Summer of 1994

People reminds us what we were talking about twenty years ago...OJ, Forrest Gump, Sheryl Crow, Ace of Base, the World Cup in the US, Oasis, Wheezer, the Lion King, Jackie Kennedy, Woodstock II...wow...was that twenty years ago? And that summer, an infant Amazon appeared, too. And I graduated high school, started college, discovered Green Day and Live and Candlebox...Wow...

SATC Later

Girls, a new HBO series, premiered Sunday to a lot of critical acclaim and buzz.  Apparently, it's Gen Y's Sex and the City.  It also happens to star several actresses who just so happen to have famous parents with industry connections (like Brian Williams).

I don't have HBO, so I'm not sure I'm going to be watching it anytime soon, other than on You Tube.  I'm a betweener, 10 years younger than the ladies of SATC and 10 years older (or more) than the Girls. So I can't really relate to either, though SATC (with the exception of Samantha) really was a Gen Xer show.  Certainly these issues are timeless--coming of age, supporting yourself, figuring out life in the city and relationships and careers and friendships.  I guess if you had this show for someone my age, you'd have Keri Russell, Reese Witherspoon, Candace Cameron, and Kate Winslet out there.  Not quite Sarah Jessica Parker, and not quite Gen Y.

As long as the writing is good, not to mention the acting, then people will watch, even if you don't fit neatly into the generation that it's speaking to. But it sure seems funny when you are caught in between. 

Generation Gap

A 35 year old retakes the SAT and finds it excruciating. Yeah, I would, too. Especially those math questions. I guess that is why you take it at 17 and not 35 or 36.

And speaking of getting old...Hines Ward retired. He is four days younger than me. Sadface.

Feeling Old

I liked this.

I had that issue of Seventeen. I remember it. They should have used Sassy, though.

Not sure how much of it made me feel "old" in some sense. Though hearing that this year's crop of incoming college freshman were born in 1993 is scary. I will be twice their age, just about.

17, 18, 20 plus years...one mistake, though. I believe JFK was born in 1917. He would have been 94 had he lived, instead of tragically forever young.

Oh, and these comparisons...that makes me feel old. Last time I saw something like this, Joey was about 6 months old, maybe? Now he'll be 3!

The New Commodore 64

The Commodore 64 is making a comeback.

I remember these starting circa 1984/1985.  I think it was third grade? Most of my memories consist of writing simple programs, changing the color of the screen and the cursor, and playing games like that space one and Oregon Trail, the 1980s edition.

Has it really been nearly three decades since that computer came out? Sheesh, I am getting old. I bet Joey would find it bewildering to see one of those old machines! No touch screen, it's huge, boring graphics if any.

Good luck to the folks at Commodore USA (whoever thought that company still existed!) for this product. I do have a feeling most of its customers will be 30 and 40somethings looking to relive their childhood.

Oldness

I ran across this link about "culture that makes you feel old." I think I felt old when most of the commentators mentioned their ages and they were all born after me!

The ones that made me feel oldest were the ones born in 1994...when I graduated from high school.

I think I try to stay up on some aspects of pop culture, at least music, though not the kind of Joe Jonas/Miley Cyrus drek that would compare to the worst of the NKOTB/N'Sync drivel of years past.

But movies and TV shows and whatever is on MTV makes me feel old. So is realizing that most of the young 'uns in the office don't remember the Reagan Administration. Or that the high school class of 2010 was born in 1992! Abby Deveraux on Days should be graduating from high school, LOL!

I don't feel old so much as feel more conscious that I'm not regarded as a young 20 something anymore. I'm a parental age. I remember when mom & dad were my age. They had three kids. I started kindergarten when dad was 34, and I am still trying to figure out the entire children thing. I have friends married to men in their 40s, and that it isn't old. I have friends who are almost 40. Not old either. And friends on facebook at least who have teenagers. Teenagers.

The Beloit Mindset list for the class of 2013 makes me feel, and so does the fact that it started four years after I graduated from college. There you have it.

Square Root Day

Today is square root day, 3/3/9. I guess it only happens like 9 times, is that right, this century? Okay, so it is really math nerd day. It's also the day before my birthday. 33 on 3/4/9. So not perfect symmetry, I suppose.

So it's been twenty years since I became a teenager, back in 1989. Wow, twenty years. 13 was such an anticipated age, and it's scary to think that someone born in 1996 becomes a teenager this year. 13 was such a tough age, feeling and looking so awkward, not many friends, developing body, unsure of everything. Ugh. I would not want to be 13 for anything in the world.

