First chance I have had to go to the bathroom all day long came at 4:00 PM.
I found my daughter does a better job dressing herself in the morning....
My skivvies are on backwards.
To my discredit, I dressed myself in the darkness this morning so as to not wake Hope and Winslow.
Yup.
Showing posts with label fatherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fatherhood. Show all posts
Friday, July 22, 2011
Monday, November 22, 2010
Late nights
Emiko, you woke up last night and quietly called out for Daddy. Thanks for being so considerate...you didn't even wake up Mom who needs her sleep right now. You asked me to pick you up and we cuddled in the glider for a handful of precious minutes before you started nodding off again. I asked if you were ready to go back to bed and you said yes. But I wasn't ready to put you down.
I cherish these moments with you. I marvel at both how much you have grown and how you still fit so perfectly in my arms. I cherish your sleepy hugs and your quiet answers to my questions. I marvel at how clearly your mind processes thoughts, even when you are so tired. I will cherish these quiet father and daughter moments for the rest of time.
All my love,
Dad
I cherish these moments with you. I marvel at both how much you have grown and how you still fit so perfectly in my arms. I cherish your sleepy hugs and your quiet answers to my questions. I marvel at how clearly your mind processes thoughts, even when you are so tired. I will cherish these quiet father and daughter moments for the rest of time.
All my love,
Dad
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
I pulled a Dad
Hung out a little late at work on Thursday talking about cars with a Yeti guest. It was a good talk; he and I are pretty much on the same page with what we like. However, he is running an Audi S4 and a Porsche Boxster whilst I run a Volvo XC and a Series Land Rover.
Close, right?
Anywho...a good conversation. And then I climbed into my car and casually drove home without thinking of much else. As I pulled into the garage, I noticed Hope's car was not in her spot and that she wasn't home yet.
And then I realized something else.
I was supposed to pick up Emiko at 5:45 at school. But it was 6:00 and I was at home.
I pulled a Dad.
Close, right?
Anywho...a good conversation. And then I climbed into my car and casually drove home without thinking of much else. As I pulled into the garage, I noticed Hope's car was not in her spot and that she wasn't home yet.
And then I realized something else.
I was supposed to pick up Emiko at 5:45 at school. But it was 6:00 and I was at home.
I pulled a Dad.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A Weekend at Home with Emi
Last weekend was my first weekend at home alone with Emi and we had a blast. We hung out all morning long on Saturday and did a quick trip to visit with Mom during her lunch so Emi could eat too.
Sunday was another full day alone and we spent the afternoon running errands together. She even sat with me while I ate lunch at a nice little Asian cafe. Good times!
And how did it all go, you may wonder?
Everything still works!
Sunday was another full day alone and we spent the afternoon running errands together. She even sat with me while I ate lunch at a nice little Asian cafe. Good times!
And how did it all go, you may wonder?
Everything still works!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Balance
Throughout life I have sought balance.
The balance between responsibilities and leisure. Obligations and desires. Education and sports. Friends, family and work.
Balance was found on two thin tires when riding my bike. Alone through the woods. In a two wheel drift on a loose corner. Along quiet highway shoulders. With Hope riding stoker on the tandem.
Balance was found on an 1/8 inch of steel. Carrying a stick. Blowing a whistle. Balance in making the call...or not making the call. All whilst balanced on an incredibly slippery surface.
But now I find myself searching for a new balance point. All the obligations, sports and leisure are getting shifted to the far side of the fulcrum as I grow into this new position as a parent.
The desire to stay at home to hold Emi and relax with Hope has an overwhelming draw. It seems as if it would be far too easy to fall into that parental trap and forget about some of the other passions of life. They all seem to pale in comparison.
The question is how to balance it all out. I'm still searching....
The balance between responsibilities and leisure. Obligations and desires. Education and sports. Friends, family and work.
Balance was found on two thin tires when riding my bike. Alone through the woods. In a two wheel drift on a loose corner. Along quiet highway shoulders. With Hope riding stoker on the tandem.
