There was a wall-to-wall mirror in our modestly furnished living room. Most of what my parents owned were hand-me-downs from our neighbours who insisted on being called friends. My father was a janitor. We lived on the rez-de-chaussée of an upscale highrise, and our neighbours – our so-called friends – were the tenants: business owners, professional hockey players, philanthropists. They were nice enough people, don’t get me wrong – we had food in our fridge, clothes on our back, and a roof over our head because of our friends – but they wouldn’t be seen walking with us. A tired-looking navy blue velvet couch leaned on the mirror, and on the far right side my father sat, each night, beaten up.
Evenings were a family affair, and sitting down together around a movie – in silence – was the extent of our communication. We were often asked to fetch a Schwarzenegger movie at the mom-and-pop video store; I would often come back with Woody Allen fare. We would sit in front of the television – the master of our ceremonies – and while away the evening. Monday. Tuesday. Every day.
Our building stood on top of the city, looking down on the working poor. BMWs honked at public transportation; ambulances rushed 98-year-old CEOs to their death at the nearby hospital, blowing their sirens at the BMWs. Woody’s one-liners couldn’t compete with the cacophony of the city. Amidst the noise and the punch lines, my father would fall asleep. Without fail. Monday. Tuesday. Every day. And without fail, his head would fall back on the wall-to-wall mirror. He would wake up, pretend he was never asleep, and drift off again. Repeatedly.
Are you sleeping?, asks my wife when my head hits the gyprock wall behind our second-hand aubergine couch. I open my eyes, look at my wife smiling, and promptly fall back asleep, over some movie. Every night.
My father is lucky to stay awake during the opening credits… me, the moment they do those ‘build up to a big scene with shitty ass dialogue’ moments is when I crash into slumber.
Posted by John the Aussie | September 17, 2012, 07:04John,
I sympathize. It’s become a joke, in this household. Not too long ago, I could watch David Letterman. Now I can stay up past the evening news.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 07:51you mean the 6 p.m. evening news? Wao, you sound tired ;P
Posted by Matthieu Anfosso | September 17, 2012, 09:42Matt,
Spot on. We’ll talk at baby #1, ok? And we’ll talk again at baby #2.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 09:44Word. After baby #2, I was a complete zombie all the time
Posted by SummerSolsticeGirl | September 17, 2012, 13:29Even with no baby I already fall asleep on the couch before 9 during winter time lol
Posted by Matthieu Anfosso | September 18, 2012, 11:50This brought a smile.
Posted by meizac | September 17, 2012, 07:04Yes, it did, but I won’t dare put one of those silly emoticons up. I won’t.
Posted by Fish Out of Water | September 17, 2012, 07:31Fish,
Emoticons are like beaded curtains: they make a place look ugly. And thank you for reading.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:00I disagree. Emoticons are like beaded curtains. It all depends on who’s using them.
Posted by saradraws | September 17, 2012, 12:16I *almost* did.
Posted by meizac | September 17, 2012, 08:01Meizac,
Then my job here is done.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 07:58Me too… especially since you managed to use “aubergine.”
Posted by asoulwalker | September 17, 2012, 12:31Soul Walker,
Right? I could have used “eggplant”, or chartreuse, if it was actually an ugly yellowish green. But aubergine it is.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:32Magnifique!
Posted by asoulwalker | September 17, 2012, 12:35Also, for future reference, French spelling is easy… that does not mean I can do it correctly.
Posted by asoulwalker | September 17, 2012, 12:37Soul Walker,
Like my 2 1/2 daughter often says, but really doesn’t: you’re funny, and stuff.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:41I feel the need to tell you that I have a friend who grew up with a french mother… he thought “qu’est-ce que c’est,” was one word until he started French class at about the age of twelve. I feel that it is important you know this… also, the fact that I still think this hilarious after a couple of decades probably says something about me…
Posted by asoulwalker | September 17, 2012, 12:45Soul Walker,
Qué?
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 19:40Nice.
Posted by asoulwalker | September 17, 2012, 21:14You must be a happy person. I thought it was a desperate cry for cracking life open to escape another movie. Perhaps the lesson is to enjoy the security of snoring in front of a bad flick.
Posted by chaotican | September 17, 2012, 23:47My, how thing change but stay the same. Isn’t it oddly comforting?
