It was so easy for me, two or three years ago, to poke fun at senior citizens and all of the demands they make. Cheaper movie tickets, property taxes frozen in place forever, lower-price early bird dinners — all of the things that everyone should be able to enjoy in life.

Now, apparently, I am a gray panther and I think I want what is coming to me. The other day I received an invitation to send $12.50 to AARP and to officially become a member of the mature generation.

According to the AARP Internet Web site, AARP was founded in 1958 and is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50 and over improve the quality of their lives.

The Web site states that "AARP has grown to 40 million members and has offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. As the nation's largest membership organization for people 50- plus, AARP is leading a revolution in the way people view and live life after 50.

"AARP's mission is to enhance the quality of life for all as we age, leading positive social change and delivering value to members through information, advocacy and service.

"We believe strongly in the principles of collective purpose, collective voice, and collective purchasing power, and these principles guide all organization efforts.

"AARP works tirelessly to fulfill its vision: a society in which everyone ages with dignity and purpose, and in which AARP helps people fulfill their goals and dreams."

I am not quite at the threshold for AARP membership, but I liked the laminated card with my name on it that they sent to me and the promise of receiving a membership kit.

I have always tried to adhere to the words of the late great Groucho Marx, who said that he would never want to belong to a club that would have him as a member.

But now that I am apparently mature (not old) enough to qualify for a whole bunch of good things, I want in.

I want $1 off my movie ticket; I want preferred seating at early bird dinners; I want whatever it is the next gray-haired codger is getting. Oh wow, I am really going to have to stop talking like that.

Seriously, if AARP is an organization that can lobby effectively on behalf of its constituents, then more power to it. I sent in my $12.50 and I am looking forward to

seeing what this group can do for me in the coming years. I think the thing that has bothered me about senior privileges all these years is my belief that everyone should be entitled to the benefits of society. Why should it cost someone who is over the age of 50, or 55, or 60, less to go to a movie or dinner than someone who is 20, or 25, or 30? Do business owners think

young adults are awash in cash? Why is the price of a service dependent on an individual's age?

How come it costs me $10 to see a movie while the graybeard in front of me paid less? We are both watching the same thing on screen (although maybe he can't see it as well as I can).

There are some people in this office who may be having a laugh at my expense, but that is only because I was born a couple of months ahead of them and reached AARP status first. But it won't be long before they, too, are eating dinner at 3 p.m. and looking for a few bucks off their next movie ticket.

As for me, I will hope that AARP got it wrong about my "elder" status and refuses me admission to the club for at least the next couple of years.

Mark Rosman is the managing editor of the Tri-Town News. He may be reached at gmntnews@gmnews.com.