-Virgil, 37 B.C.
"Here, have a corn dog, Ryno."
-Matt-Man, 2007 A.D.
My son Ryno, is a sweet 14 year old kid, and to some degree, my salvation.
In addition to our big ears, we share a great many character traits as well. He’s funny, sensitive, charming, and pretty damn smart.
We also share a couple of idiosyncrasies. We take our hamburgers apart. We looooove Corn Dogs. And…
Neither of us like to wear coats…even in the dead, butt ass cold of an Ohio winter. We both feel the need to be unfettered. I guess that is also why we both wear boxers.
I mentioned a few days ago, that I bought a case of Grippo’s Bar-B-Q potato chips. He loves them and takes them in his lunch EVERY day.
He will be quite amused when he opens the package on Christmas morning. And, he will be grateful for the personal thought that went in to it.
I am also giving him a framed picture of me. Why you ask?
We went out to lunch for his Birthday in October and we both noticed a guy across from us making a disturbing face, which remained on his mug for twenty minutes.
We were laughing our butts off.
Ryno and I, can both replicate the exact look of that bizarre man, and we do so towards each other frequently. It looks something like this…
Silly? Perhaps, but it still cracks us up. Alot. So I am going to capture the look perfectly, shoot it, and frame it for him. He’ll like that.
Now back to the mutual dislike for heavy, bulky coats in winter. Saturday, his mom was chuckling about the disdain Ryno and I have for coats.
Ryno and I both stated that heavy winter coats limit our cat like moves and our “coolness”. But then, the little guy continued…
“But if I had Dad’s leather jacket I’d wear it. It may weigh a lot, but it’s cool. I really like that coat.”
I told him, “Ha, in your wildest dreams, little man.” He smiled. He knows what that coat means to me. It is to me, the only coat that I will wear.
And, I have worn it for about 16 years. I love that coat. It is my friend; it’s my second skin made of fine cow, and handcrafted in Korea.
(I used to tell people it was made in India, but that joke always went over their heads.)
It has aged over the decade and a half, but it has plenty of life left in it. I am not ready to give it up, but…I will.
I am going to clean it up, wrap it up, and pass it on to Ryno, Christmas morning.
I am going to miss Ol’ Leather, but the smile I will get on my face seeing him wearing a part of me for the next few years, will more than ease my soul.
I guess I have come to realize that, while it is a wonderful sensation making fond memories, it is a far more wonderful sensation passing those memories on to others.
Cheers!!
40 comments:
Damn you! Putting me in the Christmas spirit like that! Nahhh ... it wasn't the story of the leather coat, it was the lovely shot of Mr. Googly Eyes!
Dana: Sorry to pierce your humbug armor. Ha. I'll have to pass that name on to Ryno. Cheers Dana!!
He's going to freak!
The coat is a great gift, and I'm sure you'll clean that snotty green thing off the collar won't you? j/k ya.
you really ARE a sweet bastard, aren't you??
Micky: Ha. Funny. I'm going to feel naked for awhile. And that's not good for anyone. Cheers Mick!!
Vodka Mom: Hey Now!! Do you talk to your kindergartners with that mouth? Cheers VM!!
That is adorable. I wish I have people in my life who put so much thought and effort into my presents!
Karen: Thanks. I'm not always that sweet but he never fails to bring out the sweetness in me. Cheers Karen!!
I think giving a gift to someone that belongs to you and you treasure is a nice gesture. My hubby zapped his office radio so we went out Sat looking for a new boombox. Who knew they don't make many any longer. He did see a nice Crosley radio but wouldn't spend the $80. He mentioned that my stereo in the basement would work great and I'm like yah MINE and NO. Then I thought hmm that would be a nice gift for him cause he knows how much I like it. Luckily for me his Pop said he had two boom boxes(gifts not suited to him), one not even out of the box and he could have one of those, so now I don't have to give up mine :)
Hey there sunshine on my shoulder, thanks for the Christmas card **smooches!
I'd still tell the India joke. I thought is was funny. It would make the coat that much for priceless.
What a sweet guy you are. I'm sure Ryno will honor the coat like it deserves.
That should be more priceless. Crap it's early here.
Lu: Well lucky Music Man your hub is. And "Sunshine on my Shoulder"...I like that. A big ol' kiss right back at ya. Cheers Lu!!
Michele: Ha. I thought it was pretty good too. And no worries, I knew what you meant, I mistype all the time so I am well-vresed in that language. Cheers, and Thanks Michele!!
Great idea! Btw~ I got my broken in leather jacket a few years back at one of those "pawn/gun" shops. Cost me $35... Check it out next time you drive by one. You may be able to replace the one you gifted for a song....
Cheesy: I may do that after all, a new leather jacket would be an edgy and perfect complement to the lace panties that I typically wear. Cheers!!
Dianne: Oh Youuuu. Lovely Heathen? I like that too. Don't worry...the rest of my posts this week will be incredibly offensive with no mush. Cheers Di!!
