A decade ago, I was still getting carded for alcohol and coworkers in their early twenties were completely floored that I wasn't their same age when my age came up for discussion.

Now the thrift store cashiers are regularly asking me if I qualify for the senior discount (age 55+).

What happened to this span of time called middle age, that Al Bundian period in one's life defined by expanding waistlines, graying hair and general malaise?

I still dress the same as a decade ago, still have a full head of hair, why do people think some gray hair and wrinkles mean I'm wearing Depends diapers and living in a retirement home? A lot of men below age 50 such as Anderson Cooper and Brett Farve have much more gray hair than me.