Neil Offen
neiloffen.bsky.social
Neil Offen
@neiloffen.bsky.social
Author of more than a dozen books, including the hilarious "Building a Better Boomer." Once a sports reporter, newspaper and magazine editor, radio newsman and first-place finisher in his age group in a 5K.
I make the argument that the most consequential election of our lifetime is NOT a presidential contest, but this fast- approaching midterm. Here's a gift link: medium.com/@neilhowardo...
Our Last Chance
On the most consequential election of our lifetime
medium.com
September 19, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I think I'd prefer to get lost now that Google Maps uses #LakeAmerica instead of Ontario.
August 30, 2026 at 8:50 PM
#Semiquincentennial seems such an appropriately ugly and ungainly word for an ugly and ungainly commemoration of America’s 250th birthday. Not so long ago, the birthday word was simpler--bicentennial--and the celebration more hopeful. I wrote about that here tinyurl.com/znc3xemv
celebrating the 4th, then and now — Writing About Our Generation
      We rode our bikes across the width of Manhattan. America was turning 200 and we had just turned 30. We wanted to get to the Hudson River, to see the tall ships majestica...
tinyurl.com
July 3, 2026 at 8:45 PM
So much vile, despicable, demented stuff has spewed from his mouth or his keyboard over the last 10 years, it’s difficult to determine what's been the most shocking—assuming we could still be shocked. But with his latest profane rant, it seems appropriate to try. So, we did. tinyurl.com/mt8eu9pz
his ten most offensive — Writing About Our Generation
      So much miserable, execrable, vile, despicable, contemptible, demented stuff has spewed from his mouth or his keyboard over the last ten or so years, it’s difficult to d...
tinyurl.com
April 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Of course, it's a stupid war. Brutal, uncalled-for, counter-productive. But is it the stupidest war America has ever waged? Unfortunately, we have much to choose from in our bloody history. So I ranked, in descending order of stupidity, the dumbest wars we’ve waged at tinyurl.com/ms7j98wd
Ranking Our Stupidest Wars — Writing About Our Generation
      Of course, it’s a stupid war. But is it the stupidest war American has ever waged?       Maybe, given the Trump administration’s various, conti...
writingaboutourgeneration.com
March 16, 2026 at 7:09 PM
This is something we’ve seen before in our lifetime--many times before, from Korea to Grenada, from Cambodia to Kuwait. Here's a list of all the countries we’ve directly bombed, invaded or carried out sustained military strikes against since 1946. writingaboutourgeneration.com/blog-2-2/mtw...
armed and dangerous — Writing About Our Generation
      It’s not the first time, nor the second, third or fourth. In our lifetime, since the end of World War II, America’s new attack on Iran is something we have seen before: ...
writingaboutourgeneration.com
March 2, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Why that mid-day meal has become the most indispensable meal for my social life. Let’s Do Lunch medium.com/crows-feet/l...
Let’s Do Lunch
When you get older, it’s the indispensable meal
medium.com
March 1, 2026 at 2:37 PM
Saturday's news elicited a number of emotions: anger, frustration, sadness. But most of all, shame. Shame because we are all citizens of what has become, in so many ways, a rogue state, run by preening wannabe frat boys. writingaboutourgeneration.com/blog-2-2/r45...
Our Collective Shame — Writing About Our Generation
Yeah, we’ve been here before. Lots of times in fact.       Afghanistan and Iraq, most recently. But also: Panama, Grenada, Chile, in this hemisphere, and Iran and, of course,...
writingaboutourgeneration.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:41 PM
It's not too late to give your baby boomer friends and relatives some laughs for the holiday. They could laugh like this amused gentleman if you went here bookshop.org/beta-search?... and bought them this hilarious work.
#booksky
December 19, 2025 at 6:44 PM
As you buy gifts this season, please go about buying my book, Building a Better Boomer. It's really funny and older people who remember Topo Gigio will like it as will younger people who have no idea what you're talking about. Plus, it's only $13.97 at Bookshop, tinyurl.com/34h66na3. #booksky
Bookshop.org US
tinyurl.com
December 5, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Trump is the most influential president of our lifetime. Maybe the most influential person. The influence hasn’t been good, but there’s no denying he has had more influence on government, politics, economics, race relations and American culture than any of his predecessors over the last 75 years.
November 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
The president calls for the execution of 8 sitting members of Congress and it is not the lead story on every newscast and every newspaper. That’s how far we’ve come.
November 21, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Want to laugh away the current chaos and additional seasonal pressures? Buy the perfect holiday gift, "Building a Better Boomer," now 23% off at Amazon, and you will forget the chaos and be able to focus on your upcoming colonoscopy prep. tinyurl.com/y49pc9a8 #booksky
Amazon.com
tinyurl.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Fitness advice from Building a Better Boomer, now 23% off at Amazon: "Sneak in a workout during your lunch break. Order a very large pastrami on rye sandwich. Lift it over your head five times. Rest. Lift the pickle.” The perfect funny holiday gift for a boomer or somebody who knows one. #Booksky
November 2, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Pumpkins are out, so it must almost be holiday time--and couldn't we all use a laugh this holiday season? Fortunately, Amazon's selling Building a Better Boomer at a remarkable 28% off. It's only $10.84! It'd make a perfect holiday gift for the boomers in your life. tinyurl.com/6txrryzt
Building a Better Boomer: How to deal with bothersome bodies, exhausting exercise, memory missteps, terrifying technology, impossible insurance, retirement regrets, foreign foods, and, oh yeah, aging
Building a Better Boomer: How to deal with bothersome bodies, exhausting exercise, memory missteps, terrifying technology, impossible insurance, retirement regrets, foreign foods, and, oh yeah, aging [Offen, Neil] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Building a Better Boomer: How to deal with bothersome bodies, exhausting exercise, memory missteps, terrifying technology, impossible insurance, retirement regrets, foreign foods, and, oh yeah, aging
www.amazon.com
October 24, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Has there ever been a better metaphor than Trump demolishing part of the White House?
