OurFirstMarriage #93: The Real You

Hey guys,

I guess I’m the “Plus One”. Just listened to the latest episode and wanted to comment on a few things. Not trying to start a North American war this time.

When you were talking about your friend with the cool and unusual name, I was trying to remember what your boys’ names were but I found it much funnier to imagine Tom’s buddy as Punkalicious Anderson or Captain Evil O’Brien. I was chuckling to myself and realized that I’m the only one getting this joke.

The other thing was about the birthday parties. We went to a one-year-old’s birthday last weekend and it was awful. Kinda like the train party you were talking about but WAY less fun. My wife knew the mom from a forum she’s on and wanted to make couple friends with these people. We brought all 4 of our kids and there was nothing for them to do.

The birthday girl has 3 older brothers so one would expect some toys or something but no – we hung out in the hot backyard with nothing. The father scolded my kids twice. Once for touching the one toy they found under the deck cause it was his son’s “favourite toy” and once for going into an area of the yard that was supposedly “off-limits”. I said, loud enough for him to hear, “Okay boys let’s sit down here on the deck. I guess this isn’t the kind of party where we do anythign fun.” We took off early of course. I would have loved a climbing wall party – or even a soccer ball for the kids to kick.

There is no way to have a war with Canadians. I’m sure I’ve mentioned that about 10% of the people in my office are Candians, and that’s why things remain calm around there. When you’ve got Canadians involved things tend to remain fair and just. If you hear us poking fun at you, it’s just because we’re envious.

I’m not a podcast listener (shhh, don’t tell Tom), but I do enjoy reading your wife’s blog from time to time. Thanks for stopping by.

Winner for lame party of the year – Jon. Wow, that sucked. Leaving early is not only justified but you would have been well within your rights to invite everyone else there to a “real” party and just headed out to a local park. And here I am complaining about parties where they open presents.

We had my daughter’s 5th b-day party at a local park where there were sheltered picnic tables. We got there to set up about 9am for a 10:30-12:30 party, and found that there was a guy there guarding the whole shelter in anticipation of his kid’s 1pm 1st b-day party. I asked if we could use one of the 4 empty tables for our party since we’d be finished before his party began, and he flatly refused. We had to go back home, get a couple of folding tables and then set up our party in the grass next to the playground. We had our whole party, and were packing up and leaving by the time a couple of people came and joined the guy, who sat there by himself on the empty picnic tables through our entire party. We never saw the birthday boy or any other kids – or even any food set up on the tables. Just a few streamers and a plastic tablecloth on one of the tables.

At least he couldn’t blockade the playground or steal the toys we brought to play with – so the kids could play, at least. It was so aggravating – I’m still a little bitter!!

I definitely won’t plan on using any first-come first-serve facilities at future birthday parties – I guess reserving space somewhere is a better way to go if you don’t want to have a party at home.

p.s. I’ll try not to break the web site again

On the subject of names, my problem is with picking a boys name – having gone to an all boys school so many names have some (usually negative!) association. And the ones I do like keep getting chosen by friends and family. Anyway, after much thought and shortlisting, 2 days before scan finally agreed (moreorless) with Bobette a boys and girls name, so decided not to find out baby’s sex.