Posted by The Waiting | September 17, 2012, 07:31Emily,
They do. The biggest difference is that we look so much better than what we did like in the 80s.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:02Wow. Just. . . This is the most stunningly beautiful piece of yours I have ever read. It is vivid, it is emotional, it is visceral. It feels like something that has been slowly finding its way toward your consciousness over long hours and days and years of feeling, thinking, writing. And every word of it is perfectly chosen, perfectly placed. The nuances, the subtleties, the obvious. . . They all fall perfectly together. This, this is the true magic.
Posted by Ruby Tuesday | September 17, 2012, 07:35Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Well done Eric.
xoxo
Tracy
Posted by tracy fulks | September 17, 2012, 07:39Ruby,
Thank you for such a well-thought of comment. I am very happy this struck a chord with you. It’s something I have been meaning to write for some time now, and it came out the way I wanted it to. Thank you.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:03I have the same problem anymore. I can tell you the beginnings of most movies…but not the end.
Posted by Christopher De Voss | September 17, 2012, 07:51Christopher,
Same here. I used to not be able to remember the end of movies because of the amount of alcohol I was drinking. Today, I just fall asleep with a bottle of sparkling water in my hands.
L’Éric
PS: Thank you for being a regular. I do not receive notifications of your posts – I did check my reader. I will have to make it a habit of visiting more often.
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 07:54So Le Clown writes prose.. that’s what this is my friend.. You pulled back the curtain and let us see, really see.. It’s ironic how we as children absorb through osmosis those things with which we surround ourselves.. I see the humor in this, but I also feel the heartbeat of a family.
(No emotions, but am smiling)
FPP
Posted by free penny press | September 17, 2012, 08:10Lynne,
Reading a comment from you is a rewarding experience: you put a great deal of thought behind your words, and… you are Lynne. I wrote a piece a few weeks back in which I explained I was not only going to write as Le Clown anymore, but as L’Éric. It’s a different tone, and it gives me much more freedom to write about what I want to, in more than one way. Thank you for reading, as always.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:14I like it when you put Le Clown on the “velvet couch” for a bit while Eric strikes up the band. Eric is a remarkable man, with much insight and history (no emotion but smiling)
Posted by free penny press | September 17, 2012, 08:25Lynne,
Thanks. Both voices are fun to explore, and fulfil different needs. I’ve been enjoying this new direction.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:26I can barely sit through a movie…my hubs tells me how it ended the next day.
Posted by boomiebol | September 17, 2012, 08:13Boomie,
Have you tried the Twilight movies? Just kidding.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:15Lol…my hubs falls asleep during those ones lol
Posted by boomiebol | September 17, 2012, 08:16hee hee – I’m the movie sleeper in my family… even during “Sleeper”
Posted by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher | September 17, 2012, 08:43Rutabaga,
Sleeper is one of my fave slapstick Woody films (right behind Love and Death). And sadly, I think I might also drift off on it, depending what time we decide to watch it… Although the chances are slim, as my wife is not a Woody Allen fan.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:50“Love & Death” is my first in line for Woody Allen. I have always loved Russian history and could not watch that movie enough.
If you’re gonna talk slapstick, – Keaton or Chaplin?
I’m Keaton all the way (Buston not Diane).
Posted by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher | September 17, 2012, 08:58Rutabaga,
I love the tongue-and-cheek humour of the Woody Allen movies… Arguably, my favourite director, with Kubrick. And I am a big, big Chaplin fan. As much as I like Keaton (and his family member Diane Keaton), there’s a humanity in Chaplin that I enjoy more. This was terrible English overall.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 09:01Ha ha – Chaplin is a little too mushy for me – but I see the appeal for most. But there is something about Buster Keaton that I find so alluring – and his life story is heart wrenching.
My husband loves Kubrick – I love A Clockwork Orange (I’m love dystopia too) but Scott is rabid about it all when it comes from Kubrick.
Really – with art – it’s not what you love, it’s that you love.
Posted by Rutabaga the Mercenary Researcher | September 17, 2012, 09:16Great piece monsieur!
I regularly fall asleep in front of films. Recently I have apparently taken to dropping my head right back on the sofa and opening my mouth wide while I sleep – I’m sure I never used to do this, is it a sign of age? I’m mostly worried about what might fall into my mouth when I do this!
