ROADTRIPPIN: KIDS TODAY and TOMORROW

Do you ever wonder what will become of the kids today when tomorrow comes? I'm speaking of many, many tomorrows from now, but still...

My kid and I took a road trip for spring break, 850 miles, 6 cities/towns in seven days and as soon as we packed ourselves into the rental car he presented his itouch with a playlist for our drive and started taking pictures. He ended up with over 300 pics by trips end with an additional 20 or so movies and yes a lot of them have already been emptied into the trash, but to my surprise quite a few had merit for a ten year old.

This isn't unusual for kids today. There's an ease to produce content if they have the tools to do so, be it vacation pics or a school project, information and answers are as easy to find as their own or a parent's ipad, laptop or computer and they are madly proficient with these gadgets.

I question though, if we're doing a disservice to kids today? It's so easy to find answers, write a paper, produce a photograph or make a movie that I wonder if they know how to break a sweat doing anything other than sports? Maybe this ease leaves room for some other benefit that I'm missing, but I can't help think that progress should be earned to be appreciated. My Papa in his later years telling me he walked up hill both to and from school with cardboard in his shoes is making a lot of sense to me now. 

I want my kid to realize the gifts he has and how to use them appropriately for the future.

Here are a few of his photographs from our trip.

 

Just the other night the kid and I had a conversation that gives me reason to think, yes, he gets it.

 "I wish I had seen technology grow the way you did, that must have been exciting to have played the first ever video game" and I answered, "but it will advance for you in the same way, we just don't know what those advances are they're unfolding as we speak, you may experience the same growth in technology." he responded, "What if an alien is looking down at us right now saying, look at those cave men?"

COPS PLAY and I ♥ NYC

I always reply the same, "I love New York City!" Every time I speak on the phone with my Dad he mentions what a better quality of life I could have if I moved back down south. Last night he added, "in a few more years when the "Party" is over you'll want a quieter life and you'll realize. I laughed and asked what party? I'm not attending any "Parties"! Then what is it? he asked. "It's the art galleries, the museums, fashion, that we actually have four distinct seasons and bands always come to NYC unlike smaller cities...it's almost certain your favorite bands will stop here on tour." These were the first things that popped into my mind.

But there's so much more than that...just walking down the street to get to work in this city is engaging and visual. I wouldn't get this type stimulation commuting down a highway in the cocoon of my car if I lived in my former city. I'm here in NYC because I love the visual, all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Here is a selection of what I've seen on the way to work...

Adorable children on their way to school

57th and Lexington Avenue

57th street window shopping (LV)

Strangers M50 Bus

59th and Park Avenue

Mr. Bill Cunningham almost every morning on 57th and 5th Ave, but never on Friday's.

Last summer walking down 57th street, on my way to work, I noticed the traffic cop in the video link above directing traffic with such style. I had to get a closer look. I pulled out my phone and made a super8 app film of her. I was running late and had to get moving. I thought, I'll see her some other morning and get better footage, but I've yet to see her again.

So, Dad, this post is dedicated to you and this is one more reason I can't quit New York City, my commute to work in the morning.