h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This is a subject that I have been pondering over during the past year as I am soon to turn 50. In my early teens I suppose that I aspired to have a sort of "June Cleaver" type of future. Secure, motherhood, a house with a picket fence, a husband who provoded for me and children who were perfect. wasn't that a fantasy! As the 60s progressed along with my age, I soon realised that the world wasn't like a TV show. The Bay Of Pigs incident made me practice "Duck and cover" excersises, John Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King were all assassinated. (all of whom I deeply respected) Kent State happened and the war in Vietnam became increasingly abborrant to me. Who I am now is directly a product of the environment of the 60's an 70's. I came from a wealthy family, threw the lifestyle away, dove into a career in the arts-no money there- I had once decided not to have any children but now have 3. In some ways, the ideology of my latter teen years hasn't changed. I am still active in community and global politics, I'm still a socialist and above all, am pro-aactive in the fight for individual rights. The only thing I regret is I wish I had money in order to give my children more.

It is a natural thing in life to want to give your children more, I can remember going without to make sure that my kids got all they wanted. Now years later, after a divorce, the kids dont even want to know me. So I ask myself was it all worth it? Like you I grew up through the 60s and the 70s, and I am glad I lived them, espaeially the 60s! Like all parents you put your own life on hold, for years until the kids have grown. Then you look around and try to find a life for yourself, and if your lucky you will. You will still see your kids especially when they want some thing! otherwise dont hold your breath. I have no regrets, and would happily go back and do it all again. Im so glad I packed so much into my first 50yrs, cause the second half is not so exciting, and as they say, its a game of two halfs.
Smudger.

The life I'd envisioned as a child was (upon reflection)pretty damn boring. I'm glad I've travelled far afield, skydived, owned a motorcycle, lived in a commune, had a good career in theatre, worked and met with a lot of interesting people. I do have one regret though- I wanted to climb Aires rock and live on a sheep station in the outback before I had children. As it turns out, I've never gotten to Australia even though I have close family there. I also have a compelling desire to visit my birthplace and see my old house. Uganda isn't exactly tourist friendly and is ssooooooo far away. My kids know most of my youth story -the good and bad- and compared to their friends moms I suppose I'm kind of "Cool" Their friends would die for my 20 yr. old scooter!

Hey thats you saying about your ambition to climb airs rock?, mine was to do a parashoute jump before I was 40 I had it all arranged, sponcers for charity the lot, then bad weather on the day cancelled it I did my other ambition and climbed the North face of Ben Nevis, as part of a rescue team exercise. I was only 16 at the time, but I remember it like it was yesterday!Im afraid I missed most of the kids upbringing due to being away, or working long hours. So Im not so cool in their eyes, its but I seem to get on better with Dianes (my new wife) kids than my own. Mind you they were all hostile at first, but now its great, we even have 3 grandchildren, boy I feel old when I say that
Smudger.

I've been to Ben Nevis but didn't climb it. As for skydiving- Just because your'e over fifty doesn't excuse you from the experience. Give it a try- It's awe enspiring!!!! If you want something a little less exhilerating, try going up in an ultralite. Those contraptions which look like a hang glider but have an engine. The experience is almost as good and I suppose may be a litttle bit safer. My 18 yr. old daughter is going to jump on her 19th birthday (the earliest age one may jump in Canada at a GOOD Drop Zone. She has already Bungy jumped- I'd never be that nervy_. At least my genes are good for something. She's a true adventurer! K

I would love to go up there in any thing, but unfortunately my back injury stops me from any of that. Ben Nevis has got two ways up, one is a foot path the other is a 2000ft vertical wall. That was the route we tookWe looked a right shower of wallies wehn we climbed over the top, as there were tourists with shorts on & sandles, and us with all the climbing gear!! Did you go to have a look at my page? just click on to my name it will take you to it Let me know what you reckon Your daughter has done all the things I would like to have done for now, catch you later
Smudger.