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>Jerry, everything about this post is a great read! >Thank you for sharing the party details with us. >Sounds like it a good time. > >Congratulations on entering adulthood! For what it's >worth I look forward to you adding a sense of sanity >and common sense to society, especially to crazy >California! Without delving too far into politics, >there is a reason why we one the east coast at times >refer to Cali, and being the "left" coast. > >Good luck, you are well prepared for the journey and I >hope you realize even though you are an adult, you can >and should still turn to your parents for advise or >input on some things. > >You got this buddy! > >>BIG BLOWOUT >> >>Yesterday's big 18^th birthday party was a >>rousing success. The roast turkey was as good as it >>gets - for me, at least. Unfortunately the food >>police have convinced the turkey farmers to breed >>turkeys with less fat. Less fat means less gravy. >>Mom couldn't make enough for all of us so she had to >>open a couple of cans of turkey gravy. Canned turkey >>gravy - gag! Well, I figured this was <i>my</i> big >>day so I gave up the notion of a gracious host and >>requisitioned the real stuff for me so I, at least, >>had the best. YUM! >> >>Both my grandparents showed up in person. My grandma >>got me this really cool pair of Ray-ban aviator >>sunglasses. How in the world a female her age can >>come up with an article of apparel that a male >>teenager would consider way cool is beyond me, but she >>did it. Kudos to her - the perfect coming-of-age >>gift. Now I, at least, can <i>look</i> like a >>sophisticated adult. >> >>My parents, bless them, came up with a breath-taking >>gift - a Visa credit card!!! I have to go to the bank >>next Saturday (before they close at noon) to finalize >>it, my dad doesn't trust the internet that much. My >>own account - no co-signers. My mom embarrassed me in >>front of my friends (is that a parent's legal >>requirement or is it a genetic thing? I don't even >>think she realizes what she is doing. I know she >>doesn't care. Fortunately all my friends have >>mothers, too, and commiserated) by lecturing me on the >>responsibilities of having the account and not running >>up more than I can pay and that I should pay in full >>every month and avoid the usurious interest charges >>because there are no fail-safes, my parents have no >>legal responsibilities to bail me out, and on and on. >>Sheesh! The only downer is that it is issued in the >>name of Gerald and I will have to remember my real >>name every time when it comes to signing. Not a given >>(see below). We are also going to cancel my kid's >>savings account and open my own so I can withdraw cash >>without having to have a parent co-sign. Heady >stuff!! >> >>A couple of my also-18 friends bought me lottery >>tickets. I don't even know when the drawing is. >>Guess it's printed on the tickets. I'm not naive >>enough to think I'll win anything, but it's the idea >>that I can legally claim the prize if I do. Can't >>play the slots at Vegas yet (21+ for that). >> >>After we ate dad led me into the house for a solemn >>ceremony. He sat me down at the table and produced a >>sheaf of computer printouts and told me I had to >>register for the draft. Wow, was <i>that</i> ever a >>preposterous party-pooper par excellence! >>Particularly now when there is a war going and maybe >>they'll start drafting again? No hope for it so I >>signed up. Hopeless, I signed the first draft >>"Jerry". Can you believe that? Dad had a few choice >>words for the intelligence of that maneuver (or rather >>the lack of it), to the delight of all those present. >>He had to print out a replacement sheet and I signed >>that one "Gerald". Sigh. >> >>Then a solemn interlude as I registered to vote. All >>was quiet and serious until one of my so-called >>friends detonated the obvious question and asked: >> >>"So who'er you going to vote for?" >> >>Oh, crap! >> >>California is having a primary election for governor >>on June first. I have never been allowed to vote >>before and have not yet gotten in the habit of >>following the races. I'm embarrassed to have to admit >>that I don't even know who's running nor if there are >>any other items on the ballot. >> >>Ooops! >> >>I do know of one candidate, a US congressman, who got >>caught with his hand in the cookie jar and had to >>resign from congress and the governor's race, so I >>know of at least one person I'm <i>not</i> voting for, >>but that wasn't the question. I tried to tap dance >>around this embarrassment, fell on my face, and had to >>admit I hadn't a clue. That opened the flood gates >>and everybody had their preferences and proceeded to >>advocate vociferously, no two agreeing. Fortunately, >>we are all still kids at heart, at least, not partisan >>adults, so it didn't devolve into a gunfight. I >>finally ended it all when somebody asked: >> >>"So at least tell us which party your registering as." >> >>Ah, I had the perfect answer to that question: >> >>"This one!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms wide. "Dad, >>More champagne!" Dad cooperated and opened another >>bottle of - alas- carbonated apple juice. I can now >>be drafted and required to risk my life for my country >>but I'm not allowed for another three years to >>celebrate the fact with a beer, to say nothing about >>wine. That ended the discussion. If ever you want to >>quiet down a gaggle of teenagers to prevent a fight, >>offer them something to eat. That usually works. >> >>After the signing ceremony I took four of my underage >>friends for a celebratory spin in the car now that, at >>18, I can legally drive with underage teens as >>passengers. That stupid law is now a thing of the >>past forevermore - Hallelujah! Now Brian and I can >>drive each other wherever we want to go together in >>the same car. No taking two cars or me riding in the >>trunk. >> >>Speaking of Brian, he got me some fishing gear. Talk >>about a blatant, obvious hint! I think I'm going to >>take him to Big Bear and try for some lake trout. I'm >>getting tired of ocean fish off the pier. Too fishy - >>only Matilda, our cat, likes it. >> >>When we got back from the car ride we dispensed with >>the birthday spanking. That's a kid thing and I am no >>longer a kid. Sorry guys. This is going to take some >>getting used to. >> >>Well, now I am truly launched in my new career as an >>adult member of our society. Time to find out if my >>parents properly prepared me for the roll. Wish me >>luck! >> >>-Jerry
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