5 Sure Signs You’re Getting Old!

Just a bit of humor as we push to the end of another work week!

I turned 55 a few weeks back and just yesterday someone asked me how old I was. I had to stop for a minute to think and when I replied 55 the young Engineer who asked me the question sat back in his chair and said; “Wow! That means you have been working in the Reliability Engineering field like 35 years!  I can’t imagine the changes you have seen in your career!”

I laughed and replied, “Yes I have been around a while; and since the advent of indoor plumbing and electricity, well that’s when things really started to change quickly!”

The exchange got me thinking about my age, I know I’m not old yet, but in the view of a 25 year old engineer 55 must seem ancient. I certainly don’t feel my age…On most days anyway!  But I knew once I started thinking about this topic I had something to write about!

The 5 Sure Signs You’re Getting Old!

1. Hair – Not the lack of it by any means, I have several friends who lost all of the hair in their head before they were 30. No this is hair in places you shouldn’t have any. Your ears, or hair that grows so far out the end of your nose that people begin to think that maybe you should braid it tie some small piece of jewelry to it in hopes of starting a trend. I have to tell you it sucks to have this happen because at the same time you don’t have the eyesight to see it in the mirror but if your kids love you they will let you know you need a trim.
2. The Sky Is Falling! Of course we all remember the story of Chicken Little but as I grow older I wonder why this was a children’s story. It should be required reading the first day your kids move out of the house because all of the sudden you have time to watch the news and read newspapers and magazines and you find out the whole damn world is falling apart! The next thing you know you are on Facebook 15 hours a day trying to warn all your friends of the impending doom of the world because of some article you just found on www.agingnutjobpanic.com one of the most reliable sources of information focused on doom and gloom. I have to say I found myself going here a few years back and was lucky enough to recognize the symptoms. Old people worry a lot! And it’s because we don’t have kids to run around and keep an eye on. Thankfully I now have grandkids and they are taking up some of the slack! For my friends who are still doing this, please stop!  The country is not falling apart, this president or the next is not going to ruin the United States of America, the stock market will crash again we all know that because it has before and we are still here. Find something better to do…PLEASE!
3. Fashion – You hate the new fashion trends and watch with amusement as this younger generation walks around the world with their pants half-way down their ass. You say thinks like when I was a kid the fun thing to do to each other was to walk up behind a guy and yank his pants down! Now you kids have taken all the fun out of it! On the other hand the younger generation looks at you and asks questions like; “Hey did you go to the Salvation Army Store to get those cargo shorts?” Fashion is a waste of time! Know when to dress nice and when to dress casual, it’s that simple!
4. Noises – Not the kind you hear at night. When you get older you don’t have to worry about those anymore because you can’t hear them. No these are the strange noises your dad used to make when doing the simplest things. Like getting out of a chair, or working on something on your hands and knees. Don’t get me wrong, I still feel very young and walk good distances for exercise and a damn good clip up and down hills. But I find myself making these noises and have been telling myself not to make them but for some damn reason it’s not working!
5. You Have to Say Things Like “Age is Just a Number” – Because the young folks you work with marvel at the changes you have seen in your career! Guess what Junior? I plan on seeing a bunch more and hopefully even more significant changes in my career. Like maybe an app that attaches to that cell phone of yours that lets you know you are about to say something very stupid!

So there you have it. Please don’t think I’m old and bitter because I’m not really.  Well not most of the time anyway.  Sarcastic humor (aka Sarcasm) which the folks at LinkedIN warn you not to use in your articles or posts is an art where I live in Upstate NY.  I really enjoy where I am in my life, I enjoy my work, love my family and friends and feel great.  Just the same I hope I’m around to see my young colleague turn 55!