courtney
ellie
Not Afraid To Use It
Jacob
Jill/Twipply Skwood
muskrat
SciFi Dad
Seattledad (Luke,...
The Unbearable Ba...
Allie
Boy Z is sleeping for England this afternoon, so much so that I’ve found myself at a loss. I’ve even cleaned the toilets, something that it rarely crosses my mind to do. I’m grateful for this one day a week I take off with my son – it’s a day to take stock, to take a break from the stress of the work week, to be present as a father. And the boy is just flat sleeping through it.
While listening to this Pogues song it occurred to me from whence this conceit I’ve developed of using song lyrics for post titles came. During the long distance wooing stages, I used to send Dr. O’C endless, longing e-mails, e-mails in which I used song lyrics as the subject line. This was one of those songs. She’ll tell you that she didn’t know they were song lyrics, or that it was ‘arty-farty’, but she’s still here eight years later. So you tell me who knows how to court.
I’m worried about my extended family – parents, sibling, grandparent, niece. That’s where this expatriate/immigrant thing falls apart. It’s a long way from South Australia to North America. It’s a long way from South Australia to anywhere. I don’t know what happens in the longer run, when the inevitable starts to come through. I don’t know how the long term plan falls into place.
I’m less worried about me. I stood on the scales at the pharmacy this morning and I’d gained a kilo. I think the weight loss may have been one of those statistical aberrations. I don’t know about the rest of the medical tests, but that will all be sorted out in the next couple of weeks. I think it’s going to be O.K.
One of the reasons for this is that I live in a country with a sensible medical system. I’m glad that on top of the creepiness of my body doing aberrant things that I don’t have to fret about health insurance and deductibles and pre-existing conditions and money. I’m not going to rant about health care because I honestly don’t care what they do in the States anymore. There’s no way that y’all are going to get a decent system out of this. There’s too much stagnation in the fetid swamps around the Potomac, too many people with too much money who don’t have your best interests at heart. I can’t even listen to the news coverage anymore – the lies and apocryphal stories from the Right, the inaction and endless hand wringing from the Left. There’s a distinct lack of courage in American politics – from the top down.
At the shops today I went to get Boy Z a new beach ball. The clerk found me one, but when I went to pay for it I found that it was pink.
“It’s pink!”, I exclaimed with my notorious penchant for stating the obvious, “I’ll just get another.”
“You’re such a bloke”, she laughed in reply.
While not a man’s man – nowhere near in fact – while pretty liberal and open-minded guy, I’ve found that with my son I’m a father right out of the 1950’s. Boys wear blue. Boys play with trucks. Boys have short hair. In fact, in the space of a week I called Nichole’s little boy a ‘hippy’ and threatened to get out my clippers and “give the boy a #2″ if Dr. O’C didn’t get her Mum to cut Boy Z’s hair.
My grandfather used to say that to me when my hair started to touch the tops of my ears – “C’mere, I’m going to give you a brush cut!”
So, I guess I’m more of a 1940’s Dad.
I miss him, my maternal grandfather. I miss the summers my sister and my cousins and I used to spend up at their lake house in far northern Ontario. The long mild August days and smells of bug spray and evergreen. The relative innocence of childhood and the the relative freedom of time away from the parents.
Boy Z is still asleep. And I’ve written a whole blog post, such that it is.
Thank you for paddling along that stream of consciousness with me.
I have acres of land
I have men at command
I have always a shilling to spare
So be easy and free
When you’re drinking with me
I’m a man you don’t meet every day
———————————-
The Pogues’ “Rum, Sodomy and the Lash is available from 
.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Stumble Upon
Del.icio.us
Buzz
They were song lyrics? Really I didn’t know, but I do know that I would have thought that arty farty:)
I promise that Boy Z won’t turn into a (insert undesirable female characteristic here) if he plays with a pink ball. You say you’re a 1940s kind of dad but you are so a 21st century dad, really. Stop trying to fight it!
Glad to hear that you’ve gained weight and that you’re feeling more positive about your health.
Noble Savage´s last blog ..Stick to the mall, sweetheart
I use lyrics as post titles. Does that mean I’m conceited too?
