Who will be the next world icon?

“It may have happened, it may not have happened but it could have happened.” 
― Mark Twain

Hello kids! How is the underage world these days? I ask because I no longer belong to it.

Yes, I have happily and finally acquired the status of an adult. Although nobody actually sees me as an adult and nobody actually takes me serious, I can rub it in the faces of my underage friends and taste a bit of power.

Being 18 in Europe gives you some perks.

First of all, you can drive. Although the US may think that it’s ok to put 16 year-olds in control of a death machine, here in Europe we like to put to good use our ability to think. And let me tell you, driving gets you places. Literally. Yes, you will also be the unofficial driver amongst your friends, but you can always play the guilt card and get them to do stuff for you (yes, I’m slightly evil, but if you’re just figuring that out now you have no place here).

Besides driving, you can buy whatever you freaking want (as long as it’s legal). Want to leave the country? That’s nobody’s business but yours. Feel like drinking a flaming shot of something that’s basically pure alcohol? You got it! Want some cigars so you’ll look like a sir? Here they are! Want to visit a strip club, a sex shop? Come on in! The possibilities are endless, my friend.

And guess what? That’s where the beauty of it all relies, in the possibilities. Because I know I can leave the country alone and without telling anyone about it, and I know I can go to a strip club, but guess what? I won’t. Because I might be an adult, but my parents don’t think so. So even though I can walk around and brag that I’m 18, I still tremble when I face my parents wrath, just like I did when I was 12.

Also, I may legally be able to do all of the above, but so do my 17-year-old friends in 98% of the cases. Because let’s face it, no one will ask you your ID card, so legally is exactly the key word here. Then I guess that being 18 in not that much different that being 17.

However, before I leave, here’s three cool things to do when you reach majority:

1.    Say: “I can do whatever I want, I’m 18”

2.    Tell one of your friends “You’ll understand when you’re an adult like me” in a condescending tone.

3.    Walk up to an older man or woman and say “Hey there, I’m eighteen and legal, you know”

The Joker,

Sophie Grey

         

“Why do you have to be the same as the others? ...Most of them are stupid.” ― Ken Follett, Winter of the World

Hey cutie pies, what have you been up to?

Let’s get down to business (not that business, clam down) and discuss a matter that affects us all: globalization, yeah!

         Go ahead, say stuff like “Oh no, no, I am not affected by globalization, I have my own culture and blah blah”, as you sip from your Starbucks coffee or your Diet Coke while texting on your smartphone. Truth is, you do get affected, so zip it.

         And now that we’ve established that you are just another sheep in this standardized world (it could be worse, sheep are really cute, especially baby sheep), we should get our thinking caps on and wonder: is globalization good or bad?

         Let’s make the most out of my latent obsessive compulsive disorder and make a list, shall we?

1.    It gave us awesome and delicious food such as pizza, tacos and others (PRO). However, that’s what brought obesity to Europe (CON).

2.    It introduced us to TV shows such as How I Met Your Mother and movies such as Harry Potter, the Lord of the Rings, masterpieces that changed the face of humanity (ups, my nerdiness awesomeness is showing). But…and this is a terrible ‘but’, it poisoned us with shows such as 16 and pregnant and  movies such as District 9 (say what you like, but for me, that movie was as bad as

3.    Through globalization we embraced gorgeous fashion such as the mini skirt, high heels, and studs (which make you feel totally badass). But (yep, another but), we also embraced shoulder pads and leg warmers and bell bottoms (yes, I’m referring to the 80’s, that decade’s fashion should be ashamed of itself)

4.    Don’t get me started on the music!! On the one hand, performers such as Queen, The Beatles, Bon Jovi, Adele. And on the other hand…you have the peak of human stupidity with Nicky Minaj, Justin Bieber and One Direction. Their music gives people cancer.

So far we have a pro for each con. I could continue but the pattern would repeat itself. So, kids, what did we learn today? That globalization can’t be classified as good or bad, it’s just as everything in life. Oh my, look at me so philosophical, I should have my own TV show (and it would certainly be better than crap like Toddlers and Tiaras. I wonder if USA’s social services are still functioning).

         Your role, as a regular citizen is to fight the brutalities and to enjoy the wonders that come from globalization.

         My job here is done, I should go, my people needs me!

The Joker,

Sophie Grey