Sharp as a Knife? If you work on it.

This coming Wednesday, I turn 72. What is 72? Yeah, Harlan Sanders started KFC at 67.Lots of stories about late achievers or those who always had ideas and kept illuminating (as my friend Mike says: a good word!) because they could not stop thinking, reaching, staying alert.

Though I spent many years as a male escort, after retirement, it didn’t seem to be an option. Kidding!!! Except for those who used my services.

What do I do to be 72, or 85, like my dear friend? Well, I read, I interact with people of all ages, idiots, contemporaries and I get out in the world.

My dad was on dialysis at 79 and took it as a death sentence. He sat on the couch, watched TV, and wasted away. Quitting is what killed him at 81, not the disease.

The past week, without getting into details, which are just annoying and boring, I pondered my future and what I would do with the remaining years. First of all, I fired my doctor. All is good. He has a publicist, and I told him, ‘Maybe you should consider hiring an ethicist for your practice instead!’

I realize people have burdens and troubles in their lives. Mine has not been a cakewalk. Maybe in terms of relationships, where I have tried to be the best man I could, and even tripping up, but I did try and make lemonade out of lemons. You can.

Now, some cannot because their pain consumes them, and I get that. Who better than me to speak and advocate for them?

My friend talks about mortality and whether I think about it. Thinking is different than dwelling.

I am not a cockeyed optimist who ignores the feelings of mortality. Do I think about it? Sure.

I love when the New York Times publishes an obit and says, John Smith, 103, died suddenly! Nah..not suddenly, but how rich was their life? Did any pain, illness, or sadness bring it along? For many of those, we will never know.

For a few days, well,and I am known for transparency, they tested me for bladder cancer. The journey was full of incompetence and an overzealous wanna-be doctor; a PA with issues.

So, as 72 approaches, I admire my friend who keeps pushing the limits. I think he was probably handsome at one time..lol..but he looks at his history, his tests, his life. And it is his life and the experiences that keep him reaching for life.

That’s where I am at. Enough bullshit that age is just a number. It is also an attitude, even if the signs are of concern.

I never thought I’d quote Sammy Davis Jr., but better than P-Diddy.

Whether I'm right or whether I'm wrong
Whether I find a place in this world or never belong
I gotta be me, I've gotta be me
What else can I be but what I am

I want to live, not merely survive
And I won't give up this dream
Of life that keeps me alive
I gotta be me, I gotta be me
The dream that I see makes me what I am

That far-away prize, a world of success
Is waiting for me if I heed the call
I won't settle down, won't settle for less
As long as there's a chance that I can have it all

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I've gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I've gotta be me

I'll go it alone, that's how it must be
I can't be right for somebody else
If I'm not right for me
I gotta be free, I just gotta be free
Daring to try, to do it or die
I gotta be me

Well, I am NOT GOING IT ALONE. I am lucky to have someone at my side.

Age does not define you. It recalls the values, thoughts, and accomplishments that brought you to where you are today.

Oh…no cancer, by the way.

Mortality? F$%k off!