It's once again that day of the year. Last week a slightly older gentleman at our Table Tennis club looked at Achyuta and asked "he's your son? You don't look that old?" I smiled and said, "I am not but he is .." and I was thinking "really ?". It certainly feels good specially now when i am possibly half way or maybe little over the halfway mark in life.
An few iny miny years ago i quietly stepped into the big 40! That's when the itch, the mid life crisis etc. is supposed to happen. I know something in me switched on & life suddenly picked up speed in a good manner. - i think!
A few firsts happened. I bought a dress for the first time and then did it again the next year. Years ago while in college, i trudged everywhere in my flipflops, that's when my dear friends presented me with a pair of nice noticeable slippers. My shoe collection has improved & matched the dresses & i even have a bold pink walking shoes in my collection. My friends will be pleased. Every time i tied my hair or plaited them, my sister -Gayathri & my friends would encourage me to try different styles. My styles dont change daily but they change for occasions & at times my tresses are let loose as well. I occasionally wear the eyeliner & lipstick. I have managed to surprise myself and them :-)
Driving wasnt exactly a well liked activity. Moving from Asheville to Singapore was a bliss for me with all the public transport at my disposal. If anyone happened to ask me if i drove a car? My response used to be " i am a very driven person". ;-) I was happy enough to be a passenger while someone drove me around town from place to place. After returning to the US, i have taken to driving my Rav4 happily. Even an accident hasnt kept me off the road. Though a Ferrari is still wanting, i have had the pleasure of driving a BMW.
I had almost given up playing Table Tennis. One would think Singapore was the place to play and improve my game, no such thing happened. Instead my knees started losing cartilege, my calf muscles tore, tendenitis got my hand, had a pinched shoulder & i wont even mention my shining teeth. All this when i was well short of my 40th. All of them got fixed partially after a lot of doctor visits. I used to see a doctor almost every week & Govi called me the "Golden Goose" jokingly. I was boosting the medical economy.
Entering the 40's didnt cure all these body parts but my attitude changed. Walking helped shed some kilos and keep my knee strength. A little control on my taste buds and useful tips from well meaning friends helped change the diet a little without losing the taste. Now my body parts play tag in falling apart so my weekly doctor visits stopped and the goose doesnt give out the golden eggs that often. I became a regular member of the local table tennis group. I am possibly playing the best Table Tennis of my life & i see room for further improvement. Arm & knee bands help support the weak muscles. Post play therapy include ice and at times the magic of pain killers.
But the biggest draw for the renewed passion for this sport was when i entered the center to play Table Tennis and saw some very young men at the table competing seriously. These men were 80 year olds and there was even a 90 year old player. A 60 something lady player screaming with joy after a shot, did it for me.
My mid life crisis had set in. I wanted to be out there playing more, improving my game & most importantly having fun. A few weeks ago allergies stopped me from playing & it was simply agonising. I looked like a sulky kid denied a play date for no fault of mine. When the snow storm was coming through our town i was looking at the weekly forecast to check how it looked on the playing days. A senior player came upto me and asked me my age and when i mentioned that i was still a few years behind him, he calculated and said that in about 8 years he would like me to be his partner for doubles in the senior games. The spirit of the senior players is amazing. We played through a potential tornado threat. We were all worried but the game kept our mind off the fear & let us have fun.
A while ago a young chinese player joined our group. He happened to be an international umpire for Table Tennis matches and definitely very good player as well. It took a lot of effort and practice before i started taking games off him and those were the best days. I was mighty pleased and there was an energy surge in my tired limbs. He has returned to China but i still hold fond memories of my few winning moments.
Sometimes i play some shadow shots while cooking or folding laundry. My hands practice mock serves while i walk to pick up Achyuta from school. Maybe its the compulsive obsessive playing disorder? (COPD)
A few silver strands have started showing on my hair, glasses come up my nose while watching t.v, eyes squint at night to avoid the glare while driving, my knees creak noisily while climbing up the stairs but all these seem a little trivial now.
My mother was instrumental in getting me into this sport. She spotted a talent ;-). I am very happy she did that for i am not sure what other mid life activity would have captured my attention. Govi is the best partner i could have had as both of us share a love for sports. Achyuta waits & supports me sportingly, at the times when he is forced to accompany me during my play time.
From troubled 30's i have moved into fun 40's. As i add another number this year, i still look forward to driving a Ferrari, shopping at Harrod's, continue to be in touch and meet friends, spend as much time as possible with family and maybe wait for Fed to turn 40 before i get to have a game with him.
