The Scene: A weekly graduate student gathering to welcome the weekend

The Cast: A bunch of young men and women less than half my age and me

The Costumes: Everyone but me, typical grad-student casual. Me, somewhat uncharacteristically dressed in pencil-slim-camel-colored skirt, midriff-hugging dark-brown silk sweater, low-slung belt with a lot of metal, dark brown tights and boots.

I approach a group of four young women who are smiling at me. They tell me I am looking "really cute".

Me, cute? At my age?

Gotta love it!