Tuesday, April 29, 2008

parental pride




#1 son isn't known for his public displays. In fact, he quit baseball because "everyone looks at me" when he's at bat. So, for him to overcome his trepidation and to perform well at the HRD midwest tournament was quite an accomplishment. It's true, what they say about having kids. It's eminently easier to bowl a strike with the match on the line or get a game winning hit in the bottom of the ninth than it is to watch your child make a similar attempt. I can relate to the elation that my friend the nerdgardener felt when his son, "Kenny" scored his first basket. #1 son finished second in weapons and second in sparring, which I think is pretty amazing considering the fact that this was his first tournament.

In employment news, the new job seems to be for real. I am really liking what we're trying to do here, and the way they're going about it is comfortable also.

Mini me's first baseball game is tomorrow, against the other vg team, so bragging rights are on the line. I wish the kids were as confident in their abilities as I am. Soccer wraps up this weekend, but plans are in place for a end of the season bash next Saturday.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

still busy

Every year is getting shorter, never seem to find the timePlans that either come to naught or half a page of scribbled linesHanging on in quiet desperation is the english wayThe time is gone, the song is over, thought Id something more to say (tip of the Illini cap to Pink Floyd)

I started my new job yesterday...early indications are that it's going to be good. Of course I've done nothing but new employee orientation things, but I'm getting a good vibe.

In youth sports news. We're half way through the soccer season. The princess' team is 1-1 and mini me's is 0-2, but they've both shown improvement as the season has progressed. We'll miss this weeks game to go to Madison, WI for #1 son's first Hwa Rang Do tournament. Since I won't be able to take a vacation this summer, we're going to stay a couple nights in a hotel with a pool and try to make it a mini vacation. Mini me's first baseball game is next Monday. I am anxious to see where the team stands.

We got the kitchen and hall way painted Sunday. The "applesauce cake" color was a tad darker than we invisioned, but not bad. We will contrast it with bright white trim and ceiling and we're probably going to paint the kitchen cabinets white also and add new hardware. Next weekend is "opening day" of little league, and VG is making a big production out of it, with inflatables, grilling, etc. Sounds like fun.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

busy

Time has come today Young hearts can go their way Can't put it off another day I don't care what others say They say we don't listen anyway Time has come today (tip of the cardinal cap to the Chambers Brothers)

The time for my job change is approaching, and I find myself with a severe case of short timer's disease. Problem is, I care too much about the students I'm serving to be the slacker I want to be. troubles.

The old lion has been moved from hospital to convalescence center, and he seems to be convalescing nicely, if his demeanor with the staff is any indication. He should be released unto the world in the next couple weeks.

Mini me's soccer team is looking decent. There's some talent there, but the same issues we work on season after season are manifesting themselves. They all swarm to the ball like me to a buffet line, never holding their position on the field, which comes back to bite them when they lose possession.

The baseball team is shaping up pretty nicely. The game's still not instinctive for most of them, which leads to some slow decision making, but we'll keep drilling it into their craniums until it comes a bit more naturally. I've lost 5+ pounds (which, as I've said before is the equivalent of a flea jumping off the ass of a circus elephant) simply by curtailing my lunches out and by participating in soccer and baseball practice. I threw about 90 minutes of bp last saturday...the arm felt like it was going to fall off....First soccer game is this saturday, so we'll see what we have. The princess is also playing, and for once I'll be able to watch her games without coaching duties.

Friday, April 4, 2008

4-4-68

Early Morning, April 4, shots ring out in the memphis sky...free at last, they took your life, but they could not take your pride. ( tip of the cap to U2, obviously)

I've been ruminating on something for quite some time now. Why is it that so many African Americans seem so hell bent on destroying their own lives? From the recent report citing the graduation numbers in our inner cities to Chris Henry. From OJ to Michael Vick to the drive by on first street earlier in the week. As about the whitest white dude ever, I can't pretend to see the world through african eyes, but it seems self evident to me that all of these thugs and bangers and criminals are doing the worst sort of disservice to the memories of Dr. King, Marcus Garvey, Malcolm X, WEB DuBois and the other luminaries of the black rights movement. Today's black man has opportunities that his forefathers could only dream about, and it's a damned shame when they don't take advantage.

I once worked for an african american lady here at the U who did, and I'm trying not to use hyperbole, nothing each and every day. After observing her for several months, I asked her if she were afraid of retribution for her months of contributing zero to the operation of the unit. She looked me in the eye and said "I'm an african american single mother. They couldn't get me out of here with a stick of dynamite." Pretty much sums up the issues I have with affirmative action and other "equality" initiatives. She had no interest in being given equal opportunity. She believed she was entitled to her position based simply on the color of her skin....exactly what these programs were obstensively designed to combat.

on the exercise front...I played one on one for about a half hour with mini me last night. I worked up a good lather and had to hit some late threes to salvage victory. It's true...I was very nearly schooled by a nine year old!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

parable, revisited

The old lion has gone back to carle. The same maladies resurface every 6 months, and I can't help but feel resentful because for 60 years he did nothing to address them and now I am expected to pay the checks that he wrote by abusing his body for all those years. I AM happy to still have him around, as most of my best friends have lost their dads. I just wish that he wouldn't try to guilt trip me into providing a level of care that I can't give him. He's generally been mean to the staff, and to me, to the point where I don't want to go see him. Of course I will go. It's what dutiful sons do.

In fitness news, I ran/walked for 27 minutes on Monday and I'm going to try to do some more tonight. #1 son advanced to yellow belt in HRD. He's taking great pride in his martial art and I am so glad that we signed him up. It got to be too expensive for all of us, so the boss and I dropped out, officially. We're planning on having #1 son teach us the materials at home. It will help us get fit and will help him remember his stuff. The princess is going to drop out too, apparently. She sparred for the first time last week and didn't like it AT ALL. She's got soccer and dance and brownies to keep her occupied. Mini me is in soccer & baseball, and #1 son has HRD & boy scouts.