Trotsky and Age

The Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky once said "Old age is the most unexpected of all the things that can happen to a man." He likely said this more than once, actually, but probably in Russian. I think I first heard that about thirteen years ago, during my first attempt at the college life. At the time, I didn't understand. Age is not only inevitable, but completely predictable. Every year, in April, my age ticks up another interval. Now, I begin to see instances where this adage holds true.

I know I'm not an old man, no matter how much my knees and shoulders would like me to believe otherwise. However, with increasing frequency, I am being reminded that more time has passed than I might have thought. Hearing bands like Pearl Jam and Metallica on classic rock stations can cause a double-take. My academic life is where most of the reminders of my relative age appear.

I have mentioned previously that college makes me all too aware of my age. When I walk into a classroom, the first assumption people have is that I am the professor. Conversations with college students can lead to surprising moments where I just feel so incredibly old. Last week, I was studying in the cafeteria, when Kid Rock's "All Summer Long" started playing. Listening to the piano intro, I apparently asked out loud if we were listening to Kid Rock or Warren Zevon's "Werewolves of London." I was met with blank stares from my study partners.

The adage is that you are only as old as you feel. Instances like these make me feel about 70.