Never Thought I’d Say This
A common occurrence took place as I was on a walk yesterday–but I responded differently this time than ever before. I was strolling with my one-year-old, and a lady passed by and smiled at him. Then she looked up and asked with surprise and a tad of judgment, “Is he YOURS?” I said “Yes,” and she squinted her eyes and added, “So yooooooung.”
Then, as I always do in that situation, I added, “I’m in my 30’s.”
Everyone does that. And this was with my ONE year-old. When I’m with my 8-year-old, people ask me if he’s my brother, if I’m the nanny, and things like this. When I’m with all three of my children, people just get freaked out.
They think I’m too young to have this many children. I’m in my 30’s. But I look like I’m 18. I HOPE no one interprets that as bragging because believe you me, if you looked like you were 18 at my age, you would HATE it. People don’t want to use big words around me. When I tell them I work as a writer, they think I am living with my parents and working as a “pretend writer”. I get evil, rolling eyes and a dry “ID PLEASE” when I try to buy alcohol, which I never do, probably for that reason. AND people in their 20’s, early 20’s nonetheless, call me things like “sweety.” Has a 20 year-old ever called you that? I hope not because you wouldn’t like it.
I could go on and on about the issues this causes. But regardless, people always say “OH, ONE DAY YOU WILL BE SOOOOO HAPPY TO LOOK SO YOUNG.” That’s so not true…I came this close to putting gray streaks in my hair and buying Granny glasses last year. I’m not kidding. If I looked…say…29, ok. But 18? …
Anyway, I always said that day will never come. But it has. It’s not because I feel old. It’s because of people.
I am trying my hand at a whole new type of job–entertainment writing. I’m not yet going after it whole-heartedly, but I am sending things here and there, and I am writing things to send…
But I was reseraching this industry, and I see things on the web that say “Well, if you’re over 30, you’re going to have a hard time…” And of course, there are always exceptions. But it doesn’t matter for me…for ONCE my age (well, or what appears to be my age) will work FOR me and not AGAINST me.
YES.
Unless they think I’m too young for the job. That’s the other possibility. I’ll let you know as things progress. Or as they fail, the more likely scenario. But don’t worry. I have tried lots of things, so I have failed lots of times. And I’m still alive and happy. I just wish I looked a little older. (Until now, that is.)
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My wife has the same issue. She still gets carded when buying liquor.
Now she has a baby bump and people look at me like i’m the bastard who ruined her young life.
Whoa is me. I have a young looking wife and a designated driver for the next 10 months.
The husband always has it rough.
Ha ha! Yeah, the more pregnant she gets, the more baffled the looks will become. It’s all fun.
I should add that though my husband and I are the same age, he looks 5 years older than he is, which creates the illusion of a scandalous age discrepancy.
Hah…time to stop wearing your hair in pig tails. If that doesn’t help grow a beard – oh that wouldn’t work either, forgot, you can’t grow a beard. Maybe the granny glasses could help but I think a corn cob pipe could add a lot along with the glasses. Have you tried drawing wrinkles with mascara? Or wearinng straight dresses two sizes to big – make sure the dresses are a dull blue with no prints. Try wearing your hair up in a bun on top of your head, search Google images Mennonites or Amish for both hair styles and dresses (no offense all my Mennonite Aunts – you all look youthful and lovely – it’s those other Mennonites)
Funny clothing of a real people is whether you laugh at him before he opens mouth. Public Being funny sometimes only requires the right choice of funny clothing!
http://en.kllproject.lv/people-and-land/funny-clothing-and-funny-people/
Came across your blog for the first time, and I just cant curb the urge to ask, ‘Which cream do you use??’ Hahaha…Lovely write up! Some women die to look younger , and here is someone who is bearing the brunt of it..! hihi..
Great to know you are pursuing a career in writing. It is like a fairytale dream to me, a techie, working day and night writing software codes. Some day, I wish I could leave these hassles and start writing in full swing
Keep Writing and have a fulfilling career ahead!