Gossip, hot-lists, and wife-swapping...

No, this is not a list of what television provides as entertainment (well, maybe it is). This is what i found fitting for the title of my post about my week at the senior citizen activity center... you read correctly... senior citizens.

I have been volunteering at a senior activity center this past week to complete my service hours. I have discovered that these senior citizens, who are more than likely just like our grandparents, live secret lives that we don't know about. Not only that, but they have discovered a way to be younger than ever: just act younger.

On my first day, as I sat clipping coupons (kudos to those of you who cut coupons regularly), i had a chance to overhear a conversation of four seniors (2 guys, 2 girls). Now, let me jsut set this up a bit. When these four walked into the place, i immediately knew they were popular... i am almost positive they had a theme song playing as they walked into the place. Everybody said 'hi' as they passed, and these four walked right by with their walkers and cane as if they never even heard them (which is a posability, but never mind that). They sat down behind me, one even smiled at me--i felt honored. I continued clipping, and began to tune in to their conversation.

It began with some really juicy gossip... Francy (not nancy, not francine...francy) wouldn't be coming to the center today because she was upset with Carla for changing the channel last friday. As the gossip continued and got jucier, i took a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure that there wasn't a group of teens that snuck into the place (i don't know why they would, but hey, i was convinced). Nope, still the same popular seniors. Then they began to discuss 'who likes who' and 'who doesn't'. Soon, a list was mentioned. "So, i hear that Marie has a thing for Al..." I paused in mid coupon-clip to hear this. "Oh yes, it's true, however Marie is number 3 on Al's list... she has no chance with Al as long as Rosa is his number 1." I just sat there. The third one added her input: "Yes, but Al is number 2 on Rosa's list..." A staff member walked by and I quickly resumed my clipping, trying to tune out the tempting conversation.

I tuned out pretty well, however what happened next has probably affected me most out of the entire conversation. They began talking of their events of the weekend. George (i think that was his name, but i could have easily made that up myself) talked about a double date he had with his pal. Once again, my coupon clipping was put on pause. The first few details were boring, but then came these words out of his mouth: "Ya, then we had a couple of drinks and swapped wives for a while..."

...

wow... then i was... well, i really don't remember much after that. I looked at my watch: 1 o'clock and time to go.

I would continue the story, but this is getting rather long. Saty tune for more from: Adventures in Senior-land

I have stories of aerobics and channel changing coming, so check back again soon.

ta ta :)