Age Meme

People still do this thing, right? Right? Welp, I am. Let's go:

Age 8: Elementary school. Hair is constantly combed down and cut short. Started seeing psychiatrist after another meltdown in class, finally have someone to blab to all the time about everything. Diagnosed with Asperger's, but doesn't know it yet. Spends time doodling on everything, makes up advertisements for games or movies he wants to make. Starts taking acting summer classes for fun, shortly after Scout summer camp is through. Hebrew school is long and boring, but the rabbi gives him a neato comic book about the Holocaust called Maus. This changes everything. Dresses in whatever parents approve of, mostly t-shirts, shorts, and sweatshirts wrapped around the waist. Won't shut up about dinosaurs or Pokemon. Sings Disney at the top of his lungs, all day everyday.



Age 12: Middle school. Starts growing out curly hair after tiring of combing it down. Napoleon Dynamite comes out soon after and haunts him for the next 6 years. School uniforms are pretty rigid; white or blue polo shirts, khaki or navy pants. Constantly outgrowing clothes, weekends are for whatever is lying around that can't be used during school time. Spends a ton of time on Tokyopop's social network and carries Newtype and Shonen Jump everywhere. Gets called both a faggot and pervert for carrying around the Newtype issues, but he just likes the pretty pictures. Almost done with Hebrew school, can't wait to get his Bar Mitzvah over and done with. Starts taking yearlong acting classes, barely overlapping Scouts and Hebrew School. Won't shut up about how amazing anime is, how terrible Western superhero comics are, and about politics and religion in general. Sings Disney, Modest Mouse, Green Day, and PuffyAmiYumi.



Age 15: High school. The curly hair is shaped into an afro and grown out longer. Freedom from the constricting uniforms of middle school means all baggy clothes all the time. Huge hooded sweatshirts, especially one from Japanese Club, are the norm. Outfits are whatever is on top of the drawer pile in the morning. Spends a ton of time on TIGSource forums coming up with ridiculous game ideas. Confirmation classes are dull as sin, and a completely unnecessary step in his opinion. Acting classes squeeze in between confirmation classes and Scout meetings- parents are pushing for him to complete the latter two, so there's no time to audition for any actual plays. He wishes he could get to know the other students and be in on their jokes. Still seeing therapist after all this time, doesn't bother telling him anything he wouldn't say to his parents... which isn't much. Won't shut up about how amazing indie games are, how awesome it'd be to visit Japan. Sings L'Arc En Ciel, Coldplay, and Disney.



Age 18: Fresh out of high school and entering college. Without parents nagging him about getting his hair cut, he grows out the afro to legendary dimensions. Discovers the magical comfort of skinny jeans and picking shirts that actually fit his body type. Finally done with Temple classes and Scouts for good, and manages to get in a show or two before he graduates. He loves it, but still feels like he missed out. Spends a ton of time on the DeviantDead OCT chat, nursing both his arms after wearing them out from drawing too much. Doesn't understand what a 'hipster' is, and isn't sure anyone else does. Pretty sure he wants to do comics, but isn't happy with how his limbs are reacting. No longer seeing the therapist. Flannel shirts are in, so he picks up a few and some Chucks- and ends up dressing exactly like his roommate. It's one of the rare times he actively follows a fashion trend. Won't shut up about how amazing comics are, or how something nostalgic is overrated. Sings Reel Big Fish, Big D and the Kids Table, and Disney.



Age 21: Almost finished with college. Decides that the fro is tired out, has most of it shaved off to get a mohawk. Around the same time, picks up a tuxedo vest hoodie, thinks it's the coolest thing ever. Scared shitless about graduating, but is dead set on becoming a comic artist. The Chucks are dropped for normal tennis shoes with gel pads to aid his aching feet. They aren't helping much, but it's a start. Arms are a little better, but weird vision symptoms keep bothering him. He's been trying to get it solved for two years, but only now is he finally convincing his parents it's not just temporary. Spends a ton of time on EnterVoid chat and the Honors lounge of his dorm. Gets rid of a ton of clothes he wasn't using anymore, is able to color-coordinate outfits and get compliments on them. Won't shut up about his concerns for the future, the beauty of comics, or how badly he wants to travel everywhere. Sings Bare Naked Ladies, Mumford and Sons, and Disney.