I have been enjoying Esquire magazine lately. Very well written and a great cross section of articles. The article How a Man Ages .. or Should is the chronology of the transitions that we ‘men’ should go through as we age, made me laugh and think. A few highlights.

Age 26

Having whatever everyone else is having. → Having a usual — Scotch neat, a gin martini, a manhattan, whatever. Know thy drink, know thyself.

For me, it is Gin & Tonic. Preferably Hendric’s, with a slice of cucumber.

Age 27

Renting a tux. → Owning a tux.

I have to say I am on the fence about this one. Black Tie isn’t really Black Tie anymore. Most events that are ‘formal’ leave a lot of room for interpretation. I didn’t buy a tux until last year, and did fine. But I have to admit, it was way overdue. So on this one, I would say it is more of a 35 requirement (unless you live in England, where they are simply mad for Black Tie).

Age 30

Boot and rally. → Call it a night.

I have to agree on this one. The all nighter has not been in my blood for a very, very long time … around this age actually and the arrival of children. Who wants to be the Dad with the headache in the morning?

Age 33

Using quotes from Porky’s, Meatballs, Office Space, and Old School in conversation. → Using quotes from assorted wise men. Faulkner is good. Churchill is better.

I prefer to do both. Name that quote, “I was a one man wolf pack’. For the record, I own a few Churchill quote books.

Age 40

Knowing your fantasy-football ranking. → Knowing your cholesterol levels. And your blood pressure. Start getting annual checkups, and ask for the works, and listen to your doctor. Listen.

So true. Things start to break when you cross 40 …. I am a 3. A little less bacon, sad but true.

Age 43

Saving money whenever you can. → Realizing that some things in life — flying first class, a good watch, good liquor — are always worth the money.

Absolutely. It isn’t about quantity, it is about quality.

Age 44

Playing sports that leave your knee/shoulder/wrist aching for days. → Making exercise a top priority. If you’re not getting stronger, you’re getting weaker.

This one hit me around 36. I was sitting in my office and experiencing lower back pain and I realized, ‘what the heck? you are way to young for this. Change it’.  As an Orthopaedic Surgeon said to me last week, ‘I don’t operate on overweight 90 year olds.’ ‘Why? too risky?’ I asked. ‘No’, he responded ‘they don’t exist’.

And last … Age 58 and on …

Doing, watching, and listening to things because you’re supposed to. → Doing, watching, and listening to whatever you want.

Life is good. Lots of adventure left ….