I've been spending a lot of time with teenagers lately. And boy, does that sentence sound extra-creepy once you read it out loud. Relax, I'm not spending time with them in a Vladimir Nabokov "Here-let-me-ride-this-yellow-schoolbus-to-get-the-speech-patterns-of-adolescent-girls-so-I-can-write-a-novel - about-their-seductive-powers" kind of way, but more incidentally. Since I teach high school, I end up spending about 60% of my time with them anyway, and as is sometimes part of the job, found myself at the prom the other night. The theme was "Hollywood Glamour" or something like that, and the kids really committed to it and looked beautiful and elegant, but still like themselves. I love the prom because it's really the first time we see the kids as the adults they're on their way to becoming, and I get a little choked up because I know it's one also one of the last times we'll see them all together like that before they graduate. I'm very fond of this graduating class. Some of them I've taught three out of their four years, and it makes me proud when they enthusiastically point out the Doppler Effect when a loud truck or siren passes by outside or they produce awesome videos like these * because of what they've learned in Media and MSG Varsity. I wonder if there's a handful of kids that have gotten in touch with their inner dorks a little bit more closely because of me (partially, anyway).
I also love the prom because it's one of the few times a year when I have a sanctioned excuse to DANCE. The kids this year were extra-good sports about the fact that OMG THERE ARE TEACHERS ON THE DANCE FLOOR. Most of the time, they were actually dancing with us, while in years past, former classes would pretend it just was not happening. For some reason though, the DJs had a drummer to accompany them, which was rather awesome except for the fact that he kept wearing terrifying masks while drumming. Even worse, when he wasn't wearing the masks and was just wearing his standard-issue god-given head and hair, he looked a lot like a Die Hard villain. Y'know, this guy?
Way to scare all the girls trying to enjoy their big night, blondie.
So that was Thursday. On Friday, I saw my niece Lizz in a play that was truly amazing. She's part of a group called The Possibility Project (Oh my god! She's in the stock photo they're using on homepage!) and they put on a production called "The Writer's Block" or, as my brother and I were calling it, "Teen Angst: A Series of Vignettes." Lizz has been doing this for 2 years, and it was such a kick to see her up on stage with a few dozen other extraordinarily talented teenagers singing, dancing, and acting their little hearts out. I could spot Lizz right away because she's easily the skinniest thing up there (she has teeny bird bones) and had two things on her face that made her stand out: a heart drawn in eyeliner on her right cheek and the BIGGEST smile in the cast. The show was amazing. It's so easy to dismiss teenagers for what they are and what you expect from them, but they channeled all of that and created a genuine work of art. My parents saw her show on Saturday night and were equally floored. Basically, the group created it from their own personal stories and experiences, and the theme of this year's production that threaded the vignettes together was how writing - especially about love, the people you love, and letters to the people you love - can be a daunting and difficult task that forces you to confront the light and dark within your own mind and heart. But it also brings you to a place of beauty, connection, and catharsis. The whole thing was at times extreme, over-the-top, high energy, intensely emotional, goofy, ridiculous, hilarious, and heartbreaking. You know, kind of like a teenager's day. I'm so proud of her for being part of something so creative and positive, and I hope she keeps being part of it.
Speaking of Lizz and creating works of art, a week beforehand she and I had a long-overdue Lizz and Rosie fun day, where we got Chipotle and went to see Dark Shadows together. Earlier that day, my homegirl Kristin had put me on to this new app called "Cat Paint" which may be one of the best things ever invented. EVER. So while we were indulging in tacos and waiting for the movie to start, we were taking photos and sticking cat heads on them. We ended up with some truly awesome post-modern masterpieces.
Observe: Lizz Before:
Look how pretty she is!
And now behold: Lizz after:
ALL BOW BEFORE THE CANNIBALISTIC CAT OVERLORD.
This is also a great way to counteract the teen angst of a fresh breakup. Still thinking about how cute the erstwhile boyf is? THINK AGAIN.
He's not cute! He has an evil giant cat's head. And was surrounded by levitating kitties 24/7. Clearly, a bullet has been dodged.
I don't know why, but adding laser beams makes the whole thing just that much more extra-special.
So while teen angst is omnipresent and difficult, it can often bring forth something beautiful. Or at least entertaining.
* no idea if link will actually work, but trust me: Awesomeness abounds.
