h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You're right. Mirrors lie. Mine keeps putting some kind of beergut* on me that I never see when I look at myself with my mind's eye...

RF

* probably winegut, actually...

Well Mr. Freddy,

Wine is great in moderation. As are chocolates and jam doughnuts. But my guess is that you are a bit of a couch potato, and go everywhere with your favourite cushion tucked up inside your shirt in readiness for the reclining position. There is no need to come clean here in front of millions( or the elected few!). We shall all understand when we see you in the street or supermarket.

Things that make me feel old:

When my son thinks I'm amusing, and chuckles at what I say.
When I realize just how old that son will be this July!

When he was a teenager, The Kid told me I was older than rock. He had a sign on his bedroom door - *If my hair's too long, and my music's too loud, you're too old*- hair half way to his backside, and his music WAS too loud!

When it's my birthday and I just turned *23*

Aw-- poor you! You should see the world from my point of view! The Kid's older than you!

Mal, you have so much life left. It always saddens me that I haven't got huge amounts of life left.

I agree, Cookiecate, now I'm the other side of 60, I could have only 10 or 20 years left. Except my mum and dad both lived to 90, and longevity runs on and on and on on both sides of the family, so maybe I'm Ok for a few more years yet.

trouble comes when you get to 70 and you can't hire a car abroad, e.g. Europe, anymore - that MUST be a killer.

The best thing is to grin and bear it and start saving up for a chauffeur

Quite agree Graham, I don't feel bad about being older, actually I am quite enjoying my life but somehow life seems to speed up when you are about 28 and you suddenly realize that you are 40 and are not sure how you got there. It is having children no doubt you are so busy watching them grow up that chunk of life just disappears.

The world is changing every day there are so many interesting things going on, blimey I wish I could go on for ever so that I don't miss anything.

Dear Mal,

23? Is that all? You have a life-time ahead of you. The world is truly your oyster. You have time to do absolutely anything that you wish to do. And you must do it because one day you might look back and wonder where the years went! The years accelerate as one gets older! Honestly! I'm in my 50's and it worries me a tiny bit that I lost my mother when she was 70 and my father when he was 77. I hope I have many more years left to enjoy my daughter and son-in-law, and my grand-children. Make the most of your life, Mal.

Thanks. But I've fallen into my usual birthday depression...

Dear Mal,

I shall be around to yours as soon as I have had my late supper, and give you a good talking to.

My daughter went back to uni just 4 years ago-at the age of 29. She is now working towards her Masters, and has a brilliant and very well paid job within the NHS. She got married last year.She has taught me to sail! Her lifestyle is one of exceptional fun and happiness. It is NEVER TOO LATE!! Now Mal, you must have a good day tomorrow, and start looking towards a wonderful future.23? You are just a mere baby. A sapling. Take care.

Polly

Fun and happiness? At least she has it

So do you Mal, your are an inspiration to us all. You have many interests and you are funny. Happy Birthday Mal. (whenever it is)

Nah. I'm just glad it's over, what a day!

Invited six people to dinner, cooked a big Mexican meal, and they all don't show up - some didn't even bother to call until half an hour after they were supposed to be here, when they'd all said Friday that they'd come!

Coo-a Mexican meal eh? Well thats something that I have never done before.

So sorry, though, that it was all for nothing. Here is a big from me. And a purrrrr from my .

Goodnight Mal. And goodnight Cookeicate.

Polly
x

Thanks, Polly.

At least I have a visitor who makes up for all of them - Tavaron's staying till the end of the month...

A-ha. Tavaron. Hope he/she has a great time with you. Never mind the Mexican! Put on some music, get out the nibbles, and 'let the world go away..'

Polly xx

She - a fellow researcher

And yep, we're making an evening of it anyway, even if we are full up with Mexican

I remember I used to feel old when I saw that a catwalk model had a birthdate in the '80's.
Now they've got birthdates in the 90's, so I feel old+10.

Listening to four Marillion albums on the trot makes me feel old.