Mad and the Pootle 30/06/2005 In some ways, life is like a river. It flows smoothly at some times and roughly at others. Generally speaking, the rapids and waterfalls occur in the higher reaches of the river, when it is young and still full of energy, racing from the mountains of its birth down into the foothills. In middle age it broadens and slows, having carved out a wide valley in which to produce the richness of the farmlands that feed on it. And then, at last, it reaches the great, flat floodplain of maturity before mingling itself with the sea that is death.At some point, the analogy breaks down, of course, and so we have times of peace and calm at any age in our lives; and, equally, there may be rapids and upheavals even in the supposedly quiet twilight years. Yesterday was one of those times for me, the long quiet of the previous weeks having been interrupted by a storm of unexpected and distressful events.Regular readers will be aware that this blog is hosted by my son Mad's website, MadTV. If they have been reading his blog, they will also know that he bought a new motorbike recently, a Suzuki SV650 I think it is. As all parents of bike-owners must fear, the inevitable has happened: on the way home from work last night he had an accident and fractured his pelvis. He is in hospital now and will remain there for several days while the healing process begins. As far as I know, that is the extent of his injuries but I have my spies at work and should hear a bit more detail in due course.The bike is a write-off apparently. It seems strange to mention that fact but I know it will be one of Mad's chief concerns. He loved that bike although, as his father, I must hope that the accident has made him realize rather more forcibly some of the unpleasant facts of bike-riding. My wife, Kathy calls them "murder bikes" and I need add no more.Yesterday was also the occasion of my son Pootle's fourteenth birthday. I spoke to him through Yahoo Messenger and he mentioned that his arms were bruised from all the "birthday beats" he had received at school that day. I should explain about "birthday beats" that it is a tradition that has arisen in schools since the time when I was young. It is only through my work with 14 to 16 year olds excluded from school that I know about this. The idea is, apparently, that one should receive a hit on the arm for each year of one's life up to the given birthday - a custom I find stupid and ill-intentioned but typical of the way in which our society has become more violent and aggressive over the last fifty years, in spite of all the weeping and wailing of the bleeding-heart liberals.Bear in mind that it was the Pootle's 14th birthday. There were about ten kids who decided to give him his "birthday beats", so he received in the region of 140 hits during the course of the day. It is understandable that his arms should be bruised therefore. This morning one of his arms was numb and he has had to go to the doctor as a result. His mother is incensed, quite rightly, and will be visiting the school to express her disgust that this practice is allowed to continue. Whether the school will be able to do anything about it remains to be seen, of course.I can safely say that yesterday was not a good day therefore. There is little I can do about it except post the news in the blog to avoid having to repeat myself over and over again to those who might want to know.The dangers of motor bikes are well known; I am grateful that Mad is okay apart from the pelvis and will say no more about the matter. But, being annoyed about the whole "birthday beats" thing, I might blog about the violence of modern society, the reasons for it and how liberal thought has been an important part of this brutalization.But not today.
Clive
Glod Pootle? We call them birthday bumps. Sounds much more friendly. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away Friendly name or not, Glod, they're a stupid idea. Date Added: 30/06/2005
John (SYNTAGMA) I'm sorry to hear about Mad, Clive. I'm sure he'll be up and about soon. Keep us informed of his progress, won't you? As for the violence in schools, you're right, it's become a major concern now. I did a post about a week ago on home education and mentioned that it's become standard to carry a knife in UK schools. It's a terrifying prospect if you've got someone of school age these days. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Rusty The only time anything like that happens here (North Carolina) is when you are either on a team (i.e. football, baseball) or in the Weightlifting Class (don't ask me how they give scholastic credit for that...) I was in both of course, but since my birthday fell during the Summer I always avoided it. They didn't really punch each other as much as wrestle and sling around the offending party. I never lended a hand to the occassion except for the time the catcher on our team was due for a beating. I hated him. So, you get hit if people hate you, if you are popular, or if some people are just violent. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Pootle You get one for good luck dad so it was about 150. Plus more than 10 people gave me beats. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away Certainly I will keep everyone informed of Mad's progress. Latest is that they were going to send him home on crutches in a few days but he has discovered he can't pee. So now he has a catheter and they will scan the area tomorrow to find out what's causing the problem. As for violence in schools, bullying was a problem twenty years ago when Mad was at school but it seems to have become much worse since then. This whole culture of violence under the pretext of custom really annoys me too - it's just an excuse for kids to work out their aggressive tendencies on a hapless victim. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away It's much more widespread in the UK, Rusty. Note that Glod up there knows all about it. But, looking at your list of those who could expect that sort of treatment, it seems that it was almost impossible to escape... ;) Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away I was being conservative, Pootle. Wouldn't want to exaggerate anything... ;) Date Added: 30/06/2005
