10/22/09

Breakfast with Peter Pan

Today, I made my breakfast into a face. With my fork, I cut both my eggs into eyes. A piece of bacon was broken in half for the eyebrows, and three more strips were lined up into a smile. When I sat back to admire, I realized that my breakfast face needed teeth. I split the three bacon strips in half and then arranged them into top and bottom lips, filling in the teeth with my toast that had been torn into squares.

For almost twenty minutes, I had an internal conversation with my breakfast as I ate him. It was only small talk at first—topics like what his name was, where he was from, if he had any family, and, if he did, how they were doing. Then I moved into matters that were more serious: universal healthcare, North Korea, loss of language due to technology, and the pace of our society.

You know, Breakfast Face, my stepsister texts all the time, and she has awful grammar. Coincidence?

My breakfast said nothing.

I think it’s really dumbing down my generation. I never thought I would see texting lingo in a college paper, but then I started working at the Writing Center.

Still nothing.

It really opened my eyes to how bad things have gotten. It’s not just grammar anymore—it’s basic punctuation and even spelling too. I mean, that should be easy, right?

The only thing that my breakfast face told me was that I was immature.

I sat there staring at my eggs, and the only thing I could think was that Breakfast Face was right—I am immature.

Within the past week, I’ve stayed in my pajamas all day twice, eaten cereal for all three meals once, and watched at least three hours of old Tranformers, Thundercats, and Captain Planet cartoons on Youtube, including one titled “Optimus Prime saves McDonalds.” Four days ago, when I went to my mom’s for Hawaiian Haystacks, and I was the only one who made small screams when I drowned my rice with sauce. Even though I work at a bookstore, I’ve still read more cartoon strips then real literature. Yesterday, I rearrange my dad’s living room, so it would be easier to play video games.

All this mounts up to the fact that I’m immature. But I’ve always known that, and it’s never been a problem. I’ve always been a little more childish than most, and it’s never really bothered me until two days ago. That’s when I realized I’ll be turning twenty-one in two months. And twenty-one doesn’t feel old, but it feels like maybe it’s time for me to start growing up.

I would say that with all the negativity going on, a person needs to be a little childish to get by, but then I remember that last semester, I had a coloring book and crayons in my backpack all the time. I would say it helps me relax and unwind , but then I realize that I’ve done a sock puppet show for a major college presentation. I would say all this and more, but, really, I know I’m just scared of growing up.

9 comments:

Sara said...

I'm immature, too. It drove Sis. Morgan nuts when she first hired me.

I'd like to think I'm more mature now, but I am still scared of growing up. And I've got a jump on you--I'm 22.

I don't want to be a responsible adult yet. I don't like paying bills, and I don't want to pay for my own health insurance.
Listen to me--I am a child. "I don't wanna, I don't wanna, I don't wanna."

Maybe I'll hold off on growing up for a few more years.

Shannon said...

Can I tell you how much I enjoyed reading this? The sock puppet image was great (my old Spanish teacher used a sock puppet all the time), and the "Optimus Prime Saves McDonalds" made me laugh. And hey, who doesn't like Captain Planet? Oh, and I have two coloring books and some crayons that my husband bought me at the beginning of the semester. I haven't gotten to use them yet, but you've inspired me. I think I'll color tonight.

On the serious side, I also see what you mean about feeling like you need to grow up but not wanting to. It's an interesting balance, because I think it is important to hang onto the excitement and creativity of a child, but be able to pay bills, etc. One of the reasons I first fell in love with my husband was because he has that 5-yr-old grin and excitement for things, yet he can be serious when he needs to be, and is a hard worker. I don't know how a person goes about finding that balance though.

S.Morgan said...

Ha, Hey, Skyler, I don't think you have to worry about growing up (as long as it never hurts other people). Although, Sara IS right. I was greatly relieved when she stopped being so silly. However, in case you haven't noticed, maturity is not my strong suit either, and I'll be 63 soon.

Leanna said...

I woke up in the night one night to go to the bathroom (which happens a lot when you're pregnant...) and saw my husband's leg sticking out of the covers in his Spongebog Squarepants pajama pants. I had to laugh--It's like I'm married to a 5-year-old. I love it. =D

Aly said...

Sometimes I blow bubbles in my chocolate milk. I almost think now is the best time to do it, because you know what? No one can tell me to stop.

I think people actually appreciate these childlike activities more than they'd like to admit.

I loved the post, Skyler. We can color together when you come back.

Britt said...

Ya, I remember when I was turning twenty-one and I realized I couldn't watch Captain Planet anymore. I've grown up a lot since then. Ok but seriously, I don't see why animating your breakfast or rice is a problem. For me, it's the difference between having a life and living. So I guess what I'm asking is why can't you watch cartoons and be an adult? In my mind, the two can coexist. So is it that you are afraid of not being able to eat Captain Crunch for lunch or is it that you you're afraid of acquiring the mindset that says, "lunch equals salads and sandwiches and they must not be personified"?

Eric James said...

When I was a little kid, I thought my clothes had personalities. I would introduce my new pair of pants to my old shirts. I would wonder if the two socks I wore that day had ever been combined; and if they had, I wondered what adventure they experienced together last time.

I still do.

Chan said...

Skyler, I'm okay with you growing up, but only if you have to. Some people that like cartoons and stuff drive me crazy because I think they don't because, in some strange way, they figure it's cool. It's probably a Mormon thing. But it seems to me that you watch cartoons and buy nerf guns and have conversations with your breakfast because you want to, and I love that. If being mature means doing adult things just because you think you should, then being mature is stupid. So take off, maturity, you hoser.

Skyler said...

Chan, thanks for dropping some pain bombs on Maturity. I mean, those were harsh words, but they were strictly business.