October 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Here's some laugh-out-loud advice for baby boomers: “Sneak in a workout during your lunch break. Order a large pastrami on rye. Lift it over your head five times. Rest. Lift the pickle.” It's from Building a Better Boomer, now 20% off at www.amazon.com/Building-Bet...
Building a Better Boomer: How to deal with bothersome bodies, exhausting exercise, memory missteps, terrifying technology, impossible insurance, retirement regrets, foreign foods, and, oh yeah, aging
Building a Better Boomer: How to deal with bothersome bodies, exhausting exercise, memory missteps, terrifying technology, impossible insurance, retirement regrets, foreign foods, and, oh yeah, aging [Offen, Neil] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Building a Better Boomer: How to deal with bothersome bodies, exhausting exercise, memory missteps, terrifying technology, impossible insurance, retirement regrets, foreign foods, and, oh yeah, aging
www.amazon.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Think the world has changed a lot? Yeah, but how? At WritingAboutOurGeneration.com, we examine the 10 Biggest Changes in the World in Our Lifetimes, and—this may be a surprise, given the current mood—the most significant changes we identify have been overwhelmingly positive. tinyurl.com/4k94x8z6
Writing About Our Generation
WritingAboutOurGeneration.com
August 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
For 60 years, I've rejected performative patriotism. But I'm tired of the other side wrapping themselves in the flag. Here's why I'm becoming more patriotic today. writingaboutourgeneration.com/blog-2-2/y5w...
the (new) meaning of patriotism — Writing About Our Generation
      Every year, in the small, progressive southern town in which I live, there’s a big celebration on the fourth of July. It takes place on the Town Commons, which is normal...
writingaboutourgeneration.com
July 4, 2025 at 8:53 PM
We've seen this kind of preemptive military action before … and before … and before, from the Gulf of Tonkin to Panama, Grenada, and of course, Iraq. tinyurl.com/ncz5dk3k
Bombs Away! — Writing About Our Generation
      In the immortal words of that great political philosopher, Yogi Berra, it’s déjà vu all over again.       That is, our generation has seen this...
writingaboutourgeneration.com
June 22, 2025 at 7:52 PM
This is a real bargain for anyone interested in kidney donation.
You can now buy the e-book of my book on living kidney donation at 30% off: only $6.99 at the link below! Just use MAYSALE code at checkout. If you're a living donor, a recipient, a kidney patient--or simply an advocate--pls repost. Thanks!
store.bookbaby.com/Book?bookurl...
The Insider's Guide to Living Kidney Donation
"The Insider's Guide to Living Kidney Donation: Everything You Need to Know If You Give (or Get) the Greatest Gift" offers nontechnical information and practical advice, and the multifaceted guidance that potential and past donors and kidney patients need. The book explains what to expect before and after the donation and helps recipients deal with the often-neglected, nonmedical aspects of their experience. Deciding to be a living kidney donor, or having a transplant, is much more than a medical decision. It presents emotional, financial, familial, and even social challenges. This book addresses all these aspects with accessible, thorough information and realistic advice that potential donors and kidney patients need. The book goes beyond providing life-changing information for past and potential kidney donors. It speaks from the heart, and through the authors' experiences. Carol Offen donated to her son, and Betsy Crais received a kidney from a colleague. This book includes their own candid, moving accounts, along with thought-provoking chapters from others who have been personally or professionally involved in this remarkable process. Living donation is crucial to reducing the typically several-years-long wait for a deceased-donor organ and the tragic loss of life for those who don't get one in time. This book demystifies the live-donation process by providing all the information that anyone needs to make an informed decision.
store.bookbaby.com
May 23, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Is Biden still president? Is he dismantling our democracy? Is he tanking our economy and buddying up to dictators and spouting nonsense? Is he corrupting our standards?
Well, no, he isn’t. But you'd sure think so if you’ve been following the news. writingaboutourgeneration.com/blog-2-2/hc9...
Joe Biden and The Mistakes We Keep Making — Writing About Our Generation
      Is Joe Biden still president?       Is he the one at this very moment who is dismantling our democracy? Is he tanking our economy and isolati...
writingaboutourgeneration.com
May 20, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Really good story for anyone who is getting older or knows someone who has gotten older.
I just published a piece in @crowsfeet15.bsky.social about the cringe-worthy habit of addressing older adults as if they/we were children. It was in reaction to a NYT article about a seemingly revolutionary idea.
“Elderspeak”: Who Knew That the Condescending Baby Talk Had a Name?
Did they really need a study and training program to figure out the problem?
medium.com
May 18, 2025 at 5:32 PM