So I’m 27. There, I said it. In June, I was 26 and before that, I was 18. I used to be young and without a beer belly. I used to be able to hike Mt. Everest. I used to be able to run a mile in under 7 minutes. I used to be able to walk up three flights of stairs without getting winded. And then: I went through that stage after college when you’re stuck in that holding pattern waiting for the world to present itself, and all you do is sit at home and watch TV with a bowl of ice cream that miraculously never ends.
Since entering The Real World: Vermont, I’ve since broken some bad habits (ie, watching TV, the neverending bowl of ice cream, the nonactive lifestyle) but it seems like I can’t break the worst habit of them all: the fact that I’m 27 freakin years old!!!! And my body doesn’t function the way it used to. There was a time in my younger days when I jokingly made old-man sounds but now, now they’re real. I make old-man sounds now because I can’t help it. They just happen like they were meant to be. And not only that, but I have old-man injuries, too! I’ve thrown out my back, I’ve pulled muscles in unmentionable places, I bruise like it’s my job, etc. And so being active, though good for me, scares the crap out of me. Speaking of…
The other day I was invited to participate in the first of what I hope are many flag football games. The organizer is my friend who from here on out shall be known as Young Dude. He’s just about 21 years old and when I told him, “yes, but I should warn you, I haven’t played flag football since high school,” and he replied, “don’t worry, you’ll be fine, big guy,” I think he was overlooking the fact that high school, for me, was not three years ago but rather (brace yourselves here) 9 YEARS AGO!!! After this game of flag football, he’ll probably go play a pick up game of soccer somewhere and then climb down into Mt. St. Helens and eat a neverending bowl of lava. As for me, I’ll limp home, take a long hot shower, ice my legs and pass out on the couch at 7 p.m.
***Subject Change***
Before I forget, I wanted to mention the highlights of my Friday night: I went with some friends to hear Eric Schlosser speak at Champlain College. For those of you unfamiliar with him, he’s the author of Fast Food Nation, a book I think should be required reading in all classrooms. He wasn’t exactly an animated speaker but he was an eloquent one and like how I felt after reading his book, I came away hating the government and most fast food chains, and, as proof that my belly runs the Benchly Operation these days, I also came away craving a good greasy burger. But anyway, read the book. Unlike fast food, it’s good for you.
One final thing, I wanted to report that on our walk downtown from Champlain College, Sarah the L and her girl were spotted in the window of Mr. Mike’s Pizza. At the risk of revealing too much, I’m delighted to report that both seemed very happy with each other. =)
Benchly'sword 