So I found a place in Tampa around Hyde Park and started walking around just to scope the place out, talk to people who have been around the neighborhood awhile, etc...

I stopped a guy and asked him what kind of crowd is around here. He says it's a lot of young professionals and young families with their first kid and I feel pretty good about that. Then I asked where a 31 year old like me would hang out. He points out that I can pick out a bar and pretty much find that's where I can hang out because everyone is more or less my age.

Then I go to a bar and notice that I don't act like other 30 year olds in there. It's like I forgot to act my age... and I'm actually older than this...

Any other veterans feel the same way?

9/7/2013 3:21:05 PM

I look 18 and act 23 (except when it comes to drinking)

It's depressing

[Edited on September 7, 2013 at 4:29 PM. Reason : ]

9/7/2013 4:28:34 PM

You don't ever really grow up, you just get better at pretending.

9/8/2013 10:10:43 AM

skywalkr is not a veteran

9/8/2013 12:40:05 PM

when people get married and have kids they act totally different.

young professionals in the south can be tricky.

most people over the age of 21 in the south are married or in a long term relationship and thus have different lifestyles from us who are that age and single.

9/8/2013 12:49:17 PM

9/8/2013 1:06:50 PM

I'd say that feeling really hit me around 27 or so. Prior to that, I was still very much into being irresponsible at times and going out, but eventually that got old and I started putting more hours in the office in efforts to get ahead and make a difference. Ever since then (I'm 29 now), I've felt a little old for my age when it comes to being out at bars, dealing with coworkers my age, seeing guys from high school, etc. Yawn.

9/8/2013 1:11:31 PM

why do you think being a veteran makes a difference?

9/8/2013 1:21:09 PM

Quote :

"when people get married and have kids they act totally different. young professionals in the south can be tricky. most people over the age of 21 in the south are married or in a long term relationship and thus have different lifestyles from us who are that age and single."

This. My single friends that are in their 30's still go out to bars a few nights a week and party it up. My friends my age that are married and/or have kids barely go out at all. And when they do, it's very low key. Typically it consists of everyone going over to someone's house for a cookout.

9/9/2013 12:56:20 PM

Quote :

"Then I go to a bar and notice that I don't act like other 30 year olds in there. It's like I forgot to act my age... and I'm actually older than this... Any other veterans feel the same way?"

do you think the same way about young enlisted kids on leave with low tolerances that end up getting shit faced and starting fights at every bar they walk into? or is that ok because one day they'll be veterans?

9/9/2013 12:59:48 PM

It's hard to explain man...

It's like seeing someone of the same race and knowing exactly where their from, what their upbringing was like and how their experience shaped them into this unique person, while everyone around you is still guessing. To me, it's blatant and in my face, and to others, it's as though they don't have a clue.

I point this out to other veterans because I feel like they know what I mean by this. That's the connection I'm looking for...

I think, ultimately, a sign of youth is that you're still seeking out fulfillment of your potential and getting a learning curve as to who you will ultimately become. And even when people think they might have it, they are left with a false confidence and ultimately arrive at a situation where they find out that's not really who they are... so they are left at square one again and asking the same question that was at the beginning... "Who am I?"

But when you are faced with real hardship, with disastrous consequences for the wrong choices, you learn who you are very quickly and learn how to adapt a certain way, because if you don't, you could very well die... and I don't mean just physically. With this in mind, you've matured beyond potential.... and have arrived at a very centric, yet integral for every connection established from here on... "Know thy self."

Knowing yourself helps you understand that you are limited... and because you know your limits, you know how to get around them.... rendering you limitless.


[Edited on September 10, 2013 at 6:43 AM. Reason : complicated]

9/10/2013 6:30:11 AM

sounds like you are going to shitty bars and you take yourself too seriously

9/10/2013 8:13:32 AM