Ah....The Wonder Years...Part II...Graduation

And what's a senior year memory with out graduation. It was the moment I had lived for since starting kindergarten in 1986. I had always dreamed of how nice it would be and that it would be my ticket into real live adulthood. But in order to tell the story of graduation, I have to tell a little back story. (Once again, Mom, I am sorry. I didn't mean for you to find out this way). So, in the days lingering between our final day of school and graduation, I had lots of time to kill and was hanging out with said friend from the prom. And SOMEHOW we decided that we were going to drive across the lake to New Orleans (now for those of you who are not familiar with the greater New Orleans area, there is a Suburb across Lake Ponchartrain about 30 miles away know as the Northshore. Many high school kids viewed it as a status symbol to go across the lake). Anyway, knowing that our parents would NEVER let us just go to New Orleans, we told our parents that we were going to the movies (keep in mind that we also had recently received our caps and gowns by this point.....it plays an important role later in the story). So after getting permission, and perhaps some money for the movies, we sat sail to The Big Easy. Not a care in the world.

Now, I'm not sure what we thought we were going to do on this excursion...I mean....we weren't really old enough to do anything nor did we have money for fine dining in the city. I will never forget where we parked the car on Poydras St. that night. To this day when I go to NOLA, I can spot that parking lot out and nearly cringe at it's sight. Reason being, when we got back to the car....someone had broken in the trunk! They had taken his cap and gown, a tool belt, and my purse (my purse with my newly opened checking account in it!!!) Panic ran all over me....through my veins, on top of my skin....I thought I was as good as dead.

So we got our composure together, hopped back in his car, and headed back home. Thank God for the 30 minute drive across the Causeway because we needed it to come up with a story....A GOOD BELIEVABLE STORY!!!!! So we came up with one....we tried it out on his parents first. We maintained that we went for coffee and the movies (The Mummy II to be exact). They were just glad that we were OK...great. Now on for round two at my house. Same story....same reaction. We had made it...however.....I still felt rather nervous for the coming days. (I think both sets of parents felt sorry for me for crying....little did they know it was tears of pure fear).

Now, although we had made it home free we still had two problems. One being I had to go cancel my checking and debit cards since the perps had used it....the bank wanted me to file a police report (Gasp! I had already told one lie, I didn't want to file a false police report!!!). I'm not sure how though, but I ended up not needing a report (Thank God...I was already in DEEP). Now, problem two. He had no cap and gown. So, we told our "cool" senior sponsor (who know that I look back on it was probably too "cool" in a Matthew McCounauhey in Dazed and Confused kind of way). And we told him the real story, which of course he thought was cool and he hooked up my pal with a fresh new cap and gown. Disaster averted....

Well, not really. Because you know how high school is? By the time we got to graduation, the rumor was that we had gone out on Bourbon St and gotten mugged at The Oz (so NOT what happened). So, I spent the majority of my graduation night running interference of people (teachers included) coming up and asking up what happened...all while trying to make sure the powers that be (my parents) didn't hear a thing. And up until now....they thought I just has some bad luck at a movie!

However, graduation was great...not all of what I had dreamed it to be over those 18 years of my life, but most likely what it was intended to be. My sister and parents attended and MaMaw and PaPaw and Great-Aunt Christine all came down from Kentucky.

Afterwards, I went to "Project Graduation". Now, I've never been one to go along with the cheesseyness of anything...but I did that night. What I remember is that we got there and found out we couldn't leave unless they called our parents. I got on one of those gravity things that spins you in a circle and makes you dizzy, I ate some good food, and won a VCR. Now, we were the type that thought these things were lame...and that night was no exception. But we had to stay. We had already dodged one bulllet...couldn't afford to risk another.

Overall, I have to say high school was a great experience. It wasn't all roses and sunshine.....but it probably isn't suppose to be. Back then, I thought I had the world at my fingertips...however....it's only now that I am realizing that it really was true. The unique thing about growing old is that although we have genetically still have the same eyes, we are at the same time able to look at ourselves through different ones.

P.S. I am always on the look out for a street performer in NOLA to be wearing a red cap and gown....if it happens....I'm taking it back!

Ah.....The Wonder Years Part I

The 90s drama-comedy, The Wonder Years, has for a long time been one of my favorite shows, for a variety of reasons. One being that it is simply a good show. Also, I have always loved the way in which Kevin Arnold looked back on what he thought was the end of the world, and was able to see the lesson behind the experience. Another being that it captures and reflects on a very pivotal period in our American history; a time when civil rights, women's rights, and all around equal rights were coming to the forefront of American culture. It was also a time when our nation was very divided about wars, what we wanted as a country, and what we envision the future to be. In addition, I have always had a preoccupation with this period in history. As far back as my memory can stretch, I have been fascinated by the counter culture of the 60s, the music, the styles, television shows, politics, and anything else that you can name from that Era. With all that being said, I have always wondered what the Kevin Arnold inside of me might say if they were able to tell their coming of age story.

