I've been going though my drafts of blog posts I never finished so here's one I polished up today.
Here's a short list from my memory banks that my kids mispronounced. We still say them around the house sometimes. I am writing this because I don't want these to escape into the ether of memory. So, here ya go.
My oldest daughter called granola bars,"Gorilla Bars"
My oldest daughter called hand sanitizer, "hanaitizer"..which I think is pretty ingenious.
My middle daughter called coyotes, "COY - otes".
My middle daughter told us the toilet was "flooding up" and used that term several times, again, I think it really describes what was happening quite well.
My son called the Ninja Turtles as "Engine Turtles". I think one of the only words he did not pronounce correctly, so we let him mispronounce this longer than we would have usually.
My son started calling Parmesan cheese, "Parmish". I think he could say it but he couldn't remember the word for it...so he got "Parmish"...we think it's perfect.
Showing posts with label parenthood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label parenthood. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Wednesday, January 15, 2020
Fresh Start Fragments
It's been a good while since I've caught up with my imaginary readers on this crazy thing called life, here's the latest.
Yeah, we finally moved and all went well. It still feels like someone took all our stuff and we live in someone else's house. It will take awhile to feel like home. I have driven back into the old neighborhood on accident a few times and reach for a string for the closest light that is no longer there. Still, I like the new house. We got some space now and we ordered a foosball table. Oh yeah. That's a dream come true.
We were driving to dinner out one night and as we passed a sea food place, I was like, "Hey, how about sea food?" and H, our 7 year-old said, "Oh, I hate sea food, except fish, I love fish".
Here's some more kid updates:
C is in 8th grade and amazes me all the time with her humor and heart. She's so talented at playing flute and she's always working on a novel.
E is in 5th grade and getting too old. I love being weird with her, tonight I told her that when you meet someone with the same name as you, you exchange boogers and place their boogers in your nose. She didn't believe me. She's doing great in ballet and is in musical revue at the church theater this spring.
H had a hard time adjusting to the new house but is doing better now. He's loving our new neighborhood is full of boys and having fun playing outside. He's getting obsessed with football, but he knows he is not playing in middle school or high school. We're getting a Switch soon and I am very excited.
I started binging The Twilight Zone on Hulu (yes, the originals from the 60's). So good and weird and sometimes cheesy. Maybe I'll post my top ten when I'm done. Don't hold your breath.
Lots of excited stuff going on at work but I can't really share it here as I would prefer to remain as anonymous as possible (ya know, just in case some creeper is looking for me, still pretty sure if someone was actually motivated, you could figure out who I am).
Finally, I just realized in April, I will enter my tenth year of blogging. That's nuts. I'll list my favorite posts and have a proper retrospective when the time comes.
That's all for now, kids. Don't forget to double-knot your shoes and drink plenty of water.
Yeah, we finally moved and all went well. It still feels like someone took all our stuff and we live in someone else's house. It will take awhile to feel like home. I have driven back into the old neighborhood on accident a few times and reach for a string for the closest light that is no longer there. Still, I like the new house. We got some space now and we ordered a foosball table. Oh yeah. That's a dream come true.
We were driving to dinner out one night and as we passed a sea food place, I was like, "Hey, how about sea food?" and H, our 7 year-old said, "Oh, I hate sea food, except fish, I love fish".
Here's some more kid updates:
C is in 8th grade and amazes me all the time with her humor and heart. She's so talented at playing flute and she's always working on a novel.
E is in 5th grade and getting too old. I love being weird with her, tonight I told her that when you meet someone with the same name as you, you exchange boogers and place their boogers in your nose. She didn't believe me. She's doing great in ballet and is in musical revue at the church theater this spring.
H had a hard time adjusting to the new house but is doing better now. He's loving our new neighborhood is full of boys and having fun playing outside. He's getting obsessed with football, but he knows he is not playing in middle school or high school. We're getting a Switch soon and I am very excited.
I started binging The Twilight Zone on Hulu (yes, the originals from the 60's). So good and weird and sometimes cheesy. Maybe I'll post my top ten when I'm done. Don't hold your breath.
Lots of excited stuff going on at work but I can't really share it here as I would prefer to remain as anonymous as possible (ya know, just in case some creeper is looking for me, still pretty sure if someone was actually motivated, you could figure out who I am).
Finally, I just realized in April, I will enter my tenth year of blogging. That's nuts. I'll list my favorite posts and have a proper retrospective when the time comes.
That's all for now, kids. Don't forget to double-knot your shoes and drink plenty of water.
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Poem For My Children
Advice is a dangerous thing. It's usually given for free and circumstances and individuals can vary wildly, rendering given advice useless.
Anyhoot, I am throwing caution to the wind. The poem came to me in two separate pieces over a 48 hour period. It might be a little smug and cloying but it comes from the right place, I hadn’t intended for it to be written for anyone in particular but it became “advice-cy” driven and halfway through, I knew what it was.
As always, your mileage may vary.
Anyhoot, I am throwing caution to the wind. The poem came to me in two separate pieces over a 48 hour period. It might be a little smug and cloying but it comes from the right place, I hadn’t intended for it to be written for anyone in particular but it became “advice-cy” driven and halfway through, I knew what it was.
As always, your mileage may vary.
For My Children
When the world calls out, with her sirens calling,
hold tight and laugh at her insignificance.
This meaningless piece of dirt has nothing on you.
When money whips you with its displeasure,
smile at its weakness, for all it can buy is future trash.
When the red tide comes in, give it the finger,
because there is good in this world and it’s easy to miss.
The chemicals buzzing in that brain of yours are as real as love,
as real as you and me.
