by Charles D.
Member since:
January 11, 2007

Remembering our Youth (How much fun it was)!!

April 12, 2007 07:53 AM EDT
views: 70 | comments: 46
Being able to go straight to work after a night of drinking and dancing at my favorite club with only an hour's sleep under my belt, boy was that an experience.  I'd be lucky to have a couple drinks today without passing out before 11:00pm.  The excitement of driving for the first time, or hanging out with friends and enjoying our times together, this was so important to me. 

 

I miss being a teenager.  I can remember all the fun I had growing up on Boulder Street with my five friends who are still my friends to this day.  We would always spend our nights after school at one place, Mark's house.  His dad was quite the party animal as well.  Whether we were playing pool in the basement, or shooting darts until the wee hours of the morning, we were all so full of energy and Mark's Dad always turned the volume up a couple notches, making our nights even better. 

I can remember getting in trouble with the neighbors for doing stupid things like blasting our music late at night or running up and down the block screaming as we chased each other in a drunken fury!!  I cannot believe how we used to pick on a few of our neighbors as well, by knocking on their door and running into the woods to hide.  We were crazy!!! Going to weekend house parties and mixing in with others, and dating girls who were so fun to be around.  I miss all these fun times.  But I guess it's time to grow up.

Nonetheless, I refuse to grow old.  I will always be young at heart.  Sure, all my friends are now married with kids and we rarely have the time to spend together.  But I will not forget all the fun I had when we were young and causing trouble on our block.

Many of my fiction writing come from the experiences I had growing up. For those who read my "Urban Legend of the Lake", although it is fiction, the lake is real and the legend has been placed in the history books and been on TV.  Yes my friends, I partied something fierce many nights on that lake.  And we did tell ghost stories around the camp fire.  Today, however, you couldn't get in the area without being caught by security.  But when we were young it was a free for all.

In case you have not read the Urban Legend of the Lake, Take a peek.  It is sure to give you goosebumps!! http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474976954895

Do you miss your youth?    If you had a chance to be young again, would you take it?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!!

Charles D

 

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Comments: 46

Deb J. Apr 12, 2007, 8:01am EDT
I don't think I would do it again, but I certainly had my "wild times" too!! Now when I think about it, it's pretty unbelievable!!
Susan M. Apr 12, 2007, 8:14am EDT
My childhood and teenage years were the unhappiest of my life. I'd only be young again if I knew what I know now so I could avoid some of the pain.
Nurse Nancy S. Apr 12, 2007, 8:15am EDT
I remember those great times! It was great being able to go out (day or evening), away from the sanctity of your own yard, without the constant fear of "psychopaths" hunting you down. Far from today! I will not even let my grandchildren (kinda young ones) play in the front yard unless an adult is present.

Would I do it again? Only if I had the knowledge that I have now. Being a teenager is not a glamorous thing anymore. It is a tough life out there and the young ones need to be prepared for what lies ahead.
Anne Marie A. Apr 12, 2007, 8:22am EDT
If I had to pick and age I would say being 21. I do feel nostalgic for many other times in my life, but would never want to go back.
Thom R. Apr 12, 2007, 8:58am EDT
I had a ball as a teen, but I wouldn't want to relive it because it led me to places I never want to revisit. My friends and I did most of our partying out of town, if we tried it in town it wasn't long before we had a patrol car coming in and checking us out and 10 times out of nine they were right, booze was a companion even then. Had I stayed straight and clean I had a pretty good chance for a career in baseball but at the time I didn't think it was important. The hell raisin activities led to addiction, legal problems and life problems that were a long time in getting straightened out. Luckily we didn't lose anyone to our lifestyle, but it was luck and not choice, the table was always set for it though.
Now in the twilight of life would I like to go back to it? No, not really. Some of the gang have passed away, moved away and it's over. Reminising is pleasing, the human mind can ignore the cruel and dangerous parts and remember the good highlights but to actually return-no thank you. You earn a 10 though.
Jenn G. Apr 12, 2007, 9:02am EDT
I do miss certain times from my teenage years, however I don't think that I would want to re-live that time in my life. The way I see it is things all happen for a reason and those times are what have got me to where I am today. If I did anything different I may not have all that I have today in my life. Great article.
Kathleen ♥ L. Apr 12, 2007, 9:32am EDT
My childhood and teen years were more painful than fun (that's why I had a thank God You made it party at 30)! If I had to go back I'd want to revisit my 20's with the knowledge that I have now!
The general consensus seems to be...No thanks. I have to join that sentiment. While I would love to run into some of the peeps from my teenage years again, I wouldn't want to relive those times. Some of the things we did were not only foolish, but downright dangerous. (Okay...fun at the time. Scary in retrospect.) The things I've lived through in the years since have formed my life, sometimes due to the pain they've caused. I'd never want to go through those things again. I have so much knowledge from these events; no amount of wrinkle reduction or fat dissipation is worth losing what I know.
No way would I relive my childhood. I'm a much more balanced adult
nadya k. Apr 12, 2007, 10:15am EDT
I have found myself and I am finally comfortable with being myself regardless of what other people say and want. I had a very hard youth, but there are moments that I relive those Friday till Sunday parties, or being able to go out in the middle of the week, or do my art until 6 in the morning, get coffee, take a bath and go to class. but I'll not take it ack at any cost. I love who I am now so much more!
Apryl Just Apryl Apr 12, 2007, 10:41am EDT
I sincerely do not miss my teens. I lost both parents at seventeen and was thrust into the adult world with all of it's responsibilities, like rent and utilities,food and clothing. But I do remember the freedom of walking without pain and working two jobs and never needing rest. Great Article.
Nanina Hawk Apr 12, 2007, 11:35am EDT
No, I wouldn't live that time over again. I wouldn't mind having the body I did then. But other than that I will stay as I am. :)
J. C. Apr 12, 2007, 12:19pm EDT
Go back? Oh, heavens no!

