Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with middleage

Punk Leather Jacket Rehabilitation

lekvar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:46:11 -0800

Back in the day, I had a black leather motorcycle jacket painted up in the usual punk style: Big back patch, studs, spikes, chains, the works. I'm older now, and I'd like to keep the jacket while getting rid of the youthful excess that covers it. How do I rehabilitate my old leather jacket? The spikes, chains, and studs aren't the problem, as they come out/off pretty easily. I can deal with the scars their extraction will leave.

The bigger issue is the paint. The back patch is spray enamel and acrylic, and there are enamel bits over the rest of the jacket. The two options I see are stripping off the entire outer covering and starting over or simply painting over the whole thing. I see some potential problems with either option: Acrylic paint doesn't strip off without a major fight, but it's lumpy enough to show through any over-coat I might apply.

I'm sure there has to be a solution, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to see it. I'd like this jacket to slide, semi-gracefully, into middle age with me, scars and all.

Long question short: Have you ever rehabilitated a leather jacket, and if so, how? Any input cheerfully accepted.

Why is it so hard to find pictures of attractive women on the internet?

TochterAusElysium — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 18:41:38 -0800

Are there any online resources where I can find photos of women my age, dressed well? I'd like to get some updated ideas of what kinds of clothes look good on a 40-something woman of average (I think) weight. I want to buy some new clothes, and I have to admit that I don't have much of a fashion sense. I don't want to dress like a model, just in a way that I like, and that expresses a bit of who I am. Are there any sites that will show me clothes that I could consider buying? They don't have to be actually selling clothes; I just want to get some ideas.

I'm 41, and to give you an idea of my body type, this and this are recent photos.

I find myself drawn to more natural, almost hippy styles, though I like some sophisticated styles too. But looking in magazines and online seems to turn up mostly stuff that I'd never wear. I don't care for skirts much, should probably wear jeans less, and am not super "girly," but I'd like to look good. I just need some clothing role models!

Finding love. Failing that, sex. Failing that, a movie buddy.

Ethereal Bligh — Sat, 14 Oct 2006 18:49:49 -0800

Help me find love/sex/companionship. Here's a summary of my situation with more detail to follow inside: I'm middle-aged, male and heterosexual, haven't been involved in a serious relationship in five years, haven't slept with anyone in over a year, am formally disabled and mobility-impaired and use a cane, rely on social security disability income during this period while I use the related Medicare coverage to have several major joints replaced, am a native of the city I live in but have lived here this time around for only the last two years. A big problem is that I don't have a social life, not even a work-related version, and thus don't have opportunities to meet new people (meaning: women). I'm stymied as to how someone my age and in my situation might meet people. I've never thought myself to be physically unattractive (similarly, I've never thought myself to be notably attractive, either) and I still don't—but I do feel these days that my life situation is probably a turn-off to most women.

There's some things that confuse me, even if they shouldn't. For example, an old flame from high school tracked me down shortly after I moved here and last year we got together a few times. She was very attractive when she was young and is still fairly attractive at our age. But the same problem interfered with any potential relationship between us as it had 22 years ago: she's just not my type, really. So, despite my loneliness and the fact that she (excessively) adores me, I did what I knew was right and put a stop to things. But, hell, that was the only thing I had going and there's lots of nights when I question that decision and am tempted to call her (or rather, call her back as she leaves me messages every few months or so).

Over the years I've used various personals ads services, either in local alternative newspapers or on the Internet. Last year and into this year I had a match.com ad going but didn't really have much luck with the few women that responded to my ad. Unlike most men, as I've heard, I responded to only two or three womens' ads as I found very, very few women that are my type.

I've been feeling really middle-aged lately. I also often feel sort of hopeless about finding love and happiness with someone, often imagining that I'm becoming that unmarried straight uncle. This is not at all the person I thought I'd be by this age. What to do?

(Possibly Fake) Documentary About Middle-Aged Singles

maryh — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 17:18:32 -0800

About 5 years ago I saw a very funny, possibly fake documentary about middle aged singles looking for romance, but I have no idea what the title of the film could be. Help! I caught part of it on cable- probably on Sundance or IFC- but I missed the beginning and had to leave well before the end. It was a feature legnth ensemble piece following four or five middle aged singles through their day in a large city (maybe NY?) Each person was shot individually giving a rambling monologue to an offscreen cameraman. I didn't recognize any of them as actors, so maybe they were real (but unusually funny) people. I only remember the characters vaguely: there was a laconic Persian-American woman, kind of overweight but proud of her big bust, an uptight rigid guy, a working class guy... Oh brother, I know this is a long shot. Anyone have any ideas?

Back to school at 40?

TochterAusElysium — Mon, 31 Jul 2006 16:57:45 -0800

Should I go back to school at 40, and get that degree? Even though I have a good career, making more than adequate income, and a lot of experience in my field, I never actually earned a college degree. I took some community college classes in my 20s, but now I'm 40 and wondering whether it's a good idea to at least go earn a simple AA degree (and maybe transfer to a 4-year school).

I work in print production (e-pro) and graphic design; I'd probably go back for a degree in graphics and/or fine arts. Money is more or less not an issue. I would be doing this for my own personal satisfaction, and as a resume builder should I ever need to look for a new job (though it's less necessary in my field than a good portfolio).

I'd have to stick with evening classes, possibly at a community college to start; does anyone have experience with starting over in college at my age? Can this even be done with a full-time job? Any recommendations for the (preferably North-) Seattle area?