Reality might be twisted in knots and puzzles,
but its mazes have their own rewards.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found my way out,
so I admit, I’ve been lost more times than I can count.
I can’t tell you how to live with the knowledge of your impending death,
only that you must balance knowing you will die with living fully until that time.
If you wonder why things are the way they are, then you’re on the right track,
and if you know it’s better to be kind than right then I tip my hat.
My children, I only wish for sunlight on your days and moonlight on your nights.
May you dream with your eyes open and sleep with your hearts held tight.
Saturday, March 26, 2016
The Fragments of my Life
It's been awhile, so here's fragments.
The fragments of my life.
Yup, I grew up on this song. So amazing how emotional Aaron Neville can get singing about cotton. Amazing.
About three weeks ago, I was surprised to see an armadillo walking in our backyard. Once I alerted the kids and it became aware of noise and it hopped (??) away, looking down-right rabbit like, hopping/running down our hill towards the safety of the woods.
I've been thinking about applying for a Fulbright to teach in India and once I told the kids, they were excited. They started talking about where else they would want to go. E, age 7 said, "I want to learn Spanish in China!" While C, age 10 said, "They speak Japanese in China, E!"
Anyway, I have no idea how competitive the slots are (there are about 50) and if they need or want someone with my background, but ya know, why not?
We we went to visit some friends in Arkansas for spring break. It was our first "real" spring break trip and it was eventful and fun. I saw my first Trump billboard (in central AR) and really got to know "Trump" country pretty well (Northeast TX and AR). The nature in the area was gorgeous and we went on a hike to a beautiful waterfall. Most of the time we generally hung out with our friends. It was low key and we liked it that way.
They live in a small town, so when we visited the antique store and I saw comics, I was happy. I picked up my very first pre-1970's comics. I now have a few 60's Disney comics! Alas, there wasn't a Carl Barks. They are in pretty shoddy shape, but still cool to me! Later at a used book shop, I found a 1970 collection of Buck Rodgers for a little less than ten bucks. I felt like a big spender but I figured I would kick myself if I didn't grab it.
On our way back home we stopped in Little Rock and visited Central High, where the "Little Rock 9" helped integrate the public education system in Arkansas. We also visited an African American art museum and the Big Dam Bridge (a walking bridge built over a dam).
We also stopped by another friend's house in Longview, TX. That was fun and I finally got to play Mario Maker for the first time. That was so awesome, I wish I had an extra 300 bucks around. I'll wait until the WiiU is about to die and pick it up for cheap.
On the way home home we pulled into a church parking lot to wait for GPS to"catch up" to where we were. The church had one of those rotating digital signs and two messages stuck out. "The 2nd amendment guarantees all the other amendments" and "Political Correctness is Insanity!"
I figure that's a Trump Church if there's ever been one.
Pop Culture Update:
I saw the new Pee-Wee. Thumbs up. Saw Zootopia with the kids, also, thumbs up.
Weezer has a new album coming out next week, I kinda don't really care all that much but I really liked "LA Girlz", despite the stupid title and spelling.
Gonna buy the new Star Wars on DVD/Blu Ray - I really liked it and I am excited on showing the girls the movie for the first time. We just couldn't find the right time for me to take them to the theater. Look, it's a flawed movie, but I still can't believe there's an actual new "good" Star Wars movie.
That's it, one day I might write an actual blog post of substance. Until then enjoy this:
The fragments of my life.
About three weeks ago, I was surprised to see an armadillo walking in our backyard. Once I alerted the kids and it became aware of noise and it hopped (??) away, looking down-right rabbit like, hopping/running down our hill towards the safety of the woods.
I've been thinking about applying for a Fulbright to teach in India and once I told the kids, they were excited. They started talking about where else they would want to go. E, age 7 said, "I want to learn Spanish in China!" While C, age 10 said, "They speak Japanese in China, E!"
Anyway, I have no idea how competitive the slots are (there are about 50) and if they need or want someone with my background, but ya know, why not?
We we went to visit some friends in Arkansas for spring break. It was our first "real" spring break trip and it was eventful and fun. I saw my first Trump billboard (in central AR) and really got to know "Trump" country pretty well (Northeast TX and AR). The nature in the area was gorgeous and we went on a hike to a beautiful waterfall. Most of the time we generally hung out with our friends. It was low key and we liked it that way.
They live in a small town, so when we visited the antique store and I saw comics, I was happy. I picked up my very first pre-1970's comics. I now have a few 60's Disney comics! Alas, there wasn't a Carl Barks. They are in pretty shoddy shape, but still cool to me! Later at a used book shop, I found a 1970 collection of Buck Rodgers for a little less than ten bucks. I felt like a big spender but I figured I would kick myself if I didn't grab it.
On our way back home we stopped in Little Rock and visited Central High, where the "Little Rock 9" helped integrate the public education system in Arkansas. We also visited an African American art museum and the Big Dam Bridge (a walking bridge built over a dam).
We also stopped by another friend's house in Longview, TX. That was fun and I finally got to play Mario Maker for the first time. That was so awesome, I wish I had an extra 300 bucks around. I'll wait until the WiiU is about to die and pick it up for cheap.
On the way home home we pulled into a church parking lot to wait for GPS to"catch up" to where we were. The church had one of those rotating digital signs and two messages stuck out. "The 2nd amendment guarantees all the other amendments" and "Political Correctness is Insanity!"
I figure that's a Trump Church if there's ever been one.
Pop Culture Update:
I saw the new Pee-Wee. Thumbs up. Saw Zootopia with the kids, also, thumbs up.
Weezer has a new album coming out next week, I kinda don't really care all that much but I really liked "LA Girlz", despite the stupid title and spelling.