Posted by Vanessa Chapman | September 17, 2012, 08:47Vanessa,
“…opening my mouth wide while I sleep “… Same here… I’m just worried about what I might look like… And when my wife will decide to take a picture of me in my graceful sleep… Thank you for reading, Vanessa. As always.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:52Le Clown,
I totally love this post, many reasons, the cuteness of how times have changed and how we all have taken after our parents one way or another… I never saw my father ageing since he died very young… but I am sure today I am a reflection of his…
U
Posted by quod1me4nutrit1me9destruit | September 17, 2012, 08:47U,
I’m sorry about the passing of your father at such a young age. As you said, I’m sure there is a great deal of him in you. Do you find you have taken on your mother’s habits?
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 08:53L’Éric
That’s alright… been too long… well even my mum thinks its my Dad more in me… maybe a few ‘good’ habits of my mum rest are his… never on time, spontaneous, a smoker and what not… I think all of us are our parents blends that’s how we came into being
What say?
U
Posted by quod1me4nutrit1me9destruit | September 17, 2012, 09:01Nice Eric…keep going!
Posted by misslisted | September 17, 2012, 09:05Chris,
I do… Like the Energizer Bunny. I keep on going until 9… 9:30PM on a good day.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 09:09Eric,
Wonderful writing. It made me smile. I’d call that “channeling” your father and now you can appreciate him in a way that you couldn’t as a youngster. Sweet.
I really enjoy these writings from your heart.
Cathy
Posted by Cathy Ulrich | September 17, 2012, 09:22Cathy,
Thank you. These posts are fun to write. Very different than the process of writing a Le Clown post. And yes, there’s a great deal of dad here. I’m glad I have finally opened up to it…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 09:38What a great story, Eric. You write so well! I love these short vignettes from you. They are so heartfelt! You grew up in the city, I grew up in the country. I have some of those memories, some wonderful, some not so much, but all culminating to make me, me.
I loved this part of YOU you decided to share. Lovely, my friend!
Posted by Brigitte | September 17, 2012, 09:29Brigitte,
“Short vignettes”… I like this. I think it’s what these short posts are. I enjoy them at that length, and the way they come out. Thank you.
Living in the country has its own set of sounds, doesn’t it? I remember weekend trips to the country with my family, and not being able to sleep at night because the “noise” of the trees, and birds, and water would keep me up, as they were foreign to me…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 09:36It does…crickets are a biggie. And lightening bugs (that’s what we called them). They don’t make any noise but they’re beautiful to kids. We’d punch holes in the lids of mason jars, capture them, put them inside the jar and watch them fly around inside then let them loose. Sigh.
Posted by Brigitte | September 17, 2012, 09:40My go-to movies for naps are either the Star Wars Prequels (bonus for missing all JarJar footage), or the MST movies on Netflix, which are good, but I have watched them about a 1000 times each- and lets not forget that the movie THEY Are watching is always bad.
Posted by braintomahawk | September 17, 2012, 09:31Brain,
Netflix is a great thing to lose consciousness on… Reading “They” brought me back to “They Live”. You are to blame for bringing this back up in the heavy packed closet that is my memory…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 10:06beautifully written – that is all I have to say…..
Posted by on thehomefrontandbeyond | September 17, 2012, 09:37LouAnn,
Thank you. This made coffee taste less bitter. Now make sense of it.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 10:08Le E…..Trying not to appear pandering or gushing over the above obvious: well written landscape. Or I could say…Hardly trying not to appear pandering or gushing over the above. I should say that…Hardly trying….
Posted by jotsfromasmallapt | September 17, 2012, 09:55Jots,
Le E… I like that. It’s how I usually sign my emails: “E”. Thank you…….
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 10:08Well written piece Eric. My grandfather, a heavy drinker and smoker, used to fall asleep in front of the tv all the time. The minute you turned the tv off or tried to change the channel, he would wake up and deny that he was sleeping, getting angry that you were touching the tv he was watching.
I am in bed by 9 pm Tue-Sat every week because I get up at 4:30 am for work. When I get the chance to “stay up”, I’m lucky to make it to midnight.
I remember watching the sunrise when I was younger. Now, I’m lucky to still be awake when it sets.
