The child in me

After reading nothing for months, I read two books last night. But before you get all excited and think that I'm some genius speed reader, I should clear something up -- I read two children's books. Two children's books that should not be read by children.

The first was The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories by Tim Burton. Yes, the guy who made his money by being weird. Weird hair, weird wife, weird movies.

This book is a collection of (you guessed it) weird, very short children's stories all with central characters who are outcasts -- Oyster Boy (he's half boy, half oyster), Stain Boy (he's a superhero but his only power is to leave nasty stains on everything), the Boy with Nails in his Eyes (I think this is self-explanatory).

Illustrations (also by Burton) were excellent, I thought. Common theme of "outcast getting to be the lead in his own story" got a little old by the 10th story, but that's the whole point of this book. Growing up I think we've all had the experience of being the odd one out. The thing with me is that I thought it was everyone else with the problem.

The second book was The Daydreamer, by Ian McEwan (the guy who wrote Atonement). In this book we meet Peter Fortune, a 10 year old boy, with knack for daydreaming. The book is actually rather heavy, with themes involving a death of a loved one, killing your parents (or as Peter put it, "making them vanish") and sheer terror. Not very kid friendly, but consistently well written in the "children's story" style (simple words, linear plot, usually has an animal or an animated doll in it). (Aside: for a very precise description of the "children's story" style, read the author's Introduction to the book).

Why I never get into anything

I never get into anything, because being into anything is inherently baduy.

Let me explain.

Take photography. I can take pictures. Want proof? Click here.

But if I started to take pictures for real, bought a big ass camera and started carrying humongous bags around (no offense to Wonder), then I would be baduy. (Sorry, Wonder.)

They say everything taken to an excess is bad for you. I say it's just plain baduy and should be avoided.

Like those people who know too much about a particular topic, say ballroom dancing. Having a general knowledge of the subject is cool. Makes you really smart and the star of any cocktail party conversation. But start naming the Father of Foxtrot and people will just get scared and leave you.

Being exceedingly good at anything or having anything in excess (even money -- think Donald Trump, Imelda Marcos) is baduy.

From surgery to stamp collection. Even kindness taken to Mother Teresa degrees is baduy. (I think M.Teresa's whole "God does not exist" phase (as recorded in her letters/journals) was her way of being cool.)

Think about it.

But not too much, otherwise you'll be baduy.

Chanelling Phil

Philip says "realize" a lot.

"Mom, I realize that I left my bag in the car." (Reader, the child is 3.)

And so....

I realize that I have not been blogging.

I realize that there are people out there who check this blog daily and rely on TWS for some humor and updates on the welfare of their youngest daughter.

I realize I need to start blogging again soon.