Notes on High School

So I was debating on whether or not to check out "High School Musical". Apparently, it's the "GREASE" of the present day. I don't know, nothing can top "Grease", or "Grease 2" for that matter (Michelle Pfifer singing that she needs a C-o-o-l-r-i-DER just can't be beat)- but I'm definitely curious. There's so much hype. So, I sat and thought...and sat and thought some more (about whether or not I should TIVO it) when I just got to thinking about high school- in general.

What the heck do kids in high school do these days besides learn? Do they pass notes? Doubt it- with the advent of cell phones- they probably just text. Damn! There was nothing more fun than writing a "note" to a friend, or a BOYFRIEND. You'd hand it to him, all shy- and be like- "I wrote you a note. But don't read it NOW. Read it later." At the bottom of the note you'd write, "WRITE BACK". You'd fold it all clever-like...and maybe even draw funny animals all over it, or maybe even write your favorite band on it, over and over...in my case- that would be Duran Duran, or INXS.

Even better than all that was receiving a note. Especially from the boyfriend who sat behind you in class. You'd get a tap on the shoulder, and you'd turn around, and your man would be looking down at the floor, all coy. You'd look down, and see a piece of paper under his loafers. He'd push his foot up, and then "OOPS"- you drop your pencil (cause you could never use pen in class). You'd grab the note, and try to figure out how to open it without making too much noise. Can't you hear "I'm forevuuuhhhhaaaa yourssss.....faithfully" playing in the background? Yeah, people, I turned 35 last weekend, gimme a break.

Do they just text now? Text simple things like, "you're HOT. got yo digits from Paulo. CALL ME." And would the girl be all like, "ohmygod, who IS this?". I so wish when Ryder grows up to be in high school- he could write notes. It's just so old school and cool. But oh well, I'm DEAD ASS OLD, and that will never happen.

Do they even talk in the hallways in between classes? Or does everyone have iPods or MP3 players plugged into their ears as they go from History to Biology? I saw a commercial for a binder that had a charger in its pocket, just for the occasion that you run out of fuel for your tunes. What happened to the good ol' TRAPPER KEEPER?? Or the blue denim binder that you'd write ALL over? Have they all been replaced by laptops? Are spiral notebooks still used? I bet they all can certainly write with pen now. And even chew gum. And to reiterate Capitol Swell's earnest question: "whatever happened to the mix tape?".

HAH. Maybe "High School Musical" will have all the answers. Get the TIVO fired up.