Barry Weiss, Baby Boomer Role Model

Barry Weiss, who has become a television phenom, thanks to A&E’s smash hit Storage Wars and soon to be host of his own show, is the ideal poster boy for the Baby Boomer Generation. Why? First of all, he succeeded in life, amassing a small fortune by building a successful wholesale produce business. He then lived every Boomer’s dream of early retirement and travel around the world. But in time realized that as a Boomer he still had passion to work and succeed, so he created his “Act Two” by buying and selling (or in many cases keeping) antiques and collectibles. Understanding that there were treasures buried in storage lockers which had been abandoned, he started going to auctions which lead to his new television super stardom.  The lesson from Barry: Boomers can continue to work, succeed and contribute. Oh yes, one other thing. When younger individuals deride his age he lets it roll off his back , moves forward and often shows them up.  YOU GO BARRY!

Network Television Must Hate Baby Boomers!

  I was flipping the TV dial the other day in the hopes of finding a comedy show I could enjoy and relate to.  No such luck on the networks I grew up with.  I think Seinfeld was that last comedy that really spoke to the Boomer Generation (Jerry is in our camp having been born in 1954) as it reflected much of our daily lives.  I still have friends who can, and do, quote every line from the shows, and love to say "yada, yada, yada" given the right opportunity. 
  But that show ended 14 years ago and since then the only good shows, comedy or otherwise at least for this Boomer, are found on cable and some basic channels like TNT and AMC. This is perplexing as the networks rely on advertisers for revenue.  And who has more disposable income in this day and age then our generation?  I don't care if the best product in the world has just hit the market, if it is advertised on such mindless shows as Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 (the networks cannot even bring themselves to say "Bitch") I will never know about it.

Tommy Lee Jones is a Great Boomer

Three cheers for Tommy Lee Jones, one of the first of the Baby Boomer Generation, who keeps putting out great performances.  His deadpan reprise as Agent K in Men in Black 3  is the perfect straight man for Will Smith's Agent J. Tommy has had an outstanding career in film, and for my two cents is one of the most underrated actors in the business.  Compare his acting chops to one of today's hot actors like Robert Pattinson, who is half his age. Just give Tommy a set of fangs and see how great a Boomer actor takes a bite out of this role.

Move Those Baby Carriages and Strollers

The other day I was walking down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan which was teeming with pedestrians. It was hard enough just dodging others when an obstacle presented itself which one could hardly traverse. There, in the middle of the sidewalk, were two 30-somethings women carrying on a conversation, arrogantly oblivious to the fact that their side by side baby carriages created a barrier that allowed very little room to go around and inconvenienced all that tried. Not one of the pedestrians said a word.  Many just shot the two evil glances and others mumbled under their breath. And I know why. What those pedestrians knew was that saying anything would be useless, which I discovered when I told the two chatterboxes that they were blocking foot traffic. The expected responses of “I’m sorry” or moving the carriages was replaced with “f**k you, mind your own business”.  When will I learn?

When Did the Reply to "Thank You" Become "No Problem"?

Have you been treated to "no problem" as the new reply to "thank you"?  I encounter this every day from young waiters/waitresses, store clerks, parking attendants, and a whole host of others working  in service industries.  My reply to that illogical response is "I know it's no problem for you... BECAUSE THAT'S YOUR JOB"!  Would you have told me it was a problem if I had interrupted your cell phone conversation? How about that comic book you were reading? Maybe if you were playing Words With Friends on your iPhone. Perhaps if you were in the back working on a cure for cancer. No?  If none that is what I have taken you away from, then the reply to my acknowledgment should be the tried and true "you're welcome".  Try it out on your next customer.  It's the right thing to do.

Lack of Careing May Kill Us

It amazes me that people in their teens, twenties and thirties are so self-centered as to place the lives of others in danger. Driving on a major highway yesterday I saw so many in those age groups texting or reading emails while behind the wheel.  They are obvious to the road and you can see them drifting into other lanes or when they realize at the last moment that they may miss their exit, they cut across lanes and cut off other cars. This problem stems from the fact they do not give a s**t about anything else but themselves. Is a text so important to them as to risk the lives of others?  And if they do cause an accident, will their excuse be something like they just had to text a friend back?

BOOMERS CALL TO ACTION...when you see drivers texting, take down their license plates and call (hands free) the police to report them.  It may just save lives!

Our Heroes Are Slipping Away

The death of Davy Jones should be a wake-up call to all Boomers.  He was part of our youth and culture.  Those we loved or idealized are slipping away, and the list gets longer each year. So maybe its time all boomers get together for one last stand to change society.

Where Have All the Manners Gone?

What a sad, sad world it is without a shred of manners or courtesy. The 20 and 30-somethings don’t even know the meaning of those words. I cannot tell you how many times I have been on a crowded bus or subway when an elderly person or pregnant woman got on and no seat was available.  Do you think anyone got up to offer their seat? Not the 20s or 30s! After all, it’s all about them!

Boomers! The next time you are in such a situation, confront and shame them into getting up. They may tell you to go f**k yourself (it has happened to me), but you will find other passengers who will agree with your actions.

Boomers' Parents Were Just That, Not Friends

Parents of the Baby Boomer Generation did not treat their children like friends!  That's the opposite of today's parents.  The result...well just go to any restaurant for dinner and if there are young children there you can bet they will either be screaming, crying or running around, as their parents ignore them.  When these parents are asked why they allow this behavior they become indigent and answer, "they are just expressing themselves".  Boomers should take a pledge to walk over to the table of the parent's with an out-of--control child, bend down, look them in their eyes and say: "People are trying to eat, so make your kid sit down and shut the f**k up!".  It's guaranteed that the other diners will applaud you for doing that.

Retailers Ignore Baby Boomers

Baby Boomers were not only the first true shopping center customers but were responsible for the phenomenal growth and success of most chain stores.  We were loyal and believed that as we aged those retailers would continue to meet our needs. Sadly, our loyalty was repaid by being ignored by them in favor of the youth market.  Yes, yes, I know…ours is a youth oriented society.  But we are a large group of hungry consumers in their 50s and 60s who would love nothing better than to buy clothing and products which fit our shapes and lifestyle.

WAKE UP RETAILERS! BOOMERS HAVE SPOKEN!

A Boomer's Apology To Today's College Grads

I am angry at parents who push their children to go to college. I blame our Boomer Generation for this.  And in doing so we set false expectations that all college grads will become captains of industry making shit loads of money right out of school. The result has been squandered talents that many could have turned into successful careers. Not everyone should go to college!  This has come home to roost during this present recession.  College grands cannot find work.  And they are not open to lower their expectations of starting positions and salaries. Had they only spent their college years perusing their passions, be it carpentry, mechanics, or any job considered "blue collar", apprenticing with experts in these fields, they would be making good livings today.

Wake Up Boomers!

We are the generation of change. We changed society. We changed music. We changed sex. And we changed the status quo! So, let's get back to our roots and unify to change the mess our country is in. We are still one of the largest voting blocks. We have many years left. Let us not give up and leave things to the next generation to fix. Add your voice to this site and start a dialogue on how we can effect change one again!

WAKE UP BOOMERS