Kinky for Needles

I return from my acupuncture treatment to find the house a hive of
activity. Worryingly there is a ladder up against one of the front
windows. Nobody is up it I am relieved to see.

Virgin radio is blasting out of all the open windows and the open front
door. Oldest, his girlfriend and boy next door are lurking in the
kitchen with a busy air.

The most concerning thing is that middle son has decided to paint his
bedroom. I told him he could ages ago but he is blessed with the
idleness gene and instead has covered his walls with graffiti.

Middle son I should explain is a great bumbling hippy. He is nearly six
foot tall already at 14 and has a massive head of dreadlocks and a
pierced nose. He is whoops boy. If there is something to trip over he
will trip. If there is something to knock off or drop it will end up on
the floor. I think it's to do with having grown physically to immensely
tall and gangly proportions whilst still having the spatial awareness
of a 7 year old. He is also the nicest and funniest person it would be
possible to meet.

I patiently explain about sugar soap.

When I look into his room later I see he has drafted Chain Boy and Pale
to assist in the decorating. I do like my sons' friends. I am not sure
why but they both seem to pick up the slightly odd people. Chain Boy
has just dyed his hair pink and Pale is famed for looking exactly like
Walter the Softie and telling people about his petunias. I feel fond of
them as I watch them scrubbing at the graffiti. It says things like
"Rancid" and "The Exploited" and there are several swastikas with no
entry signs over them and charming legends such as "Nazi Punks F***
Off"

Outside the oldest is up the ladder. Respectfully I suggest that
someone ought to hold the bottom while he is up it.

The bliss and relaxation I routinely feel as a result of my acupuncture
is beginning to subside. People always ask me if it hurts. It does a
little bit sometimes. But I like it.