Boy Z and I need dates this weekend. For WOMADelaide. Dr. O’C is not a fan of ‘hippy shit’. (Nor, for that matter, am I. But I’m too old and Boy Z is too young for Big Day Out and I want to take some advantage of The Festival State’s offerings) And she reckons that Not Max may not enjoy a day of music, possible rain and loud music. I defer to her maternal judgement.
So, I started looking around for company. I asked friend after friend and was repeatedly turned down.* I began to wonder what’s wrong with me. Do I need to change brands of deodorant? Perhaps a breath mint? Have I been neglecting my conversational skills? (Complete aside. When I was in my early 20’s, I was absolutely petrified of small talk with strangers and even friends. I was convinced that I couldn’t hold a

conversation. When you convince yourself of something like this it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. So, I picked up a book from the 1950’s called “The Art of Conversation” at a used books tore. The book was no help except as a conversation starter. Maybe that was the point.)
What was I talking about?
Ah, yes. Whether I stink or am a boring date aside, Boy Z and I are headed to WOMADelaide on our own this weekend. Now as much as I love my little boy, a 2 1/2 year old isn’t the best of company. Six to eight hours of of conversations based on the repeated question “What’s that noise, Bubba?” tends to wear a bit thin.
So I’m looking for fellow Adelaiders (Adelaideites? Wikipedia informs me ‘Adelaideans’) to join us for a day of music in the Botanic Gardens. Actually, you don’t have to be an Adelaidean. Check out last minute fares from Qantas – South Australia is gorgeous this time of year. Come on out and spend a day with Adelaide’s two least popular guys.
To be fair, tickets are dear. And it might rain. And there will probably be far too much patchouli in the air. But I think it’s going to be a good day out nonetheless.
Seriously, though, if you’re local and keen or are already going send me an e-mail. See my contact page.
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* OK, two friends two rejections.
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New Mexico’s Calexico is the only act playing WOMADelaide that I’ve heard of before. But they’re outstanding. I saw them open for Wilco once and they actually blew them off the stage. Great live act. Their 2000 album “Hot Rail” is available from
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by Nigel
02 Mar 2010 at 19:38
I hear you. Being a bit crap at conversation myself, I’m not sure I’d be great company. Though I’m much better when a little tipsy and there’s great music to get lost in. I’m also much better after a bite to eat. Pity I was in Adelaide last week until Sunday and missed the whole WOMADelaide caper. But I’ll be back – the partner and I loved Adelaide at Festival time. Quite frankly, the city rocks in Feb/March! (I think I might have just contradicted my own recent post on your city. Ah well, such is blog-life.)
Nigel´s last blog ..Every city has sex
by headbang8
02 Mar 2010 at 20:12
Hippie music. Spare me.
But you’re right about one thing. South Australia in the autumn and spring–it’s superb. And the festival rocks.
headbang8´s last blog ..I Read You Loud and Deutlich
by Danielle
02 Mar 2010 at 20:31
how about Australian dinosaur puppets instead for boy z?!
http://tix.adelaidefringe.com.au/ticketing/EventDetails.aspx?EventGuid=cdcfd013-e5ab-4146-8829-75ff115cae26
… I saw this show on the weekend, unbeknownst to me it was truly geared for the little ones, but was entertaining enough to watch the terrified children
Danielle´s last blog ..Tiramisu and Chicken, Eggplant and Avocado sandwich
by arizaphale
02 Mar 2010 at 22:01
Be fair…I haven’t ENTIRELY turned you down. I am just wondering how I justify the expense. No word on the freebies yet either btw

arizaphale´s last blog ..Oh The Cleverness of Me*
by Agnes
02 Mar 2010 at 22:21
CALEXICO ARE IN OZ??? How the hell did I miss that? And I can’t make either of the Vic dates, so please please check them out for me so I can live vicariously through you.
Seriously, seriously pissed that I’ve missed this.
Ok, I’m calm now.
Agnes´s last blog ..Tusk Tusk
by Agnes
02 Mar 2010 at 22:26
They’re all sold out anyway, I just discovered. Which makes me feel slightly better. Sort of.
Agnes´s last blog ..Tusk Tusk
by Technobabe
02 Mar 2010 at 23:03
I could probably count on one hand the number of husband/father people over here who would be traveling with their 2 1/2 year old and having time with him and seeing some entertainment. When our kids were young, my ex-husband (their father) would have a “date” night with each one, one at a time, to try to know them better. I know they looked forward to their special time with him. But that was lunch out and talking or walking or dinner out and a movie as they got older. Of all our friends, he was the only one who did something like that. I will like to hear how this adventure goes for you and Boy Z.
Technobabe´s last blog ..Anything I Can Do To Help My Brain…..
by Nichole
02 Mar 2010 at 23:29
Calexico is super! I can’t believe you couldn’t get a date for Z. I do, however, think it’s a testament to your Awesome Dadness that your taking him with you rather than leaving both the kids with Dr O’C.
Nichole´s last blog ..Groceries gone wild
by Jacob
03 Mar 2010 at 01:34
I don’t have a lot of experience with Calexico, but I do know they’ve recorded with Iron and Wine, and Iron and Wine is incredible.
With Little Gandhi, if I went to an outdoor music festival, he would literally run for the entire time we were there. I’m not kidding. He came to our last tennis match and the entire time I was coaching, I could see him running around the field behind the tennis courts. Literally two hours of nonstop motion. The kid is ridiculous. He just runs.
Jacob´s last blog ..I Dream of Dead Poultry
by muskrat
03 Mar 2010 at 01:39
i have another commitment. but i’ll change it if you can find me reduced airfare (as in, 90% off).
muskrat´s last blog ..happy 60-something
by Vixen
03 Mar 2010 at 03:30
I’ve contacted the airlines in search of a free ticket, as I need the vacation anyway. No word back yet. Strange. I’d think they would be jumping all over that.
Vixen´s last blog ..My Fortune Cookie Said “Eat In Tonight”
by Noble Savage
03 Mar 2010 at 05:45
Boy Z is such a handsome little dude! He’s not looking like a baby anymore. *sniff*
I’m liking the new site look, when did this happen? I guess it’s been awhile since I’ve clicked over from Google Reader.
As you can see, I have nothing of substance to add, about the music festival or father/son trips. Just pretend I’m part of the furniture.

