I’m talkin’ Alice Cooper, not air conditioning. Though I’m certain that’s going to be running all too soon. My wife will complain about the electric bill, of course. No comment. As far as I’m concerned, I am more than ready for this school year to be over. Very rarely would a parent say that, knowing what is in store in the summer month ahead. Still, I’m ready. I’m done with six in the morning awakenings, making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and the fight about who’s going to sit in the front seat for the short – less than two miles short – commute to school. You realize that I realize that I will still be making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and my kids will still fight about the seating arrangements. But it won’t be at six o’clock in the fucking morning. You also realize that in no time at all I’ll be ranting about my daughter complaining that she is bored all the time and my son wanting to drive far, far away from everyone. One quick comment about this being bored thing. My middle child is the only one of my children that ever complained and continues to complain about it. In a conversation with a friend, who’s family pretty much mirrors mine in age, some years ago I mentioned this fact. Both he and his wife are doctors.
“Bored,” he exclaimed exasperatedly. “I wish my kids could experience boredom. They all attend day care programs that are scheduled almost to the minute.”
The more I thought about it, I realized being bored wasn’t so bad after all. I just wish my daughter would come upon the same realization.
With the end of the school, yearbooks are distributed. I was never really a yearbook person. I don’t think I even still have mine from high school. Please don’t judge that fact. I was never a fan of high school, so saving memories to commemorate it’s existence for me seemed … hypocritical?
Anyway, my wife loved high school. I only hope my kids fall somewhere in the middle. Considering what things are like today, that is a realistic goal or simply a fact of life.
So flipping through these yearbooks, I realized the format really hasn’t changed too much over the years. The verbiage … now that’s a different story. Take the ‘class awards’ section
Most Likely to Succeed is now Most Likely to get their own Reality Show. Which is an unfortunate negative twist on a once positive accolade.
Best Hair is now Sickest Flow. Unfortunately this is the award my son is lobbying for next year – his Senior year. At least he’s not shootin’ for the above, eh? Besides, he really does have great hair.
Most Talented is now referred to as American Idols. I don’t think they realize this is Traverse City, Michigan,
Best Dressed – what else but Fashion Forward.
Finally, Best Artist is now fondly labeled – Next DaVinci. That one is kinda’ fun.
Well, that’s my take on the end of the school year offerings. Remember, my rant on when is school going to start again will most likely follow shortly.