February 4, 2014
We watch a fair amount of television. By fair, I suppose I mean more than the average household. Too much really, but this time of year we are not spending a bunch of time outside. And we don't like shopping. So television. However, the issue with that is that there are no good shows on right now. Plenty of reruns and a whole bunch of shows we don't watch. So Beth went out and borrowed some movies from the library over the weekend just in case we needed something to watch. I figured any of these would be better than starting a relationship with Duck Dynasty.
So here are the four movies she rented: Lincoln (not the vampire slayer Lincoln), Fast and Furious 6, Before Midnight, and This is 40. Since we don't see a lot of movies, sometimes we just have to go for names or titles we may have heard of and hope that the movie turns out okay. I am going to do a bit of a review for you.
I watched Fast and Furious 6 the other day without having seen all of any of the previous 5. Unbelievably, I was able to keep up with the plot. I figured they had to make a 6th one due to all the of the previously unanswered questions, but as it turns out, they are just really good at finding new ways to film car crashes, do stunts, and blow stuff up. Nonetheless, I was entertained for a couple hours.
Now my post title will start to come into play. Last night, Beth and I watched Before Midnight. This was the sequel to Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are the stars. Talk about depressing. The characters are probably 6-7 years younger than Beth and I, but good Lord they have trouble communicating. I know all couples have times when they just can't get on the same page, but these two people don't seem to be in the same book. He is pretentious and too emotional in an argument, and she is bipolar. Makes two excellent points quickly followed by a side trip to crazy town. The movie makers tried to give it an everything is going to be okay ending, but I didn't walk away with that feeling. I almost want them to split up so there won't be another movie. The only thing Beth could find interesting about it was that the character, Celine, actually looked like a 4o something year-old woman.
Christie Brinkley was on the cover of a magazine last month celebrating turning 60 and wearing a bathing suit. Women that look like that are not normal. Celine looks normal. Sure, the producers probably sprung the idea of the movie and the turn-around time on her such that she would have liked to look thinner I'm guessing, but it was realistic. Except that Beth has never walked around our room with her top off as long as Celine did in this movie. Not going to happen anytime soon either.
After this viewing, Beth put herself on movie picking probation.
Today I watched This is 40. If you are thinking that it must be nice to have time to sit around watching movies, well I do have to go unload the truck in the snow tonight, so bite me. Anyway, I thought this movie was going to be a comedy and it was. However, it was really just the comedic version of the same movie we watched last night. Two people turning 40 who are having some difficult times in their lives and have absolutely no idea how to lean on each other to right the ship. I was so depressed. Thank goodness there were some funny parts because otherwise I would have gone and stuck my head in the toaster. Or tried to climb through the screen to punch the two characters in the face. Especially him. His wife in this movie is gorgeous. Way out of his league. And way more normal than he is. He is the problem but she seems willing to try harder to make it work. Dude, if she leaves you she will be snapped up as quickly as Beth would if she ever left me.
Which begs the question, is Beth trying to tell me something by borrowing two movies about couples in their forties who are having trouble communicating? Or is she just really bad at picking movies? If this is her way of communicating the problem with me, I think that would mean we were bad at communicating. Could you imagine that if every time you needed to get a point across to your spouse you had to rent a movie about it? I really wish Paula from June's blog read mine because I am going to ask any of you to submit the name of the movie you would need to rent right now to communicate with your spouse. Paula would totally nail this assignment with something hysterical whereas I am struggling. I can think of plenty that I don't need like Brokeback Mountain or My Life, but let me see if I can think of something.
How about ........Ferris Bueller's Day Off-Bethie, do you have a kiss for daddy?
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Here I go, blogging again.
January 26, 2014
I just got home from shoveling snow at my store. I am off today, but since the current temperature of 29 degrees is the high for the week, I thought I better shovel the dock today. I am totally over shoveling snow. And cold weather. And shoveling snow. Good Lord. Lord good.
I know those of you living in colder climates than Cincinnati are laughing heartily at my displeasure at a few inches of snow, but my question for you is this, "Why the eff do you live there?" I could not imagine dealing with anything colder than this for longer stretches than this.
However, the visitor's bureaus from warmer climates such as Florida have got to be liking this Polar Vortex. We just booked a vacation for the Spring just to give us some hope for ever being warm again. We plan on going to Fort Walton Beach, Florida if any of you have ever been there and have suggestions. If you have any bad news about going there, please keep your big yapper shut so as to not spoil my moment of zen.
Speaking of visitor's bureaus, I am quite sure the good people who work for the one in Nebraska were not asked to screen the movie by the same name. Beth and I went to see this movie last night and it did not paint a picture of anywhere I am looking to vacation or relocate to. Oh look, a cornfield. I know what we saw does not tell the whole story that is Nebraska (or maybe it does, it is the Cornhusker state), but it certainly didn't do for that state what shows like CSI Miami and Las Vegas have done for their cities. Sure, people are getting murdered there all the time, but at least the weather and scenery are awesome.
