Monday, May 21, 2012

Puppetry of the...

My life is full of 'moments' at the er - moment.  It's full of 'Ahh, bless!' moments, such as watching Liam the learner driver expertly swing his father's tank into the gate like a pro.  It's full of feelgood moments, such as listening to the tui's going crazy outside and feeling the beat of their wings above my head as they swoop across the garden.  It's full of lightbulb moments such as suddenly knowing EXACTLY what I'm going to write my next book about (no I'm not going to tell you yet!) But none of these is quite so memorable as the moment I recently experienced, thanks to my youngest son - and rest assured it will be stashed safely away in the 'Really Embarrassing Things I'm Going To Drag Up At Your 21st Birthday Party' category.


Ali is, quite simply bonkers.  I can say that quite comfortably because he gets it from me.  At 13 people try to blame it on his age but he's always been bonkers and I've known him longer than anyone.  We have the exact same sense of humour and we crack each other up.  Together we are walking jukeboxes, champion face pullers and masters of impersonation.  He is no angel but basically he is an all round Good Kid.  Still, even good kids have their moments and lately Ali has been misbehaving at school.  He is however nothing if not honest and when he does do something wrong he always owns up as soon as he gets home.  Which is rather fortunate as it turns out because it meant at least I was slightly prepared when I was called in to meet with the school principal. 

The principal of the boys' school is a very nice man and, as the indulgent dad of two teenage boys himself he knows just how they can be.  Even so, as I took a seat in his office I could tell things were rather serious.  'Tell me' he said, waving a large object in front of me, 'Do you know what this is?'  'I have heard something about this, yes' I confessed.  As mentioned, Ali is unfailingly honest but I was still a little taken aback at the sight before me.  It's not every day you get to witness a school principal wielding a giant penis.  Because that's what I had been dragged in there for.  Unbeknown to me, my youngest son had a hidden creative side and together with a couple of sidekicks had constructed a really quite impressive three-dimensional structure using nothing but plain paper and masking tape.  Had it been anything else - a flower, a cat, pretty much anything else - their efforts would no doubt have gained them recognition for an entirely different reason.  However, the English teacher whose desk it was generously left upon was by no means a grateful recipient.

Now don't get me wrong, Ali was severely dealt with and make no mistake but I'm sorry, I really did find it quite amusing.  Make that hilarious.  And no matter how I tried to keep a stern face when Ali arrived home from school that afternoon, I took one look at him and he took one look at me and we both fell about laughing until our ribs hurt.  'Mum, I'm really sorry', Ali spluttered.  'I promise I'll behave in class from now on.  But honestly - I don't think I'll forget the sight of my principal waving that thing around for as long as I live!'  You and me both mate, you and me both...

TODAY I LEARNED: That it is possible to keep a straight face when absolutely necessary - but you can't hold it in forever!

13 comments:

  1. Couldn't help but laugh as well. I could just picture it!

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  2. Oh, my gosh! That is too funny!! Well done to you for keeping a straight face - I really don't know if I could.

    And - just as an aside - I LOVE the look of your blog - it looks just like mine! I loved the wistful-looking dandelion on the top too. It seemed almost magical to me, like anything is possible :)

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  3. That is so funny I have to agree, I get why he got in trouble but still very funny :)

    Looking forward to enjoying your blog in the future. You seem relaxed and whatever other troubles there are you will come out the other side.

    Just remember that sometimes the universe does these things to us and it is actually gives you an opportunity you might not otherwise have had. Grab it with both hands and squeeze the life out of it :D

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  4. Hi Jackie,
    $21 Barb here. Sorry,no, actually devastated and disappointed you are no longer on SS. Good luck with future projects.

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    1. Oh bless you Barb :) I'm so sorry I haven't been able to say a proper farewell yet but now you know where I am do keep in touch! Will email you soon x

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  5. Hi Jackie - I'm really sorry to hear that you will no longer be on SS - I've been reading your blog since it started, I joined just before your first postings.

    The great news (for me!) is that you are still blogging and I'll definitely be adding this to my favourites.

    Best wishes

    Fleur

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  6. Hope you got photographic evidence too!!

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    1. Ohh, no I didn't think of that! Brilliant! :-D

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  7. That cracked me up. But on a serious note, I'm also very sad about the SS departure.

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    1. Thanks Sandra! I shall always remember you as the person who best summed up the $21 Challenge!

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  8. Hi Jackie. Funny story and well written. You have great humour and your son is very witty as well. I am sure your next book will be a best seller. Keep writing in your blog as I know many of us are enjoying your posts.

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  9. I am grateful your eloquency, calmness and peace goes out to the world now, not just a few. It is time to unfurl your wings and fly, by doing this you will bless so many as well as You and yours. Thank you for you leading by example.

    We will be living a parallel tight time here, so I will look forward to your inspiration.

    ONce again Thank you .

    Juskasx

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  10. Very well said Juskas; now go get 'em Jackie :-)
    Regards Allison x

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