Agnes´s last blog ..Gravatar Widget
Agnes – I mean conceit in the sense of:
5. an elaborate, fanciful metaphor, esp. of a strained or far-fetched nature.
See, that’s what you Aussies miss out on by not doing the liberal arts in university that we do in the States – posh literary terms.
speaking of Boy Z and pink, next time you and the boy are walking the dog around the lake and there’s a dumpy little bird in a pink parka who smiles at yout knowingly, consider who it may be.
tee hee.
that’s what you get for having your pictures all over the net.
glad you’re feeling that things are OK. trust your feelings.
kitty´s last blog ..brain…… oozing… out… ears
Dr. O’C – You know you were wooed.
NS – Yeah, I guess I’m no Don Draper.
Kitty – You should have introduced yourself! Christ, if it were in the morning I was probably in my typical morning form – did you get a scowl?
It’s great to hear you sounding positive, I’ve been wondering when you might give us another update.
I love the Pogues.
Trish´s last blog ..What are the odds?
No, you were so interested in what ever was in your ear you didn’t even clock me. Was late for a Faculty meeting, otherwise I would have. Better watch out for stalkers!!!!!
kitty´s last blog ..woe is me
I’m freaking out over here in my little world. I have Tyler all by myself Friday and Saturday, then he and his mother are leaving me for 7 days! Home all alone with just my puppy. I’m having trouble deciding if this will be a sort of vacation, or if I will be bored senseless missing my family.
Joe´s last blog ..That cotton ball must have really hurt
Thanks so much for the medical update. And if you can put the abberation that caused the weight loss in a bottle, please send me a case.
HereInFranklin´s last blog ..The Today Show and Key West
I’ve been wondering how you’re feeling but don’t know you well enough to ask, so thanks for the update.
Do you know what, Chris. Fuck Shane MacGowan. Seriously. All that talent and all that success tossed away on drink. Does he realize the odds he beat? Get a backbone, Shane. Alcoholism isn’t a disease. It’s a choice. You can’t quit cancer or leukemia, but you can sure as hell quit drinking. I’ve seen it done. And what “disease” allows you to go out on a Saturday night, party your ass off, get behind the wheel and plow into a family of four? I’ve had alcoholics in my life and they a bunch of big babies. Every time they enter the room, they have to be the center of attention. But their victims have to mollycoddle and “understand” them because, after all, the have a “disease.” How convenient. Fuck ‘em. Grow up.
The Unbearable Baishment´s last blog ..an englishman who loves new york
really nice post. enjoyed the use of the word conceit brought me right back to 12th grade AP English Literature and Composition… ah I loved that class.
I will say, amen, to little boys having short hair. It’s just my opinion but… I hate even moderately long hair on little boys. Let them be teens before they mess up their hair so that way it’s their fault when they look back at the photos. Plus, if you guys live in Australia much longer, your little one will be putting mud in his hair or whatever it is that the teen boys here use to get the “I haven’t combed my hair EVER” look.
Sincerely,
Laine “my mom had me in a Beatle’s cut from kindergarten – 4th grade, and I don’t have the photos to prove it because I’ve burned them” Moore
Danielle´s last blog ..Chicken & Sweetcorn Soup
You said all there is to say about the sad state of health care here in the states. Regarding boys with long hair and the color pink, I encouraged my son to experiment with the length of his hair if he wanted to, so his high school graduation picture shows longish hair. You are a present in-touch dad and your son will learn by example how to grow into an honorable man.
Technobabe´s last blog ..Shopaholic — Addiction or Harmless Hobby
What a gorgeous photo of you guys. I recently realized I’ve practically been turning my boys into girls. I think nothing of buying Dora the Explorer stuff for them. I’m working on boying them up. Glad to hear you health stuff is hopefully better?
This post is beautiful. I really enjoyed reading it.
Congrats on the kilo. That is wonderful.
Allie´s last blog .."I went to bed with gum in my mouth…"
I’m in total agreement with your grandfather. When the hair starts sticking out over Bubba’s and J-man’s ears? Time to go to the barber.
