde was a Trinity alumnus. Donleavy's Playboy excerpt is quite alliterative, good that he sparked
a lasting interest. Playboy's exacting editorial standards always impressed and I too read the
mag cover-to-cover. Funny story, once sat my sister's kids, found a nephew with a Playboy, avuncular
confiscation and later back home tossed in kitchen trash after giving the magazine the once-over.
The next week or so while passing through O'Hare Airport TSA checkpoint security, I noticed a young
lady escorted by an airline attendant to the checkpoint. She looked familiar, and was the Playmate of
the Year, same gal in my nephew's issue. My bag was being searched, and the playmate stood next
to me while her purse and carryon bag examined. And the TSA gal found the same issue I took
off my nephew, the playmate explained who she was, and I later told my nephew the story.

One of my all time travel highlights was viewing the Book of Kells at Trinity. Not sure why but it sure struck a cord for me. Went back a week later to view another page.