Pondering

As I was sitting in my car en route to work yesterday, I had a brief moment of nostalgia for when I was in high school. If you know me, you know that I don't look back on my teenage years with much joy. They weren't bad, but they weren't something I want to retun to ever again. I just remember a lot of awkwardness and naivete. Did I spell that correctly? This computer I'm on doesn't have spell check.
But what I did dwell on was the freedom, in a way, of being seventeen and not knowing any better. We were allowed to get away with being completely ridiculous and annoying to everyone around us because we were young. We could also do stupid things because we'd learn later on as we age that there is a shelf life for that behavior. I'm not saying that it makes people stop, but suddenly a prank could turn into a felony when cops are involved.
I do wish I took more advantage of behaving immaturely. It was fun when we were.
Yet, I do remember the downfalls, and it was not that fun. At all. We had so much to worry about. SATs(why were they so scary?), extracurricular activities, financial aid, college applications and accceptances/rejections. Not to mention there is nothing to do in santa barbara when you are underage, well, nothing legal. cops pull you over for some stupid reason just because they think you might be up to no good. Some peoples mothers (mine) want you home before 11:30, and you only have babysitting money to spend, which is not a lot, because the parents take advantage of your age and pay you 15 dollars for three hours looking after three kids. True story. You get the movies, which is overrun by junior high kids, and the mall, where you can't afford any of the clothes and are most likely to run into a teacher. Awkward.

I like being 23. I'm happy I can buy alcohol with my very own government-issued ID, even though I always get nervous when the clerk asks me, I don't know why. I never even had a fake one, so it's not a repercussion or anything. Older people still don't take me seriously. And I don't have a curfew.

I guess it's just a case of the grass is always greener.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to vandalize something.