I've reached my Media-Life Crisis

They say it happens to us all eventually.  Some people can feel it coming and get all sorts of agitated about it and do everything they can to stave it off.  Other people know it's coming and just resign themselves to their fate.  And others have it come upon them so suddenly that honestly it's a bit of a shock. 

But what to do about it?  Buying a red Ferrari won't help.  Dressing up in age-inappropriate outfits won't make a bit of a difference.  Even getting into a fool-hardy relationship won't make me feel any better. 

Because it's happened, you see.  I've reached my Media-Life Crisis.  It's that moment when you realize that the actors and actresses on the screen of the movie theater or the tv are starting to be younger than you. 

How did this happen?  I'm not that old--I don't even qualify as anywhere near old.  But it's--it's like age is gaining on me in the form of younger people.  All my life I've looked up to actors and actresses/their characters, because they could do things I couldn't.  Whether it was fight off terrorists, blow up the Death Star, or leap tall buildings with the help of lots of special effects, they were something to admire.  If only because they got to make ridiculously large amounts of money for doing as a job what I did with my stuffed animals: make up stories.

But it was all right, you know?  They were all older than me, all adults, so it was okay.  Adults were always doing things that I couldn't.  And there's that certain sort of maturity that Adults get to carry around with them that I've always found very likable. 

But how do I cope with actors who are younger than me?  I mean, they're still doing awesome things on screen and I do admire them for their abilities and chosen profession--but--but--they're younger. 

Maybe it's just the way my mind works, but I like to put myself into the story.  (as a reader it's nearly automatic).  I like to imagine I'm one of the participants--or at least an invisible sidekick who's involved.  It allows me to live vicariously through the characters (which is kind of the point of the movies) and feel what they feel for the same understandable reasons.  But it feels kind of creepy to me when the people I'm vicariously living through are 5-7 years younger.  It feels like I'm approaching 'dirty old man' syndrome.  Even though I'm not a man.  And I bathe regularly, I swear.

I suppose the only thing I can do is go back and watch my favorite Disney movies until I feel better.  And try not the think about the fact that Prince Phillip is only 21 years old.