[RobbyS]

What sorts of people write autobiographies when they are healthy and well at 35

Well, St. Augustine of Hippo, for one. And why not at 35? The Constitution allows a man of 35 to assume office at that age, and I think Jefferson was about that age when he wrote the Declaration of Independence. Only the modern age thinks of a man of 35 to be young.

[Mad Dawg]

The writer describes 35 as when you're life has "barely begun". So, Ste Terese, having died before she got out of her 20's was an egomaniac whose life was over before it had barely begun. Very paradoxical, these Carmelites. But more formally, if a man's life expectancy is less than 80 years, at 35 you're 5 years short of more than half-way through.

My point, and I do have one, is that this isn't an article, it's a rant. I generally like rants, but, like 'em or not, I don't argue with them. A nice soothing "There, there," and an offer of chamomile tea is more useful, I suppose.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

What sorts of people write autobiographies when they are healthy and well at 35? Generally there are three sorts: egotists, egomaniacs, and megalomaniacs.

I knew a 28-year-old woman once who walked into my office, distressed and forlorn.

"What's the problem?" I asked.

"I'm so exhausted," she replied. "I'm writing my autobiography and I've just realized there's so much material I'm going to have to make it into two volumes."