Mundane Moments

Can't think of where else to put this, so here it goes. Got news through my mother that my Uncle Harry in New York has got about 48 hours to live.
A few of the Talkbackers over there have met him from the time when I lived in New York. He is (was going to write was, but not yet) one of the most charismatic men you could ever hope to meet and, if the so-called Irish charm is a stereotype, he at least came very close to the perfect example. When sober.
I lived in the apartment above him for two and a half years when he the super in the block and I grew to know him well. He was mostly sober, barring a relapse just around the time I moved there (a trip to rehab got himself sober again), and until towards the end when the last time I saw him he was being carted off to another rehab. I had visited him in various places since.

He has possibly the sharpest wit I've come across; always a funny rejoinder, always on the tease. Generally in Irish households you're never more than three sentences from being roasted by another family member; with Harry it was immediate and constant.

I tried calling the number my mother gave me but it rang off. According to my Uncle Joe hea been asking for me. Whether that's because he's off his tits on morphine and thinks he wants $10 for beer or whether he genuinely wants to speak to me one last time is irrelevant. He wants to speak to me and I'm quite touched.

I only hope I'm not too late: I have my spiel prepared. "So you're finally leaving us you old bastard; you threatened to leave us so many times, and disappeared so often but this is it. I love you you old bastard, despite all the shit you caused, and I'll miss you." Somewhere deep down, even if he can't respond, I hope he'll hear it and smile.

And just a quick story while I think about it. Driving through queen's in his minivan not long after a heavy snowfall, some kids were chucking ice at passing cars. Harry stopped, wound down the window, and shouted over in his still broad Belfast accent: "Oi youse! Yes you, fat cunt, stop fucking doing that or I'll fucking come over there and belt you". I'm sure I've missed some expletives and an insult, but you get the picture: life was never dull. I know @chicago met him when he stayed; possibly the only person who could run Harry close for insane and hilarious situations.

Sorry to hear about Harry, very vivid memories of the man and his van. Hope you get to speak with him.

I think he was sober when you visited. I can't recall. I can't remember if it was you or a work colleague I was playing pool with round the corner when he called because he was stuck. When I arrived he was lying on his back like a turtle (and pissed as a newt; he was very reptilian that day) and myself plus whoever it was had to dray what felt like a 100kg sack of spuds back onto his chair.

The kids social media ban starting by next May is going to include YouTube. What is my 4 year old going to do now?

Guess the Australian ban that started 6 months ago must have been a roaring success then.

Watch on your account?

There was a 14yo interviewed on Radio 5 this morning saying it was a great idea and how his parents had described their childhood of playing outside etc and it sounded idyllic and he was looking forward to it.

He was definitely taking the pias.

Do what most kids do and use yours..

Social media js a complete sewer, I’ve no doubt there will be work arounds for those who want to flout it. But if it just stops a few kids being harmed then I can’t see how that’s a bad thing.

But I do appreciate it might be hard for some as they might actually have to talk to and do things with their children.

This is what pisses me off as a non parent. Why do people have kids and then are not bothered about spending time and energy investing in them and enjoying their development. Obviously doesn't apply to all the excellent parents on here.

I'd like to include myself in this, when i'm actually there and not drinking.

I'm all for it, school was shithouse at times, last thing I would have wanted was those cunts being able to get at me round the clock.