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I recently found myself watching episodes of the old Beverly Hills 90210 TV show - don't judge! - and received quite a shock. (For those of you who don't know/remember: twins Brandon and Brenda Walsh and their parents, Jim and Cindy, move from Minnesota to Beverly Hills where they all have to adjust to new everything, including high school with all its angst and drama.)
Here's what sent me searching for all the ice cream in the house - I am no longer the Brandon and the Brenda. I am the Jim and the Cindy. I am now the same age as the parents. In fact, I might actually be older. And, since October is my birthday month, this knowledge did not go down nearly as well as the ice cream. The whole thing reminded me of all the things I'd hoped to achieve by now . . . and haven't. Especially those writing dreams.
But, as I am a firm believer that we can set and achieve goals, that we can dream, love, do some good in the world up until the very end of our lives, I'm going to use this shock as the kick in the pants I need. I can't go back, but I can move forward.
Of course, a Golden Girls marathon - with cheesecake, of course! - will help ease the pain. Care to join me?
Have a Happy Birthday month! I've been recently feeling the same way, especially when I talk to people who were born in the 90’s. I mean, that was like what, 10 years ago, right? o_O And as I get older I see all the things I haven't done--yet. But I think it’s important take a moment to see the things we have accomplished. Hugs! Ok, now pass the spoon. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you! :) And you're right about not just looking at all the things missed but also at all that was accomplished, too.
DeleteThere's no ice cream left, but here's a fork for the cheesecake. :)
The whole aging thing sucks.
ReplyDeleteI don't think we'll ever get to where we want to be, but that does keep us moving forward.
My strands of gray hair agree re the sucking.
DeleteIt really is about the journey, the process.
I know exactly what you are talking about. When I first saw Twilight, I giggled at their choice of actor for Bella's dad. What were they thinking? That guy looked younger than me and . . . wait. Oh crap. That character is younger than me now. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteAt least we're not alone. :)
DeleteGosh, I hear you. Being the parent of a teenager is a humbling thing. I look back and think, "Gosh, my parents were YOUNG." Crazy scary. But hey, we all have to go through this process of growing up, eh? Like it or not.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe my niece and nephew are as old as they are and they're not even close to being teens yet. Yikes!
DeleteLove the Golden Girls and would join you in a heartbeat! You are a witty and entertaining writer, at least on this blog and I'm glad you posted this. I never really watched 90210, but it was super popular at the time. I'm guessing I'm the parents age too now, and I as well, will keep on keepin' on til I hopefully make it to that goal I'm shooting for! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Lisa! And we all better keep on keepin' on. :)
DeleteI'm only 25 and I go through these sort of panics all the time, lately, what with all this stuff I grew up with either disappearing/dying or coming back in a way that's just... wrong. Probably shouldn't feel this way, got all the rest of my life. Just. :/
ReplyDeleteI'd be down for watching some Golden Girls and munching down on cherry cheesecake though! :)
- Madilyn Quinn @ NovelBrews
Oh this is so true - "...what with all this stuff I grew up with either disappearing/dying or coming back in a way that's just... wrong." Exhibit A = The new Muppet Show (see Alex's mini review.)
DeleteI still feel just as young as the twins, however, I might look more like the parents. None of that has stopped me from dreaming my dreams or chasing my goals. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Elements of Writing
Oh, I definitely feel as young as the twins - still have the angst, which doesn't seem fair since I can't have the looks and energy, too.
DeleteYou might be as old as the parents, but at least you aren't having to wear those 1990s fashions!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Good point!
DeleteDon't most of us feel that way? I look at my parents and where they were at my age and I just feel behind. My husband blames the recession. Oh well. I may not be as far along as I would like to be, but I'm making up for it by trying to achieve things on my bucket list that aren't career or family related. Learning new skills, traveling, etc, etc… Comparing to others just brings me down. :(
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you're on a good track with your Bucket List! And it's a lot better if we can learn FROM others, not compare ourselves TO others. Easier said than done, though, I know.
DeleteHaha—Golden Girls marathon! I'm in! And yeah, I've been feeling that way lately too... I'm not a spring chicken anymore, that's for sure, and yet I feel like I was JUST in high school!!! How time flies!! But what a great kick in the pants. I need that kick too!! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad I was able to provide the kick you needed. Now get to it! :)
DeleteI love watching old shows! I remember 90210 was THE show back when I was a kid.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd asked me in during my adolescence where I thought I would be right now, being a published author would've surely been on the list. Well, I'm not a published author...yet. Nonetheless, I'm glad that you and I both have the drive to go for the things we feel passionate about.
I tried watching Melrose Place again, too, but couldn't get into it.
DeleteKeep going! That passion and drive will see us all through. :)
Yes, just keep moving forward! Thanks for the reminder, Madeline!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! :)
DeleteAnd, Happy Birthday!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It's not until later in the month - I just like to celebrate as long as possible. :)
DeleteHappy birthday! Consider this. You could....not...have a birthday. It's a cliche, but it's true. Age is a state of mind.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Liza! Absolutely.
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful Birthday! You had me at cheesecake:) I don't mind getting older. As long as I keep challenging myself and enjoy my life, it's all good. The moment things start getting stagnant, I'll go crazy.
ReplyDeleteWith a lot of us wanting in on the Golden Girls marathon, I'm thinking we're either going need a lot of cheesecakes or one giant cheesecake...hmm...wait, where was I? :)
DeleteI think we all need a good kickstart every now and then; I had mine the other day, in the form of my Dad reminding me of all my hopes and dreams. We'll all get there in the end :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday when the day comes :)
Excellent you have someone to remind you of those hopes and dreams, and I'm guessing he cheers you on, too. :)
DeleteHa! A Golden Girls Marathon. That's funny. I love your positive attitude. It's catching. I feel like a could write a dozen pages right now! :-D
ReplyDeleteGo go go! :)
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog. I'd much rather watch a Golden Girls marathon than 90201 (not that that was a bad show), but the friendship theme appeals to me and it's really funny. Happy Birthday! I hope you have a great month.