Gonna buy the new Star Wars on DVD/Blu Ray - I really liked it and I am excited on showing the girls the movie for the first time. We just couldn't find the right time for me to take them to the theater. Look, it's a flawed movie, but I still can't believe there's an actual new "good" Star Wars movie.
That's it, one day I might write an actual blog post of substance. Until then enjoy this:
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Generic Fragments from a Generic Guy on a Generic Blog
It's been awhile since I've had a generic fragments.
This Friday we watched Benji and on Saturday morning I watched Return of the Jedi (for the first time) with my two oldest. Yeah, I'm parenting the right way.
I have to tell you, if there had been a competent film editor, Benji would be like 45 minutes long. 1/3 of the movie was showing Benji running around (sometimes in slow motion, often in a place the audience has already seen multiple times).
Both the girls liked Jedi, mainly cause Ewoks.
I'm not a Jedi hater, I like it, it's solid. Obviously, its the weakest of the three but so what? I love the first 30 odd minutes with Jabba. It's cool.
The Lucas additions really stuck out this for me and the young Anakin ghost thing is just so stupid. I have hidden the prequels from my kids. My oldest C really pressed me on why they were so bad but try explaining to a 10 year old how terrible they are. She asked me what the story was about and I told her it was about how Darth Vader grew up. She said, "That sounds awesome!" and I replied, "That's what we thought before we saw it."
In retrospect, it was a bad idea for three complete movies. There are literally no major surprises in the film and I think that really hurts them. Maybe it could have worked as one movie, but the heck with it, the prequels criticism begins and ends with Plinket, so what else is there to say?
I suppose it's time for me to share this song because it's spot on.
The other day our son was eating cocktail fruit and he wanted to let this sisters know that we had opened a can. He asked me what it was called and then went calling out in the garage, "Hey, girls, we have cotton tail fruit!" It was great.
Earlier this week I was driving home and saw a bumper sticker of Calvin for the comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes bowing before a cross that said "Real Men Pray".
Okay, but Calvin is neither a man or real. Someone should let him know.
That's all for now. Buckle up when you drive, don't forget to feed the fish and go ahead and take a long, hot shower tonight, you deserve it.
This Friday we watched Benji and on Saturday morning I watched Return of the Jedi (for the first time) with my two oldest. Yeah, I'm parenting the right way.
I have to tell you, if there had been a competent film editor, Benji would be like 45 minutes long. 1/3 of the movie was showing Benji running around (sometimes in slow motion, often in a place the audience has already seen multiple times).
Both the girls liked Jedi, mainly cause Ewoks.
I'm not a Jedi hater, I like it, it's solid. Obviously, its the weakest of the three but so what? I love the first 30 odd minutes with Jabba. It's cool.
The Lucas additions really stuck out this for me and the young Anakin ghost thing is just so stupid. I have hidden the prequels from my kids. My oldest C really pressed me on why they were so bad but try explaining to a 10 year old how terrible they are. She asked me what the story was about and I told her it was about how Darth Vader grew up. She said, "That sounds awesome!" and I replied, "That's what we thought before we saw it."
In retrospect, it was a bad idea for three complete movies. There are literally no major surprises in the film and I think that really hurts them. Maybe it could have worked as one movie, but the heck with it, the prequels criticism begins and ends with Plinket, so what else is there to say?
I suppose it's time for me to share this song because it's spot on.
The other day our son was eating cocktail fruit and he wanted to let this sisters know that we had opened a can. He asked me what it was called and then went calling out in the garage, "Hey, girls, we have cotton tail fruit!" It was great.
Earlier this week I was driving home and saw a bumper sticker of Calvin for the comic strip, Calvin and Hobbes bowing before a cross that said "Real Men Pray".
Okay, but Calvin is neither a man or real. Someone should let him know.
That's all for now. Buckle up when you drive, don't forget to feed the fish and go ahead and take a long, hot shower tonight, you deserve it.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Dino Fragments
My three-year old just wrote a few songs last night and I recorded them.
I thought I would share the lyrics to my favorite version (they all centered on dinosaurs). This one I have entitled, "Dinosaur-Rock n' Roll"
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Rock n'Roll
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Rock n'Roll
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Rock n'Roll
Hey Love You
(Da Da Da - De De De) - this is long bridge break down (about 20 seconds) that includes rhythmic tongue clicks.
I Love You
You
You
You
You
You
WHY ARE YOU
KILLING THE
DINOSAURS?
There's another alternate version that talks about killing people and Jesus as well ("Why are you killing people and Jesus? Because you're a bad guy!")
SO PUNK.
This weekend was interesting. On Friday, I heard a holocaust survivor speak on Friday, on Saturday, I heard a dude that used to be a sex addict and then on Sunday I attended part of a Sikh worship service. Diverse to the max.
Feeling like my Ecuador Study Abroad is hanging by a thread. I have one application in (we need at least 4 more) and we've got 3 weeks to go. Frankly, it's not looking good.
Starting playing The Legend of Zelda on NES a week or so ago. Never really played as a kid. I've got 3 TRIFORCE. It's awesome, how did I miss out on this as a kid????
My good ol' buddy wants me to star in our Christmas play at church. I told him I would do it. Finally, my stardom has come after all these years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gotta go get some TRIFORCE. In the meantime, breathe out the hatred, and breathe in the love.
I thought I would share the lyrics to my favorite version (they all centered on dinosaurs). This one I have entitled, "Dinosaur-Rock n' Roll"
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Rock n'Roll
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Rock n'Roll
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Dinosaur
Rock n'Roll
Hey Love You
(Da Da Da - De De De) - this is long bridge break down (about 20 seconds) that includes rhythmic tongue clicks.
