Prom night

Dang kids, with their crazy whatnot.

Hey, PZ, you're so old you still say "graduating from high school." The kids today have made it into a transitive verb and say "I'm graduating high school."

There's also something going on with pluralz constructed with the letter z, but I'm not down with that.

Now I must 23-skidoo out of here.

Hey PZ, how exactly do you pronounce your daughter's name? I saw it in print once here, and it looked kind of Nordic.

Aw...

She looks nice, but... tall.

Very tall.

Dang kids, with their crazy whatnot.

Get off my lawn!

wait, what were we talking about?

I just don't have the heart to remind him that picture was taken five years ago.

"Get off my lawn!"

Sorry, Senator McCain.

Went through this with the boy last weekend. Although I would like to think this was the first. He was the 3rd so I feel a bit older each time one of them walks. But, he was the last one. It is time to launch the 3rd one, then I have no clue what we will do with all that "free" time.

Nice outfit!

#4 Funkstronaut,

That just means she need to hang out with ERV.

Is the seahorse meant to be some sorta comment on 'copter dads?

She is tall. Well, that or her date is really short--see! We're all putting the onus on the woman for being the weird one, and taking the male as the standard! Cue mighty digression on systemic sexism!

Um...why does her prom have such a large audience?

Now now now, jumping to conclusions would be unscientific, she could be wearing very high heels or platforms, that would make her perfectly normal if rather uncomfortable (which again given proms in general is perfectly normal).

I do like the dress.

I like her dress.
PZ, wait until she has a kid, then you'll feel old.

Can't it be both?

She is tall. Well, that or her date is really short--see! We're all putting the onus on the woman for being the weird one, and taking the male as the standard! Cue mighty digression on systemic sexism!

Well, to be fair, the odds are better that she's, say, 5'9 or so (tall for a woman) and he's a little shorter, than that she's average height and he's 5' even. I think.

Where's his "A" lapel pin?

PZ, I just got in from watching my daughter make her entrance at the senior prom, and last night she modeled her graduation gown for me. I know every parent says it, but I'm going to say it anyway: I can't believe that eighteen years have gone by and that my child has turned into this stunning, elegant, poised, articulate young adult.

Where's his "A" lapel pin?

I've met this young man. He is definitely wearing a 'A' lapel pin.

Since other people have brought up the height issue, how tall are you, PZ? I'm curious because most people I know only from TV/internet/etc. I just assume to be average height. For example, until I actually met him, I never realized just how tall Daniel Dennet was.

He may be walking in a ditch.

So what was the prom theme?

Well, Dr. PZ, it looks like you've made it: You've raised an intelligent, self-sufficient, beautiful daughter, and it's just about time to turn her loose on an unsuspecting world.

May she always find her own way, in her own time, and not add to the grey in her father's beard - - - too much, that is...

Congratulations, PZ - my kids are only seven (twins), and they already make me feel old. I can't imagine what another decade will bring. Ungrateful little beasts.

No. 23: "Blaidd Drwg" - snort! How's the new nuclear reactor in central Cardyff going?

Tonight I sent my youngest one to her prom, so I won't have to do that again. I don't have to go to any more National Honor Society inductions and I don't have to worry about learner's permits.

I know how you feel, PZ.

But, PZ...

you ARE old!

Also, yeah, guys can be short just as easily as girls can be tall. I've been encountering a lot of this stuff lately... a guy can date a younger girl, but a girl can't date a younger guy. It's weird, and also annoying, because all the girls I like are about two years older than me.

Check out the eyes of the people in the audience. Humans in Northern MN have tapetums? Who knew?

Aw...

She looks nice, but... tall.

Very tall.

Posted by: Funkstronaut

Ummm, what's wrong with a woman being tall?

Actually if you look at the picture he is on a lower step. Although without the step I'd say they are about the same height. Ugh this reminds me my oldest daughter is about to turn 16 in a few months. If you live in Northern Indiana.. STAY OFF THE ROAD!

Psh, prom. My dateless friends and I had an anti-prom party complete with dinner at a nice restaurant, a play at the fine arts center, and an old movie night at my house. It's one of the happier memories I have of high school. We had a blast, actually.

But, nonetheless, best wishes to all the happy couples out there tonight.

This entry reminds me how much of high school I missed due to self-effacing nonparticipation. I wasn't even in the yearbook (nor did I get a copy of it, for that matter). I guess it just goes to show that different people can have completely different priorities for how they spend their time.

Hey, PZ, you're so old you still say "graduating from high school." The kids today have made it into a transitive verb and say "I'm graduating high school."

But not old enough to say "being graduated from high school."

Wait until your grandchildren are graduating before talking about being old!

Black and white rocks. Your daughter has sophisticated tastes, PZ!

And I hear ya. No kids of our own, but the nephew unit is graduating from high school in a couple of weeks. And, y'know, I actually don't know whether he went to his prom. My own high school had three per year (which meant nine during my three-year incarceration there,) and I never went to one. My husband, who keeps bemoaning his youthful nerdhood, actually did go to his senior prom, so he definitely has one up on me there.

