DHS Prom 2019

Another year, another Prom equals another success.  I really enjoyed being on the fringe, observing Coco having a ball.  For a parent, this year's prom excelled past anything I could have hoped for.
     Coco and Demi prepped upstairs.  Coco even submitted to a test run with his hair around noon.  They mapped out a shower and dressing strategy, starting at 2:30 pm.  I got a kick out of watching them execute it.  Coco still had a wet head of hear, with most of his tuxedo on when I walked past to see Demi tucking him all in.  I am pretty sure I made a Lannister Game of Thrones reference.
     Coco finished earlier than expected.  I watched him pace around nervously before his date and his friends showed up.  The photo shoot entertained me immensely.  The pinning of the boutonnieres is like an Olympic sport.  So many traditional skills are becoming lost.  Tying a tie, folding a pocket square and pinning boutonnieres are almost a lost art.  Coco's date, Melissandre, smiled the entire time.  She possesses one of those energetic personalities, which really comes alive when a camera is around.  That's not a bad thing.  You need someone to be excited about pictures with teenagers.  She got the rest of them to loosen up and smile for all the parents taking pictures.  The parents appreciated having one spot for pictures.  Melissandre's dads were please with Coco as her date.  He is a good young man, who treats women with respect.
     Following the Zoolander photo shoot at the house, we all raced for the red carpet at the High School.  Very well attended, parking became a premium.  I dropped off Demi with the camera, so that I could find a parking space.  As it was, I barely made it in time to see Coco and Melissandre get out of their ride and walk the red carpet.  It is a great Duxbury tradition now.  A lot of folks turn out to see the kids all dolled up.  The rides are part of the attraction too.  I can't tell you how many boats bore prom goers to the carpet.  Old classic cars, Mom and Dad's luxury vehicles and even a float were in the procession.  Volunteer parents valet these things.  The kids walk the carpet, then enter the High School to a snacks and hors d'oeuvres before boarding the buses to Gillette.  How cool is that venue?
     After the Post-Prom plans were up in the air right up until the bus ride home.  Melissandre had a mandatory skating practice the next morning, so she went home.  Her friend was in the same bind, so Coco's buddy ended up going home after too.  Coco ended up going across the street at 2 am to hang with his friends.  I am so happy he did that.  This is their final run.  Their senior year, their high school careers, are coming to an end.  They have so little precious time together.  I am happy he took advantage of it.

Bookworm

Coco crafted a list for his birthday, which fascinated me.  The list contained mostly books.  Not just titles and authors, these were specific books.  Most were chosen for the bookbinding.  Really amazing artistry covers “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” .  Classic Middle Earth artwork covers this specific edition of “The Hobbit”.  There are ten copies of this Tolkien time in the house.  There is even a copy of this edition, but it is missing the jacket cover and it has a library stamp (bought from the library, not checked out and never returned).
     Then with his birthday money, Coco ordered a whole bunch of books from Amazon.  These were also literary classics.  These were also chosen for their bookbinding.  The conversation we had entertained me greatly.

The Playlist

Coco controlled the radio on the way home from the Celtics game.  We had a great time celebrating his birthday at the Garden.  Now he was celebrating with music.
     Coco popped in his “Throwback” playlist.  The oddest collection of songs followed.  We talked about each and every one.  It was an epic ride home.  “Runaway Train” by Soul Asylum made me nostalgic for my early apartment living days.  We talked about the iconic music video it had.  Coco thought he could stump me with “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss” but I nailed the artist (PM Dawn) immediately.  “Californication” was a nod to Caz.  I was really surprised by songs he had on there.  Pleasantly surprised.

Enter Sandman

Caz went to his first really epic rock show on his own.  Well, without me that is.  His girlfriend got him tickets to see Metallica in Birmingham.  He was thrilled.
     He couldn’t wait to tell us about how excited he was to be going.  He was like a kid before Christmas.  His girlfriend had called to ask if it was all right because the show was on a school night. Very sweet.  Caz figured he would be fine the next day.  His first class was at 11 am.  His poor girlfriend had class at 8am.
     Caz loved the set list.   They played all his favorites.  I don’t think he realized Metallica hadn’t played Birmingham in over 20 years.  He really got lucky.  So happy for him.

