Oldster Magazine

This is (Almost) 52: Empowerment Author Meg Stone Responds to The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire "Nothing is surprising about being a childless, queer Gen-X-er in my early 50s, because I grew up having no idea what my life would look like."

Ever the #Lateadopter trying to catch up on BlueSky! Here is my piece on @oldstermag.bsky.social . Thank you @saribotton.bsky.social

Lights Out Brian Macaluso looks back at the August, 2003 blackout in New York City.

Happy 22nd anniversary of the August, 2003 east coast blackout to all who celebrate. Here's a remembrance of it by @brianmacaluso.bsky.social.

memoirland.substack.com/p/lights-out

What Does It Mean to "Dress Your Age"? ` Trying on clothes at Eileen Fisher; my ambivalence toward dressing "grown-up"; and challenging old assumptions. PLUS an open thread where you can chime in on your "age-appropriate" (or not) style.

How do you feel about "dressing your age"? Weigh in here:
oldster.substack.com/p/what-does-...

Girl You Better Try To Have Fun Megan Stielstra on embodying many ages at once, and learning of Sinéad O'Connor's death the summer her father was dying. An excerpt of "Nothing Compares to You: What Sinéad O'Connor Means to Us"

I wrote about remembering how to feel for Nothing Compares to You, an anthology of essays on the legacy of Sinéad O’Connor. The book comes out tomorrow. Here, get your joy: www.simonandschuster.com/books/Nothin...

Thank you to @saribotton.bsky.social for giving this piece a home on @oldster_mag.

In Midlife, Shifting My Creative Focus In his mid-50s Peter Barrett has traded his painting studio for the kitchen—now a site of fertile creative pursuit. PLUS an open thread about our own later-in-life creative shifts.

I wrote a thing for @oldstermag.bsky.social

This is 59: Physician-Turned-Author Helena Rho Responds to The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire "In some ways, there’s been no difference in my attitude or the joy I take from life, regardless of whether I was 29 or am 59. I hope this will hold true when I'm 79."

“I just say what I want most of the time. I think I’m still restricted by my history of being an Asian model minority + a woman to boot. But I try to assert my voice now. I refuse to stay silent and obedient.” -Helena Rho takes The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire. oldster.substack.com/p/this-is-59...

What to Read, Watch, and Listen to this Weekend An Oldster Magazine Friday Link Roundup .

Happy Friday. Here's a beast of a link roundup to take you through the weekend...

oldster.substack.com/p/what-to-re...

16 years ago Michael Jackson passed away. As a fan since boyhood I took it hard. Thankfully I could connect the songs he sang on solo and with his brothers to many pleasant memories including an early crush. Check out my @oldstermag.bsky.social essay "I Want You Back" for the full story.

Some Day We’ll Look Back on This and It Will All Seem Funny David Begler recalls his endless teen quest for all things Bruce Springsteen, and wonders whether the hyper-accessibility of today’s musical artists kills some of the mystery, and thrill of discovery.

"I wonder: what is it like for young music fans today, with unlimited access to their favorite artists? Part of the allure for me was the elusive hunt for the rare and unheard." - David Begler (one of my oldest friends) in @oldstermag.bsky.social
oldster.substack.com/p/some-day-w...

Resisting Retirement: When Your Identity is Bound Up with Your Profession I interview my 82-year-old uncle about his struggle to move on from ophthalmic surgery, and what he gleaned from Arthur C. Brooks' "From Strength to Strength." PLUS an Open Thread on retiring or not.

Incidentally, the person who recommended "From Strength to Strength" to me said it was by "that old guy who writes for The Atlantic." TIL Arthur C. Brooks is 61, just a little more than a year older than me. 👵👴
oldster.substack.com/p/resisting-...

The Fountain of Youth is a Coffee Maker And lots of other useful, Oldster-adjacent content. PLUS: "The Oldster Top 10," Cliff Chenfeld's monthly playlist of new songs for old ears.

Got an @oldstermag.bsky.social Friday Link Roundup for you...
oldster.substack.com/p/the-founta...

Resisting Retirement: When Your Identity is Bound Up with Your Profession I interview my 82-year-old uncle about his struggle to move on from ophthalmic surgery, and what he gleaned from Arthur C. Brooks' "From Strength to Strength." PLUS an Open Thread on retiring or not.

At @oldstermag.bsky.social I had a great conversation with my 82-year-old uncle about his reluctance to fully retire from ophthalmic surgery. (He also reveals he hates "Doctor My Eyes," which Jackson Browne performed at his foundation's gala last year. 😂)
oldster.substack.com/p/resisting-...