The movie was quite good even though Bruce Dern reminded us of Beth's father towards the end of his life and the gentleman behind us at the theater reminded me of my father. There is a cemetery scene that concludes with a rather funny moment that made this guy laugh very loudly through the next several scenes. My father would not have done that, but they both had eerily similar laughs.
Beth and I had this little date night thanks to my son and his girlfriend and their plans. They went to see Panic at the Disco perform at Bogart's. Not familiar, haven't you ever heard of closing the gosh-darn door? That was their breakthrough hit back in 2007. No, that is not the real title, but that is the line most people remember. For those of you planning a visit to Cincinnati, Bogart's is not in the best area of Cincinnati. Unless you are looking to score some heroin. That is not in the brochure I'm guessing. So rather than attending this concert, Beth and I decided to drop off at the door, pick up at the door, and hang out close to the venue during the concert. Thus the movie. What we didn't know was that since GF's father is a defense attorney here in town, he knows two things. First, that many of his clients have visited the area around Bogart's. Second, he knows police officers that can escort his 16 year old daughter to and from the venue and keep an eye on her the whole time. Yes, he did this. We met the "bodyguard" and he was very nice. He was also someone that it would have been a mistake to mess with. I am wondering if CJ now wonders what his date will be like the first time he takes GF out in a car alone. Thank goodness we do not own a van.
So good time had by all last night and relaxing time today now that shoveling is complete. I am going to watch some television and Beth is going to play her iPad game. I walked in on her the other day and she was looking very intensely at her iPad. I asked her if everything was okay and she replied, "Hey, I'm busy, this candy doesn't just crush itself!" She may have a problem with Candy Crush.
I just got home from shoveling snow at my store. I am off today, but since the current temperature of 29 degrees is the high for the week, I thought I better shovel the dock today. I am totally over shoveling snow. And cold weather. And shoveling snow. Good Lord. Lord good.
I know those of you living in colder climates than Cincinnati are laughing heartily at my displeasure at a few inches of snow, but my question for you is this, "Why the eff do you live there?" I could not imagine dealing with anything colder than this for longer stretches than this.
However, the visitor's bureaus from warmer climates such as Florida have got to be liking this Polar Vortex. We just booked a vacation for the Spring just to give us some hope for ever being warm again. We plan on going to Fort Walton Beach, Florida if any of you have ever been there and have suggestions. If you have any bad news about going there, please keep your big yapper shut so as to not spoil my moment of zen.
Speaking of visitor's bureaus, I am quite sure the good people who work for the one in Nebraska were not asked to screen the movie by the same name. Beth and I went to see this movie last night and it did not paint a picture of anywhere I am looking to vacation or relocate to. Oh look, a cornfield. I know what we saw does not tell the whole story that is Nebraska (or maybe it does, it is the Cornhusker state), but it certainly didn't do for that state what shows like CSI Miami and Las Vegas have done for their cities. Sure, people are getting murdered there all the time, but at least the weather and scenery are awesome.
The movie was quite good even though Bruce Dern reminded us of Beth's father towards the end of his life and the gentleman behind us at the theater reminded me of my father. There is a cemetery scene that concludes with a rather funny moment that made this guy laugh very loudly through the next several scenes. My father would not have done that, but they both had eerily similar laughs.
Beth and I had this little date night thanks to my son and his girlfriend and their plans. They went to see Panic at the Disco perform at Bogart's. Not familiar, haven't you ever heard of closing the gosh-darn door? That was their breakthrough hit back in 2007. No, that is not the real title, but that is the line most people remember. For those of you planning a visit to Cincinnati, Bogart's is not in the best area of Cincinnati. Unless you are looking to score some heroin. That is not in the brochure I'm guessing. So rather than attending this concert, Beth and I decided to drop off at the door, pick up at the door, and hang out close to the venue during the concert. Thus the movie. What we didn't know was that since GF's father is a defense attorney here in town, he knows two things. First, that many of his clients have visited the area around Bogart's. Second, he knows police officers that can escort his 16 year old daughter to and from the venue and keep an eye on her the whole time. Yes, he did this. We met the "bodyguard" and he was very nice. He was also someone that it would have been a mistake to mess with. I am wondering if CJ now wonders what his date will be like the first time he takes GF out in a car alone. Thank goodness we do not own a van.
So good time had by all last night and relaxing time today now that shoveling is complete. I am going to watch some television and Beth is going to play her iPad game. I walked in on her the other day and she was looking very intensely at her iPad. I asked her if everything was okay and she replied, "Hey, I'm busy, this candy doesn't just crush itself!" She may have a problem with Candy Crush.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Halloween and Homecoming Pictures as promised.
