from him last night. The ones that allow him contact with the ‘outside’ world. His cell phone; an old iphone that he uses as an ipod; his shared (with his sister) ipad; an old laptop… he is not to close the door to his bedroom during homework hours. He must ask to use any electronic device. We don’t allow tv or gaming during the school week – except for Hawaii 5-O; big bang theory and elementary…
Loved equally – one kid is a piece of cake – the other, a piece of work (albeit still in process and far from done)… and reflecting on it – has been since they were young.
They say that as toddlers they are training you as parents for the teenage years. I hope this isn’t true – but so far it seems to be holding…
My wife took our son to her glass bead studio the other night and had him photograph her while she was making beads.
The teacher asked that he take other students as well
the images are pretty spectacular
especially for an eleven-year old kid.
He’s got a pretty sharp eye for composition and content.
What this doesn’t translate to – is common sense. Where that lies – no idea. He’s been fabricating stuff lately – and it’s something we will not tolerate. Do you have homework? Yes – is it done/ yes… do we need to check it?/ no – reality – no it wasn’t done, his teachers have taken notice and now yes – we will have to check it.
His cell phone – calls at 12:40 AM – he’s 11!!! Wtf?!? Texts with girls, with boys – stupid trite stuff… some twitter-like picture thing account with 90 some cute girl followers – wtf?!? He must have been spending hours on this stuff… No mas…
He was just accepted (per recommendations by his school; and an interview process) to a prestigious math & science program that is sponsored by a prominent hospital in the area – it’s his goal in life (right now) to be a ‘nerd’ from big bang theory… fine, great – those guys didn’t get to be the ‘dorks they are’ via instagram (just popped into my head) and texting about hi-fiving another kid in the face – with a chair…. Ughhhh…
You can’t prove a damn thing – but when you glanced over your shoulder you are pretty certain you saw a look and an expression of curiosity – and then you knew you saw the wheels starting to turn. The wheels of ‘how can I turn this situation to my advantage?’ And that look – left little doubt in your mind. You’ve seen – and lived all this before…
I started writing this several days ago and am just getting back to it – my apologies for the verb tense blunders and anomalies – and the length – but as those appreciative few of you who slumber through my writings – I apologize and am grateful.
We had two rooms over the weekend – three girls in a room – with two queen beds and I had an adjoining king. By adjoining I mean the two interior doors that one locks from each side and interconnects the two rooms. I always made sure that I locked my door side at night and left the rooms in their entirety when the girls were getting ready – my daughter often showered in my room to expedite the preparation process. I have no desire to allow for any accusations or even perceived improprieties to occur.
On Monday morning (we had a late evening flight) so we were checking out of the girls’ room and just keeping my room to store all our stuff in for a remaining few hours before we had to vacate completely. As the girls assembled and exited their room – i left a tip in the girls’ room for the cleaning staff of the hotel. When I did, two of the girls were still in that room, my daughter had already left the room - and I noticed that one of the girls was pretty keen on observing what I was up to. And I just got a weird vibe from the whole scene. We’d been there three nights – i had left a $20 bill by the tv (and ultimately i did the same for my room). The girls had pushed two double beds together and were generally teenage girls with crap strewn everywhere – so it was I’m sure it was a drag to clean. In my opinion it’s an appropriate thing to leave a tip and I hope/imagine it’s appreciated.
We then left the hotel for a few hours – I took the girls to the beach front hotel where the vast majority of their teammates were staying so they could hang out and enjoy each others company before we all had to head back to reality. As teammates siblings and parents passed by I sat in the lobby and tried to give out the remaining waters, Gatorades, oranges and bananas we had acquired over the weekend. After a few hours we left and came back to our hotel to spend the remainder of the day before we had to depart for the airport. As we got back to our rooms – I happened to look into the girls’ room – and the $ I had left was gone – and I had a really sick feeling that it was one of the girls that had taken it…
I was trying to figure out how to deal with the situation – or not to deal with it. Ultimately I did not deal with it. I wanted to confront the girl. But I could not prove that the $ was not taken by the hotel staff – but I certainly have my suspicions. My daughter has mentioned that this girl had asked if they wanted a piece of a ‘stolen cookie’ earlier in the day. My daughter had thought it odd – but shrugged it off as just a peculiarity of this girl.
