July 24, 2011

Fort Building



So the kid down the street is building a tree fort. I think that a lot of kids find fort building instinctual. They naturally know how and they 'just want to'. It reminded me of the time I met one of my best friends...
It was back in Grade One, the year after kindergarten, and nobody knew anybody yet. We were in the library for the scheduled class visit. Ancient Mrs Hudson was teaching us how to check out books using slips of paper and rubber stamps. While I've always liked books and enjoyed reading, I was eyeing up the multi-coloured vinyl foam cubes that were underneath all the book shelves. Actually meant to be used as stools for story-time or whatever, I got the idea that they would stack pretty well. At the exact same time, this other kid in my class had the same compulsion. We started to amass a huge reserve of these blocks and started to build a considerable sized fort in the corner. It was just starting to take shape (which was vaguely igloo-like) and quite a few other kids decided that this was pretty cool. They started to supply us with steady shipments of blocks while we could concentrate on the architecture. It was pretty awesome really but no matter how old your librarian is, eventually someone in authority is going to see a large building project in a place that is supposed to be quiet.
I ended up getting in trouble but I also made a good friend with someone that I still know today.

2 comments:

  1. Brian..

    Great story and colourful artwork.

    CyberDave

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  2. Well it's me back again. I just went through the last 10 or so of your blog postings (well as far as the panicked bear hug incident). I was laughing like crazy, especially on the bear-hug one. I hear ya! and have been there. It usually happens when you are caught doing something embarrassing and feel not only panicked but guilty. LOL

    On the smoking thing.. yes, I just don't get it either. My brother and I have never been interested in smoking, but both my parents smoked. Even my cat smoked. Well kind of. I adopted her from my parents when they died. The poor cat was a nicotine addict and not by choice. I did not know that this was what made her high-strung all the time, but the poor thing was getting a double dose.. first from inhaling the smoke and second from licking it off her fur. Her fur by the way was a faint yellow/ginger. Anyway after bringing her home with me to a smoke free environment, she was very still high-strung for a out a month but was apparently going through withdrawl. Gradually she became pure white the way she was supposed to be and became a very calm, contented and affectionate kitty. She now seems very happy in her smoke free apartment. So for those people that smoke... watch out what you are doing to your pets.

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