Oh….and I’m a rebel.
Posted by writerwendyreid | September 17, 2012, 09:58Wendy,
I have read this aloud to the Ringmistress… It made us both laugh, the image of your grand-father trying to change the channel… It seems like something I would do… But instead of the remote, it would be a random toy lying around that i would grab…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 10:10Glad I could entertain you both, if only momentarily.
Posted by writerwendyreid | September 17, 2012, 10:54Lovely, just lovely. I’m glad L’Eric has decided to make an appearance again. Despite our best efforts we still turn into our parents don’t we?
Posted by dinnerversions | September 17, 2012, 10:14Lisa,
L’Éric is happy to be back. Le Clown is never too far away, but so far, they are getting along. And yes, as much as we try to rebel against our “makers”, it doesn’t take long to realize we are cut from the same cloth.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:10Yes, same cloth, different outfit…xoM
Posted by Margarita | September 17, 2012, 12:46What a sweet way to acknowledge the continuity in the family, Eric. I like to think your father read this post and laughed. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose, n’est-ce pas?
Posted by Madame Weebles | September 17, 2012, 10:57Madame Weebles,
I haven’t thought about this one… About how my father would react after reading this one… I think he would laugh too, in his strange way, if he was not asleep, of course.
LÉric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 11:20Ah, yes, the circle of life manifests in many different ways. Très belle, Le Clown, très belle.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | September 17, 2012, 10:58Carrie,
It does. Can I add burning stomach after spicy food? Thanks…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 11:19Absolutely. As well as tiny heads (in my case) and humor as a defense (in both our cases).
Okay, enough with the deepness for me.
Posted by Carrie Rubin | September 17, 2012, 11:27My dad would do the same. When we pointed out that he was sleeping (which he was), he always said, “No. I was resting my eyes.” Sweet memories tinged with bitterness. Dad fell asleep because he was drunk.
Posted by jmlindy422 | September 17, 2012, 11:00J,
It’s seems to be a common thread. As for the drunk part, I’m sorry. I’ve seen some of that too.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 11:18Thanks, L’Eric (I have no idea how to do the accent aigu). I married a man who falls asleep watching football. Fortunately, not because he’s drunk.
Posted by jmlindy422 | September 17, 2012, 11:34Love this. It’s the same in our house. We’ve pretty much given up watching moves in the evenings together….he’ll fall asleep first and I’ll follow. Now we just settle for endless re-runs of “King of Queens”. Seeing as how we’ve watched them 1 million times before, if we fall asleep we won’t miss anything. What an exciting life we lead….getting older sucks.
Posted by dockfam | September 17, 2012, 11:59“Just resting my eyes,” my dad would reply also. Which I always thought was hilarious because the eye resting always went hand in hand with snoring. “Voice exercises,” he would probably reply.
I am not really one to doze during movies, probably because I multi-task (computer, books, puzzles). I almost fell asleep though at the last theatre movie I went to (Promethius, I think? Horrible movie, but it would make an excellent nap video), so I multi-tasked and ate a gallon of buttered popcorn. Win, win. On second thought, bad movie, fattening popcorn… I should have just dozed.
Lovely writing, have a great week my new friend… -C
Posted by runningonsober | September 17, 2012, 12:00C,
There seems to be much more similitude between the two of us. I am also a multi-tasker, someone with very high energy, a Type-A if you’d like… I will peak in the morning, from the moment I wake up, and it’s downhill from there. I am usually very productive in the morning, less in the afternoon, and useless at night.
As for Prometheus, funny enough, we watched a copy of it last week. Being the sci-fi adept that I am, and fan of the original Alien by Ridley Scott, I so wanted to love it. Alas. Thank you for reading. I’ll make tea tonight, and browse through your blog. Maybe I will feel less useless…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:05Oh dear, if you fall asleep while reading, please don’t tell me. My fragile ego could not take it. Maybe you should pop some popcorn to go with your tea.
Posted by runningonsober | September 17, 2012, 12:52C,
If I start around 6PM, things should go smoothly… I think. Or hope…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:59Our kids might write about us one day. And so the story continues…
Posted by saradraws | September 17, 2012, 12:20Ringmistress,
Aren’t they already funny with their ways of interpreting us? “Papa, you say things that no one understands, that haven’t been invented yet”…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:27Or Tiny Geek, “you funny!”. She can stay.