Balance was found on an 1/8 inch of steel. Carrying a stick. Blowing a whistle. Balance in making the call...or not making the call. All whilst balanced on an incredibly slippery surface.
But now I find myself searching for a new balance point. All the obligations, sports and leisure are getting shifted to the far side of the fulcrum as I grow into this new position as a parent.
The desire to stay at home to hold Emi and relax with Hope has an overwhelming draw. It seems as if it would be far too easy to fall into that parental trap and forget about some of the other passions of life. They all seem to pale in comparison.
The question is how to balance it all out. I'm still searching....
Thursday, July 31, 2008
July 31, 2008
I began this month with a retrospective post looking back at my past life, past music and past times. I thought it was only appropriate to take and appreciative look forward at what can and will be.
Forty-four days...just 6 weeks...from today (or thereabout), Hope and I will become parents. This is such an exciting thought but also seems to feel like a daunting task. Many of our conversations now look forward at what we will be doing, how we will be raising/educating and what we need to do in preparation.
There really is so much to do. Beyond finishing a bathroom or readying a nursery, we talk about sports, school, college and money. We talk about the general state of the world, of our country, our state and our home. We talk about being more involved is some things, less involved in others. We talk about transportation, vacation, environment, grand parents and friends. We talk about societal issues and how to raise our children to be concerned, involved, caring, cultured and socially adept to make the right decisions about topics that will be up to them.
There is far more depth here than I can do justice in this brief blog. I'm sure I'll touch base on all these things over the coming months and years, whether through published word, conversation or just general parental guidance. I hope you only do the same for your children, your friends and their children.
Pax vobiscum
Forty-four days...just 6 weeks...from today (or thereabout), Hope and I will become parents. This is such an exciting thought but also seems to feel like a daunting task. Many of our conversations now look forward at what we will be doing, how we will be raising/educating and what we need to do in preparation.
There really is so much to do. Beyond finishing a bathroom or readying a nursery, we talk about sports, school, college and money. We talk about the general state of the world, of our country, our state and our home. We talk about being more involved is some things, less involved in others. We talk about transportation, vacation, environment, grand parents and friends. We talk about societal issues and how to raise our children to be concerned, involved, caring, cultured and socially adept to make the right decisions about topics that will be up to them.
There is far more depth here than I can do justice in this brief blog. I'm sure I'll touch base on all these things over the coming months and years, whether through published word, conversation or just general parental guidance. I hope you only do the same for your children, your friends and their children.
Pax vobiscum
Monday, July 21, 2008
The slackjaws
Had another run in with the slackjawed kids from next door the other day.
One of them was inside the garage playing around and the other burst in through the open door and exclaimed, "What the hell is going on in here?"
My calm response was that "we don't use that kind of language in this house." The child had a blank look on his face. Not unlike the one that past across my mind.
An internal conversation began immediately. "What the f**k did I just say? We don't use that kind of language, what the f**k does that mean? Who am I, Ned Flanders? Hi diddly ho neighbor-ino, what can I do-diddly-do you for?"
I'm in a flat spin out to sea....
One of them was inside the garage playing around and the other burst in through the open door and exclaimed, "What the hell is going on in here?"
My calm response was that "we don't use that kind of language in this house." The child had a blank look on his face. Not unlike the one that past across my mind.
An internal conversation began immediately. "What the f**k did I just say? We don't use that kind of language, what the f**k does that mean? Who am I, Ned Flanders? Hi diddly ho neighbor-ino, what can I do-diddly-do you for?"
I'm in a flat spin out to sea....
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Perception and Reality
I have done my best to make sure that I don't blog solely about hockey. Trouble is, hockey is so pervasive, it is hard not to say something every now and then.
I ended up gassing a player tonight for calling me a bitch. But let's start with the back story.
