Welcome to feis dad

Hello, my name is Matt. I have a daughter ... no, make that two daughters ... who LOVE Irish Dance.

There. I admitted it. I’ve come clean.

It's the first step in recognizing I have a problem.

Did I say problem? Well, maybe that’s not quite right.

It’s more like a crisis of epic proportions.

If you’ve got a daughter in novice, prizewinner or championship, you know what I mean. Don’t worry, if you’re just starting this ride, you’ll find out soon enough.

If you don't know what a feis is. you're on the wrong blog. If you do know what a feis is and like it, you're on the wrong blog. If the thought of going to a feis makes you feel queasy, you're in the right place.

So, you're supposed to be here, now what?

Take a look at my first post, titled: Feis Dad Syndrome.

See if you've developed this terrible condition.

If you've got it, don't despair. There is help. I may not offer any right now, but don't lose hope, I'll get to it eventually.

Above all, I am looking forward to your comments, funny stories and helpful suggestions.

Thanks for joining me.

-- feis dad

Blog Posts

The following are posts. Please read, laugh and comment.

-feis dad

Thursday, March 25, 2010

feis dad of the opera

I guess someone associated with the San Diego Opera read my last post. And, unbelievably, instead of being really, really angry, they were just plain angry. They emailed me, I emailed them back. They called me. I listened to their voicemail. Then, a few days ago, we actually got to communicate with each other the old-fashioned way. By that I mean, we texted each other.

Anyway, long story, short: we came to an agreement. My dissatisfaction for the opera not only comes from my lack of sophistication, intelligence and upbringing, but my lack of knowledge. If I knew the inner workings of what made up an opera (and maybe could speak French), I might learn to appreciate it more.

They suggested the best way to learn more about operas was to actually participate in one. This came as quite a shock to me, until I realized that there must not be a huge pull in today's society to be an opera star.

Dad: "Son, what would you like to do when you get older?"

Son: "I don't know, dad. I'm only twelve."

Dad: "You've got to start planning now. Maybe you could be a fireman or policeman?"

Son: "Don't make enough money, pops."

Dad: "How about an engineer?"

Son: "I'd rather be a trash collector or an accordion player."

Dad: "Yeah, you're right. Whatever you do, don't be an engineer."

Son: "How about a football or basketball star? Maybe play baseball? They make the big bucks and get all the hot chicks."

Dad: "Even better, you could sing in the opera."

Son: "You're an idiot."

Dad: "Yeah, I'm an engineer."

Irregardless, they wanted me to take a shot at it. I guess they're thinking maybe we could bring in the Irish dancing crowd? Drive up attendance by 75% or more. So, I've signed up to do a one night gig next fall in one of the biggest operas around. Here's the promotional posters they created.






I'm thinking I'm a shoe in for an Oscar. No, that's movies. Maybe a Grammy. No, that's for real music. Well, maybe they'll give me a hot Krispy Kreme donut or two.

Yum.

feis dad
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1 comment:

Jude said...

OMG Gerard Butler has a lot to worry about, doesn't he? cough cough

Somehow I see you more likely to star in "What's Opera Doc?" singing "Kill the Accordion! Kill the Accordion!"

March 25, 2010 at 3:57 PM

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A serious message from feis dad about being a feis dad

This blog is not to be taken seriously. It’s meant to take a good-natured poke at how Irish Dance affects fathers (something many wives and daughters may not think about).

The reality of the situation is that most dads just don’t get the Irish Dance thing. It’s like asking our wives and daughters why they don’t throw high fives every time our favorite player hits a three-pointer in the playoffs.

I love my daughters, but I just can’t sit through twelve hours of accordion music at feis’ once a month. It is beyond me. And I truly believe that forcing me to do so would make me begin to resent their activity, which none of us want.

BUT, that doesn’t mean I don’t support our daughters in my own way.

That’s exactly what this blog is about. For good or bad, THIS is part of my support for them.

Some may say I’m not a good father if I don’t go to each and every performance or feis. But I believe both my daughters know I think what they are doing is important and good for them even though it’s hard for me to spell feis or oreach … orack … that big national feis thing.

My point in all of this is that although there are some things we just won’t do, I believe real feis dads need to ensure they:

Support their daughter’s (or son’s) love of Irish Dance.

Take interest in how they are doing.

Are excited when they perform well and move up.

Comfort them when they don’t.

Support their activity as much as we can within realistic financial and family obligations

Although we may not understand the specifics (like the difference is between a slip jig and a reel) we take an interest in the general idea

We tell our children we are proud of them every chance we get

Although we make light of some of the aspects of Irish Dance, they are never mean spirited or hurtful

We ensure that our children know what they are doing is important to us

Do what dads do best: build things—practice dance floors, sound systems, etc.

Take them to practices and performances when possible (even if it means missing part of the game, but maybe not if it’s the playoffs).

Again, this blog is not meant to be taken seriously.

No one is perfect. Not even feis dads. If you can’t laugh about it (or about yourself) then you’re missing out.

--feis dad