Oh, does that ever bring back memories!

When I was a young Air Force officer charged with a great deal of responsibility, I looked about 12 years old. I didn’t really have to shave until I was 30. Being short and slightly built, I just didn’t look old enough to be where I was.

I got hassled sometimes at the officers club if I wasn’t in uniform. People thought I was somebody’s teenage son trying to cage drinks underage.

So, I cultivated a unnatural, super-low-pitched voice, and spoke with great deliberation and lots of 20 dollar words.

Imagine James Earl Jones delivering masters level philosophy lectures. I’m told that’s how I sounded, and nobody means it in a good way. I’m sure it sounded bizarre coming out of the mouth of a little blond guy.

Anyhoo… I eventually did drop the act and try to find a more authentic me. By the time I started looking old enough to be a real adult, I think I was finally sounding like one, even if the younger me wouldn’t have understood that.