And American health care? I’m with you. Don’t even get me started.
Coal Miner’s Granddaughter´s last blog ..About
“I’m a man you don’t meet every day”
Ain’t that the truth?
Unless you are Kitty of course.
Nah seriously mate, they broke the mould after they made you and it’s a damn shame. I mean, Boy Z is MUCH better looking than you but personally, I kind of like that haphazardly put together look; I mean, have you seen my husband? Seriously though, I’m not adverse to the 1940s dad; they were a hell of a lot less indulgent than ye old Baby Boomer or Gen X dad!! What’s a little bit of gender stereotyping vs a square eyed, socially incompetent nintendo obsessive?
Right. That’s enough rambling. I’m off for the second half of this bottle of lo-alcohol champagne. *hic*
Our guy has had a surfer cut since his first haircut. Long on top, short in the back. No mullets for us. No touching the ears. I may let him wear nail polish and try on his sister’s princess costumes, but the hair stays above the ears.
NATUI´s last blog ..Just A Bad Ass In Disguise
I’d have the same issue with E with a pink ball, but not because it’s girly, it just that I hate the color pink. He’s actually more of a boy than I ever was, even if he has taken to occasionally running around the house chanting “I’m a princess.” Honestly, I’d be opposed to pink even if he had been a girl. For boys, it’s just an ugly color. For girls, there’s so much learned helplessness and timidity wrapped up in the color for me, that it bothers me to see little girls surrounded by a cloud of pink.
But then the women I grew up around weren’t that way. My mom is analytical and logical to the point that she makes my dad look weepy in comparison and my sister was the jock of the family, tough and independent. The last thing I’d want for my daughter would to raise her to be submissive. The boys she’d start meeting in high school are just too naturally aggressive. It’s not a fair fight.
Jacob´s last blog ..Something’s Different
I know where you’re coming from with the “1940s/50s” dad mentality. With Ella, I was insistent that toys under the age of 2 were gender neutral, clothes were not frilly, etc. By age 2, she couldn’t have enough pink in her wardrobe and played with dolls every chance she could get. Our boy is now a week old and has only wore blue, outside of the occasional Mizzou outfit.
I’ve read & reread & I’m really still kind of confused about how alcohol and alcoholism got into more than one of the comments…
Glad about the weight gain!
My boy has had some long hair in the past. He wanted a hair cut, but my ex husband would let him – thought he should look like a rock star I guess. He hated it though. Now HE doesn’t want the hair cuts, not because he cares whether his hair is short or long, but because he hates the feel of the razor.
That’s too bad about the near miss with Kitty! Do you guys already know each other, or Kitty have you missed a one shot deal to smother that cute kid in hugs and kisses?!?!?!
Jill/Twipply Skwood´s last blog ..My Stalking Story
I’m feeling a bit homesick myself lately. It feels like everything is far away from me too, but I’m obviously not physically as far from our home Georgia as you are. Still, it’s a state of mind.
I’d stay away from anything pink, regardless if my kid was a boy or a girl. I just really hate things that are overly precious or twee.
courtney´s last blog ..Backpacking FAIL
but you do know how to court!
mostly: i’m glad you are ok. very glad.
ms picket to you´s last blog ..As Seen on TeeVee
I’m the opposite with the girls. Don’t ever want them to have short haircuts! My mom chopped mine off when I was six because “I cried when she brushed it”, or so she says. I was such a girly girl trapped in a icky tomboy hairdo. So my chicks will have to endure long lustrous locks until they get old enough to figure out what look works for them. If I had a boy, I’d be CUTTING it short!! I guess I’m old-fashioned that way, too.
Robin´s last blog ..Everything I Ever Wanted to Say on Facebook, but Couldn’t
Trish – Thanks. You seem to love all things Irish right now
Kitty – I guess.
Joe – A bit of both, I suspect.
HIF – Shit, if I could I would be living on the beach right now.
