"People Like Us"

Off the subject of politricks for a moment...

Sometimes life is just so darn funny. My husband and I really do, and always have run with a particularly off crowd of people. Its always the fringe element for us. I have a fascination and massive soft spot for Skinheads (NON racist skins), as well as Punks, Rude boys and gals, Youth Crews, Oi folks, Hardcore...even Metal heads. My husband and I had been friends for more than a decade before getting together, and over the years have gained and lost many friends individually and together, most if not all were mutual friends.

The folks we like tend to scare the hell out of people. We're the group out on a Saturday night that part crowds like the Red Sea (OK, not including me because I'm the pipsqueak of the group). We look mean, intimidating, dangerous, up to no good...you name it. We look like the type of people who party non stop, live in squalor and have absolutely zero responsibility.

So on Sundays, I like to get together for a late lunch/early dinner with a couple who we've been friends with for a while now. They're great people, top notch friends who are very understanding, kind and generous. They too however, are the "scary group" LOL. Tattoos and punk or metal clothing you know the drill. So anyway...we began talking about "People Like Us". To look at us, from the outside one would never ever guess or understand what or who we truly are. Or how normal we really are.

So here we are, enjoying fine home made and home-cooked food, made mainly from foods we grew ourselves, on fine china hand collected by my great grandmother pre WWII, complete with a fine Chianti, strong coffee, and fantastic cigars. (Smoked outside, due to kiddo). We are discussing such "punk rock" topics as potty training, homeschooling, cooking and baking tips, hair care tips, and catching up on what all the other "irresponsible" punks are doing and how well their kids are potty training or sleeping through the night. Who's kids are playing with whom, who's in daycare, playgroup etiquette and the like.

When we realized that the people we shied away from due to irresponsible behavior with their children (and other issues) were the very people most considered "normal".

Who'd a thunk it? We are a kind and generous and responsible crowd after all - regardless of looks, religious beliefs or political affiliations. Sitting around thoroughly enjoying our afternoon we contemplated the shock that the average person might endure if they walked in and saw the scene laid out, so nicely on fine linens....

And had ourselves a good, solid chuckle.