Approximately four years ago I sent emails to a select few people who I thought needed to be more informed about the US Olympic Swimming Trials. I doubt they agreed that they needed to be more informed, but I think they enjoyed the random bits of information and occasional style-stealing emails they received. From those few emails, this blog emerged.
I was pretty active then. I wrote just about every day during London 2012 and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It gave me incentive to watch more Olympic broadcasts and to explore sports I never watched before. It also made me feel like a writer for a few weeks.
After the 2012 Olympics ended, I continued the blog. The subject matter was inconsistent, as was the timing of posts. Sometimes I would write on back to back days; sometimes I would take several months off. There was no rhyme or reason to it, it just kind of happened as it happened.
In the Winter of 2014, I was back in full force. Again, the Olympics provided me inspiration and an imaginary deadline. I wrote just about every day during Sochi 2014 and enjoyed it just as much. Many of the Winter Olympic sports are more fun to watch than the Summer Olympic sports, because I don't watch them as often. I am the type of person who loves to watch almost any athletic endeavor, at least for a little while. That includes Cross-Fit competitions, American Ninja Warrior, football, Olympics, softball, golf, cycling, and even the occasional X Games competition; plus a whole lot more. If I have the time, and it is on, I will gladly watch people physically challenge themselves, even in some crazy ways.
However, the swimming is really the thing for me. I love swim meets. I love summer swim meets, winter swim meets, high school meets, college meets and international meets. I love watching the 6 year old girl, almost in tears, grab the lane rope 5 times while trying to finish 25 meters of freestyle (and truly demonstrating that freestyle means "free" style), while everyone there cheers her on as much as I love watching Katie Ledecky dominate an international competition. I love watching 25 heats of the boys 50 fly, just to see boys I don't know, boys I do know, boys I have never heard of and boys who's names I have seen several times in other meet sheets try to do better than they did last time. I love watching swimming so much I will go to cheer on my teammates in a 2-mile open water swim, when I can't even tell who they are, except Kyle in his bright orange suit. And I love the Olympic Trials.
I have complained about Rowdy Gaines a few times in this blog, and I will probably do it again. Today, I am going to praise Rowdy. Rowdy loves swimming. He says some things way too much, he sometimes discusses the race he was expecting rather than the race that is occurring, and he has tried to take credit for things he didn't do, but his passion for the sport and the people participating in the races is true. He also gets a lot right.
Rowdy says the US Olympic Trials has more pressure than the Olympics and I agree. There are over 100 competitors in just about every event competed at US Olympic Trials. Two will go to the Olympics. Two. And Katie Ledecky will be one of those two for at least three events. Missy Franklin, Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps, and a few others are also likely to take more than one spot. The third place finisher at US Olympic Trials in most events would probably make the finals at the Olympics and have a chance to medal. But they finished 3rd, so they are going home to watch on TV, just like me. And it doesn't matter who you are. Finish top two or you are out, regardless of the name on your sweats, the Olympic Rings tattooed on your body or the number of Olympic medals you have at home. That is pressure.
Yesterday, Townley Haas missed qualifying in the 400 free by less than half a second, after racing for nearly 4 minutes. In the next 7 days, several people will miss their dream by less time. Yesterday, Ryan Lochte, winner of 11 Olympic medals, five gold, finished 3rd in the 400 IM. Thanks for trying, but not this year Ryan. Lochte will likely qualify in at least one event, but with every third place finish, the pressure for the next swim gets a little higher. Lochte is 31 years old. This is probably his last rodeo. Townley Haas is young. He will be swimming other events this year, and will certainly have a chance in 4 years, probably in eight. But there are no guarantees. You have to perform and you have to perform now. Previous swims, World Records, Olympic Championships, ridiculous times swam at an international meet last year or just a few months ago at the NCAA Championships mean nothing. Do it now, or go home. Even Katie Ledecky must do it this week. That is pressure.
In case you didn't know, the US Olympic Swimming Trials started yesterday. So I am back on. I have thought about writing about other things, such as the last play, game tying goal scored against Eldest's soccer team in the championship game of an all star soccer tournament a few weeks ago. They lost in extra time. I thought about writing about eldest getting a phone. I thought about Middle's basketball season. I thought about writing why I haven't written, which has a lot to do with Rich Williams, my decision to be coached as a Masters swimmer, and the ensuing exhaustion and pain. (Damn you, Rich Williams.) I thought about the beginning of Kill the Family Tour v.3. None of this got me to sit in front of a computer and write. But, Trials? That did it. I owe that to my six loyal and dedicated readers. Hopefully a few others will enjoy my contribution to the next week as well.
