Perspective

Can my oldest son co-write a blog post while playing one-minute chess? Let us see.

Best things about leaving home:

1. What are 5 different ways to say "I can just do the stuff I want to do"? I decide how I spend my own time now. If I have a cool idea and I want to spend 18 hours starting at 10 pm working on my cool idea, no one is going to stop me.
2. I live with really great people currently. I greatly enjoy all of my roommates' company. You guys were great to live with and all, but it's also great to live with other smart people.
3. I'm further from Gladlyville Catholic High School. [Jamie resolutely declines to tally $$ spent on tuition.]
4. You get to go to cool places. Gladlyville's a nice town and all, but...

Best things about coming back home:

1. There's just so much less adulting to do. I don't have to do complicated rent or food things; it's already been taken care of. It's nice to just chill out and relax.
2. It's nice to see all you guys. I miss you guys at college. That's probably the number 1 thing.
3. Actually one of the nicest things about going away is it makes you appreciate coming home. And vice versa. They definitely compliment each other well.

Things he didn't expect to miss but actually did:

1. It's weird to be responsible for your entire house and stuff. If this house burns down, it's on you guys. If my house burns down, then, like, what do I do?!
2. Being in charge of all my own food is terrible and sometimes I just go 24 hours without eating because I forget about stuff.
3. ...let alone cleaning my own house. Like, it has a unique smell at this point that none of us can really identify.
4. [Is there anything specific, like meals you might like that are too much hassle for you to make?] Most of them.

Pleasant things about adult life:

1. I really like having a full-time job. 
2. I like having money. 
3. People take me way more seriously now.

Things he's most looking forward to about working in NYC this summer:

1. Food
2. Art
3. Music
4. Fashion [he did not get that interest from me]
5. There's a lot of really smart people in New York.

Heaven help me, I asked him to proof the post and the exchange devolved into "Alex! I am your MOTHER and I'm telling you: DO NOT MAKE BIOWEAPONS." Look out, NYC; he's heading your way.