Over 21 & Under 70

I have a simple routine to psych myself up for a day of work. Once I get in the car, I look for a a good song and it usually puts me in a good mood for a day of work. I tend to do the same thing on the way home to decompress from a rough day. Today I got into my car to a great song. On the way to work, I must have heard at least 4 songs I knew and loved. Since my drive to work is only 15 minutes, that's a lot. When I pulled into the parking lot at work I wondered what station I had been listening to. It was great! I looked over at the radio to identify the source of my bliss.

It was the oldies station.

When did that happen? When did the great songs I grew up with and still hear in my local bars become "oldies?" A few weeks ago, I was at a bar (oddly enough) and a smoking hot woman came up to me and commented on the song that my friends and I were singing along with the juke box. She joined in, finished an entire verse and the chorus of the song and then told me how great that song was. This was one of those great moments you get in life where you make a connection with a total stranger over a song you feel passionate about. I was enjoying the moment all the way until she said "I love the 80's and all those oldies."

Someone pass me my walking cane please...

I know, I know. I need to be realistic. I'm hitting my mid 30s and these things happen. But isn't it odd that everyone prepares you for puberty, the college years, your first job, marriage and the golden age but neglects the time in between. I'm sorry, but I don't remember any movie (off the top of my head) about these years that doesn't revolve around divorce, baby mama drama or any Lifetime network subject. Where are the "coming of middle age" movies that don't have a protagonist with a thousand regrets or make it seem like a disease. Where are the movies of good friends, good conversation, good music and an overall good feeling. I'm not saying I'm happy go lucky everyday, but I'm definitely more than just content with the way life is. Maybe my friends and I are just an anomaly. The new step in evolution. Communal relationships without significant drama. Relationships that revolve around good times and plenty of laughter. Laughing at everything about life and ourselves - even those subjects which make us uncomfortable. Having people you can just sit in a room with and not say a word. I think I need to make a movie about that for the next group of thirty somethings (what are we, generation X?Y?2.0? Who knows?).

Until then, put some Journey on that juke box and get me a drink...