Father-in law

[poliphilo]

Yesterday afternoon we met the in-laws. Joe and Sara have been together now for over a year, but this was the first time the two sets of parents had met.

Everyone was anxious. What if the old folks hated one another on sight?

In the event everything turned out splendidly. We sat on the decking,  drank beer and  made conversation. Yes- even I, Mr Unsociablity, made conversation. It was a lovely afternoon.

Sara's dad has this amazing story about how he was working in a shop in Guilford, Surrey- the dullest town on earth- and sold a microwave to a fat, little guy with a ponytail who turned out to be Marlon Brando. Marlon Brando buying microwaves in Guilford! Does anyone out there have an explanation?

On a self-regarding note, I guess this means I've passed the point of no return and become the father-in-law.  I'm no longer Ben Stiller, I'm Robert de Niro; and I don't mean the Robert de Niro of Taxi Driver.

Comments

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Wasn't Marlon Brando living on his own island in the South Seas? I can understand his needing to stock up occasionally, but can't make the leap--maybe he had a relative there.

I didn't know he was short. (I knew he was wide.)

He had some terrible trouble with his son, something about murder and false charges.

As for your in-laws, they probably thought you and Ailz were wonderful, interesting people. I know I do.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

You make me blush.... :)

Yes, Marlon owned a South Sea Island. So why, Guildford?

I was surprised to discover he was short. I mean, aren't all Hollywood stars (with the obvious exception of Tom Cruise) about seven foot tall?

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

I watched Marlon in an old movie not long ago, and he had such presence and beauty as a young man. Even in the Godfather he had that magnetism.

Um: is he still alive?

As for your little rabbit, I am thinking about her. I hope she gets over her timidity soon, but--hey! She's a rabbit, after all. Timid's her middle name...

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

No, he died a year or two back.

The rabbit is maybe a little less timid today. She just took a carrot off Ailz.

[jackiejj.livejournal.com]

Building trust takes a long time in therapy, and I suspect if your patient is a rabbit, it will take even longer...

A taken carrot is a good sign!

[dadi.livejournal.com]

Did you tell them about some of your juicier bits of career choice ;-)? I just imagine these nice parents sitting there and listening to you talking about your experiences as a head of a coven ;-)

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

They are all short.

[paroxysma.livejournal.com]

Marlon Brando was short?! Get out!!

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Somehow I find it sad that this is your cultural referent!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Me too.

I haven't seen Meet the Fokkers. I never want to see Meet the Fokkers!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

And compensating for it....

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Two degrees of separation from Brando- ain't I grand!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

They already knew. Joe makes no secret of the fact that his dad was a witch. He thinks it's sorta cool.

Sara's dad very nearly became a Roman Catholic priest....

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

'Fraid so. I was shocked too.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

We're getting there.....

[dadi.livejournal.com]

ah well that is certainly the nearest to paganism one can come ;-)

[dadi.livejournal.com]

and well, if MY dad had been a witch, I'd find that cool too ;-)

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah!

[karenkay.livejournal.com]

Whew. I was afraid!

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think he doubted his talent. He didn't know where it came from and so, when people acclaimed him- at such a young age- as the greatest actor ever it just blew his mind. He was scared of failing, of not being able to repeat his success and so he became cranky and difficult and started undermining himself and his directors.

Laurence Olivier, a comparable talent, had technique to fall back on. He knew how to fake it. Brando didn't.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I just want to put it behind me and move on to whatever's next. I hate reminiscing.