My daughter and this one ‘urban girl’ go to school together – the other girl that I was chaperoning – attends a suburban school. My daughter has said this ‘urban’ girl has done and/or discussed some sketchy stuff around her (and has the perceived /admitted reputation) – namely of smoking pot (on a daily basis) and the consumption of random pills… the ‘urban’ girl comes from a divorced family – the mother is very sweet, gracious and kind – she’s remarried with two young kids and a third on the way – her ex – well – he’s quite a story unto himself. Custody is split – three nights on – four nights off and rotated through the year… ‘Urban’ girl rarely does any serious amount of homework; (my daughter does hours and hours every night, weekend…). “Urban girl’ misses a fair amount of school; and misses both club and high school soccer practices due to ‘injuries’ and – well, we don’t really know – the reasons aren’t communicated. She’s an ok high school player – pretty fast – but honestly an inconsistent, at best, first touch; not much ability to possess or cross (which is kind of critical as she’s a striker); absolutely no left foot (few girls or boys have a truly strong ‘off’ foot); and a wildly erratic and off balance shot.
The ‘suburban girl’ and my daughter are very close – her father is a contractor like myself and we have similar familial belief/value systems – the girls just generally bond well and when on the field have a pretty good idea, without much verbal communication – what the other is up to. They generally play directly adjacent to one another sharing a similar passion for the game and are always looking to see who can learn the latest juggle or trick move. This girls’ father and I generally supply the team with water and Gatorade at every road game (particularly tournaments) to make sure they are never without a hydration/energy source. We just try and be as supportive and generous to each of the girls and their families that we can be. It’s a demanding sport; it requires a profound amount of time and energy; and our daughters are (in all honesty) some of the leaders of the team. His daughter is a co-captain and mine plays center-mid and is essentially the quarterback of the team. I know his daughter had nothing to do with the $ disappearing.
And then as we got through to the airport security we were stopped for several minutes. The baggage scanners revealed numerous substances in the ‘urban’ girl’s luggage. I had to stand there as the chaperone and as each item in question was removed from her bags I felt myself getting sicker and more tired of the situation in general. Ultimately the items turned out to be two bottles of water and a bottle of Gatorade – but I had visions of spending the next few hours at the airport security office. But seriously – who doesn’t take this crap out of their suitcase?!? I had – right before we went through security removed a bottle of water that I had stored in my camera bag. We had all stopped and the three girls saw me remove and discard the bottle. We left about 18 bottles of water in the trunk of the rental car as well… (there was a clothing issue as well which I’m not even going to get into…)
I then I learned after the fact – that on the return flight my daughter found an ipod mini in her seat back and as she exited the plane turned it into the flight attendants. The suburban girl was of the same mindset – the other our ‘urban friend’ – thought she should have simply kept it. (Ironically the flight attendants commented, as I passed by them – that they would have kept the ipod as well…)
I have talked to a number of people regarding this situation – particularly my wife and the father of the ‘suburban girl’ and a number of other parents – and we’ve come to the conclusion that we simply can’t chaperone this young lady any more. The risks outweigh the rewards. It sucks – you’d like to take her under wing and point out that she is destined for trouble – but I guess it’s just not a battle that I’m willing to fight. And my daughter has (if the both play) three more seasons of high school ball of this to deal with – and she’s not particularly pleased… but I guess such is life – and you do get to choose your friends – but not necessarily your teammates…
Well xanga – if you’re still out there (thanks!!!)? your thoughts?!?