A few Random thoughts:
1. The random connections to me from just yesterday are staggering. Staggering I tell you. Six people technically qualified for the Olympics (more on the technical part of this later.) Of those six, one grew up in the same unheard of town as my wife (Go Chase Kalisz, from Bel Air, Maryland!!) and one grew up in the same little town as my mother (Go Elizabeth Beisel, from Saunderstown, RI!!) That's 1/3 of Olympians. I must be good luck. Well, OK, the women in my life must be good luck.
2. Two of the eight finalists in the Women's 100 Fly attended the same high school. One of them is still in high school. And that is the same high school I attended. Two of eight. Go West Potomac!! Go Cassidy Bayer!! Go Helen Moffitt!! See, I am good luck.
3. Lochte must really be questioning his decision to swim the 400 IM.
4. Congratulations to the qualifiers from yesterday - Chase Kalisz, Jay Litherland, Connor Jaeger, Conor Dwyer, Maya DiRado and Elizabeth Beisel.
What to Watch For:
1. Showdown between Kelsi Worrell and Dana Vollmer in 100 Fly, and will either put a scare into Sarah Sjostrom.
2. Men's 200 Free - Michael Phelps begins his quest again; Lochte tries again, Townley Haas tries to do it in the big pool, the mid distance swimmers come down from the 400, can Jack Conger qualify for the Olympics after never winning an NCAA title. Relay spots on the line as well. A lot of story lines in the 200 free.
3. Katie Ledecky swims. The world should just stop when this happens so we can all appreciate the most dominant athlete on the planet. NBC should allow all other networks to do a live look in. Really, watch and appreciate. Even if you don't enjoy distance swimming, you must appreciate dominance on this level.
4. Men's 100 Back - Youth v. Experience.
5. Missy Franklin, the darling of London 2012.
Predictions:
1. Women's 100 Fly - Worrell, Vollmer
2. Men's 100 Breast - Cordes, Prenot
3. Women's 400 Free - Ledecky and no one else will be on the screen when she touches.
4. 10 x 75 free with paddles is going to hurt tonight.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
Fat Old Man Update
I did it.
If you are one of my five original readers, or you have looked back on old posts on this blog, you have been blessed with several things. First, and most importantly, you have been blessed with my unique insight into the 2012 Summer Olympics. While getting this unique insight you were also blessed with fun human interest stories, occasional commentary on the boys, excellent predictions and the "Fat Old Man Update".
I'll get to the Update in a second, but I have to say my predictions were great. I think they were great because I have an excellent brain. I'm very smart. And insightful. People like me. All sorts of people like me. If you look at other people's predictions during the 2012 Olympics, they were terrible. Just horrible. Mine were great. Their's weren't. You can look it up.
...Back to our regularly scheduled programming...
The Fat Old Man Update was a result of my motivation to exercise. While watching the greatest athletes in the world, and particularly the greatest swimmers in the world, I was inspired by dreams of glory that will never come and delusions of grandeur concerning abilities I will never have to get in the pool and swim. This wasn't the first, or the last, time I was inspired by such dreams and delusions. It was, however, the only time I publicly discussed them. During the 2012 Olympics, I swam a few times a week and posted to my readers a minimal amount of information on my workouts. I called these the "Fat Old Man Updates" because I am fat (obese if you look at any old BMI calculator, but not really if you look at me), I am old (meaning I am not young) and I am male (whether I am a "man" is up for discussion.)
After the Olympics ended, I made several promises. I am fairly certain I have kept none of those promises. The only thing I can say is that I picked up for Sochi 2014, right where I left off after London 2012, except, perhaps, the Fat Old Man Update. One of those broken promises was to keep the Fat Old Man Update, if for no other reason than to publicly acknowledge when I exercise and, more importantly, when I don't, and theoretically publicly shame myself into exercising more regularly. For you grammar police out there, the number of adverbs in that last sentence must have made you cringe.
