by Alec Muffett
From February 1973, aged “nearly 5”; I don’t feel much explanation is really needed, especially if you ever met my father. 🙂
I can’t recall what happened, in what order, but I think I did Kindergarden for a short time and then kicked up to first grade, and then kicked-up again, later.
But… “Loud Noises: USUALLY HE MAKES THEM” – yeah, thanks Dad. 🙂 miss you.
Hi Alec. This is priceless! The humor and strong personality is quite apparent in your dad’s filling of the form and the letter.
I must say, however, that I am against kids skipping grades in school: Having skipped a grade as well (first grade, because I could read already), I can attest of how out-of-place you can feel at that age among older kids. While you may be able to perform the “intellectual” tasks (reading, writing, etc.), the emotional and physical differences can be quite striking, even by one year of difference. My wife was kicked-up twice during primary school, and she also tells me how out of place she felt, particularly as she became older (e.g. her friends were all turning 15 and in full teen age while she was just 13).
@Diego: In the end I had the 1.5 to 2 year gap, as well as a change of country; I can’t say it made my subsequent life terribly easy, but there is no benchmark, you only get one shot at this, and I am 42, debt-free and taking a sabbatical year, so it would probably look really silly if I complained too much.
Anyway – your wife found you; she can’t have done too badly in the brains-stakes. Now she can have all the fun she missed back then. 🙂
Thanks, Alec. That was really, really great. Excessively happy – heh!
“Does not suffer fools gladly” 🙂 good to see somethings never change! Wish I could’ve met your dad – what a great application!
Too true, Val. Thanks 🙂 If you are interested in more Muffettiana, try http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1565999/David-Muffett.html
Alex, this was absolutely hilarious! I see a lot of you in your dad’s letter – like father like son 🙂
/Martin
That’s glorious, Alec! What a wonderfully preserved piece of family history, bursting with personality and verve.
Priceless, very very Muffett senior. Privileged to have met him.
“To go to the bathroom my child says: JUST THAT” 🙂
Love his addition to the form on leadership quality.
…and finally I know when your birthday is so I can make a note in my calendar! 🙂
He’s right that you did love the Boston Pops. Do you remember that whenever you saw a picture of Arthur Fiedler, or whenever he came on the television, you used to say “look, there’s Boston Pop?’
I chocked and spit coffee all over my computer when I read “Does not suffer fools gladly”. That was exactly my description of my daughter (now 17) as a preschooler. Your dad was a much more vocal advocate that I was, and I bow to his wisdom and strength of conviction! My daughter should have been put ahead. I fought them for years before I pulled her out for homeschooling. I now try to help other patents advocate in a way that would make your dad proud. Wish I could have know him! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing that Alec – got me through a concall. Had to stifle my chuckles.
BTW, the old Beeb “Last of the Mohicans” is now out on DVD.
Wow. That explains a lot. I’m amazed that you had swimming instructions twice across the Atlantic at such an early age! That must be some sort of record!
Leave a Reply