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[Closed] Tell me about your midlife crisis

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Inspired* by the [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/how-do-you-feel-about-getting-older ]getting older thread[/url] and my own reaction to being 40 next year (I need to be 39 first), it got me thinking that now's about the time for a midlife crisis.

As I've alluded to elsewhere, I've had to knock the cycling on the head. It was something that always took up a lot of my time (both doing, thinking and talking about it) and I'm now facing a need to fill the gap.

So I mentioned in passing to Mrs North that I'm thinking of buying an old Lotus Elise as a second car. I figured I'd get in the pre-emtive reference to an MLC, when she retored that "You've been in crisis for years". Apparently suggesting that a car was better than an affair didn't soften the blow quite as well as I'd expected.

So, go on, share your own MLCs.

*so to speak


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:06 pm
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Also 39 and don't feel one coming soon.
Already buy stupid stuff like cars etc so not really too sure what I'm supposed to do ?

Just don't be the 40ish year old in a convertible with a huge gut and bald head, it isn't a good look. ( regardless of age )


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:09 pm
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Well I'm a bit early with mine - only 30. Me and my GF are packing in work and buggering off round the world next year.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:12 pm
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Biking has been a life long crisis.

Cars too, the current one is beautiful to be in but horribly greedy, expensive to maintain and insure. Oh and has about 300+ horsepower more than you can ever need on the road.

I'm very close to giving up the office career and going back to fixing/looking after cars, though the will be vintage/classic race cars this time rather than new. It'll ruin the bank account, my back (again, not to mention the finger nails don't you know.

But I'll be happy!

I hope.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:15 pm
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I think my impending MLC will probably involve pilates or maybe yoga.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:15 pm
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This years MLC

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

Spent three and a half great weeks in the Alps with them


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:21 pm
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It's funny but I'm 50 next year and still haven't had a midlife crisis.

which is a shame, I feel like I'm missing out on something. 🙁


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:22 pm
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NICE CAMPER!!!
I want one!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:22 pm
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So far, so safe: cars, bikes, campers, career change, men doing yoga*....

*don't worry, that's on my "to start" list.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:24 pm
 Sam
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Also 40 next year, I fear I may be due another after having my first one in my early 30s - started a bike company...


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:28 pm
 Yak
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If I was to pick a MLC sport to start afresh, I'd go for paragliding.
Not planning a MLC just yet though, despite also turning 40 next year.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:29 pm
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I took up skateboarding again (I can't afford an expensive MLC) its funking ace fun and a lot cheaper than mtb and a great workout.

I took up yoga and it injured my wrist, still recovering from an operation on 2nd june! beware the over extended wrist as my surgeon said he sees loads of similar injuries requiring surgery!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:31 pm
 Yak
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I do keep musing over a return to climbing too. It's just really time consuming, so maybe I'll leave this sort of additional activity for an age 50 MLC, body withstanding.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:35 pm
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Long hair (think mid-trial Phil Spector).

Marriage.

Possibly a Surly, if anyone wants to buy a kidney with all the effectiveness of an old tea bag.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:38 pm
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STOP- actually, for some of us not having a mid life crises. Maybe this IS our midlife crisis - playing with bikes and arguing with strangers on Internet forums.

Oh my god, how shit would that be if this is all my brain can come up with as an hormonal celebration.

Depressed now, think I'll buy a convertable ....
Oh bollox


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:39 pm
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Bought Porsche, got rid of Partner, started again.

It was a good time.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:42 pm
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Bought a Lotus Elise 111s when I was 33. Enjoyed it for a couple of years then got rid. Zero regrets, lots of smiles.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:43 pm
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I always wanted to do the Continental Divide Trail but my hips are shot to shit so I never will. So instead I am planning to do the Trans America motorbike route in the next few years.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:45 pm
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Does a mid-life crisis [i]have[/i] to involve blowing a shitload of money?

If it does then it looks like I'm going to live until I'm 120 😕


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:47 pm
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men doing yoga*....

*don't worry, that's on my "to start" list.

Yoga is a game changer. I hate all these new aged, yanktastic, only-saying-it-because-it-will-make-me-sound-trendy type people...but yoga does really seem to fix quite a few things that you wouldn't expect it to.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:48 pm
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[quote=carlphillips ]I took up skateboarding again (I can't afford an expensive MLC) its funking ace fun and a lot cheaper than mtb and a great workout.
I took up yoga and it injured my wrist, still recovering from an operation on 2nd june! beware the over extended wrist as my surgeon said he sees loads of similar injuries requiring surgery!

