Getting Older?

     "What are you doing to me!?" my knee protested as I stood up from the dinner table.  Pains in my right knee, pains in my left shoulder, pains in my pains.  Does it indicate age?  I'm not sure, but it leads to other questions on the subject of aging.

     During the winter holidays I happened to be near a television and spent some time flipping through the channels.  I quickly realized why my wife and I don't watch the glowing box.  The programs that were on held no interest whatsoever. American Idol Cribs of Sportscenter.  Why? Who cares?  Is this the signs of the Apocalypse?  As my index finger pushed Off on the remote, I wondered again about age and aging.  

My lack of interest in "popular" culture could be construed by some as being out of touch.  In fact, my disgust sounds an awful lot like the ranting of an angry old man.  Yet, I'm only just entering my 10th decade - far from "old".  Telemark skiing in the back country and racing cyclocross in wet muddy conditions hardly indicate old.

     Another way to look at the bad taste left after my attempt at watching today's t.v. doesn't come from getting old but originates from the fact that my "popular" culture differs from the general culture.  I'm okay with not knowing who is in the Super Bowl or which singer leads the American Idol competition.  Being up to date on who USA Cycling will send to Italy for the Cyclocross World Championships and what EJ Dionne thinks about the most recent primary election matters much more.  

     So I will be content with and revel in my out-of-touchness because it means different interests rather than growing older.