You mean, all those years ago, my dad might have been pranking me? Dang. Our relationship would have been a lot different if I had ever considered that possibility. Oh, well, I turned out all right, more or less.
More or less is a solid place to net out. :) Curious, who named you Norm and why? I don’t come across too many who have to shoulder the same burden, er, uh, who have the same handle.
My dad was Big Norm or Norman. I was Normie. Naturally, I hated that. I don’t know the story, if any, behind my dad being named Norman. Each of my parents had 9 siblings (not a typo), and I have many male cousins who share a first name with their fathers. It was just something they did back in the day, I guess. Interestingly, at least to me, almost none of us are “junior”. Most of us have different middle names from our fathers. It was a pain in the ass to have my father’s first name. It led everyone in the family to call me Normie. Eventually, I outgrew it, but to some of my now elderly aunts and uncles, all these many decades later, I am still Normie. Sigh.
I can remember one time the name worked for me. This was quite a while ago when the TV show “Cheers” was on. We went to this reasonably nice place for dinner and I walked up to the podium to get on the waiting list. I told the hostess my name and she goes “Norm!”, just like they did on the show. With what must have been a blank kind of look on my face, I said, “Yeah, never heard that one before.” I really was not angry or offended or upset, but, given my rather black countenance, I may have given that impression. She was very apologetic, and I told her there was no problem, but, after we were seated, she had a free appetizer brought to us, just to be sure. So, every time thereafter, whenever someone would say, “Norm!”, I would say, “Yeah, never heard that one before.” Unfortunately, it only worked that one time.
I bartended all through college and grad school, so I'm all too familiar with the "Norm!" greeting. And the “Yeah, never heard that one before” retort.
Right after my wife and I got engaged, she was interviewed by her college newspaper for something, and they asked about me, and she said my name was Norm, and the reporter said, "Seriously?" And my wife said, "Yeah, he has a little old man name." :/
In my previous response, there was a typo (no, not each of my parents having 9 siblings). Instead of a "rather black countenance" at the restaurant, that should be "blank" countenance. There is nothing wrong with a black countenance, of course, but it should have said "blank". I'm all about the details and being accurate. Which is why my wife sometimes refers to me as "Mr Detail". There are worse things she could call me, for sure.
Amazing. Love it. Happy Birthday to lovely Charlee!!
I'm a huge fan of pranks, but the rattlesnake in a pizza box is epic. I gotta incorporate more pranks.
We lean hard on the Sarcasm tool from our parenting toolbox, and sometimes when the kids' friends are around I forget that not all families use this tool.
More than once I've sarcastically warned my kids (in a very serious tone), "Okay kids, no having ANY FUN at this birthday party. If I see even ONE smile we're leaving immediately." Of course my kids ignore me, understanding that I'm not being serious. But then I glance over and see my kid's wide-eyed friend staring at me, jaw dropped, wondering how such a horrendous parent could possibly exist.
oh I laughed so hard. This was great.
Thanks for reading! :)
I'm worried about you.
You and me both, brother. ;)
You mean, all those years ago, my dad might have been pranking me? Dang. Our relationship would have been a lot different if I had ever considered that possibility. Oh, well, I turned out all right, more or less.
More or less is a solid place to net out. :) Curious, who named you Norm and why? I don’t come across too many who have to shoulder the same burden, er, uh, who have the same handle.
My dad was Big Norm or Norman. I was Normie. Naturally, I hated that. I don’t know the story, if any, behind my dad being named Norman. Each of my parents had 9 siblings (not a typo), and I have many male cousins who share a first name with their fathers. It was just something they did back in the day, I guess. Interestingly, at least to me, almost none of us are “junior”. Most of us have different middle names from our fathers. It was a pain in the ass to have my father’s first name. It led everyone in the family to call me Normie. Eventually, I outgrew it, but to some of my now elderly aunts and uncles, all these many decades later, I am still Normie. Sigh.
I've only met one other Norm my age -- a Japanese guy that I met in Mazatlan, Mexico during spring break in 1999.
I was named after my grandfather who, according to all the stories I've been told, seemed like a pretty big turd. The name comes with baggage.
I can remember one time the name worked for me. This was quite a while ago when the TV show “Cheers” was on. We went to this reasonably nice place for dinner and I walked up to the podium to get on the waiting list. I told the hostess my name and she goes “Norm!”, just like they did on the show. With what must have been a blank kind of look on my face, I said, “Yeah, never heard that one before.” I really was not angry or offended or upset, but, given my rather black countenance, I may have given that impression. She was very apologetic, and I told her there was no problem, but, after we were seated, she had a free appetizer brought to us, just to be sure. So, every time thereafter, whenever someone would say, “Norm!”, I would say, “Yeah, never heard that one before.” Unfortunately, it only worked that one time.
I bartended all through college and grad school, so I'm all too familiar with the "Norm!" greeting. And the “Yeah, never heard that one before” retort.
Right after my wife and I got engaged, she was interviewed by her college newspaper for something, and they asked about me, and she said my name was Norm, and the reporter said, "Seriously?" And my wife said, "Yeah, he has a little old man name." :/
In my previous response, there was a typo (no, not each of my parents having 9 siblings). Instead of a "rather black countenance" at the restaurant, that should be "blank" countenance. There is nothing wrong with a black countenance, of course, but it should have said "blank". I'm all about the details and being accurate. Which is why my wife sometimes refers to me as "Mr Detail". There are worse things she could call me, for sure.
Papo, should get on the Swamp People show. He can catch and shoot alligators and Boa Constrictors. You would just need a larger pizza box.
That’s as solid a show pitch as I’ve ever heard.
Loved this, Norm! And happiest of birthdays to charli!!🤣❤️🥰
Thanks, Laura! She’s an Amazon woman now. When I’m barefoot, we’re just about eye to eye.
Amazing. Love it. Happy Birthday to lovely Charlee!!
I'm a huge fan of pranks, but the rattlesnake in a pizza box is epic. I gotta incorporate more pranks.
We lean hard on the Sarcasm tool from our parenting toolbox, and sometimes when the kids' friends are around I forget that not all families use this tool.
More than once I've sarcastically warned my kids (in a very serious tone), "Okay kids, no having ANY FUN at this birthday party. If I see even ONE smile we're leaving immediately." Of course my kids ignore me, understanding that I'm not being serious. But then I glance over and see my kid's wide-eyed friend staring at me, jaw dropped, wondering how such a horrendous parent could possibly exist.
I have the same sense of humor, and people are constantly taking me seriously when I'm not, but I can't stop.
Keep up with the sarcasm, Jen! You're doing the lord's work. Kids need to know how to read between the lines. ;)
Happy Birthday to your daughter!