Friday, July 06, 2007

Turning 40.

Tonight, at the stroke of midnight, when the world sleeps, I will stay wide awake. Yes, I will turn forty and will need to do some serious introspection.

I remember when I was 7 or 8 years old and when each additional month was special and quite important. So, at different stages, I would be 7-1/4, 7-1/2 or 7-3/4 years old. Tired of being referred to as a half-ticket, one’s sole ambition in life was to somehow crawl and make it to the status of a ‘full-ticket”. One made progress, slowly but surely. One kept count of the months..

At 12, I used to lie that I was actually 13 years old, aware that only then I would be admitted into the ranks of teenagers. When I was really 13, I had bigger things to worry about. For example, was that patch under my nose really the first signs of a moustache ?

After, what seemed eternity, I became 21, although the world didn’t seem to notice it.

Then somebody stepped on the pedal; the clock and the calendar went berserk and before I realized what was happening, I raced to 30, sped further to 35, and now am turning 40. Forty! The warranty certificate issued by my Maker is no longer valid.

Actually, coming to think of it, 40 is not such a bad age to be in. I mean, look at the brighter side. At least, I am not 50, as some of my friends are, with their pot bellies and bald heads and wrinkled faces typical of that age group. Yes, 40 is ok. It’s the big five-o that I need to watch out for.

Author’s note : I had meant to post this on 06-07-1997, but what with the Y2K problem looming large, it slipped my mind. Rather now than never, what?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

yo.happy b'day dude..Big 50 huh!!! Hope those were good and wish u many more to come..

Lalita said...

Happy birthday Raj. Look on the bright side, now you have ten years before you have to fret about the next milestone. :-)

Kiran said...

Many Many Happy Returns of the Day Raj!! Years would just flit past and before you realised you would have reached the glorious 50...watch out!! :P

Raj said...

Anon, sure those were good. Thanks.

Lalita : Thanks, except I hope that the next ten years will not fly off in five.

kiran : thank you. You meant 60, didn't you?

Unknown said...

happy birthday!

I am only 35 and I already have a pot belly!

:)

Usha said...

Happy birthday!
50 or 60, pot bellied or bald headed, keep your writing as young and full of fun.
Here's wishing you many more years of health, happiness and humour.

Blogeswari said...

Happy birthday Raj!

Shruthi said...

ROFL! Happy bday! I am sure that was a laughter filled 50 for all those around you ;)

Raj said...

sundar, thanks. Pot belly a5 35, eh? You ain't seen nothing yet!

Usha,50 or 60? You are referring to the Big Six-oh. Don't mention it. But, thanks for the other wishes.

blogeswari, thanks

shruthi, thanks. Those around me have been laughing at me all right.

Anonymous said...

hey Raj,
Wishing you a very happy birthday!
Whatever the age.. keep blogging :)

Anonymous said...

Happy delayed 40th birthday Raj

Raj said...

ashu, thanks

anon, 10 years late, but I accept it. Thanks

Full2 Faltu said...

Half Century! Your first! :)

Stupid Joke!

But Wish you a happy birthday and a happy 50.

-Punds

Raj said...

Punds, thanks.

Anonymous said...

20-30 years back, most of the 40+ people were old ....& here we have a great chap who's only 50...Happy Birthday, Raj


jm