Kids these days

That is a common phrase that I have likely heard as often as any one of the people I know.

Has the world changed any? Are there still "those" kids? More importantly, for those of us that have just grown up, when do we start looking at those kids and start comparing them to "our day"?

I look at kids in front of 7-11 and see them messing around chasing each other, picking on the slower fatter one among them, and when I walk by they mockingly say "peace brother!" and as I continue past them with a pff, they begin to roar.

At this point I think to myself; "you little bastards, If you had known me at your age you would have worshipped me". Yeah, I was the cool guy. At least that's what my friends let me believe. But, when did I become the Butt of a joke? When did I become a target? Did I ever do this kind of stuff?

Answers: The minute you Graduated; the second I put on khakis, or a golf shirt; and Oh my lord, did I ever.

But I can honestly say, in my opinion, kids are no worse now than they were. The trends have changed in such a way that i disagree with; music because it is less interesting, I have closed my mind and regressed into the mid 90's for my music; Anything "reality" based on TV more recent than Survivor is foolish; and fashion, I would rather wear a Moomoo than let my wife pick my clothes.

I am an old man.

My wife tells me it regularly, I am a crusty old man, I look at the people around me as I grew up, and I can see the signs;

1. The old guy at the party drinking with the 16 year olds, playing cards and talking loudly, drawing unnecessary amounts of attention towards himself. Of course I was 20, and it was my party, but I felt like that guy;

2. I drink Tea instead of slurpees;

3. I watch what I eat, and feel guilty after a McD-s binge.

I have aged terribly. I am 28. I hate Much Music, MTV and celebrities. I mock them every chance I get, my wife is 25 and is still "up to date", this makes me feel even older. I regress further, deciding to throw out anything seemingly stylish and revert to T-Shirts and Jeans. I laugh at anyone wearing something new and hip and promise myself that I'll never let my wife dress me.

I focus the attention of my life on keeping the wife happy, golfing, playing ball, hockey, eating wings and drinking beer. I work because I have to, and I look forward to quitting time.

When I was 16, I never tried to be popular guy, I gave that up when I was dubbed the biggest loser at a boarding school I went to. Then when I returned, I was the man. Go fig.

Now, it's time to accept my most excellent life. Play the old guy for the kids at 7-11 and enjoy every moment that MTV is not on my TV. I will wear pants that fit and drive an SUV. I will reject change not initiated by my boss (or at least the guy that pays me to accept it), and I will make fun of Ior every time he wears slightly green dyed jeans A.K.A. Fancy Pants, only because he'll listen and his wife got them for him).

I figure it will be a great couple of years... Until I reach 30, then it's over!