I Love You
You
You
You
You
You
WHY ARE YOU
KILLING THE
DINOSAURS?
There's another alternate version that talks about killing people and Jesus as well ("Why are you killing people and Jesus? Because you're a bad guy!")
SO PUNK.
This weekend was interesting. On Friday, I heard a holocaust survivor speak on Friday, on Saturday, I heard a dude that used to be a sex addict and then on Sunday I attended part of a Sikh worship service. Diverse to the max.
Feeling like my Ecuador Study Abroad is hanging by a thread. I have one application in (we need at least 4 more) and we've got 3 weeks to go. Frankly, it's not looking good.
Starting playing The Legend of Zelda on NES a week or so ago. Never really played as a kid. I've got 3 TRIFORCE. It's awesome, how did I miss out on this as a kid????
My good ol' buddy wants me to star in our Christmas play at church. I told him I would do it. Finally, my stardom has come after all these years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gotta go get some TRIFORCE. In the meantime, breathe out the hatred, and breathe in the love.
Tuesday, August 11, 2015
Dog Days of Summer Fragments
There's no doubt about it, it's the longest and most dreary part of the year (at least for South Texas). It's downright miserable outside.
I am not the most patriotic guy, in fact nationalism goes against my natural inclination but due to the in-laws we found ourselves at a local suburb's small 4th of July parade. At the very end of the short parade, I could believe what I saw. It was a "Sons of Confederates" group marching with drums and the occasional gun shot. Of course this was right on the heels of the recent events in South Carolina, I was dumbfounded. It was so tone deaf and offensive. However, a moment of shame came with pride, my oldest, C (age 9) started booing them and I followed her lead. Definitely a proud papa moment.
H (age 3) continues to grow like a weed. He has always loved animals and has grown to love to pretend to play "Cheetah Simba", which is just like Simba from the Lion King but he is a cheetah who just happens to "blow fire". He came up with that all on his own. Typically, I am "Uncle Scar" and we plot the overthrow of Musfsa and/or Simba. Also, we fight a lot to determine who will be the King (or sometimes who will be the "boss").
E (age 6) is swimming like a pro. She swam the length of the pool last night and I asked her if she was tired, and she was shocked I would even ask. Awesome. While all the kiddos are imaginative, she seems the most capable of being completely in a world of her own by herself. She craves alone time to play on her own more than the other kids. Sometimes I will go by the door and hear her belting out a tune, or playing teacher or mother with her dolls. She's very coy about it and doesn't like to share exactly what she was playing or saying if you ask.
Summer II drones on but it's is almost over. I taught Maymester, two Summer I's an now two Summer II's. Am I brunt out? Maybe a little but next week will work wonders on me (my one week "off" even if it is filled with meeting and prep work).
There's a veterinarian clinic near our house that still proclaims:
"Go Spurs Go, NBA Champs!"
After the summer of 2014 went by, I kinda thought it was cool they left it up. Like, "Hey, this could be the last go-around, let's celebrate and appreciate this championship, people!"
Then the 2014-2015 season started and I still thought that was cool, like, "Yeah, man, we're the defending champs until you knock us out!"
Then in May we lost in the playoffs and days, weeks went by and the sign stayed up. It was clear we were not going to be the champs again, but I guess technically, we were still the champs.
Now, even after the finals, even this very day the sign is still up. It's time to let go. It's time to let go.
Speaking of the Spurs, they had a great summer. My good friend Phil sent this to me, and it's been floating around the SA social media/interwebs.
That's all party people, drink lots of water, don't eat so many carbs and slow down and watch of out for dogs and cats crossing the road, you'd hate to run over someone's pet wouldn't you?
I am not the most patriotic guy, in fact nationalism goes against my natural inclination but due to the in-laws we found ourselves at a local suburb's small 4th of July parade. At the very end of the short parade, I could believe what I saw. It was a "Sons of Confederates" group marching with drums and the occasional gun shot. Of course this was right on the heels of the recent events in South Carolina, I was dumbfounded. It was so tone deaf and offensive. However, a moment of shame came with pride, my oldest, C (age 9) started booing them and I followed her lead. Definitely a proud papa moment.
H (age 3) continues to grow like a weed. He has always loved animals and has grown to love to pretend to play "Cheetah Simba", which is just like Simba from the Lion King but he is a cheetah who just happens to "blow fire". He came up with that all on his own. Typically, I am "Uncle Scar" and we plot the overthrow of Musfsa and/or Simba. Also, we fight a lot to determine who will be the King (or sometimes who will be the "boss").
E (age 6) is swimming like a pro. She swam the length of the pool last night and I asked her if she was tired, and she was shocked I would even ask. Awesome. While all the kiddos are imaginative, she seems the most capable of being completely in a world of her own by herself. She craves alone time to play on her own more than the other kids. Sometimes I will go by the door and hear her belting out a tune, or playing teacher or mother with her dolls. She's very coy about it and doesn't like to share exactly what she was playing or saying if you ask.
Summer II drones on but it's is almost over. I taught Maymester, two Summer I's an now two Summer II's. Am I brunt out? Maybe a little but next week will work wonders on me (my one week "off" even if it is filled with meeting and prep work).
There's a veterinarian clinic near our house that still proclaims:
"Go Spurs Go, NBA Champs!"
After the summer of 2014 went by, I kinda thought it was cool they left it up. Like, "Hey, this could be the last go-around, let's celebrate and appreciate this championship, people!"
Then the 2014-2015 season started and I still thought that was cool, like, "Yeah, man, we're the defending champs until you knock us out!"
Then in May we lost in the playoffs and days, weeks went by and the sign stayed up. It was clear we were not going to be the champs again, but I guess technically, we were still the champs.