I didn't keep up the Fat Old Man Update. Let the public shaming commence. It is not that I gave up exercising, I just do it when I can. It is safe to say I don't prioritize it. Basically, I swim when my kids swim and nothing else is going on. I am fairly certain I have written about this at least once. Something about a driving desire for a bacon cheeseburger comes to mind. Regardless, I have fairly consistently jumped in the pool to swim twice a week during the AGAD practice for the past 3 years. That covers October through May. Summer exercise has taken a hit because of Kill the Family Tour 2014 and Kill the Family Tour 2.0.
Recently, I added two new twists to the exercise routine. First, I joined what a friend called "The Fun Challenge". The Fun Challenge was a challenge to do 100 push ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats every day for 30 days. I haven't done anything like this in decades. It was not "fun". Despite some real pain, and having to shovel during and after a historic snowstorm in the middle of the 30 days, I managed to do this. Since the 30 days ended, I have missed a few days, but am continuing to do "the 100s" on a fairly consistent basis.
The second twist was joining a Masters Swim Team, Club Tribe Alumni. The team is sporadic, geographically, so initially, all this meant was I registered with US Masters Swimming and spent about $50.00. Ultimately, it meant I registered to swim in a meet, my first real swimming competition in 22 years. I learned shortly thereafter that it also meant I could get workouts from a coach. The coach is a teammate, who writes workouts for the swimmers on the team. We briefly discussed catering the workouts to my needs, but haven't finalized that step.
So, I did it. I swam in a Masters Swim Meet, the Inaugural Club Tribe Alumni Masters Classic. Prior to swimming in the meet, I started the new swim workout routine from the team coach/team member mentioned above. The workouts are a little different than I am used to, because they use high intensity/high rest sets, something I wasn't doing. The first time I did one of these workouts it kicked my ass. Several others have, as well. I have settled in though, and am enjoying the new workouts, even though I sometimes feel a little weird resting for more than minute during a set of 25s. Just hanging out, by myself, at the end of the pool.
The meet was fun. I didn't know what to expect, but I am not surprised to have enjoyed myself. Swimming people are good people. William and Mary people are good people. Put them together and you have really good people. The meet was held at my old pool, the W&M Rec Center. The meet was worked by the W&M Swim Team, coming off conference championship seasons for both the men and the women. There was some very fast swimming. Not by me, but very fast swimming by other people.
I enjoyed competing. I enjoyed being part of a team. I enjoyed seeing an old, dear friend I hadn't seen in over 20 years. I enjoyed seeing a couple of other old, dear friends who I had seen, just a couple years ago. I enjoyed meeting a few new people. I look forward to meeting more, competing more and being part of a team again. And I enjoyed watching some fabulous swimming by people ranging in age from 24 to 90. Yes 90.
Mostly, though, I hurt. Wow! Have I forgotten how to race. Regardless, though, I showed the boys that their old man does know how to swim. I think I impressed Eldest, as well as a few other younger swimmers, who all seemed impressed that their parents and their parents' friends could still get it done.
If you read this blog almost 4 years ago, you know I thought about doing this. I am not sure why I waited, but I am glad I did. I did this at the right time. Circumstances and opportunity collided in a perfect storm. You also know that I publicly stated one goal if I ever did this. I did that, too.
If you are one of my five original readers, or you have looked back on old posts on this blog, you have been blessed with several things. First, and most importantly, you have been blessed with my unique insight into the 2012 Summer Olympics. While getting this unique insight you were also blessed with fun human interest stories, occasional commentary on the boys, excellent predictions and the "Fat Old Man Update".
I'll get to the Update in a second, but I have to say my predictions were great. I think they were great because I have an excellent brain. I'm very smart. And insightful. People like me. All sorts of people like me. If you look at other people's predictions during the 2012 Olympics, they were terrible. Just horrible. Mine were great. Their's weren't. You can look it up.
...Back to our regularly scheduled programming...
The Fat Old Man Update was a result of my motivation to exercise. While watching the greatest athletes in the world, and particularly the greatest swimmers in the world, I was inspired by dreams of glory that will never come and delusions of grandeur concerning abilities I will never have to get in the pool and swim. This wasn't the first, or the last, time I was inspired by such dreams and delusions. It was, however, the only time I publicly discussed them. During the 2012 Olympics, I swam a few times a week and posted to my readers a minimal amount of information on my workouts. I called these the "Fat Old Man Updates" because I am fat (obese if you look at any old BMI calculator, but not really if you look at me), I am old (meaning I am not young) and I am male (whether I am a "man" is up for discussion.)