ReplyDeleteFor teenage angst and attitude, you want 90210. For great one-liners and laughs, you want those Golden Girls. :)
DeleteTime flew by so fast I wondered when I got old... but old, I did. Sigh. I'll definitely join you in that icecream AND cheesecake!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be one big party!
DeleteThis made me laugh as I have had the same thoughts recently. I can't even remember what old show I came upon but it really depressed me that I was now even older than the parents. It's kind of like when I flip through People magazine and realize I don't know who 90% of the celebrities are anymore. I don't really remember getting old LOL.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on not knowing the celebrities anymore. You know, not remembering when/how you got old is a sure sign that you are getting old.... :)
DeleteThere is a very long list of writers who didn't publish their first book until they were relatively older and they went on to grand success--go look for it. It will help!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure I know the list you're talking about it. Thanks for the reminder!
DeleteHappy Birthday! There's been a few things I've learned how old they were and had an OMG I AM OOOOOLD moment.
ReplyDeleteThat's going to happen more and more and.... :)
DeleteWell Golden Girls is probably a bit premature...but it is strange to revisit the shows we grew up with and see them for a different character's perspective, isn't it? Happy birthday. Hope there is cake involved. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteI watched Golden Girls way back when I was younger than I am now, and I still got a kick out of it. Funny stuff.
DeleteAnd there's pretty much always cake involved. All the time. For anything. :)
My sister and I used to LOVE watching 90210. Brandon or Dylan? Brandon or Dylan? I choose both!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday month to you! And who cares if you haven't achieved every single goal? You've achieved more than your fair share, I'm sure. So don't be hard on yourself. Hold your head high and take your own advice: keep moving forward. Oh, and count me in for the Golden Girls marathon ;)
I guess nowadays we'd say Team Brandon or Team Dylan, right? :)
DeleteAnd thanks so much! I appreciate that.
Ah, this post made me smile. I love the original 90210. And Jim and Cindy were great! More parents should be that cool.
ReplyDeleteYou could always be happy you don't have to deal with the Mom jeans, bad bangs and scrunchies that Brenda does. And all that drama--yikes! ;)
Happy birthday!
They actually were pretty cool.
DeleteI used to love scrunchies! My hair wasn't all that long back then, but I made them work. :)
Your post made me laugh. Isn't it a shock sometimes to realize you're getting older. Happy Birthday to another October baby.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes,
Diane
IWSG #94
I'm glad I was able to provide a few chuckles today. :)
DeleteIt seems there are a number of us October babies writing away out here....
Happy Birthday Month!
ReplyDeleteYou might not have accomplished as much as you wanted, but you have accomplished some. I think the right hand bar of this blog shows that. You've got published works out there. Good job!
You're right - I have accomplished a good chunk. Thank you for the reminder. :)
DeleteI'm the parents age too! LOL
ReplyDeleteYou have numerous online publications and 2 books - that's a great achievement. Something to be proud of!
I started writing fiction very late and always feel that time is running out. I need to publish a book... *sigh* But these things can't be rushed.
I know my day will come. Patience and perseverance...
Happy Birthday month!
You are absolutely right to not rush! Those collections of mine were a long time coming - stories written, revised, accepted, rejected, etc. "Patience and perseverance" - a writer's mantra. :)
DeleteDreams don't have an age limit. Keep your chin up and keep pushing toward your writing goals. We all get their at our own time...when it's time.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday!!!!
Ah, no expiration date! So they won't get all sour like old milk? Can't have bad milk for our cheesecake marathon, um, I mean Golden Girls marathon....
DeleteDon't let age get in the way. I know there are things I wish I would have accomplished by now. When I get into that mode, I try to focus on what I have done, sometimes when you examine your life, your accomplishments, no matter how small, still served a purpose.
ReplyDeleteYes! I think we all serve a purpose, especially if we live intentionally.
DeleteI'm not the Jim and Cindy yet, but it's not far off since I now have a 11 year old. It's close though, so I get ya. And I do have friends my age who have teenagers, so really, I guess I am Jim and Cindy.
ReplyDeleteUgh :)
Sorry to burst your bubble there, Suzi. But, welcome! :)
DeleteYe gods, I remember being subjected to endless showings of Beverly Hills 90210 because my sister was exactly the target audience age when that came out. And I'm not much younger than the parents were supposed to be. Oi! But I'm with you in taking inspiration to press on wherever we can find it. And if you get an amazing book out of that inspiration, well, you'll have something very interesting to write in the dedication. ^_^
ReplyDeletePress on, we will! :)
DeleteHappy Birthday month! Gah, how old were the Walsh parents? Do I want to know?
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteAnd no, you don't want to know.
Happy birthday to you this month! October is the best month for birthdays (from your fellow Libra!). I find myself relating to middle aged characters on shows now and I wonder where my life has gone. Golden Girls and cheesecake sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteAnd a happy one to you, too - I'm a Scorpio, though. :)
DeletePull up a fork!
You're right as always, Madeline. No going back, only forward.
ReplyDeleteOnward, we go!
DeleteSorry I judged :-) Never watched B.H. 90210. But I do understand the jolt to the system. Happy birthday = whenever it is this month.
ReplyDeleteI think that jolt is different, arrives in different ways, for each of us. And thanks for the birthday wishes.
Delete