The Swamp

46 and never had graduations for anything before H.S. My instinct is to roll my eyes at any graduations before then, but I think rites of passage are important for kids, so I try and keep an open mind about it.

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 3:57 pm My instinct is to roll my eyes at any graduations before then, but I think rites of passage are important for kids, so I try and keep an open mind about it.

Yeah, same.
My daughter had a middle school graduation (9 years ago - wow), and it was actually very nicely done.
But, like every/all ceremonies, there are some family members in the audience who get a little too excited by it.

There’s a fifth-grade graduation here. I put my experience out of my mind somehow, but watching my oldest do it last year really reminds me that the change from elementary to junior high is really jarring to the kids. Six years being told where to go and in which order, all led by a teacher and then all of the sudden they have to figure out lockers and how to get to their classes across the building in five minutes or else they’ll get in trouble.

Giff wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 4:21 pm There’s a fifth-grade graduation here. I put my experience out of my mind somehow, but watching my oldest do it last year really reminds me that the change from elementary to junior high is really jarring to the kids. Six years being told where to go and in which order, all led by a teacher and then all of the sudden they have to figure out lockers and how to get to their classes across the building in five minutes or else they’ll get in trouble.

You're also kings of the school in 5th grade, and hell, even in 4th grade. 6th grade is back down the ladder.

EnochRoot wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 3:50 pm Wow. I'm 52. In Glastonbury, CT we didn't do anything for Elementary School. Nothing for Junior High, either. I moved to FL my freshman year in HS, and yeah obviously we had a graduation ceremony at the local arena.

I guess I can ask my mom if we had a graduation ceremony for Elementary School. I really don't think so though.

What, did they wear little caps and gowns?

Gown, no cap for middle school. Nothing for elementary.

Just remembered this... When my dad was a parole officer, he had some sort of involvement in a prison-alternative program for guys 18 to mid 20s. Basically a prison camp where they learned a trade skills and were taught skills to succeed in society rather than going to prison. On the last day, they held a graduation ceremony complete with cap and gown, and most of their parents came dressed in their Sunday best. My father was amused at the parents crying with pride watching their sons "graduate" from a penal institution, but OTOH, he said the program was fantastic and actually turned a lot of lives around. That coming from a guy who was cynical as fuck and thought most of what NY State did was a shambolic waste says a lot. He even brought my mother to watch the ceremony one year.

No joke, losing 5th grade gra, er, promotion in 2020 was probably the origin story for 75% of the Moms of Liberty shitheads around here.

EdRomero wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 1:55 pm Watched the 5th grade graduation and me and the rest of the afterschool admins were shocked at how badly the 5th graders were in front of their parents. Among other things, during the diploma handout, a few students did the fake handshake then brush your hair thingsto the principal. After, we blamed a young 5th grade teacher who tencourages entitlement and ries too hard to be cool and basically encourages this behavior... and that's when it hit me that I'm now the grumpy old educator complaining about shitty new generation of young teachers.

I’m also thinking these are Covid kids, and the teacher might be one too (to some degree) but yeah, welcome to the club. We’d have jackets but it’s too much work.

Yeah, Covid ruined their 2nd and 3rd grade years. The "graduation" was a little more than an hour during the school day. They sang a song, played a slide show, principal read a shitty poem, and then did the diploma thing. I'm just frustrated by the culture of the school right now --when they're comfortable enough to mess around with a principal in front of their parents, you can imagine how they treat some afterschool teachers. One other thing, after the ceremony, all the kids were invited on stage to dance and sing a long to guess what song --

[+] spoiler

Landon Donovan's goal against Algeria was 13 years ago.

mister d wrote: ↑Tue Jun 27, 2023 10:05 am Landon Donovan's goal against Algeria was 13 years ago.

Seems longer ago than that, somehow.

Maybe because Rodri and the ensuing celebration gave me flashbacks, but def doesn't seem almost 30% of my life ago.

The Bends is the midway point between present day and the release of Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme.

Here’s a random trivia question? What’s the largest town in America named after a still-living person?