Glod I only saw one knife at school, which was on one of those multi-tool things. I did see the sharing out of drugs amongst certain pupils during registrations taken by ineffective substitute teachers, but as a regular user of an UK school I wouldn't say it was standard to carry a knife. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away I think schools vary quite a bit, Glod, usually by area that they serve. But I know what you're saying - that it's easy to generalize. I think the generalization that is true is that schools have become more violent places in the last fifty years or so. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Ned Whether it is this kind of "friendly" tradition or fraternity hazings, the truth is that it bears a disturbing resemblance to a gang initiation in which the inductee is beaten by members of the gang they wish to join. The gang that promises to be a "family" and protect its members. The violence underlying these rituals is similar. Schools could stop this behaviour or at least curtail it, if the punishments were severe enough. Then we would not have to hear on the news of a family's pain at learning their son died during a frat hazing. This happens a few times a year it seems. My best wishes for speedy recovery to both Mad and Pootle. Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away Thanks Ned. Date Added: 30/06/2005
keeefer I think me and Mad should pay a visit to our old school next time im home.....just the site of me will have the teachers cowering behind desks so god knows what the current students will do (I have a feeling i may now be part of some kind of school folklore). When i spoke to Mad (on his mobile from Australia.....my claims going in on his insurance) He sounded really well. More irritated at losing his bike than anything else. The majority of his pain was from the road rash hes picked up from sliding along on his back and ass, its a good job it was well padded. I now know how parents feel when their kids are off doing things, Mads far to far away from me right now and ive been worrying ever since he got a bike......oh well as long as the next one has stabilizers i'll be happy :) Date Added: 30/06/2005
Gone Away Took the words right outa my mouth, Keef. Mad's been on about getting the next bike already (when Judy visited he was surrounded by his biker mates apparently) and I'm just hoping that this will have scared him enough to make him ride like an old granny in future... As for the two of you visiting your old school, that thought crossed my mind too - pity it'll have to wait until Mad can get around again. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Sarcasmo So sorry to hear about Mad and the Pootle both, Gone. I hope they mend quickly. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Gone Away It looks as though they'll both be fine, thanks Sarcasmo. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Wayne So sorry to read about this. I wish everyone in your family a speedy convalescence.The other thing this entry made me think was how interesting it is that real concern and affection for people one's never met can develop over time. I'm not always convinced that things like the internet lead to a more fractured society.And, when you're up to it, I'm genuinely interested in reading your thoughts about "the violence of modern society, the reasons for it and how liberal thought has been an important part of this brutalization." That last part especially intrigues me. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Wayne. Interesting point about the internet actually providing a new meeting point for people living in a society that is already fractured. My wife, Kathy, has maintained for years that internet chat is a replacement for the "over the yard fence" society of years ago. People will always find a way to interact, it seems. I've been pondering the implications of my "brutalization" statement which was made in a moment of anger, I admit. I still feel that there is some truth in what I said, however, and I shall write something on it in the near future. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Wayne I'm a liberal, but I don't get too defensive about it. So, don't worry about offending my political sensibilities. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Gone Away Generally I try to avoid politics but it seems almost impossible in America - everything has political implications here. But we've all been liberals at one time or another so I guess we should understand, at least... ;) Date Added: 01/07/2005
Way Heard abt the Mad caper on the Ned-vine. Now I feel guilty, telling him to "go for it". Remember that? Waa. Date Added: 01/07/2005
Gone Away Hey, no problem, Way. He was gonna go for it whether you said so or not. And already he's talking about the next bike he'll buy... :> Date Added: 01/07/2005
