Frogs in the Driveway

A couple weeks ago a close friend of mine celebrated her 22nd birthday at The Highball. After a long karaoke session and a screwdriver or two I received a call from my house. Now keep in mind this is at 10:30pm on a Saturday night. I answer the phone and I hear my mom, somewhat panic stricken and fearful. All I can hear her saying is my name.

I leave the club and head outside, dodging the few or so drunks who try to yell into the phone as I talk with my mom. She asks where I am and I reply,
"I was singing karaoke. I am about to go dancing. I can't hear you well."

To this she replies, "Matty, you must be careful when you come tonight. There are frogs in the driveway."

It is loud outside the club and I think I am mishearing things. I ask her to repeat what she said.

"There are frogs in the driveway. You need to be careful."

At this point several things are going through my mind.

One - Is this phone call just some elaborate excuse to find out why I am out so late?
Two - Will she get mad if she figures out I had a screwdriver or two and not let me go out again?
Three - Why are there frogs in the driveway?

Noting my hesitation on the phone, my mom clarifies things.

"I watered the grass and frogs came out of a hole next to the tree in the front yard. There are frogs in the driveway. I don't want you to run over the frogs."

She needed to tell me at 10:30pm that there were frogs in the driveway. I explained to her that when I returned home I would be very careful and not hit any of the frogs when I got home.

Later that night when I went home I carefully parked my scooter, looking out for frogs as I did so. However, the yard was completely dry, the water had evaporated.

There were no frogs in the driveway.

Living at home (or how to continue on with life after college)

I have become what I feared the most - a living at home college graduate.

This phase of life is not uncommon anymore. The New York Times wrote about it, and when the New York Times goes out of its way to comment on today's youth, then you know they are on to something. So far the experience has not been too bad. No imposed curfews, not too many chores. But it's the little things that have changed, or how my parents think I have.

For example, the other day a beer commercial for Bud Light played while I was watching television with my mom. At the end of the commercial she turns to me and asks,

"Look Matty. Beer, it's a beer commercial. Do you ever drink beer with your friends?" Embarrassed and like a teenager I reply, "mooom."

In hindsight what I would have liked to have said would have gone something like,

"Yes, sometimes I drink beer with my friends. Sometimes I drink margaritas with my friends. Sometimes I drink hard liquor on its own with my friends. For the most part I drink moderate portions and if I don't, I always find a safe ride home. However, I can assure you I never drink Bud Light."

I will have to have this conversation with her another time.