A Googol of Coolness (sort of)

I played chaperone and driver for the College Trak team's field trip to the Google campus in Mountain View recently. I think we adults were more wide-eyed and excited about it than the dozen 13- to 18-year olds whom we were accompanying!

As we traversed the high-tech campus on foot, we caught glimpses of riders coasting by on blue bicycles with orange flags and figures leaning to make their segway scooters go. Employees share these alternative modes of transportation to travel between the nine buildings, just a couple of many examples of how Google is working towards its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by the end of the year. And the facilities and services! Huge gym, endless pools (a.k.a. swimmer's treadmills), mini arcades, masseuses,...and cafes with an incredible variety of foods. My lunch consisted of Indian, Italian, Mexican, and Chinese fare. *burp*

En route to and from Google, my apprehension about not being able to "connect" with my assigned teens was at least temporarily relieved by music and a brief crisis -- universal themes that can often bring people together. My inbound ride with the three guys began with the usual boring questions about how their summer was going, when does school start again, blah blah, followed by awkward silence interrupted occasionally by fast-fingered texting and occasional grunts that accompanied butts shifting in their seats. Then my Roadtrip Mix 2006 CD pumped out Eminem's "Lose Yourself", awakening the stoic young men from their torpid state. I wonder if my Hyundai will ever experience such kickin' rap grooves in its backseat again. The Chili Peppers also bridged the generation gap during the heavy guitar bit in "By the Way", which elicited some impressive head banging. Then an 80s big-hair ballad came on, and I resumed my state of uncool (at least in their minds). But how I reveled in those few preceding moments!

My young carpoolers and I shared a few special moments again on our way home, when I got a flat tire. They seemed to feel empowered when guiding me through rush hour traffic as I flip flopped to the next freeway exit. I was touched by how they yelled, "yaa, shaddup!" at the impatient cars who honked and tailed us as we limped to the gas station, and kept repeating, "you're good" over my shoulder in encouragement. Aw shucks...