My Youth Is Gone

 Everyday I notice some part of me aging and it's never an exciting discovery. I slather moisturizer, I pitt pat expensive creams around my eyes, I clench my PC muscles on the daily commute like a good middle-aged "girl".  Gasp - I just realised that it's going to be increasingly hard to use the descriptor "girl" without attracting pitying looks and tutt-tutting. I don't think there is an official stance on the cut off age to be rocking a full length ponytail?  I wonder what happens to old people as they look and dress almost identically.  When did they simultaneously decide upon Beige being the colour of choice or that the main requisite for clothing choice is "sensible" and it's sinister cousin "practical". I also noticed Shoes are always firmly attached, you don't see elderly ladies running to the tram, chai latte in one hand, slingback in the other.  I should declare here that I live in Australia, arse end of the world really, and within that arse is a little freckle of a city called Brisbane.  In other words, I'm not expecting Parisian standards - just a splash of colour or a cheeky hemline would be all I wish for?