39 Comments
User's avatar
Reagan's avatar

Hilarious and so true; I’m 48.

Laura Despres's avatar

Perfect timing- to save a friend or just make her laugh T/y

Patti Gora McRavin's avatar

This was tragically hilarious!

John Reynolds's avatar

You should absolutely consider stand-up comedy like right NOW! Seriously. I could not stop laughing and you’re a born deadpan storyteller.

Chris Andrews's avatar

Well, that makes my day. And that would be my dream job. I was the official class clown K-12.

John Reynolds's avatar

I am totally not surprised. Ok, suggesting you consider telling stories at local the Moth events or seriously considering going to a comedy club for rudimentary lessons and trying it out. Minimally this improves your speaking skills and maybe a lot more. Fun, regardless.

Chris Andrews's avatar

I have done The Moth. Was the first one they picked, in fact. Did not win. My story was waaaay too long. And it was super hard not to swear, so that was not the best scenario for me. But I have considered doing one of the SF clubs, as I know them well. Was a comedy club junkie for many years. Perhaps I’ll start by doing a video of me reading or off-the-top-of-my-heading my stuff. Thanks for the ideas and encouragement. Question: do you really think I could start a comedy career at 64?!! If so, you know what? Fuck it. I’m going straight to the top and auditioning for SNL.

John Reynolds's avatar

Yes, I’m 76, I say go for it, it seems natural to you. Of course, like everything, and you realize from the Moth, writing it and delivering it are two different things but you’re genuinely funny and your view of life common things should carry you if you focus on getting good at the delivery piece which granted is it’s own skill. I’m writing poetry and painting for the first time in my life, after the loss of my wife of 53 years who knew? They say this is the new me I’m enjoying it and I think I’m good at it, but I’m truly a novice, but I’m absorbing everything I can, including master classes, using my Substack site and trying to let my poetry readings be educational and to learn from it rather than just reading it. So yes, I have no question you can do this. And like I said, what do you have to lose regardless you’ll have fun and you’ll improve some skills while you’re at it. The whole commentary of it being too long at the moth is reasonably easily fixed, but hanging out with storyteller and comedy sites, yeah, I think that would rub off and you would learn and then get some training. Best wishes.

suzettegrist@gmail.com's avatar

It's always good to share experiences. At least it give your audience a laugh!! Thank you.

Ellen S's avatar

My bar is: his mother must be dead, he can’t be in trouble with the IRS and he must have all his teeth!

D. Williams's avatar

My wife and I (both in our mid-60s) have mutually agreed we’d rather sit on the curb and pound on our thumbs with a ball peen hammer than contemplate dating again.

Chris Andrews's avatar

I'm with you, friend. You probably noticed the title of my blog, lol. Truth be told, here's the updated version of my story: I wrote this piece on dating, then one of my favorite guys in town read it, thought it was brilliant, and asked me on a date. Lol!! In fact, he donated a big chunk of $$ to my blog. Yes, tears are streaming down my face (laughter ones, that is). I thought, "Well, if this guy can deal with my snark, why not go out on a date?" That was two and a half years ago. We are getting married mid-Sept. So there you have it. The moral of the story... ah, there isn't one.

D. Williams's avatar

Well, congratulations! We wish you the very best.

KRT's avatar

You clearly have a bad attitude about over 60 men I think you should probably not try to date anymore. It's not cute making generalizations like that.

Ms. Jodois's avatar

Laughing.

Chris Andrews's avatar

Laugh away, young lady. It's good for you!

Tamara Griffith's avatar

Well I hadn’t planned on dating when I reach my 60’s now I’m for certain it’s off any list..

Tamara Griffith's avatar

😂🤪

Chris Andrews's avatar

Someday you may want to sue me for encouraging you to take the wrong exit. Ya never know how things might end up.

Kelle Hursley Murphy's avatar

Spot on..

Chris Andrews's avatar

"Spot on" - a description of my entire wardrobe.

Janey Rogers's avatar

Great read and great tips!

Walt's avatar

As a trombonist, married 42 years, yeah you should have gone with a trombone player

Chris Andrews's avatar

Spot on, Walt. I was always going for those horn players. We all know how that plays out. Were you at Univ. of IL? Is this a Walt I know?

Walt's avatar

No I went to a service academy followed by grad work at Harvard. Been a pro bone player in my spare time. Now full time in semi retirement. Trombones are the loyal support of the orchestra. It carries over in other facets of life. Thanks for your comment

Chris Andrews's avatar

Love it. I was a professional musician for the first 35 years of my adult life… An orchestral flutist and many of my best buds are the trombonists. Your description is spot on

Walt's avatar

As a bass trombonist nothing like counting 347mm only to come in on a ppp C# below the staff. We as a section live in hope for the 1812 overture.

John Durante's avatar

I hear you. I am a hetero man who is the other side of this equation and the mine field of dating women over 60 has its mi fields too but not with the same comprehension and diversity as you describe here.

EllenPepper's avatar

Thou shalt not date after 60. It's ...discomfiting. Just not worth it.

Dave Nelson's avatar

I could write a similar article from a guy’s perspective. Red flags!

EllenPepper's avatar

Do it! That would be interesting.

Chris Andrews's avatar

Go for it, Dave! Would love that.