THE CONSEQUENCES OF AGE DISCRIMINATION

Politicians and influencers interested in creating a generational divide like to quote the statistic that the unemployment rate for 55-64 year olds is about 5.4 percent against the general unemployment rate of 7.4 or so. They conveniently omit the other statistics for the age group:

” But almost every other number from the bureau makes it clear that while the economy may be improving, a substantial number of older workers who lost jobs — even those lucky enough to be re-employed — are still suffering,” reports The New York Times.

“Two-thirds in that age group who found work again are making less than they did in their previous job; their median salary loss is 18 percent compared with a 6.7 percent drop for 20- to 24-year-olds.

“The re-employment rate for 55- to 64-year-olds is 47 percent and 24 percent for those over 65, compared with 62 percent for 20- to 54-year-olds. And finding another job takes far longer: 46 weeks for boomers, compared with 20 weeks for 16- to 24-year-olds.”

So large numbers of people in their mid-years and later, many of whom lost huge chunks of savings in the 2008 crash, are being deprived of years of savings and of higher salaries in the prime earning years that would boost their future Social Security benefits.

It was sad enough to read this story; the hundreds of comments had me weeping. It is heartbreaking but we all need to have these things in mind when future elections roll around. What has your representative done for jobs?

ONE AFTERNOON IN A LONDON FOOD HALL

Another flashmob, another unexpected treat. From the YouTube page:

”Sacla' the Pesto Pioneers and Italian foodies favourite brand, served up a great surprise at John Lewis Foodhall from Waitrose and staged an impromptu Opera in the food aisles.

“They planted five secret opera singers who were disguised as casual shoppers and store staff amongst the groceries who broke into song bringing the foodhall to a standstill with a rousing rendition of the Italian classic Funiculì, Funiculà.

Hat to to Ali for sending in the video.

THE ADDICTIVE POWER OF MUSIC

While we're doing music, here's a scientific explanation about “how a simple mixture of sound frequencies can affect your brain and body" and why it's not all that different from a drug like cocaine.

RULE CHANGES FOR REVERSE MORTGAGES

Reverse mortgages have a poor reputation and they should not. They are available to people age 62 and older and for some it makes the difference between a penurious old age and a bit more comfort.

Now, beginning on 30 September 2013, FHA is making the loans more difficult. The allowable amount of a reverse mortgage will be reduced by about 15 percent and except in a few case, there are restrictions on how much can be withdrawn in the first year:

”A homeowner eligible to withdraw a total of $200,000 in cash, for example, would be allowed to get only $120,000, or 60 percent of that sum, in the first year.”

There is more detailed information at The New York Times.

GROWING OLD IN UNDER 5 MINUTES

This gorgeous video was made by Anthony Cerniello who writes at the You Tube page:

”I attempted to create a person in order to emulate the aging process. The idea was that something is happening but you can't see it but you can feel it, like aging itself.”

Thank you to TGB reader Nana Royer for sending the video. You can read about how it was made at Huffington Post.

WHAT 200 CALORIES LOOKS LIKE

Whether losing or maintaining your weight, it's important to know how many calories you are eating and it's a horrible bore to weigh portions or measure amounts so most of us learn to do credible estimates.

Now comes a useful page from the website allthatisinteresting with a chart of what 200 calories looks for nearly 50 foods. Here's an example:

You can see the rest of the 200-calorie portions here.

VOICE MAIL CAR ACCIDENT

In 2005, a man was driving along a road in Texas while simultaneously leaving a voice mail for his boss. He witnessed a minor traffic accident which he described in minute, funny detail for his boss.

Some have said the voice message is a hoax and Snopes concluded that “without additional evidence” that it is a prank cannot be ruled out.

Here it is and you can make up your own mind.

Hat tip to Larry Hannah who had some reservations about how the old women were portrayed. I don't know how I feel about that but a big part of me says, "good for them." There are all kinds of incidents in my past that I wish I'd done what these women did.

THREE BABY LION CUBS

It is just a week ago today that three baby lion cubs – triplets - were born to Neka at the Portland, Oregon zoo. Mother and children are in seclusion for now but here is a first black-and-white glimpse of them on day one. So cute.

Apparently, by day two the kids were already straying where mama did not want them to be:

You can read about them here and here.

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

Don't be put off that this is a Guinness commercial. Watch to the end and you will be inspired. (Hat tip to Erin Read of Creating Results)

Interesting Stuff is a weekly listing of short takes and links to web items that have caught my attention; some related to aging and some not, some useful and others just for fun.

You are all encouraged to submit items for inclusion. Just click “Contact” in the upper left corner of any Time Goes By page to send them. I'm sorry that I probably won't have time to acknowledge receipt and there is no guarantee of publication. But when I do include them, you will be credited and I will link to your blog if you have one.