Carnavalesque 25th

Well, that time comes in everyone's life where you cease to be young and crease-less, and turn into a... 25th year old. This phenomenon, known as "the turning point birthday" in your life, often (but not always) occurs between your 24th and 26th birthdays. You may know some people who have turned 25, or you may be (or have been) one yourself. You might also agree that these peculiar beings display different behaviour than others (but oddly similar to that of odd creatures turning 50). Having recently (and most gracefully may I add) turned 25 myself, I can offer some help identifying some behavioural symptoms of 25 year olds, so that you may help these poor confused souls into their transition from young and careless to the "start lying about your age" period:

• The symptoms may commence earlier than you suspect... maybe 6 months before their birthday, the subject may decide to leave to live in a non-Anglophone country which has its own kiss name, and there's cheap alcohol. This may signal the 24 year-old's last attempt to capture slippery freedom from 'adult' responsibilites.
  
• You may find the subjects' thoughts to be centered often around the meaning of life, seizing the moment (or the carp), and being thankful for each minute. (refer to december blog archive to see a prime example).
• They refuse to accept their friends' steps towards adulthood as something they could be doing themselves: " WHAT? they're getting MARRIED? That's CRAZY. I could never get married this young" Little do they know that they're not that young.
• In your attempt to soften the blow for your loved one who is turning 25, you may send out a bday card to congratulate them... prepare yourself to have it returned by mail, with a note saying: Thanks, but you've got it all wrong, I'm just turning 23!! You know, the Nile isn't just a river in Egypt.
• Each day they find a new gray hair, tiny wrinkle, or nagging pain that must mean they're getting older.
  

If any of your loved ones is experiencing these effects, just go with the flow. Don't contradict them, attempt to make them come in touch with reality, or remind them of the importance of this milestone in their lives. You may risk putting these people into a permanent state of shock at how time is flying by... I received quite a successful treatment for my 25th blues. I recommend it to all who are soon to turn this age (which are many of you, my dearest 1984 friends).

First, the city of Nice started carnival on the exact date of my birthday. This is to say that they knew how big this moment was, and that they were going to put forth all their money and effort to celebrate my bday in style. Then, friends flew in from all parts of the world (well, Europe) and accompanied me in drinking tequila, dancing salsa, and going to Monaco to gawk at the millionaires. Lastly, I received many abundant gifts and cards from home. Really, doesn't every 24 turning 25 year old deserve this??

My advice to you, is if you know someone soon turning a quarter of a century, get started on the preparations. Help them plan their trip abroad, send letters to your city to organize a carnival, buy a humongous bottle of tequila, and party on!