“Hi. My Name’s JJ. I’m 30.”
Jan. 04, 2006 by Jason
I’m practicing. In just 24 hours I’m going to be 30 years old. I need to start getting used to the idea. But somehow “I’m 30″ just doesn’t sound right yet. “I’m 30.” Nope, it’s not working for me. Give me another day and maybe I’ll be okay with it.
With this milestone comes a certain amount of reflection. Or is it introspection? Whatever. I’ve been thinking a lot about adulthood. What does that mean anyway? Adulthood?
When I was a kid, I thought I’d be all grown up at 21. I thought by 30 I’d be settled down. A homeowner. A father perhaps. A career man. Truth is, I live like a fucking teenager. A blogger. A Myspace addict. A heavy drinker. Is it time to grow up?
I think I’ve already started heading down that path. The idea of parenthood no longer terrifies me. I’m interested in buying a house in Philly. I’ve been making a push at work for a substantial promotion. I’ve even considered the possibility of opening my own business.
In the interest of maturity, I’ve decided to stop being so secretive here at The Churning. Sure I’ve told you some crazy stories, but those are just moments in time. I’ve never really given you the big picture. So here goes… Plus, it’ll be easier for me to write future posts if you already know some of the back story.
I’ll give you the story in the form of relationships - in chronological order.
I’m JJ. My Mom is Martha. Jillian is my niece. Kev is my nephew. My wife is Momo. We started dating in high school. Momo’s sister is J.Mo. J.Mo used to date Jimmy. That’s sorta how I met Jimmy. He and I have been friends since the early 90’s. Ev is my boy from Richmond. We worked together for a couple of years and used to hang out constantly.
I only listed people who either write for The Churning or have commented here. There are plenty of others I’ve mentioned in posts. Ask about ‘em if you want to know. Or just check them out in my Myspace friends list.
Yeah, you read that right. I’ve decided not to give up on Myspace just yet. There still might be a couple of months of hipness left in that dying trend. I’ve also decided not to give up on this whole blogging thing. Besides - I’m just starting to get good at it. And the heavy drinking thing? I just knocked back my fourth beer.
Hi. My name’s JJ. I’m not quite 30… yet.
January 4th, 2006
I feel your pain mate…sounds like me, only I’m not quite THAT OLD! Just kidding with ya!
January 4th, 2006
yo, just knocked down the 31st B’day and almost that many beers tonight… (yeah right, minus a couple)
Today being thirty isn’t much different from being a fucked up (only larger, mainly in the belly) teenager thesedays… it’s good to see that past norms have been instilled in your head tho,
…ahhh… thus the forth beer…
January 4th, 2006
Hey, they say you’re only as old as you feel… Perhaps they’ve got a point. Cheer up. You don’t REALLY wanna grow up, do you?
January 4th, 2006
Are you wearing grown-up clothes yet? 30 is one of the SIGNIFICANT ages, I’ve been told. It’s when you discard the garments of your youth and shop only from discount bins.
Other significant ages include:
18 - When you can no longer do naughty things and get away with it because you don’t know any better. (I’ve lost my chance to indulge in illegal activities without major consequences).
20 - Your absolute LAST year to get laid for the first time. Any later and you’re doomed to spend the rest of your life as a virgin. Or a David Hasselhoff fan. Which amounts to the same thing, really.
I forget the others.
January 4th, 2006
30 was a horrible birthday….ick. And at the same time it didn’t change a darn thing. At least not for me.
40 and 41 did though. That’s when my frame of mind began to alternate into some sort of alternative reality. When you realize that you probably lived half your life already….at least.
But there are things that will never change too….so don’t worry too much. As long as you’re around 30, the only big change really is that number
January 4th, 2006
Don’t worry. You’ll be used to it by the time 31 rolls around. Have a happy birthday!
Peace…………..
January 4th, 2006
JJ, this is your mother with a very important question:
When my kids grow up, does that mean I have to grow up too?
Happy birthday one day early!!!
