April 1, believe it or not, was my birthday. I turned 35 years old. In some ways, I still feel like the 20-something going from class to class back at the University of Arizona, waiting until a few hours before class to write a short story, and leaving the student union arcade in the middle of a game because I realize I’m late for Literary Analysis. I’m always going to have a goofy sense of humor and appreciate entertainment meant for not 35-year-olds (eg Sponge Bob and Looney Tunes). I’ve always said I appreciate looking young, but is it crazy to imagine some of my own immaturity might be linked to the fact I see a kid every time I look in the mirror? Pardon me. I had to remember I’m writing a column, not a Dear Abby letter.
I’m in a new age cohort now. When you’re filling in the age box online, often you’ll select just from a group instead of individual ages. I’m no longer 25 to 34. I am now 35 to 44. I’m on the bottom rung, but I can see 40. Turning 30 was no big deal. It felt like a step up, but one I could easily manage. Maybe I’m still holding on to my youth. Turning 40 feels like becoming a real adult, whether I like it or not. I still look like I’m in my 20s, which is still a kid in many eyes. Over the next five years, time and my diet will probably catch up to me even more. I do have some flecks of grey and some more noticeable wrinkles around my eyes and forehead.
I’m glad my sweetheart, Amanda is silly, too. We make funny noises and make faces at each other. We have to remind ourselves sometimes when we’re out in public we can’t act the same. She’s definitely a more responsible sort, though. I still haven’t even done my taxes, yet. Shameless plug, she’s also still looking for a job, a PSC graduate with an administration degree. She’s also feeling time moving faster and is ready for an actual career.
I have mixed emotions about kids these days and what their generation will have when they’re in their 30s. Mine was, I believe, the first internet generation. I grew up with a Tandy 1000, but I was using America On Line (AOL) before I was a teenager. Now kids have Angry Birds and SnapChat in their back pockets. Something just occurred to me. I’m bemoaning the state of today’s youth and lamenting over their clearly dismal future. Sigh, 40 here I come.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: On getting older