Drive-bys

Some fifteen years ago, it was a common practice for my girlfriends and me to gather together on a Friday or Saturday night and do all that you may think any teenage girl would do; gossip, giggle, laugh, dream and of course, talk about boys. However, what inevitably closed these light-hearted, youthful evenings was something far more sinister.

Something my friends and I were sure to do at least once in those long-ago evenings.

Something sixteen-year old girls are still doing today.

Something that I can remember, still see, hear and smell in a dusty part of my now 30-something mind.

It was (is) of course,

The drive-by.

If you have done one, no explanation is needed.
For those needing clarification, I am happy to oblige.
A drive-by occurs when one strategically and purposefully passes themselves by the location(s) wherein an interested party is believed to be. The object is to collect information on the activities of said target (at the very least to confirm their location) without being seen.

For me and my best drive-by accomplice, a now successful corporate marketing director who shall remain nameless, a successful drive-by always involved the following:

1.) turning off your headlights---no sense in announcing your arrival
2.) turning off your radio -- not that they would hear our LL Cool J or Boys 2 Men, but in our hopes of hearing all of the party action inside
3.) driving very slowly, taking note of any 'suspicious' cars parked in lots or driveways..or any bodies moving in, out or around targeted boyfriend's location.
4.) Lincoln

I am sure each ritual is different. Different based on your accomplice, your target, your mode of transportation.

Some of those drive-by accomplices are still dear friends of mine today. Others I haven't heard from in a decade. One thing is common with both..though we don't talk about those late nights, in the early 1990's scheming and spying on the boys we would kiss and dance and laugh with (Or maybe just wanted to), it will forever be part of us and our collective sixteenth year.

It recently occurred to me that we continue our drive-bys today, though not in a white LeBaron or a tan Omega, but in the comfort of our homes. In our cozy chairs, at any time of the day. With children laughing or music blaring...early morning or in the middle of a sleepless night.

The modern day drive-by, for people of a certain age, is done on the internet. Through blogs and my spaces and on-line photo albums. Where those boys of the past-along with their new wives- are sharing their worlds for all to see. Where one-time sixteen year olds, now lawyers, mothers, and business leaders can revisit their past, now with more advanced (but not nearly as fun) reconnaissance techniques.

Of course, like the original drive-by, it is less fun if they know you're driving by.

Thankfully, technology isn't quite there yet.

Until then,

Drive on, friends.