Recently, I may have suggested my dad was only one of the great things to come out of Long Island. The truth is, not a lot of people can do the things my dad does. Like, he can read in the car without getting sick. And he makes really good steak. Not at the same time; don’t be ridiculous.
Oh and when I was 2, I was way ahead of my time and awesome I saw a swimming pool and was like, “Deep end, here I COME!” Bam, I jumped in to join my older brother and sister, and my chubby bum sunk straight to the bottom. Without a second thought, my dad lept in to save me, breaking his glasses along the way.
I think that’s why we get along so well. I could have been all, “Well, you brought me into this world, it’s your job to keep me here,” but instead I was like, “Thanks for that, Pop. One day I’ll join the swim team and make you proud stay afloat.”
As if that wasn’t enough, he used to take me on father-daughter trips to Bowcraft, this tiny, creepy amusement park next to a highway, and then across the street to Burger King. Those were the days, back when trans fat was what was for dinner, and winning enough tickets to get chinese finger cuffs was all you needed.
My dad is also a genius. I mean, yeah, okay, the real kind with a doctorate and Ivy League-y things, but whatever. I mean the practical kind of genius. Street smarts. Case in point: We used to go on long road trips in a small car, with all three kids crammed in the backseat. It was a recipe for disaster. So he came up with something called the Points System. We earned points for being good, and got them taken away when we were bad.
If we didn’t have enough points by the time we got to Burger King, we weren’t eating.
I know, right? Genius.
Happy Father’s Day, Pop! (Does this post win me any bonus points?)
What stories about your dad make you laugh?
Go Jules Go 
Haha remember when burger king had teeny Beanie babies? That shit was crucial. Trans fat anddd adorable stuffties, marketing at its greatest.
Ha! Oh gawd. Beanie Babies WERE crucial. I am so glad it didn’t turn into me being one of those creepy adults who collects the dolls and coins they advertise on TV. Er…no offense to anyone who does that… 😉
So cool and awesome!! That really is all I can say 🙂
Why thank ya! I’ll take it. 😉
very cute! +_+ I like it
nice post
Fun read, and congrats on being freshly pressed.
Hi Richard! Thanks so much – I’m thrilled that folks are getting to see how fantastic my dad is (just in time for Father’s Day)! 🙂
i know bowcraft – went there once or twice too!
and you’re right, it is a creepy little place!
🙂
Wow, I can’t believe other people know Bowcraft! Ha! I feel like I should apologize for drudging up creepy memories… 😉
We would love to post that at toemail if you do not mind? http://toemail.wordpress.com
Thanks so much – that’s very flattering! I don’t mind at all, as long as you mention it came from gojulesgo.com. Thanks, also, for asking 🙂
What a lovely and humorous blog post! That’s what special memories of parents and loved ones boils down to: unique and exclusive moments that clarify why you love them. I’m sure your dad would really dig these sweet words but something tells me he doesn’t need a blog post to know his daughter loves him. Happy Father’s Day to a cool dad!
Thank you so much for reading and for such a sweet comment, madhaus! I really think I might have earned some bonus points with this one… 😉
Great post, just the title of your post already made me laugh, thanks!
Thank you so much! I don’t know about you, but coming up with titles is one of my favorite parts about writing/blogging, LOL, so I really appreciate the compliment! Thank you again! 🙂
Very entertaining. Really enjoyed. Great post. Thanks.
Thanks so much!
Reblogged this on The Birmingham Small Business Centre Limited.
my dad was a willing beauty shop ginea pig too !
Hi MJ! Good to see you! I’d love to see THOSE pictures… 😉
next time I’m back in the midwest I am going through my parents old photos …they wont eed to know why !
Very enjoyable post, I miss my dad very much. Thank you!
Thank YOU! I’m sure you are doing your dad’s memory proud this Father’s Day 🙂 (And I apologize if I misinterpreted this comment!)
Very nice. 🙂
Thanks! 🙂
It’s posted now. Thanks so much, we really appreciate it!
Thank YOU again for the compliment, and for the heads-up! 🙂
Oh, that point system must have sucked. Glad my parents never thought of that.
LOL I think the saying ‘like father like daughter’ will never be proven more true than in the fact that I actually thought it was kind of cool, even when I was subjected to it! It was sort of like a game that gave me something to think about (besides ways to torment my brother and sister ;)).
