My years do not qualify me yet as an antique. The adjectives "old" and "obsolete" may sway some to classify me as vintage, but its accompanying connotation of "exceptionally fine" would immediately disqualify that as a descriptor. This same reasoning will also eliminate choice, classic, mature, prime, select, and venerable. And I don't care for worn, haggard, shabby, ragged, stale, weary, or wrung out. So I believe that leaves "used" as the most fitting characterization.

While I accept this rendering, I do have some thoughts and questions.

Is "used" merely a way station between "contemporary" and "used up?" If so, when did I cross the line?  Or have I crossed the line? Is the fluidity of this quandary actual or delusional? If I have crossed the line, am I actually able to cross back? Or is that wishful thinking, and I am actually looking downhill into the Valley of Used Up? Looking over it, it is a pleasant valley; green and lush; inviting; restful. If I am gazing into the quiescence of Used Up, which will come first: Death or the Valley? Or are they one and the same? Have you crossed the line separating contemporary from used? Some days I believe I have crossed that line. Some days, (perhaps many days; maybe every day), I am across that line but refuse to consciously acknowledge that I have crossed that line. I know this on occasion because in one moment I am feeling up-to-date and vital, and then in the next moment, (often in front of a mirror), I take a good look and ask, where am I and how the hell did I get here? And who is that worn, haggard, shabby, ragged, stale, weary, wrung out phiz staring back at me?

I still prefer "used."

I hate to look ahead, and I hate to imagine the possibility that I am so out of touch with reality that I have also, (unbeknownst to me), crossed over into Used Up; but if you believe that you have crossed that line from Used to Used Up, and if you are in the same existential plane as I am, perhaps a conversation would be mutually beneficial. Perhaps I could help you cross back to Used or you could help me to see reality. I do not want to hear from anyone who simply wants to convince me I am Used Up; this includes not only those bureaucrats and bootlickers who make and enforce the rules---those tycoons and tyrants who believe themselves invincible---those phonies and frauds who pretend to be contemporary and in control---those windbags and whippersnappers who can say and do no wrong, but also the in-laws.

I just said "whippersnappers." Perhaps that valley is closer than I thought.