Joe, MT?

Chevy chase, MD?

Laughlin, NV

I'm presently in Colorado Springs, with my younger daughter, visiting my parents. She hasn't seen her grandparents in about 5 1/2 years, so its great.

But eating meals with them at their assisted living center is....depressing(?). And its tough to see my mom really not be able to move around much anymore (my folks are both 91). She uses a walker most of the time, and my father uses a cane.

It was funny sitting with them and watching the last 4 inning of the DBacks-Rockies game yesterday afternoon. My father let loose with a pretty good tirade about how terrible the Rockies are, especially the bullpen.

BeckyHammon’s hoodie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:04 pm Here’s a random trivia question? What’s the largest town in America named after a still-living person?

Guessing something named after Jimmy Carter.

BeckyHammon’s hoodie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:34 pm Laughlin, NV

Are you not counting Stone Cold Steve Austin, Texas?

So back in the mid to late 00s, I remember there was a show that lasted one or two episodes called Viva Laughlin. It had a fairly stacked cast: Hugh Jackman, Melanie Griffith, my personal early 90s crush Madchen Amick. It took place around a casino. But it was fucking strange, as they would break out into song for no reason at all, but not as a musical like Glee or some shit. I think I might be one of about seventeen people in America who watched that.

govmentchedda wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 11:52 am

BeckyHammon’s hoodie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 9:04 pm Here’s a random trivia question? What’s the largest town in America named after a still-living person?

Guessing something named after Jimmy Carter.

I'm going to say Laughlin, NV since Brian, er Becky's Hoodie posted the question and answer.

-Sorry for deadnaming you, Becky.

L-Jam3 wrote: ↑Thu Aug 17, 2023 12:07 pm

BeckyHammon’s hoodie wrote: ↑Wed Aug 16, 2023 10:34 pm Laughlin, NV

Are you not counting Stone Cold Steve Austin, Texas?

So back in the mid to late 00s, I remember there was a show that lasted one or two episodes called Viva Laughlin. It had a fairly stacked cast: Hugh Jackman, Melanie Griffith, my personal early 90s crush Madchen Amick. It took place around a casino. But it was fucking strange, as they would break out into song for no reason at all, but not as a musical like Glee or some shit. I think I might be one of about seventeen people in America who watched that.

To tie it back to the Swamp that was a remake of a BBC show called Viva Blackpool.

And setting it in Laughlin for the American remake was super weird.

Last summer vacation with the oldest before she graduates HS.


Also, Madonna and Belinda Carlisle both turned 65 this week.

i'm a year past you and when we billed our maritimes vacation last month as the "possibly last family road trip" our recent HS graduate got pissed - like, in denial. (which i was a little happy about tbh).

But it might be.


Also I have a serious case of vertigo/migraines and heel spurs so this year is like...exponentially worse on the *feeling old as fuck* scale.

rass wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:00 am Last summer vacation with the oldest before she graduates HS.

MaxWebster wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:16 am i'm a year past you and when we billed our maritimes vacation last month as the "possibly last family road trip" our recent HS graduate got pissed - like, in denial. (which i was a little happy about tbh).

But it might be.


Also I have a serious case of vertigo/migraines and heel spurs so this year is like...exponentially worse on the *feeling old as fuck* scale.

rass wrote: ↑Fri Aug 18, 2023 8:00 am Last summer vacation with the oldest before she graduates HS.

On the plus side, you have a built-in excuse to dodge the draft.

I met my sister's first grandchild, and my parent's 17th (!!!) great-grandchild yesterday...

GPJ's Life After Graduation was released in 2007.

When I went to buy a new National Parks pass yesterday, the girl at the counter asked if I wanted the senior pass - such a milestone.

