Because I Said So!

I would love to return to the good old days where some things existed because they had never been questioned. Like phrases. Like "because I said so." As a child, I knew that there was no reason beyond that response to my questions ("can I have another cookie?...can I stay up for one more hour?...can I walk to town?...can I have someone spend the night?). It's not like my requests weren't answered with a "yes" when a "yes" was appropriate. But when they were answered with a "no", I wanted explanations. For instance:
Me: Mom, can I go out for a coke?
Mom: No.
Me: Why not?
Mom: Because it's a school night.
Me: But I'll be home by 9.
Mom: You have homework.
Me: I just have one chapter to read. Can I go?
Mom: No
Me: Everyone else is.
Mom: If everyone jumped off a roof would you do that too?
Me: Mom, please can I go?
Mom: No.
Me: Why not?
Mom: Because I said so...
...and that was the end of the discussion. No matter how many good comebacks I still had yet to use, I knew that I had hit the wall with Mom and I might as well give it up. Unreasonable? You bet! Unchangeable? No way! As a parent, I often resorted to that same phrase with my own and it was a reliable answer when I didn't want them to do something, have something or go somewhere and didn't have a reason for saying no. I could tell even then that the power of a parent's "say so" was waning though. The boys were quick to inform me that NObody's parents still used that, just me. NObody's parents said no for no reason, just me. I was the last hold out to use my say so as the final word.

I never hear that phrase being used today. I don't know if it's outlived it's bluff, it's punch, it's strength, it's clout or what. But try and remember the last time you were in a checkout line with a kid screaming for candy and the mom or dad ending the discussion with, "Because I said so." That's what I thought!

Onward to 45!

I perservered through my 40th class reunion and had one of the best times of my life! We probably had close to 100 people (including spouses & friends) who attended the 2 day retrofest. Thursday we made it through a get-together at Jesse's Cantina which was way too warm for this lady. Friday night was the first big party and we ate wonderful food. I was so jazzed that my stomach knotted up and I got about three bites of luau food down before I had to quit. We played some silly games. Lots of people griped about the kissing game but I got to kiss some pretty swell guys so I only token griped. No one was toothless so it wasn't so awful.

The main highlight of the weekend was the Saturday nite launching of The Malibus "That Was Then, This Is Now" tour. Well, it should have been a tour. David, Tony, Mike and Jay had us all alternately rocking and swooning...the Senior Candy Dance all over again! The groupies were cheering wildly. I had expected them to do a couple of songs and then drag their winded selves back to the table. But nooooooo! They were in fine fettle and did three sets bringing back musical memories of Gloria and Louie, Louie. I danced like a madwoman having fits...probably looked like one too! The geriatric gyrations were not so far from our styles of 40 years ago and I thought we basically did serviceable homage to our twist 'n shout days. Didn't see anyone using oxygen either! We had the manager of the hotel come in and let us know that the people in the rooms above our meeting room were complaining. Yeah baby...we can still get rowdy!

I loved seeing old friends again...some I haven't seen in 40 years. Didn't seem like it had been more than a few days. I'm already looking forward to the next one. Maybe I'll have that weight off before the 45th!

It's Here!

Well, members of the Class of '66 are starting to trickle in. We've got about three days or so to party and reminisce about the good old days. It's still hard to believe that any of us are old enough to be attending a 40 year reunion. My nephew will be here on the island attending his 20th reunion. I don't know which makes me feel older!

I didn't lose the weight, didn't make the big money in real estate or buy a '66 Mustang...all goals of mine when the reunion talk first started. Still, those goals won't determine the fun I'll have. I sometimes think goals are overrated. Necessary, maybe, but overrated. If I had a nickel for every goal not met in the world, I'd have the Mustang and the money. I'd still be battling the weight though.

As it is, Cardinal spirit will be alive and well on South Padre this weekend. We'll sing and dance to the music of the Malibus and mist up when it's time to sing the Alma Mater. We'll hug and kiss and promise to get together again. I love reunions!!

06.06.06 on 06-06-06

Well, whaddaya know! 06-06-06 came and went without any hoopla and the world didn't end...again! The moment didn't go completely unnoticed though.

I was riding over the causeway to WalMart with Baby Sis and her grandchildren. They brought up the time of day and the warnings that at 6 minutes, 6 seconds after 6 p.m. on the 6th day of the 6th month of 2006, the world was supposed to come to a climatic end. Hard to imagine as the evening was beautiful, temperatures were semi-mild with a soft breeze moving lazily across the bay. We're driving into the sunset and from our vantage point atop the causeway, all was right with the world.

But just in case it wasn't, I asked the kids (with the countdown to destruction at T minus 3 and counting) if there was anything on their minds...any last comments just in case it was the end of the world. After a few moments of introspection, 14 year old Johnny piped up, "Well, Aunt Sara, you know I've really never liked you with short hair."

And there you are!