weapons of massdistraction

I’m having a hard time coming to terms with this…but I must be getting old. And kinda lame. Last night I passed on the opportunity to see Low. I realize they’re slo-core, for chrissakes…but the thought of standing around in a crowded, smoky bar was thoroughly unappealing. Especially with this unshakable headache that has taken up residence inside my skull. Considered staying home and turning in early instead, which would have been the wise thing to do, but ventured out to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. It was entertaining eye candy, and definitely something to be seen on the big screen. As my companion noted, it was like watching live action anime. Especially some of the giant robots…they were straight out of Laputa: Castle in the Sky. While on the larger than life tip…been meaning to post this scan (below). When Dave and Huey-Ling were last in Taiwan they searched high and low for a replacement Ultraman for us (the original having been rudely stolen at the little man’s old pre-school). On one of their last trips the action figures had been widely available throughout the country. This time they found just one, sitting by itself on a dusty shelf, in one of Kaohsiung’s 7-11 style convenience stores. And we are happy to have it…especially because of the brilliant display of Engrish on the package. My favorite line?

“Dangerousity to be wrontly put in mouth. Childred under 3 years old are prohibted to play this toy.”

As an aside, our friend April has been living and teaching in Beijing for a few years now. She mentioned that the Chinese government is well aware of their Chinglish problem, especially rampant on signs that were meant to help English-speaking visitors (rather than alarm or amuse them). Examples of which are being collected and will be published in a book from some Office of Tourism. I’d be very interested to see the end result.

It was a surprisingly beautiful, summer-like day…and we took full advantage of it. After school the little man and I had an impromptu picnic with his fairy godless mother. I would have been content to stay longer, perhaps dozing in the grass, but the little man can be a tough task master. It’s always go go go with that one. So I gave him a run for his money. Or my money, rather. We popped into Izzy’s for soy raspberry ice cream cones. Then swung by JoAnn’s to pick up half-off Halloween goods and some yarn. On the way home we stopped to linger at a certain community center/playground on St. Clair…that will be playing host to a bonfire this Saturday. We dropped in on the neighbors for a bit before settling down for the evening. After dinner I finally busted out my Knick Knack Kit and made an attempt to get down to business. I got as far as winding my new yarn into a pull skein, an act which may have been an exercise in futility. I have no idea what I’m doing. Think I’m going to need some hands on help to further this effort. Wrapped up the evening by cuddling with the boy, then listening to the BBC Radio’s most recent adaptation of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy, Tertiary Phase, Episode 3. In which Slartibartfast provides an Informational Illusion. Ah, the memories. Real ones. That I have. From reading the books, listening to the original radio show, and watching the BBC series…years ago. Curious, and anxious (maybe curiously anxious) to see how next year’s motion picture turns out. I’ll try not to panic.

So the little man and I were hanging out, just relaxing in the glow of each others’ majestic presence…when he started to regale me with some Cliff Clavin-style factoids. About what squirrels like to eat. According to him the top three are acorns, strawberries and…donuts. Very cute. Until he sneezed all over my keyboard. Yuck. Then there’s the husband. I may have mentioned this before, but he is a mumbler from way back. This is a problem for me, as I grew up around and have mostly associated with more vociferous folks, who happen to enunciate clearly (even if I don’t always care for the subjects they choose to expound upon). I’m trying to adjust to life with this soft-spoken man. Really, I am. But when he mumbles something into his monitor, with his back to me, can I really be expected to understand it? The other day it was like playing telephone, only with just the two of us.
What I heard: “Sadly, we look on…mumble mumble mumble”
What he said: “Sadly, Lagaan is without subtitles”
And it looks like he’s downloa…I mean acquired yet another foreign film that is lacking in subtitles. I was looking forward to watching Last Life in the Universe. Sadly I do not speak Thai.

Seems I was slow to notice, but two weeks ago I made Minnesota Blog of the Day. Though I was inaccurately described as: a photographer, writer, activist, seamstress, and mother. Uh, my activism isn’t very active these days, and I have yet to figure out my sewing machine. Still, three out of five ain’t bad…and the shoutout is much appreciated.

I would have liked to join my fellow new patriots, watching this evening’s debates…but I have more pressing issues to attend to in my backyard. Or the neighbors’ backyard, rather. Going into this I knew the parenting gig would be no cake walk, but the unexpected “bonus” of caring for a special needs child, well, some days it’s enough to make me cry uncle. Growing up with an autistic first cousin may have given me more insight than some, but I don’t think it makes my job any easier. Unlike the typical child, who misbehaves now and then but can be reasoned with (on some level)…my son genuinely does not understand much of the time. He’s a sweet boy, but his comprehension just isn’t there yet, and he is sorely lacking self-preservation instincts. The basics, like looking out for cars before crossing a street, have yet to sink in. What he does have is a high pain tolerance, which only exacerbates the problem. I am even more leery of his time spent playing with other children. Is he going to get hurt, or inadvertently hurt others? This afternoon was a nerve-wracking example. He was out back, and had been encouraged to climb up into the neighbors’ tree, as some other kids were doing. At first I thought we’d be safe because he wouldn’t be able to do it. But he was determined. Eventually he launched himself up there, and I had my camera at the ready to document the moment. He told me he loved sitting in the tree. But then I started getting nervous. He didn’t seem to have a good handle on the whole balance thing. And there were three kids, vying for the best position and starting to get pushy. And the tree is on a rather steep grade, with dangerous debris strewn around it. And another older and rougher kid came over to cavort about, encouraging more dangerous behavior…like swinging from the branches Tarzan-style. So I pulled the little man out of there, much to his dismay. My heart gets broken over and over again…when I have to step in to stop him from getting hurt, and he just doesn’t get it. He thinks I am being inconsistent, arbitrary and cruel. And we both end up crying.