Content is paramount.

Animotion
Vroom

losir logo

"The Busy World of Richard Scarry." 6 words. Printed onto the side of a huge apple. Actually, the huge apple in question is one of those kiddie rides. You know the one. Sit kid, insert coin, ride shakes, kid laughs, ride shakes, more laughter, ride stops, kid whines, drag kid home crying. Yes, one of those.

Well, normally, I would pay no heed to what's printed onto one of them rides. (Unless the ride is of a motorcycle. Then I'd want to race home, grab my helmet, and go back for some indoor fun.) However, this time I was totally distracted. You see, other than the huge apple ride, there were a whole congregation of kiddie rides, to attract your Ankle Biter types.

There was this poor couple, with 2 strollers. The Mother, sitting on a chair, was dutifully shoving spoonful of mush rhythmically into the maw of the carriage. I assumed she wasn't trying to hide her own food, as much as she was feeding a baby inside. Her back was towards me, and her body blocked most of view, so I can't be certain. Let's just call it an educated guess.

The Father, had another bowlful of what I assume to be food, and was chasing a little child of no more than 4 yrs old, round and about. If the kid climbed onto a ride, so the Father went, bowl in left hand, spoon in right. If the kid jumped off and ducked around to another ride, Pops would be half a step behind, begging for the kid to eat what was in the spoon. Round and around they went, like a lost Abott and Castelo routine.

Humourous at first, then tiring as I watched. Chase and evade, beg and denied. The kid like a bad dog off its leash for the first time; while the Father was like that pesky fly that just wouldn't leave. I was exhausted, and I wasn't even moving!

The patience of this couple was admirable. All this work, just to get your kid to eat. And you know what? I'm sure every parent will have a similar story. Ugh.

I'm at an age where my collegues and people I associate with are having children. Today, 2 co-workers began talking about the colour and ordor of their children's poopoo. It was like as if that's normal. If you didn't know, it coulda been: "Yeah Joe, did you see the basketball game? Boy, that Vince Carter...." Instead, because I was next to them, it went like this:

Parent Of Odorred Plop (POOP!)-> "You're lucky your baby is 1 week old. Their poop don't stink yet."

Congratz, Reaped Another Parent (CRAP!)-> "Really? It will smell bad? She seems pretty good...."

POOP-> "Oh yeah, just you wait, and it'll be green."

CRAP-> "Actually, my kid already had the runs."

Joy of freaking joy. Come on guys, let's talk about girls or sports. We're still young, ain't we? What about the cheerleaders on the team. Yeah?? Come ooooon. PLEEEEZZZEE??!!

I don't know folks. I really don't. Maybe it's just me, or maybe I'm too sensitive. But isn't there something wrong with that picture? Golly geewizz. Some people really have their priority screwed up.

Back to the athletic kid in the huge red apple. Between running and giggling, he must have fell twice and took about 5 - 6 bites. The Mother was giving sagely advise to the hapless Dad. "Honey, try giving it to him 'chu chu train' style, it really helps." Sure it does Mums.... so does rope and bungee cord, and a funnel for good measure. But I think they call that abuse now.

I don't want children. I really don't. I like my freedom, and the fact I'm my own boss. Also, since I act slightly older than my shoe size, I don't think I could raise a child, ever. I know that kids will make people grow up awful fast. If there's "shotgun wedding", which is quick and forced, are there such thing as shotgun maturity?! Let's not find out.

I can really appreciate my parents and my grandparents, as well as the 4 aunts and 3 uncles who had a hand in raising me. I can finally and without sarcasm thank each and everyone of you from the bottom of my heart, for the guidance and patience you've invested in me. I hope it wasn't in vain.

Boy, what a job. "The Busy World of Richard Scarry." They got most of it right, Busy. And scary.

...Then again, look how I turned out.





posted by losir at 9:31 PM