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I recently read a shocking statistic. Apparently 100% of those who live past 25 will have already turned 26 or will do so within the next year. Or to put it another way that’s a 0% chance of staying in your mid-twenties. That’s right folks, zero, nadda, no hope for anyone! So as I sit here, feeling myself shift from mid to post-mid twenties a sense of nostalgia bestows my aging brow. In not so quite contemplation I muse over my life so far, increasingly aware of the big 30 looming just a stones throw away.

Seven years ago during the initial interview with my current employer I was asked the standard thought provoking question – “Where do you see yourself in five years”? A question that conjures up a multitude of imaginary timelines racing through the mind’s eye, each one as exciting and mysterious as the last. I remember pondering this question for what seemed like hours as the inquisition sat on in anticipation of a mind-blowing response that would nail me the job. Being 19 and naive at the time no such response was to escape my lips. The future was a blank canvas with faint lines emerging to form countless crossroads, each stroke leading to an endless supply of possibilities.

Although I didn’t produce a life inspiring answer, I still got the job. An outcome I put down to the impromptu wink I cringingly threw the HR representative as I shook her hand and hastily departed the room. And so the first crossroad had been decided and I embarked on the path that led me to where I am today. Figuratively speaking of course. It was the N4 and my trusty car, Eddie that literally got me to where I am today, sitting here at my computer.

Granted I am nowhere near ‘over the hills’ yet, but I am at an age where I feel compelled to slow down and take stock of my life thus far. I wonder, if I could fiddle around with my mobile phone network and manage to send a text back through time to my 19 year old self about where I am today and what I am doing, would he be happy? Would he be excited and eagerly look forward to the years mapped out before him? Or would he be disappointed and feel cheated out of the hopes and dreams he imagined as his future?

Alas my mobile carrier does not allow such temporal texts yet (although if they did I’m sure the price would be extortionate). As such I must resort to asking myself how I feel I have treated my younger naive version. Did I stay true to his hopes or did I waiver his dreams and compromise his future in return for undemanding short term resolutions that were easier options at the time?

Indeed as O’l Blue Eyes once crooned, “Regrets, I’ve had a few”. However, I try not to place too much weight on these compunctions (my new word of the week. Need to keep the aging brain ticking). Decisions aren’t always easy to make. We approach crossroads from a less than favourable vantage point and it’s not always easy to see where each path will lead. The destination is often concealed by overgrown vegetation, blind corners or an utter lack of proper road signage! And as anyone who knows me will attest, my sense of direction leaves a lot to be desired. I’m lucky to make it the right way down a one way street half the time.

For now I shall resign myself to the fact that the past has been written and the roads taken have been travelled. Until Apple unveil their iTimeTravel upgrade for the iPhone there isn’t much that can be done about that. In the meantime I can anticipate an onslaught of nostalgic reflection striking again when I hit 30 in four years time. In preparation for this most frightful of occasions I have decided to make the most important purchase of my life. That’s right. I’m going to invest in a SatNav device! No more shall I be duped by confusing crossroads and unmarked walkways. From now on I will be guided by a voice emanating from Eddie’s dashboard (as opposed to the ones in my head that usually lead me astray). It may take some time to adjust to an American or English accent constantly telling me what to do and where to go, but I will place my trust in the little electronic man or woman and have faith in them to guide me along the right roads running throughout the remaining days of my twenties.

I may be on the wrong side of 25, but so far I’m on the right side of 30. Here’s to the years of the late twenties and the experience and secrets they hold.

Addendum
My mate just sent me a text saying “Ah ure only as old as u look so dont feel too bad cause u look about 12″! Now there’s the boost I needed to help me through the day. Cheers dude (I can still say ‘dude’, can’t I?).

In the words of another very good friend of mine, “Whose got two thumbs and still got it? This guy”!!