Levitate 2017

Today didn't turn out quite as planned.  But that is just fine.  It turned out better than expected.
     We lucked into some passes for Day Two of the local Levitate Music Festival.  I only really wanted to see the closing act, Ziggy Marley.  I did want to spend time with the boys, so is would go for as long as they wanted.  Early in the day, Coco said he didn't want to go.  That is fine.  I am not going to force him to go.  Caz wanted to go.  Caz then asked our friend, T-Beau, who was on his annual trip from TX, to go.  When that happened, Coco wanted in.  Both boys realized  there were only three passes.  Before they could think, I told them to take all three passes and have fun.  I would rather see the three of them running around together, than go myself.  They had a great time.  Coco had been having a hard day to that point.  It was the lift we all needed.  The healing power of music.
     Of course Coco couldn't wait to tell me how much glaucoma medicine was wafting around... he just thinks it's funny.  Better to talk about these things, than avoid an uncomfortable topic.  Make it comfortable.  You want your kids to talk to you.

The Concert Pianist

Coco has a new class this year.  Apparently, he is taking piano.  He has never taken a mucks class.  Senior year seems an odd choice of when to start.
    He actually tried getting out of it.  The problem is that he has already taken the other electives during that block.  He seems a little excited about it.  He wants to learn the song he has chosen.  The syllabus is just pain odd.  Learn a song I two weeks.  No prerequisites for this class.  Are you kidding?  What kind of method is that.  Caz cannot read sheet music.  However, he found either a YouTube instructional video or app to teach hi by ear.  He wants to learn "Behind Blue Eyes."  I will give him credit, it's not "Mary Had A Little Lamb."

Levitate Recap

The short version = Caz and I had a blast.  This year's edition of the Levitate Music Festival was a huge success all the way around.  In it's third year, attendance has grown from 3K to 4K to this year's 6K.  That is some growth.
     The set up was really nice.  The vendors booths were set up in rows at the back of the venue.  Vendors sold the usual T-shirts, necklaces, health food, natural/organic foods, and the Levitate stand selling surf & skate items.  By those stalls were the food trucks, food stalls, and beer tents.  It was hot so water, beer, and slushes/ice cream were the big ticket items.  Caz and I toured those first thing.  Then we headed to the stage.  This is where it started to get dicey.
     As we got close to the stage, the crowd increased.  I turned my back for one second and lost sight of Caz.  He raised his hand and waved.  He had found some friends.  Although I was happy for him, part of my thought, "Great.  I am getting ditched."  But can you blame him?  He found his peeps.  Go forth and conquer.  He was good about answering texts.  I didn't want to crowd him, but I wanted to see the band.  I tried to stay out of his line of vision.  There was a lot of pot being smoked.  Beer was all around.  As a father, it made me nervous.  But each time I checked in, he answered.
     We ended up getting back together for a late lunch, by the food trucks.  He ended up getting a meatball sub from an old fiend of mine, Coach Bone.  Neither one of them knew the other.  It had been a long time since they had seen each other.  After that we got to use the VIP tickets my friend, Charlie, had procured for us.  Free Island Creak Oysters.  Bonus!  Caz wanted no part of it.  We got a nice view, out of the crowd, in the shade, of the stages.  But then it got better.  Charlie got the all access passes.  We got to go back stage.  Caz got to see the artists up close and personal.  He watched Trombone Shorty's set while resting against the stage.  He was about 6 feet away.  He had a grin on his face the whole time.  It was a great experience for him.  He saw a friend from school in the audience.  That friend was probable closer, being in front the the stage. but was obviously jealous of Caz.  I think that was nice for Caz.  Caz was very polite and thanked Charlie a couple times.  I can't thank Charlie enough.  What a great experience for a kid.  A great Father/Son moment.