Posted by saradraws | September 17, 2012, 12:32Somehow this gives me comfort and distress at the same time. Some things never change, some things reoccur (like remakes with hopefully better actors), it all possibly makes sense when reiterated – but for myself I often wonder “is this it?”
Maybe I’m just a generally gloomy character, didn’t mean to spoil the mood.
Posted by theabrasiveembrace | September 17, 2012, 12:33TAE,
I think you bring a very valid point. In this case, I think yes – there is a sense of déjà vu, or repeatedness. I am my father’s son, I can’t deny it. And it’s not such a bad thing. Furthermore, I don’t fall asleep in front of the television for the same reason. My father worked hard (not that I am a lazy bastard), but it was a hard life. When I close my eyes at night, there’s a sense of being content – maybe my dad felt the same thing. But I am not distressed. My kids are well taken cared of, my wife is with me, and I’m wearing my best pjs. It’s a good sleep… Often better than the crap I watch, which I will keep on watching. Does it make sense?
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:39Oh yes. Your heart is calm, I’d say, if that’s not too cheesy for you.
Posted by theabrasiveembrace | September 17, 2012, 12:41TAE,
Spot on! And I am French Canadian – I do love me some good cheese.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:42Eric.. there is a quality of peace and love in your “home” and for this I grin big. Contentment and a sense of belonging is a wonderful feeling, is it not? You wear your genes well.
Audra
Posted by unfetteredbs | September 17, 2012, 12:43Audra,
“You wear your genes well.” That’s clever. You should write something around that. And thank you. Yes, this is the first relationship I am in in which I feel at peace. Even if we sleep 3 hours of night because of Tiny Geek.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 12:45I thankfully do not wear my genes well….
yea kids will ruin your sleep forever but they are worth every wrinkle and gray hair.
Posted by unfetteredbs | September 17, 2012, 12:49Audra,
Yes they are. And the beautiful part in this is that they will owe us. Just sayin’.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 13:02if we toil the soil well we will reap the fruits of our labor for years to come… Happily
just sayin right back at ya friend. I love being a Mom
Posted by unfetteredbs | September 17, 2012, 13:04I loved this, Eric. There seems to be a slight overlapping of Brigitte’s post, my post, and yours. Like a sweet spot of vulnerability, family patterns and an understanding of the past. It’s amazing how much we carry with us genetically and emotionally that makes us who we are. It’s like our cells are hard wired. Looking at some of the comments, I sense that there’s a piece of what you wrote that’s missing for some…? Not to make this heavier than it is, but there is also a little sadness in this recollection, right?
Posted by A Gripping Life | September 17, 2012, 13:32Grippy,
Thank you. You’re right on all accounts: about the similar topics of our posts and the vulnerability. As for sadness… There’s nostalgia, and yes, there’s a sense that I wish my father would have fallen asleep in front of movies with the same peace I am. And he might have had, despite the hard life. What do I know, really. But I have a feeling his exhaustion was dragging him down. As I fall asleep as I am where I want to be… Does it make sense?
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 13:35Yes. I totally get what your saying. There’s a wish deep inside of you that your father could have known what you know and could have felt what you presently feel. Each generation improves, in some way, on the one before it. : )
Posted by A Gripping Life | September 17, 2012, 13:43At home I fall sleep every night watching The Golden Girls (yeah, I know), the other person turns off the TV and I get upset because I was ¨”listening” next night I put the same episode and make it 2 minuter longer, other person gotta watch it all, needless to say the other person learned to hate the “Thank you for being a friend……”
Posted by Doggy's Style | September 17, 2012, 13:34Leo,
You live with the ominous “Other Person”? Not just the barking type, right? The “I was watching this” comment made me giggle. I use it once in awhile… As the “hey, I can tell you exactly what was happening” comment…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 13:39Yeah, it’s me, the barking beast and the snoring beast.
Posted by Doggy's Style | September 17, 2012, 13:44L’Éric, I’ve also inherited the passing out in front of the TV gene from mon père, but like him, I have no problem staying awake when I see films in a theater (where he and I both prefer to see movies — another habit I inherited from him). I think this is because there must be some kind of trytophan-type sleep aid emanating from the TV screen. It is also possible that when you pay to see a film in a theater that motivates you to remain conscious.
