THE PROM ".....you know this much is true." (S. Ballet)- Guest Blogger Taylor " 'lectric Friday" Rhodes

     The Prom....A time of endings and new beginnings.  A celebration of graduation and the boundless opportunities waiting in the big world, be it post secondary education or employment.  The boys in tuxes and suits, the girls in all sorts of taffeta and tulle.  The thrill of buying a corsage if you were lucky enough to have a date.  An opportunity to "promenade" in front of the opposite sex in full peacock mode.  The promise of the future.  Ballroom music playing, performed by a live 20 piece band with violins and all.  The gentle breeze and swish created by majestic gowns inspired by princesses and Cinderella.  The intoxicating aroma of several subtle perfumes wafting in the air.
     A very grand and regal event indeed.
     What a load of CRAP. At its heart, it was the ultimate drunkfest. 
     I was fortunate(??) enough to attend three proms  and each and every time the goal was to get as absolutely shitfaced as possible.  I mean blind drunk.  Hotel bathtubs filled (and I mean FILLED) with all types of booze and beer.  Arriving early to prepare the room and get dressed while having some
pre- cocktail hour cocktails.  These were of course in addition to the getting packed cocktails and not to mention road pops for the trip to the hotel.  (It was a different time back then.  I do not condone this behavior, but it happened and everyone took part.)
     It was the last chance to attempt to talk to someone that you may have had a crush on, in a well lubricated social setting where if it went bad you could always claim "amnesia".  You know, "I was sooooo drunk.  I don't remember that at all."  Saying this allowed you to save a little face even if it was just in your mind.  (Don't get me wrong.  There were times that it was not a game.  And that sucked sometimes more that having to fake it.)  And even if you were successful in your attempts and something did happen (major or minor), the next contact with said individual was often awkward.  Most often because of our insecurities, neither party would be sure if the other party was serious, too drunk, or had amnesia.  So you let your mind create a fantasy and that was that.  And who can forget the unfortunate situation where you made a "mistake" or "didn't know what you were doing" whether it was the wrong person for social reasons, or the person was less than attractive than you thought (the proverbial beer/rye goggles).  That is for another entry.
     Ironically enough, it was at one of these Galas that my future wife (22 years later.....that's another story) marched right up to me, jumped into my arms and whispered.....no, shouted something very forward into my ear.  As I had always been very, very interested in this woman, but had never said two words to her all throughout high school (she was waaaaay out of my league), I was extremely taken aback.  Actually terrified would be more accurate.  Not one word could I say to the very woman I would watch as she entered and filled a room.  I would look forward to going to school, anticipating how good she was going to look and what she would be wearing.  But, as I said, that is truly another story.
     Our graduating class has the dubious honour of being the last high school to be able to book Proms in Ontario.  The hotel was trashed.  Televisions, patio furniture and broken bottles in the bottom of an empty swimming pool.  I watched as an individual ran down the hall, jumping up and smashing every light fixture along the way.  And this barley scratches the surface of the mayhem and destruction that occurred.
     Well thank god for across the river.  (and here again, that is another story)  

     And WHAT AN ABSOLUTE RIOT!  The following statement will most definitely appear in future entries:
     It truly a miracle that as many of us made it to adulthood.  And equally as miraculous that as many of us went on to lead productive and happy lives.  I can only hope future generations have the same good fortune.