As my 18th birthday nears I have inevitably started to compile a mental list of all the things I will soon be “allowed” to do, with the help of friends and family. I had actually forgotten that some of these things, like drinking and smoking, were legally restricted, which just goes to show how futile said restrictions are in real society. Anyway, this is what I’ve got so far:
1. Getting my driver’s license
2. Drinking alcohol, pub crawling and other related booze-fuelled activities
3. Going to overage clubs and concerts
4. Smoking
5. Getting a tattoo (or five)
6. Voting in federal elections
7. Joining the army
8. Administering my own finances
9. Signing my own excursion forms and other legal documents
10. Generally countering all overprotective advice with “As a legal adult I can make my own decisions now, and if I were living in Ancient Rome I would’ve already been that for two whole years, so [insert arrogant parting comment here]“.
Now, those are the possibilities, but what will be the actualities? Well, as horrified as my parents would be if I turned up to my November exams sloshed (therefore making it an appealing prospect) and at the danger of sounding wowserish, I don’t plan to drink any alcohol at my birthday, or before my exams, or, like, ever. Don’t like the stuff. It smells bad, it wrecks your insides, and from experience I get high enough off orange juice without having to consume stronger poison. Case closed.
As for driving: with a tram, bus and train stop all within easy waking distance of my front door, I really don’t see the need to learn to drive or get a car. This may change in future, but I hope not. Nothing against being chauffeured around to interesting places, though ;)
Smoking is also a no-go. I’m already addicted to cheese, so let’s take one self-destructive habit at a time, shall we? The same goes for tattoos at the moment. Why use ink when there’s henna? (something to do with permanency, I know).
And then there’s the thoroughly unlikely prospect of me enlisting myself for the armed forces. The truth is I can’t even walk up Westbourne Grove without keeling over and gasping for breath, so marching around and learning a lot of shouty, repetitive phrases and getting deployed in the middle of artillery fire is a not a high priority on my to do list.
As for numbers 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10 — I’m looking forward to it. And as half of the US isn’t going to bother voting in their Presidential election this year, we US citizenship-holding Australians might as well pick up some of the slack. I’ve already downloaded my election ballot, and on November 4 this year, I will finally have an excuse to wear those US flag earrings I bought in Taiwan. Go figure.
Tags: US Presidential Election, 18th Birthday, Tattoos, Alcohol, Driving, Smoking
July 30, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Aviva that hill is so nasty, it seems unlikely that anything the armed forces could throw at you would even compare.
As for showing up drunk to exams I encourage the practice. God knows it’s the only way that i’ll succeed at beating you in any of our subjects.
You can also now:
Buy herbs from ‘happy herbs’ on smith street. This includes the ’smoking additives’ (for tobacco of course) the ‘magic pills’ (contains no dairy) but alas not ‘Buzz’ a.k.a Liquid Ecstasy, that’ll have to wait until you’re 21.
Have same sex sex (i’m fairly sure it’s 18 here, in other states it’s 21)
Get a forklift license
But alas you’ll need to wait until you’re 25 to rent a car
July 31, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Unfortunately I will probably have to get a license if I want to rent a car anyway — or is that what the forklift license is for? Being staight, same sex sex is also off the list for now, though I have recorded the smith street store for reference when I turn 21 ;)
July 31, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Ha ha, I still think it’s nice to know you COULD do things even if you WON’T
still it’s all good
September 1, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Sorry, couldn’t help noticing you said people can join the army only once they’re 18. I was under the impression that you could join the army at 16 but couldn’t serve in the front line until you’re 18. This would not concern you as only men are allowed to serve in the front line currently, but I hope the knowledge that you had the right to drop out and join the army at 16 will somehow add to your civil awareness. :)
September 2, 2008 at 3:42 pm
No need to apologise, Oskar — my civil awareness has indeed been added to by your admirable pedantry. And it’s always nice to be reminded that all those gender equality/anti-discrimination bits of legislation that I should know about and don’t are inconsistent enough to disallow women serving on the front line.
September 2, 2008 at 4:38 pm
It was the topic of a letter to the editor in our english exam in year 9 I believe.
September 2, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Well, I’m glad SOMEONE was paying attention to Ms Allitt! I actually remember something about that, now that you mention it. Never one for civic minutiae though, unfortunately.
September 11, 2008 at 6:23 pm
I might add further to Noni’s recommendation and suggest getting a fork license. I’m not sure about your dexterity, but anecdotally, I have experienced many Australians (by which I mean my social sphere) don’t know how to use a fork. An example is that stupid sculpture of a cow in Docklands.
September 11, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Maybe I should go back to primary school and get my pen license first.