Irritations

[Tani]

I will continue eating salmon paste until I die.

Those who think it quaint are bizarre

Modern sandwiches have about 50 ingredients - who needs that!

[Dupin]

My parents tried to put me in reins.

I think this thought occurred to them after my attempted escape from Belle Vue Zoo. I had been taken, aged 3, as a special treat. I was appalled by the condition of the elephants, chained at the foot, and stamping in ennui in their own pungent detritus. But worse was the lion's cage. It was barely big enough to let the lion turn around for a six foot march before turning again. I screamed "what has he done wrong?" and ran off. My escape was terminated by the large and heavy door with its ornate gilded handle: too high for me to reach.

And shortly afterwards I was told I had a present. I liked presents. I had had one once: a large tipping truck made of red and yellow plastic. It had mysteriously disappeared a day after I was given it. Maybe this present would be less ephemeral. It was laid on my bed, long and resplendent in blue leather. No one needed to say anything: I realised what the intention was and began to chant "I am not a lion". I kept that up for quite a while I recall. The present was never seen or mentioned again.

[caz]

They were called "reins" in my youth. Not a bad idea, actually, for active toddlers exploring their world, when you consider the alternative - smacking a tiny child for stepping off the kerb, because they are too young to be reasoned with, but quick enough to let go of mummy's hand.

I don't remember needing reins because my Mum used to say I was "good as gold". But my baby brother, who went on to become a doctor of physics, needed reins outdoors [I still have a photo] because he was into everything and Mum didn't have eyes in the back of her head. He was always trying to see how things worked, like turning on the gas on the cooker. It's a miracle he survived childhood.

Love,

Caz
X

[Tani]

Saw a young mother pushing a baby carriage. She had her daughter with her who looked to be around 4 or 5. The little girl was wearing a backpack and the mother had attached a leash to it. I have also seen instances where the leash is actually attached to the child. Not sure how I feel about this. Yes, you want to be protective of your child but still....

c.d.

This is normal. I had a lead when I was a kid. They're common here.

[Herlock Sholmes]

It's handy if you need to tie it to a lamppost while you pop into your local for a quick pint though!

It reminds me of the Billy Connolly routine when he’s talking about the wind up in the Highlands. Mothers tying their kids to a lamppost as they float around in midair while she goes into the shop. Then he has them calling down “get sweeties Mammy.”

[Ms Diddles]

Saw a young mother pushing a baby carriage. She had her daughter with her who looked to be around 4 or 5. The little girl was wearing a backpack and the mother had attached a leash to it. I have also seen instances where the leash is actually attached to the child. Not sure how I feel about this. Yes, you want to be protective of your child but still....

c.d.

It's handy if you need to tie it to a lamppost while you pop into your local for a quick pint though!

[Pcdunn]

Saw a young mother pushing a baby carriage. She had her daughter with her who looked to be around 4 or 5. The little girl was wearing a backpack and the mother had attached a leash to it. I have also seen instances where the leash is actually attached to the child. Not sure how I feel about this. Yes, you want to be protective of your child but still....

c.d.

That's an old idea making a comeback, I guess. I have seen pitcures from the Sixties or so of little kids in leashes. Considering some folks treat pets like kids, they might as well treat their kids like pets!

[c.d.]

Saw a young mother pushing a baby carriage. She had her daughter with her who looked to be around 4 or 5. The little girl was wearing a backpack and the mother had attached a leash to it. I have also seen instances where the leash is actually attached to the child. Not sure how I feel about this. Yes, you want to be protective of your child but still....

c.d.

[c.d.]

Was in the grocery store the other day and saw some young kid around 14 or so who had his hair frosted (i.e., blond highlights). Looked like a real putz. I can just imagine going to my dad at that age and saying hey dad, can you give me $200 so I can get my hair frosted?

c.d.

[Svensson]

People who lack self-awareness.

You can't possibly be talking about me....

[Herlock Sholmes]

People who lack self-awareness.

Perhaps I could add - people who appear to think that certain topics are a closed shop and that ‘newbies’ should stay away?

[caz]

People who have an exaggerated sense of their own importance and who believe that they are some kind of oracle to be treated with deference. The same people who do things like make a statement in a post which is then proven to have been an invention then they scuttle off without having the integrity of acknowledging the fact. The kind who sees themselves as existing in an exalted position and who will stew for days on a perceived slight until they just can’t help commenting.

Those kinds of people.

People who lack self-awareness.

[FISHY1118]

People who never grow up.

[Tani]

People who don't like 80s music.

Don't come to my house

[Herlock Sholmes]

People who have an exaggerated sense of their own importance and who believe that they are some kind of oracle to be treated with deference. The same people who do things like make a statement in a post which is then proven to have been an invention then they scuttle off without having the integrity of acknowledging the fact. The kind who sees themselves as existing in an exalted position and who will stew for days on a perceived slight until they just can’t help commenting.

Those kinds of people.