November 1, 2013
I hope any of you that celebrate Halloween had a happy and safe one. The weather was not awesome here as it was a bit breezy which only helped the girls dressed up as Dorothy. Unfortunately, it was also raining off and on. Therefore, we had a bunch of younger children who braved it for around an hour, but not nearly as many older trick-or-treaters as we usually do. The costume of choice for a lot of the younger beggars was that of a cowboy. A renaissance of sorts for the hero of the west. Our favorite and winner of Beth and Steve's annual best costume prize, was the little dude dressed as Woody from Toy Story. What put this costume over the top was that Woody's horse, Bullseye, was built into the costume such that it looked like Woody was riding him through the neighborhood. Classic.
CJ went out this year with his friends. One of his group of friends has a little sister, so the whole group gets together to walk the route with her. The teens get to wear costumes and act goofy, while Emmy gets to have an entourage and candy. CJ and two of the girls dressed in costumes from Dr. Who. I have not watched this show, but I need to start as our high school marching band routine has been based on the show this year, and it is apparently very popular. The two girls were Daleks and CJ was the Tardis. He was a police box. If you haven't watched the show, it seems like the Tardis is a very important part of, not only time travel, but quintessential to the plot. We have a Tardis prop for our band show and other school's band members go crazy for it. I gotta watch the show. Anyway, I think the costume theme for next year's entourage will be Secret Service Agents. Good excuse to follow Emmy around again next year.
I will post a photo of Halloween and the promised pic of Homecoming as well. Now where did I leave that camera cord and my computer aptitude?
Homecoming 2013. Do you guys remember being this adorable? Not me.
And this one was part of the group from Halloween. GF told CJ to stop touching her buns.
I hope any of you that celebrate Halloween had a happy and safe one. The weather was not awesome here as it was a bit breezy which only helped the girls dressed up as Dorothy. Unfortunately, it was also raining off and on. Therefore, we had a bunch of younger children who braved it for around an hour, but not nearly as many older trick-or-treaters as we usually do. The costume of choice for a lot of the younger beggars was that of a cowboy. A renaissance of sorts for the hero of the west. Our favorite and winner of Beth and Steve's annual best costume prize, was the little dude dressed as Woody from Toy Story. What put this costume over the top was that Woody's horse, Bullseye, was built into the costume such that it looked like Woody was riding him through the neighborhood. Classic.
CJ went out this year with his friends. One of his group of friends has a little sister, so the whole group gets together to walk the route with her. The teens get to wear costumes and act goofy, while Emmy gets to have an entourage and candy. CJ and two of the girls dressed in costumes from Dr. Who. I have not watched this show, but I need to start as our high school marching band routine has been based on the show this year, and it is apparently very popular. The two girls were Daleks and CJ was the Tardis. He was a police box. If you haven't watched the show, it seems like the Tardis is a very important part of, not only time travel, but quintessential to the plot. We have a Tardis prop for our band show and other school's band members go crazy for it. I gotta watch the show. Anyway, I think the costume theme for next year's entourage will be Secret Service Agents. Good excuse to follow Emmy around again next year.
I will post a photo of Halloween and the promised pic of Homecoming as well. Now where did I leave that camera cord and my computer aptitude?
Homecoming 2013. Do you guys remember being this adorable? Not me.
Friday, October 18, 2013
C'mon Beth, I'm Don Knotts over here.
October 18, 2013
I am still alive, just in case anyone was wondering. Be careful what you wish for much? I wanted to be a store manager of a little store so I could run the place the way I wanted to run it. Well, I am running it. 75-80 hours a week running it. I wasn't going to complain about it since I realize no one besides Beth actually cares, but since sometimes putting stuff in type eases the inner beast, I will reluctantly share a bit. As my ego has stated before, I am a worker. I have met very few adults in my 26 years of retail who I feel put in the effort that I do and care as much about a job well done and teamwork. Therefore, I always have to remind myself that everywhere I go, there I am. Trying to be perfect as I run my store is on me and is sometimes the problem However, if I may gloat for just a second, my numerical results for September were #1 in my district, #2 in my region, and #122 in the company. 7000+ stores in the company. Does that equal perfection? Close enough.
However, wherein lies the problem, is that as I work really hard to do my job, external factors have created more work for me. My assistant got promoted (of all the nerve-doing a good job!), thus creating a 45 hour vacancy in the schedule. Then, two of my cashiers got sick for four days each, in the same week. It is really hard to replace 25% of your payroll in one week. But I did and have lived to type about it. And stayed married. Beth has been a trooper as usual.
I don't think my store has the appearance of a short-staffed store. In fact, it looks like Christmas has thrown up in there since that extra truck came this week. To be fair, I have not done it alone. The team members who have shown up for work have been awesome. If you are about to open your own store, please keep this in mind-hire the right people. If you don't, you will regret it.
