The day I turned old.

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February 2nd, 2008 is a night that will live in infamy. No, not because our country celebrated yet again, the stupidest of stupid holidays: Groundhogs Day. Instead, it is because it was on that day that I realized that I no longer considered myself young. No, instead on that fateful Saturday night I finally declared myself old.

Perhaps a little explanation is needed. Some friends and I had decided to go out for the night to celebrate the recent accomplishments in our lives. It was a lively event at the “too-classy for me” Murrietas. After some drinks we decided the night needed to be taken to the next level and headed towards the more popular than ever Amsterdam Rhino.

It was here where the life changing revelation took place. As I moseyed (yes, I said moseyed) up to the bar, I couldn’t help buy watch a group of 19 year olds do a round of what smelled and looked like Jaggerbombs. Just watching these kids slug back this popular shooter made me throw up a little bit in my mouth. I instantly flashed back to my years of thinking Jaggerbombs were cool. As the kids self-congratulated themselves, I ordered my tall Coca-Cola on the rocks and shook my head in shame….for myself.

Where had these years gone? Wasn’t it just last year that I was one of these kids? What happened to me thinking that my stomach lining was invincible against my dear friends like Jose Cuervo and Jack Daniels? Since when did I prefer to stay home and catch up on the latest DVD rentals than go out and reduce myself to a small pile on the bathroom floor huddled beside a cold toilet bowl.

Sigh. Those were the days weren’t they?

To add further insult to injury, the Amsterdam Rhino was ironically showing episodes of the 80’s classic Thunderbirds on all their TVs. The kids laughed and howled at the old school animation and funny characters. Meanwhile, my eyes tear up with reminiscent joy. After all, I pretty much thought that when I was a kid I was going to become a Thunderbird and save the world. But I also thought I was AstroBoy’s brother….so maybe that is a whole other issue.

But then again, maybe I’m overreacting. The second half of my 20’s is going to be great. I’m going to take life by the “Prairie Oysters” and make the most of it. Just think of all the time I’ll be saving by not wasting my Saturday mornings throwing up and eating cold pizza. Maybe I’ll take up a hobby. Lawn bowling? Crib? Or start that great Canadian novel. Go on a cruise?

So while I may be upset that last night was the first time I’ve ever said the sentence: “I’m going to be 26 this year”. It’s going to be OK. I mean really how expensive are Centrium vitamins anyway right? Right?