Tuesday, May 18, 2010

If Creedence Clearwater Revival can’t fix you then nothing can.

Anecdotes are glorious things - especially when you learn about the origins of things that you really are most awfully fond of. My parents had been watching something about racial divisions in the United States’ armed forces (something which my father witnessed in Vietnam). My father is not an overly tolerant man in many ways and he quite disliked the American armed forces (maybe some day I’ll tell you some of his stories). Actually, he loathed the white American soldiers and chose to do his drinking with the African-Americans. Dad’s story about the first time he and some mates stumbled into a bar patronised by black GIs is pretty funny and because he and his friends weren’t intimidated (well, they were but they didn’t leave) or prejudiced and stayed to drink ensured that they were always welcomed back. I think dad’s main point with that story is something along the lines of not having had to buy a drink all night – universal good will through free piss. Anyway, my mother’s story tonight was about how dad’s drinking habits and his choice of drinking companions lead him to Creedence Clearwater Revival. Always having had a soft spot for Creedence this story greatly amused me.

12 comments:

  1. Drinking can be a great leveller. Alcohol treats everyone the same.

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  2. I beg to differ. Five schooners treat my dad way better than they treat me! ;-)

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  3. I've heard many similar stories (from vets too) and witnessed such things myself many times too. No irony lost in the fact that a white Australian digger feels for another country's 'under-trod' eh?

    I don't mean that in a spiteful way at all - just that it often takes looking outside of yourself, to get an opportunity to look within (if that makes sense Shelley).

    Having said that - I've had less troubles in uniform with my mates than I've had out of said uniform. My mates never saw colour as an issue and had words with any fella who thought they did... interesting how things aren't always what they seem eh?

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  4. Belongum, you're so spot on it's like you've met him! He's always, rather strangely, been more interested in and less prejudiced towards the Native Americans and African-Americans. It's a too common attitude in this country. A combination of well learned lessons in institutional racism and, I suspect, guilt.

    I think mateship really is a huge part of the armed services here and that old thing - I can insult my sister/brother all I want but if you do it it's on for young and old.

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  5. Oh yes... I reckon you're not far wrong on that count Shelley. Mateship is such a complicated business at times. It's had me stick up for behaviour I'd rather not be a part of at times... it's an odd beast - but coming where I come from - I don't quite know what I'd do with out it. Hmmmm...

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  6. Early in the evening, just about supper time...

    Revived! Cool stories. Bring on the vetnecdotes.

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  7. One of those things that make you go 'hmmmm', hey?

    They're so much better coming straight from the source, Mitzi. I can still mime throwing a hand grenade pretty well. Skill.

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  8. Takes years of practice that... skill indeed! ;-)

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  9. Better straight from the source, hey? Your dad should start a blog. Or you should copy down his stories verbatim and post them for the world to see, like at shitmydadsays.com

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  10. Belongum, so true. And endlessly entertaining.

    Mark, I can't see my dad writing a blog. It seems a trifle too technological for him. Think I'll just get him pissed one Anzac day and tape the stories.

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