Now, even after the finals, even this very day the sign is still up. It's time to let go. It's time to let go.
Speaking of the Spurs, they had a great summer. My good friend Phil sent this to me, and it's been floating around the SA social media/interwebs.
That's all party people, drink lots of water, don't eat so many carbs and slow down and watch of out for dogs and cats crossing the road, you'd hate to run over someone's pet wouldn't you?
Thursday, April 23, 2015
Been Awhile Fragments
A post of real fragments, cause it's been awhile.
Checked out the new Sufjan Stevens album. Wow. Some of the only new music that gets to me in any way.
You know who I'm tired of: complainers about the complainers. The world only gets better because people complain.
Spurs keep truckin' - 18 years of contention. Unbelievable. I was going to quantify all that with charts and stuff from basketballreference.com but it got too demanding. I'm lazy.
Summary of my research: Most team's window for contention of a title (minimum 50+ wins) is about 5-6 years. That's it. There are few exceptions: Lakers & Celtics of 80's. Bulls (I'll give them 89-90 and that half season with Jordan) of the 90's and that's it. Some teams only get a 3-5 years. The Spurs have tripled a solid contending window. That's unheard of in sports history.
Just in case you're a stickler. No, I don't count the 1960's Celtics. The league had like 8 teams. Modern NBA history begins from 1980.
Just in case you're a stickler. No, I don't count the 1960's Celtics. The league had like 8 teams. Modern NBA history begins from 1980.
Took a break from writing my book. I am around 17,000 words. First, I got lazy, then I got busy, and now it's playoff time. Plan on starting back up in May after we install our new flooring.
H (my son, age 3) calls Parmesan cheese, "Parmish". Cool, huh?
I showed my kids some Tim & Eric clips (Totino Boy). They all loved it so much. Don't know what's crazier the fact that they love it, or that I even showed it to them.
Planning a new study abroad to Ecuardor in summer of 2016. Should be awesome, man. All that reminds me I need to finish my Peru study abroad posts! (yikes)
Other posts I want to get to in the next 6 months:
Thoughts on Weezer's Everything Will Be Alright in the End
Wonder Years: Part II
Spurs 90's Fragments: Part II
Weezer's Red Album Post
Post on Islam's hadith tradition
Confucius Didn't Say That! Part II
Checked out the new Sufjan Stevens album. Wow. Some of the only new music that gets to me in any way.
As I have gotten older, I experience music differently than I did when I was young. When you're young you have all this drama about love and relationships, so every love song becomes instantly relate-able. Your feelings are deep and the songs are ALL SO MEANINGFUL to you romantic little heart.
Now, I'm settled and happy. Maybe a little wiser, too. I miss "feeling" new music and yet, I don't. I don't want to scream to Nirvana anymore and I don't want to feel the emotional pain of romantic rejection again. Music appreciation becomes just that, an aesthetic, appreciative experience.
I'm not a robot, it just takes more for me to get "into" any new music. Sufjan Stevens is the only new artist that I can consistently "feel" or "get".
Drew a picture for my 9 year-old before she took our state's standardized test and taped on a letter that her teacher encouraged us to write to her. Yes, that's the Dungeon Master from the 1980's cartoon, Dungeon & Dragons. She loves that show.
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That's it fine friends. In the meantime, eat a cookie from the kitchen when no one else is looking. I won't tell a soul.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
The Storyteller's Daughter
Tonight at story time, E told me she wanted to tell C and I a story as well. Of course, I obliged and I was actually delighted to hear what creative story she might come up with.
The following is a paraphrase of the story and it's missing some details, but I will give it my best.
I have entitled it: The Saddest Story Ever Told
There was once a baby panda that "lost its mother to a tiger". The baby panda was very sad.
The baby panda climbed to the top of a hill that had one "lonely tree" at the top of the hill. "Actually, it was an ant hill" and a giant ant came out of the hill and killed the panda.
Yup, that's my little E!
The following is a paraphrase of the story and it's missing some details, but I will give it my best.
I have entitled it: The Saddest Story Ever Told
There was once a baby panda that "lost its mother to a tiger". The baby panda was very sad.
The baby panda climbed to the top of a hill that had one "lonely tree" at the top of the hill. "Actually, it was an ant hill" and a giant ant came out of the hill and killed the panda.
Yup, that's my little E!
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Art Post: Mike from "Monsters, Inc" Birthday Poster
Getting crazy on the blog - two art posts in a row! I was called to duty last night to produce a birthday poster for my son's H birthday party.
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It will also double as a "Pin the Eyeball on Mike" game as well. It was taken from a composite of two different models I selected of Mike that I found online. The perspective is a little screwy but it was already too late for me to change it. Anyway, I am pretty happy with it, considering all of it was done free hand and I spent all of ten minutes penciling it and then tracing it with a sharpie.
As usual, it was painted with acrylic paint while the lettering was done with map pencils because I'm lazy.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Crash and Burn Fragments
Our hard drive crashed back in January just one month after buying an external hard drive and backing up what we had.
Whew.
Felt like a boss.
So, our PC was down for the count while I figured out what to do (called wife's friend husband who graciously helped us out and gave us a new drive (and case). People are cool sometimes.
Writing the book up and up to over 8,000 words, I am shooting for 70,000 - 90,000. Slow and steady but I feel good about what's there. Aiming to finish next December.
Life is good, starting work on another study abroad this time to Ecuador in 2016. We have a former colleague that lives there and is helping us out. Should be coolio.
Planning an interfaith panel on campus in March, got all my speakers lined up, just a few kinks to work out.
Also bring Paul Chappell to campus in October. Keeping busy at work.