As a player, there are times you are positive something has happened to you, that a penalty should have been called, when nothing has actually happened. I remember when I blew out my knee, I was convinced someone had hit me from behind and taken out my knee on purpose. When the pain had subsided enough, I asked my two teammates and one of the refs who had gotten me. They all said that I had collided with one player but no one hit me from behind. A conclusive truth. My perception as a player versus the reality of the game....
Tonight, a player was on a break toward the net. One of the defensive players tried a poke check, missed and his stick glanced off the offensive players shin pad. Not a slash. The offensive player took the shot, missed the net and then tripped over the sprawling goalies leg pad. The offensive player collapsed and slid into the corner. Not a trip. The player, lying on the ice, began yelling at me for the call. He f-bombed me as he was lying on the ice. I warned him to stop. He f-bombed me again. Now we have a 2 minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This is where training and common sense takes over. After you assess a penalty, you take the long road to the score keepers box to report it. You skate away from the players, allow for some distance between you and the bench to avoid any further altercations. You also do your best not to point directly at a player so the penalty assessment isn't too personal. Even when you want to pull a Nelson Muntz, point at the guilty party, and chortle "Haaaa haaaa."
So I skate away. The player follows, continuing to yell, trying to get my attention, and finally yells, "Look at me, bitch"! OK, that becomes his ten minute misconduct. Now his teammates and my partner on the ice are trying to quiet him down. He is still yelling, enters the penalty box and before he closes the door, sticks his head out and f-bombs me again. That is his game misconduct.
Now, I know I don't get everything all the time. I know sometimes I make mistakes, sometimes I miss a call but I honestly do my best every game. No matter the level, I often pull out the rule book after working to verify that my knowledge and application of the rules is in line with the way the rules are laid out. I don't mean this to be self aggrandizing but it should be known that I do care, no matter what the level.
Perception is inlaid into every part of this game. The players, the coaches, the refs, we all often have a different perception of what has happened throughout a game or in a specific play. In a game situation, it is up to the officials on the ice to have the final say, their perception of the play becomes the reality.
I digress.
After the player is finally removed from the ice, the captain of his team skates over to me. He asks what happened in the corner that resulted in the penalty. I explain that the player began f-bombing me when he was looking for a call. The captain shook his head and stated that the entire bench saw what had happened, their teammate had tripped over the goalie's outstretched leg!
Perception and reality. In so many situations, it is important to remember that whatever perception of any situation in life, reality may be a little different. We have a child on the way who is going to challenge every perception we have of our current life together. And I look forward to the new reality our child will bring to every new day. Let's see if I remember this the first time our sixteen year old dents the Land Rover! Perception and reality.
I ended up gassing a player tonight for calling me a bitch. But let's start with the back story.
As a player, there are times you are positive something has happened to you, that a penalty should have been called, when nothing has actually happened. I remember when I blew out my knee, I was convinced someone had hit me from behind and taken out my knee on purpose. When the pain had subsided enough, I asked my two teammates and one of the refs who had gotten me. They all said that I had collided with one player but no one hit me from behind. A conclusive truth. My perception as a player versus the reality of the game....
Tonight, a player was on a break toward the net. One of the defensive players tried a poke check, missed and his stick glanced off the offensive players shin pad. Not a slash. The offensive player took the shot, missed the net and then tripped over the sprawling goalies leg pad. The offensive player collapsed and slid into the corner. Not a trip. The player, lying on the ice, began yelling at me for the call. He f-bombed me as he was lying on the ice. I warned him to stop. He f-bombed me again. Now we have a 2 minute minor for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This is where training and common sense takes over. After you assess a penalty, you take the long road to the score keepers box to report it. You skate away from the players, allow for some distance between you and the bench to avoid any further altercations. You also do your best not to point directly at a player so the penalty assessment isn't too personal. Even when you want to pull a Nelson Muntz, point at the guilty party, and chortle "Haaaa haaaa."
