AGE

Ok, in the last around 17 hours or thereabouts I have been reminded about my AGE in not so subtle terms by various people.

Now, before you start commenting, let me make it absolutely clear, that I am perfectly aware of my age and all that comes with it-- yes, the wrinkles, the tiers, loss of memory and hearing(thankfully I have a 20/20 vision, so that'll take a while to fade), ton loads of responsibility (both professional and personal) to shoulder that leads to a bad back and neck, disintegrating teeth(darn colgate, close up et al), osteoporosis, general exhaustion, like now, so feel free to add the rest.

So, what's it about my age, or for anybody's age for that matter? And who decides what's the right 'behaviour' for an age? My nearly-three-year old sings herself to sleep on Kajra re kajra and wakes up singing Dus bahane karke le gaye... Sigh! Oh for the good old days of Ghum parani mashi pishi...She doesn't respond to gobbledegook or the usual kiddy language. She speaks very clear logically strung sentences.

Most men I know, seem to be talking about/watching who faced how many balls before getting out; who scored how many goals (when they aren't scoring themselves, i.e); babes, bods, the best brand of beer, gizmos(when they are not in a switch-on,switch-off mode i.e), pubs, clothes or the lack of them most often than not and everything else that amuses them. Basically, they're always either playing games, or up to some prank and they can play ball throughout their lives. And, try talking to them when they are specifically watching a ball game. Here's a tip for girlfriends, wives(just the newly married lot), "just friends" -- if you wanna know the man better, thre's no better time than this. But if you are watching your favourite soap or just happen to be working on something and he needs something (which is usually right away) or just wants to be amused and you happen to ignore him, that's it women! Wives-get those divorce papers, girlfriends can either gear up for a loong sulking day/evening replete with "You are ignoring me" and lines to that effect or just go find one of the soap stars. Ageless games, and all very becoming of the age, I presume.

The moment women talk of the shade of lipstick they bought yesterday, hunks(arm candy!), clothes, bags, shoes, retarded mothers-in-law, bitchy friends, or shed all inhibitions(if any) to have some fun, AGE becomes an issue. So at what age should we discuss lipsticks? And what's a good age to discuss mothers-in-law? (Personally, I think this is a topic akin to good wine, the more the years you spend with them, the discussion gets juicier and tastier). What's a good age to seek a little attention? Or what's a good age to have fun? Pray someone please tell me. So I can behave MY AGE.