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What does 'Boat' mean?
Posted : November 7, 2006
Getting into the school taxi (otherwise known as our trusty VW Passat) the other day, Leah asked me,
"What does boat mean?"
Since she exhibits new levels of insouciance daily, I didn't think she was being serious.
"You know what boat means!" and I kept going, lamely, "Its a craft that floats on the water."
She was a bit insulted I had defined the object "boat".
"No, not that! Like when you boat something."
Oh crap, now the sound "boat" could be her interpretation of anything. All I can respond with is,
"When...you...boat something?"
Luckily she was willing to give more context.
"On TV, the man said If you boat this man, he'll take your house away."
First thought: Kids are the most adorable damned objects in the universe. Second thought: damn you, Mr. Evil Media Consultant, keep your dirty negative political ads out of my daughter's innocent consciousness. Third thought: Cool! The negative stuff really works, because even a five year old retains it!
"Ok, the word is VOTE." I gently correct, emphasizing the "vuh" sound.
This will be a tough one to explain. I was a frickin' film major. "If you VOTE FOR somebody, you are saying you want them to win. Like when we decide who will be president. Usually a bunch of people have a contest, and everyone gets to vote for the person they like the best."
Or something like that.
What an entree for a simple, lucid, and inspirational encapsulation of the democratic process. Unfortunately, I am no Aaron Sorkin. As we pull into a parking spot near the school, I reach the conclusion of my fatherly civics lesson:
"If a man says, vote for me and I'll give you a million dollars, would you vote for him?"
Leah: "Yes."
Walking towards the drop off area, we merge trajectories with my friend Tim and his six year old, Jennifer. I just have to repeat the whole boat conversation with him, its too damn funny and cute. Makes my kid seem kinda smart I think.
Leah knows I'm talking about her, of course. She chimes in on cue, "If a man says, vote for me and I'll give you a million dollars, would you vote for him?"
I beam back down at Leah with satisfaction.
"No." replies Tim.
Another day, another drop-off. Now I'm off to work.
- Jim Bresnahan, Animation
Past Articles
CREW
INSIGHTS
Posted : November 7, 2006
Getting into the school taxi (otherwise known as our trusty VW Passat) the other day, Leah asked me,
"What does boat mean?"
Since she exhibits new levels of insouciance daily, I didn't think she was being serious.
"You know what boat means!" and I kept going, lamely, "Its a craft that floats on the water."
She was a bit insulted I had defined the object "boat".
"No, not that! Like when you boat something."
Oh crap, now the sound "boat" could be her interpretation of anything. All I can respond with is,
"When...you...boat something?"
Luckily she was willing to give more context.
"On TV, the man said If you boat this man, he'll take your house away."
First thought: Kids are the most adorable damned objects in the universe. Second thought: damn you, Mr. Evil Media Consultant, keep your dirty negative political ads out of my daughter's innocent consciousness. Third thought: Cool! The negative stuff really works, because even a five year old retains it!
"Ok, the word is VOTE." I gently correct, emphasizing the "vuh" sound.
This will be a tough one to explain. I was a frickin' film major. "If you VOTE FOR somebody, you are saying you want them to win. Like when we decide who will be president. Usually a bunch of people have a contest, and everyone gets to vote for the person they like the best."
Or something like that.
What an entree for a simple, lucid, and inspirational encapsulation of the democratic process. Unfortunately, I am no Aaron Sorkin. As we pull into a parking spot near the school, I reach the conclusion of my fatherly civics lesson:
"If a man says, vote for me and I'll give you a million dollars, would you vote for him?"
Leah: "Yes."
Walking towards the drop off area, we merge trajectories with my friend Tim and his six year old, Jennifer. I just have to repeat the whole boat conversation with him, its too damn funny and cute. Makes my kid seem kinda smart I think.
Leah knows I'm talking about her, of course. She chimes in on cue, "If a man says, vote for me and I'll give you a million dollars, would you vote for him?"
I beam back down at Leah with satisfaction.
"No." replies Tim.
Another day, another drop-off. Now I'm off to work.
- Jim Bresnahan, Animation
Past Articles
- Sep. 6, 2006 - My Toys Have Taken Over
- Feb. 28, 2006 - Alternate Titles for Ice Age: The Meltdown That Didn't Make The Cut
- Dec. 6, 2005 - My Military Grade Cell Phone
- Oct. 13, 2005 - Cloud Swarm
- Jul. 14, 2005 - Animation is a Musical
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