Thank you everyone for your wishes, they are very much appreciated as i advance through the fun age.
This Birthday blog is for Gayathri, who always encouraged me to read more and write more.
An few iny miny years ago i quietly stepped into the big 40! That's when the itch, the mid life crisis etc. is supposed to happen. I know something in me switched on & life suddenly picked up speed in a good manner. - i think!
A few firsts happened. I bought a dress for the first time and then did it again the next year. Years ago while in college, i trudged everywhere in my flipflops, that's when my dear friends presented me with a pair of nice noticeable slippers. My shoe collection has improved & matched the dresses & i even have a bold pink walking shoes in my collection. My friends will be pleased. Every time i tied my hair or plaited them, my sister -Gayathri & my friends would encourage me to try different styles. My styles dont change daily but they change for occasions & at times my tresses are let loose as well. I occasionally wear the eyeliner & lipstick. I have managed to surprise myself and them :-)
Driving wasnt exactly a well liked activity. Moving from Asheville to Singapore was a bliss for me with all the public transport at my disposal. If anyone happened to ask me if i drove a car? My response used to be " i am a very driven person". ;-) I was happy enough to be a passenger while someone drove me around town from place to place. After returning to the US, i have taken to driving my Rav4 happily. Even an accident hasnt kept me off the road. Though a Ferrari is still wanting, i have had the pleasure of driving a BMW.
I had almost given up playing Table Tennis. One would think Singapore was the place to play and improve my game, no such thing happened. Instead my knees started losing cartilege, my calf muscles tore, tendenitis got my hand, had a pinched shoulder & i wont even mention my shining teeth. All this when i was well short of my 40th. All of them got fixed partially after a lot of doctor visits. I used to see a doctor almost every week & Govi called me the "Golden Goose" jokingly. I was boosting the medical economy.
Entering the 40's didnt cure all these body parts but my attitude changed. Walking helped shed some kilos and keep my knee strength. A little control on my taste buds and useful tips from well meaning friends helped change the diet a little without losing the taste. Now my body parts play tag in falling apart so my weekly doctor visits stopped and the goose doesnt give out the golden eggs that often. I became a regular member of the local table tennis group. I am possibly playing the best Table Tennis of my life & i see room for further improvement. Arm & knee bands help support the weak muscles. Post play therapy include ice and at times the magic of pain killers.
But the biggest draw for the renewed passion for this sport was when i entered the center to play Table Tennis and saw some very young men at the table competing seriously. These men were 80 year olds and there was even a 90 year old player. A 60 something lady player screaming with joy after a shot, did it for me.
My mid life crisis had set in. I wanted to be out there playing more, improving my game & most importantly having fun. A few weeks ago allergies stopped me from playing & it was simply agonising. I looked like a sulky kid denied a play date for no fault of mine. When the snow storm was coming through our town i was looking at the weekly forecast to check how it looked on the playing days. A senior player came upto me and asked me my age and when i mentioned that i was still a few years behind him, he calculated and said that in about 8 years he would like me to be his partner for doubles in the senior games. The spirit of the senior players is amazing. We played through a potential tornado threat. We were all worried but the game kept our mind off the fear & let us have fun.
A while ago a young chinese player joined our group. He happened to be an international umpire for Table Tennis matches and definitely very good player as well. It took a lot of effort and practice before i started taking games off him and those were the best days. I was mighty pleased and there was an energy surge in my tired limbs. He has returned to China but i still hold fond memories of my few winning moments.
Sometimes i play some shadow shots while cooking or folding laundry. My hands practice mock serves while i walk to pick up Achyuta from school. Maybe its the compulsive obsessive playing disorder? (COPD)
A few silver strands have started showing on my hair, glasses come up my nose while watching t.v, eyes squint at night to avoid the glare while driving, my knees creak noisily while climbing up the stairs but all these seem a little trivial now.
My mother was instrumental in getting me into this sport. She spotted a talent ;-). I am very happy she did that for i am not sure what other mid life activity would have captured my attention. Govi is the best partner i could have had as both of us share a love for sports. Achyuta waits & supports me sportingly, at the times when he is forced to accompany me during my play time.
From troubled 30's i have moved into fun 40's. As i add another number this year, i still look forward to driving a Ferrari, shopping at Harrod's, continue to be in touch and meet friends, spend as much time as possible with family and maybe wait for Fed to turn 40 before i get to have a game with him.
Thank you everyone for your wishes, they are very much appreciated as i advance through the fun age.
This Birthday blog is for Gayathri, who always encouraged me to read more and write more.
