Reminds me of one of my most embarrassing moments. I too started on a rigid MTB. My first experience with a hard tail was painful. I purposely rode into a ditch hoping to come out the other side unscathed. Well the mushy forks collapsed further than I expected and the bike cartwheeled me to the far side. After the initial "are you OK" everyone had a good laugh! That was not the last time I was pitched, but the one I remember best.
As for the getting old thing, I hate it!