Golden years? I've been living in them for a while
Two weeks ago, I turned 50. Wow, a big number - half a century, in fact. Here are a few of the things that have popped up in my lifetime: Polyester. 8-track players. Disposable diapers (yes!). Sizzling fajitas. Trivial Pursuit. Fax. Pagers. Cell phones. Moonwalks, Neil Armstrong edition. Moonwalks, Michael Jackson edition. ATMs. DVDs. The Internet. Goth. Mulder & Scully. Blogs. Dungeons & Dragons. Doctor Who. The Brooklyn Cyclones. Brooklyn Decker. But no personal-use jetpacks. Dammit.
That should make me feel old. It doesn't. Fifty is a number - a significant number, yep - but still a number. I feel just as much a goofball as I did ten or twenty years ago, if not more so. Yes, my muscles are flabbier and I get winded more easily; however, that's more the result of parenthood and the accompanying collapse of my workout routine than of advancing age. (I really need to get back into yoga.)
Ironically, parenthood has rejuvenated as well as exhausted me. When I do silly voices with Jordana, or help her recite the names of the planets (including Pluto, by Crom!), or hear her say, "I want to play Dungeons & Dragons with you," I feel young. And my wife Judy, who is just as much a joy to be with, feels the same way.
I'm blessed, and I mean that in as pagan and nondenominational a way as possible. Not only do I have my wonderful family, I've gathered an assembly of friends worthy of the Legion of Super-Heroes, many of whom I've known for a quarter-century and a number of whom recently helped me celebrate my big day. I've also worked professionally in the RPG industry that I love - a huge joy for any D&D fan. And I'm honored to be involved as a writer for Foreshadows, an anthology that will rock your mind and blow your eardrums when it's released.
Lastly... The Big Bang Theory, Iron Man, Lord of the Rings, the resurgence of Doctor Who, Guillermo del Toro's recently announced intention to adapt Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness, the return of regular D&D games with friends ... it's a great time to be a geek. Let the good times roll.