Sandra Dodd

From the Wikipedia bio of Elton John:



His interest in early rock 'n' roll piano annoyed his father who
wanted him to concentrate on the classics and his fascination for
music of Little Richard frightened his mother.

------------------------------------------------------------



Marty's extensive knowledge of rap and hip hop music used to scare
me. But then when we'd play Encore, I'd want him on my team so FULL
of words... And years have passed, and he hasn't stolen a car or
been arrested.



And Elton John never did turn black or poofty.



OH NO!!!!! WAIT!!!!!

Darn... I wonder if his mom blames Little Richard for her son
Reginald being a little... y'know... flamboyant.



Anyone else want to confess fears?



Sandra






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marji

At 19:33 6/29/2007, you wrote:
>Anyone else want to confess fears?

We-ell, since you asked... I suppose my fears concern Liam's tender
heart and his very different way of seeing the world, and given those
things, I get concerned about how will survive and thrive when I'm
not close by. I have fears of people more worldly than Liam making
fun of him or taking advantage of him. And, don't get me started on
the girl thing! We've certainly talked about the raging hormones
he'll be dealing with and what the consequences can be of responding
purely to hormonal urges to the exclusion of his common sense. And,
he's a fairly attractive guy who's already experienced girls being
interested in him, but he's completely not interested ... yet.

Of course, I realize (intellectually) that *because* of his tender
heart and his very different way of seeing the world he *will*
survive and thrive! He believes so very much in himself!! And, he
has never been one to go along with a crowd, preferring to think for
himself. So, I treat my fears like the unfounded little annoyances
they are; I keep them to myself (except if anyone should specifically
ask), ;-) and I don't let them frighten me into interfering with who
Liam is. (The few times I have attempted this interference, he's
caught me at it and called me on the carpet, and, like some corny
movie script, the issue turned out just as *he* thought it would, and
he would legitimately say, "I told you so, Mom." I would nod, and he
would smile tolerantly.)

I'm trusting the raging hormonal thing will go fairly that way,
too. Liam has a very strong sense of self-preservation and has never
been one to take foolish chances. And, he is *no* fool! In fact, we
have a few real-life examples of folks in our extended family dealing
with those consequences, and he is loath to become a dad by the time
he's 17 or a three-time dad by 21.

But, you asked, and those are the fears I'm confessing to. Sometimes
my knuckles go a little white on the steering wheel, as it were, but
I think that trust is the natural antidote for fear. Ain't that right?


~Marji


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Sandra Dodd

-=-but
I think that trust is the natural antidote for fear. Ain't that
right?-=-

I hope so. <g>

I have three who can drive cars, so I am not with them NEARLY as much
as I once was. And yet Marty invited me to go to a karaoke get-
together at Bennigan's the other night. We took separate cars so I
could go home early. I was there when they threw us all out at 1:45
so they could close the bar by 2:00 (state law).

It helps a LOT that I know their friends and their friends know me.
It probably won't hurt a bit that I sang karaoke. (And because I
know Marji's reading, here's what I sang:
Red Rubber Ball
Lover's Concerto (The Toys "How gentle is the rain..." thing to a
Clementi tune)
Karma Chameleon (and told them I was about as much a man as Boy
George, and they could all be my poofty English backup singers, and
so I've used that word twice in 24 hours) and they all sang and some
danced.

And I sang loud harmonies on Paradise by the Dashboard light, and
grabbed Marty and the second mic to do harmonies when his friend Beth
started doing "Leaving on a Jet Plane."

My experience (with them and their friends) and visibility help with
the fear-management.

Sandra






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marji

At 20:47 6/29/2007, you wrote:
>And yet Marty invited me to go to a karaoke get-together at
>Bennigan's the other night.

How cool of Marty to do that!!

>Karma Chameleon (and told them I was about as much a man as Boy
>George, and they could all be my poofty English backup singers, and
>so I've used that word twice in 24 hours) and they all sang and some
>danced.

Oh. Well, now I completely understand Marty's motivation in inviting
you! You're damn fun!

~Marji



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Robyn L. Coburn

<<<< and they could all be my poofty English backup singers, and
> so I've used that word twice in 24 hours) >>>>

And both times I've felt uncomfortable.

I guess it's because where I come from in Australia, the word "poofter" (to
rhyme with "woof" not "pooh") is a generally a derogatory slur for gay when
coming from a straight person, and the more correct descriptive expression
for an effeminate gay would be "poofy" (again to rhyme with "woof") without
the "T".

Where does the word "poofty" come from?

Robyn L. Coburn.

Sandra Dodd

-=And both times I've felt uncomfortable.-=-

Sorry. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.

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Robyn L. Coburn

<<<<> -=And both times I've felt uncomfortable.-=-
>
> Sorry. Didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. >>>>

I know it wasn't your intention!

The differences in the English language between Australia and US have always
fascinated me, and I have had some humorous moments of misunderstandings
because of them. It's a bit similar to the local eating customs, or
accidental rude hand signs stuff - except I think that people assume that
because it's all English, that there aren't differences to take note of.

Robyn L. Coburn

PS Don't say anyone is "sitting on their fanny" in Australia. Different
portion of the anatomy.

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/29/2007 7:37:46 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Sandra@... writes:

Anyone else want to confess fears?



One of the hardest areas for me to find my trust is in Wyl's (8) future
social abilities. On one hand, I admire his ability to do as he likes and truly
not care-not even notice-other people's reactions. On the other hand, I worry
that he never will be able to pick up on those social cues. There *are*
extremely rare occasions when he ends up being in a group of other 8 year olds who
are schooled, and when in that setting, he seems more mature for his age or
equal to the other kids, but then I worry its just because the situation is so
rare that he's observing and holding back because he's unsure. Hmmm... maybe
that's a good clue that he's at least *looking* for social cues... ?

Peace,
Sang



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