Sunday, January 31, 2010

Middle Aged


Well, I think I've figured out at least part of what's been bugging me lately. 45. I remember, vaguely, turning 30. A lot of people freak out when they are about to turn 30, as if they will suddenly shrivel up and become elderly. I slid past 30 with nary a ripple(well, at least until I cut the end of my thumb off six days later, but that's another tale) and the rest of my fourth decade on Earth was not all that different from those that preceded it. Even turning 40 wasn't that bad, and I don't even remember it. But now I'm 45, and it's bugging the ever-loving shit out me. I'm too old to think I'm as young as I think I am, and every time I pass a mirror it shocks me. And I'm too young to think I'm as old as I sometimes feel...again that bastard mirror and I just aren't getting along. I've never exactly been a sex symbol, but the thought that my students think of me as a father figure, which was once a very wonderful thought, now just reminds me that though my wife has yet to kick me out of the bedroom, I am now firmly in the 'ewwww!' category when it comes to imagining the carnal side of things. I know that this will pass...I hope...but while I've joked about my age since my late twenties, this 45 business has thrown me for a loop.

Anyway, if I've been grumpy lately, I think that's why, and I apologize. I'll try to be more cheerful in the future. But until then, GET OFF MY LAWN!!

Marius the Ancient

8 comments:

C.L.J. said...

At 30, you were only halfway to being 60 years old. And let's face it, 60's not all that old. At 40, you were halfway to 80. Now that's pretty old, but there are some vigorous folk in their 80s.
But at 45, you're halfway to 90. And even the most spry 90 year old you've ever met is pretty decrepit.

Welcome to the downward slope of entropy!

Alysoun said...

Marius, Thou art but a whippersnapper. I turn 50 this July and am throwing a party that BETTER get the cops called on it.

Age ain't nothin' but a number, and symbolizes only how much you've been graced with being on Earth. I am personally THRILLED that you and I, and others, are joining the Olde Pharte brigade. We have witnessed the alternative, you and I....I say embrace age! Your wife has NOT kicked you out of the bedroom and your old friends, renewed old friends and new friends think you mightily cool.

Love the 40s! I had a blast during mine.

Much olde personne hugges,
Alysoun

flurrious said...

I had no problem with 30 or 40 or even 45, but I was 46 on my last birthday and ever since then one of the first things I think when I wake up in the morning is, "Good god, I'm almost fifty." I don't know why 46 of all ages is bugging me, but there it is.

Turtle said...

Some days I feel the age more than others. What really gets to me is being worn out from activities that never really bothered me before... (Get your minds out of the gutter - I'm referring to staying up too late working events, and whatnot...)

Rosebuckle said...

Welcome to male menopause! I can remember mornings when I would open my eyes in the morning & want to growl because I felt so angry. I sought out hormones after that. Too bad they haven't figured out what to do for men.

50 was the rough one for me. I think now I'm just numb to my age :]

stinkypaw said...

Aging sucks ass altogether, no matter how we look at it. Yeah, yeah, we get better with age, sure, tell that to my body, I think it didn't get that memo! BTW, aren't you thinking about this way in advance, since you'll only be getting there in like 3 months?!

One benefit of aging, we loose our memory... ;-)

Anonymous said...

Welcome to my world. . . and come talk to me in 17 years!

Unknown said...

Pft, I was in Kindergarten while you were in diapers sonny. I'll be turning 50 this week. You whippersnappers think 45 is bad, just try 50 buddy.