January 4th, 2006
JJ: When I turned 30, I was 8 months pregnant. So I couldn’t drown my sorrows with a couple or 24 beers. Dammit. (But I got completely eff’d up on my 39th!)
Martha: Never grow up! And OMG! Your art is amazing! Absolutely beautiful (and you don’t look like you have an almost 30-year-old son!)
January 4th, 2006
Growing up is way overrated.
I have a friend from high school (in Florida) who got married, had a baby, and moved to Virginia like 30 minutes from my house. I went to go visit her and although we’re the same age she seems so much older than me. Every single thing made me feel like I was in a 50 y/o couples home rather than a couple in their 20’s. Their furniture, their cars, her hair, her clothes, his clothes, the conversation, just everything. At first I felt like I was immature and that I should be like her. Then I realized that I don’t want to be like that. EVER. I enjoy being goofy and silly and acting like a teenager sometimes.
Anyway I’m approaching 30 too. I’ll be 28 in February. I know that my 25th birthday was depressing, I can’t imagine how my 30th will be.
January 4th, 2006
Hey JJ, I just turned 36 a couple weeks ago. I know how you feel. 36 sucked because that’s the cutoff to check the next older block when you fill out any of those survey things.
Happy Birthday Bud!
January 4th, 2006
“…Here’s looking at you, kid.”
January 4th, 2006
Happy Birthday, You faux-hawk wearing thirty something. Here’s looking at you, old chap.
January 4th, 2006
Happy Birthday! I wondered if Momo was your wife, since she seems to be in a number of pictures with you on MySpace.
Anyway… I’m trying to get my head into Hollywood years, so that 30 won’t seem that old. Well, for the males anyway. You can’t really tell how old all the actors are in movies anyway. Hell, 25-30 year olds consistently play high schoolers in movies, so why can’t I play one in real life, right?
January 4th, 2006
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeel!
this is your birthday song,
it isn’t very long!
HEY!
30 is when I started going, “*cough* I’m, *clear throat* 30 *cough* *cough*.” when sombody asked how old I was.
Also noted that younger people would say, “What!? You’re THAT OLD!? You only look like you’re in your early 20’s.”
I didn’t know weather to feel complimented or insulted.
I’me currently *cough* *gage* 35 *cough* *clear throat* and still like to act like a teenager, at least I’m still as horney as one
And as far as acting older… never.
Have a lot of beer, get drunk, make an ass outta yerself, because it’s YOUR birfday!
PS: Remember if your scateboading and end up flying threw the air from wiping out, remember to say, “Weeeeeeeee, I’m flying!”
January 4th, 2006
Happy bday, JJ. You’re going to love your 30s. Trust me. I do… so much better than my 20s.
January 4th, 2006
happy brithday, JJ!! we will miss you this weekend but when get back to phila, we will definitely have to toast your 30th.
January 4th, 2006
Happy 30th Birthday!
I say do what you like and have fun (as you are doing) and fuck what you “should be” like. The should be world is for suckers.
January 4th, 2006
Eh, take it from a 30-year-old old fart. 30 isn’t so bad. The trick is to continue to think immaturely!
January 4th, 2006
hey old man… as of tomorrow i can no longer trust you… it’s true…either that or that crystal on your hand will start blinking and then these weird guys called sandmen will come chase your ass down because you didn’t want to go to carousel to get renewed… by the way there is no santuary… and hopefully since you are 30, you will understand both that reference since that movie came out in 1976… HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
January 4th, 2006
happy birthday…
i’ll be 31 this year. i actually looked forward to turning 30 last year. is that kinda crazy?? it’s not so different except people expect you to me so mature. act as crazy as you normally would
January 4th, 2006
http://www.blogthings.com/whatagequiz/
find out your real age here. i’m not 34. i’m 22!!!
happy birthday dude.
January 4th, 2006
Hey MooAlex, thanks!! I’m so happy you like my paintings! I think JJ is way more creative than I am, but in a different sort of way. I bet he could paint rings around me if he wanted.
