As I’ve noted in earlier posts, I am a year and a week away from being 40. This doesn’t really bother me. I’m not about to have a midlife crisis for this reason alone. I don’t believe in a single mid-life crisis anyway. I think we have many mini-crisis as we grow up…but that’s off topic really. I’m getting older. That’s the point. How do I know this? Besides the fact that there are more candles on my birthday cake every year? Here are the top 5 reasons:
1) Gray hair: I have these beautiful white/silver strands ALL OVER my head. They are a very nice color and I don’t mind them so much, but they tend to be wild and sproing out of whatevery hairdo I might be trying to wear. At least they are limiting themselves to the attic. The day I find one in the basement I will freak out!
2) Dark circles: Too little sleep and I get these huge racoon like circles under my eyes. When I’m tired I LOOK tired. And OLD! Yikes! I have finally discovered the purpose for make up. I never wore it when I was younger. But a little eye liner and white eye shadow does wonders. If you had asked me ten years ago if I could ever see myself wearing make up I would have laughed myself into a hernia. My new motto is “Its ok to be tired and old, but it is NOT ok to look tired and old!” I will NOT look my age. Fuck that shit man.
3) Sleep: This sort of goes with number 2. I CAN get along with less sleep than when I was younger. BUT, I end up taking naps to compensate, especially after a day at work.
4) Partying: I do not bounce back as quickly from a hard night of drinking. Hangovers are like ugly malicious trolls. Yuck! I don’t party often anymore. I can’t stay up that late and after a couple of drinks I am ready for bed. 
5) Snap, Crackle, Pop: Not rice crispies. My joints…knees in particular, but also toes, feet and hands. I’ve written about my work. My hands are two stiff, swollen and pain filled lumps when I wake up (even from a nap). My feet don’t hurt quite so much anymore. My right knee in particular has developed this interesting and possibly dangerous knack for not supporting me when I get up from a seated position. I have to use both legs to push off with. I won’t mention the various bruises. I bruise easily. I don’t even know where half of them come from.
I don’t mind for the most part this getting old stuff. How can I? Its not like there is anything I can do to stop it. I’m trying to find a graceful way to go about it though. Make up, heat wraps, watching “What Not to Wear” for clothing tips and naps. Those are my first line of defense. I don’t know if they are as good as the Steelers…but they’re what I have.
