Featured in a discussion on another site, but too good not to share:
Eta: this is Brendan Fraser in his role as George of the Jungle. The discussion started off contrasting Tom Cruise’s the Mummy vs. Brendan Fraser’s the Mummy. Fraser’s version won, but then things got a bit sidetracked… 
This thread, I like it.
Ah, reminds me of one of my favorite movie moments.
Did it? Wow, in that case, I’ll just say I find the idea of rebooting a movie franchise 18 years later starring an actor who is older than the actor who played the lead in the original franchise totally bizarre. They didn’t get Stalone to star in the 2012 Total Recall.
Have we done Mr Darcy yet?
He was amazing in the 100, too (where I first saw him):
We have not. Thank ye kindly.
Don’t stone me, but I don’t really like Austen or Mr. Darcy. I do appreciate his appeal, just not for me. If we are going historical, I had a monumental crush on Oscar Wilde in undergrad (yes, I know – even if I had a time machine, he was likely not interested in the likes of me, but I had a crush, nonetheless):
I don’t think anyone should be stoned for anything literary, in part because people have slammed me for not liking things I’m “supposed” to like according to the demographic profile they’ve made for me in their head. What’s to talk about if we all like the same stuff the same way?
Wilde might have wanted to have a cup of tea with you at least. I’ve always wondered, especially after seeing the Stephen Fry film, if he wouldn’t have identified as bi nowadays (or maybe bi with a strong preference for men), rather than being the gay icon he’s made out to be.
And speaking of objectification, he’s one author I worry about, in that his life and sexual orientation now seem to overshadow his writing. I remember when I first got a copy of his collected works, how shocking the difference between the before-prison and after-prison work was. I’d totally forgotten he wrote “The Selfish Giant”. I had an illustrated version of that when I was a kid.
I have an internet friend in Virginia who I met a few years ago on OkCupid. We never could get the timing right to get together, but she still says I’m “hawt”.
She hosts an Instagram page, and posted an image today titled, “Sneaking Photos of Hot Guys”.
This is what I worry about, sometimes. When I’m not worrying about every-fucking-thing-else-wrong-with-the-world-including-Trump-and-climate-change-and-the-plumbing-that-sucks-in-our-house-and-our-daughter-is-being-bullied-by-the-little-bitch-across-the-street-and-MrJilly-needs-to-deal-with-14-year-old-son-watching-god-knows-what-kind-of-porn-at-friends-houses-and-health-care-and-jesus, I need to breathe.
I was “hawt” in my early days. Some would say even a “hottie” – although the first time I heard that term I had to ask what it meant. (It was the early 90s, and as silly as it sounds, I seriously thought he was insulting me until my friend disabused me of that notion.) I’m now middle-aged at 44, and what I once was is not now. I didn’t get overly fat, although two pregnancies have added some scars and weight. I’ve not done meth so it isn’t Faces of Meth wherein the aging process is amplified.
I’ve simply aged, and I’m no longer the “hottie” I once was. I was never someone who placed a great deal of emphasis on how she looked, but looking back, I certainly benefited from how I did look. Men paid attention to me, and I took it for granted.
Now, I’m somewhat invisible. Again, I’ve not overly changed – I’ve just aged. And it’s no easy thing to be an older woman. It’s no easy thing.
I understand that, and being about the same age, I know perfectly well what you are saying.
But even way older woman can be beautiful and desired, such is good to keep in mind. But also our age. 
I had this week/past week a small encounter that made me think it is also a mind set. Maybe now is a good time to share.
I was on the bike, waiting for a bridge to close. And I felt a look/gaze, I looked from the corner of my eyes, a bit older guy, 50 or such, standing next to the bridge, and not bad. I looked full, in the eyes, and gave a nod. Such nod saying: ah, you still don’t look that bad either. He smiled, I smiled, and off I went. (bridge down)
It was even not flirting, it was just a kind of two way acknowledgement. Of which, I’m pretty sure, gave us both a good feeling.
Granted, she knew my age at the time she made the statement. She’s no spring chicken herself, and her two kids are almost grown - but like me, she’s held up pretty well despite the damage (or lack of maintenance) we’ve done to our bodies.
Hands down, everyone is surprised or even shocked to find out I’m 50. I think it’s mainly a combination of decent skin, youthful facial markers (soft eyes, jug ears, narrow jawline) and my perpetual babe-in-the-woods demeanor. Wearing a shirt in public also helps.
That’s a lovely encounter, and I appreciate your sharing it. Age is a mindset. No doubt. And now I’m about to get aggressive. There is simply a difference between women and men aging and their respective physical attractiveness. It can be toxic to a woman in her middle years, aka 40-60. There are three stages: ingénue, middle years, wise woman.
Hopefully, we are combating this through some entertainment and Lily Tomlin: Check out “Grace & Frankie” on Netflix about their new business venture for comfortable vibrators for women of advanced age.
But the middle years are the worst, so far, according to my own personal experience. I’m not yet a wise woman, and I’m no longer an ingénue. I’m not a Hollywood star with services at my disposal to make 50 look 30, so I just look 44.
I’ve said it before and elsewhere and I’ll say it here: If you have a woman in your life that you respect give you an honest opinion of her experience, please take it to heart. She’s not blowing smoke or promoting some political agenda. It is her life.
Oh, I’m afraid my story landed a bit different than I intended. My wellmeant apologizes if I caused you hurt or the feel to be not understood. Or even worse, not taken to heart. I’m sorry.
It was meant as illustration at my experience, as woman the same age as you, that a part is also a mindset. Not all, at all, don’t get me wrong there. And I hear you. I only look at some things a bit different. Saw no harm in sharing such. But I did not meant to give you the feeling your experience was not taken into heart.
I would love to discuss about it, and while, stay being as honest as you are too. But not fight, I’m a bit tired of fighting and therefore way to aggressive. More than you and I deserve and for certain need. (No Netflix either)
Lily Tomlin is my idol.