I hope Ryno tells everyone it was made in India. haha
I don't normally wear heavy coats either. Just my cheap hoodie. But, the one time I've ever visited Ohio during Christmas a few years ago, I wore BOTH my hoodie AND a heavy coat over it. That was serious cold!
Jay: Ryno is a hoodie freak as well. It's not Minnesota or North Dakota, but Ohio does get pretty damn cold at times. And yeah, after he opens it, I will impart to him that he must tell everyone that it was made in India. Cheers Jay!!
Awesome coat Matt-Man. No wonder the kid admires it so much. Lucky kid. I can't give up leather. It's one of my top three obsessions, Right after Dean Martin and before beer. You realize you are making your young son into a sexy little beast that will have the pre-teens swooning, right? Just take the pack of smokes out of the pocket first.
Maybe if he explains the coat is sacred before he says it was made in India the locals will understand.
Knight: I looooove Dino. And I love the jacket, but alas, it's the right thing to do. And Ha, yeah, there probably is at least a loose smoke or two inside the pockets. I'll remove them. Cheers Hot Stuff!!
Ryno's gonna love the "Holy Cow Coat" ya ole' softie. Nice gesture good man.
Jeff: Ha. Good name Jeff. I'll pass that along as well. Cheers!!
...although I cannot seem to conjure up a comment for this post, please rest assured that if I did, it would be brief, witty, irreverent and quite possibly ribald in nature...
Phfrankie: Even in your "mutedness" you are a funny mo-fo. Cheers Phfrankie!!
It will be a present he will never forget...nice Matty...class act
OH and as to Saturday's post...I also got the big kick in the butt a week before Christmas once...
Need Guido and Bruno to pay that a**hat a visit?
Bond: Yeah he'll like it quite a bit.
As far as Guido and Bruno? I'll take care of the guy...with delight. Cheers!!
Passin on that jacket is a cool dad thing to do Matt.
Umm RE: the traits in common...is Ryno aware that someday his head will be as shiny as that jacket? heh heh sorry Matt I couldn't resist.
(I used to tell people it was made in India, but that joke always went over their heads.)
hahahahahahahaha! Good one!
Hey, well, I don't know. That jacket probably has a lot of chick magnet power left in it. I think you'd better give it to him with some gravitas and tell him that it takes a certain man to know how to wear it responsibly.
SMOOCH
I got the India one ;)
We are so freakily alike Matt. Seriously. I gave up my 9 West Witchie Poo shoes to kidlet. I bought them when I was 16. I'll be 40 in a month or so. Y'all can do the math. They have been resoled and reheeled more times than I can count. They look like old fashioned lace up ladies boots from the 1900s. With little kitten heels. The miles I have danced in those babies.
They still fit perfectly too, but the time has come to pass them on to a new set of feet. And ankles. Which they WILL cause to be twisted. We suffer for our fashion =)
You off today? I am. I said fuck a bunch of walking in the dark with the flashlight to the train station, I am taking a fucking snow day.
You know, on the surface an odd photo of your old man and a used jacket doesn't sound all that appealing. But one should never judge the matt-man just on the surface. He's all heart...
Is that Idiot Jim ______(name slips me in my drunken state) still pimping Grippos on WLW 700?
What terrific gifts! Those are the *real* gifts that money truly can't buy. My parents were just here and for Christmas they gifted me with two DVDs with all our old 8mm movies! A treasure worth more than anything!
You are an awesome father, Matt!
I am sick about Schmoop being let go. What a heartless bastard to lay someone off right before Christmas. I'd like to give her ex-boss a "ho ho" between his butt cheeks (and I know that sounds dumb and I don't even know what a "ho ho" would be but I'm thinking it would have to be painful). Grrrr!
Dude, you HAVE to get a pic of the look on Ryno's face - you, are awesome. ;-)
Trukin: I remind him of the future of his hairline every chance I get. Cheers!!
Kanani: Ha. Thanks. And yes, I will have to let him in on the power of the jacket and to use it only for good. Cheers!!
Anndi: Oooooo Baby, right back at ya. Cheers!!
Starr: Ha. Sexy sounding footwear m'dear. And no I wasn't off. Worked all day and will tomorrow but off Wed-Fri. Boo Yah!! Cheers!!
VE: Oh he'll love both of those things. I never said the kid was normal. Cheers!!
Hoot: Yes indeed, Jim Scott. Grippo's rock. Cheers!!
Desert Rat: Thanks pal. Eh, The entire situation is making mad, and I'll expound as to why in the near future. But, thanks again. Cheers Rat!!
Tug: I will try to do just that. Good idea. And thanks. Cheers Tug!!
Wow. I'm a bit speechless over here.
Travis: Is that good? Cheers Travis!!
You remind me of when I had 14-year-old sons. Now I’m feeling quite nostalgic.
Nick: Well cool...That means in some way, I passed a memory on to you Nick. Sweet. Cheers!!
Kids. The sacrifices we make for them, huh? It's all worth it.
awww....be careful your sweetside is showing...
A couple years ago I gave Rhiannon a framed watercolor which had great sentimental value....she thought I was dying....laughing...
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