Behind The Awkwardness

Awkward Q&A: Head Swap

We’re sure you have a lot of questions about our photos, and we do too. We interviewed Chris, the owner of this photo, to get more of the story. Welcome to Awkward Q&A!

Okay, so, what’s the story here? 

This is a photo of my brother holding his new daughter. My daughter was standing behind the couch hugging my brother and it looks like his head is on her body. You can also see my other daughter on the couch next to them, and my Dad looking on. It was taken in 1985 at my home in Edina MN. The daughter sitting on the couch just moved and found this picture as she was sorting things. We all had a good laugh over it.

What’s the gift on the floor, and who was it for? 

The gift was for the baby and included exact same floral patterns as the couch in the case it ripped.

Speaking of floral prints, was everything in that room floral print? 

Pretty much.

Is the couch still in the family? 

The couch now belongs to the baby, who is grown. She is hoping for her own kids soon so she can pass it on and out of her house.

Let’s move on to your Dad. What’s that stain on his shirt? 

Barbecue sauce from the wings he was eating earlier. I think the stain looks like The Virgin Mary when you are really close to it. For that reason the shirt, was never washed.

What is in that can on the end table? 

Hauenstein Beer. My Dad had it with the wings. Only the best for us!

Do people ever confuse your brother with Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride? 

Not yet, but he currently does a musical review of Tony Orlando and Dawn at a Minneapolis American Legion on weekends!

Well played, Chris. Well played.

(submitted by Chris)

Three Cats And A Bunny

“Listen, there’s nothing easy about holding three cats and a bunny all the same time. That little bunny, whose name is Arthur, is a big trouble-maker. He likes to bite on those cats when he gets a chance to. But those cats love him anyway. The cats involved are Madjka, Chachka and Pagliacci. I should explain, Christmas was coming and I wanted a picture with my my fur babies. (I work at a photography studio.)”

“But those fur babies were not on their best behavior. I seem to recall that Arthur, that little devil, nibbled at Pagliacci first and then all hell broke loose. Cat and bunny hair flying all around that photo studio. Now, remember this is where I worked. The cats went to running, the bunny went to hopping, and I was just beside myself. Thank goodness it was a Sunday and we were closed. Our display pictures were flying everywhere.”

(submitted by Drew)

The Poo Pit

“One morning, when I didn’t immediately wake up to see what my daughter (she was about 8 years old at the time) wanted, she went in her room for quite some time. She came back in my room and gave me this picture that shew drew of me to show me how mad she was.”

(submitted by Amy)

Recycled Birthday Card

‘We threw a surprise 70th birthday party for my dad. We discovered that his cousin repurposed one of her son’s 30th birthday cards for my dad’s birthday present. She put stickers over the earlier message, but we were suspicious so we took them off only to find WhiteOut over a handwritten message. The first card came with a Starbucks gift card, my dad’s card was empty.”

(submitted by Sarah)

Smiling Not Allowed 2

“Camp Nicaragua. This photo was taken around the same time as the political uprising that was going on in Nicaragua in the late 80s. Mother would tell people we were a bunch of refugees she had taken in.”

(submitted by Emily)

Dress Code

“My siblings were in a heated debate regarding what colors to wear for family pictures. My mom was sick of the argument so she said, ‘Just wear whatever!’….after my little brother and I showed up wearing this, she will never say that again.”

(submitted by Andy)

Mountain Biking

“This picture was taken by my Grandma.  We had stopped to rest on an afternoon biking trip. Outside of that, there isn’t much more to say.”

(submitted by Kyle)

Totally 80’s

“I love this photo because there was no doubt in my mind that I looked absolutely awesome that day. This was my favorite look and I rocked it with zero shame. Incidentally, it would be years before a boy actually liked me, but I was too cool to care.”

(submitted by Amber)

Worst Gift Ever

“In 1988 I thought I was going to get a computer from mum and dad for Christmas, but instead I got a giant framed picture of myself as the page boy at my sister’s wedding.”

(submitted by Jerry)

Flower Girl Gone Bad

“This was my uncle’s wedding back in 1980. I had agreed to be the flower girl and did a perfect run through in rehearsal. What I didn’t expect was the doors to the ceremony opening and 500 people all standing and turning to look at me. Check out my epic pout. I REFUSED to stroll down the aisle. My sweet grandma is the one leaning over telling me to sneak through a side aisle and sit with my grandpa. The mother of the bride is behind me, probably ready to strangle me.”

(submitted by Joanne)