Confessions of A Naughty Girl

My Father, The Hero

He's remarkably fresh-faced and dark-haired...could I have really liked him? My type has really evolved so much over the years. He's too pretty for me now.

Speaking of, and before I get to my point, anyone remember that movie? It had the girl from "Grey's Anatomy" in it, and Blossom's boyfriend was her island crush that she met on vacation. And even though she was 14, she had everyone on the island believing that Gerard Depardieu was her boyfriend, and not her father, in the worst attempt at playing the jealousy card that I have ever heard of. It's like today's version of putting Ben Affleck in front of a f*cking blackjack table. (Or a movie screen, for that matter...either way, you're guaranteed a loser. Sorry Ben, cheap shot.) I used to watch that movie all the time and pretend that Blossom's boyfriend was my boyfriend. Hell, I'd still love to pretend that kid was my boyfriend. He was cute. What was his name? David Lascher. (Thank you, IMDB.) Where is he now...jail? Rehab? Ohhhh...I spot some more recent pictures. Looks like that rhinoplasty didn't work out so hot for him...hmm...I'll just deep-six that fantasy.

Anyway, inspiration comes in all shapes and forms, and sometimes, from some unexpected sources. I've always admired my parents in a lot of ways and for a lot of reasons, but recently, I had a very nice, long phone conversation with my father, who is thinking about going back to school. LAW SCHOOL. Yes, after 30 years of poking people's eyes out for a living, he is considering spending the first little bit of retirement in law school, taking classes. Why? Because it fascinates him, which is reason enough.

Let me tell you: I couldn't be more proud. If considering this isn't a testament to how cool my Dad is, I'll show you his movie collection. (Oops, I mean, if that isn't a testament, I don't know what is.)

You see, if I'm fascinated by something, I usually hook up with it. Or read a book about it. I dabble in the fascination and then I'm over it. This might explain why I'm single, or why I have very few long-lasting hobbies (although writing and eating have made the cut, thankfully for them). At first, I was shocked and sort of put off by it. Are you kidding? I can just envision my mom packing my dad a lunch for his first day at school, and him showing up with a Jansport backpack and a pocket full of number two pencils (actually, the tablet PC is more like it, and I would make him buy a cool messenger bag), heading off to school, wondering if he passed his exams. Awww....it's so cute. I think I might cry. But seriously, it's a funny picture to imagine. And a strange one. I mean, here I am, 24 years old, probably having finished formal education forever, and my dad, who apparently isn't satisfied with 8 years of med school, could be going back for 3 more years.

But once I got over the shock, I realized what an inspiration he is. If he does do this - if he does go back to school - he is living proof that life can still be incredibly exciting and fulfilling, even after your Social Security checks start rolling in and you need the paychecks now that your kids have sucked your savings account dry, like blood from a stone. It provides evidence that your occupation, or even your education, doesn't have to define who you are as a person or what you will know or not know for the rest of your life, which is an idea that I struggle with on a daily basis. And it's refreshing to see someone who doesn't see retirement as a chance to sleep in and play Bingo and wait until the bucket kicks. (Or you kick the bucket. Or something gets kicked into the bucket. Shit, you know what I mean.)

It's good to see that inspiration, with this particular inspiration hitting closer to home than most, is still alive and well. And much cooler than Gerard Depardieu.

posted by KA @ 12:47 AM