How did you know when you crossed over into "old man" territory.

When I started having to pluck out my ear hairs

About 50.

You stop being impressed by a lot of things in your 40s that you used to find appealing.

When you figure out how phony all of this is, life becomes a lot more black/white.

When I started posting on the OT.

When you can't play tackle football in the yard with your friends. When you can't water ski slolom anymore.When you can't play tag.

You speak words and hear your old man's voice coming out, like an echo of realization.


And you realize you are crossing the threshold

You'll tell the same bad jokes, and the same dad sayings.


You'll instinctively know if someone has touched your thermostat.

You'll put on crocs with socks one day and say "gee, this isn't that bad!"

I've also transitioned away from playing basketball like Kyrie and now play more like late career Larry Bird. Lots of elbows and jump shots.

For me it was the first time I encountered someone at work who had been alive less time than I’ve worked there.

When back pain arrived

I am reliably informed that I crossed over into old man territory in 1977.