Monday, July 15, 2013

Wishing I was young again


When I turned 50, some very kind American friends (now ex-friends!) reminded me that I would now belong to AARP. Being British I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about and thought they were just making seal noises. After enlightening me to what this was, American Association of Retired Persons, I was horrified. How awful. Was 50 that old? I didn't feel old. Surely I didn't look that old and anyway, I wasn't retired! In the UK we have a similar thing, called OAP - Old Age Pensioner - but it doesn't come into effect until you are 60 years old (65 for men) which seems much more reasonable. It is commonly referred to by people asking if you have a Bus Pass (as in "Oi Mate, got yer Bus Pass?"), which is given to you so you can get cheaper fares on public transport and to get into the movies and such. 

My friends kept teasing me , shouting "AAARRRRPPP!" loudly every time they saw me and sure enough, a couple of weeks after my 50th birthday, an envelope arrived with AARP's distinctive red logo on the front. I immediately threw it in the recycling. How dare they!

In the year since I have successfully deluded myself into feeling much younger, helped by all the young people around me at work. I always feel that I am the same age as everyone and then get shocked to the core when I realise I am old enough to be their mother.

A couple of months ago, my husband and I bought a new car - a Mini Cooper convertible - which is such fun and makes me feel like I am young again as my 2nd car was a Mini, but one of the originals with no acceleration and useless heating. I can't tell you how fantastic it is to whizz around with the roof down in the gorgeous Californian sunshine, driving through the beautiful vineyards, the wind ruffling my hair and feeling like I'm 20 again. 

My enjoyment came to an abrupt end the other day, however, when we received the licence plate in the mail. Sigh.



17 comments:

  1. LMAO some one is trying to tell you something

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    1. Yes, telling me to get another license plate LOL

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  2. That's too funny!
    I hit fifty next year. That envelope is going in the trash.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Alex - NOT funny! You wait - it's horrible :)

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  3. I loved your blog Claire! I needed a good chuckle this morning!!!

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  4. Oh, that is just too funny. Thanks for the chuckle. (As someone who has been an AARP member for more years than I can believe, that little card does save money at lots of restaurants, stores, and hotels, etc.)

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    1. Hmm not sure it's worth the discount to have to produce it and feel old! Thanks Susan.

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  5. Seal noises--I love it! Not to mention that prankster at the DMV. You should post a warning atop your blog that readers should wear Depends due to impending uncontrollable laughter. Some of us AARPers may just have a few lying around.

    Lorrie
    www.shrinkrapped.com

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    Replies
    1. Ha ha Lorrie - thanks for commenting. Must come and see your new lovely blog.

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  6. Oh no! Omg.. I can't believe you got that plate! I have to laugh because I feel your pain. I turned 50 this year and I got the same envelope and did basically the same thing you did, tossed it. When did 50 become old??? I don't feel 50, nobody ever guess that I am 50. To heck with AARP! I'll join you on those California roads with the top down and the wind whipping through my hair! :)

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    1. Yes I know - 50 is the new 30, isn't it??! Love you have you along for the ride ... just as soon as I get a new plate!!

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  7. How about a plate that reads: BRITYNG (as in "Brit Young")

    I checked the CA DMV vanity plate site https://www.dmv.ca.gov/wasapp/ipp2/processConfigPlate.do

    and BRITYNG is available :)

    (And, yes, I have OCD and too much time on my hands :)

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  8. too funny - so... did you really change the plate? I LOVE the awesome background to your blog by the way, how fun (and young!)

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