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31/31 Day 24: I'm Feeling Old

Nothing gaming related with this blog tonight. Just me venting.

I don't know exactly when it happened. One day, I was did have a care in the world and had only a few responsibilities, which left me with seemingly limitless time to game. Now I'm lucky if I find more than one day a week to play video games. Somewhere in between I became a supervisor at my job, bought a puppy (who demands attention), and have a wonderful fiancee. But all of this points toward that one inescapable truth, and that is that I'm getting old.

Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with getting old. The fact of the matter is, it eventually happens to all of us. However, tonight, I genuinely am feeling old. I've currently been working at my job for over 2 years, and am the supervisor for my site. Since working there, I've missed a grand total of 4 days of work. Two of them were sick days, the others were when my brother died. I've worked days when I wasn't feeling my best, days when I really didn't want to be there, and days where I felt like I have the most pointless job in the world. Yet every day I'm there.

These past few weeks have been fairly hectic as far as my work is concerned. I can't go into detail, but suffice it to say, my schedule has been in flux, with very little time off. So, I was happy to finally have 3 scheduled days off in a row. The first day was spent writing, doing homework and hanging out with my friends at volleyball. The second was spent with my fiancee and my puppy, doing some chores around the apartment. Finally, I get to my last day off, the one that was supposed to be all about me. I settle in to play some Assassin's Creed 2. That's when it happens. I received a text message from the guard on duty at work requesting to be relieved.

Turns out, no other guard was available, so I went into work on my day off (cue Clerks "I'm not even supposed to be here today"). I didn't do it because it was what I wanted to do, but because it was the right thing to do in the circumstances. The problem is I don't see that from many other people anymore. All too often younger people don't want to work when they are scheduled, let alone cover for someone that has a genuine issue arise. I just feel like there is a massive gap between myself and many of the younger employees in terms of values. Or maybe I just need a vacation.

Either way, I am worn out, and today was a lost opportunity. I just don't remember having days like this when I was younger. I just feel old. Where's my prune juice. Get off my lawn.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

Comments
  • Mod

    Ah keep your head up man. It'll get better. Just gotta keep pushing through. I bet you anything something good will happen now as a result of you covering for that guard. That's called good Karma.

  • Mod

    Ah, responsibility.  I would like to comment on the subject of "all too often younger people...".

    I have had staff of all ages, from 15-75 and everything in between doing various jobs.  Irresponsibility knows no age limit, and frankly the younger folks have the built in excuse should they want it.  We have young people who do a great job, and young people who do a poor job, we have young people who sometimes do a great job and sometimes do a poor job.  I could say the exact same thing about adults, middle aged, and older adults.

    That said, I can appreciate a good venting, I do it all the time myself!

  • "Get off my lawn." Excellent joke. Anyways, to get more things done before I'm old, I should play less Minecraft and more unfinished games of mine.

  • Mod

    Welcome to my world, Chris! Actually I did find it amusing how you're feeling old and in the same breath complain about kids today! It's the old (pun intended) refrain. As we age and assume more responsibilities younger generations without such obligations appear less motivated and disciplined. I myself worry about young people, however, I suspect it's no different from the same worries expressed by countless generations before. Sure there are socioeconomic trends that are troublesome, such as the relative transience of young workers and an accompanying sense of entitlement. But there have always been unique circumstances. Anyway, don't worry. Yes it can be frustrating, but you'll find your own balance. After all, I'm still involved here and play weekends and sometimes during the week, this despite a demanding job, wife and two young children to care for, and a house and related responsibilities. It's crazy busy, but I do make time for my interests if only to maintain my sanity.  : )

  • "All too often younger people don't want to work when they are scheduled, let alone cover for someone that has a genuine issue arise. I just feel like there is a massive gap between myself and many of the younger employees in terms of values."

    Youth is youth, what can you do. Them not working as hard as you may not be because of lack of values; probably just less motivation and/or different priorities. I guess when you're young, you envision taking life on energetically, not working to make a living.

    I've found that working hard, being honest, and acting kindly aren't things decided by age. You can see this online and in life all the time: older people act more childish than a teenager. My favorite example of this is would be a member back on the Xbox.com forums who for years grew quite a following because he never got angry, always was open to others' suggestions, and if he lost an argument or was wrong, he was always there to fully admit it. We learned later on that he was 15 (and had been on the forums for at least two years, meaning all of this took place after he was merely 13). Everyone was shocked.

    "Either way, I am worn out, and today was a lost opportunity. I just don't remember having days like this when I was younger. I just feel old."

    My suggestion: yeah, if you feel tired and demotivated, what you probably need is a breather. 4 days off in two years? Really, bravo. But there's only so long productivity can last before one gets too exhausted.
  • Don't forget "turn down that racket!"

  • I'm right there with you on the feelin old part. After my recent birthday, I'm now one step closer to thirty- kinda scary. ;-)

    But in all reality, I commend you for your hard work and dedication, as well as your hardships that you have most likely had to endure. Endurance and overcoming are good values...

  • I feel your pain. I just quit my job after a year, and I was working 50+ hours most weeks. I missed one day because I was in the instacare. Now it's back to college for my Master's...
  • Believe me, you aren't the only one getting older. I've got a wife and two kids now, and of course I would never trade that for all the game time in the world.  For me it's Friday evenings I look forward to, and it does stink when something comes up in the way of a chance to relax for a bit. I have a part time job on the side and I get called in all the time for young people that don't show up. What happened to taking pride in doing your job well?  It just seems like the younger crowd (in general as I'm sure there are exceptions) doesn't have much vision for the future. It's like they think "If I have enough money to do what I want tomorrow, then I don't need to work today."

  • Its not you chris, I'm 19 and surrounded by idiots from my generation. I too have covered more shifts than I can count, but when the clock strikes the eleventh hour and I'm in my moment of need because I have to go to a FUNERAL no one will cover my shift. this generation has a LOT of growing up to do.
  • Mod
    Welcome to the club! We've saved a cup of the finest prune juice just for you. We also got an extra spot saved up if you want to get in on the next round of Canasta or Bridge. Then again, we're having another Wii sports competition and you're free to join!
  • Ah, responsibility... that is the eternal nemesis of fun and slacking off, isn't it? You made the right choice. Gaming is great and all, but real work comes first. Thumbs up for that. Hang in there.

  • Well at least you know your responsibilities. Some people just put gaming first. I'm 16 so I don't know much about getting old... yet.