Mama Diaries

Monday, July 16, 2012

Dancing with the Vagabond

I'm back!  Sorry I didn't give you a warning that I was going to drop off the blogosphere for a little while.  My family and I just came back from a lengthy vacation in California.  My husband asked that I not broadcast that information before we left, so I didn't.    It was weird to be totally unplugged.  I missed you guys!

Anyway, my family and I did the grand tour of California, starting in San Diego and working our way up to the Red Wood Forest.  It was a great time, and as you can probably imagine, it was full of laughs and crazy adventures.  For the next few days, I will share a few stories with you.  Please pardon any typos.  I'm extremely tired, as I haven't slept in two days.  (The red-eye flight back with the kids was a ton of fun!)

First story takes place in San Diego's Gas Light District.  For those of you not familiar with it, it's a section of downtown San Diego with lots of shops, restaurants, and entertainment.  My family and I had dinner down there one evening.  As we walked back to our hotel, an entertaining individual crossed our path.

He was a homeless dude with a cart full of stuff - clothes, pillow, blankets, a plastic head, and a radio.  This dude had the song, Party in the House Tonight, blasting from his radio.  He wore no shirt, even though it was about 50 degrees.  No... I take that back.  He wore no shirt on his torso.  His shirt was on his head.  And he was munching on a hot dog, dancing to the music.  A little sign in his cart said, "Disabled Veteran." 

Yeah, right. 

So this dude got one look at me and my family, and decided to follow us.  My kids thought this was great. 

"Mama, can I dance with him?" my son asked.

I looked at the strange vagabond.  He seemed pretty harmless, and we were with a crowd of people.

"Okay," I said.  "But don't get too crazy."

Well, my boy started doing something that resembled the funky chicken, and the dude did something that resembled the Macarena.

The crowd was totally cracking up.

Eventually, the vagabond headed off in the other direction, lost in his own world, and my son headed off in our direction, lost in his own world.  What a pair!  

20 comments:

  1. What a funny kid you've got there.

    Okay, so I've been waiting for you to post because I have a children's book I want you to get (from the library if you can) "for the kids". But it's actually for you because it reminded me of you and as a former musician it made me laugh out loud a few times, specifically with what he says about the string instruments. The book is called "The Composer Is Dead" and it's by Lemony Snicket with Music by Nathaniel Stookey and Illustrations by Carson Ellis. The key is that it comes with a CD that has music that goes along with the reading of the book and it makes it all the funnier. For a musician, I really think you'll love it. I'm sad we have to return it to the library soon!

    Here is the Amazon copy of it if you want to see it online:
    http://www.amazon.com/The-Composer-Is-Dead-Book/dp/0061236276/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342476505&sr=8-1&keywords=%22the+composer+is+dead%22+lemony+snicket

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    1. I did read that book when it first came out. I really enjoyed it - typical Lemony Snicket humor. My kids, however, did not like it. They thought it was too wordy, and they weren't crazy about the brown and red illustrations. I liked the CD, too, but again, my kids did not.

      Thanks for thinking of me, and telling me about it. If I had not already read it, I would've certainly checked it out!

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    2. I just thought his comments on the various instruments were hilarious. I loved how he said the first chair violins got the good parts but the second chairs were more fun at parties. My boys didn't get it, but I loved it.

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    3. I remember that line. It was a good one. (I think violists have the most fun at parties LOL!)

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  2. haha well if you can't get rid of them, dance with them. So mean not telling people you were running away too, geez.

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    1. LOL! Yeah, sorry man, I really wanted to let you all know, but I had to listen to the king.

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  3. What a great story! 50 degrees in July? Sounds like a dreamland! It's barely under 100 in my neck of the woods!

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    1. Yep, during the day, it barely cracked 60 degrees along the California coast. Inland was a different story. It was a shock to return to the humid 100 degree weather where I'm at, too!

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  4. Welcome back! Glad you had a fantastic vacation. Hilarious story!

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    1. Thanks. Yeah, the comedy continues, even when we travel!

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  5. That is too cute! I bet it made the man's day to have someone dancing with him.
    Catherine Denton

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    1. I think it did, too. I'm sure it made the crowd's day!

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  6. Bubba Strikes Again! (sounds like a series...)
    The above would be a snippet entitled: Dancing Duo featuring Bubba.E. and guest appearance by Vaga.B.
    It does have a certain ring to it, wouldn't you say? *chuckles*

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  7. i missed you---what a awesome experience--welcome back :)

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  8. Fun story! Sounds like you had a great vacation!

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    1. I did. Welcome back yourself! I'll stop at your pad and see how your vacation was.

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  9. Hi, Sherry! Welcome back. I look forward to hearing more about your vacation adventures with the family.

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