Posted by lameadventures | September 17, 2012, 14:45Lame,
Perhaps the sugar? In the pop? I hear movie theatre burn sugar which you inhale, unbeknownst to you…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 16:16Hm … Stealth sugar seeping in through the ventilation system? How very Dr. Strangelove.
Posted by lameadventures | September 17, 2012, 16:23A beautiful capture of life’s small, but precious moments. I love this Eric.
Posted by Sophy | September 17, 2012, 15:56Sophy,
Thank you. And yes, it’s the small details of life that makes all the difference. And when my kids sleep. For 20 straight hours. Thank you for reading, my friend.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 16:15I was up half the night with the 12 year old – it never ends.
-This happy message brought to you by Alice.
Posted by aliceatwonderland | September 17, 2012, 15:56Alice,
This is why you need a cellar, with a lock door, a bowl of water, and 20 feet of rope.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 16:14Hmphh!? What…no no I am awake…
This is why I have netflix now – lie back with with my tablet in bed.
Spend 20 minutes searching for the movie to watch and I hit play.,,,,ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Posted by merlinspielen | September 17, 2012, 16:08Merlin,
Netflix. We do the same thing. It takes us forever to find something as we’ve seen everything, so we choose the pick of the litter… of what’s left, after 45 minutes of excruciating search, and dose off I do…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 16:13This reminds me a lot of my husband. Falls asleep every night. Always “resting his eyes.” It’s comforting in a way because it reminds me that he feels at home, that we’ve created a home.
Posted by Ashley Austrew | September 17, 2012, 16:29Ashley,
A visit from Blogger. This is great! And coincidentally, “it reminds me that he feels at home, that we’ve created a home” must be my favourite thing I have read today.
L’éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 17:14Interesting the way these mundane things highlight the familiar connections that we have with our parents. Even in the shadows, It’s an undeniable presence. My mom and I don’t have the greatest relationship, but I see how I’m her and I don’t hate it. It just helps me to understand myself even more, my life, and hopefully even give me a little more compassion when trying to see where she might be coming from. Sometimes I look in the mirror or hear myself say something and go “Wow,” when I recognize the influence.
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | September 17, 2012, 16:52Auntie Sandee,
We inherit the good, and the not so good. I agree. Even when we try and stray as far away as our parents… My father did not talk, he screamed. Even when he was happy, he raised his voice. It’s something I do. And the Ringmistress will remind me once in awhile that she is standing a few inches away from me… Thank you for this insightful comment.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 17:26Beautiful post, L’Eric. I have never understood how people could fall asleep on the couch in the middle of the chaos, but when you’re nestled into your comfort zone, family all around, it seems perfectly rational to be able to just rest your eyes and relax for just a minute or two.
Posted by rollergiraffe | September 17, 2012, 18:06Roller Giraffe,
We lived downtown, on a very busy avenue, walking distance from Montreal’s General Hospital. We were afraid when it was silence….
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 18:11My father has a pony tail, beer-belly and propensity toward bad puns. I guess all take after good ol’ dad.
This was a charming little bit, though. Really enjoyed it.
(Unlike all the other shit you write).
Posted by Hannah | September 17, 2012, 19:20Hannah,
My father had a pony tail, beer belly and a propensity for bad puns. You’re screwed.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 19:35My father, who insisted on going to movies with me and my friends, would fall alseep during the previews and snore. Something to live up to there.
Posted by nevercontrary | September 17, 2012, 21:14NC,
I remember one night when I was in university. My father and I went to see a play based on Rabelais. I was stoked (I was a literature student). Fifteen minutes into it, my father was snoring. Loud. I was asked by other spectators to wake him up. I did. He feel asleep again. And snored. We had to leave…. True story.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 17, 2012, 21:16That is hilarious and sad at the same time. I hope you were able to go back and see it later without him.
Posted by nevercontrary | September 17, 2012, 21:17This is an Eric post, yes. I love your honesty. We had a red shag carpet. I don’t know who made that decision but as a child I thought that was cool. My dad used to spread out on the floor and fall asleep amidst total chaos! I really enjoyed your post.
