Generation Gap

Tonight I swung by the McCully Shopping Center Taco Bell for dinner at around 8 p.m. and was shocked at all the traffic in the parking lot. What was going on? When I finally got into the lot, I saw that there was absolutely nothing happening. There were just a ton of kids hanging out and double parking their cars.

You know you're getting old when your first thought is: don't you have anything better to do? (I almost added the 'bah humbug' but managed to refrain this time). I mean, what's so good about loitering in front of a 7-Eleven? Obviously, because of all the traffic, these kids have cars, so why not cruise Waikiki or anywhere else? Why clog up a strip mall? I find that really retarded.

However, once I managed to maneuver around the rice rockets (yes, the kids were mostly Asian driving dropped Honda Civics and the like) I realized that I used to be one of these kids. Of course, we didn't just take up space at a shopping center. We usually went to someone's house. But the key problem is the same: all dressed up with no where to go and nothing to do.

Remember those days when it took a majority decision to do anything? When people didn't want to make a suggestion that others might not like so they didn't say anything at all? When you could squeeze at least seven people into a compact car? When hanging out in front of 7-Eleven till 2 a.m. was a night well spent? When it'd take longer to get ready than to actually go out?

God, I'm getting old.

Blasts From The Past

Ever since 2010 began, I've been running into people from my past. Some experiences are more welcome than others but all are equally surprising. It's one thing if you live in a small town and run into people while standing in the checkout line at the grocery store. However, since I graduating from college, I've seen less and less people from back in the day.

People move. They change up their hobbies. They're interested in different things. All of these are valid reasons for not seeing the same old people over and over again. But, like I said, in 2010 I've met up with (in person and virtually) more people in the past two months than in the past five or more years.

So it didn't surprise me that when I checked out my Facebook account today (which I use primarily to play games on) and found a friend request from Mr. Bad Timing. This time around I didn't go all hyperventilating or immediately have a panic attack. In fact, I'm proud to say, I didn't even react.

Does that mean I'm just so old that all my feelings have withered up and died? Or that I've become an emotionless black hole? Either way, nada. Nothing stirred inside. Just about the only thing that crossed my mind was why he'd add me as a friend at this point? Maybe he's one of those friend collectors? It's not like he sent me a message or something to say wassup. I suppose at this point in life it doesn't really matter. I'm not planning to message him at all. This time he initiated contact so it's up to him to send the first message (if that even happens at all).

Sometimes life is just a little too interesting for my tastes. I guess I'll wait and see what goes down. I must admit though that I was too curious not to check out his profile. As I have nothing on my profile, he can't really learn anything about my life by just glancing at it. On the other hand, he has filled out his profile a bit and has some photos up. Don't know if he's still married, but apparently he's got three kids already. Jesus H. Christ. All I can say is bullet dodged LOL

Technology Makes People Stupid

The following conversation occurred at Ward Theatre last night at a showing of Planet 51. This is why technology is making people stupid.

Stars of this performance: group of about eight 7-year-old girls, a mother and a father.

Mom: "Okay, so we have two Sprites . . . one fruit punch . . ."
Girl 1: "I want a Sprite too!"
Mom: "Girl 1, I counted you already."
Girl 2: "Me too."
Mom: "Girl 2, you want a Sprite or a fruit punch?"
Girl 2: "Sprite."

- More of the same -
- Dad waiting for orders -

Mom: "So, we've got three Sprites, two fruit punches. Girl 7, you said you wanted a fruit punch?"
Girl 7: "No, I wanted water."
Mom: "Ok you can have a water."
Girl 4: "I want water too."

- More of the same -
- Dad only hears a high-pitched buzzing -

Mom: "Alright, raise your hand if you want Sprite?"

- Pause while counting -

Mom: "Who wants water?"

- Pause while counting -

Mom: "And what about fruit punch?"

- Pause while counting -

Mom: "Dad, can you get four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"

- Dad shakes himself awake -

Dad: "Sure, four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch?"

Mom: "Yes."

- Dad walks down stairs -
- Dad turns back to Mom -

Dad: "Four Sprites, three waters and a fruit punch, right?"

Mom: "Yeah, do you want me to text it?"

Dad: "Yeah, text me."

- Dad continues down stairs -

Are Kid Movies Really For Kids?

When did kid flicks start getting all adult on us? I don't ever remember animated movies being so high brow before. Lately, they all seem to be geared toward the parent and not the child.

Last night I watched Up with my brother and his family. His 3-year-old daugher was left cowering in her mother's lap during one part. During another part she was practically nodding off because the scenes were slow (from a kid's point of view). They were in fact pretty depressing (from an adult's point of view).

When did Hollywood turn innocent children's movies into these adult art films? It seems like I can find ways to deconstruct most of the recent array of kid movies more than I can the independent art film. What's up with that?

Yeah, I realize that production companies want to entertain the parents because they're the ones who bring the kids and spend all their money at the concessions. But seriously, is the full life cycle of a man and a woman really appropriate imagery for young people?

Pregnancy - Is Something in the Water?

As many of you have probably noticed, Hollywood has been ripe with celebrity births these past couple of years. It's almost as if babies are the latest and greatest Botox. They just gotta try it.

Well, as is the normal trickle-down effect, it's finally reached Hawaii. It seems like everyone around me has just had a baby or will be having a baby. Baby popping is all the rage at work, with friends and even family. I guess it's just that time in my life, you know, baby-making time. I mean, I am at that age where I should "settle down" and start a family. People at my age normally have stable jobs and can finally afford to have a family (that's if you're planning to have one. Unplanned is another story.).

I'm not sure what to think about this baby-making, settling-down time, especially since I'm a self-proclaimed anti-baby person. It's not that I don't like kids (well, at least I don't not like them that much) but more like I don't feel like I need kids. Yeah, some people have a burning desire to become a mom. That's definitely not me as I've said to one and all. Still, to each his or her own and I'm happy for the moms and moms-to-be that are in my life. I'm just not sure it's for me, and I haven't met a guy who could convince me otherwise (ie. make me lose my mind and agree to have one).

I feel a little awkward about things though. It's making me contemplate my life and its direction. I mean, when you have kids it's easy to decide where your life is headed. Obviously your life is headed no where . . . err . . . that is no where your kids' lives aren't headed. LOL! Let me restate that. What I mean is that your life is no longer yours and your main focus is your child (or at least it should be. There's no telling these days.). When you're child free you have all the options in the world. Guess that's where I'm at now and the world is a really big place to be.