After the Olympics ended, I made several promises. I am fairly certain I have kept none of those promises. The only thing I can say is that I picked up for Sochi 2014, right where I left off after London 2012, except, perhaps, the Fat Old Man Update. One of those broken promises was to keep the Fat Old Man Update, if for no other reason than to publicly acknowledge when I exercise and, more importantly, when I don't, and theoretically publicly shame myself into exercising more regularly. For you grammar police out there, the number of adverbs in that last sentence must have made you cringe.
I didn't keep up the Fat Old Man Update. Let the public shaming commence. It is not that I gave up exercising, I just do it when I can. It is safe to say I don't prioritize it. Basically, I swim when my kids swim and nothing else is going on. I am fairly certain I have written about this at least once. Something about a driving desire for a bacon cheeseburger comes to mind. Regardless, I have fairly consistently jumped in the pool to swim twice a week during the AGAD practice for the past 3 years. That covers October through May. Summer exercise has taken a hit because of Kill the Family Tour 2014 and Kill the Family Tour 2.0.
Recently, I added two new twists to the exercise routine. First, I joined what a friend called "The Fun Challenge". The Fun Challenge was a challenge to do 100 push ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats every day for 30 days. I haven't done anything like this in decades. It was not "fun". Despite some real pain, and having to shovel during and after a historic snowstorm in the middle of the 30 days, I managed to do this. Since the 30 days ended, I have missed a few days, but am continuing to do "the 100s" on a fairly consistent basis.
The second twist was joining a Masters Swim Team, Club Tribe Alumni. The team is sporadic, geographically, so initially, all this meant was I registered with US Masters Swimming and spent about $50.00. Ultimately, it meant I registered to swim in a meet, my first real swimming competition in 22 years. I learned shortly thereafter that it also meant I could get workouts from a coach. The coach is a teammate, who writes workouts for the swimmers on the team. We briefly discussed catering the workouts to my needs, but haven't finalized that step.
So, I did it. I swam in a Masters Swim Meet, the Inaugural Club Tribe Alumni Masters Classic. Prior to swimming in the meet, I started the new swim workout routine from the team coach/team member mentioned above. The workouts are a little different than I am used to, because they use high intensity/high rest sets, something I wasn't doing. The first time I did one of these workouts it kicked my ass. Several others have, as well. I have settled in though, and am enjoying the new workouts, even though I sometimes feel a little weird resting for more than minute during a set of 25s. Just hanging out, by myself, at the end of the pool.
The meet was fun. I didn't know what to expect, but I am not surprised to have enjoyed myself. Swimming people are good people. William and Mary people are good people. Put them together and you have really good people. The meet was held at my old pool, the W&M Rec Center. The meet was worked by the W&M Swim Team, coming off conference championship seasons for both the men and the women. There was some very fast swimming. Not by me, but very fast swimming by other people.
I enjoyed competing. I enjoyed being part of a team. I enjoyed seeing an old, dear friend I hadn't seen in over 20 years. I enjoyed seeing a couple of other old, dear friends who I had seen, just a couple years ago. I enjoyed meeting a few new people. I look forward to meeting more, competing more and being part of a team again. And I enjoyed watching some fabulous swimming by people ranging in age from 24 to 90. Yes 90.
Mostly, though, I hurt. Wow! Have I forgotten how to race. Regardless, though, I showed the boys that their old man does know how to swim. I think I impressed Eldest, as well as a few other younger swimmers, who all seemed impressed that their parents and their parents' friends could still get it done.
If you read this blog almost 4 years ago, you know I thought about doing this. I am not sure why I waited, but I am glad I did. I did this at the right time. Circumstances and opportunity collided in a perfect storm. You also know that I publicly stated one goal if I ever did this. I did that, too.
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Snow Week? Snow Month?
We survived the Blizzard of 2016. The aftermath...well that is a different question.
I have lived in the DC area for the vast majority of my life. I have lived through several big snowstorms. I have endured mockery from the more northern areas of the country about how we can't handle the snow. Maybe not directly, but I know you northerners are out there, mocking me, as part of the whole DC area. I have enjoyed days off from school at all levels, including several days in college and even a few during law school. I have been stuck at home, because of snow and because of school closures and no child care. I have seen many things, and learned even more.