So life goes on. The weather is starting to get crisp here in Ohio. GF's soccer playoffs have begun. CJ and I watched as they started the tournament with a 7-0 trouncing of another team last night. Band season has also begun for CJ. He is doing awesome and they have scored Superior in the first two events so far. We are off to Harrison, Ohio this weekend for the next event. In fact, that is tomorrow and the weather man tells me there is a 60% chance of rain. Perfect.
Homecoming was last weekend and CJ and GF went. I will need to post some pictures as they were the best looking couple there. Sure I did not see any of the other couples, but I would guess my assumption is not that far off. CJ's tie (tied by dad) was the cherry on top. The CJ version looked like it had been done by a drunken sailor, so I am taking some of the credit. Homecoming weekend was the same weekend as their 1 year anniversary. Remember being excited about your 1 year dating anniversary? Sweet. GF got CJ a couple of tee shirts for bands they like-Green Day and Fall Out Boy. CJ got GF a gift certificate for a massage and an iTunes card.
CJ had gone for a massage last week when the knots in his calf had gotten so bad that they were making walking painful. I did not think a 16 year old teenage boy would be interested in getting a massage from a female professional, but he was in. Beth reminded me that he is able to categorize things as being clinical versus not, and could therefore appreciate it for what it was intended to be. She fixed him. I need to be fixed. No not that way-been there, done that. A massage for this knotty pine. Beth, Sweetest Day is tomorrow. Hint, hint. Oh, for you. Uuuuuh. It will be a surprise. For both of us.
Light bulbs! No, I did not just have a brilliant idea, I just remembered that I forgot to buy light bulbs at The Target today. Drat. Thanks to none of you for reminding me.
Beth just texted that GF will be stopping by with CJ after school. I suppose I better go tidy up a bit. As it turns out, there are also rules governing pants worn by dad when non family members come over. Talk to you soon. Ish.
I am still alive, just in case anyone was wondering. Be careful what you wish for much? I wanted to be a store manager of a little store so I could run the place the way I wanted to run it. Well, I am running it. 75-80 hours a week running it. I wasn't going to complain about it since I realize no one besides Beth actually cares, but since sometimes putting stuff in type eases the inner beast, I will reluctantly share a bit. As my ego has stated before, I am a worker. I have met very few adults in my 26 years of retail who I feel put in the effort that I do and care as much about a job well done and teamwork. Therefore, I always have to remind myself that everywhere I go, there I am. Trying to be perfect as I run my store is on me and is sometimes the problem However, if I may gloat for just a second, my numerical results for September were #1 in my district, #2 in my region, and #122 in the company. 7000+ stores in the company. Does that equal perfection? Close enough.
However, wherein lies the problem, is that as I work really hard to do my job, external factors have created more work for me. My assistant got promoted (of all the nerve-doing a good job!), thus creating a 45 hour vacancy in the schedule. Then, two of my cashiers got sick for four days each, in the same week. It is really hard to replace 25% of your payroll in one week. But I did and have lived to type about it. And stayed married. Beth has been a trooper as usual.
I don't think my store has the appearance of a short-staffed store. In fact, it looks like Christmas has thrown up in there since that extra truck came this week. To be fair, I have not done it alone. The team members who have shown up for work have been awesome. If you are about to open your own store, please keep this in mind-hire the right people. If you don't, you will regret it.
So life goes on. The weather is starting to get crisp here in Ohio. GF's soccer playoffs have begun. CJ and I watched as they started the tournament with a 7-0 trouncing of another team last night. Band season has also begun for CJ. He is doing awesome and they have scored Superior in the first two events so far. We are off to Harrison, Ohio this weekend for the next event. In fact, that is tomorrow and the weather man tells me there is a 60% chance of rain. Perfect.
Homecoming was last weekend and CJ and GF went. I will need to post some pictures as they were the best looking couple there. Sure I did not see any of the other couples, but I would guess my assumption is not that far off. CJ's tie (tied by dad) was the cherry on top. The CJ version looked like it had been done by a drunken sailor, so I am taking some of the credit. Homecoming weekend was the same weekend as their 1 year anniversary. Remember being excited about your 1 year dating anniversary? Sweet. GF got CJ a couple of tee shirts for bands they like-Green Day and Fall Out Boy. CJ got GF a gift certificate for a massage and an iTunes card.
CJ had gone for a massage last week when the knots in his calf had gotten so bad that they were making walking painful. I did not think a 16 year old teenage boy would be interested in getting a massage from a female professional, but he was in. Beth reminded me that he is able to categorize things as being clinical versus not, and could therefore appreciate it for what it was intended to be. She fixed him. I need to be fixed. No not that way-been there, done that. A massage for this knotty pine. Beth, Sweetest Day is tomorrow. Hint, hint. Oh, for you. Uuuuuh. It will be a surprise. For both of us.