Ecstasy for Easter "Changing our minds in one afternoon." PLUS: A Friday Open Thread on our experiences with MDMA and other psychedelics...

New piece by @kristinohlson.bsky.social about an ecstasy trip she took with her partner, in their 70s. PLUS a Friday Open Thread for sharing our own experiences with psychedelics.

oldster.substack.com/p/ecstasy-fo...

Growing Old in the White House On Biden and ageism.

"Why did Biden’s age become such a big deal for him, but not for Donald Trump (just three years Biden’s junior) or other politicians of a similar age?..." - @smotus.bsky.social in Oldster today.
oldster.substack.com/p/growing-ol...

I Want You Back On First Love and Michael Jackson

"Her name was Helen and from the moment we met, my first schoolboy crush was ignited. Unfortunately the only Michael she was interested in was Jackson." @michaelagonzalez.bsky.social in Oldster today.
oldster.substack.com/p/i-want-you...

What's Good An Oldster Magazine Friday Link Roundup with plenty to read, watch, and listen to this weekend.

Happy Friday. I made you an Oldster Magazine Link Roundup...
oldster.substack.com/p/whats-good

This is 65: Keith Roysdon Responds to The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire "I really appreciate knowing things and having figured out a few things...Experience is a great teacher and I’m still learning."

Come for @saribotton.bsky.social ‘s thoughtful questions, stay for the ridiculous photos of me from 40 years ago.

I’m in the new @oldstermag.bsky.social questionnaire.

oldster.substack.com/p/this-is-65...

Great to feature you!

Thank you, @saribotton.bsky.social . It’s so cool to be in @oldstermag.bsky.social !

This is 65: Keith Roydson Responds to The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire "I really appreciate knowing things and having figured out a few things...Experience is a great teacher and I’m still learning."

”Like many people, no doubt, I view being in my 60s very differently than the way I viewed my parents when they were in their 60s.” @keithroysdon.bsky.social responds to The @oldstermag.bsky.social Questionnaire.

oldster.substack.com/p/this-is-65...

Scroll Through This Some Oldster-adjacent content to read, watch, and listen to.

Got an Oldster Magazine Friday Link Roundup for you, with plenty to read, watch, and listen to this weekend…and an open thread question at the end.

oldster.substack.com/p/scroll-this

Movie Mike Mayfair Theatre, Baltimore
--photo/Maggie Wrigley
City of Stars oldster.substack.com/p/city-of-st...
Cinema and the City memoirland.substack.com/p/cinema-and...
​Into the Cinema, Onto the Page magazine.catapult.co/people/stori...
@mattzollerseitz.bsky.social @oldstermag.bsky.social

Diahann Carroll on Julia was my first TV mom crush and the second autograph I ever got. Check out "City of Stars" in @oldstermag.bsky.social for the whole story. oldster.substack.com/p/city-of-st...

This is 69: Journalist and "Pilgrim" Kevin Sessums Responds to The Oldster Magazine Questionnaire "If you’re lucky, you still feel most of time as if you’re about 30. Just steer clear of mirrors."

Check out this interview I did with @oldstermag.bsky.social . And then check out all the great content at Oldster.

How to Save Your Hide Veteran beauty editor Val Monroe shares five basic things you should know about your skin. Plus, an Open Thread where you can share you skin-saving secrets...

Today at Oldster, veteran beauty editor @thisisvalmonroe.bsky.social offers smart, simple skin care advice. PLUS: An open thread where you can share your skin care secrets...
oldster.substack.com/p/how-to-sav...

Too Cool For Prom...? Michael A. Gonzales recalls his first heartbreak, and an evening in 1981 that took a few surprising turns.

Northwestern High, class of 1981. Prom night is supposed to be a special, memorable night, but mine was a doozy that could've been a disaster, but was saved by some good friends. @oldstermag.bsky.social #Prom #PromSeason #Baltimore

What to Read, Watch, and Listen to Over the Weekend... Some Oldster-adjacent content for you. PLUS: "The Oldster Top 10," Cliff Chenfeld's monthly playlist of new songs for old ears.

Hot off the presses, an Oldster Magazine link roundup for you. I was sad, last night, to have to add the passing of wonderful singer-songwriter Jill Sobule. RIP. 💔

oldster.substack.com/p/what-to-re...

I loved doing this Q&A! I got to reveal me to me!

Spoke again with @calliefreitag.bsky.social about what's happening to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
oldster.substack.com/p/a-first-10...