Well, you know you're old when you get calls from your "old college buddies".

I got that call a few days ago, saying they had spray-painted a goat and let it loose in the dorms. Where they got the goat, I'll never know...

Makes me miss it all. But, it's more than that that makes me feel old. The arthritis, gray hair, and being called "sir" make me feel that way too. Then there's PR. So many kids running around.

But, I can also look at it this way. I saw the 2600, the NES, the Master System. I programmed an ADAM. I upgraded an IBM PS/2. I know P1s like I was born with an AT power switch in my hand. I have experience. That is something that no amount of money can buy. Can't swap for it either.

So, at 22 I feel like an old man... but I think it's all in perspective-I am surrounded by 18 year olds. That will make anyone feel old. Especially one who is out of college early. That never helps in determining where you fit in...

So, I think that I have a complex, and I need help. For my therapy, I want 18 year old chix0rs to come and feed me ice cream... *smack* quit that...

I really need to get my personalities all on the same page... they are getting bad again...

I usually try not to get too personal, but...

Don't think about it in terms of getting old, Kayin. Think of it in terms of gaining experience. Otherwise, you'll go nuts obsessing about this. I, for one thing, miss being 17. Good times. That thing your friend did with a goat--I used to do stuff like that. 10 years ago. And now... Whenever I think of all that stuff, I realize how much I changed (and not always for the better).

And it's impossible to forget. I am reminded about this regularly, four times a week, when I enter the classroom and find myself in front of two dozen... well, kids--none of whom is older than 19. I can remember so clearly being their age, and here I am, trying to teach them life skills... Believe me, that's enough to make you feel old.

But then I start to listen to their conversations, look at how they behave, all that, and I ask myself, "would you really want to be where they are?" Not really... I am not getting any younger, but I don't think I'm wasting my time, either. I have my memories, my experience, some achievements to show... Like you said, no money can buy that.

And yes, PR does feel weird sometimes, with all these kids around (^^^^ wink, wink--no offense, Spectrum ). Hell, my first machine was ZX81, most of them would probably not even recognize it as anything even remotely related to a computer...

Anyway, some of my friends start to hit 30, which only reminds me I'm also getting there. At least you still have 8 more years. Enjoy. And cheer up. We may be getting older, but it only means what we want it to mean. I say get a goat, spray-paint the PR logo on it, and let it loose in your local mall.

Word.

Hell Kayin, you're half my age! As for age being in the mind, I tell my joints that every morning as I hobble to the bathroom.

What's this new fangled P1 and AT stuff your talkin' 'bout? Try programing a IBM 360 ...in basic...with a punch card machine the size of a honda civic. Is the music you heard in college been playing on the "Classic" station? For at least 15 years? Do you have to tilt your head and stretch your arms to read small type? Do you grunt when you sit down?

You're still very young, enjoy it my friend. Plenty of time to be old when you get there. I'll let you know if I ever do.

Quote: So, at 22 I feel like an old man... but I think it's all in perspective-I am surrounded by 18 year olds. That will make anyone feel old. Especially one who is out of college early. That never helps in determining where you fit in...

At 22 you feel like an old man! Get a grip on life and get out and have a little more fun. I'm 35 and will be 36 this year and i don't feel old. I have also seen tecnology advance at a rapid pace. Hell I had a b&w TV when i was a kid fer christ sakes. Pity the young fool who says he feels old. Here's a tissue!

Crap, I'm retired from the Army and still have a hard time remembering I'm not 18. To misquote Forrest Gump, "Youth is as youth does."

Quote: Originally Posted by AntiM Is the music you heard in college been playing on the "Classic" station? For at least 15 years?

LMAO AntiM except the music is now on the "oldies" station it's past the "classic" stage

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita To misquote Forrest Gump, "Youth is as youth does."

Pretty much sums up my thoughts as well, with the exception of a tweaked out knee that just "goes" at times and occasional back spasms which lay me up for a couple of days minimum.
Maybe I should get back in shape so the physical activities become easier again.....

