keeping my cool

when i was younger i often wondered at what point my dad decided he would stop listening to music created after 1982. with each peter gabriel hit that blared through the speakers of our 1988 chevy safari i would re-commit myself to a lifetime of top 40 and sports cars. i didn't know when people faded from cool to parental, but i was never going to allow it to happen. i solemnly swore to never have jeans that covered my belly piercing; which was an easy thing to do since i made the pact to never, ever, ever - under any circumstance - shop outside of the junior's department.

now that i've become a mom, i am constantly evaluating and scrutinizing the actions and behavior of t.j. and i to make sure we are staying steadfast on the cool-ometer. (see, the fact that i just used the word "cool-ometer" shows that i slip-up every once in a while.) i live in a juxtaposition of being a great parent without seeming like one. every time i use the phrase, "because mommy said so" i justify it with a pair of purple skinny jeans. when t.j. and i have immature conversation like this recent string of text messages that took place while he was out of town for business, i revel in our hip-ness:

look how cool we are

t.j.: "sitting here working. bout to blow up this hotel printer"

lars: "better than blowing up the hotel"

t.j: "better than blowing up"

lars: "better than blowing... someone"

see, discussing innuendo about homosexual relations is so much cooler than talk of balancing checkbooks and preschool drop-off. and every time an exchange like this takes place i am reminded of how relevant we have remained in today's pop culture.

sometimes the fact that i'm horribly annoyed by the tourette syndrome caused by justin bieber's hair style makes me fear that i'm starting to lose touch. but just when i start to feel this way i tell myself it's going to be alright; one day when roz and london accuse me of being not cool i will reassure them i'm the bomb and drop a hook from whoomp there it is while flashing my tramp stamp. they wouldn't know cool if it hit them in their face - which is what i may do because i'm the parent here.