As I sit here in my house, with the Boys upstairs, probably on some electronic device, and the Wife getting a little weepy watching A River Runs Through It, I can't help but wonder, will my Boys ever go back to school? Last week, they were off Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Tuesday for a teacher workday, Thursday because...well, I don't even know, and Friday, to keep school buses from joining the mass return home early Friday afternoon before the blizzard hit. This week, they are off at least through Wednesday. I feel confident saying they will not be going to school Thursday. Friday is a question mark, but I would be surprised if they go. As long as we are counting, that is one day in two weeks. People are calling it Winter Break Part II.
I had a few of these when I was in school. My Middle Brother's senior year in high school included 2 week break very similar to what we are experiencing now. I remember this quite well, because he had to end the year on a normal schedule, because graduation couldn't be changed, while I was making up snow days until early August. I heard in both college and law school that snow days never happened. Mason Law was practically bragging about never closing. I had snow days during 3 of my 4 years in college and the Blizzard of 1996 kind of shut up Mason, as we had almost a whole week off.
Those northerners I mentioned earlier are always mocking, laughing and bragging in their own right. Someone posted on Facebook that buffalo calls days like these "Tuesday" and that schools start on time the next day. Fairfax County gets more than their fair share of criticism for the unenviable task of deciding what is safe for almost 200,000 students. I have spent the majority of my time discussing this defending Fairfax County. Last Thursday was an exception. This week is not.
We are lucky. Our street was plowed a couple times Saturday during the storm, and several times Sunday after the storm. We could get out by Sunday night. Monday morning the Wife was able to go to the grocery store to get food for the week. As of last night, there were streets all over the DC area that had not been plowed. Even in places like our neighborhood, that have been plowed, things are crazy. Our street is basically one lane. If the Boys have school there is no where to stand while waiting for the bus, except on the four lane road at the entrance to the neighborhood, which is really only about three and a half lanes right now. We went out earlier today and most of the roads that are cleared are only about half cleared. This is going to be a mess for while.
I spent most of Saturday watching the snow. I shoveled some, but it was a little depressing, because an hour after shoveling, there was an inch of snow on the ground. Take a break for lunch, and it barely looked like you had done anything. Thinking back now, I barely remember Saturday. Sunday was shoveling day. I shoveled non-stop until we could get two cars out. I finished in time to watch the football games, but I was done. Monday was more work. I had to re-shovel the end of the driveway that was covered by a snowplow, and Eldest and I cleared a fire hydrant. Today, I cleared space for the mail truck. Luckily, it is not cold, so things are melting. The shoveling is tiring and I am sore, but the hardest part with this storm is deciding where to put the snow. There is too much. In my neighborhood and on the streets.
The Boys have had an on and off time. They have spent too much time on electronic devices. They have watched too much TV. They have spent too much time together. They have spent time playing in the snow. They get tired and they get punchy. Then they freak out because they can't win some game I don't even understand.
With all of this, here are a few things I have learned:
1. The Boys need school...badly. Youngest has turned into a little demon. He needs a haircut and his hair is this mop of crazy. He is over-reacting to everything and occasionally starts screaming at his brothers. He has no idea what he wants and gets overly emotional whenever he doesn't get what he wants, which is kind of a catch-22, because he doesn't know what he wants. Good times.
2. The "Fun Challenge" one of my crazy Facebook friends made up, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats every day for 30 days, that started about 2 weeks ago, is helpful. Shoveling requires the use of muscles you didn't know existed. The daily exercises help to keep things loose. Each day I wake up sore thinking I can't possibly do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats every day. Each day I do them and I feel better.
3. Snow Days aren't as much fun for an adult as they are for a kid.
4. Day time TV sucks. And you can't binge-watch much with children around.
5. Middle likes some really bad TV shows.
6. Eldest is getting older. He is the only one who seems to be handling things well.
7. That was a lot of snow.
I have lived in the DC area for the vast majority of my life. I have lived through several big snowstorms. I have endured mockery from the more northern areas of the country about how we can't handle the snow. Maybe not directly, but I know you northerners are out there, mocking me, as part of the whole DC area. I have enjoyed days off from school at all levels, including several days in college and even a few during law school. I have been stuck at home, because of snow and because of school closures and no child care. I have seen many things, and learned even more.