I feel like I have so much to write about Confucius, Spurs Memories, Peru Trip stuff, but little time (work, life, the book, etc)! If only I didn't need sleep!
Update on the CHILLIN:
H is obsessed with "Engine" Turtles. Oops, I mean "Ninja Turtles". It's funny because it's basically the only word he mispronounces and he's almost 3! He's 100% boy and yet during the Super Bowl at a friend's house he put on an Elsa dress and wore that for an hour. The other day after pretending to be lions and tigers that fought, he pretended to be Jasmine and I was Ariel (Disney princesses).
C is turning 9 in a few weeks. When asked what she wanted for her birthday a few weeks back she said (wait for it)....a jump rope! I am going to miss this innocence!! She's such a mature girl and yet she's also an actual 9 year-old. I am happy to say she still loves playing with dolls and don't tell anyone, but she'll sneak watch the kids shows when E and H are watching them (Sesame Street, Chuggington (sp??), etc.).
E (age 6) is basically in love with her Kindergarten teacher. It's adorable and sweet. She hugs her at every chance she gets. She has her meltdowns but it's almost always when hungry and/or tired. Whoo! That girl has passion! She gave me a sheet with hearts and peace signs that said I was the best dad ever. Look, I'm pretty good but not that good.
K and I had a silly Vday date. On the way there we talked about how we could basically remember two Valentine's Days dates, well, this one we won't soon forget. After being told it would be an hour wait, it turned into two hours, sat next to a booming loud annoying guy, they dropped my pizza, so they had to cook a new one, K's salad had a rotten tomato and her food was cold. It was peeved to say the least but it worked out, we had each other!
Finally on the last season of DS9 - I decided to give myself a break. Because I deserve it, gosh darn it. I felt like why watch every episode if some episodes happen to be terrible? I skip almost all Quark centered episodes and some of the other Worf centered ones as well, because, ya know Klingons (blah).
Quick nod to Jammer's website, it has helped guide me past all the horrible episodes and I usually agree with him with some notable exceptions. All said, DS9 iss probably the most compelling Star Trek series made to date. It is also the most consistent quality wise as well (at least 2-4 stinkers per season but that's nothing compared to Voyager and TNG. I hope the next series (whenever that might be) will be more serialized like DS9.
That's your update, my people.
In the meantime, stay warm, keep your socks clean and don't forget to turn out all the lights when you leave a room.
Whew.
Felt like a boss.
So, our PC was down for the count while I figured out what to do (called wife's friend husband who graciously helped us out and gave us a new drive (and case). People are cool sometimes.
Writing the book up and up to over 8,000 words, I am shooting for 70,000 - 90,000. Slow and steady but I feel good about what's there. Aiming to finish next December.
Life is good, starting work on another study abroad this time to Ecuador in 2016. We have a former colleague that lives there and is helping us out. Should be coolio.
Planning an interfaith panel on campus in March, got all my speakers lined up, just a few kinks to work out.
Also bring Paul Chappell to campus in October. Keeping busy at work.
I feel like I have so much to write about Confucius, Spurs Memories, Peru Trip stuff, but little time (work, life, the book, etc)! If only I didn't need sleep!
Update on the CHILLIN:
H is obsessed with "Engine" Turtles. Oops, I mean "Ninja Turtles". It's funny because it's basically the only word he mispronounces and he's almost 3! He's 100% boy and yet during the Super Bowl at a friend's house he put on an Elsa dress and wore that for an hour. The other day after pretending to be lions and tigers that fought, he pretended to be Jasmine and I was Ariel (Disney princesses).
C is turning 9 in a few weeks. When asked what she wanted for her birthday a few weeks back she said (wait for it)....a jump rope! I am going to miss this innocence!! She's such a mature girl and yet she's also an actual 9 year-old. I am happy to say she still loves playing with dolls and don't tell anyone, but she'll sneak watch the kids shows when E and H are watching them (Sesame Street, Chuggington (sp??), etc.).
E (age 6) is basically in love with her Kindergarten teacher. It's adorable and sweet. She hugs her at every chance she gets. She has her meltdowns but it's almost always when hungry and/or tired. Whoo! That girl has passion! She gave me a sheet with hearts and peace signs that said I was the best dad ever. Look, I'm pretty good but not that good.
K and I had a silly Vday date. On the way there we talked about how we could basically remember two Valentine's Days dates, well, this one we won't soon forget. After being told it would be an hour wait, it turned into two hours, sat next to a booming loud annoying guy, they dropped my pizza, so they had to cook a new one, K's salad had a rotten tomato and her food was cold. It was peeved to say the least but it worked out, we had each other!
Finally on the last season of DS9 - I decided to give myself a break. Because I deserve it, gosh darn it. I felt like why watch every episode if some episodes happen to be terrible? I skip almost all Quark centered episodes and some of the other Worf centered ones as well, because, ya know Klingons (blah).
Quick nod to Jammer's website, it has helped guide me past all the horrible episodes and I usually agree with him with some notable exceptions. All said, DS9 iss probably the most compelling Star Trek series made to date. It is also the most consistent quality wise as well (at least 2-4 stinkers per season but that's nothing compared to Voyager and TNG. I hope the next series (whenever that might be) will be more serialized like DS9.
That's your update, my people.
In the meantime, stay warm, keep your socks clean and don't forget to turn out all the lights when you leave a room.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Quote of the Day (X3)
Triple the amount of quotes, for the same great price.
Last week, we were on our way somewhere and we started to smell some BBQ smoke wafting into our car. Our girls thought it smelled bad for some reason, and my oldest C asked, "Did any one toot?" After everyone denied it, our 2 and a half year old, H, proclaimed, "It was my poop everyone!" Of course, he hadn't pooped, he was just being a silly boy.
