Do you think it's really necessary for people to have mid-life crises anymore?
Nowadays, you can do what you like forever. Youth doesn't stop at 45. Obviously being about to turn 45 I can say that. My only worry is that I'm mutton dressed as lamb. It takes an awful lot of courage to go into All Saints. If questioned I'm ready with the I'm-buying a present for my nephew routine. Not that I think I should have to, but sometimes I'm made to feel old. Sometimes I think I look old. I saw a friend of a friend the other day, who told me I've looked the same for 20 years. I disagree, but I was pleased to hear it.
I think it's oldest child syndrome. My brother, who's only three years younger than me isn't fazed by that sort of thing at all. If only I could be as relaxed. I used to make him come into shoe shops with me so I wasn't intimidated by shop assistants dancing in midriff tops. I'm slightly better if I feel like I'm on a mission, but nowadays I find clothes shopping anxiety-inducing because what is the cut-off point for some places? I know I'll never go into TopMan again.
Anyhoo, as I was saying, despite some misgivings, you really can do more or less what you want. I do know the odd person who's leaving their wife for their first love or shacking up with a Thai girl half their age. But I think that's because they've got children and feel trapped. Luckily, I don't have that.
I remember our dentist having his ear pierced in the Seventies and my mum being horrified. But then when my dad came back from town in double denim with a shark's tooth on leather thong hanging round his neck, she didn't bat an eye.
Anyway, I'm off to Las Vegas with Mrs F-C for a holiday at last.
So how's your mid-life crisis going.