Posted by The Bumble Files | September 17, 2012, 23:12TBF,
Thank you.The things we remember of our childhood. And the things we didn’t like as kids, but which have a special meaning today…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:00My mother-in-law is of the “I wasn’t sleeping!” school of thought. I think she views it as a sign of weakness.
Posted by The Byronic Man | September 17, 2012, 23:26The Byronic Man,
Then we shouldn’t tell her she is sleeping, now…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:02My wife takes the less sympathetic approach of “Yes, you were! You were asleep and you didn’t even hear me come in calling your name! Your hair is a mess! Just admit you were asleep!”
When they disagree it’s like watching bulldozers playing chicken (not visually).
Posted by The Byronic Man | September 18, 2012, 09:31that’s poetry.
Posted by rich | September 17, 2012, 23:32Rich,
It’s always good to have you here. Thanks for reading, and the kind words.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:03This was beautiful and so vivid. I resonates on a different level with me. Those night times in front of the television were peaceful and secure and predictable. You captured that without romantisizing. You captured it without remourse. You captured with calm observation, the way a child would and the way an adult would grow to accept it without judgement. Calm.
It strikes me the way that a train whistle in the middle of the night does, however. A lonely sound. I don’t know why, but I do know that this passage made me FEEL something and that is power.
Posted by chaotican | September 17, 2012, 23:58Chaotican,
Thank you. What a nice thing to say. These images around the television are so vivid to me. We were also the type of family to leave the television on during supper time… I really appreciate your comment.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:08My father did this all the time. I now understand that it was baby #1′s fault.That is also probably why there was never a baby #2
Posted by MissFourEyes | September 18, 2012, 00:34Because he was too sleepy to …? Never mind.
Posted by Queen Gen | September 18, 2012, 02:46Miss Four Eyes,
Now now. There might have been baby #1, and just being old and comfortable. And Queen Gen’s comment made me smile.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:10We often lived on the generosity of “friends”, too. Growing up I found it embarrassing, but now that I’m older I’ve realised it taught me to be generous as well. I can picture that old blue couch, and the father falling asleep, and it feels just like home.
Thank you for posting it. I would add a smile, because that was my first response, but after all the negative press about emoticons I feel it would make me seem ditzy. Maybe I don’t care.
Posted by Queen Gen | September 18, 2012, 02:43Queen Gen,
As a child I would often lie about our lack of wealth, and tell my friends my father owned the building… Thanks for reading, Queen Gen. And it’s your turn to shine this week on Black Box Warnings.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:22I used to tell my friends that my father was a famous concert pianist. It helps explain the eccentricity, and children have no idea about concert pianists so they never question his lack of fame.
Posted by Queen Gen | September 18, 2012, 20:29Before the divorce, when my dad lived with us (when me and my siblings were very small) it wasn’t the tv that he would fall asleep to… but the sound of his own voice as he read us a book on the couch…
Posted by the howler and me | September 18, 2012, 06:00THAM,
I’m sorry THAM, I know your back story, I know there’s some sadness in what you write…
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 07:26Some, but truthfully it is what it is. My dad is who he is, and nothing can change what happened all those ga-zillion years ago.
He never was a good reader, it still takes him years to finish a book. (because he falls asleep) In a way, it makes me smile.
Posted by the howler and me | September 18, 2012, 08:18((Hugs))
Even if you aren’t the hugging type, that deserves one.
Posted by purplemary54 | September 18, 2012, 13:06Mary,
Thank you. And it’s so very good to see you again.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 18, 2012, 13:18You are a brilliant writer. That’s all.
Posted by Maggie O'C | September 19, 2012, 17:04Maggie,
That’s very kind of you to say, and I truly appreciate it.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 20, 2012, 18:54You know what I really appreciate about you? Your broad range of writing. You manage to write all sorts of carnie fare, and then bust out a piece like this. You are living up to your legendary magnificence.
Posted by Jen and Tonic | September 19, 2012, 23:00Jen,
Just shut up already. Nah, don’t. And thank you.
L’Éric
Posted by Le Clown | September 20, 2012, 18:55You and me both. Mr. Chickadee needs a nap before bed, and embarrassing as it is for an intellectual to admit, I love just sitting and watching movies or whatever with him. Every evening.
Posted by DeeDee | September 29, 2012, 01:43