That was very cute, Kat! Thanks for sharing.

This is the part where I analyse anyway. ;-)

Personally, I don't actually buy into the whole scam that makes it funny. I mean, I think the very people who TRULY feel that way are often the ones least likely to achieve much of it. Who SAYS being an adult (or even working) by definition has to be stressful and complicated all the time?

My theory on being a "grown-up" is simple. It definitely is NOT about being uptight or "proper" or always being in control or slaving away at a job you hate.

It's all about TIMING and EXERCISING GOOD JUDGEMENT.

At 29 and holding (permanently), on rainy days I'll still run thru a parking lot, shoes in hand (stuffed under my shirt), pants rolled up and me jumping in puddles all the way to my car -- generally if I've nowhere special to be, I'm not on my way to a meeting and it's not the middle of a hurricane.

Of course, as soon as I get home, I *do* doff the wet clothes, take a nice, warm shower and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. [big grin] *I* can't get in trouble for it anymore!!

Why *shouldn't* being a "grownup" be fun, too?

Most of the things Kat mentioned I still *do* believe in. Best of all, though, I don't need "permission to borrow the car", my friends can spend the night whenever they want, AND not only do I NOT get in "trouble" for having parties (with booze, even!), but we don't have to clean up 'til after a good night's sleep!

(Actually, I rarely have parties and they're always very small, but it's the IDEA that counts. Here's a typical scene: I had four friends over for New Year's Eve a couple of years ago. We spent a good portion of the evening in a room complete with blacklight, posters, pit group couches and lava lamp, listening to Firesign Theatre at like, 3am and laughing our butts off...it was a BLAST! And all of us were completely stone cold sober.)

On the other hand, I do NOT go to meet my son's teacher wearing flip-flops, my "daisy dukes" and my old Metallica "Metal up your *ss" t-shirt -- I make sure I am well-groomed and tastefully attired. I do not listen to "The Lords of Acid" (graphically raunchy techno band) while my son is at home. There is plenty of other meaningful, enjoyable and more appropriate material in my CD collection for those times. I may skip meals and keep erratic hours, but my son's are like clockwork.

Basically, there are times to fart around and there are times to be cool -- knowing the difference AND ACTING UPON IT -- that's what *I* call growing up. And it's mostly FUN!!! I suppose for that very reason, most so-called "grown-ups" couldn't agree _less_ with me, hehe...

I'll keep the keys and the checkbook anytime -- thanks very much! ;-)

*elektra*