Dr. Martin Rundkvist is a Swedish archaeologist, journal editor, public speaker, chairman of the Swedish Skeptics Society, atheist, lefty liberal, bookworm, and father of two.
There's childhood and youth and young adulthood. And then comes middle age. I've been wondering when my Middle Ages are going to begin. I've left the Iron Age of my youth, for sure, and I have a feeling that my Roman Imperial times are drawing to an end. So, the other day, I found the answer. Three weeks from now, I will be closer to 50 than to 20. That must be my AD 409. That's when the last remaining Imperial officials in the province of Britannia start packing their gear and no longer answer plainly when you ask them how old they are. "Thirty-something" is all they reply.
I'm going Medieval and feeling pretty good about it. The Middle Ages are a long and colourful period with many riddles that can only be answered by living through the era. And then? The Renaissance!
[More blog entries about ageing, middleage, thirtysomething; åldras, ålder, medelålders.]
Comments
At 40, I'm entering my Crusades. Your blog is great! I am not as funny as you, but check out my blog too at dianeriosblog.blogspot.com
Posted by: Diane Rios | March 15, 2007 9:30 AM
Thank you, warms my heart!
Posted by: Martin R | March 15, 2007 9:43 AM
I am closer to 50 than to 40 now, and am leaving the Renaissance for the Age of Enlightenment. Keep at it, whippersnapper.
Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | March 15, 2007 9:52 AM
Well, what about the Migration Period? Take a trip. And the Merovingian ditto? Growing long hair, shaving off the sideburns? Ever thought about that?
L Scary close to 50.
Posted by: Lars L | March 15, 2007 9:52 AM
Maybe you could take a break and pillage Ireland.
Posted by: Mustafa Mond, FCD | March 15, 2007 9:54 AM
Haha, I'll do my best to close the gap.
Posted by: Martin R | March 15, 2007 9:55 AM
I'm definitely looking forward to the Merovingian Period. The animal art is great, and about then I guess I'll be old enough to stand a chance at getting a university job.
Posted by: Martin R | March 15, 2007 9:58 AM
Just watch out for the Black Death -- whatever it might be. For me it's the fact my wife turns 40 in two weeks and wants another baby. Come to think of it, our discussions on the topic do seem to resemble the Hundred Years war.
Posted by: Ted | March 15, 2007 11:23 AM
Well, y'know, enjoy the pillaging while it lasts. At least the Church won't come bothering you in your snug Northern hideaway 'til long after it's finished with the rest of Europe.
Posted by: RedMolly | March 15, 2007 11:46 AM
Having recently crossed over to the less popular side of fifty, I like the idea that that makes me a Renaissance man as long as it doesn't include various Borgias trying to do me in. Sadly, I'm rather stuck in my ways, so I fear there will be no Reformation for me.
Posted by: John McKay | March 15, 2007 2:29 PM
Can´t get it out of my mind: If life gets worse over the years one would expect that life would end up in the Stone Age. Martin, imagine wading in heaps of chipped pieces of quartz. Good God, what a scary thought...
Posted by: Lars L | March 15, 2007 3:04 PM
Ted, sounds like a thorny problem. But my feeling is she won't be a very fun wife if you refuse to knock her up, while both a contented wife and a baby are sources of a lot of joy. Go for it. And while you're at it, do a few neighbours' wives as well!
Molly, no church for me! They won't even want to bury me as I don't pay their membership fee.
John, maybe you could go to Japan and be a samurai when you reach the 17th century.
Lars, no sweat, in the Stone Age nobody had to sieve, collect and weigh quartz chips.
Posted by: Martin R | March 15, 2007 5:53 PM
Reaching the inquisition would be a tough time for you, though... Before that you must promisse me an interview, as a medieval archaeologist I would naturally have loads of questions.
Posted by: Pierre | March 15, 2007 6:57 PM
Pierre, nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.
Posted by: Martin R | March 16, 2007 4:09 AM
According to novelist and columnist P. C. Jersild, the Ages of Man are
Childhood: 0--20
Growing Up: 20--40
Adulthood: 40--60
The End: 60+
So it looks as if, in just a century or two, we're both gonna be grownups! Who would have thought it?
Posted by: Tor | March 16, 2007 10:49 AM
Kids, nothing but kids! (What's the matter with...)
I hit sixty last June (and it hit back harder). Does that mean I've finally reached the Enlightenment?
Posted by: Prup aka Jim Benton | March 16, 2007 8:50 PM
Nooo, you're still a Renaissance man. Just don't start attending any fairs.
Posted by: Martin R | March 17, 2007 2:08 AM