Coming of Age

Narrative: YOU / 3rd

RituaLIZing the wrong - Coming_of_age (Wiki) -Rite_of_passage (Wiki) - icpuber.htm (Religious Tolerance)

Wayne "turning 16" on May 2008

Backstory - Wayne did not buy this cake or the age-candle. He had a small birthday party in his apartment.
Two of the girls attending the party asked him if he wanted a birthday cake. He hesitated -- then he said ok.
Without telling them to buy any specific candles. When they returned - they bought the above cake.

In other words, it was no accident they bought candles stating that he was turning 16. As if that is not enough
this occurred on his birthday. The 1st earthquake that he had felt while in Colombia. Enough to sway the building.

May 24, 2008 - At least six killed in Colombian Earthquake (AP)

AP - Earthquake Rattles Colombia's Capital, Killing 6 ----  CNN Espanol: Temblor en Bogota - Mayo 24, 2008

JudaISM - Bar Mitzvah
(Pronounced Bah - Lamb sound)

Bar_and_Bat_Mitzvah (Wiki) - What_is_a_bar_mitzvah (Wiki Answers) - mitzvah (Dictionary)

A Bar mitzvah is when a Jewish boy turns 13 and becomes an adult.
As part of the customary rite of passage he will read from the Torah in the synagogue.
A Bat mitzvah when a Jewish girl turns 12 and becomes an adult.

You see why Wayne is a "Sheep Herder again?"

CatholicISM - CONfirmation

Getting the SACRA-MENt
SACRED
SECRET

Matthew 18: 1-6 (BibleGateway)
 1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
 2 He called a little child and had him stand among them.
3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
 5 "And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.
6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone
hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

But the churches like to advertise the LOVE OF JESUS, etc...what to make of this MILLSTONE comment then?

Luke 16-17 (Bible Gateway) - also speaks of a millstone

Luke 17 - Instructions

 1He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come!
 2"(AC)It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.
 3"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
 4"And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him."

Latin America - Quinceanara

Living in a Latin American country Wayne has come to learn about the significance of turning 15.

Link to 1024x768 image

Quiero Mis Quinces (MTV) - Disney denies filming of $150,000 Quinceanara (OC Register)

HinduISM

http://www.newstatesman.com/blogs/the-faith-column/2008/04/upanayana-hindu-young-passage

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080114130557AA1AvOP

National Geographic - Suffering a Thousand Cuts
Watch on Youtube
 

Into the MAN-house!
From Taboo: Skin Deep...from Papua New Guinea? Or Central Africa?

Then there's the biggest "rite of passage" --- Marriage!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirteen_(movie)
TEEN-age --> Dying-age

desire to fit in, forsaking old friends for new cooler friends (Social cliques), wealth factors
advertising/consumer influences, chasing fashionable shoes/jewelry, wearing sunglasses, more lying
stealing MONey, rebellious, smoking, other drugs, keeping secrets
piercing --> jewelry --> want to look adult
overprotective parents -- insecure with self - privacy, suicidal thoughts, sexuality
learning cues from mom and/or who she associates with, inventing stories for attention
divorced parents trouble, disengaged father, resentment, embarassment of association with parents
single mother - no father.Single mom - weak, reflects on child  (Like Laura & Gloria)
shame - doesn't want to be held

want to FEEL happy. But it is better to BE HAPPY

all MOOvies - reinforce..for some, some learn...net BAD.

Don't want to be the NICE girl - and don't want to be the BAD girl.
Girls -- you want to be yoursELF!

"You're Growing Up so Damned Fast" from National Lampoon #?? with Chevy Chase

 

9-YEAR-OLD ALEC GREVEN WRITES DATING BOOK "HOW TO TALK TO GIRLS" - New York Post

My Super Sweet 16 (MTV)

child of 1st century ≠ child of 21st / 20th century

child ≠ childISH
Childish = sort of like a child. So -- a person acting sort of like a child is often ugly.

Why are we in a rush to grow older? To "grow up?"

Why are we showing "our children" how to get older?

Why do we need to be "mature?"

Why do we have these elaborate rituals to encourage "kids" to get older?

Why can't "WE" just BE?