Saturday 16 January 2010

Hell on earth


I remember when Toys R Us represented the closest thing to hell on earth that Hove had to offer.
We used to dread going there so much that we almost never did. It wasn't the rampaging kids charging around the place; it wasn't the prospect of spending too much money on tat that would fall apart within a week; it wasn't even the deadness you saw in the eyes of everyone who works there or the bored terror in the eyes of all those parents.
No, it was the indecision - Oskar could never decide what to buy with his pocket money. Unless we'd identified something specific before setting off we would all be condemned to a nightmarish hour or more during which his frustration and uncertainty and confusion would steadily grow to the point that he would burst into tears of desperation and become incapable of speech, never mind narrowing down a shortlist of 14 toys.
So it was with some trepidation that I took both kids there today. To make matters worse we set off at around 11.30 - a classic time for blood sugar levels to start dipping, tempers to shorten and decision-making capabilities to evaporate. We had to be back by 12.15 at the latest too, to give us enough time for lunch before he went to a birthday party at 1.00. So, some time pressure and pre-socialising butterflies to add to the mix.
It was a recipe for disaster - but there was no disaster! Miraculously, both kids were happy to wait in parts of the shop that didn't interest them while their sibling scanned the shelves. Marni decided quickly that she was going to buy the largest toy dog I believe I've ever seen. His name's Sammie and you can see him here. He's so huge that a cull of soft toys was required to accommodate him in Marni's over-stuffed bedroom.
Meanwhile Oskar was waiting patiently for his turn and finding it tricky to decide but there was no agitation, just careful thought. Eventually he chose a discounted Wii game that probably involves a bit too much violence, strictly speaking, but I was so relieved he'd decided that I was prepared to look the other way for once.

Thursday 14 January 2010

Post-Christmas family lunch


I wasn't paying an awful lot of photographic attention when we spent the day with my brother and his family and my sister with hers on 2 January. I think we were having too much fun. But I did take a few photos and I think this one's my favourite - mainly from a compositional point of view. I like the symmetry created by Marni and Amanda's body angles and the snacks/drinks they're holding. I kind of wish one of them was in focus but hey, we can't have everything we want in life.
It's also a nice reminder that Marni has enthusiastically embraced the idea of dressing up for special occasions. She spent most of the Christmas season in this suit, handed down by her brother last year. When she goes out she adds a rather fetching cap - one of those rather blousey flat caps, if you get my drift. It makes her look like something out of Oliver! and is unspeakably endearing.

New year's day on the pier


I've just realised I've not posted here this year! Shockingly bad form. There's another blog taking my attention at the moment (on road.cc, about my big bike ride) but that's no excuse. I might find a few more photos to add today to make up for it.
In any case, this was taken on the pier on new year's day. We have a tradition of meeting up with friends and drinking beer on that day each year. We're usually nursing thunderous hangovers but this year was different. This year Madge and I spent new year's eve together on our own, just watching telly and eating rather indulgent party food from M&S - it felt right to do that for a change. The usual model of trudging off to some party or other just didn't appeal. For a few years now new year's eve has been a disappointment - there's too much partying in December to go for a big blow-out right at the end of the month. Perhaps we're getting old - perhaps we're growing up.
It was a beautiful day this year - as it often is. We walked to the pier, drank a few pints of Guinness in the pub whose name I always forget, ate fish and chips, then walked home again, ready and eager to begin January's healthier regime. No booze, healthy food and more exercise: the degree to which this appealed speaks volumes about how overdue it was.