Confession: In high school, I was WAY too cool (read insecure) to go to any

[coffeenap]

dances or school sponsored events. I spent my time on political issues, smoking things, criticizing things, and being generally depressed. But, this weekend my daughter went to homecoming and well, I loved it! I even loved shopping for a dress and shoes! I am not sure what happened to the me then and the me now, but it all brought me great joy. I guess it is because she is a politically aware, smart, confident human being who still can wear pink to go on her first dance-date with her wonderful boyfriend and not feel she has compromised her identity. I am proud and astounded. Does this make sense to anyone?

[applegrove]

1. You must be proud. I too feel that highschool was a complete and utter

wasteland for me. I learnt nothing. I participated only superficially. I din't make my own friends that I could connect with but followed a group. And Dam - I don't have a daughter to make me all proud like you.

Sounds like you got a great kid there.

[coffeenap]

3. Aw, thank you so much! I think HS was truly a wasteland for many

of us who thought deeply or didn't know how to find our way. Perhaps that is why we find comfort right here on DU--brains, feelings, real emotions are all acceptable here--even when we fight like cats and dogs! Best wishes to you.

[applegrove]

6. Best Wishes to you too.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. I wasn't too cool to skip the school stuff - I was too intelligent and self-aware.

Bunch of fucking idiots in my school. Why would I want to spend any more time with them than I had to?

Braindead shitbags.

Except for a few, some of which few were my friends, my school really was filled with gaseous, ignorant, vapid empty-headed sports-worshiping intelligence-fearing middle-class midwestern simpleton wastes of flesh.

[coffeenap]

4. Ok, from now on I will describe my experience THAT way--it is so much

stronger and empowering! Way to go! (I think there would be some truth to it anyway, thanks for reminding me of that part.) Um, I think the people who filled your school (and mine) took over our country, don't you? We are nation of people stuck in 11th grade! Grrr. Best wishes!

[coffeenap]

5. Oops, back later--emergency. nt

[NewJeffCT]

7. I was too shy & too geeky in high school

to ask anybody to a dance - I never went to any.

I'm sure my 5 1/2 year old daughter's experience will be a bit different than mine.

[Wetzelbill]

8. I have always been both outgoing and shy

I mostly hide my shyness with humor, plus I was a pretty successful athlete in a small town, so I made a lot of friends and attended events etc. I never dated much or went to prom though. I kind of focused on sports and did a lot of reading etc in my own time. I sort of have two personas, my public persona where I'm funnier etc, and then my private one where I'm much more studious and basically read, write and focus on politics and policy.

It's good to see that your daughter hasn't compromised her identity. I think that's one of the most important things a person has to understand. Kids today have it lots of information at their fingertips and seem very astute about the world. I was an older college student, from my mid-20s to early 30s, off and on, and I met so many kids around 18-20 who astounded me. I can expect a 22 year old to be devoloping some intellect and awareness but some of these 18 year olds are simply amazing. I am not surprised at all that your daughter is developing into such a well-rounded person, I think we are in good hands with these younger generations coming up. You must be very proud.