[quote style=”boxed”]The biggest mistake I’ve ever made, and unfortunately made more than once, is thinking “I can’t.” Although I come from humble people, I realized at some point that doesn’t mean I have to squash my self-esteem, so now I try to simply focus on “I can.”[/quote]
Heather McPhaul is the founder of AgingGal.com, a funny little blog about aging and other inconveniences. As baby boomers begin to turn 65, Aging Gal spotlights issues faced by all boomers whether they are starting to collect social security or, like Heather herself, bringing up the Boomer caboose. Overall, Aging Gal’s focus is not on preaching, but on laughing. Life’s too short not to.
As for her background, Heather was spit out amongst the West Texas sandstorms in 1962. Perhaps that’s why she’s always felt a bit like a tumbleweed, ready to move wherever the wind blows her. As an actress, Heather has appeared on such television shows as Everybody Loves Raymond, Malcolm in the Middle, and The Shield. As an author she has penned two books, Raggedy Ann Heart and Fire in the Hole: A Year in the Life of the World’s Sorriest Stuntwoman. An indie short film that she wrote and stars in, Another Day, is set to premiere this fall.
As for her sense of humor, Heather would like to think that it has been informed by David Sedaris, Nora Ephron, and, mostly, her mom… but they might not like to think that.
What are you working on right now?
Dealing with turning 50 in 2012. Though it’s still a year away, I have been focused more on this milestone birthday than on any of the other previous ones. As a result, I am trying harder than ever to check items off my bucket list, items such as writing and starring in a short film, traversing canyons via a zip line, and producing a successful blog.
What does your typical day look like?
I recently bought a T-shirt in a local Asheville, NC bookstore that says, “Eat.Sleep. Read.” That pretty much sums up my days.
3 trends that excite you?
- That baby boomers refuse to leave this earth without a bang.
- That technology has given a voice to individual boomers.
- That, despite the current economy and health care concerns, boomers refuse to stop living… and laughing.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Inspiration for a blog post can hit me at anytime or anywhere. The big issue is always keeping my mind open and never being too busy to listen to those nagging little voices called “ideas.”
What inspires you?
The quirky and the funny, even if it’s only inside my warped little mind.
What is one mistake you’ve made, and what did you learn from it?
The biggest mistake I’ve ever made, and unfortunately made more than once, is thinking “I can’t.” Although I come from humble people, I realized at some point that doesn’t mean I have to squash my self-esteem, so now I try to simply focus on “I can.”
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Don’t give up. Ever.
What do you read every day, and why?
Truly, everything I can get my hands on. So much reading, so little time.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read, and why?
Travels by the late Michael Crichton. This book is a couple of decades old, but its ideas of unmooring oneself from a safe, stagnant place and experiencing the world first hand are still very relevant.
What is your favorite gadget, app or piece of software that helps you every day?
As a baby boomer, I’ve been slow to adjust to technology, although I have become quite attached to my iPad and am consistently amazed at all its ever-evolving talents. In fact, I’m so proud of it, I sometimes feel like it’s Gypsy to my Mama Rose.
Who would you love to see interviewed on IdeaMensch?
Dorothy Parker and Bette Davis, but I’ll settle for David Sedaris and Meryl Streep.
When is the last time you laughed out loud? What caused it?
My partner, a 5’4” Jewish firecracker, doing her nasally high-voiced impression of former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson who now works with his “berds” (birds) and is an egoless “family man.” I hope to one day videotape this parody and put it on the Aging Gal website.
Where do you see yourself professionally in five years?
I’d love to take over for Rupert Murdoch once the cinders have cooled. Or just having Aging Gal hit its stride as a productive, successful, beneficial site would be nice, too.
Where do you see yourself personally in five years?
Sitting on a yacht, ala Jackie O, basking in the sun of the Mediterranean Sea, but without Aristotle’s cigar smoke blowing in my face. That one I’m holding firm on.
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Mario Schulzke is the Founder of ideamensch, which he started a decade ago to learn from entrepreneurs and give them a platform for their ideas.