By Anna Murphy
New York, NY, USA

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In my heart of hearts, I’m still a teenybopper. That epiphany actually occurred to me a few times as of late. Most recently because my generation has turned into a bunch of YA super fans. It started with a little series called The Hunger Games - the biggest fiction phenomenon since its predecessor triad, Twilight. But this franchise is intrinsically different: a) the books are actually well-written (albeit size 20 Readers Digest Font) and b) BOYS (see also men approaching 30) are devouring these babies by the droves.

What prompted me to highlight this in my column (in addition to seeing the movie in IMAX) is that the entire cast was in town last month for a screening at the SVA Theater. I ran past flocks of fans that out-fanned even me while on my way to the Hudson River for a twilight (no pun intended) jog. I, of course, did not realize the gravity of what I had done until I saw Jennifer Lawrence's photo on people.com. I was literally a foot away from Katniss Everdeen. And I missed it. I might as well have just volunteered to be Tribute (Hunger Games reference).

More teenybopper proof: My musical tastes have also abruptly evolved (devolved?) as I found myself choosing the "pop" station on Grooveshark (where I work - shameless plug) to run to last night. I then caught myself singing along to a Britney Club remix while I ran [bopped] along. Carly Rae Jepson's song "Call Me Maybe" has been a recent anthem. And the video featuring Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber with 25 million views, seriously? I wish I could say I had no part in that. And don't get me started on Taylor Swift's collaboration on The Hunger Games soundtrack. That, combined with the new British boy band New Direction, makes a wannabe preteen heart go pitter-patter.

Maybe it's because it's officially spring that makes me want to do a cartwheel and buy an ice-cream cone. Or, maybe it's that my sister is about to be 18 and graduate from high school (someone has to take on her former role) that is making me act a fool. But I think it's just more like the Evian motto, "Live Young."

Not to say I didn't feel a bit foolish when I found out that Nick Jonas was in a nearby Starbucks and I freaked out via text to my sister and I got this text back from her: "If you told me this two years ago, I might have cried."

I can try to get with the times, but the operative word is TRY, because the truth of the matter is - I am 26. Unfortunately. 

 

All opinions expressed by Anna Murphy are solely her own and do not reflect the opinions of Stay Thirsty Media, Inc.