The other day, I was reminded of an event from my youth. The event’s not of importance, really, but the reason for the event kind of IS, as it’s going to be the topic of the next few posts.

I grew up in a small city, one that did not offer a wealth of outlets, opportunities, stuff to do if you will, when you’re in your teens, and starting to really develop socially.

So our social lives revolved around whatever was available to do.

Why did the man climb the mountain?
Because it was there.

Why’d that group of kids risk getting in big trouble by drinking at night on the shore of a small lake next to the grounds where an asylum used to stand?
Because it’s actually the plot to a bad horror movie, and I’m unable to differentiate between real life and cinema?
NO!
Because it was there.

Why did the kids go watch The Last Starfighter THREE times at the theatre attached to the run down shopping mall?
Because it was there.

(As an aside, The Last Starfighter hasn’t stood up all that well to the test of time. Buckaroo Banzai in the 7th dimension, however – still rocks)

Anyhow, you get the idea.

We hung out in places that we probably shouldn’t have, spent our limited $$$ on whatever movie didn’t sound too crappy and countless nights of bowling; and we drank cheap beer and wine coolers in dumb outdoor locations because being at home alone, bored, was too terrible of an alternative.

Most of the time it made for evenings out that were fun enough, we never really got into half as much trouble as we could have, and nobody died.
It wasn't a John Hughes movie, and most nights are completely unmemorable, but I have to label it a success, in retrospect.

Anyhow, I hope to touch on a few specifics in upcoming posts, and maybe, hopefully, the result will be entertaining.