Age Is More Then Just A Number

I've spent years smiling at the cliche, "age ain't nothing but a number." As I grow older, I'm starting to realize that it's not. As I inch closer and closer to the big "three-oh" I am less tolerant of youngins. I am even less tolerant of older people who don't have their shit together.

I'm thinking of that lady that we've all worked with. She's been in the office the longest. While she is lowest on the chain on command everyone calls her Mrs. Bernadette because she's older then everyone and just has the heir of oldness about her. Mrs. Bernadette boss is Chad, a 22 year old recent grad of The University of Maryland. Chad holds a degree in Psychology. What stands out about Mrs. Bernadette is that she is 36 but looks and acts like she's 56. She's been with the company for 15 years and while she has the same benefits as everyone else in the office, she hasn't taken advantage of the dental plan, the corporate gym memberships, the 401k, or the educational benefits.

Following 20 years of service, Mrs. Bernadette may be eligible for retirement but she won't be able to as she's saved nothing for the future. After 30 years of service, the only raised she would have received are those given for cost of living raises which will still max her out at $34,500 annually. After 30 years, Mrs. Bernadette will still have to punch in and out each day and talk someone into covering her phones when she has to run to the bathroom. Mrs. Bernadette will have developed hypertension and diabetes because she refused take advantage of her help benefits. Even though the company offered total tuition reimbursement, Mrs. Bernadette didn't have the time for all that and found comfort in making comments like, "ooo, honey, all these big words," and "these new girls talk so white."

As I grow older, while I am relatively young, I know there are things I need to let go of. I am not going to be a professional musician. When I look at the prospect honestly, I recognize that I lack the passion as well as the interest. Honestly, I don't care about that stuff as much as I once thought I did. If I wanted to work in music I'd hoing out my services far more aggressively. In Atlanta alone, there are far more people who love the microphone more then me. These days you have to force a microphone in my face.. I just don't to be another on of those moderately talented people with a whole lot of personality and trunk full of H&M accessories.

Realistically, we're all twenty-something going on 40 and I realize how hard it is to go back to school and work when you realized that your deal isn't coming.. I just don't want to wake up and be that guy or gurl when asked about my skill-set on the application responds with "my background is in 'admin stuff."

At the close of Mrs. Bernadette's career, her legacy will be simply that she was the only one who could unjam the copier. In 2009, I only want to be surrounded by people who are going somewhere. While we are not all going the same place, I can only be around those with substance.

Enduring The Monotony of Adult Life

It seems like the time just flies.. one day the most important thing in your life is who will have the privilege of escorting you to homecoming and then all of the sudden adult life sets in. However gradual, our focus should shift from myspace and house parties to 401(k)'s and Life Insurance Policies. Somehow how this natural process has skipped over the "see me cities." Atlanta, Chicago, DC, New York.. to name a few seem to be full of Toy's R Us Kids who simply refuse to grow up. I recently read a blog a friend of mine wrote where he suggested 30 IS NOT THE NEW 20. People, it's not. I died laughing.. the need for trendiness and the unquenchable desire to be out and about. Growing up is not a death sentence, or the beginning of the end.. it's simply a seasonal shift.

I went to college with so many guys who experienced their peak well ahead of their time. The best years of their life were spend in college, in their early 20's and somehow they've decided they'll never let go. So they're okay being that 32 year old guy hanging out with 18 year olds.. that 40 year old walking around in public in his gold spray painted boots chanting "Que Psi Phi... There is a huge difference in nostalgia and love for ones Alma Mata and trying to hold on to what was. Accepting adulthood is about getting a job. It's about planning for tomorrow, and the next day, and 10 years after that. It's about accepting the monotony of getting up day in and day out, going to a job and doing the same task or function every day for 20 years and being okay with that. Boredom is not an option. Adults don't refer to slacks, hard bottomed shoes, and ties as "church cloths." They're worse things in life then ties. Adults cannot overdraw their checking accounts weekly or spend entire paychecks on jeans and spur of the moment trips to Vegas.

Over the years I've been though of as spoiled by friends and associates because I can call on the aide of my parents when I absolutely need them. Funny that these request are rare. While I'm an adult and have accepted adult life, things happen. I HATE calling them for help. Asking for help is often construed as an admission that I messed up.. that I failed to plan.. and that I haven't arrived. I am so glad that my parents are in a position to help. Realistically they could be calling me asking for money! When I'm a 30 something and a 40 something I want to be in a position to help people and not devoting all of my resources to having, fun and looking fly while looking to others to supplement my income and bail me out of my self inflicted poverty.