This morning I woke up around the time I usually do (11:00 am) and I started doing that which I usually do (paroose the internet, you know MySpace, Newsvine, CNN, Airliners.net). Of course this also includes a cursory look at the Buddy List. It is here I realized that I am getting old.

On my buddy list, I can see all the people on, and if they have an away message, it will display the first three words or so. If I hover over the name, it will display the entire away message (reference image to the left). Now I am reading through, same old, same old, but then I come to a friend (I will call her Amy) who's away message says "Finally doing my..." (I know stalkerish, but don't even try and convince me you don't do the same). With out even thinking about it, I think, ohh Amy's doing her taxes. Then I step back and think, wait a minute, why do I think that, I don't know that for sure.

So sure enough, I scroll over and bam, she's doing her taxes, just like I guessed. But it is now where I realize the 20s is a collective time in which we realize we are getting old. In the past, I might have thought "Finally doing my..." could be filled with homework, laundry, cleaning, or anything else we used to procrastinate.

After this I hop in the shower and I am still reflecting on Amy's buddy list revelation. I start to reflect on the topics of most of my conversations with other 20-somethings. I find increasingly that my conversations are on the topic of money, especially regarding the long-term. From the ever so classic, should I buy a place conversation, to 401(k)s, to having my salary deposited directly into a savings account vs. a checking account because I only pay three bills all month (rent, credit card, and tithe) and I could probably make some money on the $2,800 after taxes every month sitting in a 5.05% interest account while I wait to pay my bills. And I think to myself, man the 20s are one sexy time to be alive ;)

My uncle tells me that as people approach their mid-40s, they start asking the question, "does my life really matter," or "was their purpose to my existence." Although I feel like I have been asking that question since 9th grade, I bet when the 40s come along it will have a new meaning. For now, I am going to go out on a limb and say the question 20s are asking themselves is "how can I make sure I survive to my 40s and be ok." And as soon as you start talking survival, you know you are getting old.