Light bulbs! No, I did not just have a brilliant idea, I just remembered that I forgot to buy light bulbs at The Target today. Drat. Thanks to none of you for reminding me.
Beth just texted that GF will be stopping by with CJ after school. I suppose I better go tidy up a bit. As it turns out, there are also rules governing pants worn by dad when non family members come over. Talk to you soon. Ish.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Fortunately, GF does not stand for Gigi Festora. See, things are looking up.
August 30, 2013
CJ has not been getting a lot of sleep lately. Between school, band, and work he has been a busy boy. So yesterday when he came home from his day completely spent, I asked him if he was okay. His reply was that he had only gotten about 3 hours of sleep the night prior since he was worrying about something. It turns out that that something was the issues his GF is having. In addition to all of the same things CJ has been dealing with, GF has been troubled by the less than encouraging feedback she recently got from her soccer coach. He is not a man to candy-coat things and his opinion of her play in the last game was not covered in sprinkles.
So I stopped worrying about CJ for a few minutes and decided to worry about GF. I would love to sit down with her and say some things to make her feel better, but since she has been witness to some of the decisions my son has made and probably assumed they were due to my parenting skills, my advice is certainly not something she would seek out. However, my contention is that his inability to keep a tidy personal space, or his friendship with Rowan, or his unkempt facial hair choices, or even his entertainment preferences ("Hey, let's go see Kick Ass 2"); are not issues to which he first sought out my guidance.
Therefore, I thought I would get the advice out of my head and onto my blog so that it would be out there and available. Do with it what you wish.
Here is what I, as an elder in the community, have learned about life. Sometimes it sucks. There, I'm done. Just kidding. Actually, I have decided that there is a reason that sometimes life hands you a challenge. I firmly believe that each of us has a plan. It is not a definitive plan right up to the point when you know you are going to die due to the expiration date on your birth certificate, but it is a plan from up high. I am not going to declare outright that the plan is from God as I am not in tune with your religious inclinations. Therefore, you can believe the "plan" can be from any of a number of gods or god-like influences: Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Ozzy Osborne, Hillary Clinton, Yahweh, Alf (you may have to look him up-it is short for Alien Life Form), that little talking dog from Men in Black, Vidal Sassoon (I know how important your hair is to you), or Lady Gaga.
Nonetheless, there is a plan. Along the way you will make choices involving right and wrong, vanilla or chocolate, and Coke or Pepsi, but these decisions are not going to make or break the plan. Ultimately, you will be where you need to be. For you, the sky is the limit. With your talents, personality, and parents that care about you, your job simply becomes rolling with the challenges you face along the way. AND learning from them.
Since I am brand-loyal to Jesus, here is a religious example. In The Bible, there is a story of how the Apostles (Jesus' friends) were in a boat on a lake when a storm came upon them. They were frightened for their lives. Out of the darkness, Jesus came walking up to them on the water. No jet ski or inflatable alligator. He invited Peter to walk to Him on the water and he did. At one point, Peter started to doubt that Jesus would protect him, and he started to sink. He lost faith. Jesus then saved him. The point some people miss from this story is that Jesus did not calm the storm right away or take away the cause of their dilemma, he simply guided them through their troubled waters. Two of the apostles, Simon and Garfunkel, later wrote a song about the experience.
So take some advice from your elder. I have been through countless times in my life during which I wondered why I was being handed such a challenge. They never stop coming. You have seen some already in your tender years. Divorce, tough coaches, and bad haircuts have caused you strife.
No, your hair looks fine, why do you ask? Oh, I forgot how sensitive the female psyche can be. I didn't mean a bad haircut, I meant an unfortunate wardrobe choice.
Ugh. No I am not referring to the time you wore boots with your shorts and came over to our house. I thought you looked fine. And by fine, I mean perfectly appropriate given the event and weather and...oh never mind.
Anyway, my point is, that all of the events that we encounter along the way are meant to shape us for who we are to become. Survive, learn, grow and move on. This is how we do it. ( Now get that song out of your head the rest of the day.)
For all you know, your current coach could be the turning point in your life that helps you either become the next Abby Wambach, or the President of these United States. My only caution to you is that if you choose to keep my son around for that second choice, I am not sure how good a First Lady he would be. First Man? First Gentleman? First Dude? Not sure. His inability to clean up after himself and his drum set in the White House basement could be a problem.
From which you would have to survive, learn, and grow.
CJ has not been getting a lot of sleep lately. Between school, band, and work he has been a busy boy. So yesterday when he came home from his day completely spent, I asked him if he was okay. His reply was that he had only gotten about 3 hours of sleep the night prior since he was worrying about something. It turns out that that something was the issues his GF is having. In addition to all of the same things CJ has been dealing with, GF has been troubled by the less than encouraging feedback she recently got from her soccer coach. He is not a man to candy-coat things and his opinion of her play in the last game was not covered in sprinkles.
