Sunday, April 13, 2008
Close Talker: Elsie at the Park
Elsie is not cool. She is the opposite of cool. In fact, right now, she is truly uncool. As she approaches the playground or any children anywhere, she becomes positively giddy, calling out "hi kids! Hi kids!" from blocks away. And then it doesn't help her case when she gets there--she runs up to the kids, totally disregarding any sense of personal space, and begins waving frantically inches from their noses while yelling "Hi! Hi!" at full volume. The kids usually nervously say hello as they walk away or call for their mothers.
I remember when I was in high school when my mom accused me of trying to be too cool, too cynical. It was "trying"--I was the farthest thing from cool but tried to achieve whatever that meant at the time, trying not to care, trying not to get too excited, trying not to like much of anything that my mother wanted me to like, generally impersonating coolness whenever possible.
I know that one day Elsie will be cool--cooler than I ever was, maybe even a hipster like her dad, but now here she is and I feel torn. I know that she will never have any friends if she behaves in this way and I feel for her and the looks of disdain her delight engenders. I know that she will grow out of this eagerness--this genuine unguarded delight. But I wish Elsie could be uncool forever.
Elsie is not cool. She is the opposite of cool. In fact, right now, she is truly uncool. As she approaches the playground or any children anywhere, she becomes positively giddy, calling out "hi kids! Hi kids!" from blocks away. And then it doesn't help her case when she gets there--she runs up to the kids, totally disregarding any sense of personal space, and begins waving frantically inches from their noses while yelling "Hi! Hi!" at full volume. The kids usually nervously say hello as they walk away or call for their mothers.
I remember when I was in high school when my mom accused me of trying to be too cool, too cynical. It was "trying"--I was the farthest thing from cool but tried to achieve whatever that meant at the time, trying not to care, trying not to get too excited, trying not to like much of anything that my mother wanted me to like, generally impersonating coolness whenever possible.
I know that one day Elsie will be cool--cooler than I ever was, maybe even a hipster like her dad, but now here she is and I feel torn. I know that she will never have any friends if she behaves in this way and I feel for her and the looks of disdain her delight engenders. I know that she will grow out of this eagerness--this genuine unguarded delight. But I wish Elsie could be uncool forever.
peanut, peanut butter--with dad
elsie and i shared one of my favorite snacks--pb and h. i remember enjoying ooey gooey peanut butter and honey treats with my dad. there's nothing better than a sticky sandwich and a cold glass of milk to wash it down. elsie was really interested in sharing--offering me a bite in between bites. she particularly enjoyed getting peanut butter on our faces--very funny. she makes a pretty good snack partner.
elsie and i shared one of my favorite snacks--pb and h. i remember enjoying ooey gooey peanut butter and honey treats with my dad. there's nothing better than a sticky sandwich and a cold glass of milk to wash it down. elsie was really interested in sharing--offering me a bite in between bites. she particularly enjoyed getting peanut butter on our faces--very funny. she makes a pretty good snack partner.
Sunday, April 06, 2008
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