mikesmy.name

The thing that strikes me most about being 30 is that I’ve always somehow associated it with formally becoming an adult. You know, like one of those “old” and “mature” people. Well, I’m not. Sure, I’ve got a decent head on my shoulders and I’m well aware of the responsibilities of adulthood. I make the minimal effort necessary to keep up the impression that I’m on top of things, but really… I’m still a kid at heart.

I don’t see how that could be a bad thing. I still like video games and Magic: The Gathering and I’ll occassionally stroll down the toy aisle and gaze at the latest lego sets and transformer toys (come on… they’re cool!). I still like fart jokes and I giggle at sight gags and bad puns. Poopie is still one of my favorite words.

So while I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m getting older, I’ve decided that I’m not yet “old”. If I have my way, I never will be. So bring on the gray hairs, the back pains, and the arthritis. Bring on the enlarged prostate, high cholesterol, and impotence*. I’ll still giggle like a school boy at things like watching Peter Griffith and Michael Moore in a farting contest.

Then there’s the expectations. Everyone has a certain list of goals they’d like to accomplish by the time they’re 30. Sure, some of them are unrealistic… but now’s a good a time as any to take stock.

• Own a nice house – check
• Own a nice car – check
• Have a good job – Yep (kinda a prerequisite for the first two items)
• Have a wonderful wife – Uh, no… but I have dated some wonderful women in my time so I know that this goal isn’t pie in the sky. Besides, I’m a well-grounded modestly attractive guy with GOALS. Couldn’t be that hard, right?
• Have one or two great kids – The wife is a prerequisite for this one. I’m a firm believer in planning your parenthood (if at all possible). Would I make a good dad? I sure hope so…
• Be a super-famous rockstar, actor, writer, artist, etc etc… – Uh, definite no. I turned out basically as your average joe. This is probably the hardest thing for me to cope with because turning 30 basically slams the door on any reasonable possibility of this coming true. Sure, it’s not all over but it sure feels like it. I take some solace in the fact that this is a common experience for most people. Everyone wants to be famous, but only a few ever get to be. Besides, if it was something I truly wanted, I would’ve been motivated enough to go out and get it. I have only myself to blame.

Well, 3 out of 6 aint bad. And 2 of the remaining 3 are easily within my grasp. So I guess I’ve got a lot to be thankful for and plenty to look forward to. Turning 30 sure doesn’t feel like the end-all be-all ultimatum on super-success that I made it out to be when I was younger. In fact… it feels like just another day.

*Ok, I was actually kidding about the impotence thing. I could really do with out that. Seriously.

Trackback this Post | Feed on comments to this Post