That conversation, interactions with people who superficially may have had a similar childhood to mine, and this wonderful holiday called father's day have all met in my list of things that make my daddy cooler than yours. Or at least, reasons why I'm glad I didn't have a different one that would have left me more "normal."
- My definition of the word "concert:" Sometimes people ask the question, "what was your first concert?" Inevitably, this leaves me quite confused, since they're most likely asking when I first went to see someone like the Rolling Stones, Jack Johnson, or even Backstreet Boys (oh yes, I liked them). Of course, my first memories of concerts involve classical music like the 1812 overture being played by the symphony while we sit outside with Oreos and sparkling grape juice, waiting for the cannons to go off. Or something like the Yuletide celebration (which leads to the fact that I think tap-dancing Santas are the way Santa is supposed to be....) with moonlighting opera singers narrating something like the 12 days of Christmas while being pulled across the stage on a fake sleigh with fake snow. The best ones, though, where the concerts where Daddy wasn't even playing. Like when he took just me to see Andre Watts play George Gershwin on a sparkling blue piano with mother of pearl stars. Or when he took me to see Maureen McGovern and then bought the CD. Or the time Flash Cadillac played with the ISO and we got the CD with tracks that still show up on my iPod. You get the picture.
- My idea of a good vacation: Daddy is a big fan of road trips. I'm not talking about the ones where you drive 2 hours to a cute little cabin in the woods. I'm talking about the one where you take 3 or more children, at least 2 adults and drive from Indiana to Wyoming, pass through Nebraska and South Dakota, and camp along the way. Yes. Camp in tents on the ground. Funny thing is, I still think hotel beds are rather uncomfortable compared to a good thermarest mattress and a sheepskin. Turns out the ability to self entertain and drive for 6-8 hours in a day has turned out to be a huge advantage this summer while I'm traipsing all around Northern Tanzania.
- Motorcycles: I could make this an entire blog post in itself, for now I'll stick to the fact that my first idea of a motorcycle involved 3 wheels. I also thought that all sidecars had been modified to fit three children and a week's worth of camping gear. (Turns out, most people only put 1 person in their sidecar). I also have a very healthy view of motorcycle drivers as the ever so infamous 'organ donors.' According to my dad, every motorcycle driver should be trained in an official safety course, wear full-face helmets at all times, wear gloves, leather or denim pants and tops, and boots that protect the ankles. I also happen to have a full repository of stories about motorcycle mishaps (from all the other people my dad knows, of course), which helps out with those who think that bikes are risk-free.
- The value of Research: Daddy knows the value of good research. Whether it's a new (used) car, computer, ways to get good gas mileage, or the best camping spot in the most remote campground in North Carolina, Daddy is not going to go into a decision uninformed. Even if I thought it completely useless at the time, I often do end up with somewhat useful information someday (some of those days have yet to come, I admit).
- Finally -- Good Hard Work: Practicing, maintaining the cars, or even his funny exercises on the kitchen floor. Even if he's not perfect, he does his absolute best as well he knows. Even though I'd say I turned out a little confused on some points, I wouldn't trade him in.
