This one is going to be a little bit all over the place, and even though this is the perfect spot for a Princess Bride reference, I’m passing on that low hanging fruit. I’m also going to bury the lede (since you probably already saw the featured picture you probably also have a good idea where I’m eventually headed) although if I’m mentioning burying the lede in the first paragraph idk how buried it is. At any rate.
Oh, I know, I haven’t vented my spleen about other drivers for a while. It probably won’t surprise you to learn I have thoughts on that topic. Like, for instance- If I see you trying to back into a parking spot, or, really, anywhere, just know that I’m silently judging you and your driving skills or lack of same. Or this- If you’re driving like you have no particular place to go *skypoint Chuck Berry* why are you using the left lane to get there? And, finally- Just because you, sir or madam, can afford that full size pick up truck or SUV, that doesn’t mean you should be driving one. Perhaps consider something smaller, more suitable to your particular driving skillset. Like a Mini Cooper. Or a golf cart.
Oh, also? I. Effing. Hate. that dodge truck commercial with the bozo blowhole from the ufc yelling. No, loud does not equate liberty, accuracy, or intelligence. It’s boorish, it reminds one of a temper tantrum thrown by a petulant toddler, and it screams “I’m incompetent and idk what else to do”. The squeaky wheel may sometimes get the grease, but sometimes it gets replaced. On that same vein, I read an article this morning about the Bears Right Tackle and how he just signed a large, new contract. He spoke of how his position coach got him to this place by instilling confidence in him not by screaming at him, a familiar trope in football coaches for generations, but by giving him constructive criticism. Built by trust that the coach was working to bring out his best and by intelligent instruction. By explaining what was right and what was wrong with each rep so the player could see both sides.
Speaking of things that make me mute the tv or change the channel, I’m already sick and tired of political ads. If you know me IRL, you know which way I vote, but that really has little bearing on my quick television remote trigger finger. I’m just really ready to be done with the bullshit ads. And come on, is a commercial really going to be how you determine your vote? Alright, this is starting to turn on me and I’d rather not do that to myself on this lovely day. Because…
A week from today B2 and I will be back in Illinois. We knew this trip was coming several months ago, we just didn’t know the exact date until very recently. Around the time those adorable little toes in the featured picture made their appearance. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me put it to you this way. The Heir To The Throne has an Heir To The Throne and he’s connected to those ten absolutely adorable toes. That’s right, even though I’ve always been a pretty good Grandpa, I’m now officially a Great Grandpa. And yes, I know, it confirms what many of you have thought/said/commented for quite some time, I’m old af. If I ever had a leg to stand on to argue that point, I think that’s gone for good. And, given what shut that metaphorical window, I’m ok with it too. We can’t wait to meet the little guy. He’s been home for a few days by this point and everyone is getting settled in nicely. We’ve gotten a few pictures of the little fella (featured photo credit to the Oldest One, aka the new Grandma, btw) and each one is more adorable than the last. But I guess that’s a given, yeah?
Now, this leaves me, personally, with a bit of a dilemma. I need to add a couple noms de plume (nom de plumes?) in pretty short order. I originally thought I’d just go with HTTT’s HTTT for the new guy (that’s not gonna stick btw) but (new guy, I mean) it feels, and looks, too cumbersome. So I need to try out a couple different ideas I guess. The other one I need to come up with is for HTTT’s significant other, and it’s got to be a good one because 1.) both B2 and I adore her and 2.) she just made an actual human being for chrissakes. She deserves a quality cover name, you know? This may be an ongoing saga here at ICRTD World Headquarters. It’s not like I have deadlines or anything, and even if I did, I’m the one that would’ve set them so I can also give myself permission to ignore them. But I would like to get this out today or at least today ish. and they both deserve my best efforts on this for the above mentioned reasons. Maybe what I need to do is put it out there for you, gentle readers, to get a little input. Actually, since the new parents get editorial control over this little gem, they’ll see this first and have first crack (or refusal) at this portion of our program. I guess I could start with something along the lines of Little Fella’s Mama (LFM) which isn’t terrible but I don’t love it either. The Oldest One (via her AI of choice) offered up Lady of the Heir (LotH) which also isn’t bad, but idk that I want to stoop to artificial intelligence (Ray, I know there’s a joke in there somewhere for you, just don’t, lol) to start coming up with names, you know? Although I must say one of the suggestions it created (again, artificially) for the little fella was HTTT 2.0 which I do kinda like. Off that I came up with HTTTv2 but I’m still on the fence with everything that’s been put up here so far. I mean, yes, there are some possibilities, but none that have made me move forward with them. Maybe this is the way to go, Looking at that last possible name, I kinda like Version 2. Of course a baby’s looks can kind of change as they grow, but I do notice some similarities between his first pics and those of his Pops at that age. Maybe we here at ICRTD can start him off with V2 and go from there. Historically there’s a connection to World War 2, but I don’t know that any survivors of the Blitzkrieg are reading this stuff on the regular, you know? So the odds of triggering someone half a world away are probably pretty remote. That leaves me with one more name to conjure up. Something for his Mama. I think I’m gonna go ahead and make an executive decision and start out with… wait a minute. I just had a thought. Even though there’s no royalty in our bloodlines (duh) the Heir To The Throne does have a royal connotation. So, how bout this one… the Queen Mum. You know, like the mother of the monarch. Hmmm. I kinda like it. It’s a little playful. It’s appropriate in that she’s not a Mains by blood, yet Version 2 is and she’s, you know, his Mother. I do kinda like it. Imma run it by those two and we’ll see if it gets the thumbs up or thumbs down. You, dear readers, will know it when you read this. Or you’ll never see this lol.
Aaaaand we’re good. Can’t wait to meet Version 2 and give his parents big hugs.
Peace