Recently I had dinner with a friend I hadn't seen in awhile.  It was a nice time as we ate junk food and got caught up in where we are in our lives.  Inevitably, I guess, we got around to health issues and we both talked about recent doctor visits and how we are health wise.  As I drove home from the dinner I thought to myself "Man, how did it come to this?"  Where you meet and old friend for dinner and you end up talking about the results of your latest colonoscopy.  "Oh my God," I thought, "is this how you know you are getting old?"  The more I thought about it the more I got scared.  There were other signs of old age creeping up on me and staring me in the face and I didn't realize it until now. 

-  I started shopping at WalMart because a breakfast bar I like is sold there 50 cents cheaper than the place I usually buy them.

-  When choosing what food to purchase I usually look to see if it is a low fat - high fiber product.

-  I drink only diet beverages with the occasional Classic Coke a special treat instead of an every day drink.

-  Every Sunday I go through the ads in the newspapers looking for deals on items I need to buy and I find myself cutting out coupons and using them when I go shopping.

-  I was over charged by $10 on an item at the store but didn't realize it until I got home and looked at my receipt.  I went back the next day and complained and got my $10 back.

-  I got mad the other day when I was driving and some kids were walking down the middle of the street on their way to school instead of using the sidewalk forcing me to drive very slowly and wait patiently as they seemed to go out of their way to walk slowly because they knew it was irritating me.

-  While I enjoy listening to new music by new new artists I don't think any of today's music is as good as the stuff I listened to as a kid.  Can anything compare to The Beatles, The Who, Marvin Gaye and the The Rolling Stones?

-  I think my tighty whitey underpants are the most comfortable underwear I have. 

-  I think there is way too much violence and sex on TV, at the movies and in video games and it is corrupting our youth.  It saddens me when I find out a 10 year old knows what sex is.  That is too soon.

-  While at work I got up from my desk to do something and once I got out of my office I forgot what it was I was going to do.  So I turned around went back to my desk and then it came to me 5 minutes later.  So then I got up a second time to do it and did it.

-  I have gotten into the habit of making lists before I go shopping because more and more I found myself forgetting to buy things I needed and then having to make a 2nd trip.  The list system works except when I forget the list at home or lose it and don't realize it until I am in the store.  When that happens I am on my own and invariably I will forget something I needed and have to go back and make a second trip.

-  I think it is ridiculous to pay big bucks for a shirt at a fancy store that has their name on it when a T-Shirt at WalMart is much cheaper and works just as well.

-  I think boys walking around with their pants really low and showing their underwear is a stupid look.

Still all is not lost.  While making this list I thought of some things that while may not make me young, make me young at heart.

-  Yes, Tighty Whiteys are comfortable but I still enjoy wearing boxers with cartoon characters on them.  It makes me smile.

-  I watched the Spongebob Squarepants movie on Nickelodeon the other night and found myself laughing out loud on numerous occasions.  It was the third time I have seen it.  My favorite scene is when Patrick is pantsed by Spongebob when the Princess shows up.  Embarrassed Patrick pulls his pants up and asks the Princess if she saw his underwear.  The princess says no.  Patrick then asks her if she wants to.  That scene never fails to make me laugh.

-  The next day after watching the movie I got out my copy of the video game and started playing it again. 

-  While I think there is too much sex and violence out there that is corrupting kids I also think that censorship is not the answer and that parents need to do a better job of using the tools that are available to them to lock their kids out of things they shouldn't see.  All TV's have V-Chips, cable boxes video game consoles have parental control built into them.   Parents should learn how to use them.

-  I still like to wear T-Shirts with cartoon characters and rock stars on them. 

-  I still giggle like a little school boy when ever someone says anything that sounds even remotely like a sexual innuendo, like when you find out that some ones name is Dick Hertz.

-   I still read the comics in the paper every day.

-  I get excited when a new Sci-Fi/Monster movie is coming out.  I am really looking forward to the new Star Trek movie.

-  The main pair of shoes I have are gym shoes.  I wear those most of the time.

-  I still laugh when I see a Bugs Bunny cartoon.

So while I may be turning into an old man in some ways, there is still a little bit of the boy in me and I hope it stays that way for a long time.