Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Milestone

From an actual conversation between some girls in my class as we were waiting for time for class to begin:

(The conversation was about concerts that they had been to lately and concerts they'd like to attend.)

Girl #1: I'd like to go to a Motley Crue concert. (This was really funny because she's such a sweet looking young little 18-year-old. I couldn't imagine her listening to '80's metal bands.)

Girl #2: Who's Motley Crue?

At this point, my jaw dropped to the floor in amazement.

Girl #1: They're a classic rock band. My dad listens to them.

At this point, I was shocked. "Oh my God," I said in complete amazement and horror. "Oh my God!" For a couple of moments all I could say was "Oh my God" and shake my head back and forth in disbelief. The realization hit me that people I went to high school with, if they started having kids right out of high school, could actually have kids attending college now. That idea, coupled with the idea that Motley Crue is a "classic rock band"--well, I don't have a word for how I felt at the moment except for hurt.

My students realized that I was having "a moment," and they were sympathetic, but they could never understand the gravity of what I was experiencing right then. After a few minutes I was fine and class began and I forgot about it. But yesterday at 9:35 a.m. I inched a little farther away from youth and a little closer to middle age.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

H'mmmm! Where does that put your dear OLD MOM?
Just remember she'll always love you no matter how old you get.

jettybetty said...

Ha!
I read a blog the other day that said a couple generations the event that everyone remembered was the day JKF was shot--this generation it will be 9/11--so I am a couple generations back now?? I suppose I am way past middle age, since I don't know that many 102 year olds. I suppose age is all relative???

BTW, I loved you comment at my place yesterday--I may put it in a post soon--I say may because I never know if I will actually get to a computer to do it!!

JMG said...

Mom, I don't think of you as old. You've held up nicely.

JB, from your pics, it seems that you are holding up nicely as well.

Stoned-Campbell Disciple said...

Your blog reminds me of the recent "hit" by "Bowling for Soup" called "1985." There is a line that goes

"She hates time, make it stop
When did Motley Crue become classic rock?
And when did Ozzy become an actor?
Please make this stop!
Stop!
Stop ..."

Because Debbie is preocuppied with 19, 19, 1985. My girls LOVE that song.

I went to see Sammy Hagar the other night and nearly everyone there was in their 30s and 40s. It was a reality check. :-)

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine

Tony Arnold said...

Motely Crue classic rock? I would have had a fit right then and there. Their music, although it may be old now, could in no way be termed classic. Classic has an element of quality as well as age.

Disgusting.

You need to teach your students when to use the correct word.

Tony

JMG said...

Gee, Tony, tell us what you really think!
:-)

S-CD, my student must have been listening to that song.

Stoned-Campbell Disciple said...

Funny thing is that I actually went to see Motley Crue. And it was so long ago he was still married to ... Heather Lockler (don't know how to spell her last name). She actually came out on stage at the end.

Shalom,
Bobby Valentine

JMG said...

I forgot they used to be married. I guess it was a long time ago.

Tony Arnold said...

And I am usually so laid back JMG.

:-)

Tony

Tony Arnold said...

On a different point, did you see my last comment to your Air Force chief post? Just wondering if he addressed my issue in his comments?

Tony

JMG said...

I dunno if he did. I haven't looked to see if a transcript exists of the entire conversation.