I'd love to skate again but it injured me more than any other sport...


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:49 pm
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I joined the fire service at 40. Bit of an eye opener doing my BA training with lads who were for the most part not much more than half my age, but it beats playing golf!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:51 pm
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She was French.
She made me miserable.
She is now a lecturer at the Sorbonne.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:55 pm
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I've not even had my teenage rebellion yet let alone the MLC -really feel like I've missed something--59 BTW 🙁


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:57 pm
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Well having been on here a while a feel I should really take up coke and hookers but I suspect that either by themselves would be enough to kill me now.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:57 pm
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lemonysam - Member
Well I'm a bit early with mine - only 30. Me and my GF are packing in work and buggering off round the world next year.

Brilliant. Nice one!! 🙂


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 3:57 pm
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Turned 40.
Dated lots.
Lost Weight.
Hit the gym.
Got a motorbike.
Got a tattoo.

I should point out that I was single at the time!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 4:00 pm
 mos
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[i]'current one is beautiful to be in but horribly greedy, expensive to maintain'[/i], sounds like our lass!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 4:01 pm
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Timely thread this. Just in the past couple of weeks I think I have started to get the early symptoms of MLC. Lack of satisfaction at work, generally bored, worried that this is it until I retire, late night eBay window shopping (camper vans, boats, Land Rovers, sport cars)

Limiting factors are young kids, need to maintain my salary and I can't be bothered with an affair.

I need a focus so happy to see what others are up to.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 4:02 pm
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Get yourself a decent disease that may limit your lifespan, that'll take your mind of any MLC and make you live every day for the day...tomorrow will bring what it brings!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 4:11 pm
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I had mine at 39 when I started MTB


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 4:13 pm
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Get yourself a decent disease that may limit your lifespan, that'll take your mind of any MLC and make you live every day for the day...tomorrow will bring what it brings!

Quite so. Carpe diem.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 4:13 pm
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@Jambo, old man skate night at Prime in Plymouth on Monday nights, tis great fun, but ye I hear you on the injuries, I definitely don't bounce as well as I used to, but like it too much to give up for a while, I just built a 10ft wide by 3ft6 high x 24 ft long mini ramp in the back garden......tis ace!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:08 pm
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I appear to be sharing my MLC with franksinatra up there ^^^^^

He can do the Land rover part if I can try the coke and hookers


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:33 pm
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I've decided recently to try to get a six pack, at what is probably the latest point in my life it's possible. It will impress nobody but me, so in that vein it's pathetic enough to count as a MLC.

I drive an Insigia and work for the Government, so a 911 isn't an option.

Pass me the broccoli.

EDIT: Slightly seriously, I am happily single with no kids - but the kind of opposite of what I really want, so my MLC may not be a true one...what I [i]really[/i] want is a kind,sane and reasonably solvent woman with huge norks that wants kids - time's running out though, so I'll just concentrate on stupid & unimportant goals in the meantime 🙂


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:41 pm
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I've ordered a Cannondale Slate. Its got purple cranks. That will do for now.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:42 pm
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Think I may have an inverted one: mid thirties, now learning to drive, trying to turn my job into a career, enthusiastically helping my partner's kids with their homework and teaching them arts and crafts, rarely have chance to cycle and no interest in going on the lash. It's ace!

#edit# compared to being a single heavy drinking waster it's crucifyingly expensive - I set my life up to avoid ambition, but they're worth the perspective change


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:44 pm
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I seem to have just discovered mine at 38, had a BMX taster at the National Cycle Centre last week and I'm going again tomorrow night.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:54 pm
 tang
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I was 40 this year and it's been great and awful in equal measure. I have got 2 new bikes and ones a custom, both slathered in nice stuff. Had an old friend (a beautiful loaded Sloane ranger) try to steal me away (I'm married) which I resisted politely.
Put on a race, went for a drink with Chris King, made some money from cycling, got sponsored by Saddleback.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 6:56 pm
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ourman, couldn't you have one of those insanely beautiful e-bikes ?

they probably cost a shitload too, so MLC material in their own right


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:02 pm
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My MLC is rather cheaper than most

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:07 pm
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I was 40 this year. I did a handful of motorcycle races last year and a couple of DH races this year. We've also just bought a cheap caravan to chuck the bicycles in for week/ends away 😀

You can't avoid getting older but you can avoid growing up!

