Jackson’s school had Fifties Day a few weeks ago. I still don’t know why. We had Fifties Day when I was a kid because of American Graffiti and we were all addicted to “Happy Days,” plus all these girls’ moms had kept their poodle skirts. It sort of made sense. It made sense going back twenty years because it was like dressing up as your parents. But doing it now is just making your kids dress up like their estranged grandparents in Bakersfield whose house burned down in an oxygen tank fire. I wouldn’t exactly call it a history lesson.
Anyway, I couldn’t bear to send Jackson to school in a white t-shirt and jeans with his hair slicked back like the Fonz. THE FONZ, FOR GOD’S SAKE.
So he let me turn him into a beatnik.
He said all the squares made fun of his beret.
Yeah, well, they just don’t GET IT, man.
Your kid is awesome
Hope he told them to sit on it.
I don’t know if it’s any better if it’s later — my son’s school did a year long “seventies” theme last year. Way to make the old parents feel…old. They learned about pet rocks and mood rings.
What, no bongo? How can the boy recite insufferably awful poetry without the benefit of a bongo?
My God. What kind of mother are you?
Goddamnit, he HAS a set of bongos, I can’t believe I didn’t make him lug all 25 pounds of them around all day. What’s wrong with me?
Freakin’ squares, man.
And how considerate of him to sport the look of anguished/bored cool, without which the costume would be just way too superficial.
Have you read the book Suzuki Bean? It’s about a little girl who’s a hep cat and befriends a little boy who’s a square.
Suzuki sounds amazing! Diamond, you must know about that one. http://www.amazon.com/Suzuki-Beane-Sandra-Scoppettone/dp/0385011709
Jackson was definitely the coolest kid!
I never heard of it! It looks so excellent, I must find it.
Ummm…. What’s wrong with Bakersfield?
Did I say anything was wrong with Bakersfield? I did not. Isn’t that where American Graffiti was set? I thought I was being subtle with the tie-in.
It was Modesto – same thing!
Cool. Just checking. Carson made us all a little sensitive.
I love this first paragraph. And Jackson’s face, obviously. Dig it, man.
He looks like Ned Flander’s Dad. Brilliant!
omg! So cute!
I am so sad that November is almost over. I mean, really. The Fonz and beatniks and oxygen tank fires in one post? This is the goodness of Fussy all wrapped up in a pretty package with a goatee on top.
Ned Flanders’ dad: “Ohhhh mannnnnnnn, the little cat spilled ink all over my poetry…”
Jackson is awesome.