April 28, 2003
I'm 41
The header above is a direct answer to a thread on the message board of the magazine I work at. It's also a statement of fact that I'm still having trouble getting used to.
Maybe it's because I work in the gaming biz, which is so youth oriented. Or maybe I just never learned how to grow up. But how does one ever get used to the fact that at some point, you start to actually be a lot older than you feel inside?
For instance, when, exactly, did I start become "sir?" I still don't feel like a "sir." No, I don't feel like a "ma'am" either, so shuddup. But now everywhere I go, I suddenly feel like what I guess I am: an over-40 white man. A few months back, I went with some work friends to see DJ Shadow at the Fillmore in San Francisco. I'm not telling you this to prove that I'm down with the kids, so, again, shuddup. Stop interrupting. What stood out about that show for me was not the music, which was great, but the fact that upon entering the club, every single person ahead of me got carded by the security folks. When it was my turn, not only did I not get carded, but the guy actually said to me, "Enjoy the show, sir."
One sure sign that you're old: getting treated with respect by rock club security goons.
People, when you see me on the street, do me a favor: Don't call me sir. Call me whatever the hell else you want. "Dumbass" is good. "Nancy boy": not a problem.
But all this "sir" talk is really making me feel old.
