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[Hobot]

I like that Ray combines words to produce greater dramatic effect: "growlfights," "mortal-ponyboyin'" (what the hell is that), and "deathsmothers."

Does "mortal-ponyboyin'" have anything to do with The Outsiders?

[Golfhaus]

He's right though - raccoons are hell of crass.

[MattFish]

I am so unbelievably glad Onstad didn't decide to have Philippe kill Franky in some horrible accidental way. This was a completely touching entry.

Is it me or is Philippe living the hardships of mature life in fast forward? Being forced into marriage, bereavement, fatherhood, watching the proverbial birds leave the proverbial nest, etc etc etc

[Golfhaus]

It could, perhaps, be Onstad's way of commenting on how kids grow up too fast in today's society - they're pushed to learn too much too fast, they start engaging in "adult" behavior earlier than they should... kids shooting people, teenagers having babies. By subjecting Philippe to all this at the age of five/six, what he might be saying is "What will be of this child when he is an adult? Because soon, your child will be. And so will mine."

Or it could be the whiskey that makes him be mean to kids.

[robot_god]

It could, perhaps, be Onstad's way of commenting on how kids grow up too fast in today's society - they're pushed to learn too much too fast, they start engaging in "adult" behavior earlier than they should... kids shooting people, teenagers having babies. By subjecting Philippe to all this at the age of five/six, what he might be saying is "What will be of this child when he is an adult? Because soon, your child will be. And so will mine."

Or it could be the whiskey that makes him be mean to kids.

Nah, it's not that, it's about yourself failing to grow up, yet growing up too quickly.  Phillipe is ourself and When the last birds flew away Franky stretched his wings and jumped into the air to follow them. I'm glad he looked back one last time, because I was waving at him. When I was sure he was too far away to see me anymore I went over to the little space between the shed and the fence and I had a long cry all by myself where nobody could see. It is hard enough to be a dad, I don't want people to make fun of me too.

I don't even have a child.  I don't know if it's all of the brandy in my blood... but... hell of emotions runnin'.

It makes me feel good.  Sort of.

It is 8:30 AM.  It has been a long night.

[wombat]

**weeps**

Goddamit Onstad I was having a good day.

[V-Adore]

See, this is the kind of thing that renews my faith in Onstad as a writer. This packs just as much emotional punch as any ending could have, and it doesn't involve gratuitously killing Franky off. I'm not sure whether it means anything or not, but I'm not sure if I care (for once in my life). Well-played, Mr. Onstad.

[Hobot]

Little by little their circle got bigger, and then one end of it came loose and they started to fly away like a long ribbon.

That's lovely imagery.  The suppressed English major in me appreciates Philippe's entry greatly.

[Hobot]

Scary Thought: Nice Pete may be the Charles Manson of the Underground.

[yu-huang]

Joining in the praise for Phillipe's little drama. I wasn't following it, then caught the last entry and went reading backwards. Hella cute.

Just as a proof that you can't have the cake and eat it too, it *is* beautifully written on its own right, but somehow I'd expect Phillipe's writing to be a little less elegant, or maybe not necessarily less elegant, but still different. There aren't typos, no spelling errors. I'm not complaining, just... remarking. And maybe adding more realistic typos and the characteristic spelling errors of a 5-year old on an entry about failed precocious fatherhood would take the entry to an unbearable, health-hazardous level of cute.

[Golfhaus]

I've always imagined that Teodor or RB or someone did the typing for him, and as a super secret thing never to tell anyone that they did. Probably RB, because he's said stuff about Teodor before that he was trying to keep secret.

[Null]

I've always imagined that Teodor or RB or someone did the typing for him, and as a super secret thing never to tell anyone that they did. Probably RB, because he's said stuff about Teodor before that he was trying to keep secret.

I was wondering about that as well, since most five-year-olds can't write very well and read at a fairly low level (note the word "most" in there, I wasn't talking about your kids.)  So how does Philippe blog?

Then it hit me: Dragon Naturally Speaking.  

This would probably explain Lyle's blog too.

[sjlimmer]

Well, we do know that Beef does the Fun Facts (and presumable the whole Phillipe Times) for Phillipe after all.

[miles]

Oh no, Cornelius!  Run!  Heed the advice of Brother Williams:

I'm running, yes, before it's too late.
Trying to get away from that jail bait.
It's a rough temptation, but a common invitation.
And a good association.
But a quick elimination, that will take you out of circulation.
Yes, I'm talking about that younger generation.
So take my advice fellas--for goodness' sake.
15, 16, 17, that's...jail bait.

Now they swear that they're in love.
That you and her are by stars above.
And she's looking mighty good, just like a young girl should.
We try to tell you no, and let that young girl go.
But you, you know it all.  You have yourself a ball.
And now that it's too late, as you look from cell number 8...
I tried to tell you, mate...
17 and a half is still...jail bait.

So tomorrow's the date, for the trial of jail bait.
And this you watch and see, the young girl will go free.
And you will get 1 to 3.
So out the door she walks.  To another man she talks.
Before you can count, from 1 to 8...
Another man in for...jail bait.

[robot_god]

Philippe is a stuffed doll and being that he is made of non-living matter, he encompasses all of the universe's knowledge, including English grammar and touch typing.

By random selection, not all of this universal knowledge is exercised simultaneously and must be recalled through a process we would call 'learning,' despite the fact that it is really more of a remembering.