Some time after that, we were once again in the car together when my oldest, C, spotted a man picking his nose in the car next to us, "Eww...look he's picking his nose!" E, our lovely middle child replies proudly, "He's on my team." When I turned around she had a deviously beautiful smile on her face.
Today, C forgot to bring home her spelling words for the night to study. She ran over to the couch and as she threw herself down onto it, she said, "I'm doomed!".
I'm thinking getting her into comic books has paid off.
Last week, we were on our way somewhere and we started to smell some BBQ smoke wafting into our car. Our girls thought it smelled bad for some reason, and my oldest C asked, "Did any one toot?" After everyone denied it, our 2 and a half year old, H, proclaimed, "It was my poop everyone!" Of course, he hadn't pooped, he was just being a silly boy.
Some time after that, we were once again in the car together when my oldest, C, spotted a man picking his nose in the car next to us, "Eww...look he's picking his nose!" E, our lovely middle child replies proudly, "He's on my team." When I turned around she had a deviously beautiful smile on her face.
Today, C forgot to bring home her spelling words for the night to study. She ran over to the couch and as she threw herself down onto it, she said, "I'm doomed!".
I'm thinking getting her into comic books has paid off.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Pop Culture Queries
I've noticed many of the Sesame Street characters have more clothes on at the beach than when they are not at the beach. They're naked 99% of the time, except they put a swimsuit on to go the beach. WHY?
The 3 rules of taking care of mogwais from the movie, Gremlins were pretty stupid. Let's review:
1. Never expose them to bright light.
Fair enough, lots of animals avoid light.
2. Never get them wet.
Stupid, but sure, you don't want to transform them into that crazy, evil monster gremlin form. So, we can deduct from this rule that their natural state is the evil, crazy gremlin form, and not the cute mogwai, as animals cannot avoid getting wet. How did humans capture a baby gremlin? What are the advantages from an evolutionary vantage point? What did they evolve from? How did they not wipe out the human race in ancient China and spread outwards like the evil spawn that they are.....
3. Never, ever feed them after midnight.
This one takes the cake and has always confused me. Isn't every minute in the day, except for 12:00:00-12:00:59 - AFTER MIDNIGHT??? I mean, if you want to get technical, even one second after the clock strikes midnight, is after midnight. Do they have to feed in under one second or under one minute? If it mogwai's internal body clock resets to "not after midnight" then when is it NOT after midnight? Sunrise? Noon? When?!!? Also, is the mogwai internal body set to GMT? How does it even know? Why couldn't the writers just say, "never feed them at night"? That would make for clear boundaries and ya know, make sense. Why do they have to torture us this way?
I was driving on Sunday and saw one of those family stickers, showing a husband, wife and male child. If you've noticed, they've gotten cute the last few years, they have Star Wars characters, Zombies, you name it. This particular car had a He-Man, She-Ra and a child He-Man (the head had obviously been cut and transplanted onto the child's body). It didn't hit me right away but it sunk in later that afternoon (confirmed with my daughter, then Wikipedia)....He-Man and She-Ra were brother and sister!! Does the geek couple know this? Are they hoping the general public is largely unaware of the incestuous undertones of their "cute" family stickers? Wait....maybe they actually are brother and sister raising a child on their own? WHAT A TWIST. Really though, what are they teaching the child and how should I contact CPS?
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| Look at this trash, everyone puts on clothes....even Big Bird puts on a tie. (Wait...what?) Everyone but Cookie. He probably ate his swimsuit on the way to the beach. |
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| Who made this decision? Like,"this looks great, just get some clothes on these naked puppets!" Why go to the trouble? There's no need to differentiate from their regular appearance because, all we have to do is look in the background and we know, we're at the beach. WHY?? |
The 3 rules of taking care of mogwais from the movie, Gremlins were pretty stupid. Let's review:
1. Never expose them to bright light.
Fair enough, lots of animals avoid light.
2. Never get them wet.
Stupid, but sure, you don't want to transform them into that crazy, evil monster gremlin form. So, we can deduct from this rule that their natural state is the evil, crazy gremlin form, and not the cute mogwai, as animals cannot avoid getting wet. How did humans capture a baby gremlin? What are the advantages from an evolutionary vantage point? What did they evolve from? How did they not wipe out the human race in ancient China and spread outwards like the evil spawn that they are.....
3. Never, ever feed them after midnight.
This one takes the cake and has always confused me. Isn't every minute in the day, except for 12:00:00-12:00:59 - AFTER MIDNIGHT??? I mean, if you want to get technical, even one second after the clock strikes midnight, is after midnight. Do they have to feed in under one second or under one minute? If it mogwai's internal body clock resets to "not after midnight" then when is it NOT after midnight? Sunrise? Noon? When?!!? Also, is the mogwai internal body set to GMT? How does it even know? Why couldn't the writers just say, "never feed them at night"? That would make for clear boundaries and ya know, make sense. Why do they have to torture us this way?
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| What a strange movie to market to kids. That movie scared the poop out of me. Other inappropriate movies I watched as child under the age of 10: Jaws, Psycho (really!), Red Dawn and I think Sixteen Candles. Holy Smokes that's nuts. I'm like a Puritan compared to my parents in regard to movies I would let my 8-year old watch. |
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| Which leads me to another query? Why does She-Ra dress like a stripper? That skirt can NOT get any shorter. Her alter-ego, Adora, literally WEARS NO PANTS. Why do we objectify women like this? |
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Back to the Fragments
First time I have logged in over a month.
Update on Spurs: they're killing me.