February 16, 2013
i’m in fort laughterdale FL – with my daughter and her club soccer team. i’m chaperoning two other 15/16 year olds… quite the trip. they’re down at the pool now – but we just got back from go karting. i reek of gasoline fumes… hilarious – well one of the many zany weekend experiments. one of the girls has her license – my daughter and the other are only permitted. my daughter has spent some time behind the wheel – and the last teenager – none at all. the two of them were terrified at the start – they had to test on to the track. so some timed trials and a few laps later they got their ‘track license’ and were allowed to ‘race’. the total newbie wanted nothing to do with it… my daughter said if this is what driving is all about – i want to drive all the time… GULP…
the track had good music (from cake)
and a pretty interesting mix of people – from ‘grandma’ drivers to pro wannabe’s. black, white, latino, young, old, skinny, fat – i highly recommend the experience – but wear you some funky old clothes – you gonna stink somethin’ fierce when done.
the other fun thing – and we’ll see how long this lasts – we have a ‘race’ to the rooms… they get dropped off and head one direction – and i another… last one to the rooms – well i had them played good this am… they rounded that last corner – all giggling and bragging how badly they had me beat… and i jumped out and all three ended up crashing into walls and doors and each other – three pony-tailed blondes ping ponging back and forth – one tumbled forward past me, the second one into the last – and all ended on the floor – well we all did – elvis only knows what the rest of the hotel floor thought – but the screams and laughter were well worth the stomach aches and gasping for breathe… who knows how badly this will escalate and into what future shenanigans are in store… but to be able to have as much fun with these three great kids – good times… have a night xanga land…
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in the spirit of ‘faith’ and valentine’s day – i present to you…
the original, completely queer – ok ‘faith’
now – this is more my speed…
i searched out a bit more – and i know there’s some chick named faith hill – but i guess it’s a little more about the belief in climbing her hills that leaves folks awantin’… i just couldn’t see puttin’ her on my blog… i mean – i found this far more amusing than any faith hill muzak…
not so much… actually not at all…
well hell y’all – here’s true love -
enjoy v-day – struttin’, futtin’ and butt shakin’…
how about fix your freakin’ site!!! i’ve lost three posts in the last three days – for about the last two weeks it has been slow as pure molasses on a cold winter day… in new yorkese – that’s like being on the l.i.e. – on a holiday – which means you aren’t a goin’ nowhere! come on xanga wtf?!?
oh – i don’t own no rights to this here video – but well i think it says plenty…
only thing a finer might be if she done broke out a weldin’ device and made some implements to a – to a – well just listen here…
well fine folks – some afine, fine singin’ a fiddlin’ and a such…
i was fit to post a different song for this here young lass – but damn – she sure can sing mighty purty – so take a listen, it ain’t the best recordin’ – but i’m just here to spread the word, to evangelictize – and right bit beautified…
now i found upon miss ford here whilst a lookin’ for more on my new favorite artist – who i can’t seem to stop playin’…
and just in case the music hasn’t been fine enough there just happens to be a bit of eye candy attached to this here video… i had no clue who she was – but i’m a guessin’ (based on comments attached that she has some ‘glee’ affiliation. now i reckon’ that ain’t necessarily a good thing – but i don’t know much about much – so what do i know? – exactly). same as the next…
have yo’ selfs a fine one… and be awatchin’ for purty lasses carryin’ themselves abag o’ hammers…
i’ve been awake for a few hours now and well – i’m snacking on some apple jacks and cinnamon t(o)asty i might add – foraging for tuneage before i have to take my son to school and begin the day… i love the sound of this…
it reminds me of back in the day – being free labor to my dad as we worked in the yard and he listened to the oldies station. and well i owe him a debt of gratitude – mostly for the sounds – i love 60′s garage rock sounds – and hence my propensity toward rockabilly (which roots even further back to 50′s – but the sounds of the 50′s encouraged youth to go out and grab an instrument and form a band… kinda like – but not really…
i meant to post a tribute the other day to sam the sham & the pharoah’s – but i slipped and forgot… i posted this version of their song just for the groovy factor… one of the original members died (i think on tuesday) and well – this is kinda one of the songs that helped shape garage rock…
and spawned groups like this:
and somehow i missed this!!!
