Dental school is great. It is truly fascinating to learn about the human body and how it works. It is even more amazing how many of my new colleagues are 21 and 22 years old. Even more amazing is how when I go to the library, my school mates are 18 years old. Frankly, we have nothing in common except the backpack and books we have. Through my interaction, reality has hit me straight in the face telling me that I am 1) older 2) they are Yaounde and dumb.
Late night on Tuesday, I was leaving the library. A young brother (a black guy for those who think I have a brother) was having a conversation with the security guard about the collection of MP3s he has been jamming to. He mentioned that he was listening to the Old School R&B.
"You know how I do it. A little Tevin Campbell, Surface, Keith Sweat, Soul 4 Real. Yeah, you have to feel the ol' skool R&B. You know?"
I could not believe my ears. You are calling Tevin Campbell old skool. Tevin is not old school sucka. Teddy P. is old school. These cats today use the word 'old school' for anything that did not happen the past year. Wait a second! Maybe he is. If I put together the fact that Tevin was singing, "I'm Ready" in 1994, and the young bro was born in 1987, then it would be old school to him. This kid, who probably thinks he is a man, is a baby. He was born when I was in 7th grade. When I started working in 1997, he was 10 years old and in the 4th grade. He grew up on Brittney Spears and Master P. Two people who are just terrible. He only knows the pop Ice Cube. He does not know the hard core Cube talking about AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. He does not know.
The one thing he probably does know is that I am one old bastard. Damn, I am 30 and grew up on Old School music. These damn Kids.
Comments (8)
So many of your posts refer to age and maturity. Maybe if you were not so busy shoveling the dirt for your grave, and choosing the font for your tombstone, you'd realize that all ages, and all backgrounds have something to contribute to each other. It's unfortunate that you think you are an old man at 30. When you're 75, you'll realize what a "baby" you still are. Now quit whining like a little girl and school that, my brotha.
Posted by Anonymous | October 30, 2005 5:43 PM
Posted on October 30, 2005 17:43
Who is that guy? Is he from Yaounde too? Why are so many of your classmates from Cameroon?
Posted by Age | October 31, 2005 7:46 PM
Posted on October 31, 2005 19:46
Brillant. An unkown person who cannot understand tone leaving a message.
Posted by Taj | October 31, 2005 9:01 PM
Posted on October 31, 2005 21:01
Since we're discussing tombstone fonts, i'd like to suggest a serif, preferrably a slab-serif, such as Garamond ... It holds the required severity to command respect, yet is light enough to inspire hope in the afterlife. An all-around solid font.
And i'd like to thank the unnamed commenter for giving us the uber-generic and cliche advice that every age and culture has something to learn from one another. Who are you, Rodney King? Did you also come up with the whole "carpe diem" thing? Keep your innane and useless comments to a site that appreciates that sort of pop psychology. I'd recommend oprahwinfrey.com.
Posted by workmonkey | November 1, 2005 5:25 PM
Posted on November 1, 2005 17:25
You ask for comments TMH, yet, when they come...the whole posse comes with it. Little defensive, eh, boys? Hopefully you all can understand my tone. No, working monkey, I'm not Rodney King. But I think you already knew that. Funny how you all treat someone differently when you don't know who they are. Trips me out. See you Monday.
Posted by Anonymous | November 1, 2005 10:07 PM
Posted on November 1, 2005 22:07
"old school" is a moving target, but it is a trip...we're at that age where people that look about our age grew up in a totally different time. especially me, since i look 17. and by age i mean number of years, not people who happen to look like Age. which wouldn't be a bad thing. Age is fuckin hot.
Posted by k-ro | November 1, 2005 11:33 PM
Posted on November 1, 2005 23:33
Actually, I went easy on you cause I didn't know who you were. Had I known, I most likely would have made some sort gender comment, ethnic comment, or hair-color comment. It's an old technique, but I find it useful when in a pinch.
Posted by workmonkey | November 2, 2005 2:30 AM
Posted on November 2, 2005 02:30
Do I sense a love spat? No, not between age and kro.
Posted by Taj | November 2, 2005 10:22 PM
Posted on November 2, 2005 22:22