We went to an awful kids party yesterday at Mac Donald’s. It was a very frustrating experience. The parents looked like people from Hieronymus Bosch paintings. The ship of fools. The kids, grabbed food from our plates and stuffed their mouths. They were kicking each other and smashing things. The mothers were not better. They were bitching and gossiping about parents who weren’t there. The boy whose birthday it was, told my son "the present you brought me was crap". All in all a pleasant afternoon.
Why do people learn to be unpleasant and even disgusting- from such an early age? If I had known (this kid is not in my son’s class, he just plays with him when he goes to my mother’s) I would have taken him to the cinema instead.
Which brings us to Capote. No I wouldn’t take my son to see Capote. I liked Capote, and not only because Philip Seymour Hoffman was brilliant in it. But because Capote used to be quite awful, showy, backstabbing, full of himself, ungrateful, offensive to others, exploiting people and taking advantage of them in their time of need, and all this is in this movie, and you still feel sorry for him. Not in a way you’d feel sorry for a good person, but still, sorry. Because he used to be so talented and his words stay with you forever. Anyway, Blondie was right, the director, Bennett Miller, cannibalized on Hoffman and his talent. He made him perform as if he were in a circus to get as many cheering and clapping as possible. Just like Capote, he took advantage of Hoffman when Hoffman needed to show he wasn’t just a supporting role actor but a true protagonist. M was unkind and said I only liked it because of the costumes and the nice atmosphere, which is a weird thing to accuse somebody of. So I was cross at him and said he was silly for not liking the film. But this wasn’t the case for Blondie, who appreciated certain parts of the film, just got bored with it and wanted it to finish so she could have a drink (again, just like Capote did at Harper Lee’s movie, hehe). In fact, In Cold Blood, Capote’s book which focused on the killing of a whole family in a rural part of Kansas and served as the main theme of the movie, refers to Capote as much as to the killers. Because he really was a cold blooded killer of a writer.
We went to an awful kids party yesterday at Mac Donald’s. It was a very frustrating experience. The parents looked like people from Hieronymus Bosch paintings. The ship of fools. The kids, grabbed food from our plates and stuffed their mouths. They were kicking each other and smashing things. The mothers were not better. They were bitching and gossiping about parents who weren’t there. The boy whose birthday it was, told my son "the present you brought me was crap". All in all a pleasant afternoon. 
Which brings us to Capote. No I wouldn’t take my son to see Capote. 
March 12th, 2006 at 11:26 am
What a contrast of party and film. You’re definitely selling me on the film…and definitely selling me against kids’ parties. Especially any party which is held at MacDonald’s. The Bosch painting makes my mental image of the scene at MacDonald’s that much more…well, just be grateful that you aren’t in my head at this moment!
March 12th, 2006 at 11:28 am
This is one of the things I like about blogs. New brain food and references to brain food :-).
March 12th, 2006 at 12:29 pm
What an awful experience for your son. I use to think of children’s parties as fun, colorful, full of life events. It just seems that when I bring my nephews and nieces to them now, they are productions, meant to outdo the last birthday party.
The celebrant should have been reprimanded for what he said to your son. When a person throws a birthday party, the intent should not be to gather presents, but to celebrate life.
March 12th, 2006 at 12:35 pm
Forgive my laziness my sweet. I have posted. All is fine with me. Too many kids, too few computer.
March 12th, 2006 at 1:54 pm
well, I guess there’s kids who’re crap from an early age. asshole children. I don’t think one has to like everyone’s kids. just like there’s people who’re really just a waste of space.
your son, on the other hand, is a cutie and we all know that cutie kids turn into sweetnatured grownups that are great and pleasant to hang around with.
and a hearty welcome! to your broadband. now, all I want is a band of broads to play with my internet!
xxx
March 12th, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Oh dear. I can imagine it must have been very uncomfortable for you. Children mimick their family’s behaviour. Fortunately, it looks like your son has nothing but good examples to learn from his.
March 12th, 2006 at 3:57 pm
Oh, I’ve unfortunately been to children’s parties like that. Usually the parents annoy me more than the children; because at least they should know better. We are not having a children’s party for my son this year (bad parents), but going on a weekend excursion instead…
Still holding judgement on Capote. But I did read In Cold Blood and enjoyed it (as much as one can given the subject matter).
How was your Sunday? Have you and Blondie made up?
March 12th, 2006 at 5:01 pm
Well was it not a bad sign that the party was to take place on Mac Donald’s?
Anyhow, the description of the kid and the grownups remind me of the first Harry Potter book and the reaction of Harry’s cousin (Dudly was isn’t it?) asking how many presents he had… As soon as his futher mentioned the amount, he cried out, that last year at his birthday he have had one more present. Rude kid, raised by rude parents. :-I
March 12th, 2006 at 5:15 pm
yikes! bunch of ungrateful brats at the party!!