Summer of 1995 I played an elite lacrosse tournament in Vail (my team was sponsored by Adidas). We were a mix of players the Northwest, Georgetown, Ohio Wesleyan, and a few other places. Anyway one of the defenders on our team was a rising high school senior kid from Philly. He just got elected to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame (3x AA at Georgetown, 12 years pro indoor, 14 or 15 years pro outdoor, 2x team USA outdoor, 1x team usa indoor)

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 2:48 pm Summer of 1995 I played an elite lacrosse tournament in Vail (my team was sponsored by Adidas). We were a mix of players the Northwest, Georgetown, Ohio Wesleyan, and a few other places. Anyway one of the defenders on our team was a rising high school senior kid from Philly. He just got elected to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame (3x AA at Georgetown, 12 years pro indoor, 14 or 15 years pro outdoor, 2x team USA outdoor, 1x team usa indoor)

Did you cross paths with Brian Dougherty? He’s been in lacrosse hall since 2012. Slightly older than that senior in 1995.

teeteebee wrote: ↑Tue Sep 26, 2023 6:46 pm

wlu_lax6 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 25, 2023 2:48 pm Summer of 1995 I played an elite lacrosse tournament in Vail (my team was sponsored by Adidas). We were a mix of players the Northwest, Georgetown, Ohio Wesleyan, and a few other places. Anyway one of the defenders on our team was a rising high school senior kid from Philly. He just got elected to the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame (3x AA at Georgetown, 12 years pro indoor, 14 or 15 years pro outdoor, 2x team USA outdoor, 1x team usa indoor)

Did you cross paths with Brian Dougherty? He’s been in lacrosse hall since 2012. Slightly older than that senior in 1995.

I never played with Doc. Crossed paths with him but did not know him. Knew the Hopkins guys from Docs years. The guy who took over in goal at Maryland after Doc was my friend from high school days and one of the attackmen from that Maryland team is a buddy.

Also should have said that was 99 not 95.

My back seized up yesterday when I made the mistake of trying to get out of my chair. I’ve basically been flat on my back ever since.

Not a fan of ESPN’s old man Crosby welcomes Bedard to the league commercial.

I went into the local dispensary to pick up some edibles...

• Just being able to buy weed at a store

• The budtender had an amazing array of face tattoos

• They asked "how I wanted to feel", and I said that I'm going to see Peter Gabriel in concert tomorrow night. They had zero idea who Peter Gabriel is.

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:50 pm I went into the local dispensary to pick up some edibles...

• Just being able to buy weed at a store

• The budtender had an amazing array of face tattoos

• They asked "how I wanted to feel", and I said that I'm going to see Peter Gabriel in concert tomorrow night. They had zero idea who Peter Gabriel is.

Jealous you're seeing PG. Should be great.

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:50 pm I went into the local dispensary to pick up some edibles...

• Just being able to buy weed at a store

• The budtender had an amazing array of face tattoos

• They asked "how I wanted to feel", and I said that I'm going to see Peter Gabriel in concert tomorrow night. They had zero idea who Peter Gabriel is.

"You know that song DMB likes to cover a lot..." as I dig the hole deeper

EdRomero wrote: ↑Sun Oct 08, 2023 8:41 am

DaveInSeattle wrote: ↑Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:50 pm I went into the local dispensary to pick up some edibles...

• Just being able to buy weed at a store

• The budtender had an amazing array of face tattoos

• They asked "how I wanted to feel", and I said that I'm going to see Peter Gabriel in concert tomorrow night. They had zero idea who Peter Gabriel is.

"You know that song DMB likes to cover a lot..." as I dig the hole deeper

I actually said "Have you ever seen the move 'Say Anything'? When the guy stood there with the boombox?".

That's didn't help...they'd never even heard of it.

“Boombox?”

"You know, he had a lot of cool music videos on MTV"

"Music videos? MTV?"

"Guys! He left Genesis to go solo? Hello?"

that would have nailed it.

Sometimes it all just accumulates and wears you down a bit. My wife had nasal/sinus surgery last week. All three of our pets are fading fast. And, yesterday I had my fifth eye surgery this year (so far).

But then I read a post like DiS’s yesterday about life in the corporate world, or some news about things in Israel or Afghanistan or Ukraine and I’m jolted into remembering that my lot really isn’t so bad.