Way Changes can happen, regarding young Pootle. Bullies used to be a big problem in school, from what I remember; now, the authorites have went on the offensive, somewhat, and won't tolerate it any longer. So they claim. But like anything, it will probably take a lot of angry parents to force that change to happen. And the kids themselves need to change their accepting attitutes, as well. Ahem! Pootle! Date Added: 01/07/2005
Gone Away Claims and reality are sometimes two different things, Way. I know that most of the kids I used to work with gave up on school because of the amount of physical abuse they were subjected to in it. But I agree that the kids need to change their acceptance of it - it is only their silence that allows some schools to get away with over-optimistic claims... Date Added: 01/07/2005
Josh Man, I feel like a putz; off in some other world for a handful of days and this sort of thing happens. Please keep us apprised of Mad's condition, Gone, and when next you speak with him, tell him I send my best wishes for a speedy recovery. Date Added: 02/07/2005
vanessa me too gone. Please send mad my bestest o' wishes. I just about choked when I started reading this. I care for Mad very much... he's been a great friend through an awful lot. Is there perhaps a physical address you have that I could send flowers to? Please let me know.... I'm sending good karma his way:) Date Added: 02/07/2005
kitschnsink daddie, i'm so relieved to read that buba's going to be ok. what a relief that must be for you. please send him my love and a gigantor e squish >:D< one for you too :X Date Added: 02/07/2005
kitschnsink i want to know more :(( Date Added: 02/07/2005
Gone Away Time for an update on Mad, I think. As regards the waterworks problem, that does seem to be healing itself but the intention is still to scan the area to check for damage. That was supposed to have happened yesterday (Friday) but apparently the scan broke (the glories of the British National Health) so it has been delayed until Monday. Otherwise he is sore from road burns in several places and has aches and pains but will be coming home after a few days. He will be on crutches and unable to return to work for a month. As I suspected, his primary concern is his bike; he plans on getting another already. Thank you for your concern over the lad, all three of you; I will convey your best wishes to him as soon as I can. The address of the hospital is as follows: Phillip Ward Coventry & Warwickshire Hospital Stoney Stanton Road Coventry CV1 4FH West Midlands England And, of course, I must thank Kits for the gigantor e squish and will supply Mad with the same when I can. :D As for the Pootle, he is much better and his bruises are going through the usual technicolor display ready for July 4th. His mother has commenced the "conversation" with the school and already I hear some wonderful stories of how they had no idea that such things went on, that birthday bashing was banned years ago, and they will be investigating the matter. It all sounds so very familiar... Date Added: 02/07/2005
Gone Away I forgot to say how Mad's accident happened. It was not, as I reported, something that happened on his way home from work but occurred later in the evening. He had taken his bike to the gas station to have it washed and decided to go for a brief run afterwards to dry it out. There is a good, clear road nearby which is usually empty at that time and this was the route he chose (I have no doubt because he wanted to put a bit of speed into the exercise). Having taken the roundabout at the Jaguar factory, he accelerated up the short rise that follows. Immediately on the other side of the crest, he came upon a car doing about 10mph and was unable to avoid riding straight into the back of it. The bike stopped and Mad continued, ending up on the other side of the road. That's essentially all I know. Date Added: 02/07/2005
Way Time flies, and so does Mad, apparently. :D Date Added: 02/07/2005
GraphicallyChallenged Dad, I was so shocked to read this this morning! Please, when you speak to Mad, could you tell him Gussie asked after him and sends her love? I'm so thankful he's going to be alright. You take care of yourself as well, as I know you're worrying yourself ill over both boys. *hugs* GC Date Added: 02/07/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Gussie, and I will tell him, I assure you. :) Date Added: 02/07/2005
kitschnsink just came in to send another e squish to you guys (not too gigantor for buba :-s) and see how everyone's doing. thinking about you guys and sending my love. :*:*:*:*:*:* kitschnsink happy first 4th daddie ;) Date Added: 04/07/2005
Gone Away Thanks, Kits, and a happy 4th July too (accompanied by a gigantor huge e-squish as well). :D Date Added: 04/07/2005
Boogie It wasn't Mads fault he crashed he drives carefully and even more so with a passenger. Poor Pootle, they actually banned birthday beats a couple of years ago at our school. What happened to Pootle happened to some other kid a couple of years ago. Date Added: 05/07/2005
Gone Away So are you saying that this was an isolated incident and that it doesn't happen anymore, Boogie? Date Added: 05/07/2005
tode theres no control at my school. there are no bad punishments and so people do what ever they want. its all because of these human rights people but its ironic because the power they have taken away from the teachers they given it to uncontrolable teenages. Fuckin dickheads Date Added: 15/11/2005
Gone Away There speaks the voice of experience, Tode. And Wayne, if you're listening, isn't what Tode says some justification for my statement about violence and liberals? ;) Date Added: 15/11/2005
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