Recently, I have been on a mission, an albeit long and drawn out one, to clean out and organize my closets. Along the way, I have come across many boxes filled with memories (memories that are in need of a bit of re-organization). One of my most recent finds was my "Memory Book" from my Senior year of high school. Before I was able to crack open the cover I was a bit hesitant. I mean after all, I had no idea what was going to be behind that cover. I wasn't quit sure if I was ready to relive everything quit yet. However, I was soon able to muster open the courage and momentarily step back in time.

With every wisp of a finger across a page to turn it, another memory came flooding back to me. One of my gifts in life is that I am able to take a memory and almost transcend myself back in time (which has both been a strength and a downfall in my life). Its weird, but I can conjure up memories, songs, feelings, emotions, etc. just by getting lost in one single memory. And when I opened up this book, it was no different.

I was brought back to my senior year spring break with a dear friend of mine Elizabeth....oh what we didn't do in Key West! (And man, we thought we were the BOMB DOT COM then too) When I cam across some of our moments captured in time (AKA pictures) I suddenly felt sand between my toes mixed with a subtropical breeze. I thought of the nights we would stroll up and down the historic Duval St. in Key West with hopes that we'd get into a bar. We made it into a few bars....and if memory serves me correctly the only mixed drink we knew of at the time was a screwdriver. Now, that I'm a little older and a little bit more seasoned at going to bars, I'm willing to bet if you walked into most bars and ordered a screwdriver, they'd have to run out and pick up some OJ!

Then there was the memory of prom. It was sort of a mixed basket for me. My date was kinda of bleh....but who cares now right? But the after prom was the best. Because you know in high school there are always members of the opposite sex that you want to hang out with , but you're not really sure if they want to hang out with you, so you both play dumb when you're around each other? Yeah...well my senior prom as awful as it began, ended on a sweet note because that person of the opposite sex I wasn't sure of...yeah we got to hang out that night (and NO....it's not the after prom "hanging out" you may be thinking of). It was purely innocent. We both were at the prom with people we would have rather not been at the prom with and left with one another to go to the after party.

We also had our senior trip to Disney World sometime shortly before or after prom, I can't remember, time escapes me. To date, this was the only time in my life that I have been to Disney World, but I do hope to rectify that. But anyway, this trip was memorable for many reasons. One being, for most of us, it was our first trip without any parents which just seemed amazing at the time. Although we did have chaperones that kept a watchful eye on us, we were one our own as far as we were concerned. We had our own hotel rooms and went through the parks at our own leisure. To my 18 year old self, I was living the life of a grown up!

Oh, and let's not forget about my belly ring (Mom, if you're reading this, I'm sorry). So, my mom has always thought that I got my belly button pierced on spring break (how could I not get my belly button pierced? It was THE trend for late teens in the late 90s). However, that is not the case. One day after school I told my parents I was going to the lakefront (the premier hang out for high schoolers on the Northshore of New Orleans) to work on a project for my film and literature class. Now this was not entirely untrue. I did go to Java Grotto that day to do my project. However, when we were done, I was telling my friend how I wanted a belly ring. So, being the impulsive teenagers we were, we hopped in the car and drove the the RA Shop....and there it was....I had a belly ring!

Then there were just the random happenings with friends and places that seemed like the most important things on earth to me at the time. Things like going to coffee shops and drinking latte (thinking that they made us sophisticated). Sitting at the Lakefront for hours on end waiting to see who showed up and talk with friends and acquaintances alike. Getting ourselves in and out of trouble, and waiting to get that phone call to see what happened if you dared to miss a night there.

And of course when I looked at picture after picture, I was in awe of how I once looked and how carefree my life truely was. I couldn't help but think of and laugh at how back then, I though I was fat and ugly....average at best on a good day. What I didn't know then, is that a little over a decade later, I would long to squeeze into a size 4 just one more time.

There are many many memories...too many too share.....some too private to share. However, my best memory ( and best story) is about graduation. However, you'll have to tune back in for the story!

Kentucky Basketball....All we do is WIN!

First of all, I want to take a moment to apologize for being absent from the blogging world for a while. I have no excuse...but I promise to stay back.

At then end of January, my mom, dad, and I made our every 2 year voyage to Baton Rouge to watch OUR Kentucky Wildcats take on the LSU Tigers! And to do a little back tracking, their team this year is out of this world! They are like scary good! I hate to sound like a broken record, but I hope to see my boys cut down the nets in Blue Orleans!

Our first stop once we landed in BR was Buffalo Wild Wings. After we made our way back to the bar, it was like we were swimming in a sea of blue! Cats fans all over the place! It felt good to be with MY people!

Next was off to the Pete Maravich center! Traditionally, we always get there early enough to see the boys warm up and to get a close up of the Greatest Tradition in College Basketball! Then it was time to take our seats and watch our boys to what they do best...WIN!

Anthony Davis...one of the greatest things to ever hit the sport of basketball.

Despite a little taunting by some LSU fans (I'm still not sure why, they were losing horribly), we made it out with a big win!

After a friendly "Roll Tide" or two, the LSU fans finally realized they had no room to taunt.

Thanks for a great game boys! See you in New Orleans!

Did I mention I got a few high fives from members of the winningest team in college basketball history?!

Music Mondays!

I thought I was too old to like this song....however, I realized Snoop Dog is singing it....he's got at least a decade on me! This one goes out to all those who are forever young, wild, and free....