LOL
I am sure you scored major points for this post:)
Ha! I’m planning to find out tomorrow, when I hand Pop his gift: a screenshot of his 1984 self on home home page of WordPress.
Oh yeah. And grilling things. 😉
Happy Father’s Day to your Pop indeed!:)
Thank ya very much! 🙂
Fantastic Dad and a lovely Daughter! Cheers!
Thank you so much, and cheers to you! 🙂
LOVE your blog!!!! Hilarious!!! Thanks so much for this particular post for Father’s Day. Nicely done. I also wanted to let you know that I’ve NOMINATED YOU for the VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD!! CONGRATULATIONS, my dear!!!! Well deserved!!! There are a few rules associated with this which I’ve posted on my site, aprairiegodmother.com, for you to copy and paste for convenience. Don’t forget to copy the Award and paste it on your site!!! Display it proudly!!!!! Congratulations again and keep those posts coming!!!!!
Oh, thank you so much! That’s really nice of you! (And congrats to YOU on your award!) I hope your family has a happy Father’s Day tomorrow 🙂
Your tribute was so nostalgic and fun. We had a family friend who worked at our local Burger King so it was our ‘go to’ place for ice cream’s…I remember how dad would end up eating a few since we were too slow and they were melting all over the 1961 Desoto…..good times
Thank you so much! When I sat down to write it, I wasn’t sure what I was going to say, and then suddenly those memories started flooding back, so I’m really going to have to do this more often! The reminiscing -and going through old photos- was wonderful 🙂
ha ha, I can just picture that! I remember my dad and older siblings always waiting for me to finish. When I was 5, I would just marvel at how quickly they managed to eat their burgers!
That’s funny my dad would not let me do that to his hair!lol
I was SHOCKED when he let me, LOL, that’s why I look like I’m getting away with murder in that picture! 🙂
Really good post. My Dad rescued me from the same sort of situation in a swimming pool and then taught me how to swim. He’s also taught me: the correct way to change a tyre (without getting annoyed once), check the oil (ditto), self defense and how to be a better person without ever wanting a thing in return (except for a call every once in a while).
Fathers are way cool!
Thank you! This comment really made me smile 🙂 You captured ‘dad’ perfectly here. We really are so lucky to have ’em! I hope your dad has a WONDERFUL Father’s Day!
Really love this. Great post 😀 I can relate to this as my Dad saved my life too.
Congrats onf Freshly Pressed.
Thank you so much! That’s a story I’d love to read sometime 🙂
good post! 🙂
Thanks! :o)
Superdad!
ha ha Exactly!
Nice post
Karen J. Bergquist
http://cruisedeals2u.com/
This is my first time reading one of your posts. I enjoyed it tremendously. It made me miss my dad, who took me for a “Fribble” at Friendly’s after dental surgery. I especially like your style, oh and GREAT title by the way. all the best to you…. I look forward to reading more. Beth from middlescapes.com
Hi Beth! Thank you so much – that really means a lot to me to hear!
Ahhh “Fribbles”…as long as you don’t mind waiting an hour, those Friendly’s sundaes are the BEST! LOL (The Reese’s peanut butter cup sundae is one of my all-time favorite desserts.)
I’m sure your wonderful dad’s memory is alive and well this Father’s Day. 🙂
What a lovely post!
Thanks so much, Sarah! 🙂
Okay that was adorable. Your post made me think of one I should write, “I proposed and then we went to McDonalds” becuase THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED. 🙂
Ha ha! Thank you so much, Marta! And YES, PLEASE! Do it!! 🙂
very interesting post. Really enjoyed it.
Why thank ya kindly!
It is good to see that more and more people are realizing how awesome you are. Maybe Star Trek was right? Maybe the world does really get better…
Aw, shucks! You always know how to make a chipmunk enthusiast feel good, and that’s really saying something 🙂
P.S. – Although, confession: I can’t take credit for the traffic on this post – the WordPress overlords put it on the home page! I’ve been trying to figure out how to make the perfect ritual sacrifice in thanks. I hope rum cupcakes will suffice…
Oh the things I would do for rum cupcakes…
I don’t have the patience to read your other posts right now, but if this is your typical style, I may just have to follow you.
Oh, BTW . . . if your Bumm was chubby, it should have floated, not sank.
