"When I Was Your Age..."

jym626
Sun, 31 Oct 2004 16:26:45 +0000

I too, was one of the more “straight-laced” HS and college kids who tended to a be a bit risk-avoidant. About the biggest risk I took in HS was to stand on street corners handing out fliers for the moratorium against the war. As others have indicated, the drinking age was 18 back then, and going to college in the 70’s was definitely an experience. It was pretty hard not to do a few stupid things. But maybe jumping at some of life’s adventures isn’t such a bad thing. Looking back, there are things I would have done differently, if I had been more of a risk taker. I wish…

1. I had gone to my HS prom at Dangerfields (it was seriously uncool to go to the prom back then)

2. I hadn’t supported my HS classes decision to drop the school’s membership chapter of the National Honor Society in protest of something I now can’t recall (which the next class promptly reinstated)

3. I had accepted the invitation to hear Janis Joplin in NYC

4. and ditto for Jimi Hendrix (yes-- I turned down BOTH invitations!!)

5. and (gee no surprise here) wish that I hadn’t turned down the opportunity to go to Woodstock
Grad school was more of a social awakening for me. Better late than never I suppose… But while I can’t really imagine jumping off bridges, I see that all you lived to tell about it. I don’t want my s. to do anything too dangerous, but I want him to enjoy opportunities to explore life. My older s. (the college frosh) seems to have a good head on his shoulders. If he does something too risky, I probably won’t hear about it. My younger s., still in HS, seems to be one I might like to keep a tighter reign on…if I only could…