So to give Kath more time to work on the costumes, Ariel and I took Caroline to a local kiddie amusement park that she'd never been to. Dead center of the place was a carousel. Caroline absolutely loves carousels, ever since Kath took her on the main one at the Magic Kingdom in Disneyworld. Having bought unlimited ride passes for the sisters, I stood behind the fence as Caroline was seated on one of the horses, Ariel one horse over. The young lady running the ride clipped Caroline into place with a seatbelt that snapped behind her.
The carousel began turning. It was going at a pretty brisk pace, but Caroline was undaunted, grinning like a loon.
Then I noticed she appeared to be shifting off-center, hanging more toward the outside. That was when I saw that the belt had somehow come unclipped from behind her and was dangling uselessly on either side. Ariel hadn't spotted it yet. The only thing that was preventing Caroline from being flung off the carousel at high speed was her own grip on the pole.
The operator was in the middle of the carousel. I shouted over the music, "Shut it down! She's not buckled in" as I yanked open the gate. The operator saw it and killed the power, but there's no braking mechanism; it moves until it stops. Ariel, realizing, grabbed Caroline's foot, but Caroline was now 3/4 of the way off the horse.
I ran alongside the carousel, grabbed one of the freestanding poles, and jumped on while it was still spinning, bounced between two horses like a pinball, got to Caroline and yanked her back up onto the horse. Caroline continued to grin. Not a trace of concern. I buckled the seatbelt around her myself this time, testing it. It must not have fully engaged the first time. The operator asked if I'd like to stand next to Caroline and just ride along, which was fine by me.
Ariel then went off to drive the Go-carts. And Caroline, who didn't have to get off the carousel because there really wasn't a line of kids waiting to get on, proceeded to ride to her heart's content.
Forty five minutes.
Forty five frickin' minutes of non-stop carousel. The more nauseated I got, the happier she got. Finally I couldn't take it anymore, forcibly removed her from it and said, "We're doing something else now." I carried her away while she was kicking and screaming and yelling, "Horse! Horse!"
Later, as Caroline rode on the teacup ride with Ariel, I called Kath and said, "Just out of curiosity, how did you get Caroline off the merry go round at Disneyworld? Did she eventually tire of it?"
"No," said Kathleen. "I had to carry her away while she was kicking and screaming."
Twenty years from now, when they ask me at what point I knew she was going to be a jockey, I'll be able to tell them. Although she'll probably be over six feet tall, so maybe that's not really a career path for her.
PAD
Posted by Peter David at July 4, 2005 12:43 AM | TrackBack | Other blogs commentingYou know, for some reason that's one of the cutest stories I've heard. Not the terror part, but the 45 minutes on the ferris wheel part. Thanks for sharing, Peter. BTW, ANY chance you're going to be at WizardWorld Chicago this year? I'd LOVE to get you on our public access show for an interview!
I meant carousel! Jeesh, I need seepys! 'Night, all
I used to do the exact same thing when I was her age, PAD. I spent much of my early teens riding horses, as well as branching out to a menagerie at home. ...you guys have property somewhere for a horse? ;)
-Kelly
Now might be the wrong time to mention that the carousel at Coney Island still features brass rings...
If she's this serious about horses when she's a bit older, we're pretty close to the Riverdale Equestrian Centre if you ever want to visit...
You gotta name the horse Comet. You just gotta.
Great story PAD, but forty five minutes on a carousel? Ummm...you have the patience of Job huh?
I had a kid, she'd have been kicking and screaming a lot earlier than that.
Of course it could've been worse, at least Caroline didn't end up giving anyone an insider's look at what she had for breakfast that morning.
Y'know, this sounds like the backstory of a Silver Age DC villain origin. It's a good thing her name isn't Mary, or twenty years from now we might be hearing, "Ever since that day I've been obsessed with carousels! Now, Green Lantern, prepare for defeat at the hands of...MARY GO ROUND!" :)
"Now might be the wrong time to mention that the carousel at Coney Island still features brass rings..."
Wow, now that's really going back. I figured those things vanished the first time someone sued after hurting themselves trying to grab one.
Great story, PAD. I noticed you didn't go on the teacup ride, or as I call it, the vomit comet. If I ever was chosen to be the second teacher they tried to fly into space I'd never make it to the big centifuge test thingie--2 minutes on the teacup ride and I'm boubced right out of contention.
While most people focused on Caroline, I'll comment on her dad.
The Comic Book Writer Becomes a Hero!
Your personal discomfort didn't kick in until the little darlin' was safe! Way to go Peter!
Back when I was little (around 3), I went on the carousel with a friend. Somehow the seatbelt came off, and I leaned over, pointing and trying to fix the seatbelt. Her mother, not knowing that I was trying to help, thought I was trying to push her daughter off the horse.
Pardon me for being unaware, but when did carousels start having seatbelts?!
(I can't be THAT old, can I?)
Rob-
The Disney Carousel has had safety belts since I can remember going there way back when. The new ones have them probably for libility issues.
Caroline sense of balance is pretty good considering that she is only 2 1/2 but then it has been since she was really small.
Well now.. hang on... this could be a first.
A six foot jockey? Why not!
But even better:
A six foot jockey that also is in the WPBA.
(I can see that sixteen pounder flying down the lane now... 30 foot of it in the air... the remaining with a resounding *Wham!* just before taking out the 10 pins.)
