Joe's 18th Presentation

Joe Watson!  18!  Incredible!  For many reasons obviously Joe’s birthday is a bit different from many of the ones we have had in the past.  We’re not on holiday for a start. Usually Cher and Rich would get up early to put the banners up and blow up the balloons.  There was no sign of them on Friday morning.  I had to do it.

Anyway I just want to say a few words to mark Joe’s coming of age, 18.  Who would have thought it?

What can I say about our Joe?

When he was younger he was a typical boy.  Played football, collected snails and kept them in his school trousers, tricked me into eating his earwax.  But now he’s….

A tall handsome young man.  My lovely boy!  Our lovely boy!  Our little Jim Bob!  Our Joe “two dogs” Watson  - Rich will explain that one later

When you look at this fine young man what do you see?

·      I have already said Handsome

·      Quiet and reserved

·      Happy, considerate

·      The Apple of his mothers eye

·      How he’s matured and changed

Well.  I’m not so sure.  What you see is not always what you get!

I guess the first thing any of else who have known Joe from an early age will know is how he’s changed over the years.  He was just a little blob really.  You would sit him down in one spot and he would be in the same place hours later.  He just wouldn’t moved.  In fact when you think about it he really hasn’t changed that much at all.  He enters his bedroom and he doesn’t move.  For days!

He is the “apple of his mother’s eye”.  Caroline and Joe had a special bond sharing a lot of the same interests especially music.  He also has her gentle and kind manner.

Hmmm!  Not the apple of his mother ’s eye when she was to me crying down the phone one day whilst I was at work.

Caroline had disturbed Joe’s sleep one afternoon in order to pick Georgina up from Baileys Court Junior School.  Joe never liked to be awoken but this afternoon he had a real tantrum.  Joe screamed and stamped his feet all the way to Baileys Court School.  Caroline just walked ahead leaving Joe to follow a fair distance behind her.  When Caroline reached the school she stood with her friends waiting for Georgina to come out to the playground and complaining about Joe’s behavior.  All of sudden she heard a loud shriek across the playground from another mother.

“He’s just bit me!!!!”

Caroline instantly realized what had happened.  Joe had mistaken the woman as his mother and had sunk his teeth into her jeans. Caroline was horrified and so embarrassed.  Caroline just couldn’t apologise to the lady enough.  The woman was fine as luckily the woman had her house keys in her pocket and Joe had bitten into them.  Caroline was so ashamed and upset. Oh my god she was upset.

Joe has now moved on from these antics.  In fact he has changed beyond all recognition over the years especially in appearance.  When he was younger he was quite short and dumpy.  Now he is now so tall.  Joe must be six foot three inches, which is really quite unbelievable.

The one feature that has changed most for me though is Joe’s hairstyle.

When he was at nursery and junior school he had a lovely little boys haircut

Then Joe grew his hair longer.  The mothers and the girls loved this style.

“He looks so cute”.

Actually many of his younger cousins and friends copied his hairstyle.  He looked really cool.

However, Joe’s styles have not always been a huge success:

Joe.  What was going through your mind with this?

And this…?

 On a more serious note I don’t know about you but I am a great believer in leaving a legacy.  I keep telling my kids that no matter what they do in life, do it well, “make a difference”.  Be creative.  Don’t be afraid to start something and see where it goes.

Joe has done this.  I’m not sure he knows he’s done it but Joe has started a global phenomenon.  However, I’m not sure he will get the credit he deserves for creating the global phenomenon.  History is littered with people whose ideas were stolen allowing others to take the glory.  The important thing for me is I know Joe originated it.  The global phenomenon is actually in Wikipedia.

On an aside Joe was actually in Wikipedia once.  Joe deleted the name of the Papua New Guinea football team manager and inserted his own!

The phenomenon is called “photo bombing”.  Wikipedia defines “photo bombing” as:

the act of inserting oneself into the field of view of a photograph, often in order to play a practical joke on the photographer or the subject.  It is  thought to have started in 2009.

2009!  Joe has been “photo bombing” since 2005 when he was aged 10.  It is Joe’s phenomenon.

On so many occasions Caroline and I would be set up for a beautiful photograph in a lovely romantic setting or on a beach or somewhere. As soon as the finger was on the shutter button Joe would pop out of nowhere and put himself into the middle of the photo.  Every single time

So many times Caroline and I would say “that would have been a lovely photograph…but for Joe”.

In fact only yesterday he wanted to “photo bomb” someone’s shot.  He seen a lady taking a photograph of her three little girls and Joe actually said to me “lets get in it”

Obviously all that I have said tonight is just a bit of fun.  Joe has been a huge credit to Caroline and me. I will always remember the day he was born.  Caroline was so pleased to have given birth to a baby boy. 

We are both so proud of him.  We’ve seen a few photos of Caroline tonight with Joe, which bring back some strong memories of how close Caroline and Joe were.  Are.  Believe me when I say Caroline will never be far away from her little boy.  Guiding him and she will always be there to listen to you mate!

You have a very supportive and loving family.  You have some wonderful friends.  Who will ever forget “Triolodgy”. Luis and Theo have almost become part of our family.  Fingers crossed you will be starting Falmouth University to do your Film degree in September.  You should grasp this opportunity with both hands mate.  Joe you have a bright future in front of you. 

With no further ado lets sing “Happy Birthday

The Zu Zu Men have kindly agreed to you being the lead singer for one song.  So with no further a do I am very proud to introduce the Zu Zu Men featuring Joe “Two Dogs” Watson singing “All night long”. Put your hands together

Thank you