Hey Mambo

When I was little, I was into all sorts of performance arts-related stuff that has since fallen by the wayside. I took summer acting classes at Nazareth College, performed in all of our school plays (including an ill-fated production of Gilbert & Sullivan's The Mikado which may explain why I hate musicals today) and took modern dance at the University of Rochester. My first dance classes, however, took place in our town's original, one-room, school house. At the end of one session, we painted sheets and put on an eclectic show for our parents. Our "art work" was later hung in a now-defunct gallery that sat alongside the canal next to the Del Monte Lodge.

Even though it is located less than a mile from our house, I was in the Mile Post School House last night for the first time in over 30 years for a cub scout meeting. It definitely took me back in time. I wanted to clear out the tables, chairs and chalk board and start dancing wildly. Thankfully, my professional sensibility and wraparound, black dress kept me in line.

At the end of the night, we learned that each parent has to conduct one cub scout meeting per year. People were stating their preferences such as, "I'll lead the Webelos Outdoorsman activity." I remained silent knowing that I have pretty much nothing to offer the group until Tommy's dad chimed in, "Hey Mrs. R., you gonna get these kids their M&A badges?"

I drove home while thinking: how did my life come to this?

I just wanna dance.

Future Entrepreneur?

As I was kissing him goodnight last night, Son #1 told me that he wanted to begin investing. He then said, "Wouldn't it be great if there was a young investors website where companies that sell things to kids could post their new product ideas, like what's coming out next in Spore, and we could read all about it and decide if we want to put money into the company? That way, we would make money if it did well and they would know pretty much immediately if it sounded like a bad idea."

And I thought, why yes, that would be a great idea. As he's only nine, it would clearly require parental oversight and controls but still, it would be educational, fun and possibly lucrative.

This morning Son #1 was reading a book entitled War in Iraq: Weapons of the 21st Century because he wants to join the military some day (with a particular interest in becoming a sniper). Then he commented, "The military should have free summer camps with spy games and other activities for kids. That way, they'll encourage a lot of us to learn what it's like and possibly choose to join when we're old enough."

And I thought, why yes, that too would be a great idea. He would have an absolute blast (no pun intended) and it wouldn't cost us a dime. If executed well (no pun intended), the military could stand to gain high-caliber recruits with a somewhat minimal investment over time.

The ripe mind of a fourth grader. I just pray that if he joins the military, he remains safe always.