I had to change the battery of our smoke detector. I opened it and found it needed one of those rectangular nine volts. I searched through our box of batteries and found one, but it was mismatched with another brand’s packaging. I didn’t even recognize the brand. Odd.
My Wife: I wonder if it’s new or old? You think it’s still good?
Me: Well, there’s only one way to find out. If you put it on your tongue and you feel a shock, it’s still good.
My Wife: What?!?
Me: That’s what we did as kids. Trust me, it works.
My Wife: As kids? Where was the parental guidance?
I’m not sure if this was a Gen X thing, but yeah, that’s how we tested nine volt batteries back in the day. My wife was a little surprised, but she grew up with only sisters and didn’t have a brother around doing stupid boy things. This is only the tip of an iceberg of stupid stuff we did.
How did we come upon this test? Your guess is as good as mine. And if I’m being totally honest, it was a pretty fun thing to do as a ten year old kid. Nowadays? I think I’ll pass. The thrill is long gone and I’d rather spend a few bucks instead of playing Russian roulette with a nine volt. Am I getting soft in my old age? The jury is still out on that one. My guess is….maybe.
Ingrid Michaelson released Maybe in 2009. Fascinating how the entire album traces the outline of an intense relationship. What a brilliant concept.
“Everybody” is a 12 song cycle chronicling an intense and volatile relationship, which is based on true live events. This is the final track in which the relationship has been dissolved. Having completed her emotional pilgrimage, Michaelson acknowledges the future’s uncertainty but also discovers the prospect of revived love. She declared: “This is my big girl record. It’s almost a loss of innocence. I’m 29 years old and I shouldn’t worry if my mom and dad know that I kissed a boy from listening to one of my songs… This album is very autobiographical, it’s about the past year-and-a-half of my life and choices that I’ve made.”
I think old relationships can be like a box of mismatched batteries. They lie in wait, dormant. Every once in a while you open it up to see what you’ve got in there. AA batteries, a handful of watch batteries. An occasional mismatched nine volt? Still a spark? Maybe yes, probably no. But then you realize maybe they’re laid to rest for a reason. While you may be curious if you’d still feel that spark against your tongue, it’s best to return that nine volt to the box and close the lid.
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I don't wanna be the one to say goodbye
But I will, I will, I will
I don't wanna sit on the pavement while you fly
But I will, I will, oh yes I will
'Cause maybe in the future, you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back around
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
Oh, the only way to really know is to really let it go
Maybe you're gonna come back, you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back to me
I don't wanna be the first to let it go
But I know, I know, I know
If you have the last hands that I want to hold
Then I know I've got to let them go
'Cause maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back around
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
Oh, the only way to really know is to really let it go
Maybe you're gonna come back, you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
I still feel you on the right side of the bed
And I still feel you in the blankets pulled over my head
But I'm gonna wash away,(I'm gonna wash away) oh I'm gonna wash away
Everything till you come home to me
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
In the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back around
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
Oh, the only way to really know is to really let it go
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back around
Maybe in the future you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back
Oh, the only way to really know is to really let it go
Maybe you're gonna come back, you're gonna come back
You're gonna come back to me,
You're gonna come back to me
You're gonna come back to me
MyGenXerLife 
I’ve been reading, just too busy to comment, and I am now. Just, ME I DID THAT. “Parental guidance” my foot.
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Thank you! Good to know I’m not alone!
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That last paragraph – “I think old relationships…” is so insightful. Tho I don’t totally agree. I’ve gone back, spark was still there, so was the potential, one didn’t work out and one did. But it also reminds me of the quote about friendships – “We have three types of friends in life: friends for a reason, friends for a season and friends for a lifetime”
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Sounds good to hear one worked out! And yes… I agree with your friend comment. So true!
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I did that! I tested batteries with my tongue.
I grew up with GenXers…and I also did all the stupid boys stuff. 🤣
And I call myself now a classy woman! LOL
Ok, back to the relationships/batteries post…I agree with Grace’s comment above. I can go back if I can. I’m sure the spark will still be there. 😉
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Ha! It’s great to hear others used the battery test, too! Great you still have a few sparks. You must have a good box of batteries…
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Only one battery that burns my heart each time I look at it.
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Yes! I grew up with three brothers, so I know the 9-volt battery test well. In fact, I just put one on my tongue a few weeks ago to test it. Haha! I thought it was a well-known fact and that everyone did it.
Nice insight on the relationship test. Sometimes it’s better to just let them lie dormant with the old batteries instead of risking the spark.
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I’m glad the test is alive and well! I rarely use a nine volt these days. I was surprised to see it in my smoke detector because the others use AA. Maybe next time I’ll give it a go!
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Great post. The last part about old relationships was spot on. Nice imagery, very well written 😎👏
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Thanks, Daryl. Appreciate it!
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I never did that battery test, but I had no brothers lol
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There no end to the stupid boy stuff of young kids. My parents must constantly have been shaking their heads.
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The battery test is news to me–and, like the current you, I think I’ll pass. 🙂 But I can’t unsee it…..
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Hahaha! I don’t think it hurt too much, but still didn’t want you to do it!
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Think you’re right about the relationships. I do have a cherished resurrected friendship, but for the most part, best be moving on. 🙂
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Oh, and the battery test isn’t news to me, although I don’t remember ever doing that myself and think I would, remember. 🙂
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Resurrected friendship sounds nice. Always room for that!
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Absolutely, when it makes sense and continues to!
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Well that took me back.. think I am right there with ya brothetmr to not do this act today
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Thanks, man. Nice yo know I’m not alone!
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Yeah, me too. Sad to say, the nine volt will probably not fix the smoke detector. When they get to a certain age they just have to be completely replaced. I recommend the lithium battery ones. Then you don’t have to wake up to the beeping in the middle of the night for at least ten years. How’s that for grown up lessons?
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I hate the beeps in the middle of the night. Mine talks to me, telling me the battery is low. Drives me apeshit.
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Our entire childhood was build upon “stupid boy things”
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So true…
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