JJ - countdown to 30!!!!!
January 4th, 2006
Overheard:
Thanks for empathizing.
Peakah:
My belly’s a bit bigger too. My body looks like that of a pregnant pre-teen.
Ranting:
I definitely want to avoid growing up too much.
Jamie:
Excellent question. I still own all my old baggy jeans from my skateboarding days.
Christa:
40’s the new 30.
Helen:
I hope I’m used to it sooner than that. I don’t want to be freaked out for a whole year!
Martha:
Definitely not. I love the fact that you’re still a youngster. You’re fun to hang out with.
Mooalex:
I’m glad I’m not 8 months pregnant. I’d look silly.
April:
What if I act goofy and silly all the time?
Ron:
I’m not far behind…
RockyJay:
Ingrid Bergman was a total fox in that movie.
Ev:
I should post an update on that… The faux-hawk’s gone. I’m working on a killer mullet.
Mojotek:
Yeah, Momo rocks my socks.
I just had a conversation about that Hollywood age thing over the weekend. How could anyone believe Johnny Depp was in high school back in 21 Jump Street? He was way too self confident to be a teenager.
MacBros:
I do look like I’m in my early 20’s - or so people tell me. My nephew Kev looks older than me.
J.Mo:
That’s true. You’re kicking ass in your 30’s. Better than ever.
PJ:
I can’t wait. I hear you’ve got a lot of extra booze laying around.
CRo:
C’mon, say it. The “should be” world sucks donkey dick.
Eddie:
Think immaturely? I’m an expert at that. Plus… you do not look 30.
Trav:
Logan’s Run. I cheated with the help of my buddy named Google.
Aquababie:
I know this is off topic, but your hair rocks.
Jimmy:
That thing says I’m 24. Older than you, dude.
January 4th, 2006
I’d like to use this, my first blog ever, to wish you a very happy 30th birthday tomorrow. You are near and dear to my heart, and I miss you and momo so much!
As another member of Club 30, I too was sloppy pregnant on my birthday. I’ve noticed only a handful of things since the unwelcomed event:
1. You can’t really stop wrinkles or gray hair.
2. New tattoos seem to be much bigger than they used to be.
3. Being a parent (even twice over) doesn’t really mean you have to totally grow up… It can actually give you more of an excuse to act like a kid!
How lucky we are to start our 4th decades with such wonderful families and friends! XOXO
January 4th, 2006
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I expect you to drink 30 beers, then let me know if you think 30 is old.
January 4th, 2006
Marina:
You’re the best.
1. I’m not really wrinkled up yet, but I’ve got a ton of gray. Seriously - look close because it blends in with the blond.
2. Speaking of which - I’m counting on your husband to hook me up with my next tattoo.
3. I could imagine myself playing videogames with my kids non-stop.
Jules:
30 beers? I could make that happen. I just gotta pick up the pace a little.
January 5th, 2006
Looking at this from half a CENTURY- lol- I have to tell you 30’s not so bad
I didn’t even get married until I was 28. I still feel 16 in my heart at least. Mornings can be a bit rough and I actually QUIT drinking- but that was because it turned me into a total asshole, not because I couldn’t handle the physical effects. You’re doing just fine 
January 5th, 2006
thanks jj! i hope you had a great birthday.
January 5th, 2006
Diane:
I too am 16 at heart. My sense of humor for example is completely based on fart jokes and sexual innuendos.
January 15th, 2006
JJ, I missed your 30th birthday! Just know that instead of a beer I’ve injested a Tylenol with codeine in your honor.
January 16th, 2006
Well done! Though washing down a couple of those with a couple of beers is even better.
December 12th, 2006
[...] I see your visit to The Churning lasted less than 30 seconds. Whatever you hoped to find, I’m sorry we couldn’t help. I’d hate to think you lost your rod after stumbling across my post about turning 30. Or even worse, I’d hate to think you jerked it while reading that post. [...]