If I were a younger Tom.....

I don't remember much of my 18th birthday. for the most part, it was pretty dull. I don't remember what I got for presents, I don't remember supper or cake.

What I DO remember is what the rite of passage was.

On the evening of my 18th, i went down Main Street of Mora, and went to the Co-Op. I bought a pack of smokes and some scratch-off lottery tickets. Now, my one loyal reader who knows me well knows that I don't smoke. I've never smoked, anything, ever.

It was one of those things I had to do though, I was 18, and I had to buy those smokes. Marlboro Reds.

Now, a friend of mine worked in the Taco John's at the Co-Op. I walked over there, and traded him the smokes for a sack of tacos. It was a sweet deal.

If I were to turn 18 today, the ritual would change some. I would wake up, walk down to Target and buy some DayQuil. When they asked for my birthdate, I would proudly display my liscense, unscrew the cap and take a big old slug RIGHt in FRONT of the cashier! That's how I would stick it to the man.

The rest of the day would be pretty much the same.