I need a good movie tonight…
March 12th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
This is the first time reading a post from you didn’t get me smiling, but frowning instead. What an awful party, with horrible, mean people…And I’m not too thrilled about Capote either…the person and the film. Hmm…but that’s how life goes, not everything’s pink so thank you.
March 12th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
Kimananda
kids parties suck in general, but that one wins the prize. I have a hard time relating to -most- other parents, and the fact is, it is only here that i’ve found normal parents to talk to.
jack
hope you are not hungry. as far as brain food is concerned, i am an awful cook.
angel
and imagine that my son really looked for something his “friend” would enjoy and got me a soccer set which the little brat didn’t appreciate.
“Well your party was crap too” that’s what my son should have answered.
zona
haha, i read you
daria
there are many kids i don’t like AT ALL! Oh, this one is good: A couple of weeks ago, another kid at another party saw M’s earring (don’t think chandeliers here, just a tiny stud earring)and told him in cold blood “you look like a gypsy woman”
But that was a bit funny, i admit.
Fuff
no, he has some very bad examples too, it’s just that they don’t involve other people’s parties
Cathy
Have we made up? Have we Blondie?
I think it’s nothing important and just a matter of someone having better taste than someone else, that’s all!!!
Vista
that was a bad omen yes!
but i am an optimistic person and so, i had to suffer for it.
gina
and at the party, they didn’t even have CAKE!!!
devil mood
well Capote was pink, although a bright, shocking kind of pink.
xx
March 12th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
and killed his soul in the process
which was captured slowly and
quietly -
and Hoffman was great because he
showed the disquiet “between
the lines…”
March 12th, 2006 at 6:16 pm
McDonald’s casts spells on children
and adults - they become
possessed and demented as they
stuff their faces with the
poison apple…
March 12th, 2006 at 7:03 pm
a million thanks to you. i have been putting off going to see Capote. i love his character and ws a big fan when he was alive. it was obvious he was a striving gold digger in many ways who had little hesitation when usingothers for his gain but many successful people are. Ayn Rand in her polemic manner claims that the world advances and benefits from agressive individuals pursue their own selfish interest. that drive benefits all even after so much dismay.
I have not seen the movie so i have no idea what quoates or stories they tell of Capote (who most likely wrote To kill a Mockingbird if not he is obviously Dill)but I have a favorite.
Capote was at a swanky restuarant when a fan bared her breast and asked him to autograph her breast. without hesitation he signed his name and she bounced off to boast to her husband. the husband upset and determined not to be upstaged approached Capote and pulled out his penis. he then asked Capote to autograph his manliness as he did his wife’s breast.
Capote in his ever so arrogant manner looked up from the penis dangling in front of his face and told the man it was much too small to autograph but he would initial it for him.
March 12th, 2006 at 7:48 pm
no cake? how absurd!! the fiesty side of dear chloe- i like it!!
i, too, do not “like” too many children. mine, yours and my dearest friends kids are all great, but that is where i draw the line. i should not be allowed to lead a mothers group. rofl.
March 12th, 2006 at 7:59 pm
I found it shocking to even read the words Mac Donalds from you being in Greece. Guess that place is every where isn’t it?
March 12th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
the film sounds good, the party sounds terrible ! - That is outright blatant and rude ! - what happened to good old decency ?
cheers
March 12th, 2006 at 10:11 pm
I dread having to attend kid parties when my child begins that whole part of life.
Ah, the morphing is never completed.
March 12th, 2006 at 11:24 pm
I love Capote. You would be a brilliantly fun person to watch it with.
March 12th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
I’ve made you three CDs, but they weren’t right the first time. And still…they are all wrapped up…but something’s missing. I hope you’re ok with waiting. I might have to add another CD.
March 13th, 2006 at 1:25 am
Children can learn and change a lot, the pityful ones on that anti-party were those boring parents. Congrats you passed it Chloe!
March 13th, 2006 at 1:44 am
McDonalds parties are evil. They turn nice children into devils !! We have been to too many of those. Must be something in the food !!! Hope you have recovered. Take care, Meow
March 13th, 2006 at 1:47 am
Oh that boy definitely needs to learn some manners fast. Scary to see what kind of adult he is going to turn out like…
Hope your son managed to have fun in spite of the birthday boy.
Connie
March 13th, 2006 at 4:31 am
I think of MacDonalds - I think of a kid’s birthday party.
I think of the kitsch back room of an abbatoir - I think of a kid’s birthday party.
The two don’t seem to go together somehow.
