Behind The Awkwardness: Mountain High
July 19th, 2010
“I don’t know whether it was due to the above ground nuclear tests of that era, or what, but a lot of family photos from the 60′s looked like stills from bad late night sci-fi movies.I am only four years old here, and already irreconcilably weird.”
(submitted by Leigh)
Tags: 60's
Absolute best. pic. ever.
Priceless!
Dangit! I was going to insist that this be my next album cover, but too many people have beat me to the album cover idea. Odd that it would automatically lead that many people directly to that particular use. What makes a photo “album cover-ish”?
Great photo. The first one I’ve seen on this site that made me say “Wow!” instead of “Owww!”
Also – to add:
“I am only four years old here, and already irreconcilably weird.”
You look like the coolest four year old kid I have ever seen in my life. Your dad was cool to allow you to be cool. Pretty much the rest of us got plaid, plaid, and more plaid, covered with paisley. And then some lace and elastic and possibly on our coolest days of childhood – patten leather shoes.
This should be an album cover for Smashing Pumpkins or something. This is very cool.
Devo lives on!!!!!!!! Riotous!!!!!
This would make a great album cover…
This picture is AWESOME!!!
that kid looks like a skin head.
This is completely awesome. I would display this picture in my house. Granted the outfit would look odd in person, but in this image it just works.
I would love to know if the photographer did any of this on purpose or if this was accidental art.
I’d totally have this up on my wall too. It’s a great example of the mod subculture. If the submitter ever publishes a book or puts out a cd, this should be the cover art.
Still shots from Tarantino’s early foray into children’s movies…
“Orange Pulp Fiction”
This only slighty awkward. It’s more badass than anything. Love it!
It’s a great photo! Love the stern eyebrows peeking out over the glasses.
“Introducing…the latest album from The White Stripes……Irreconcilably Weird! In stores now!”
No, seriously, I LOVE this photo. Awesome. I would expect to see this on an album cover or a photography exhibition.
While there is a slight degree of awkwardness, I join those who characterize it as awesome. It is artistic to me.
LOL I actually really love this picture… the light in the photo is amazing. I would love to have a picture of me this cool as a kid. I’d probably keep a pocket sized one in my wallet
It would have only been weird if Dear Ole’ Pops had a gloc in his hand.
Handy with the steel, yo.
I would really like a print of this photo-no kidding. I’m really loving it. Let me know if that’s possible. This isn’t awkward so much as art.
A Chanel jacket and dungarees? I LOVE it! [Tim Gunn voice]
Heeeeheeee, ‘Make it work!’
Edit, edit, edit…
You look like a little Tyler Durden.
Tyler Durden…….YES !!
awkward?? this is awesome! people these days need to take some pointers.
I agree…the awesomeness of this photo can not be measured!!
This picture is pure magic, I love it! Definitely should be an album cover.
from Mad Max the prequel
from Mad Maz the prequel
Is that Rattlesnake Mt. in WA ST?
Dad- “Leigh, are you ready to climb to the top of this mountain?”
Leigh- “Sherpa!”
Irreconcilably wierd? Heeheehee!!!
The only “awkward” thing about this photo is that it features a four-year-old looking totally bad-ass. My inner four-year-old is green with envy!
This reminds me of my four year old.
Irreconcilably weird really isn’t such a bad thing! In the case of this pic, it’s got mad style!
I wish I had a pic like this of myself when I was wee, but alas, my parents were short on style. I had to go and find it on my own.
I love this picture. I hope it’s proudly displayed in Leigh’s home. One small question though – are the earpieces of the spiffy sunglasses actually going into Leigh’s ears?
You’re right, they look like they are! If so, no wonder he looks irate!
I love it! Reminds me of those long vacation trips with mom and dad. When you finally get out of the car (which may have been full of cigarette smoke) and stretch your legs, you look stunned only because you aren’t awake yet.
Are we not men?
We are Devo!
ok, Devo was the first thought that popped into my head when I saw this kick ass pic. Not sure why? Is it similar to a Devo album cover? Please enlighten me.
Ps: Can I get this in an 8×10 matted and framed? Please submit more
OH Yes – The hand me down era!
Pants –
handed down from older brother but though too long mom knows he will grow like a weed and they will fit in a year or two so why hem them. They are rolled up so that he doesn’t trip over them. Next year there will only be two rolls, but now there are 4!
Sunglasses –
handed down by oldest brothers girlfriend who accidentally lost them in the scuffle of backseat necking. This little one found them in the car and declared “finders keepers”
Sweater -
Mom gave her little man this charming sweater to keep him warm. He loves the way it smells like her perfume, it is as he is getting a constant hug from her so he feels all warm and cozy and doesn’t want to give it back.
Picture -
Special moment when he had mom and dad to himself PRICELESS!
Bobbie I agree with everything but the sweater. He got that from his big sister. He hates it. He hates his sister and he hates his mom because she’s cold, so HE has to wear THE SWEATER. That’s why he has the ’tude.
Sister, blister I hate sister.
Yeah no wonder he’s “irreconcilably weird.” Poor kid.
That kid rocks! Loving the rolled up pants–well, the whole photo, actually!
This is such a cool photo! Not awkward at all – just totally cool! Leigh, I think your parents were a little beyond their era for cool childhood photos! I wish my parents took cool photos of me and my brothers like this, instead of us standing stiffly in front of the sight du jour.
My first thought was: Album cover for L’il Rapper.
I love how Dad is his entourage.
I love this picture.
Absolutely awesome…from the weird glasses, to the sweater with extra long arms, to the pants rolled up at random lengths…this is pure weird awesomeness!
GREAT photo!!! Nothing awkward there – awesome work!
The Day the Earth Stood Still…..after it tilted 30 degrees.
I love everything about this photo!
love the little boy’s furrowed brow … love his little unevenly-rolled pants and weird fluffy coat … LOVE IT!
Nothing like a cig, too, when you’re hiking at high altitudes.
Amazing how many people are smoking in old pics…I hardly see people smoking in photos anymore!
this picture is awesome.
Name: Leigh – seems like a girl’s
Hair: very little of it, seems like a boy’s
Coat: fluffy, seems like a girl’s
Pants and socks: what the hell?
You couldn’t help it, Leigh. But you look cool. Fly your weirdness flag proudly.
I love his saucy socks!
Just laughed so hard soda came out my nose and onto my keyboard. I hope you’re happy!! Let’s hear it for irreconcilable weirdness!
I like how the dad is propped on an invisible cane.
The only way to make this more awkward would be if Dad had a pistol, which I thought he did.
Me too! Had to look twice
me three!
I think he’s (the Dad) holding a cigarette in his hand.
No, no pistol, Dad was just way ahead of his time……
going for the long-range second hand smoke killing! lmao
(ex-smoker, no digs to current “smokies”)
Maybe it’s an invisible crossbow.
Sorry.
Great photo. I love “outing” pics. Parents who cart their kids around to this and that and try to keep them awake on the journey, so they don’t miss the bear that never materializes deserve a medal.
…I…Come…In…Peace…
but the guy behind me….not so much.
No way, that’s not weird that is completely awesome! I think this is a very interesting and wonderful photograph. Ok, the outfit is a bit odd, but the story and photo together are neat! Thanks for sharing it with us!
I agree!