Did anyone else see the Colbert segment last night about the 86-year-old woman who's an Olympic gymnast? She was AMAZING. It gives me hope. Like, I don't really need to be a gymnast, but if I'd go to the gym regularly I could have a chance of being strong and flexible into old age. Maybe my genetics destines me to be collapsing by 74 as my mom did, but maybe not.

If only I could accomplish this by, say, ritual sacrifice instead of going to the dang gym.

If only I could accomplish this by, say, ritual sacrifice instead of going to the dang gym.

I KNOW, RIGHT?

So much about the body is use it or lose it, exercise seems to get more important as I get older.

I did not see that on Colbert, but someone on my internet realm linked to a youtube of her doing gymnastics, and I was very impressed.

Also, I felt like her gymnastics in many cases was so much better artistically than the floor exercise Olympic stuff nowadays--sure, she didn't have triple back handspring twists or whatever, but it looked lovely and integrated and natural. Whereas watching high level gymnastics these days it so often looks like "and now I add a jerky obligatory hand wave here, and a quick leg point there, and back to the springs!" I mean, I love seeing amazing feats of flippiness, but...the other day I chanced upon a video of the NCAA championships this year, the floor routines? And one girl was doing more of a...marching band kind of song? And more cheerleader-y, step-dance-y moves, and it was awesome. Looked so much less forced and like it went with both the music and the flipping!

Skipping to a whole new thread because, according to Topic!Cindy "If the Apocalypse Comes, Beep Me" Apr 12, 2004 2:18:32 am PDT , today is Owen's birthday.

Happy birthday, you oh-so-big-already boy! With lots of wishes for your mom, your little sister, and all your family as well!

Also, since I have no idea when I'll have any internet access again (all this Pessakh and matzah crumbs are not going well with in-front-of-the-computer stuff, I'm afraid) I'll already post early wishes two days in advance, according to Jilli VoiceOfReason "If the Apocalypse Comes, Beep Me" Apr 13, 2005 11:03:27 pm PDT .

I'm 44 and I feel middle-aged. Barring accident and illness, I could make it to 88--most of my grandparents saw their 80s. I'd like to do it like my grandfathers, who were aware and active until near the end. Right now my back hurts and I don't know what all the kids are listening to these days. But I have a super-cute new haircut and plans for the upcoming Avengers movie. Eh, Ima calling it middle age. It's really not a bad place to be.

Happy birthday to Owen! Continue to advance us toward World Domination little man.

At 58 I have surely been in the middle age realm for some time. I have even taken advantage of senior discounts! My mom is 90 and I can see making it past 100, so middle-ish. I also am scheduled to have bunion surgery this month because I am silly enough to think doing another marathon is a good idea and my foot won't cooperate without surgery.

My mother's only real medical problem is her bones falling apart so exercise seems a key element to aging without so much pain. Most of the people in my life that didn't live to old age either smoked or had diabetes so I figure avoiding those things might help too.

But yeah, more than middle aged. Look for me to be here more when I have the foot in a boot for a couple months. The doctor warned me it could be 6 months to a year before I can wear normal shoes due to swelling so this is no quick fix. But better than spending the next few decades unable to walk distances.

Apparently it's still actually under debate. How is it we don't know these things? Is this a sexist thing, or a sexual thing - i.e., a disinclination to study sexual anatomy? Are we this unsure about penile anatomy?

Anatomists are still discovering things about all the types of bodies, even humans. Which surprised me because I keep thinking, what else is there to know. But apparently much!

My friend from college Amy, who was a fellow gymnast/cheerleader, just started taking adult gymnastics. I am so jealous. but if I were going, I'd also be a little afraid.

Laura, at least you're in Florida where no one will look twice at you for wearing sandals 'out of season'!

I'm 53. Would love to last to 106... and if we're lucky with medical advances, it could be a more comfortable time than you would predict now. Maybe 80yo gymnasts will be the rule by then?

(The old age homes are going to be picturesque by then, with all the tattoos and piercings.)

Happy birthday to Owen! I can't wait to hear what was on his wish list.

Allergy sufferers: DC has been having a horrible season of pollen, and I had to see a doctor yesterday b/c she wouldn't refill a prescription without seeing me in person. She gave me a sample of Singulair and it is a fucking miracle drug. By last night I felt mostly normal again. Apparently, it doesn't work for everyone, but when it does, it works well.

Also, we will be in London next month for a few days - suggestions on what to do with a 3 year old?