Update on Peru: getting closer, getting excited
Parenthood Update:
Working on recording a 15-part story for my kids as part of their bedtime story when I am out of the country. I am on episode 14 (they range from 6-8 minutes in length and include, multiple tracks, music (heaping doses of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Princess Bride, etc.) and of course, sound effects. The whole project has eaten my life. Each episode takes between 2-3 hours. Good thing I started in late April.
Also, the other day my wife was changing our 2-year-old's diaper and asked him, "Who would want poop on their penis?" and Of course he answered, "Daddy".
Here I was saving a bunch of these and I have to post them NOW before the Spurs lose because then I will be too sad to post anything at that point.
Don't let it be said I am not warning you.....mini spurs pic dump coming your way.
Update on Spurs: they're killing me.
Update on Peru: getting closer, getting excited
Parenthood Update:
Working on recording a 15-part story for my kids as part of their bedtime story when I am out of the country. I am on episode 14 (they range from 6-8 minutes in length and include, multiple tracks, music (heaping doses of Hobbit/Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Princess Bride, etc.) and of course, sound effects. The whole project has eaten my life. Each episode takes between 2-3 hours. Good thing I started in late April.
Also, the other day my wife was changing our 2-year-old's diaper and asked him, "Who would want poop on their penis?" and Of course he answered, "Daddy".
Here I was saving a bunch of these and I have to post them NOW before the Spurs lose because then I will be too sad to post anything at that point.
Don't let it be said I am not warning you.....mini spurs pic dump coming your way.
That's it folks, stay dry, stay cool and eat all your veggies. I'll be likely posting next early in July unless something really silly happens.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Quote of the Day
First "Quote of the Day" post from my family that I didn't hear with my own ears, but too good not to share and remember.
Grandma baked a lamb cake today and Grandpa was pushing H (who just turned two) on the swing in the backyard. Grandpa was telling H that he could eat the lamb tail. However, H must have misheard him and said, "Don't have lamb tail, I have penis."
That's my boy!
Grandma baked a lamb cake today and Grandpa was pushing H (who just turned two) on the swing in the backyard. Grandpa was telling H that he could eat the lamb tail. However, H must have misheard him and said, "Don't have lamb tail, I have penis."
That's my boy!
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Thought of the Day: Weird
After my son was playfully screaming at me like a character off of Street Fighter II, I told no one in particular (because it was just the two of us), "Everything I touch goes weird."
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Art Post: My Little Pony
We just celebrated C's 8th birthday last night and I went to work on a poster for the door. C loves My Little Pony (MLP, ya know). Cliche Alert: WE CAN'T BELIEVE OUR BABY IS ALMOST 8 (we have few days of 7 yet!!) It may be the last time she has a "character" birthday party, which makes me a little sad. In the meantime, she has grown into a smart, empathetic, sweet, sensitive and funny 2nd grader. I couldn't be more proud of her.
There are worst things than MLP to be into, and it's a halfway enjoyable show. My "art" has dwindled down to projects for my kids, drawing Sesame Street characters for my son to keep him busy and doodling on occasion at work. I nailed a picture of the "the Count" about two weeks ago for H and felt like a KING. Oh yeah, it's on the fridge (seriously). I still love drawing - it's just now I'm more like an artist for hire for my kids (they pay me in hugs). Here are the results from the party:
There are worst things than MLP to be into, and it's a halfway enjoyable show. My "art" has dwindled down to projects for my kids, drawing Sesame Street characters for my son to keep him busy and doodling on occasion at work. I nailed a picture of the "the Count" about two weeks ago for H and felt like a KING. Oh yeah, it's on the fridge (seriously). I still love drawing - it's just now I'm more like an artist for hire for my kids (they pay me in hugs). Here are the results from the party:
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| Don't call me a "Brony" but that's Twlight and Spike. Pencil, Map colors & Sharpie. I wanted to use paint but really didn't have time for it. C loves it and now has it hanging on her wall. That's the biggest compliment! |
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Black & White
I am a white father to a black son.
This means we get a little more attention than the typical parent-child attention. It's also an objective and verifiable fact that our son is charming, smart and handsome.
Typically, it seems like white males love little H most of all. He's a boy's boy and likes sticks, big trucks, loud noises, buttons. It's like men sense this in him! H often reciprocates their attention with smiles and laughs.
This got me wondering though.....
When will my son stop being "cute" and start being seen as "dangerous"?
What will I say when someone doesn't want him to date their daughter?
Instead of making people stop in their tracks with his smile, when will some walk a little faster when he comes closer to them.
How will I explain that he will be pulled over for being black?
What will I tell him to do when he is followed in a department store?
My son is almost 2 years old so these questions seem far away and foreign but I know they are coming. Luckily, I have some time to prepare.
This means we get a little more attention than the typical parent-child attention. It's also an objective and verifiable fact that our son is charming, smart and handsome.
Typically, it seems like white males love little H most of all. He's a boy's boy and likes sticks, big trucks, loud noises, buttons. It's like men sense this in him! H often reciprocates their attention with smiles and laughs.
This got me wondering though.....
When will my son stop being "cute" and start being seen as "dangerous"?
What will I say when someone doesn't want him to date their daughter?
Instead of making people stop in their tracks with his smile, when will some walk a little faster when he comes closer to them.
How will I explain that he will be pulled over for being black?
What will I tell him to do when he is followed in a department store?
My son is almost 2 years old so these questions seem far away and foreign but I know they are coming. Luckily, I have some time to prepare.
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Quote of the Day
I called my wife on the way out the door at work to let her know I was leaving. The brief phone call ended abruptly with this closer:
"I have poop on my hands I have to go."
"I have poop on my hands I have to go."
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Thought of the Day
If you are the parent of small children and aren't tired, you're not doing it right.
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