I love to do that. I usually get a cup of coffee and nurse it as I make my rounds. It's fun to poke around, looking at old things (aide from looking in the mirror).
For the 5 miles it takes me to drive the grocery store from home, I turn off my phone and pass through town undetected and untracked (I could be anywhere or nowhere and who would know?); of course, once I arrive at the store, I turn it right back on in case someone one needs to contact me about a late entry on the grocery list. That is the extent of me playing hooky as a middle-aged man.
My one foray into hooky-ness was as a senior. My friend and I skipped English and walked downtown. What a strange feeling that was! And to make sure no one recognized us, we switched eyeglasses. Such rebels!
I am infamous for my dislike of ‘Ferris’, practically blasphemous for a Chicagoan. It’s pedantic but true: they can’t do everything they did in the order in which they did it in the time allotted and it makes me crazy, ESPECIALLY as a Chicagoan. Someone from the Washington Post wrote an article not long ago trying it, but I knew it back in 1986. Takes me right out of the movie when they park in the Loop and then go to Wrigley Field. Not happening!
And my one hooky experience is that I cut school to go to downtown Chicago for the St Patrick’s Day parade, and I told my parents I was doing it! We met at school and went from there, so a classmate said I was ‘present’ during homeroom, so I was reported as cutting because I didn’t show up to class, so my parents ended up having to write a note excusing me due to a ‘doctor’s appointment’.
... Speaking of Chicago movies -- what about that amazing scene in The Fugitive -- an extensive chase scene all through the St Patrick's Day parade...?
I could never play hooky.... totally a rule follower. I am in my wiser years however learning that times of solitude...a movie with popcorn, a leisurely stroll through Target or wandering through nature offers me the timeout I love.... Wonderful read Amy!!!❤️
Great newsletter - yes to bathrobes! I cozy into mine when I get home from work and it feels like the day drops away! As for hooky - too goody two shoes to do it except once. One of my classmates died in a car accident in high school. The principal made a big deal about students being excused to attend the funeral. He also made a big deal that EVERY STUDENT was expected back in school after the funeral. He said there would be consequences for not returning. I told my parents, as did my friends, and also told them I was not going back. I told them I would take whatever the punishment was - but seriously... No punishment ever came and I don't think anyone in my class returned to school after the funeral. My friends and I sat at my house, ate snacks and talked about our friend.
Played hooky a lot in high school 1970s. BFF, Jane, had diabetes which required me to escort her home and care for her frequently- lol. We went everywhere, did everything, and had so much fun, and were both A students and graduated early. One memorable day we were in a store and saw my Dad, who was apparently also playing hooky! He didn’t see us, fortunately!
I love the scenario where both you and your father actually DO spot each other, but keep your secrets out of respect for the feeling of freedom that accompanies playing hooky.
My hooky playing has been taking a sick day from work. My favorite sick day was watching curling at the Olympics. It really helped me feel better both physically and emotionally
I do ❤ your newsletter. I played hooky all through high school. I hated most of it, but, did ok with an A average and sixth in my class of over 660 kids.
in Southern California beach towns the most glorious days of summer were late September. I too was a never-miss-a-day-of-school type but my senior year I went to the beach all day on an early autumn day. An excused absence was allowed if we went to the county fair. The next day in my speech class the teacher had me tell the class about the fair----------I had never been to a county fair and winging it is something I have never forgotten.
One of my greatest joys is to watch movies alone, ideally the first matinee, and eat my popcorn and drink my Pepsi like it's a tiny communion.
... a tiny communion. Exactly!
"Take eat, this is my popcorn, popped for you...."
Hahahaha
When I play hooky, I go to a big antique mall and browse for hours on end. Then I go get a decadent pastry.
I love to do that. I usually get a cup of coffee and nurse it as I make my rounds. It's fun to poke around, looking at old things (aide from looking in the mirror).
For the 5 miles it takes me to drive the grocery store from home, I turn off my phone and pass through town undetected and untracked (I could be anywhere or nowhere and who would know?); of course, once I arrive at the store, I turn it right back on in case someone one needs to contact me about a late entry on the grocery list. That is the extent of me playing hooky as a middle-aged man.
There is a movie plot lurking within: What if one day ... you just kept driving?
My one foray into hooky-ness was as a senior. My friend and I skipped English and walked downtown. What a strange feeling that was! And to make sure no one recognized us, we switched eyeglasses. Such rebels!
It's so funny what we thought was so daring, back in the day.
I am infamous for my dislike of ‘Ferris’, practically blasphemous for a Chicagoan. It’s pedantic but true: they can’t do everything they did in the order in which they did it in the time allotted and it makes me crazy, ESPECIALLY as a Chicagoan. Someone from the Washington Post wrote an article not long ago trying it, but I knew it back in 1986. Takes me right out of the movie when they park in the Loop and then go to Wrigley Field. Not happening!
And my one hooky experience is that I cut school to go to downtown Chicago for the St Patrick’s Day parade, and I told my parents I was doing it! We met at school and went from there, so a classmate said I was ‘present’ during homeroom, so I was reported as cutting because I didn’t show up to class, so my parents ended up having to write a note excusing me due to a ‘doctor’s appointment’.
... Speaking of Chicago movies -- what about that amazing scene in The Fugitive -- an extensive chase scene all through the St Patrick's Day parade...?
I could never play hooky.... totally a rule follower. I am in my wiser years however learning that times of solitude...a movie with popcorn, a leisurely stroll through Target or wandering through nature offers me the timeout I love.... Wonderful read Amy!!!❤️
Yes -- a "timeout!" Thank you for reading and responding.
Great newsletter - yes to bathrobes! I cozy into mine when I get home from work and it feels like the day drops away! As for hooky - too goody two shoes to do it except once. One of my classmates died in a car accident in high school. The principal made a big deal about students being excused to attend the funeral. He also made a big deal that EVERY STUDENT was expected back in school after the funeral. He said there would be consequences for not returning. I told my parents, as did my friends, and also told them I was not going back. I told them I would take whatever the punishment was - but seriously... No punishment ever came and I don't think anyone in my class returned to school after the funeral. My friends and I sat at my house, ate snacks and talked about our friend.
Played hooky a lot in high school 1970s. BFF, Jane, had diabetes which required me to escort her home and care for her frequently- lol. We went everywhere, did everything, and had so much fun, and were both A students and graduated early. One memorable day we were in a store and saw my Dad, who was apparently also playing hooky! He didn’t see us, fortunately!
I love the scenario where both you and your father actually DO spot each other, but keep your secrets out of respect for the feeling of freedom that accompanies playing hooky.
My hooky playing has been taking a sick day from work. My favorite sick day was watching curling at the Olympics. It really helped me feel better both physically and emotionally
I love that. There's a reason they're called "mental health days."
I do ❤ your newsletter. I played hooky all through high school. I hated most of it, but, did ok with an A average and sixth in my class of over 660 kids.
Your hooky days probably helped you to cope with a school experience that doesn't seem to have challenged you much.
in Southern California beach towns the most glorious days of summer were late September. I too was a never-miss-a-day-of-school type but my senior year I went to the beach all day on an early autumn day. An excused absence was allowed if we went to the county fair. The next day in my speech class the teacher had me tell the class about the fair----------I had never been to a county fair and winging it is something I have never forgotten.
I assume your teacher might have been on to you, but teachers had a way of giving the better students a well-deserved break.