Noble Savage´s last blog ..New acronyms, same people
by Kitty
03 Mar 2010 at 07:07
Sorry, I’m with Dr O’C with the hippie shit. I feel sorry for the Womad organisers, it’s either pissing down or scorching.
Kitty´s last blog ..the secret of happiness
by Gappy
03 Mar 2010 at 07:39
I LOVE hippy shit festivals! They are funny!
Tis a pity I live on the other side of the world and have only occasional access to a babysitter.
I’d have gone with you.
Gappy´s last blog ..In Honour of My Bed
by maya
03 Mar 2010 at 08:27
Because of Calexico we have tickets for Friday night. I love the band and have always wanted to see them in concert. I had no idea that they are from my home state!
maya´s last blog ..A Daily Occurrence
by Allie
03 Mar 2010 at 09:24
I love 1950’s social how-to books. Somewhere I have one teaching young boys and girls how to use the telephone. And there’s another one about keeping your husband happy that I picked up on a giveaway rack. They’re so weird.
Allie´s last blog ..Don’t Look Back . . .
by courtney
03 Mar 2010 at 11:02
I’d happily go if I were anywhere near Adelaide, but Georgia’s a rather long way to travel just for a concert. And you may have covered this before, but why does Z call you Bubba? Is that what kids in Australia call their dads?
courtney´s last blog ..Screw A Lifetime of Dedication; I Just Want a Gold Medal
by admin
03 Mar 2010 at 11:39
Courtney: http://www.afreeman.org/2009/05/28/would-you-hold-it-near-as-it-were-your-own/
by Not Afraid To Use It
03 Mar 2010 at 12:12
You had me at patchouli. Wish we were closer. The last music festival we went to was Music Midtown and Little Bird got her first taste of Offspring, Cracker, and Cowboy Mouth in the womb. Can’t start them early enough, I say.
Not Afraid To Use It´s last blog ..Drink, Dammit!
by Ginny
03 Mar 2010 at 15:54
I’m sorry you can’t seem to find anyone. I was in the same situation when the husband surprised me with Elvis Costello tickets, and I couldn’t find one damn person. I questioned every relationship in my life. Then, I made my non-Elvis-loving husband go.
Also? How awesome are you to take Boy Z to this? I freak out at the idea of taking the kids to the damn grocery store.
Ginny´s last blog ..For my friend, whose afternoon was maybe not so awesome.
by Margaret (Nanny Goats)
04 Mar 2010 at 04:35
How could anyone resist a sweet deal of an offer that includes the tantalizing and oh-so-tempting sentence: “Come on out and spend a day with Adelaide’s two least popular guys.”
Consider me there yes I’m kidding.
Margaret (Nanny Goats)´s last blog ..The Dangers of Shopping Alone
by Jill/Twipply Skwood
04 Mar 2010 at 11:33
What Margaret/Nanny Goat said!

Jill/Twipply Skwood´s last blog ..I’m the uncool mom. But I’m good at it! Sometimes. Occasionally. Ok, there was six seconds last Wednesday when I didn’t screw up too badly.
by Kitty
04 Mar 2010 at 12:20
out of curisosity, you and Boy Z are obviously in the new gallery in the SAM. I’m taking a bunch of students there at the end of the month. Is Boy Z scribbling on something supplied by the museum, or is it just a drawing pad you brought with you?
Kitty´s last blog ..the secret of happiness
by suzer
04 Mar 2010 at 14:30
Methinks you should advertise on the FB Expats site;) I bet a few people are going.
suzer´s last blog ..The Most Expensive Pairs of Shoes I’ve ever Bought – or Why American Healthcare is Better than Australian
by admin
04 Mar 2010 at 14:49
Kitty – It was the opening and the museum provided materials. And he isn’t scribbling, he’s drawing a frog skeleton. Artfully.
by kitty
04 Mar 2010 at 20:18
My apologies. I stand corrected. Obviously.
kitty´s last blog ..the secret of happiness
by Vic
10 Mar 2010 at 08:12
Yeah, Calexico is the best! I love them! They put on a great live show that is for sure. Glad you enjoyed them as well.

Vic´s last blog ..Japanese Hair Straightening