Oh, I've also accrued quite a few 90s GT BMXs this year as well 😆


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:17 pm
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@ aracer: Oh, I don't know - probably cheaper than a woman but even guys must have some financial implications


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:17 pm
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Split amicably with my wife. Then got a GF 22yrs younger then me. Then moved to Havana for two years.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:23 pm
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I've just realised I've actually met aracer.
🙂


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:23 pm
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Bought one of these when I was 40, two years ago.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:26 pm
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Did the sports car, did more skiing, took up MTBing. But then looked at where I was, and a few relationships on, amicable divorce in progress, I am with someone I love to bits.

To call it an MLC is a bit pejorative. Sometimes we get an opportunity to look at our lives and change them. Uncertainty is scary, but creative and exhilarating. If you are happy with where you are in life, good for you. If you aren't and you think you can be happy, do think about it. YOLO as those young people say...


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:46 pm
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52 here and it seems to have missed me so far, having said that, I bought an er6f 2 years ago and traded that for an mt09 tracer earlier this year, never yearned for fast cars though


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 7:58 pm
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Reached 61, only crisis is never having been able to afford to have one 🙄
Next year @ 62 I can retire on company pension. I can stay on as long as I want thereafter but atm I want to go ASAP. So my crisis is looming, what to do in my retirement? Still reasonably fit & active but not as flexible as I used to be!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:07 pm
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Hmm, 48 here & in a happy relationship with no kids.
Mate has just completed Paris-Brest-Paris in 71hrs & I'm quite jealous!
Ive decided its what I want to do, I'm aiming to ride RAGBRAI in 2017 for my 50th birthday & maybe London-Edinburgh-London the same year.
I'll never be a racer & win medals etc, I'll never earn enough to blow insane amounts of cash on flash motors (cars don't interest me) but I do want to be able to look back and say ive done something few people would even consider.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:09 pm
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That you riding back into Rochdale about half seven Si?
Did the two blokes behind catch up? 🙂


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:12 pm
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Down Witworth Rd? If so it was me (blue jersey, hi vis lid)
No, they didn't catch me - I passed them climbing out of Bacup, had a little chat then the quicker one went back for his mate.
Were you driving? Didn't see you.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:16 pm
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You had your head down and were making progress.

Good lid and jumper combo BTW, very noticeable in that crappy murk.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:19 pm
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anagallis_arvensis do the TAT on a motorbike its a blast!
just got back from 4 months touring the US 18k miles 11 states,
I've been having MLC's every 3or4 years since 30 (now 48)
work flat out save money take 3/6/12 months off do that dream trip repeat!!ps single never married no kids.life is good
[URL= http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt185/thefettler_2009/IMGP0686.jp g" target="_blank">http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt185/thefettler_2009/IMGP0686.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:20 pm
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My mid-life crisis was around lunchtime on my first day at work aged 22. After the initial novelty had worn off and I was given some menial task to do by a **** of a boss I found myself staring down the next 40 years of 9-5 and being horrified.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:23 pm
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My MLC is not having enough money to afford a midlife crisis... 😕


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:25 pm
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Pete - the lid was my idea & the jersey a birthday pressie!
May as well be seen! Sorry I didn't see you fella.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:30 pm
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How does 46yrs old with a BMX in the garage go for a MLC. Haven't got the balls to go to the skate park in case the kids laugh at me! 😉


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:44 pm
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I'm going to see some other people who obviously are having a MLC by reforming the best band in the world.
The Wolfhounds. I just love the lyric "chopped hog Harley with a baby seat"


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:48 pm
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I've promised myself either Trans Provence or Trans Savoie next year, before I get too decrepit, so that sort of counts I guess


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 8:49 pm
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I had a "wobble" at 35, nothing serious but serious enough for me to sell a business that I hated being involved with. My business partner was an overbearing **** and I'd had enough.
Sold up, went into contracting, quadrupled my income in one step. Took 6mths off and followed the Americas Cup around Valencia, met some great folks, sailed, windsurfed my ass off around the beaches of southern Europe and north Africa.. To say I was enjoying my time was an understatement.
Got back, got a job in 4 weeks, headed up some major programmes and once every couple of years I move on or when I've delivered a programme of change. Tend to plan 3-6mths between Jobs. Each time I'm off I plan the time religiously to make the absolute best of that time because I know when I'm done I'll get a job sharpish and then the door revolves once again..
Luckily I've no kids, a loving wife who has her own work/life balance in check..

It's doable.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 9:11 pm
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[img] [/img]

Wish it looked like this one! But it might yet...


