Son, I'm so proud?

So, we're in the car, driving to swim.  Because, if nothing else, parents are underpaid chauffeurs. 

The non-commercial self promotion on the Sirius Radio screams:

WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO TO NEW YORK CITY TO SEE ONE DIRECTION'S NEW MOVIE, FOLLOWED BY THE CONCERT AND BACKSTAGE PASSES FOR THE AFTERPARTY?!?!?!?

Then the radio fine print ninjas start saying that you can download an app, drink Pepsi, watch the new video and scan the code.  Apparently doing these activities in some consistent order will generate an opportunity for you to be entered into a contest to maybe win a chance to go to New York City to see One Direction's new movie followed by the concert, and backstage passes for the afterparty.

Doing all of those things sounds a lot like losing a contest to me, but nobody asked.

Kids, who are obviously the target demographic for this promotion, are unfailingly able to tune the fine print ninjas out.  S, like every other child of this ADD generation, listens to the radio while reading a book, looking out the window, playing a video game, and beating the crap out of his brother (despite that seatbelt?) immediately keys into the idea of a contest:

S:"Hey, Mom.  We should totally do that."

(Why do my kids always start a conversation with "Hey, Mom?"  I'm right there, why do they need the "hey?")

Me:  "You hate One Direction."

S:  "But I like New York City."

Me: "We were just there.  You were okay with it.  Not like desperate to go back or anything."

S:  "Yeah, but this would be free."

Me:  "We don't really need a free trip to New York to see a movie about a boy band.  We won't even cross town to see this movie."

S:  "A valid point.  But there's also a concert."

(Is there an elementary debate club that I don't know of?  What 8 year old concedes a 'valid point?')

Me:  "I'm glad you appreciate my logic.  But if you don't like the band and don't want to see the movie, why would you want to go to the concert?"

(Silence)

S:  "True.  BUT, there's an afterparty.  Everybody knows the afterparty's happenin'."

Me:  "What do you know about afterparties?"

S:  "The afterparty's always where the fun is."

Me:  "I got that.  Where did you hear about afterparties?"

S:  "Um.  I dunno."

My kid is in school for one day. He didn't come home with spelling words or math homework or PTA sign up forms.

He came home with the afterparty's rocking.

Kids these days.