fallfromgrace

Yesterday was bowling, which I would have to say was the best SG outing I've been to. Nearly 30 people (by my casual and by no means attempting to accurately estimate) showed up, most bowled, and I got to meet some very new and cool people. Among them were MrTom, thenine, sarahjane, Kahlua, Kainalu, monkey13, SupremePizzaMan, and Rowan. The third and last game I bowled a turkey (that's three strikes in a row) and managed to lose that game to thenine who bowled an impressive 143 (mine lagged back at 129). Thanks to everyone who came out, it was a fun time. Thanks also to StrongMad for buying me my celebratory Red Hook.

I just got done fitting a choker and studding it for this 12 year old girl and her grandmother, who purchased the collar and studs for the girl at the Hot Topic in the mall. Apparently this girl's mother might not be too fond of her new accessory, and the thought of this filled the grandmother with a mischeivous glee known only to grandparents. It got me thinking. I asked this girl what she listened to, and she said (unsurprisingly) Avril.

It got me thinking... This girl isn't trying to join a subculture. She probably doesn't want to "be cool", though that's probably what she thinks. As I talked to her and her grandmother about identity, growing up and the like (it took ke about 20 minutes to fit and stud the choker), I realized this girl was just trying to emulate what she saw on TV. This was no different than when she (I assume) wanted to dress up like a princess at age 5. It's harmless make-believe that comforts her, because life is scary. No doubt she will explore as she gets older. Maybe she'll abandon "avrilism"; maybe she'll explore other music and find a musical identity. Maybe she'll want to learn the historo-political underpinnings behind the punk movement in the '70s. But probably not.

So as a parent, I'd say: let the kid play dress-up.