The Year of No Toilet Paper

We all like to think that something auspicious and grand marked the start of our entry into this world. Or maybe not. But as a new father, I’m thinking more and more about the world I’ve brought our new baby boy, Dani, into. Think about it. The decisions we all make today, whether by the politicians we vote in, the money we spend, or the environmental choices we take, are all going to impact him and his generation. It sounds like something obvious, but man, it’s totally different when you have a child. It’s like that guy who wrote Black Swan said, you have skin in the game. I’ve never read that book, by the way. Managed to get blocked by its author on Twitter, but that’s a different story.

Anyway, I’m starting this blog as a fresh start. As a chance to explore a different part of my life, and, hopefully, to leave something more enlightening, and perhaps funnier, for Dani when he gets older. Today was the day he was scheduled to be born. Saint Patrick’s day, literally. But after a rollercoaster ride of a pregnancy the little guy couldn’t wait to come out. He entered the world stage seven weeks early.

When he’s old enough he may be curious about the past. I’ll have all the stories to tell him about philosophy, the ancient Greeks, the Middle East, and the people he just missed. The ones who slipped away just before he was born, and who would have adored him if they’d only been able to meet. I know it’s a bit sad, talking a about the past, because it can never come back, and he’ll figure out, like we all do, that those who go away never come back either. But there are also valuable things to learn from it. Like not screwing up the same way other people did. Or not making the same stupid decisions. And, perhaps, I’ll also tell him about the year he was born - the year of no toilet paper - and then he’ll know that the universe has a funny, absurd side to it as well.

Welcome to the world, Dani. You’re gonna love it. If not, I am so, so sorry!