"Ain't the Beatles 'Day in the Life'"
“Woke up, fell out of bed Dragged a comb across my head Found my way downstairs and drank a cup And looking up, I noticed I was late Found my coat and grabbed my hat Made the bus in seconds flat Found my way upstairs and had a smoke And somebody spoke and I went into a dream.”
(From “A Day in the Life,” John Lennon & Paul McCartney”)
Inspired by recently hearing one of my favorite Beatles songs, “A Day in the Life,” I thought an updated version of “A Day in the Life” would be fun. This time it would be a day in the life of a typical adolescent boy.M
Myles, a 14-year-old young man who sees me periodically, fills me in on a typical day.
Here’s a re-creation of a conversation I have with him:
“So, Myles, your mother is telling me you do nothing all day. You’re up in your room for hours just on video games, so fill me in. Let’s make believe we’re watching a video of a typical day in your life, after you get home from school and maybe on weekends.”
(Keep in mind his mother is sitting next to him as he walks me through it, but he isn't shy in recounting his day.)
“Well, I get home before 3:00 and I go up in my room,” Myles tells me.
“So, what are you doing up there,” I ask
“I get on my Xbox and start playing.”
“How long are you playing?
“Maybe until about 6:00,” Myles says, “and then I start watching TV or go on YouTube or watch a movie on Netflix. Then I either play some more Xbox and have dinner from around 630.”
“Are you on your phone during any of this?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m texting the whole time with my friends. I text them during dinner too.”
"You mean, your parents let you bring your phone to dinner?"
"Oh, yeah, well, my mom and dad are always checking their Apple watches - makes it look like they aren't texting, but I know they are."
“What about any school work? Does that ever come up for you?”
“Not really. Maybe about 7:30 for about 10 or 15 minutes then I go back on YouTube and Netflix or play some more Xbox until about 11:30.”
(At this point his mother has turned various colors as she listens to all of this. She’s astounded he’s being as honest as he is.)
“How about weekends? What are they like for you?
“Pretty much the same thing. I get up around 11:00 on Saturday and start playing Xbox and go on YouTube. Then I do that the rest of the day.”
Takeaway Point
A day in the life in 2022 is a little different than it was when the Beatles told us about it.
I think I'm going back to the Beatles.
"I read the news today, oh boy Four thousand holes in Blackburn, Lancashire And though the holes were rather small They had to count them all Now they know how many holes it takes to fill the Albert Hall"
(From, “A Day in the Life,” Lennon & McCartney)
Copyright: Shut-Down Learner
To Contact Dr. Richard Selznick for advice, consultation or other information, email rselznick615@gmail.com.