TUB – Wow, how do you really feel? I got a slightly different take. Alcoholism is a disease, it’s a cliche to say that but it’s because cliches are inherently true. I don’t have much sympathy for people who aren’t doing anything about their alcoholism, however, for that reason. If you had cancer you wouldn’t spurn treatment. There’s an effective treatment for alcoholism and I’ve got all the time in the world for people who are taking their medicine – but very little for those who aren’t.
Danielle – I know, what is that with the boys hair here. I bet that a lot of them take more time with their hair than girls.
Technobabe – We shall see.
FGIS – You better if they’re growing up in Oz – a butch-er culture I’ve never seen.
Allie – Thanks.
Arizaphale – Who are you talking about?
If they broke the mold after me it was to insure that didn’t make any more of that version.
NATUI – I like your guy’s haircut.
Jacob – Gender roles are bullshit. I know that. That’s why I’m flummoxed about my reaction to these kind of things. My response to the pink ball was at a gut level – no thinking, just ‘no pink for boys’.
Nathan – Congrats on the wee boy!
Jill – I don’t know either – The Pogues I think.
Courtney – Wyoming is pretty far from anything as well.
Ms. Picket – Word.
Robin – If we have a girl, she’ll have long hair.
I use song lyrics all of the time and I don’t feel conceited. I am glad you’re back and all of the other warm wishes and good will.
heather´s last blog ..The week that time forgot.
Oh I don’t have any comment about one thing you wrote. You are right, it just felt good to follow along with someone else’s stream of consciousness.
mongoliangirl´s last blog ..That thing about me wanting to disappear
I’m glad to hear you are putting the pounds back on. I like the lyrics thing. I like it especially if I know exactly where it came from.
blues´s last blog ..Puzzling
Here’s to you, and your fond memories of the family, and those things that made you fall in love. The Pogues do add a nice soundtrack to life.
Tonight I shall a pint or two in your honor. My father has given me a brush cut with clippers, and there is still a little sliver of a white scar on my ear to prove it.
Jud´s last blog ..Got Crabs?
Yes, very Don Draper but it’s a bit ingrained no? I’ve always thought your titles added color not pretention.
chris´s last blog ..I’ve Saved You a Stool, Come Shit Right Over Here
love the Pogues and LOVE the family photo
nursemyra´s last blog ..t shirt friday 31.7.2009
Heather – See above re use of conceit in this post.
Mongola – Glad to hear it.
Blues – Thanks.
Jud – That’s probably what would actually happen if I did get out the clippers.
FF – I can relate to a lot of Don Draper’s character, but recoil at a lot of it too. Good TV, that program.
Nurse – Thanks.
I don’t know where to start with how much I dig this post.
Yes. Good. Well done on gaining a kilo.
I have been quietly stalking you, you know.
eden´s last blog ..Writing the Wrongs
I agree 100 percent – boys wear blue, play with trucks and have short hair.
Southern (in)Sanity´s last blog ..Positive Day
What is it about you sensitive males who are worried about your boys being too feminine? My husband is the same way.
kelly´s last blog ..Starless Nights
hey chris have you got any good books to read recommendations
Wouldn’t any of my recommendations count oh fussy sister:)
Chris is currently reading toddler taming books so he can keep Zach under control!
Dr. O’C – Your sister knows that you’re a visigoth. Aish, both your sister and I just read this novel called “The Selected Works of T.S. Spivet” by Reif Larsen. It’s fantastic – especially for the parents of boy children. Other than that, I read toddler books and Anatomy texts.
He is still trying to work out where the baby comes out, hence the anatomy texts:)
i dont know about reading parenting books…they make you feel guilty for all the things you are doing wrong…i like to go with my inner voice ….yeah ok it is kind of working for me
what was that book called again!
thanks for the tips
No idea why, but I read this twice. Oozes a reality based contentment.
Or something.
Xbox4NappyRash´s last blog ..Fries with that?
My father used to tell my brother when his hair got too long: “Son, if you don’t get a haircut I’m buying you a dog collar or a dress.” Still cracks me up.
I hope you’re right about your health.
Gypsy´s last blog ..His Apology
So you’re the reason they cut poor Graham’s adorable curls! For shame, sir, for shame!
April´s last blog ..Just where do you think you are going?