this is sick!!! this is absolutely insane!!!!!!!!!!! i’m one of the lousiest surfers ever on the planet… this
and then there are idiots like these…
obviously i’m quite easily distracted… have a day xanga…
February 6, 2013
@godfatherofgreenbay has these inspirational motivational posts – problem is i think i need a few of them beaten about my head. i can not for the life of me get motivated to get anything, i mean anything, done the last few days… winter blues, lack of sunlight, warmth…
i meant to start with -
but i guess i’ve got too much redneck in me… so alas hot rods…
i need a nap i think… i can’t seem to motivate to work; work out; bleh…
i went out and had some beverages with some associates last night (basically my local bank branch, one of the tellers was leaving and because they rock and take care of me – really that just all act friendly and nice and kind when i walk in the door) – i wanted to show my appreciation for what they do, well maybe actually who they are (when you own a business it’s always a fine thing to be nice to the people that handle your $ – just sayin’…) they all had these fruity, well not fruity but like really sweet sounding fancified adult beverages smores and german chocolate and mojitos and i just had me some fancified beer… i can’t remember the last time i went out like that in the city – it was a good time – one of the things we talked about was beyonce at half time – i was the only white guy there – they are all latino(a) and two black women – they didn’t see it the way i did – which it totally cool, i get it – i appreciated their perspective and talking about it. they argued that beyonce is a ‘pop’ star and as such she caters to a very broad audience and her overt sexuality isn;t a ‘tramp or slutty’ persona – it’s just strong sexually. and that her audience is really a white audience (hence nfl backing – actually they argued pepsi backing) and as such for them homosexuality is a much harder (pun unintended) subject to broach than implied sexuality… which was curious for me – but interesting nonetheless… my kids have been around our – we live our lives in i guess an extremely diversified way. one of our godchildren is black, two others have latino heritage – we have a significant number of gay friends male/female – so i’ve seen it all, but the black and latino culture – based on our conversations – homosexuality still has a really profound stigma…
- there’s a friendly tonight – usmnt v. honduras… if we (the us of a) play like we did against canada – we (the us of a) should have our asses soundly kicked. last post i mentioned or posted a video about a young female footballer named indi cowie – well here’s some more crazy skilz from unc players…
a clever trick for your bestest of friends…
not really – just not motivated, at all… crap i can’t discuss here is going down and it just sucks… our legal system… people argue if you don’t like (think it’s better anywhere else) it go somewhere else… believe you me – i’m thinkin’ about it… this whole thing is absurd…
the ft. lauderdale spring soccer trip is in a week and a half… so hopefully that long weekend will bring me some ‘core’ warmth and sunshine i’m ready now… ughh… peace out folks… i hear a rock calling my name – i may go crawl under it…
there are people who believe that beyonce’s performance at the super bowl demonstrates the power of women. puuuhhlllleeeeeaaaaaaasssssssee.
if that’s the future for my daughter than margaret atwood had it absolutely right in ‘a hand maid’s tale’ – when she posited the notion that the future for women would only be as breeders. that society should only select those who appear to represent the ‘ideal’ image, age, and initially latent, until proven, potent abilities of the female form and function – for the sole value of procreation.
