u/Successful-Swan-6873

I (11mo big boy) have a new toy. It’s a dinosaur as big as I am that rocks back and forth. My mama (F, ancient crone) picks me up, sits me on it, holds me around the waist and says “wheee!” while the dino rocks.

The other day, I wanted to ride the dinosaur, so I went and stood beside it and patted its back with my hand. And mama came over and put me on it! That was how I discovered my superpower: any time I pat the dinosaur and look at mama, she picks me up and puts me on its back! I love it. I don’t even ride the dinosaur anymore, I just slide off as soon as she puts me on it, and then I pat the dinosaur again and grin at her. She says her back is getting tired, but I think that’s her fault for being old.

I’m really into the new song. It reminds me of Werewolf Gimmick.

In both songs:

- the song’s protagonist is extremely committed to an idea (bringing the makers of the alleged snuff film to justice; performing an ultra-violent werewolf aesthetic)

- towards the end we hear something in the voice of another character, someone who is dubious about the protagonist’s goal (“I don’t know what you think the bureau can do”; “Get told to maybe dial it back, backstage later on.”)

- the protagonist just barrels forward without considering for a second that they’re wrong. (“Gentlemen, the camera doesn’t lie”; “Everyone here in this building right now dead before the dawn.”)

It’s a hilarious device and it works so well in both songs.

Since my 9-month-old was 3 months old, we have had a playlist of songs that disrupts fussing and cheers him up.

The playlist is two songs long. Two. These were the only two songs in the world that could stop him crying. We tried other songs, but they never worked. On some car rides, we’ve listened to the same 6-minute song loop for an hour.

But now…baby finally likes a third song!! I put on the closing credits song from My Neighbor Totoro, and he snapped to attention, giggled, and smiled.

The 6-minute loop is now 9 minutes. What a glorious day!