So I decided when I turned 50 that that brought with it certain privileges…mostly that I get to be old and cranky. I think after half a decade of living that I had accomplished something and that surely there must be some reward for that.

1. Being set in my ways: sometimes I just like to do things my way and don’t want to listen to others or follow their advice. I figure I've been at this long enough and certainly I've learned a few things along the way. Why should I change, I’m an old dog and really don’t want to learn new tricks…and don’t plan to!

2. My way is the right way: so I think, anyways. And that, then, makes it right…right? Surely my counsel can be relied upon and even acted on. I haven’t made 50 by happenstance. I worked hard at it and now I think that you should do what I do, act as I do…be me.

3. It’s just an excuse: or so I think. Being old and cranky is an easy way to think I can get away with things that I wouldn't have gotten away with in the first 49 years. Trust me on this, you just have to ask my kids. Oh, ignore them when they laugh because they really know it’s true.

So what do you think, am I onto something here or am I just blowing smoke? I suspect it's the latter but I don't want to admit it or own up to it. Sometimes it's fine to live in your imagination and think that thoughts such as this are apropos. And then the reality fairy says "time to wake up...you're not fooling anyone".

Actually, old and cranky is sometimes just an excuse about not taking responsibility. It truly doesn't matter what age we are...we are responsible for our attitude (our "crankiness") and no one else is. Sure I've made it past 50 but what that means is that I have accomplished many things and should actually have learned some lessons along the way that make me a better person. And I need to share this with other, through both how I live and how I speak. That is the real advantage for us Baby Boomers, we have so much that we need to and should share with others. Hopefully I am doing that and it is seen in the life I lead...especially for my teenage kids!

Do you think I've earned this after 50 years? Have any of us Baby Boomers learned anything in our lives that would be of use to anyone? And are we sharing these things with other people? So even thought I might like to think and claim that I'm old and cranky...really I'm not...I'm actually a nice guy with fun stories to tell.