"Your gifts will make room for you"
"The first person to run, does not necessarily win the race."
I imagined I was in a 'Time Machine'; My head was bobbing to music about 1000 decibels in my ears. The headphones were so huge that they could airlift me should the planet be invaded by extra-terrestrial beings. Too bad Micheal Jackson was gone. He had E.T. down packed. The next plan in my imagination was to dye my hair purple and slash my jeans until the only piece left of it were the hems. I handed over the space-ship phones to the kid grinning from ear to ear and pulled out my plugs. Now that felt better. Why this crazy adventure? Well crazy had happened...
Suddenly, all week I kept bumping into groups of teenagers who systematically kept telling me the same thing. It really was no big deal to me. But coming from them it was actually their way of paying the ultimate compliment. So I vowed that the next time anyone of them said that to me, I would take the time to stop and engage in conversation. I might learn a thing or two from them who knows. And besides since they were seriously picking on me this week, I might as well relive what it felt like to be a teenager. The only problem with that, is the compartment that harbors those teenage memories is kind of blotchy. Having been cursed to sleep (like sleeping beauty), tied-up and caged from functioning to full capacity. The most painful parts had to be either suppressed or temporary blotted out for a season. Because as long as I did not realize there was a problem, I would never attempt to solve it. It is like (if I may use this analogy) putting band-aid on a broken bone. But I woke up and the rest is history in the making.
Anyway back to the Teen-Tales (Chioma Onwudiwe). So I was at this trendy place trying to make an in-person reservation for an event when a bunch of teenagers barged in waving their gold and platinum cards. They cut right in front of me as if I was not there and went ahead to inquire about a lounge they had reserved for a party. As the smoke from my temple settled, I opened my mouth to say how lovely the weather was and how happy I was to be alive (yeah right!). When one of them exclaimed in jubilation, while pointing at me. Same observation again, I thought to myself. I was beginning to think there must be a conspiracy against me. And if there was indeed a conspiracy, it spanned 5 continents and 4 ethnicities so far to say the least. I bit my tongue and every subsequent lecture that was on it (surprisingly it was not swollen, my tongue i.e.) and smiled as they thronged me. I could stop by their lounge for free if I wanted they further invited. I was as stunned as I was confused about this teenage interest.
When I finished taking care of my business, I told my friends I would take the teenagers up on their offer. I was curious as to why we were hearing so much screaming and shouting coming from that lounge. If there was a fire, I wanted to be the first to know. Either they (my people) did not think it was a good idea or it was fear that flashed through their knowing eyes. 'They are just teenagers' I mused. They do not bite, or do they? I went into that lounge. Something sinister hit my forehead the minute I walked in. I would later find out it was a certain brand of music, of which the lyrics were illegible. The beat would thump so loud that your brain would vibrate at an abnormal frequency. The swirling fantasy lights had me so dizzy, I think I saw a space-ship again off-loading aliens into that room.
They insisted I do some karaoke style numbers to justify their impression of me. I could not keep up with the shouting, the rhythm and crass lyrics. Besides my business suit was beginning to complain too. So I suggested a 'greatest hit' ballad that would require me to hit notes so high, I would have gotten some revenge for my throbbing headache when theirs started throbbing too! Futile was my plan. They were all for it and they actually picked what I had in mind. They loved it!! They loved on me I loved on them as my entourage peered in, to take pictures with stunned but impressed looks. I cried for reasons they would never understand. That day a bunch of kids, undettered by generation, race, ethnicity, economical status or location. Took me back on a trip to impact the present and effect the future. I was grateful to this wonderful crew.
As I walked out with my people later, I think my ' space headphones' heard the security guard announcing that I had just left the building I don't know if that was a legendary compliment or her way of saying 'it shall be quite from this time henceforth'. Either way, I really don't care. You know how these adults like to be critical and cynical for no reason.
Anyways, back to my rhythm. "I'm so fancy (but then) you already know...."
