runs into thread, rending hair

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH! So, we've just done our assembly, and it was v. good, well done the kids, yay yay yay and all that - and I was all beaming and happy that they'd kicked ass (having had less than a week in which to learn a 30 minute play about their school residential a fortnight ago, complete with song), and then there's this one parent, who is the grumpiest, most hard-hearted, self-centred, curmudgeonly S.O.B. ever, and he's sitting with his head in his hands as the Headmistress is quickly giving out the weekly Super Star Certificates.

With his head in his hands.

This is a guy whose daughter, bless her heart, took on not one but two roles in the play (after we discovered somebody would be absent) and did them both perfectly. Great acting. Loads of lines. She's a smashing kid. And instead of sitting there beaming like an idiot (which, Jesus, I do when it's TOTAL STRANGERS being brave and giving it a crack, never mind the fruit of my loins, never mind when they're doing A GOOD JOB), he's sitting there with his head in his hands.

So I think: well, he bitched about timekeeping before, 'cause she has a piano lesson. Better send her up to get changed and ready right now, so they aren't running late. Which I do, in a positive way, telling her how great she was.

But no, he's still hovering around talking to other parents for a good ten minutes or so after. And apparently he was making dismissive remarks all through the play, as is his wont.

They are ten year olds.

They learned a 30 minute show in a week, plus song, with lots of funny bits and good acting. And: they are ten. It's not going to be Ian McKellern performing Lear, true, but it was the best assembly this school's had this year.

I...I've got nothing. In fact, I was in tears for a bit there, but now I'm trying to stop being so self-indulgent. But - for the love of GOD, what is he thinking? I mean, yes, sure, he's Scottish - but that doesn't mean you have to be dour and dismissive and Scroogelike 24/7, it really doesn't. Stop rocking the stereotype, ffs.

(And as he left, I heard him saying to another parent: "...well, those are the sacrifices we make, when we have kids." And I had to ask her - she's a friend - "What sacrifices?" Because I know he doesn't work - and hasn't tried to find work, as far as I can gather. His wife works for the UN and supports them both, which I'd think was cool if he were using his time to raise and nurture his two kids and/or doing something awesome and non-profit-making (doing charity work to help the refugees on the border with Burma, say, or perfecting his oil painting technique, or running marathons) but as far as I can see he just sits around bitching all day. So I was curious to know what terrible sacrifice he was bewailing that he'd had to make in order to come watch his kid's show.

He was stuck in traffic, apparently.

It's Bangkok. That's like saying that you, I dunno, you got served fish while you were staying at the seaside. It's a nobrainer. It's a daily occurance.

Jesus. His daughter just moved up to number two in the list of Kids I Would Adopt In A Flash. (Hell, I'd marry his wife. She's a lovely woman. I'd be a much better spouse and co-parent than he shows any evidence of being.)

My only comfort is that I have no evidence that he physically beats his kids, just lots of evidence that he bullies the crap out of them, and never lets them feel like they're awesome.

Do. Not. Want.

t /rant

Fay, that's just horrible. I'm with you on the wanting-to-adopt-the-kid thing. It's so sad when parents don't recognise the amazing gift they have in a child. You're raising a person, for fuck's sake. At least treat them with the respect that human beings deserve.

Cashmere, much ~ma for the surgery. I hope it's straightfoward.

Any ~ma for my Girl's family would be appreciated. She was up half the night with her grandmother, whose blood pressure was so high they had to call an ambulance. That family is going through a lot at the moment. (On the bright side, her father is barely getting any side effects from the chemo. It's so weird. But good.)

In a sort of comparison... I feel selfish being stressed, but I am. I wish I wasn't such a bitch at the moment. I'm hoping it improves after dissertation. Helpfully, The Girl is staying in Israel until the day before my deadline.

Shir, are you around? Say fun, cheering morning things, like you're good at doing. :)

Oh Fay, that's horrible. {{Fay}}

I'm also might be interested in alluring Hil into post-doc postilions in Israel, now that I know she's searching the globe, but I don't have the slightest clue to begin with about these postisions, and only want to offer it to see The Hil in real life, and not only via pixels.

I totally forgot to send towards Cashmere tons of ~ma. So there.

Shir, are you around? Say fun, cheering morning things, like you're good at doing. :)

Somewhat. I spent the time, until now, in waking up with loud music in front of the computer. Got to do some household stuff now, and homework to have a Shabbat free of homeworks (for I cannot hope for a full weekend free of them, now, I aiming for a Shabbat).

You're not acting like a bitch, Seska, Not At All. A lot of ~mas to the Girl and her family. If she's in any need of something that I might be a help with from here (as in, the same country she's in), please let me know. I'm glad, for you, she'll be back a day before your deadline. Now, keep up with the good work, and have something worthwhile to show to her when she'll be back!

I'm also might be interested in alluring Hil into post-doc postilions in Israel, now that I know she's searching the globe, but I don't have the slightest clue to begin with about these postisions, and only want to offer it to see The Hil in real life, and not only via pixels.

I've only seen two ads for positions in Israel, one at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and one at the Technion. The Ben-Gurion one required being able to teach classes in Hebrew, and the Technion one was asking for people who study a specific field, which isn't the one I study.

Fay, that's horrible.

Lots of ~ma, Seska.

Actually, now that I look at the ad again, the Technion one just asks for research interests similar to what somebody in the department is already doing, and I just checked their webpage and there are a bunch of people doing similar stuff to what I do. And there are two different positions open at Ben-Gurion, and only one of them requires Hebrew. Hmm.

Perky boob~ma, Cashmere.

Baby is awake and happily burbling to her toys. Let's just say, I am not.

Hil, I support your humm.

Ben-Gurion is somewhat new, very sociable university - but it's in a relatively boring city (Be'er Sheva). I heard it's a great place for the social sciences and earth sciences folks, don't know about mathematics. However, I hear it's a wonderful, warm, open-for-all university with a great atmosphere. Plus, you already have a base in Hebrew, so I wouldn't worry so much about it.

The Technion is the oldest higher-education establishment in Israel, and known for its hardcore exact sciences reputation. Haifa is a wonderful place, too.

And eeks, I just saw I posted the non-proofed version of my first post to you. That's what morning does to a person.

Bye bye, boobies! Quick recovery ~ma.

Fay, how horrible. I'm glad the little girl has you and other positive people in her life.

Hmmm, indeed. It would be awesome to get a position in Israel.

Hil, you should totally apply for jobs in Israel. (Would also solve your 'the only Jewish person in the village' problem.)

Thanks, Shir. You is a star.

In more fun news, The Girl bought a dress for the civil partnership ceremony. Now I need one. I'm probably going to get one made - I have an idea of one with a sort of Regency-style high waist (this kind of waist height, only the dress is too fussy [link] ), and very simple otherwise. Possibly long-sleeved. (This [link] is getting closer, but not there yet.) I need some pictures to give to a dressmaker. If anyone comes across anything like that, do let me know!