Blog That!

December 12th, 2009

Sometimes I wonder if the way I look really influences how people are around me. I am quite a self-conscious person at the best of times but as a father there are certain expectations about me i.e. to have a large repetoire of shitty jokes, to dance in a wild and unexplained fashion at parties and to generally embarass myself at every available opportunity. Hmmm; apart from the first one pretty accurate so far.

On the way into town today I realised that all of the dads were funny-looking. One, clutching a can of Pepsi and discussing Jean Reno films with his son, had a large, dark beard and Ali G sunglasses. Another was clad in a faded denim jacket, awful cod-Australian hat (sans corks) and a ponytail. All of a sudden I felt immediately relieved about my impossibly short haircut that I had gone through with just a few days before, even if it doesn’t suit me and will take at least six weeks to get it back to an acceptable length. Those dads stand out for the wrong reasons. I stand out because I don’t look or act like what has come to be referred to as a “normal” dad. It made me proud to be able to stand so proudly at the expense of others for a change. Then I remembered I can’t drive and I don’t have a pension.

For those reasons the weird ones, all the weird ones including Ali G and ponytail, towered over me with their big shoes, laughing like raspberries. They can keep it though if it means a terrible taste in fashion and listening to the Eagles.

Entry Filed under: Ian