Either that, or between frames she'll be putting a few quarters in the kiddie's horse ride in the bowling alley's gameroom. Which wouldn't be so bad, except that this particular WPBA tournament is being shown live to a TV audience. The camera pans over to see an unnamed, balding man burying his face in his hands while mumbling to himself.
After all, what good is being dad, if you can't be embarrased on national television?
Mom, on the other hand, would probably be laughing. At whom, I'm not exactly sure.
RLR
45 minutes.
On a carousel.
Eh. Could be worse.
What if she really liked the ride that has you pressed up against the wall as it spins at insane speeds, then only to have the floor drop...? Imagine 45 minutes of that....
There's a carousel in the mall about fifteen minutes from our house. Fortunately, Brian is scared of it. I don't have the patience for forty five minutes of watching him go around on a horse, but that's only PARTLY because I watch horses run around for a living. I applaud your patience, Peter, and really wish I could find some of my own...
And so does my ever-suffering wife...
(Now if we could only get the kid away from the rock wall at the park....)
Peter, three words:
NATIONAL VELVET II
Three more words:
"Starring Caroline David"
-- Ken from Chicago
Doug Atkinson: UGH!!! (LMAO)
PAD: I've said it before and I'll say it again. The reason I keep coming back to your site isn't just because of the possible interaction with a comic book professional, it's these hilarious reminders that while you may be a great writer and your wife may be a great costumer, you still have to deal with everyday pitfalls thatr life throws at you (kids toys on the living room rug, moments of sheer terror with regards to a child, putting a child's delight before your own comfort etc.)
"A six foot jockey that also is in the WPBA."
I couldn't fathom why you thought I'd be interested in Caroline joining the Women's Professional Billiards Association, until I read...
"(I can see that sixteen pounder flying down the lane now... 30 foot of it in the air... the remaining with a resounding *Wham!* just before taking out the 10 pins.)"
...and realized you were thinking of the PWBA--the Professional Women's Bowling Association. Which, by the way, is in the process of being absorbed into the USBC, the United States Bowling Congress along with every other independent bowling organization, so by the time Caroline's grown, the PWBA will likely be a mere memory. But, hey, maybe you're right and she'll be bowling on the pro circuit. She already bowls now.
PAD
PAD,
I am glad you were able to get to your daughter in time. I would have at least taken her off for a few minutes until my heart stopped beating a million miles a minute. You do have the patience of Job and the love of a father.
Your story does illustrate the importance of parents who are actively involved in the lives of their kids. Obviously, how it looks will depend on their age. But I am glad you were paying attention to your own kid. It is not a guarantee nothing will happen, but there would be far less minor and/or major tragedies if parents stayed more engaged. Based on your previous stories, you are clearly a good parent.
Iowa Jim
"I couldn't fathom why you thought I'd be interested in Caroline joining the Women's Professional Billiards Association..."
Well, because I can't seem to get my letters in the correct order, would be the short answer to that.
But now that I think about it, most bowling alleys have coin-operated pool tables in them too... And hey, Walter Ray Williams Jr. is not only a PBA member, but also a horseshoe throwing fiend.
So... maybe Caroline will be knockin' 'em out on the 9 foot table, and the 60 foot lane.
What makes this work the best? She can be a Brunswick spokesperson for both! :)
RLR
A performance worthy of a superhero...which goes to show who the real heros are.
I've said it before, you're a great father.
...and you really have to write this into a comic someday.
I'm glad your daughter is safe.
Salutations from Spain. My english is very bad, because only speak french. Sorry, sorry, sorry...
I belive what you is the best writer of comics... Now in spanish...
Pienso que eres uno de los mejores guionistas de comics que existen, (Y no, no leí "La muerte de la capitana Dewolf" para escribir que eres el mejor, que parece que todos los lectores que te decubrieron con "The increíble Hulk" la hayan leído) Por favor, sigue adelante, con tus textos, libros y relatos y olvida a todos los envidiosos que te critican por su falta de talento.
Espero, este sea el primero de muchos e-mails que nos enviemos.
Un saludo. Animo y adelante, que tu puedes con todo!
P.D. Prometo aprender más inglés.
P.D. Me gustaría verte un día escribiendo la JLA al estilo de Giffen y deMateis... Cruzo los dedos!
Hasta pronto.
J. Santiago Martín.
Albacete, Spain.
Y'know, this sounds like the backstory of a Silver Age DC villain origin. It's a good thing her name isn't Mary, or twenty years from now we might be hearing, "Ever since that day I've been obsessed with carousels! Now, Green Lantern, prepare for defeat at the hands of...MARY GO ROUND!" :)
Oh, Doug. Doug, Doug, Doug. If I had a rotten tomato...
This past April my Wife and I took our daughters (4 and 5 1/2) to Disneyworld for the first time. My older girl was scared of most of the rides (she was even afraid of the PeopleMover (or whatever they call it now)). Anyway, the ONLY ride she actually did like was, of course, the Merry-Go-Round! (sigh) I could have stayed home and taken her to the local Amusment park (and saved a lot of money!)
However, the 4 year old loved everything! I even took her on the "Haunted Mansion" and "Pirates of the Caribbean"!
Not really relevant to a carosel but.....reminds me of the time when my nephew was 2 years old and i was watching him for a few moments while his mother went tothe store...aparenttly i wasnt watching close enough cause i heard him go "eeeeuuukkkkk" i looked at him and said " whats up dude? did you poop?" he just looked at me and stuck his hand back in the Viks Vapo rub container and stuffed another handfull in to his mouth...then I pooped...