There are growing signs that, despite being 15 years old in my head, I am actually getting on a bit.

One of the biggest clues came when I read about Drake getting set to enter chart history books by being at number one for 15 weeks with his track One Dance. Who … with what?

Never heard of either the boy or his song and a quick download left me none the wiser.

Other than to think it was just a noise. Listen. That’s my dad’s voice.

Another telling, but fun, reminder of my advancing years was going to a mate’s birthday bash on Friday.

I remember when an invitation to a friend’s do involved a 21st or a 30th. So what we were celebrating last week? A 60th (Great party by the way, Dave, ta).

The scary thing is that will be my next big birthday. How can this be? How can I be heading into bus pass territory when I’m still a bairn? I laugh at fart jokes.

Now, I know myself time is taking its toll. I make involuntary old man noises when I sit down or stand up sometimes. There’s even the occasional loud and heavy sigh for no good reason.

I am trying to ward off age. All this running is to help ensure I can enjoy my later years and not creak around weighed down by the accumulated blubber brought on by beer and crisps.

Yet every morning, the boy staring back at me from the mirror is a bit more grey, a bit more crinkled around the eyes (it’s all that smiling I do) a bit more crepe-paperish around the throat. A bit more like my dad.

As I pondered whether you get Grecian 2000 for eyebrows, a thought occurred to me.

I shouldn’t worry about a single wrinkle, a solitary grey hair.

I am lucky. There are so many people in the world whose lives are cut short by disease, by hunger, by accident, by violence, by things we try not to think about, but are a grim reality waiting in the wings.

Growing old is not a problem, it’s a privilege … and I should be grateful for every crease and line.

But can you get Grecian 2000 for eyebrows?

Reality check over hospital car park

Just when you thought cooncil thinking couldn’t get more bizarre …

Apparently the planned big shiny car park at ARI – you know, the one everyone in the city welcomes as an end to the parking nightmare – might hurt bus services and that could be a reason for refusing it, according to one official.

Oh for pity’s sake.

Last time I checked the council was supposed to be running the city for the benefit of the people, not the bus companies. Reality check please.

Tables turn on landlords

You’ll forgive me if I don’t shed a tear for the plight of North-east landlords in these tough times.

According to the Scottish Association of Landlords “rents are tumbling and tenants are coming looking for better deals because they are aware landlords are having a tough time”.

Would these be the same landlords who said rents had to be eye-wateringly high in oil rich Aberdeen because of market forces, like it or lump it? Time to lump it, guys.