I am 12,053 days old

There are always three security guards in my lobby, one to operate the x-ray machine and metal detector, one to sit behind a desk and deal with clearing visitors while monitoring surveillance and one who stands between two of those retractable black ribbons which stretch between the tops of two posts, the kind you find at the bank, to help keep the line orderly.  In this case, there is a cordoned-off area on either side of him.  If you want to move towards the elevators, you have to wait, allow your badge to be scanned and then he’ll step aside and you can pass.

There is a rotating staff of about a dozen of these guards and one has gradually taken more of an interest in checking if I’m “okay”, mostly because of my ankle.  He’s tall  and charismatic, with more salt than pepper in his hair, but that’s the only indicator of his age.  This is the guard who observes how I’m walking and once a week, he lets me know if he’s seen progress, i.e. “You’re barely limping now!”  He was also the only person whom I didn’t know personally who was high-fiving me when my cast came off.  Obviously, he makes arriving at work a fun process.  Today…

Security Guard:  What’s up.  What’s crackin’.  How are you?

Me:        I’m well!  Thank you for asking.

Security Guard:   You look nice today.  I like the pearls.

Me:        Aww, thanks Marcus.

Security Guard (looking me up and down, still holding my badge and not scanning it):  You got a date or something later?

Me:        Nope.  It’s my birthday.

Security Guard:  Really?  Happy Birthday.  How old are you?

Me:       I’m 33!

Security Guard (handing badge back):  Like hell you are.  You ain’t no 33.

Me (walking away):        I AM.

Security Guard:  You look 22. 

Me (whirling around):      That’s what my cab driver said this morning!  Maybe it’s the headband.

Security Guard:  Nah.  You got one them baby faces.  No way I would guess you’re over 25.

Me (turning corner, looking back):  Well, black don’t crack, you know?

Security Guard:                 !!!

Random Woman waiting for scanning, tossing her hair and preening:   I know that's right.

::

Thank you ancestors with good genes, Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15 (since my late 20s!) and generous, benevolent deity above.  I pray 33 is as lucky as it apparently looks. :)

Comments

[maxdavinci]

awww anna! yaapy burthday do yoooo...

I'm so pleased to know that my favorite flogger(female blogger) is also a capricorn! I won't tell you how old I'm gonna turn 3 days from now but hugs from me and all your readers.

Just logged into Flickr and saw your recent pics, you really don't look 33!

have a great day and a fantastic year!

[Chaitan]

Yay! you made it. ;) Happy Birthday!

[nina]

id defly agree with that!! you really barely look 25!

[brimful]

Not only do you look young, you also emanate a liveliness that people associate with youth. May you never lose that, 33, 66, 99. :)

Happy (belated) birthday!

[arZan]

happy birthday to you.

tum jeeo hazaron saal...saal ke din ho ekyavan hazaar.

[chachaji]

Anna, Happy Birthday and Happy New Year! I definitely agree you look younger than 33 - by, like, a decade (at least).

[Camille]

Happy birthday, Anna :)

[cio cio san]

happy birthday!! and i know this has nothing to do with this post, but do you ever have one of those days when you just feel depressed and horrible? When you're mad at half of your friends and feel like the other half are mad at you? I live at home with my parents (doing my undergrad) and only 3 months left of class. then next year i finally get to move away for grad school, but right now i'm at home. my parents are so strict that i feel like i can't do anything or go out at all, unless i want to fight about it. i just don't have the strength. I can't this wkend anyway because i have so much schoolwork to do, but that just makes it worse because i can't relax either. I'm going crazy, sitting, very very quietly, but screaming on the inside. I hate it here. I hate it.

just needed to rant

[Ilidas]

Anna, I just cruised by here for the first time in over a year. (I've been very busy and have trimmed alot of Internet time from my waking day.) It is good to see that you're still writing and sharing your observations about a range of phenomena, from international affairs to matters of a more quotidian nature. I'll have to look through the archives and see what I have missed.

[Radhika]

Hey there and feliz cumpleanos a ti. :)
Sorry I couldn't get back to you; I've abandoned my baby. :(
To answer your question, I'm 15 going on 16. And thank you for liking my blog, yours is awesome, too!

Hey Anna, just stumbled on your wonderful blog. :) Belated wishes for a happy birthday. :)

Btw, are you serious about Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15? Please confirm, I too would love to look a decade younger when aam 33. ;)

Anna, could you please, please... please give me the link to this product? Is it this one? http://www.drugstore.com/qxp16985_333181_sespider/neutrogena_healthy_skin/anti_wrinkle_cream_original_formula_spf_15.htm

Thanks.

[A N N A]

Thank you, thank you.

That is the one. :) I've used it for years, it's great stuff. Be good though, from the start-- I've only grown more disciplined this year, i.e. now, when I'm about to run a "quick", unexpected errand, and I'm going to be outside for less than an hour, I actually put this stuff on whereas when I was younger, it wouldn't even occur to me to do that. Good luck!

Hey Anna, thanks! I was dying to hear from you!! :)

Anna, I know now aam asking for too much but do you, by any chance, know of any effective product for getting rid of dark circles & the fine lines around the eyes? I hope you can 'enlighten' me on this critical issue as well. TIA, Anna. :)

[browngenes]

you're too funny - "black don't crack"! - too right! happy birthday and stay lively!

[Upbhransh]

Hey Anna,
A belated happy birthday present to you :). I know you like this mallu dude!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ENPqroxEEc