Natalie does her best "Dada" impression.When I was young I would set up a tape recorder and practice mimicking various voices and characters...what you didn't? Before you judge me, I lived in NH, where there was nothing to do for miles but read books (totally uninterested in reading for pleasure at the time) or push cows (interested but rather terrified).
I thought impressions might be my path to fame and fortune. I could be the next Dana Carvey or Rich Little or at least get people to laugh. I gave it up when I realized high-school girls were not particularly impressed by a guy who could do a great pirate impression.
Who knew?
Recently, however, my vocal manipulations have been in high demand by a cuter and wiser little girl. When Natalie was little (littler I suppose) I often read her books and used different voices for the various characters. She enjoyed it, smiling when I took on the voice of a big grumpy troll or when I decided a particular character should speak with a British accent. Now that she's a more sophisticated communicator, she not only enjoys my little voice tricks but demands them.
Recent conversations have gone like this:
"Dada Cookie Monster."
I ignore her and continue to wash dishes (what else would I be doing)
"Dada Cookie Monster? DADA COOKIE MONSTER!!!"
"Oh, me like cookie" (in my best cookie monster voice)
"Dada Grover. DADA GROVER!"
"Hello Natalie" (As Grover)
"Dada, Grandpa Al."
And here's where my talent runs out. I apologize to my plaintive princess that I can't do a "Grandpa Al" impression. But this is my little daughter, so I've been working on my Grandpa Al, Momma, and Barack Obama impressions (yes Natalie recognizes our president on TV and shouts OBAMA! every time she sees him, recently declaring "Silly Obama", with which her fiscally conservative mother agreed.)
All these voices have me a little turned around so don't be surprised if the next time you see me I'm in the middle of a identity crisis and greet you in a cookie monster voice or shake your hand and say nothing but "ARGHHH! Matey!"
Random notes:
1. Recently Natalie declared that "Sometimes people eat turtles" and then "Sometime turtles eat people." Since she is never wrong, be careful with all future turtle relations.
2. Natalie told me a few days ago "Grandpa Lee Yuk", "Gram Yuk". At first I was worried she was claiming that her grandfather and great-grandmother were both yucky but I soon realized she was explaining that they were both from New York...
3. Natalie loves to sing the wheels on the bus, or rather she loves for me to sing it while she declares what is on the bus. She refuses to stick to the general script of wipers, wheels, and bus implements and focuses mainly on animals and people she knows. I am forced to decide what the Grandpa Lee, Aunt Bryn, and Cookie Monster on the bus say. So if you want a say in what YOU say, let me know.
I thought impressions might be my path to fame and fortune. I could be the next Dana Carvey or Rich Little or at least get people to laugh. I gave it up when I realized high-school girls were not particularly impressed by a guy who could do a great pirate impression.
Who knew?
Recently, however, my vocal manipulations have been in high demand by a cuter and wiser little girl. When Natalie was little (littler I suppose) I often read her books and used different voices for the various characters. She enjoyed it, smiling when I took on the voice of a big grumpy troll or when I decided a particular character should speak with a British accent. Now that she's a more sophisticated communicator, she not only enjoys my little voice tricks but demands them.
Recent conversations have gone like this:
"Dada Cookie Monster."
I ignore her and continue to wash dishes (what else would I be doing)
"Dada Cookie Monster? DADA COOKIE MONSTER!!!"
"Oh, me like cookie" (in my best cookie monster voice)
"Dada Grover. DADA GROVER!"
"Hello Natalie" (As Grover)
"Dada, Grandpa Al."
And here's where my talent runs out. I apologize to my plaintive princess that I can't do a "Grandpa Al" impression. But this is my little daughter, so I've been working on my Grandpa Al, Momma, and Barack Obama impressions (yes Natalie recognizes our president on TV and shouts OBAMA! every time she sees him, recently declaring "Silly Obama", with which her fiscally conservative mother agreed.)
All these voices have me a little turned around so don't be surprised if the next time you see me I'm in the middle of a identity crisis and greet you in a cookie monster voice or shake your hand and say nothing but "ARGHHH! Matey!"
Random notes:
1. Recently Natalie declared that "Sometimes people eat turtles" and then "Sometime turtles eat people." Since she is never wrong, be careful with all future turtle relations.
2. Natalie told me a few days ago "Grandpa Lee Yuk", "Gram Yuk". At first I was worried she was claiming that her grandfather and great-grandmother were both yucky but I soon realized she was explaining that they were both from New York...
3. Natalie loves to sing the wheels on the bus, or rather she loves for me to sing it while she declares what is on the bus. She refuses to stick to the general script of wipers, wheels, and bus implements and focuses mainly on animals and people she knows. I am forced to decide what the Grandpa Lee, Aunt Bryn, and Cookie Monster on the bus say. So if you want a say in what YOU say, let me know.
