Taking the fun out of fun......

[JR]

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/magazine/03wwln-lede-t.html?ref=magazine

Who knew at the time (not we children, certainly, growing up more than 30 years ago in small-town Minnesota) that playing and getting hurt would come to be regarded later on as exotic, threatened activities sorely in need of a cultural revival led by concerned adults? But that is just what’s happening, judging by the popularity of the recently published “Dangerous Book for Boys,” a runaway best seller that seeks to reintroduce young males to lost pastimes like making paper airplanes, hunting rabbits and skipping stones.

....

Sure, the wife was probably right to enroll little Tim in yoga class as an early stress-reduction measure, and yes, it’s a fact of hectic modern life that play dates need to be scheduled eight days in advance, but what good will any of this do if the lad’s budding masculine soul is starved of the key emotional nutrients that only chaotic goofing off supplies?

Maybe we could start a "Goofing Off League" for kids aged 8-16.

And let the parents run it.

 

[crusoes]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

 

[slappy4428]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

My kids goof off just as hard as the other kids... why don't you put their pictures in the paper?

 

[jimmymcd]

I have four Goofing Off all-America plaques on my wall.
Kids today are wayyyyy overscheduled.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

I goofed off as a teenager all the time. Still do, matter of fact.

Oh wait, you said "goof".

 

[JR]

And every kid, including the loser nerd, gets a "Goofing Off" participation medal.

 

[JBHawkEye]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

Don't laugh _ newsroom got a call the other day from a mother wanting us to come out to take a photo of her son riding a bicycle his grandpa gave him.

 

[Smallpotatoes]

I've long campaigned for a National Loitering Night, when kids would actually be encouraged to hang around stores and try to get adults to buy them alcohol and cigarettes.

 

[JR]

I've long campaigned for a National Loitering Night, when kids would actually be encouraged to hang around stores and try to get adults to buy them alcohol and cigarettes.

I spent a lot of after-school hours in the local billiard hall, aka "The Hall of Balls". Run by a guy who would have been the scariest ****ing dude on The Sopranos.

I'm still pissed my parents didn't show up to watch me beat Jonesy (not the SportsJournalists.com one), TK, Dave the Barber and Mike "Funeral Boy" Smith. in my run to the Burlington high school snooker championship.

Prize? Two beers in the parking lost.

Oh, and this was snooker, not idiotic 8- ball.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

Don't laugh _ newsroom got a call the other day from a mother wanting us to come out to take a photo of her son riding a bicycle his grandpa gave him.

You ran it on the front, right?

 

[poindexter]

You'll need the personal goofing off trainers and coaches.

 

[qtlaw]

I've got two boys, 5 (soon to be 6) and 8, and sadly they are one somewhat schedules, well much stricter than I ever was. The upside is they get to do so many more things than I ever did, carpentry class, baseball, soccer, lego class. Even with this much scheduling, they do get a few days off during the week for just screw around time at home and homework.

The downside is there's not much sponteneity. However, I can only look back and realize that somehow when they got old enough to play, there was this accepted SOP that everything was scheduled. I blame the ones who came before me. What happened to just walking to the local school and seeing your buddies? Abduction fear.

 

[CentralIllinoisan]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

Don't laugh _ newsroom got a call the other day from a mother wanting us to come out to take a photo of her son riding a bicycle his grandpa gave him.

While in no way you ever would entertain this photo, that is kind of sweet.

 

[JBHawkEye]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

Don't laugh _ newsroom got a call the other day from a mother wanting us to come out to take a photo of her son riding a bicycle his grandpa gave him.

While in no way you ever would entertain this photo, that is kind of sweet.

It was. The editor who talked to her was pretty kind about it, and she understood. But she did throw in the "he'll be really disappointed" card.

 

[Mystery_Meat]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

Don't laugh _ newsroom got a call the other day from a mother wanting us to come out to take a photo of her son riding a bicycle his grandpa gave him.

While in no way you ever would entertain this photo, that is kind of sweet.

It was. The editor who talked to her was pretty kind about it, and she understood. But she did throw in the "he'll be really disappointed" card.

Yeah. He got a new bike from his grandpa and HE'LL be disappointed that his picture wasn't in the paper. God, woman, think you could try being a teensy bit less transparent next time you want a hit of reflected glory?

 

[dreunc1542]

For some reason, every time I see this thread title I think of this line from Boondock Saints: "The 90's are killing me. I shouldn't have done that. You're not supposed to tell a guy you're gonna kill him no more. I got to tiptoe through the tulips with these assholes. Taking all the fun out of the job."

 

[Tom Petty]

And call the papers, demanding coverage.

Don't laugh _ newsroom got a call the other day from a mother wanting us to come out to take a photo of her son riding a bicycle his grandpa gave him.

While in no way you ever would entertain this photo, that is kind of sweet.

It was. The editor who talked to her was pretty kind about it, and she understood. But she did throw in the "he'll be really disappointed" card.

**** him. he has a long lifetime of disappointments to look forward to if his mommy is that big of a freak.

 

[DanOregon]

F**k the spelling bee - ESPN should be televising the national junior Kill The Carrier championships...

 

[Starman]

These kids today don't know the fundamentals. They're selfish and egotistical and don't hustle. Not like it was in MY day. They don't know how to Goof Off The Right Way.

 

[Fenian_Bastard]

I've long campaigned for a National Loitering Night, when kids would actually be encouraged to hang around stores and try to get adults to buy them alcohol and cigarettes.

Jesus Christ, what did you do?
Grow up in a Damon Runyon column?

I spent a lot of after-school hours in the local billiard hall, aka "The Hall of Balls". Run by a guy who would have been the scariest ****ing dude on The Sopranos.

I'm still pissed my parents didn't show up to watch me beat Jonesy (not the SportsJournalists.com one), TK, Dave the Barber and Mike "Funeral Boy" Smith. in my run to the Burlington high school snooker championship.

Prize? Two beers in the parking lost.

Oh, and this was snooker, not idiotic 8- ball.