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A different view
Jun. 18th, 2007 11:03 pmI'm reading where Bob Barker, who recently retired from his host post on The Price Is Right is now endorsing Rosie O'Donnell as a replacement. It's strange how a game show can have an impact on me that has lasted over the years. Many was the time, while off of school on summer vacation or home with an illness or any other time that would net me daytimes at home during the week. The teevee would inevitably be on, and I'd drop in on it from time to time. I used to watch TPIR often, honing my skills on the value of goods ranging from dish soap to station wagons. I got very good at it, and to this day I feel the show helped educate me on being a smart shopper. With Mom's insight on all things financial (she was an accountant) I learned to live within my means, prioritize purchases, save as much as I can, etc. I watched the last TPIR the other day and, as I did as a kid, yelled "A NEW CAR!" when it was unveiled as the next big prize. What memories.
I got to thinking. Bob Barker taught me more than my father ever did. Such was where my head was on Father's Day. Father's Day was usually when I actually got some sort of gift, usually tools or something else 'manly' because I was always the man of the house in my life. I think I did pretty good on my own in that respect. Mom could only do so much, seeing that my 'father' left when I was only five years old. I had to grow up early and awkward, and that was not a bad thing. While I might have had to give up some of my childhood at an early age, I made up for it and dragged a bit of my childhood with me into adulthood. I can be silly (Jeff will attest quite loudly), I like toys, be they from Mattel or Snap-On, and I still have a bit of the childlike wonder of the world residing behind the cynicism that middle age inevitably brings. I even have an occasional tantrum. Would I go back and change any of this if I could. Nah. Except maybe try and find someone for Mom that would have treated her like she deserved, unlike prior to my fifth year. Mom really never was left wanting, at least she told me this. I often wonder if she was really letting on with everything.
Sadly, I cannot change the past. I can only shape the now.
Bob Barker's voice rattling off actual retail prices for things like shampoo and showcases put me in a nostalgic mood, and I realized that this is yet another end to yet another era. Thanks, Bob.
THose of you who have dads that were a strong influence in your lives, I'm very glad for you, but not really envious. Except for the love, something that I never got from my father. There is a reason for that, but I am not going to post it here. Maybe some day. My only real regret? It was never learning to love myself.
Anyway, let's hope Rosie finds something to do, be it the next TPIR host, or whatever. Since leaving The View, ( the ol' gal's looking kinda rough: )
Happy (belated) Father's Day.
I got to thinking. Bob Barker taught me more than my father ever did. Such was where my head was on Father's Day. Father's Day was usually when I actually got some sort of gift, usually tools or something else 'manly' because I was always the man of the house in my life. I think I did pretty good on my own in that respect. Mom could only do so much, seeing that my 'father' left when I was only five years old. I had to grow up early and awkward, and that was not a bad thing. While I might have had to give up some of my childhood at an early age, I made up for it and dragged a bit of my childhood with me into adulthood. I can be silly (Jeff will attest quite loudly), I like toys, be they from Mattel or Snap-On, and I still have a bit of the childlike wonder of the world residing behind the cynicism that middle age inevitably brings. I even have an occasional tantrum. Would I go back and change any of this if I could. Nah. Except maybe try and find someone for Mom that would have treated her like she deserved, unlike prior to my fifth year. Mom really never was left wanting, at least she told me this. I often wonder if she was really letting on with everything.
Sadly, I cannot change the past. I can only shape the now.
Bob Barker's voice rattling off actual retail prices for things like shampoo and showcases put me in a nostalgic mood, and I realized that this is yet another end to yet another era. Thanks, Bob.
THose of you who have dads that were a strong influence in your lives, I'm very glad for you, but not really envious. Except for the love, something that I never got from my father. There is a reason for that, but I am not going to post it here. Maybe some day. My only real regret? It was never learning to love myself.
Anyway, let's hope Rosie finds something to do, be it the next TPIR host, or whatever. Since leaving The View, ( the ol' gal's looking kinda rough: )
Happy (belated) Father's Day.