So I stopped worrying about CJ for a few minutes and decided to worry about GF. I would love to sit down with her and say some things to make her feel better, but since she has been witness to some of the decisions my son has made and probably assumed they were due to my parenting skills, my advice is certainly not something she would seek out. However, my contention is that his inability to keep a tidy personal space, or his friendship with Rowan, or his unkempt facial hair choices, or even his entertainment preferences ("Hey, let's go see Kick Ass 2"); are not issues to which he first sought out my guidance.
Therefore, I thought I would get the advice out of my head and onto my blog so that it would be out there and available. Do with it what you wish.
Here is what I, as an elder in the community, have learned about life. Sometimes it sucks. There, I'm done. Just kidding. Actually, I have decided that there is a reason that sometimes life hands you a challenge. I firmly believe that each of us has a plan. It is not a definitive plan right up to the point when you know you are going to die due to the expiration date on your birth certificate, but it is a plan from up high. I am not going to declare outright that the plan is from God as I am not in tune with your religious inclinations. Therefore, you can believe the "plan" can be from any of a number of gods or god-like influences: Jesus, Allah, Buddha, Ozzy Osborne, Hillary Clinton, Yahweh, Alf (you may have to look him up-it is short for Alien Life Form), that little talking dog from Men in Black, Vidal Sassoon (I know how important your hair is to you), or Lady Gaga.
Nonetheless, there is a plan. Along the way you will make choices involving right and wrong, vanilla or chocolate, and Coke or Pepsi, but these decisions are not going to make or break the plan. Ultimately, you will be where you need to be. For you, the sky is the limit. With your talents, personality, and parents that care about you, your job simply becomes rolling with the challenges you face along the way. AND learning from them.
Since I am brand-loyal to Jesus, here is a religious example. In The Bible, there is a story of how the Apostles (Jesus' friends) were in a boat on a lake when a storm came upon them. They were frightened for their lives. Out of the darkness, Jesus came walking up to them on the water. No jet ski or inflatable alligator. He invited Peter to walk to Him on the water and he did. At one point, Peter started to doubt that Jesus would protect him, and he started to sink. He lost faith. Jesus then saved him. The point some people miss from this story is that Jesus did not calm the storm right away or take away the cause of their dilemma, he simply guided them through their troubled waters. Two of the apostles, Simon and Garfunkel, later wrote a song about the experience.
So take some advice from your elder. I have been through countless times in my life during which I wondered why I was being handed such a challenge. They never stop coming. You have seen some already in your tender years. Divorce, tough coaches, and bad haircuts have caused you strife.
No, your hair looks fine, why do you ask? Oh, I forgot how sensitive the female psyche can be. I didn't mean a bad haircut, I meant an unfortunate wardrobe choice.
Ugh. No I am not referring to the time you wore boots with your shorts and came over to our house. I thought you looked fine. And by fine, I mean perfectly appropriate given the event and weather and...oh never mind.
Anyway, my point is, that all of the events that we encounter along the way are meant to shape us for who we are to become. Survive, learn, grow and move on. This is how we do it. ( Now get that song out of your head the rest of the day.)
For all you know, your current coach could be the turning point in your life that helps you either become the next Abby Wambach, or the President of these United States. My only caution to you is that if you choose to keep my son around for that second choice, I am not sure how good a First Lady he would be. First Man? First Gentleman? First Dude? Not sure. His inability to clean up after himself and his drum set in the White House basement could be a problem.
From which you would have to survive, learn, and grow.
Friday, August 9, 2013
How much was that warranty?
August 9, 2013
Today was computer shopping day. Earlier this week, CJ's computer died. Beth informed me that he was pretty devastated and was going through the 7 stages of grief. She had seen anger, sadness, confusion, sneezing, Donner, and denial. I did my duty as a father and put him through my grief counselling class. "You could read a book." I suggested. Wow. If looks could kill.
So we took the computer to a fix it shop guy who said that one side where the lap top opens around the hinge had come loose, thus creating a strain on the other side where a wire connects. This wire had come loose creating a short. Therefore, every time that CJ touched the computer, it turned off. Not especially helpful if you are trying to use it. That sounds rather easy to fix though, don't you think? Well, he could fix it for a mere $250, but he could not guarantee that it would stay fixed.
This led CJ and his friend, Rowen, to scour the Internet site Newegg in an attempt to buy and build the perfect computer. You can buy the necessary parts there, have them shipped to your house, and then put them together. If it is anything like buying a bicycle and then assembling it in your living room on Christmas Eve, I am assuming it also involves eggnog and cursing. The price for this venture, they assured me, was $694. I thought this was something I could maybe live with.