March 13th, 2006 at 9:42 am
yeah that doesnt sound suitable for kids. McDonalds and the film I mean. Why not fly more kites or go to a world for dinosaurs. Dino World would be a cool place to visit. Ghost town, that would be funky or do some deep space alien bashing. All fun.
March 13th, 2006 at 10:38 am
Ewwww, I’ve been around children who’s parents, for whatever reason, don’t bother teaching manners since they don’t have any themselves. Bummer you had to go thru that.
On the other hand Capote sounds interesting, but he also sounds like one of those kids from McDonald’s, all grown up and stealing ideas and words from people instead of food. I guess his or her life becomes crap as well.
March 13th, 2006 at 11:04 am
I had a birthday party at McDonald’s once, I think my 10th. All I will say is that it never happened again. ^_-
March 13th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
additional - Children are evil when they go to McDonalds. I drove Charlotte by one yesterday and I heard I want a Milkshake. We were runninglate and her Mom was fretting so I said no and I got “I want a milkshake now”. She quickly realised not to do that again though and i have never heard her be like it before. Sugar must be more addictive than I realised
March 13th, 2006 at 12:38 pm
My ex roommate used to be a nanny, and you should hear the stories
I think I might not like children, unless they’re actually related adults I know and like. Does that make me a horrible person? I guess it might.
March 13th, 2006 at 2:21 pm
Wow, it’s a shame that the children behaved so poorly and that the parents allowed such ill manners.
I have always been a fan of Capote’s work, and not of the man himself. I haven’t seent he movie, but I will be sure to this weekend.
March 13th, 2006 at 2:23 pm
You know what? You just described how people are in McDonald’s in the U.S.
March 13th, 2006 at 3:38 pm
madelyn
frankly, Mac Donalds was a very CIVILIZED environment by those parents’ standards. They should be having parties in rubbish dumps.
pirate
hehe that sounds like typical Capote. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t have enough of these moments. There are some and they are great, but i’d love to have seen more of him being entertaining at parties.
gina
i always approach kids i don’t know the parents of with some apprehension. I have been repeatedly insulted by kids. And this brings back memories of bullies at school who did exactly the same thing.
day
yep everywhere. they don’t do very well in greece though, we have our own junk food you see!
still, people have parties there for kids (although that was the first for us) because it is the cheapest.
true blue
i think it got eaten up by that Ronald McDonald clown.
just sayin
is that you?
Vesper
i can wait my sweet! don’t worry. take your time, but don’t lose sleep over my cds, i tend to like everything (except heavy metal and reggae)
omara
you are right there. you should have seen the parents. their features were almost distorted. scary.
meow
kitty you are back!
yep, however these children must have been horrible and they just got worse there.
connie
no he didn’t poor thing. and as i said there was no cake, so we left really early
jago
exactly. And now with the avian flu, people don’t order chicken so there must be a surplus and the Mac Donalds waitresses were trying to give the chicken nuggets to the kids who had lined up in front of the tables. Whenever mums complained, the kids were given other things, but when parents were not near, the kids were given chicken. I know because my son doesn’t eat meat so i sometimes go and explain what the different foods are, and saw the Mac Donalds lady do exactly that.
nevets
true! all these sound like places my son would love. You know kids minds. They don’t call you uncle Steve for nothing. xx
walter
he was a brat yes but unlike those kids he was entertaining to some people.
But maybe you can argue the kids are entertaining to their parents.
erikku
oh the trauma!! sending you songs to make it go away (email)
stephanie
no, that makes you a reasonable person. do you think mothers like all children? how would we protect ours if we liked everybody else’s?
etchen
i love your yellow tulips!
badger
oh yes?
the horror!
i’m going to cook something proper
March 13th, 2006 at 3:42 pm
its the advantage of being a big kid. Wanna join me. We can be the new famous five (im sure we could get 3 more people)
March 14th, 2006 at 1:59 am
nevets
oh yes please! let’s be the famous five. and eat doughnuts all day and chocolate milkshake too. And play board games and stump feet.
March 14th, 2006 at 4:30 am
Yesterday I couldn’t see your blog, I don’t know why. So this is my reply: I totally agree with you about Capote (the film). And in fact I didn’t hate it. And I also want to say that I appreciate so much the way you see things and films and everything. And you know it. And M. was just joking (not just because he is your best fan). xx-xx
March 14th, 2006 at 7:31 am
thanks Blondie. M has regretted ever saying that because i make him eat trahana soup every day since.
xxxxxxx
March 14th, 2006 at 9:39 am
It wasn’t much of a trauma to me - I was ten. But my parents, that’s another story.
August 13th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
I guess the apples
don’t fall
far from the tree!
August 13th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I guess the apples
don’t fall
far from the tree!
(everyone did take
math in school–
right?)
another way 2 say
it-is*************
MONKEY SEE-
MONKEY DO!!