In Labor

Howdy.

Posting late because I've been e-mailing, watching the new episodes of "So Graham Norton" and I had to go to work today. Fun. Fun. Fun. Of course every holiday I work, I get two paid days off, plus the day's pay. Thanks to a strange vacation accrual system (thanks, union bosses), I'm closing in on having the maximum eight weeks off an employee can rack up in paid time off.

Anyway.

Tomorrow marks the first day of school for my nephew Taylor. Poor dear. Hope he doesn't get too freaked out. He's a social bugger, and I'm sure he'll get on fine. But, you know, it's the first day in a new place, always a struggle to fit in and all that.

Neat joke by comedian Dave Allen about first day of school.

A father takes his child to school on the first day. The child is nervous and the father leans down, trying to be supportive.

"Now listen," he says, combing the child's hair and straightening the little jacket. "This is your first day of school. It may seem terrifying, but don't worry. You'll make new friends and learn a lot. And keep in mind, it's not forever. After you turn 18, you don't have to go anymore. Now, let's have a hug. Go in and be nice to the teacher and you'll be fine."

The child nods, wiping away a tear. As the child goes alone up the schoolhouse steps, the child turns back to the waving father and asks, "Daddy?" Tears are starting to form in the child's eyes.

"Yes?"

"Promise you'll come back when I'm 18."

--

Okay, maybe you had to be there. It's a funny and touching joke the way he tells it.

I didn't get to work on my 9/11 essay, but I may tomorrow. In case I don't, I still want to point out that the PBS show "Frontline" is having a 9/11 special revolving around the question of faith in the face of 9/11 terrorism. I haven't seen it, but I imagine, like other "Frontline" shows, it'll be a quality work. As always, check your local listings for details.

French Word of the Day

a bientot (ah bye toh): so long; see you soon.