Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana

Column: Connected to a Wall

I've tried multiple times to erase the memories of my junior high school pictures.

No matter how hard I try, nothing can be done to remove the images of just how stupid I looked. In one, I had a ridiculous mullet. It wasn't just the run-of-the-mill Billy Ray Cyrus "Achy Breaky Heart", or a hockey mullet, I had my hair feathered on the top and permed in the back. It was just awful. As bad as that hairdo was, it might have been worse the year before when I had some sort of weird Vanilla Ice steps shaved into the side of my head. Looking back, I thought I was the coolest guy in East Junior High School and never gave a second thought to what I was doing or how moronic I looked. I just thought it was hip at the time and I went for it with guns blazing.

With two teenagers in the house, I get a birds eye view of some of the new fashion trends and have witnessed just how much social media and cell phones are starting to play a pivotal role in their lives. As much as it drives me crazy, I have to wonder what it would have been like to have a cell phone when I was that age.

I often times try to tell them about the old days where there were no smart phones. There were cell phones, but they usually came in a bag and were used for only emergencies. I will tell them that instead of texting, Facebook Messages, Snap Chat or an Instagram, I would have to pick up a phone that was connected to a wall and make a call or send a note in class. I'm sure this sounds so archaic to them, but it wasn't that long ago. I remember the first few times I liked a girl and mustering the courage to call them. I would spend hours sweating and trying to figure out what to say, and finally I would make the call. It was always awkward with small talk and would often times lead to nothing but two people completely silent on the phone. I guess that could be the same as getting the courage to try and send someone a Facebook message or direct message Tweet.

The notes passed within the classroom served the same purpose of a message, but there was also the danger of it being intercepted by the teacher and them reading it out loud. That was torture as the teacher explained to the whole class how hot I thought Miranda was. There was also the torture of looking for the girl's reaction when she read it. It wasn't always pretty, but at least you knew where you stood.

I really do my best to understand the new generation and how they do things. It's just a different world. Kids aren't always outside riding bikes as much as they used to, they are sending messages to each other, even if they are in the same room.

I do think it would have been pretty similar if I would have had a smart phone. It would have been a matter of adaptation. As far as fashion, that ship has sailed for me a long time ago. My favorite outfit consists of a hoodie and a pair of jeans. I really don't have problems with the fashion of today, but am a bit surprised with how leggings have pretty much taken over for jeans. It's not a complaint; it's just crazy how popular they are. The only complaint with fashion I would have is men wearing skinny jeans. I just don't get it, but maybe if I could fit into a pair, I would have a better understanding.

The current generation of middle school students will age and someday look back at what they were doing and how they were dressing and laugh. It's just the way it goes.

No matter how much generations change, I can say one thing that rings true in my mind. Good music stopped being made in about the year 2000 and I'm not sure that will ever change.

 

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