Janine,
Nothing, nothing at all, other than scarcity. 6', 6'2" was just hard to find back in the day. Now of course my daughter has some friends that size. Fat lot of good it does now.

Hey, I didn't get a year book either. Partly because I pretty much never showed up for high school.
Nobody threw me a party when I got my GED, either.

I like the dress!

I like the dress too--they look great! Hope they have a fun night. But y'know, not TOO fun and all that...

Am I the only one sad that the newer generations are still just going through the same motions our generations did? Proms? Homecomings? Proabably going to hand out the silly little scrolls while Pomp and Circumstance plays ponderously in the background. What century is this again? At least the boy's not wearing a tux.

Never did hold with "traditions". Maybe that's why I'm a skeptic.

"But, PZ...

you ARE old!"

I disagree, he's aging...like a fine scotch.

"Aw...
She looks nice, but... tall.
Very tall."

Nothing wrong with that, I'm 6'3" and my ex-girlfriend is 6'5". She never let this bother her (even with all the "how tall are you?"s and the "do you play basketball?"s), and never hesitated to wear high heels at fancy dress events. I remember trailing through a crowd behind her at a Mardi Gras banquet and catching the whispered conversation of onlookers. Personally I just felt proud to have my tall, beautiful, and smart lady who was the center of so much attention.

And congrats to PZ on getting the last one through K-12. Cheers!

I imagine that the "graduated high school"/"graduated from high school" thing is more regional than generational. There are many regional things in the US that sound bizarre to me, as an outsider. Another is people who'll say "a couple oranges", rather than "a couple of oranges".

Why is there an audience for promenade? That adds more pressure to an event that already has a too much in the first place.

I see a beautiful young lady. Then I glance over at dad's pic.

Must be one georgeous mom, is all I got to say.

Who the hell is george? GORGEOUS!

Dave E #3 - I believe Skatje is pronounced like "SCOT-yeh", sorta rhymes with "Gotya!" Brains and beauty, yes indeed. Sigh. As a 5'9" humanfemaleperson, I question the "Nice, but tall" characterization. But? BUT? I believe the word you're looking for is and. ;-)

I bet secretly you look at that picture and think that, no matter what, you've had a successful life.

I know I would.

I believe the word you're looking for is and. ;-)

damn straight!

I'm definetly biased towards tall. Last 4 have all been over 5'8".

I'm only 5'6"

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id…

I am a 5'6" guy, and my date for my senior prom was 5'9".
If anyone had thought of having anything to say about it, they knew I would just go all Napoleonic Complex on their asses.
And she would have had my back.

"Ummm, what's wrong with a woman being tall?"

Oh... Nothing.

...

Ever hear of the term, "Death by snoo snoo?"

I have met the lady in the pic.  She is tall.  Delightfully tall, IM<HO.

Kseniya, if you ever graced me with your presence I'd be apt to give you some appreciation also.

ahhhhhh hes short!

"Death by snoo snoo?"

"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is soft and spongy..."

Man what a wimp. Wait until your middle grandchild, who you raised as a single parent, turns 22(on Cinco de Mayo no less!!) and yoour oldest is 28! And tall is good, but short is good. Damn! For me a brain is the most important and given her father's endowment and my belief in environment and inheritance....Odds she is smarter than most of us?

There is a Dutch word "schat" which means darling (wife, husband or just someone you really like) or treasure (pirate). Schatje is the diminutive. The "ch" is pronounced like a soft g. When you pronounce it with the english "g" (like in good) and you overdo it you get skatje, with a "k". In the northern part of the country some people actually pronounce the word like skatje.
I have no idea wether this is a correct analysis but it could be!
Nice dress!

Oh my, the Evil Overlord shows some tenderness and acts like the proud daddy he is. Don't let the Fundies know PZ, they'll begin to think some atheists have hearts. Congrats to you and the Trophy Wife for raising an intelligent, thinking and beautiful daughter (and, of course, your other children).

PS I'm almost 6 foot tall and Mr Shrek adores it when I wear high heels (preferably with nothing else!).

5'1" humanfemaleperson...do I win the Shortest Pharyngulite award?

5'1" body stature, 7' 1" presence. Pocket Rocket - our Etha !!!!

I'm glad I moved to England before I went to high school in the US. I would never have had a date. It seems like a very Big Deal.

Eddie, your analysis sounds plausible, but unfortunately you're looking at the wrong country - Skatje is a Norwegian name (but there is a similar word "Skat" with the same meaning as the Dutch word you mention).

Nothing wrong with tall, I am 6'4". Back in my day, so long ago that the prom theme was fire, it was hard to find many women over 5'8. I loved tall women, still do. Well, don't actually love them anymore, my 5'4" girlfriend would not like that.

Lovely girl, nice presence. I have five kids, oldest will be 30 this year. Now into the grandkids, four granddaughters and counting. I am soooooooooooo looking forward to them dating so I can watch their fathers and mothers cringe and worry. Payback is wonderful, being a grandparent is wonderful. Fill them with caffeine and sugar and send them home. Life can be good.