I agree with Nanina though. I'd love to have my 19-year-old body back.
Charles D. Apr 12, 2007, 12:59pm EDT
Wow, too many comments to answer individually while here at work during my lunch break but I will say
THANK YOU ALL FOR STOPPING BY AND SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT BEING YOUNG AGAIN. SOME GREAT STORIES HERE!!!
Rob Appell Apr 12, 2007, 3:20pm EDT
Though I'll never grow up, I am getting old-er. I can't do those all night parties and go right to work...I need rest now to be able to function. With all the aches and pains associated with getting old-er, the mind is raring to go, but the body wants to be left at home. The only way I'd go back to being a youth and live it all over again is if I could do so with the knowledge I have now. I may not do a few things I did back then, but there are others things I would do that I didn't get the chance to because I wasn't in the know. It's a good thing this can't happen...or the world would be in big, big trouble!
Barbra L. Apr 12, 2007, 5:34pm EDT
My 'teen-age years' were splendid! I enjoyed high school far more than grammar school. But I enjoy going onward.
No, I would not go back. Life is a process of moving forward. Good food for thought, Charles.
Charles D. Apr 12, 2007, 8:37pm EDT
SORRY SO LATE. I HAD TO WORK LATE AGAIN. IT FEELS GREAT TO BE BACK ON GATHER READING SO WONDERFUL ARTICLES!!!! THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR COMMENTING. I'VE READ ALL YOUR COMMENTS AND I STILL WOULD LOVE TO REVISIT MY TEENAGE YEARS. I MISS ALL THE FUN!!!
Charles D. Apr 12, 2007, 10:05pm EDT
I agree Kathleen, but sometimes I think how I thought life was so tough then. Boy If I only knew what I know now, I would enjoy it so much more!!!
Sue D. Apr 12, 2007, 10:23pm EDT
There are parts of this time that I would love to relive, and others that I would not. I had some relatively wild times, especially away at college. I can't help smiling at some of them, and no Charles, I won't tell you about them.
Charles D. Apr 12, 2007, 11:20pm EDT
Sue, that's ok. I have some private stock I will not share for fear of being flagged by Gather!!!
Audrey F. Apr 13, 2007, 12:51am EDT
I like being 46 just fine and have no desire to go back in time.
Fun article, Charles.
Linda M. Apr 13, 2007, 3:25am EDT
Charles, I don't miss my youth. I'm having a lot of fun right now, and don't think about wanting to be younger. The only thing I'd wish in this regard is that I could have more time being healthy and alive. I enjoy living quite a lot, and am sorry it must end one of these years.
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 7:20am EDT
Audrey, thanks for having fun. Good to hear from you!!!
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 7:21am EDT
John, I thought you were a youngin' Thought you and I were going to hang out and drink some gather beers. Oh well. Good to hear from ya!!
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 7:23am EDT
Linda, how are you. Thanks for reading. Not even for one day huh. OK!!
Jody Says Apr 13, 2007, 4:14pm EDT
Wow, from 16 up to about 22, those were the years. Sex, drugs,fast cars, and rock and roll. Oh, the stories I could tell.
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 5:23pm EDT
Jody, you rock, your words are making me want to call up my buds and hang again!!
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 5:25pm EDT
Mike, I totally understand. I was there too. I would be in the crowd with you ordering a bud!!! So you'd agree, let's do it over again man!!
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 5:27pm EDT
Audrey, a dancer. I know, I use to love dancing, although I did step on many toes. But I had fun trying!!!
Jody Says Apr 13, 2007, 6:11pm EDT
I can tell you what beer we had- Bud was like 3.50 a twelve pack, Meister Brau was 2.00 a case, you do the math.
Charles D. Apr 13, 2007, 7:58pm EDT
Wow, Jody. Let's go get drunk!!!!! Parties at your place tonight!!!
Joyce K. Apr 13, 2007, 8:40pm EDT
I liked being in my late teens/early 20s, but I enjoy things as they are now so much more (I'm turning 30 this September). It's weird, considering I can no longer pull an all-nighter of partying and then head to head to work with a sober mind :) I don't think I'd even be able to pull myself out of bed!

I still try to have a great time with my pals, but those Guinnesses pack a heavier wallop than they used to. I guess my party-hearty stamina is no longer there.
Charles D. Apr 14, 2007, 7:15am EDT
Joyce, doesn't it stink. I mean when we were younger we had all this energy. I miss it that's all.
donna h. Apr 14, 2007, 9:29pm EDT
I had some fun times...hehehe!!
Howard b. Apr 16, 2007, 9:13pm EDT
great story. I liked it very much. thanks for sharing

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