I got a nice new pricey dress at Ann Taylor's last night, followed by steak and crabcakes at Hops. My steak on Sunday night was much better, yum! Quiet celebrations (in the snow, ugh!) are what is being called for this year. No need for splashiness; let's save that for New Orleans, right?!?!

So this has been a remarkable year full of weddings, homes, a new nephew. Not sure what the year ahead will bring but I hope it will be another happy one. One last toast to thirty two.

One last word on Tim Russert

As usual, a graceful and honest column by Peggy Noonan.

After Tim's death, the entire television media for four days told you the keys to a life well lived, the things you actually need to live life well, and without which it won't be good. Among them: taking care of those you love and letting them know they're loved, which involves self-sacrifice; holding firm to God, to your religious faith, no matter how high you rise or low you fall. This involves guts, and self-discipline, and active attention to developing and refining a conscience to whose promptings you can respond. Honoring your calling or profession by trying to do within it honorable work, which takes hard effort, and a willingness to master the ethics of your field. And enjoying life. This can be hard in America, where sometimes people are rather grim in their determination to get and to have. "Enjoy life, it's ungrateful not to," said Ronald Reagan.

Also, I am keeping Paul & Megan in prayers this morning.

Happy Hours

I caught up with Kathy at Poste on Tuesday and Jenny W at Ceiba tonight. I don't tadhink I have seen Kathy in about a year. She is doing well, no new news to report. It has been nearly a decade since we've met and now that I think about it, the person I have known the longest in DC. Wow. Talking to Jenny, we were commiserating on friends who are pregnant, moving on to the next stages of our lives, and how just when you develop your niche, things advance and something changes. Not a bad thing by any means. But one day you are right out of school, living in the group house and not making any money and eating pasta every night or drinking dollar buds at Politiki.

Even the change between being 27 and 32 is stark enough. That was what, 2003? Then again, everyone got married then, and that was so traumatic at the time. But really, not much has changed. Kids change things more than anything. And I am fortunate to have girlfriends in the city who are at the same stage of their lives as I am, trying to come to grips with being older, being married or just about so, knowing that you do not want to be AMA (advanced medical age!) at the doctor, but knowing what reality often tells you.

We had dinner with the married people on Sunday, great red meat and shrimp and more desserts than we could consume. And it's great, and I would not want to be anywhere else. But wow, do times change and they change in good ways and different ways and crazy ways sometimes. But if Sal's college roommate could be having a baby and her little sister getting divorced, what else could change? Stuff to ponder six weeks, one day, and 15 hours from the wedding. I would like to think I will not change, not matter what stuff changes, and I will maintain these friendships and keep these circles of friends. But who knows where I will be at 42 years old...who knows what will change. It will be an interesting time.

Thirty-Two

So I got some nice emails this morning (and yesterday) from Michelle, Donna, and Leigh Ann. And Kevin, too. Paul just called, though we had a lousy connection. Here, Dave wished me happy birthday. I guess we're only part-way through the day, so perhaps someone else will remember. It's horrible that you remember who did not acknowledge it, like it is something you are seeking, rather than think happily about everyone who does remember. Just being honest.

We are having a quiet night at home, watching Super Tuesday II returns, and having a nice sea bass dinner. Yum. I went and got Corner Bakery ravioli for lunch. Probably an overrated lunch, but I don't let myself have that very often.

So will Hillary pull it off tonight, or will Obama triumph and knock her out? I don't think she will go too easy, and I would like to see her fight til the bitter end :)

Til later...

Getting Older

We celebrated SJE's birthday this weekend. 34. I turn 32 tomorrow. We kept it low key, drinks at Stetsons, several games of Scrabble, dinner last night at Urbana. It gets harder and harder to rally friends to come out. We, sadly, are getting older.

Hanging out with the young 'uns on Friday night reminded me we've done the DC happy hour/going out and partying scene for over a decade now, or almost a decade. Our friends are married, have kids, live in the 'burbs. I think SJE was a little sad to think of the crazy parties they'd have for birthdays and what not ten years ago, or even five years ago. But at the same time, it's nice not to have to be playing that scene. Hanging out in a crowded bar is not my idea of a good time, particularly when you can easily get cheaper drinks sitting at home and having a good conversation.

So tomorrow I celebrate--yes, celebrate--turning 32. It will be a good year, with lots of things to look forward to (like a wedding! a nephew! a new sister-in-law! fun travel! seeing old friends!). I can't wait.