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 9:12 pm
 hora
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Im missing the midlife crisis?

Already owned TWO MX5's in my early 30's.

OP buy an Elise. Why not.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 9:14 pm
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I like the song of that name by faith no more but other than that have yet to succumb at near forty to a proper midlife crisis unless you count the usual first world angst but I have had that since my late teens!


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 9:34 pm
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DP, sorry


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 10:24 pm
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Forgot the change of career* from desk monkey to care worker.

Love the job, wish I'd discovered it years ago.

*There must be a word that accurately describes the meandering, confusing and mostly pleasant quest to find out how to earn a crust without gouging out your own eyeballs.

It's probably German.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 10:26 pm
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I found that losing my business, my marriage, my house, my car and everything but the clothes I wa stood up in, then dissolving into depression, alcoholism and drugs kind of negated any thoughts about Harley Davidsons and stupid cars.

Sounds like I probably got the better deal


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 10:37 pm
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Depends.
Describe the clothes.


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 10:45 pm
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I don't earn anywhere near enough money to have a mid life crisis

I'd like to buy myself a nice stupid car, and a couple of nice bikes

I'll have to make do with looking at everybody else's


 
Posted : 20/08/2015 10:54 pm
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[quote=scaredypants ]@ aracer: Oh, I don't know - probably cheaper than a woman but even guys must have some financial implications

You misunderstand, the MLC was the beard

[quote=Rusty Spanner ]I've just realised I've actually met aracer.

Where was that then?


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 12:55 am
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I'm quite looking forward to when I can get rid of my car. Is that a MLC? Consumerism doesn't really deliver for me but I have spent money on things that give flow: bikes, surfboards, travel, and am lucky enough to have a beautiful wife with a similar outlook. The idea of a MLC is that you go bananas for a bit then become normal again. I have no intention of doing either.


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 2:23 am
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I've got mine planned, more-or-less.

I'm going to sack off my job, divorce my wife and live in a van. I shall ride bikes, play the banjo, learn to climb, learn to fish, and shall wake up in a bivvy bag on top of a hill most mornings during the summer season.

I had an early one, in which I drank a lot, had sex several times and took anti-depressants. It was OK. But I was only 31, so it didn't feel like I had to tick the box.

🙂


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 2:39 am
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Apologies, haven't read the entire thread... At what point is one considered middle aged? Often I feel like I have early onset middle age, at 34. Don't feel in crisis though.


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 5:52 am
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You will do, very soon 😈


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 5:56 am
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I joined the fire service at 40. Bit of an eye opener doing my BA training with lads who were for the most part not much more than half my age, but it beats playing golf!

snap. think it was 40 that i joined too. also took pride in coming second in the bleep test in training, only beaten by a ripped 18yr old 😀
also made me think i ought to use my gym time wisely, i was just throwing any old weight around thinking itd change my body. looked into routines/diet more closely and decided id see how far i could push it. i went from first pic to second in 7 months, lost 2 and a half stone, from 14 to 11 and a half.

[img] [/img]

[img] [/img]

decided that was [i]tooooo[/i] skinny so now i just stick at a healthier 13 stone. always experimenting tho...... 😀


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 6:10 am
 DT78
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Think I've had a MLC around 34, not as fun as everyone else, got depressed, withdrew as much as possible from everything, started taking ridiculous risks to get some adrenaline going which eventually resulted in a fairly monumental accident and 3 months in a chair. Got more depressed, drank beer, ate cheese went from 11stone ish to 14. Think wife nearly left me.

Kind of wise I'd just splurged loads of cash on a boxster.....

Btw it's all better these days.....think it is almost time for a "fun" MLC


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 6:33 am
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I've not had a mid life crisis yet

I'll be 35 next year so I'm planning to have my first one then, and then every 5 years after that!

Haven't really got time for more hobbies to be though, I tend to add hobbies rather than replace them.

I'm thinking it's either going to be a different car, different motorbike or another hobby

I'd quite like a hobby I can do with my kids (they're quite young so as they get older they can do things with me for sure)


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 9:37 am
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I would very much like to buy a fun car one day.. for me that's anything with more than four cylinders.. but I'd never drive it anywhere because of poor fuel consumption so I'd end up selling it after 6 months 🙂


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 9:40 am
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BD, if those are your plans do you want to borrow my van in exchange for a loan of your beautiful wife?

And for the sale of peace, don't play the banjo.


 
Posted : 21/08/2015 9:51 am
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