Ciao

At least your kids got to do the prom thing, PZ. I was raised a Pentecostal Christian. We didn't do dances.

No. 26a guy can date a younger girl, but a girl can't date a younger guy

Dahling, where have you been? There's even a name for it: Cougar (if some biologist could explain if/why this is apt, I'd love to hear it) and it is all the rage. I'm 42. I don't think I've dated anyone over 30 since I was 17.

Are those tentacles on the hem of her dress?

Since there's a lot of speculation and I actually know something on the subject for once, its "Skaht-yeh" and, IIRC, 5'8" (Which I remember cause its my height too). No idea how tall Collin is.

Well, I'm 6'2". I've dated women from 5 feet even to 6' 0". It seems to work out if I like the person. Height doesn't seem to make a difference. Not that I've ever dated a woman taller than me. I've only met a few.

Skatje is a beautiful young woman. PZ must be proud.

Ah yes, the feeling old thing. It really got to me when my college roomate's oldest kid started graduate school.

Before that it was when I started getting grad students who were born the year I finished by bachelors' degree. Still a little too early to be getting grad students born the year I finished my doctorate, but I can see it looming...

Is the boyfriend an Atheist?

#68:

Yeah, he is. Co-Chair of the UMM Freethinkers group (along with Skatje).

I thought it rhymed with "gotcha". Is the J pronounced like it is in in English or no?

It's "Skaht-yeh". The gotcha thing is how her parents pronounce it, apparently, but not the way she allows anyone else to.

Sorry, Etha, but I beat you with 5' even. Of course, I make up for my lack of height with enhanced circumference. I'm continually astonished at how tall (5'6") my own sprout is. He's 28, but still rolls his eyes like a teenager when I mention it.

"It's "Skaht-yeh". The gotcha thing is how her parents pronounce it, apparently, but not the way she allows anyone else to."

Untrue. The only person that I've heard call her "Skat-yeh" is Collin, and she's my best friend.

I'm Norwegian, and I have never met anyone named 'Skatje'.

(I'm 6'4'', but that may not be relevant.)

She's gorgeous! And she has great taste in dresses.

I thought she was already at UMM though - how can she be going to the prom?!

Lori: Well, that is how she says her name should be pronounced. She yelled at Collin for telling people it rhymed with "gotcha" once. ;)

My mum usually pronounces the J as a Y these days, too. She's trying, at least. People at UMM call me skaht-yeh, people at the high school and work call me scotcha.

Robin: I've been doing full-time PSEO for the last two years of my high school, so I'm a sophomore at UMM, but a senior at the high school I never actually attend but am still enrolled at.

Ahh, supergenius. I should've guessed that!

I've been doing full-time PSEO for the last two years of my high school, so I'm a sophomore at UMM, but a senior at the high school I never actually attend but am still enrolled at.

Those damn atheists and their book learnin'

Thasright, Rev. They cain't teach common sense in them thar eye-vree towers!

PZ
I; am so happy that education will change in this era that I don't have words for it. You will be on the forefront of such teachings.
You will be able to teach science as it is.
A capitalist arrangement will verify your credentials. You don't like it? Too bad the writing is on the wall.

As a 5'9" humanfemaleperson, I question the "Nice, but tall" characterization. But? BUT? I believe the word you're looking for is and. ;-)

Indeed, tallness in the humanfemaleperson is a Feature, Not a Bug™!

My father was 5'4" (on his best day), and partook of his culture's typical fascination with breasts to a reasonable degree; he suffered from no shortage of jokes and appreciative comments about the joys of slowdancing with tall women.

I'd like to think my own thoughts on the issue are somewhat more refined, but yeah... tall is really nice.

My dateless friends and I had an anti-prom party

My boyfriendless daughter's date to prom is her (also boyfriendless) gay best friend.

She and her friends did hold an anti-homecoming party each of the last 2 years, but that was more of a political protest than anything to do with their dating status: When the school started administering breathalyzers to students attending the homecoming dance, my daughter's crowd (none of whom drinks, BTW) decided they couldn't be associated with such a guilty-until-proven-innocent approach.

PZ, I feel your aging-parent pain: My own just finished her last high-school play, will attend her prom next weekend, and just Saturday received a big packet of freshman orientation materials from Yale. At least with Skatje, you have had a bit of a phase-in period, because of the way her college and high-school years have overlapped.

My family has been a trio for so long that I find myself wondering if my wife and I still remember how to be a couple. Find out soon enough, I suppose...

You'll figure it out. Consider it a Golden Opportunity, and A Good Uuse Of Your Time while Daughter is off figuring out how to be an adult. :-)

She looks a bit like my mother (tall redhead with glasses). And my mother married a man shorter than her.

PZ, you should be one proud far! I wonder how long it will be before you become a proud bestefar? My beautiful, extremely intelligent, 5'11" daughter is only two years away from graduation.

What a beautiful daughter PZ! You have every right to be proud.
The person wondering about Cougars, you don't need to ask a biologist, there are several Cougars on this list. ;)

I don't remember an audience at my prom!