Oh, by the way dad, we forgot to add in an operating system. How much? Another $150. So an operating system is essential? It is if you don't want all the other parts to become a large, over-priced paper-weight. Perfect. And, the person helping you assemble it is the same friend who cut himself by swinging an axe and missing the log? Yes.
Okay, let's go to the computer store.
So dude at the computer store takes CJ's parts list and assembles one of his own. By the time he was finished, this computer was going to cost around $1100, assembled. Awesome. We did not make any purchases today.
On the way home, I noticed the license plate on the car in front of me was 694 YDA. (Please do not use this info for anything illegal!) I could not help thinking that this plate was a omen. It was trying to tell me that me agreeing to, or believing in the original computer price of $694, really meant You're a Dumb Aaaaas. Here, let me check my pockets for an extra $700 much less $400 more.
So we were at home and Beth and CJ went online to bring the price back down into dad's acceptable blood pressure range. They found a prebuilt Dell for around $700 that would work and we would even get a 10% rewards bonus if we used our Discover card. Okay, I am back in the game.
About 20 minutes later, the guy called from the computer repair shop. We had asked him to put the broken lap top back together and then we would pick it up. He had obliged with the putting back togetherness, and suddenly Peaches and Herb starting singing. "Reunited and it Feels so Good..." The computer was working again. The price, $45. And several hours of my day off that I will never get back. CJ, I love you. The proof is in the pudding...or travel time...or whatever.
Today was computer shopping day. Earlier this week, CJ's computer died. Beth informed me that he was pretty devastated and was going through the 7 stages of grief. She had seen anger, sadness, confusion, sneezing, Donner, and denial. I did my duty as a father and put him through my grief counselling class. "You could read a book." I suggested. Wow. If looks could kill.
So we took the computer to a fix it shop guy who said that one side where the lap top opens around the hinge had come loose, thus creating a strain on the other side where a wire connects. This wire had come loose creating a short. Therefore, every time that CJ touched the computer, it turned off. Not especially helpful if you are trying to use it. That sounds rather easy to fix though, don't you think? Well, he could fix it for a mere $250, but he could not guarantee that it would stay fixed.
This led CJ and his friend, Rowen, to scour the Internet site Newegg in an attempt to buy and build the perfect computer. You can buy the necessary parts there, have them shipped to your house, and then put them together. If it is anything like buying a bicycle and then assembling it in your living room on Christmas Eve, I am assuming it also involves eggnog and cursing. The price for this venture, they assured me, was $694. I thought this was something I could maybe live with.
Oh, by the way dad, we forgot to add in an operating system. How much? Another $150. So an operating system is essential? It is if you don't want all the other parts to become a large, over-priced paper-weight. Perfect. And, the person helping you assemble it is the same friend who cut himself by swinging an axe and missing the log? Yes.
Okay, let's go to the computer store.
So dude at the computer store takes CJ's parts list and assembles one of his own. By the time he was finished, this computer was going to cost around $1100, assembled. Awesome. We did not make any purchases today.
On the way home, I noticed the license plate on the car in front of me was 694 YDA. (Please do not use this info for anything illegal!) I could not help thinking that this plate was a omen. It was trying to tell me that me agreeing to, or believing in the original computer price of $694, really meant You're a Dumb Aaaaas. Here, let me check my pockets for an extra $700 much less $400 more.
So we were at home and Beth and CJ went online to bring the price back down into dad's acceptable blood pressure range. They found a prebuilt Dell for around $700 that would work and we would even get a 10% rewards bonus if we used our Discover card. Okay, I am back in the game.
About 20 minutes later, the guy called from the computer repair shop. We had asked him to put the broken lap top back together and then we would pick it up. He had obliged with the putting back togetherness, and suddenly Peaches and Herb starting singing. "Reunited and it Feels so Good..." The computer was working again. The price, $45. And several hours of my day off that I will never get back. CJ, I love you. The proof is in the pudding...or travel time...or whatever.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
What did I ever do to you Montezuma?
August 4, 2013
I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted. I have been working so much that I just don't feel like being on the computer that much. And any funny in my head is very gone by the time I sit down to type. You will see the reality of that statement very soon.
I have been working a lot due to various reasons, but a good reason was that my sister was coming to visit from Georgia with her family. I worked 13 days in a row to be able to get the time off when they were here and then 5 more right after they left. Fortunately, it was for a good cause. It was a very good visit with awesome weather and fun times. We went to Kings Island Friday, Newport for GameWorks and a walk on the PurplePeople Bridge on Saturday, and a fun-filled family day here at our house Sunday as my brother and his family drove up from Louisville to visit. It is always good when my brother visits as he has way more health problems than I do. He was diagnosed as a diabetic when he was in the 8th grade when no one else in our family had ever been one. Boy was our mother thrilled with that circumstance. The strange thing about mothers is that they can blame themselves for their child becoming a diabetic even though there was absolutely nothing she could have done to prevent it. Now he has a Thyroid condition and Low T. Dude is falling apart. I showed my empathy towards him by making several low testosterone jokes. He was thrilled he told me. As was his wife, though she did seem to confirm his inabilities in the bedroom.
