I LOVE A SUNBURNT AUTHOR (a.k.a. Bronz Blog)

Sunday, July 13, 2008

Photos and Memories

Our middle son turns 21 in a couple of months. I gather that this isn't such a big deal in America -- correct me if I'm wrong -- but here in Australia it is the landmark birthday that traditionally signifies the step into adulthood and independence. There is often a party, large or small. In the case of our James we opted for small, mostly family, but then we don't exactly have a small family. The list passed small several pages ago.

This weekend I'm working on invitations. I chose a template from an on-line site. The design includes a series of photos from then and now, which means I've spent hours and hours poring through photos choosing which seven to include. Have also sorted out the best to use in his memory book, which is the next big (fun) task.

While sorting through photos and photo albums I found all kinds of stray and miscellaneous snaps. This one is stray because it's a panorama print: long and skinny and not fitting it any albums. In fact it's so long and skinny that it didn't fit in my scanner and so you're seeing just a portion of the literacy autographing at the New Orleans RWA Conference in 2001. My first conference, my first book, my first signing. I couldn't believe the size of it and it's only gotten bigger since.


This year will be my fifth RWA conference and my fifth signing. Here is the list of participating authors. All 520 of them. If anyone can fit THAT in a photo, I would love to see it!

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posted by Bronwyn Jameson @ 1:09 PM
Comments:
Hi Bron, here in Trinidad it is a very big celebration for a girl not so much a boy. 21 years signifies that a girl fully reaches adulthood and she can now get a key to the house. Many years ago this was the tradition. What Mothers buy now is a golden key pendant with 21 attached to it; I got mine 2 years ago and I only wear it for special occasions, as it is very special.
posted by Blogger Avi J : 12:46 AM
 
For the most part, down in LatinAmerica, the noise is when a girl turns 15. Boy don't get much of a party, though usually some sort of issue is made of their turning 18.

I hope you have a wonderful time at RWA. Let us know if there are any authors you get all fangirly about :grin:
posted by Blogger azteclady : 10:59 PM
 
Ooh, your son will be of legal age to drink alcohol in the U.S. What's the drinking age in Australia?
posted by Blogger Jane : 6:37 AM
 
Well Bron my youngest son turns two tomorrow and that's big enough of a milestone for me! Good luck with the invitation - sounds fab! And have fun in SF!
posted by Blogger Rachael Blair : 1:40 PM
 
Avi, I suspect that the British influence over Trinidad means we share some similar traditions such as the 21st key.

AL, oh I get fangirly. I have stories of conferences past. :-)

Jane, 18 in Australia and so many have a big birthday party to celebrate that milestone as well.

Rach, you have it all ahead of you...but then I wouldn't trade a thing. Have made the invitations. They look GREAT, even if I do say so myself. ;-)

Bron
posted by Blogger Bronwyn Jameson : 7:48 AM
 
In NZ we used to have huge 21st birthday parties, but 18 seems to be the new 21. Probably because that's the legal drinking age here now (also voting age,) and with so many parents working full time most kids 'have the key to the door' from primary school! LOL!

Bron, I remember my first (and only, so far) RWA National at Reno and seeing the room for the literacy signing. O. M. G. I was totally overwhelmed. Even the queue to get into the room was daunting. I'm so bummed I wont be there this year as I'd have had books for signing and everything, been able to see it from the other side of the table, so to speak.
posted by Blogger Yvonne Lindsay : 9:48 AM
 
Yvonne, 18ths have become big for parties in Australia as well. I guess we are bits of traditionalists in that we chose to give our guys 21sts instead. Also the 18ths fall in final year of high school and so the timing for parties wasn't so grand with travel etc. I'm also bummed that you're not able to do the SF conference. You will have to plan for NY -- that's an awesome conference, with the extra benefit of visiting the offices. And you can still look forward to your first signing.

Bron
posted by Blogger Bronwyn Jameson : 1:54 PM
 
Hi Bron, here in the US no specific birthday is really special. When you turn 18 you get the right to vote and 21 is (in most of the states) the legal drinking age.

Maybe for the picture you could ask everyone to squeeze closer together. ;-)
posted by Blogger Susan : 4:03 AM
 
Hi Bron,
Hm - well, 21 is a big birthday amongst friends, but not so much family, I think [in NA]. After all, it's the legal drinking age, so kids go crazy on their "special day." Generally, family stays out of it. [Though there are the parents/grand parents that will happy join in a game of beer pong and beat all the youngsters.]
18 isn't quite as big - the "milestones" are the legal ability to buy cigarettes and porn... although most people graduate from high school at that age so they get the graduation parties.
As for RWA - I'm jealous! Looks like a blast - and soo many people!
posted by Blogger limecello : 2:40 AM
 
A little late commenting on this, but the 21st birthday is bigger here than others, I think--mostly because it means kids are now the legal drinking drinking age, so many go out and do just that.

So wish I were packing to go to San Francisco rather than to move into a new apartment. The timing this year really sucks! Maybe I'll get to DC or Tenn... *sigh*

I know you'll have a GREAT time!
posted by Blogger Heather : 12:19 AM
 
Bron,

Congrats on your son's birthday. My oldest is 18 - we've had the big grad party and I've sorted thru tons of pictures like you - sniff! They grow up so fast don't they? 21 in the states is more of a friend party, since they're "legal" at that age & usually away from their parents at that age.

But I think it's always good to celebrate life! Have fun in S.F. - Fantastic town. I can't believe you've only been doing this since 2001!
posted by Anonymous Nina in Ohio : 11:04 PM
 
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