So I skate away. The player follows, continuing to yell, trying to get my attention, and finally yells, "Look at me, bitch"! OK, that becomes his ten minute misconduct. Now his teammates and my partner on the ice are trying to quiet him down. He is still yelling, enters the penalty box and before he closes the door, sticks his head out and f-bombs me again. That is his game misconduct.
Now, I know I don't get everything all the time. I know sometimes I make mistakes, sometimes I miss a call but I honestly do my best every game. No matter the level, I often pull out the rule book after working to verify that my knowledge and application of the rules is in line with the way the rules are laid out. I don't mean this to be self aggrandizing but it should be known that I do care, no matter what the level.
Perception is inlaid into every part of this game. The players, the coaches, the refs, we all often have a different perception of what has happened throughout a game or in a specific play. In a game situation, it is up to the officials on the ice to have the final say, their perception of the play becomes the reality.
I digress.
After the player is finally removed from the ice, the captain of his team skates over to me. He asks what happened in the corner that resulted in the penalty. I explain that the player began f-bombing me when he was looking for a call. The captain shook his head and stated that the entire bench saw what had happened, their teammate had tripped over the goalie's outstretched leg!
Perception and reality. In so many situations, it is important to remember that whatever perception of any situation in life, reality may be a little different. We have a child on the way who is going to challenge every perception we have of our current life together. And I look forward to the new reality our child will bring to every new day. Let's see if I remember this the first time our sixteen year old dents the Land Rover! Perception and reality.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Perhaps it's time...
Time to start writing again. It's been way too long since I have written anything remotely original. Beyond the plethora of email that bounces around, I'm afraid I have not put pen to paper, or keystroke to computer at all. It's not that I haven't been inspired. A few have been subject to my written rants or rambling calls but I find I feel much more centered if I actually put additional time into my thoughts.
Time for spring to break into summer. Winter seems to be trying to hold on this year. Not that it bothers me so much. But I'm more ready for all of hockey to be over, not to think about what rink I need to be in next, what sweater to take with me to the game, which whistle will actually work.
Time for me to really start riding my bike(s) again. Injury ruined last summer's riding...for the most part. Road was ok but riding on pavement gets way too monotonous. This summer will be all about shedding extra hockey weight (says the guy eating a bag of chips).
Time to finish up the house. For multiple reasons. We have so much to do, so little time and such a small budget. It is all coming together but not having a houseboy to do all of the work puts the bulk of the burden on me now.
Time to become a Dad. The biggest step of all. The most time consuming of all. The one I am most excited about and most scared about. But I look back at the role models I have and had and I know I am far better prepared for this new step than so many others. I think of my Dad, I think of Skip, I think of my brothers, I think of my grandfathers, I think of my closest friend's fathers who have helped guide me along the way. I couldn't find better training, I couldn't read better books, I couldn't ask for better guidance. Now there is only time to wait for each passing day until the little one is fully cooked and ready to be out.
It's time.
Time for spring to break into summer. Winter seems to be trying to hold on this year. Not that it bothers me so much. But I'm more ready for all of hockey to be over, not to think about what rink I need to be in next, what sweater to take with me to the game, which whistle will actually work.
Time for me to really start riding my bike(s) again. Injury ruined last summer's riding...for the most part. Road was ok but riding on pavement gets way too monotonous. This summer will be all about shedding extra hockey weight (says the guy eating a bag of chips).
Time to finish up the house. For multiple reasons. We have so much to do, so little time and such a small budget. It is all coming together but not having a houseboy to do all of the work puts the bulk of the burden on me now.
Time to become a Dad. The biggest step of all. The most time consuming of all. The one I am most excited about and most scared about. But I look back at the role models I have and had and I know I am far better prepared for this new step than so many others. I think of my Dad, I think of Skip, I think of my brothers, I think of my grandfathers, I think of my closest friend's fathers who have helped guide me along the way. I couldn't find better training, I couldn't read better books, I couldn't ask for better guidance. Now there is only time to wait for each passing day until the little one is fully cooked and ready to be out.
It's time.
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