it’s all about the sex, baby. (actually i think a gay man wrote that – but it’s apparently the truth for all of us in 2013.) you have to have ‘appeal’ to be anything. fucking great, really?!? (Oh and to the a-hole in the top blogs who asks about kissing ugly folk – a big f*ck off to you and your arrogance. we should all strive to be like you, to blog like you, to think small petty thoughts for the ‘common good’ – just like you. for good reason i (and many others) stay as far away from your condescending bottom feeder crap as i (we) can – you can chuckle and laugh about what ‘excites people – stirs the proverbial pot’ – and the greater good your mere prescence blesses all of us with – get your little woody stroked somewhere else
ain’t happening here…)
never mind the hilary clinton’s; the margaret thatcher’s; the angela merkel’s; the bonnie raitt’s; the rosa park’s; the tina fey’s; the alex morgan’s; the oprah winfrey’s; the aretha franklin’s… as a nation we have profoundly advanced the value and role of women in not just our society (we strive for the value of the woman as a whole) – and more importantly their future role, as far, far, more often than not, the glue which bonds our society, actually our species (and scientifically – many others) – together… i could go on… how about it ladies – all you’re good for is some t & a?!? to be put up on a pedestal so we (well – accordingly – only the handsome worthy male folk) can ogle and ‘appreciate’ the ‘finer’ things in life…
i get it – beyonce – it was at the middle of a football game (perhaps even a remotely compelling one) – the penultimate male dominated knuckle dragging concussive socially athletic homoerotic experience – why shouldn’t there be some ‘meat on the table?’ yes, she’s gorgeous, yes, she can dance (i couldn’t do that sh*t in them shoes) – not convinced on any level she can sing (‘put a ring on it?’ (head hits table and leaves a mark…) – want to see a ‘chick’ perform (i’m borrowing from u_i_s (sorry and thanks…)
there’s nothing wrong with being sexy – but not as a role model – don’t tell me she’s a role model, that she advances the cause of women and girls… how many more hilton’s; kardashian’s; lohan’s; snooki’s do we need? i’d offer – zero, none…
i have to leave now – apparently i have to go find someone to marry my daughter off to before all the really good ones are taken – you know, just in case… elvis forbid – she might chose an ugly one…
i had a post erased miracuously (however you spell it) last night in the midst of the lights out power outage thing. i love how that happens. so now i’m here to recreate and i’ve had some time to think (yeah, yeah, ironic, funny, impossible, you smell something burning – whatever…) at least i stood up and am writing this upright so the blood can flow freely to my brain right…
i found it highly ironic (guess that’s my word for the day) that the english premiere league (epl) it’s where they play proper entertaining football – or as it’s known here in the u.s. as soccer… anywhoseewhatsee – they had a power outage too… right in the midst of a big match – this time right before half time – whereas we had one right after halftime – you see apparently the british in their uptightness jumped the gun and pre-ejaculated the halftime show. whereas we here in the u.s. with all our blue pills and claw footed tubs were able to last well into the third quarter. i mean that beyonce chick…
but as i was pondering this whole half time show thing – #unstoppable_inner_strength made mention of this this am – and as i was responding i became more grossed out. i mean – i was really almost watching porn with my family last night. now i’m fine with porn – as long as my kids are far from it and it’s my space or my spouse’s space or our shared space… but i mean all the hips and legs and asses (hey – all beautiful) but and i applaud the fact she had an all chick band – the guitar thing (a la prince) was totally lame… but what are we trying to show here (virtually everything)… i mean look – for instance – the who – i can’t explain (ah that’s a play there) but is now a bunch of old guys and they’re not going to do anything (well i mean nowadays – on stage, elvis knows what the f*ck townsends been ‘doing’) but beyonce beyond that (sorry was typing and thinking simultaneously and i have to stop that…) and madonna – what’s with the overt sexification (she’s got a teenage daughter – ) … i’m struggling with that… pruddish old man i guess, perverted and dimmentia derived, trying to condomify the virtues of my familia – what are we gaining? what are we doing?
we talk about the culture of gun violence – i mean what if beyonce had flashed the world her body… (wait time out – i have to go look and see if there’s a sex video – i’ll be back)
ok so like fergie too – i mean – (yeah brb)
ok so like
they were totally hot and kept their collective clothes on…
i mean i sure as hell couldn’t dance wearin’ shoes or clothes like these…
