Judy Prince’s (above) family bars(bar-b-Q, horseshoes, darts, pool, softball and a kids play area are all gone in Miami now. It’s either the too expensive glitz of South Beach or the raggedy dope holes.

Time to update my wardrobe with “wings, mermaid tails, super hero capes”!

The usual “nonconformist” clothing such as Goth or baggy-trousers is actually conformist within a particular noncomformist group, whereas someone wearing a wing, or a superhero cape, or a sparkly pig foot hat is an individualist—–and comitting a lovely positive act, to boot!

Thanks for the reminder.

Judy a pub bore

In an unrelated note, I was taking a walk today and there was this little kid, maybe three years old, who was wearing giant Buzz Lightyear wings while his dad raked. I wanted to go play with him. He looked like he was having the raddest time. I was walking, feeling a bit disconnected from everything. But that kid. He was connected to his world.

I guess it depends on the bar as far as the baby thing. A California sports bar? (I live in Cali). Sure. A dive bar. No.

I enjoyed your post. And I think you’re right to keep your own baby out of bars. Once they get a taste of the booze (through osmosis) they will come back when you’re not looking. Next thing you know they’re joining little baby gangs and shaking down old people on walkers. Good one!

My uber-sympathy with you, Amy. Never do I recall a more constant
claustrophobia than those early years raising my son. All of the
positives that leap to mind, yes, of course. But primary caregivers
need to be FREED regularly and for several hours at a time.

Anyway, hope you went back to that bar the next night for another round and another breather.

Granted, bar or not, maybe I shouldn’t randomly be yelling curse words, but I’m that guy. I do that. Unapologetically. I felt bad for a second, then I realized that I just taught a three year old one of the most valuable words he’ll ever learn.

My only regret was that I didn’t have the time to teach him to use it sparingly so as not to devalue it. There’s an art to that word. I feel like I handed that child a gun with no training.

But seriously everyone — Amy has written a wonderful novel — not all that under read from my informal survey — that you should all read. Right now. http://www.amazon.com/How-Far-Ocean-Here-Novel/dp/0307405346

Some people just ain’t raised right!

Oh and what is this thing you mention, a novel? I have a vague recollection… It’s like riding a motorcycle or wearing fancy clothes – B.B. (before baby)

There are bars and there are bars. I imagine in Brooklyn, my home town, there are plenty of places that are called bars, but simply serve food with a libation. I see no reason why you can’t have a baby in a bar that provides high chairs. The problem lies in the parent that doesn’t handle a baby who is crying or making a fuss, by removing them from the bar until they are under control again. When your kid is bothering someone trying to have a peaceful interlude, that is the parent’s wake-up call to get the kid out of the situation and keep him out unless he can be subdued and not be intrusive anymore.
Therein lies the problem.

Also, I think YOUR baby is an exception. Exceptionally adorable. And thus, always wanted.