Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

[Gvac]

<p>The old cliches say &quot;you can't teach an old dog new tricks&quot; and &quot;a leopard doesn't change its spots.&quot; While I believe that the core essence of most people doesn't change, we all certainly grow as human beings as we age.&nbsp; I'm fond of saying that I'm the same guy at 40 that I was at 14 but obviously there are some major differences.&nbsp; </p><p>I'm far more patient, less hot-headed, and less competitive than in my youth.&nbsp; Some of it is due to mellowing with age, but other changes were ones I've had to consciously work on and continue to do so.&nbsp; <br /></p><p>What are the biggest changes you've noticed in yourselves as you've gotten older?&nbsp; And have any of you completely re-invented yourselves, such as going from a shy introvert to a life-of-the-party extrovert?&nbsp; <br /></p>

[Hottub]

<p>Being married has taught me how to better express myself. Both emotionally and physically.</p><p>Being a father has taught me how to love, nurture, and teach the right path.</p><p>Being a homeowner has taught me fiscal responsibility. For today, and the future.</p><p>And being 40 has taught me I can't shag deep fly balls to center like I used to.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>*edit* Great post Gvac!*edit*</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by Hottub on 4-19-06 @ 8:48 PM</span>

[Marc with a c]

<p>im basically the opposite of gvac.&nbsp; with age i have become less patient more synical, and much crankier.&nbsp; i have grown to dislike people, and pretty much have become a bit of a dick.&nbsp; but i like it this way.</p>

[PapaBear]

I used to go out a lot and have lots of friends. Now, I have almost no interest in doing anything special, and I don't hang out with anyone. I'm very sociable when I'm in public (such as working or shopping), but I just keep to myself in my free time.

[Bulldogcakes]

<p>You and me both Gvac. Boy, was I a hothead, even up to a few years ago. And made quite an ass of myself many, many times. Dont even ask what I'd do if someone cut me off on the highway. But a few accidents later, now I'm the safest driver around. I haven't had a moving violation in 5 years. From 18-30 I had about 3-4 pages worth (last time I saw a judge). I also used to blow my top at work alot, and would find myself apologizing an hour later for being such an asshole. &nbsp;</p><p>You grow up and you realize alot of the shit you thought mattered doesn't. And you see some friends and family pass on, and you start saying to yourself &quot;I dont have forever, I want to enjoy my life as much as possible. And I definitely dont want to waste any time being miserable&quot; So I've found myself getting happier with each passing year. <br /></p>

[mikeyboy]

Let's see...&nbsp; I'm probably more confident now and I get less stressed out about little things.&nbsp; I also don't like to drink as much as I did when I was younger ...and I developed x-ray vision.

[nevnut]

<strong>mikeyboy</strong> wrote:<br />Let's see...&nbsp; I'm probably more confident now and I get less stressed out about little things.&nbsp; I also don't like to drink as much as I did when I was younger ...and I developed x-ray vision. <p>I'm almost 42 and I don't have x-ray vision yet.</p><p>What's up with that?!?!?!<img src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/huh.gif" border="0" /></p>

[Recyclerz]

<p>I'm almost 42 and I don't have x-ray vision yet.</p><p>What's up with that?!?!?!<img src="http://www.ronfez.net/messageboard/tiny_mce/plugins/emotions/images/huh.gif" border="0" /></p><p></p><p>You gotta slip the Doc an extra benjamin when you go for your Lasik surgery.</p><p>As for me, I'm grayer, fatter and have a higher net worth.&nbsp; And my motto remains &quot;You're only young once, but you can be immature forever.&quot;</p>

[El Mudo]

I don't bug out over piddling stuff any more....thats one thing

I'm also more confident talking to people now....I feel like I'm more comfortable with airing my opinions

I've also gotten better at knowing when I should keep my mouth shut

[nevnut]

<strong>El Mudo</strong> wrote:<br />I've also gotten better at knowing when I should keep my mouth shut <p>I wish my wife would figure out that one.</p>

<span class=post_edited>This message was edited by nevnut on 4-19-06 @ 10:35 PM</span>

[A.J.]

<p>The older I get the less I care about dating.&nbsp; It must be from watching all my stressed-out married friends.</p>

[reeshy]

The older I get, the less that most things annoy me the way they used to....I can't control anything but myself........And I shoot less people now too!!!!!<br />

[furie]

i realize that i've become much less tolerant of other people's shit.

[FezPaul]

I am becoming a grumpy old poop.

[Marc with a c]

<strong>furie</strong> wrote:<br />i realize that i've become much less tolerant of other people's shit. <p>what the fuck is that supposed to mean?</p>

[Freakshow]

Fighting... the... urge... to make...&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;hat... &nbsp;&nbsp; joke...

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

<p>After my dad died when I was 20, I was left without any family. I developed an intense fear of being homeless, even though I was financially secure. Over the years, I've had jobs and I bought my apartment. I've made some pretty wise financial decisions and I haven't felt that fear in what feels like years. My own independence really helped me get over that fear.</p><p>I am having a bit of a mid-like crisis. I used to work in publishing. Production to be precise, which means you can pee and spit on us and we'll still have to tell you we'll have that book out in time for you get credit for a job well done. All with collective shit on our faces. I need to make a career change. How do you figure you what your good at? I have conversations with my friends like that scene in Seinfeld where George is trying to figure out what he's good at. &quot;I like horses.&quot; &quot;I like to talk. Maybe I could have a talk show.&quot; </p><p>I am so not happy being 39. I'll never know what it's like to birth a baby. I don't want kids, but I'll never know that experience. </p><p>I'm insane.</p>

[bitterbuffalo]

<p>For the longest time, I was always dependent on my family to get me through difficult situations and whatnot. When I was 18,I took a cross-country bus trip and then I moved to Kentucky to go to college. Basically, that put 1000 miles between me and anyone who gave a crap. That experience put me through a crash course in how to live llfe, and I haven't really looked back. </p><p>Now my life is pretty much the exact opposite. I don't really get too attached to anyone or anything. I still call on my family when i really need it, but I don't see any of them on a regular basis. I also am much more un-PC and cynical than I was back then. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But maybe most importantly, I have become a Videogame Quitter. I don't think I have actually finished a video game since....GTA Vice City. I buy them with good intentions, but only get halfway through. It really bums me out. Recently i bought Metal Gear Solid 3 to try and buck that trend...but man is that game ridiculous. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>