Agouraphobia

Agoura Hills is a typical white-flight community just over the hill from the San Fernando Valley.  It straddles Highway 101 west of Calabasas.  At least since middle school, my granddaughter has referred to this place, her birthplace and current home, as "The Bubble".  Neither she nor any of her friends seem to have the slightest desire to venture over the hill.  Why should they?  According to her, they already live in a perfect world.

Now comes a delightful and oh-so-true video from a young lady ('Olivia'?) that explains The Bubble and its rules.  The video, titled "LONG SHORTS!", is essential viewing for young people in Augora and those who love them.

LONG SHORTS! is shared by Kim Tracy Prince, a mother of two young boys who moved over the hill from the San Fernando Valley because of the better Agoura-area schools.  Prince blogs as "Agoura Hills Mom" (agourahillsmon.com).

The video takes its name from the shock of young girls in The Bubble at the discovery that some people wear shorts that aren't, well, SHORT.  (From a guy's perspective, the quest for ever shorter shorts is one of the most wonderful aspects of this protected enclave.)  There is nevertheless some awareness that old people may harbor 'outside' attitudes.

Last night my granddaughter and I were walking up a quiet residential street at night, carrying some Thanksgiving food to another nearby family home.  She was barefoot and wore a big T-shirt over her natural self.  Up ahead was Grandma and one of Grandma's friends from church.  "OMG, Grandma's friends are SO conservative, and it looks as if I'm not wearing pants!"  Actually, her tiny shredded white shorts weren't visible.  "Just walk inside of me and I'll provide a screen" said Grandpa, as we quickly avoided interception.

A play on the word agoraphobia (without the U) ends the video with a wink.  As it's respelled, with a U, it means "fear of Agoura".  The base disorder, though, is what may affect the entire Agoura Hills community.  Agoraphobia is a fear of being in places where there is a chance of having a panic attack that people may witness, and where getting away rapidly may be difficult.  In extreme cases, this anxiety disorder may lead an afflicted person to never leave home, which is the only place they feel safe.  That sure sounds like my Agoura Hills family!  (See the Medical News Today description from British firm MediLexicon International.)