Thank you so much! And boy do I understand what you’re saying about not having the patience, LOL Is it a comfort to know I usually only post 2-3 times a week, and brevity is the name of my game? 😉
Good point! Fat floats. I should know. Tee hee.
Thanks again and nice to ‘meet’ you!
Congrats on a fine read AND FPd! So glad to see Words being honored again! Enjoy!
That is so sweet of you to say – thank you so much!
We are who we are because of our dads – our best and our worst! Thanks for sharing a bit of yours with me.
Thank YOU – it was truly my pleasure! 🙂
Your dad is awesome!! And the reading in the car thing?! Totally a superhero. I would have puked before the car even left.
My dad is amazing too, he’s one of those jack of all trades including some non-trades things. He built me the most amazing/sketchiest bunk bed of my life. I’ll always remember those mornings where I’ve been abruptly woken from my sleep as I landed on the bedroom floor.
Ahh…parenting..
My parents had me late, so they’re in their mid 60’s now and getting a little more wacky. I’ll be changing diapers soon enough.
L, thank you so much! I’m glad you appreciate the qualities that make a true superhero – like the ability to read in a moving vehicle!
haha, oh gosh, we could totally trade war stories about bunk beds (the top bunk of one fell on me when I was a toddler!)! I’m glad your parents did such a good job, because I know they’ll be in capable hands if/when you need to take care of them 🙂
Glad that you have such fond Dad memories. Fun read.
Thank you so much! I really can’t believe I forgot about the ‘points system’ until I sat down to write this 🙂
Thoroughly entertaining haha
Thank you! 🙂
this is a really sweet story. thank you. and thanks to your papa
Thank YOU! I really appreciate you saying so 🙂
of course.it wasgood
What a sweet story! Thank you so much! Very sweet!
Thank YOU so much – I really appreciate it 🙂
Awesome! I miss my dad so much. Proud of my dad too
Thanks so much! I’m sorry you’re missing your dad, but so glad you’re remembering him fondly 🙂
Lol, if my dad came up with that point system for my siblings and I, I would have been a REALLY skinny kid
It truly is a testament to how addicted to fast food I was that I’d do ANYTHING for a few points. LOL Actually, if memory serves, we needed an absurd and arbitrary amount of points to get food, and we always did (but always feared we wouldn’t! ;)).
total bonus points AND this serves as a fabulous Father’s Day card! You’re even streamlined! Your dad sounds sweet.
ha ha! Oh man, we could be best friends. I’m a project manager by day, yet I didn’t even THINK of the streamlining factor until after I published this post. Brilliant! Thank you so much 🙂
I loved the post! One of the best titles I’ve ever come accross!
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that, especially because I have an intense fascination with titling things. That totally makes me quirky, and not weird, right? 😉
What a great tribute to your Dad. Oh and congrats on getting freshly pressed!
Thank you so much, Diana! It is such a treat to get freshly pressed, but better still, to meet new folks like yourself! 🙂
Hahaha this is great! I loved this post and the 2nd picture especially. I hope your dad gets to enjoy this wish-post as much as all the readers do!
Thank you so much (and I LOVE your gravatar name/picture, by the way)! My dad did actually get to read it, so I’m thinking I have a nice, sweet, stockpile of ‘points’ right about now… 🙂
Your mom had told me about your blog, but I never got around to looking at it. she sent me your Father’s Day posting. I love it! So funny! I am now a fan and look forward to reading all the rest of your blogs – and catching up on those I’ve missed.
I’m not exactly sure who this is, since it’s coming up ‘anonymous,’ but my response is the same. That is to say, thank you SO much! 🙂
How cool. Good memories of daddies are always wonderful. My dad has always made me laugh…even as an adult. 🙂
Thanks very much – I’m SO glad your dad makes you laugh, too! 🙂
The funniest memory of my dad (that comes to mind right now)–I was probably 13 or 14. We were visiting my grandma in the hospital, and for some reason or another my dad started to dance in the elevator, shaking his booty toward the door. Fun fact: My dad is not a dancer. Naturally, the door opened while he was dancing and more people wanted to get in–but first, they all saw my dad, dancing away in the elevator.
Liz, this story really made me giggle! Thank you so much for sharing! I can just picture him gettin’ down in the elevator. In fact, I think I should try that tomorrow at work (when I get there at the crack of dawn, oy…people won’t even need their coffee! ;))!