Aside: does anyone else miss the days when we cut our grass by having cows graze on it or with one of those push things with the blade going around? Man, it seems like every time I sit down to relax, my neighbor cuts his grass. We don't have large yards so I could probably deal with just the cutting more sanely. However, not only does he use a gas lawn mower, but then a gas-powered trimmer to be followed by a gas-powered blower. Boy do I want to break his toys some times.
Anyway, I should be grateful next door neighbor did not feel the need to cut his grass during our family day. That typically happens.
So family day on Sunday finished up around midnight when whatever stomach bug my brother-in-law had contracted reared its ugly head. As Beth and I heard him and his body's food evacuation plan starting up, we both did a systems check to see if we also felt ill. Food poisoning at a family outing is always a joyful end. However, since it has taken until Friday night for me to catch the bug, I am guessing it was not food poisoning. Furthermore, with all the potential germs on the money I handle every day, it is not without question that I caught my bug from someone other than my brother-in-law. Thank goodness I have this weekend off so I can feel better just in time to go back to work.
The past two weeks have also included band camp for CJ. During these two weeks they learn their show for the year and, thankfully, have fun doing it. I got to see it Friday night, and in my fever ridden state, thought it was better than any show they did last year. I hope I was right and that this year goes better for them than last. The final night involves initiating the Freshmen by toilet papering their houses. Thank goodness it does involve beating the crap out of them as it did at some colleges. Therefore, if you are drving though our neighborhood this weekend, we are not a community of vandals, those houses belong to the incoming freshmen in the band. I'm sure the parents that have to clean it up are thrilled.
Gotta go. From the hills of Montezuma......
I can't believe it has been a month since I last posted. I have been working so much that I just don't feel like being on the computer that much. And any funny in my head is very gone by the time I sit down to type. You will see the reality of that statement very soon.
I have been working a lot due to various reasons, but a good reason was that my sister was coming to visit from Georgia with her family. I worked 13 days in a row to be able to get the time off when they were here and then 5 more right after they left. Fortunately, it was for a good cause. It was a very good visit with awesome weather and fun times. We went to Kings Island Friday, Newport for GameWorks and a walk on the PurplePeople Bridge on Saturday, and a fun-filled family day here at our house Sunday as my brother and his family drove up from Louisville to visit. It is always good when my brother visits as he has way more health problems than I do. He was diagnosed as a diabetic when he was in the 8th grade when no one else in our family had ever been one. Boy was our mother thrilled with that circumstance. The strange thing about mothers is that they can blame themselves for their child becoming a diabetic even though there was absolutely nothing she could have done to prevent it. Now he has a Thyroid condition and Low T. Dude is falling apart. I showed my empathy towards him by making several low testosterone jokes. He was thrilled he told me. As was his wife, though she did seem to confirm his inabilities in the bedroom.
Aside: does anyone else miss the days when we cut our grass by having cows graze on it or with one of those push things with the blade going around? Man, it seems like every time I sit down to relax, my neighbor cuts his grass. We don't have large yards so I could probably deal with just the cutting more sanely. However, not only does he use a gas lawn mower, but then a gas-powered trimmer to be followed by a gas-powered blower. Boy do I want to break his toys some times.
Anyway, I should be grateful next door neighbor did not feel the need to cut his grass during our family day. That typically happens.
So family day on Sunday finished up around midnight when whatever stomach bug my brother-in-law had contracted reared its ugly head. As Beth and I heard him and his body's food evacuation plan starting up, we both did a systems check to see if we also felt ill. Food poisoning at a family outing is always a joyful end. However, since it has taken until Friday night for me to catch the bug, I am guessing it was not food poisoning. Furthermore, with all the potential germs on the money I handle every day, it is not without question that I caught my bug from someone other than my brother-in-law. Thank goodness I have this weekend off so I can feel better just in time to go back to work.
The past two weeks have also included band camp for CJ. During these two weeks they learn their show for the year and, thankfully, have fun doing it. I got to see it Friday night, and in my fever ridden state, thought it was better than any show they did last year. I hope I was right and that this year goes better for them than last. The final night involves initiating the Freshmen by toilet papering their houses. Thank goodness it does involve beating the crap out of them as it did at some colleges. Therefore, if you are drving though our neighborhood this weekend, we are not a community of vandals, those houses belong to the incoming freshmen in the band. I'm sure the parents that have to clean it up are thrilled.
Gotta go. From the hills of Montezuma......
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