Categories: uncategorized
Date: 23 May 2008 21:02:35
Well it was a few hours ago. And it is approximately twice a day. Although I try to avoid being conscious the first time the clocks show that time each day.
Some years back my husband (who now says he wishes to be called Mr Standard!) set the alarm on his watch to go off at half past four (pm). The reason why is now long forgotten. But, through laziness, then a warped sense of amusement and now through tradition, the alarm remains. Every day his watch beeps at half past four. And Mr Standard announces to anyone within hearing "It's half past four".
A couple of days ago I was shopping in the supermarket - I place I tend to avoid. With both kids - definitely a situation I try to avoid. I either end up trying to shop with a toddler running crazily around, or I have to squash them in a twin-seat trolley and deal with the arguments. This week I opted for the latter of the two evils (aware for the first time that in about 5 months I'll have no option - I'll be dealing with both evils at once!). In the middle of the inevitable battle with his sister about elbow room, having made her start crying, Toddler suddenly announces "It's half past four". Crawler stops crying. I look at my watch. It's half past four. I am amazed. I praise my son for his genius and my daughter for having the sense to stop making so much noise. I continue shopping. And ponder my son's comment. I little while later there's a ding-dong sort of alarm bell over the tannoy. And Toddler again announces "It's half past four". This time it's actually 5pm. So I tell him so. And all the presence of his genius is gone as I realise that Mr Standard has a lot to answer for. Every alarm, for my son, indicates that it's half past four. I must have missed hearing the first ding-dong with Crawler crying, but Toddler didn't. He doesn't miss much really - except the fact that it cannot constantly be half past four.