It’s 7:11 a.m. as I sit to type this post.
I opened my laptop at 7:10 a.m., and waited until 7:11, because I like that time better. I like times that mean something to me…
…Now it’s 7:12. Sad.
Sure, special times only last a minute, but they come around twice a day, every day, like clockwork. Pun intended. Pun always intended.
Image from here.
Whenever I notice it’s 7:11, I am instantly transported to my youth. 7-ELEVEN™ (convenience stores, for anyone outside North America). Suicide Slurpees™. Bubble Yum™—is that the name of that bubble gum that comes in SIX FOOT STRIPS ROLLED UP LIKE TAPE IN A TAPE DISPENSER? Man, that gum was revolutionary.
Image from here.
Op, no—I just Googled™ it. Not Bubble Yum™. It’s Bubble Tape™ (go figure).
We didn’t get it often—my parents weren’t the indulgent sort. In fact, I’m fairly certain the only time we would have had our own six-foot strip of Bubble Tape™ (as opposed to a pity-piece ripped off one of my rich friends’ strips) was when we saved our own money to buy it. We had to work as kids, my sister and me. I hated it then, but I can’t say I’d do anything different with my own children. Allowance? Nonsense. Go get a job. There’s no such thing as free Bubble Tape™.
I can’t remember the last time I chewed bubble gum. My sister has this lifelong pet peeve of people who chew their gum with their mouths open, and pop their bubbles loudly for all the world to hear. She used to beat me up when she heard me chewing my piece of scavenged Bubble Tape™. Consequently, I am paranoid, to this day, to pop my gum in public. “Chomping gum,” she calls it. I guess I’m worried she’ll hear me all the way from Arizona and fly to Canada to beat me up. She’s strong, but I can run faster. At least, I used to could. Now she runs marathons, so I guess I’m out of luck. Did you plan that, sister?
At this point in my life, 7-ELEVEN™ carries a different connotation than pink bubble gum and multi-coloured frozen sugar drinks. It reminds me of Poor Kyle, who has been known to walk in to a 7-ELEVEN™ and walk back out $20.00 poorer. Who even spends $20.00 at the 7-ELEVEN™? Have you? I haven’t. And it’s not like he buys cigarettes or booze. Just treats. Pop. Chips. Nachos. Taquitos. Chicken on a stick (which really is delicious, in case you’re wondering). My husband just lives for treats. He’s fun like that.
He is propelled by fun. When we have kids, he’s going to be the favourite parent. No, seriously. I believe in firmness and follow-through…discipline and structure. I’m Supernanny’s most avid student. My children will never ask me for permission if their father is around, because they’ll know he’ll give a better answer. I’ll be the mean mom. Poor Kyle, on the other hand…
…he’ll probably buy them Bubble Tape™ from 7-ELEVEN™ on a regular basis.
It’s 7:37 a.m.
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***I remember when I was a kid. I imagine the future with my own children. This has been posted along with Jen’s Spin Cycle, the topic of which is “Kids” this week. Head over to this post on her blog for more of the kidliest posts on the internet.***
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