50 is the new 20? Give me a break

Seems like every few years that now familiar mantra increases by a decade. So you'll have to forgive me for rolling my eyes when I caught this "deeply insightful" segment on an episode of NBC's "Today Show".

"50" is not the new "20". "50" is "20" plus 30 years of experience that has taught "20": playing with fire gets you burned, always take good care of your teeth, and drunken car surfing is likely to result in numerous gravel embedded scars and a dented skull that will prevent your hair from parting properly for the rest of your life.

Why on earth some people need to justify the aging process is beyond me. This isn't the world of Logan's Run; no one is asking you to report to a Sleepshop for mandatory termination when you turn 21. Young mothers don't pull their little children into a protective embrace if you walk past them on the street. The local barista won't refuse to sell you that oh so trendy coffee blend because she suspects your too old to appreciate it. So why this desperate need to vindicate the fact that you're physically getting older ?

If you're of the mindset that you have to live your life differently because the blush of youth has faded from your cheeks, then go ahead and buy that Snuggie on the home shopping network and spend the rest of your days watching Jeopardy and shouting at clouds.

But if you've got any sense at all, you'll realize that your age is just a number on your driver's license, not a "Best Before" stamp. So go out and life life the way you've been doing, and stop trying to convince young people you're as good as they are, they'll figure it out soon enough.

Of course by then you'll probably be too old to give a shit.