Been giving this some thought recently: am I at that time of life when I need to get a "showbiz" age?

I took on board another year on Thursday, and that means the good ship Archimedes is sailing deeper into the roaring forties. I'm fine with the age I am, just that I'm thinking there might be circumstances when shaving a year or two off might be expedient.

Typical of someone who works in an operational role, I don't know what these circumstances might look like, but you still have to be prepared. You simply never know.

Take off how much? Realistically, I would n't go beyond four or five years. More than that becomes difficult. You start getting all those cultural questions you can't answer and invitations to raves and warehouse parties, and I'm a man who these days likes being in bed the same day I woke up in.

My weather worn exterior does n't help either; it can only stand limited scrutiny, too much, too close,and the gaffe is most definitely blown.

How does it all work then?

Let's say I was, um...45... (...and I'm close...); take a couple of years off, make it... maybe... 41 . And how does that sound? Youthful exuberance, still hip, but with the warmth of maturity around the corner. Just like a fine wine. My Beaujolais Nouveau days.

But as I say, I'd only use my showbiz age when I thought fit