I think I've officially passed the point of being young and am now middle aged.

I had this conversation over the summer about when you start being an adult in the eys of the world, and it mostly focused on celebrities/athletes/etc being younger than you. I still believe that is the defining point at which one goes from being young to an adult. But I'm talking about something much more severe - the transition from adult to middle aged.

I was listening to my favoite radio program - This American Life - last night on a podcast and they were talking about breakups. It hit home with me having recently been through a breakup that I am in no way over yet, but that's not the real issue here. During one of the segments, they played a Phil Collins song - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now). Now I'll be the first to say that I always saw Phil Collins as a...what's the term...oh yeah, no-talent-ass-clown, and really a poor man's Peter Gabriel, and or the most part that's still true (in fact, if I ever hear Sussudio again I might have to kill someone) but damn, that song is good. Here are the lyrics. See if you can look at them and not immediately think ofthe last time your heart was broken.

How can i just let you walk away,
just let you leave without a trace
When i stand here taking every breath
with you, ooh
You're the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me,
When all i can do is watch you leave
Cos we've shared the laughter and the pain
and even shared the tears
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now,
oh there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
Just the memory of your face
Ooh take a look at me now,
well there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds
and that's what i've got to face

I wish i could just make you turn around,
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much i need to say to you,
So many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all

So take a look at me now,
well there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me,
just the memory of your face

Now take a look at me now,
cos there's just an empty space
But to wait for you, is all i can do
and that's what i've got to face

Take a good look at me now,
cos i'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance i've gotta take

Take a look at me now

I don't think he's a no-talent-ass-clown anymore, but I do think the only way to improve this song is to have Peter Gabriel sing it. I guess I can hang on to that.