Getting Greyer. :P

[lls_mutant]

The weather, that is. And my mood, a bit.

Quick question: the Lexicon is vague about when flying carpets were banned in Britain- it just says "years". 1980 too late for them or not?

remix_redux still live. I've read a few stories on it, but haven't had the time to read a lot yet. There's several I really want to read. I'm curious if anyone can guess mine. Well, the one is REALLY obvious, I think, but the other may not be. Actually, it's funny because my pinch hit has gotten a lot more comments than my original, although maybe that's because of their placement? (You come across the pinch hit first.) There's a reason I find that funny, but I'll expound on that later, because telling you why really gives it away.

Got REALLY annoyed this morning. I took Toby to a park for a bit. There were some kids playing there- not school age, but definitely older. I sat down and was watching Toby run around. One of the older kids wasn't watching where they were going, and the two of them collided. (The older kid was probably still under three.) Boom. Toby fell back on his butt, but not hard. He stood up and I just said, "oops!" as he ran on about his way. Well, apparently the mom of the older girl was watching, and she made a really snotty comment about how I should keep my son out of the other kids' way.

Excuse me? I mean, there were maybe 5 kids on the playground. Toby wasn't at the bottom of a slide or right near the swings (where I totally agree)- he wasn't anywhere special. This wasn't his fault, my fault, the older girl's fault, or the other mother's fault. Two excited kids were running around and one knocked into the other by accident. She was little enough that I don't really expect she could have totally avoided him. It was an oops. But why is HER kid so special that I should keep MINE corralled, just so her kid could run around?

My guy was the littlest on the playground. That's fine. I do watch out for him. But he still has a right to be on that playground. I watch and make sure he doesn't linger at the bottom of slides or go near the swings when other kids are swinging on them or anything else where a serious injury could happen. I don't expect the other kids are going to be able to steer clear of him every second. Something like this happens, and what happened? He got up and went right back to what he was doing. I mean, I can protect him from a lot, but I can't (and shouldn't) protect him from everything. It's not just her fault, you know. Toby needs to learn that if you see someone running at you, maybe you should move out of their way. :)

Bah. Stupid lady.

Back to writing. One more scene to finish in this chapter, hallelujah. Anyone want to do a quick scan (not a real beta) for typos and such tonight or tomorrow night, depending on how much longer Toby sleeps?

Comments

[poolman.livejournal.com]

I quote from the book of bumper stickers: "Mean people suck".

That woman's out of line, and deluded to boot. It's totally unreasonable to expect children on a playground to march calmly and carefully in lines, and it's equally unreasonable (for normal people, anyways) for parents to follow their kids around waiting for them to fall down. You handled the situation perfectly, in my nonparenting opinion.

I'm very strongly of the belief that kids need to fall down every now and again anyways. I did it all the time as a kid. Hell, I built up a very, very impressive record of falling from heights (equivalent of 2nd and 3rd storey falls!), and I grew up to be a big, healthy guy. Kids need to learn that not every injury is the end of the world, and that it's okay to bump into someone else every now and again. Couple it with apologizing, and you're on your way.

By the way, I keep forgetting to mention that Julia was thrilled to hear Toby's getting a little sibling. We have babies popping up EVERYWHERE in our lives right now. Makes me wonder how long we can hold out. ;)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) It was almost laughable how stupid she was. ::Sigh::

Kids need to learn that not every injury is the end of the world, and that it's okay to bump into someone else every now and again. Couple it with apologizing, and you're on your way.

I couldn't agree more. It wasn't even like he was off the ground- the kids were on the ground. (If he's on the equipment I go with him, because he's NOT a great climber yet.) What he was doing was totally appropriate for his age. What's more, what happened with the little girl was totally appropriate for her age. He fell down. He went boom. He got back up and went off running again. People are very stupid sometimes. ::Sigh::

And tell Julia thanks! :) I admit, I've been wondering who's going to be the next one with that announcement- you guys, Drew and Ann, or Justin and Joy.

[topaz-eyes.livejournal.com]

Good grief... I'm just shaking my head at that woman in the playground there. You handled it perfectly. That woman needs a reality check. To be honest, I pity that little girl. Kids are going to fall down, bump their heads, cut their knees, scrape their arms...I bet her mom is over-protective everywhere.

With Remix, will the stories disappear or comments be locked after the author reveal? I know the comm will become inactive eventually, but the stories will still be available, yes? (Probably something I should be asking musesfool, heh.) Remix is a veritable fanfic treasure chest! I've enjoyed everything I've come across. :-)

[poolman.livejournal.com]

Well, don't hold me TOO closely to it, but Julia and I want to get some travel time in first... we're doing Italy this summer and contemplating either Mexico or Hawaii next spring break. We'd like to be trying in a year or so.

[sea0tter12.livejournal.com]

I can scan it if you'd like me to!

And you have a lot more restraint than I do -- I'd have more than likely said something snotty loudly enough for her to hear. :-)

[rynne.livejournal.com]

That woman needs to get some perspective. It's not like Toby did it deliberately, or seriously hurt her kid. Geez.

Speaking of Remix--my pinch hit also has more comments than my assignment, but I think that might be the difference in fandom. And I'm pretty damn sure which pinch hit is yours. *g*

[minnow-53.livejournal.com]

*hugs for you and Toby* What a horrible woman! You get them everywhere, sadly... :(

I agree: one of your remixes is very obvious, for various reasons *hums a few bars* not least because it's a really good fic!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Oooh, Italy! Lucky- that's someplace I'd really like to go!

Yeah, the travelling this is good. We've hardly been anywhere since Toby was born, and our trips will definitely have a kid-friendly slant to them for the next however many years. I agree with you guys totally. (We did Napa right before we started trying. Wine country... mmm. :) )

Very cool :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks :) Yeah, I wasn't worried about it, but it annoyed me.

I think the stories will still be around and unlocked comments. I assume. I hope so, because I haven't read nearly as much as I'd like, and Remix does attract some great authors! :)

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

Thanks- I sent it to you. It's still kind of rough, but I need to get my butt in gear.

And I might have if I'd come up with something snotty and witty on the spot. :) I hate how I can never think of retorts right away!

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

What, wasn't I subtle at all? :)

Yeah, fandom makes a definite difference. I need to catch up on my reading!

And yeah- if anything, her girl was bigger and could have done more damage to Toby! She seemed more offended that her precious might have to actually look where she was going! ::gasp:: Although I really, really didn't care, given how young the girl was. ::Sigh:: People are stupid sometimes.

[lls-mutant.livejournal.com]

True enough that they're everywhere! Oh well. She could have been much worse.

And thanks! Yeah, there's a few dead giveaways, but hey. It was fun :) :)