Im 35 gunna be 36 shortly Special K, Im strong , and in better shape than most folk round here.
Im with BA Cept I act more like 15 than 18 , lol.
Hell I was at a new gym last night on a machine with a tv on it ( my reg gym is a old school boxing gym) and was watchin Leave it ti Beaver !!!!!! while I worked out !!!
Old saying People stop playing beacue they think they are getting old , however
people get old because they stop playing.

Hey, I get what Kayin is saying. I'm 22 as well and I'm in my second senior year of college. So I'm pretty much surrounded by 18 and 19 year olds, and I watch how they act and I think "was I ever quite that inexperienced?"
But then I have a momentary relapse on some weekend, party too much, and go out and do something immature and stupid...well....like letting painted animals loose in the dorms.
I guess age really is in the mind.

First off....hello all! I've been lurking in the shadows waiting for a post that I would fell right to reply to and this is it.

As far as the age is in the mind I have to totally agree that it is. I'm an 18 year-old student (still in high school ) but I sometimes feel like im in my 30's or sumthing. I mean at 18 I feel old. I've moved out of my house 3 times.....I've had friends die....I'm looking into starting my own business....I've had experiences most people my age haven't even thought about yet. But I think that I'm better for it. Now don't get me wrong I can still party with the best of them but as I walked through school this morning I thought to myself......god I feel........old. Age IS totally in the mind.

Old is definitely a state of mind.

Case in point, my wife's grandmother. She's been waiting around to die for the last 10 years. Does nothing all day but sit in a chair and watch the clock. She's diabetic, and the doctor says she has to eat at the same time every day. She takes that literally - it has to be to the second. So there she sits, watching the clock, and occasionaly cuffing passers-by, including her great-great-great-grandchildren, who are just learning to walk. This woman is MISERABLE. She's 89.

Flipside: My cousin's grandmother, who likewise is diabetic. We were at my cousin's wedding in January. I was dancing with my wife, when the old lady almost knocked me down while dancing to some Dr. Dre. She's a hoot. She's also 96.

Be careful Kayin...life is hard and can be overwhelming...but your outlook is what's important. You don't even know the crap I've been through...but I bet we all have sob stories like that. Always look for the brighter side of things and you'll feel younger.

I'm 29, going on 19. I love playing with my 4 kids, but nothing makes you feel older than going to a Parent-Teacher interview for your son who's in grade 3, and finding out you're older than the frigging teacher. (He's 26)

There's a bright side to all situations, but you have to look for it. It takes effort. That's what makes me feel younger.

What's really weird is I just had this conversation with my wife the other day...

pfft... age is in the mind... I HAVE PROOF!

Me= 16 years old
Hair = black and GREY

I act older than 16... My guess is in the 20s, just in how I think things through. And how I avoid unnessary sh1t talking.

So, you can draw a conclusion to that, I hope. Fuxxored up with my hair though.

As everyone else has stated, age is purely a state of mind. As I'm also 22 and find myself feeling this way sometimes. Espeically since I've changed my major 3 times and am now stuck in sophmore classes again =X. All the 18 year olds drive me crazy sometimes, lol....no offense to anyone that age, its just the particular people in my classes. I've been living on my own since I was 17, so in that respect, I've learned more things faster than my friends who had gone to college and lived at home or in a dorm. So in that sense, I'm "older" but its nothing more than me having more wisdom then them. Thats something everyone learns with time. Can't say I've ever painted a goat before =p , but where I used to live, I'd go to the arcage with some friends and we'd play DDR (dance dance revolution) till all our quarters were gone, and we'd even kick some of the younger kids butts. =D So just because the number of years you've been on this planet is rising.....age is still just a state of mind, don't let it get to ya'.

Quote: Originally Posted by Everyone & their whippet ... age is a state of mind ...

I think the state of your joints has a lot more to do with it ... some days I can crack my knees, wrists & spine the way some people crack their knuckles

i feel younger then i actually am, i cant believe im graduating highschool this year, moving out and will be away from home for 5 years its going to be nuts but im looking forward to it.

You want to talk old? My 79 year old step father had heart surgery last Dec. You should have seen the look on the doctors faces when they asked him what his mother died of and he told them she was still alive. She will be 100 next month.