All right, I have a FFAQ backlog. BTW in my brain, I pronounce FFAQ as “f-fack” so FFAQ backlog rhymes in my head. Fascinating tidbit, I know.
The question that won last FFAQ (by a landslide) is probably the hardest question that I’ve had to yet answer. It’s not difficult because it’s a challenging question. Instead, it’s been hard for me to answer because the answer is so broad that I have no idea how to narrow it down! But it’s also been a really fun change of pace.
Here’s the question, posed by Maud:
I want an answer to a not-so-serious, not-about-your-sexuality question!
What is your all time favorite childhood memory?
Hmmm. My all-time favorite childhood memory?
Well, let’s see. I had a pretty good childhood, as well as a very boring childhood. I was very obedient and not really adventurous, so I’m not sure I know how to narrow this question down. I’ve seriously been thinking about this question for days and I just can’t seem to isolate on single memory that is my all-time favorite and most of what I do think of is pretty dull. But, like any other question for FFAQ, I want to give a full answer, so I guess I’ll talk about some random good childhood memories so you can kind of get an idea of what my childhood was like. Sorry if it’s boring!
*I loved being at my Grandma Weed’s house when I was five because there were snails in the yard, and my brother Chris and I would spend hours and hours playing with them, feeling their slimy bodies, watching them creep. I vividly remember trying to scrub the slime off of my hands before dinner.
*When I was ten, my sister Jenni and I had this thing where I would sing Michael Jackson songs while she danced out in the back yard. For some reason we thought this was incredibly fun.
*Disneyland. Of course. We went every year until I was ten. Going on the Matterhorn for the first time was a revelation. I was also always deeply fascinated by the tombstones in front of the haunted mansion–so intrigued by antiquity and death. Just like a writer should be.
*By far our favorite thing in life was when our cousins, Adam and Travis and Asia Moore, came to visit us in the summer. They lived in Antioch California, and we anticipated their visit with quivering excitement every year. We loved being with them. It was really sad, though, because a lot of years they would either not want to come because of social anxiety or not stay very long because their parents would make them leave earlier than expected, and we were often left feeling abandoned and deeply disappointed. BUT, whenever they did come and stay we had such a freaking good time. We’d play chase through the entire house and yard, complete with special passwords and alliances and teams and stuff. It was such a blast. And every year, at the end, they’d say “I didn’t really want to come at first, but this was awesome. We’ll remember how much we loved this next year.” And by the next year, they’d always have forgotten.
*Going out to my Grandpa Mousley’s shop in his garage in Morgan Hill, CA where he made violins as a hobby. It was so fascinating to watch him work.
*Okay, so this is going to comprise most of the joy of my childhood: when I was seven, my Grandma Weed saved enough from her close-to-minimum wage salary to buy us a Nintendo Entertainment System for Christmas. That thing changed our lives. We loved it. We spent hours and hours logging time on the classics: Mario Bros, Zelda, Dr. Mario, Contra, Final Fantasy, etc. It was probably the thing we Weed kids–most especially my brother Chris and I–loved most in life, and we were always focused on it. We’d ask permission to play the second we got home, and our happiness or devastation hinged on being allowed to grab a game, blow into the cartridge, plug in a controller, and press “power.” I have tons of fun memories playing that thing with my siblings and friends. That little box brought me a lot of joy.
*One of my favorite things ever was going to pet stores. I was fascinated by all the animals–mostly the reptiles. Over the course of my child I owned: hermit crabs, lizards, frogs, and a dog named Peaches. Good ol’ Peaches. I got her for Christmas when I was in first grade. She died on my mission. She was a good dog. I still miss her.
All right. So, so, so sorry if this was boring. I hope that answered the question well enough, though. Thanks for asking a question that didn’t have to do with sexual orientation! It was really refreshing, and was way fun to reminisce.
In closing, here are some pics from my childhood:
Oh my gosh, I had a dog named Peaches, too! How crazy is that!? We had a cat for a short while and named him Cream so we could have Peaches and Cream. It was great.
Also, "f-fack" really does not rhyme with backlog… Hate to break it to ya.
Thank you so much for answering my question!! I feared you had forgotten :/ . I am a definitely a Weed Groupie and, even though that question was my first response to your blog, I am a faithful reader.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. I feel very blessed and privileged to have such an intimate view into The Weed household. Thank you.
Hope all is well!
Kindest Regards,
Denise Celeste
"fack" and "back", maybe….a sort-of-almost rhyme??
Thanks for the trip down memory lane!
Josh, you're a writer, what you write is NEVER boring, I promise. You kind a write like you talk, I can soo hear you in my head when I read what you've written. Peoples lives are interesting, that's why I love reading the journaling on all the scrapbook pages I look at online!
Love the stories and the photos! I think I like it better that you gave us a bunch of favorite snapshot stories rather than one all-time favorite story.
Kate @ BJJ, Law, and Living
Loved it! 😀
This was great to read! Thanks for sharing who you are. My closest friend is gay and we talk about it a lot… I love talking to him and sharing our feelings about different things, but I needed to read this to remember there's more to talk about than sexuality. So, thank you.
Nothin wrong with a little dash of Rat Pack in your tie!
-G!
Random, but I grew up with the same 4×4 heart quilt on our wall!
Kay, the way your Dad is holding your brother in the 2nd picture, with his toes pointing in, makes him look like a ventroliquist doll! 🙂
When I was a kid my brother and I got to earn a dollar a week if we did all our chores. On Saturday my mom would take us to the Pic n Save (on 40th and 54th) where we could spend our booty. I lived for allowance day. Every once in a while if we were lucky we'd get a Silly Sack from Hardee's. (Man I miss Hardee's)
Josh, I just watched Mormon stories and was quite impressed. I loved that Lolly would vote for gay marriage. I liked that you don't think that living a gay life is wrong for others. You were very clear on there which is great. I also really liked how you said that others using your story to tell others, 'see, you can do it too,'' is almost abusive, to use your words. I hope that every Mormon who has done that will watch that interview.
At least there is a picture of me eating my car-seat! Also we did not get along when we were kids, so a memory would probably be us fighting:)
I have never seen the last picture and I freaking love it. Your hair is amazing Josh!
Josh, thanks for doing this post. I really enjoyed it. I have to agree with the commenter above: you really are a good writer and you're entertaining too. I liked how you were rocking the skinny tie. We're about the same age and I thought that skinny ties were cool back then. Years later, when I was on my mission, I found a cool looking skinny tie and I got all excited to wear it. I quickly discovered that skinny ties were better in my memories and realized that they're better left in the 80's… Your post brought back lots of fond memories of my own childhood.
I love it, too! It's Chris to the very core.
My family, mother, used to know a Weed family. Do you have a family Member, now deseased, names Mable? Just curious.
I remember you, such a cute little guy. My favorite people in the world. Vickie Huish My family sure enjoys your blog.