As I sit here in my house, with the Boys upstairs, probably on some electronic device, and the Wife getting a little weepy watching A River Runs Through It, I can't help but wonder, will my Boys ever go back to school? Last week, they were off Monday for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Tuesday for a teacher workday, Thursday because...well, I don't even know, and Friday, to keep school buses from joining the mass return home early Friday afternoon before the blizzard hit. This week, they are off at least through Wednesday. I feel confident saying they will not be going to school Thursday. Friday is a question mark, but I would be surprised if they go. As long as we are counting, that is one day in two weeks. People are calling it Winter Break Part II.
I had a few of these when I was in school. My Middle Brother's senior year in high school included 2 week break very similar to what we are experiencing now. I remember this quite well, because he had to end the year on a normal schedule, because graduation couldn't be changed, while I was making up snow days until early August. I heard in both college and law school that snow days never happened. Mason Law was practically bragging about never closing. I had snow days during 3 of my 4 years in college and the Blizzard of 1996 kind of shut up Mason, as we had almost a whole week off.
Those northerners I mentioned earlier are always mocking, laughing and bragging in their own right. Someone posted on Facebook that buffalo calls days like these "Tuesday" and that schools start on time the next day. Fairfax County gets more than their fair share of criticism for the unenviable task of deciding what is safe for almost 200,000 students. I have spent the majority of my time discussing this defending Fairfax County. Last Thursday was an exception. This week is not.
We are lucky. Our street was plowed a couple times Saturday during the storm, and several times Sunday after the storm. We could get out by Sunday night. Monday morning the Wife was able to go to the grocery store to get food for the week. As of last night, there were streets all over the DC area that had not been plowed. Even in places like our neighborhood, that have been plowed, things are crazy. Our street is basically one lane. If the Boys have school there is no where to stand while waiting for the bus, except on the four lane road at the entrance to the neighborhood, which is really only about three and a half lanes right now. We went out earlier today and most of the roads that are cleared are only about half cleared. This is going to be a mess for while.
I spent most of Saturday watching the snow. I shoveled some, but it was a little depressing, because an hour after shoveling, there was an inch of snow on the ground. Take a break for lunch, and it barely looked like you had done anything. Thinking back now, I barely remember Saturday. Sunday was shoveling day. I shoveled non-stop until we could get two cars out. I finished in time to watch the football games, but I was done. Monday was more work. I had to re-shovel the end of the driveway that was covered by a snowplow, and Eldest and I cleared a fire hydrant. Today, I cleared space for the mail truck. Luckily, it is not cold, so things are melting. The shoveling is tiring and I am sore, but the hardest part with this storm is deciding where to put the snow. There is too much. In my neighborhood and on the streets.
The Boys have had an on and off time. They have spent too much time on electronic devices. They have watched too much TV. They have spent too much time together. They have spent time playing in the snow. They get tired and they get punchy. Then they freak out because they can't win some game I don't even understand.
With all of this, here are a few things I have learned:
1. The Boys need school...badly. Youngest has turned into a little demon. He needs a haircut and his hair is this mop of crazy. He is over-reacting to everything and occasionally starts screaming at his brothers. He has no idea what he wants and gets overly emotional whenever he doesn't get what he wants, which is kind of a catch-22, because he doesn't know what he wants. Good times.
2. The "Fun Challenge" one of my crazy Facebook friends made up, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats every day for 30 days, that started about 2 weeks ago, is helpful. Shoveling requires the use of muscles you didn't know existed. The daily exercises help to keep things loose. Each day I wake up sore thinking I can't possibly do 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups and 100 squats every day. Each day I do them and I feel better.
3. Snow Days aren't as much fun for an adult as they are for a kid.
4. Day time TV sucks. And you can't binge-watch much with children around.
5. Middle likes some really bad TV shows.
6. Eldest is getting older. He is the only one who seems to be handling things well.
7. That was a lot of snow.
Friday, December 25, 2015
Christmas?
When I was a freshman in college, I walked into Springfield Mall at 10:30 am, having not bought one Christmas present. I had two and a half hour to get gifts for every member of my family, my girlfriend, and a few friends who I regularly gave presents to. I only had two and a half hour, because every tore in the mall closed at 1 pm. I am fairly certain I was wearing shorts. I am also fairly certain it was cold. Oh, how the times have changed.
A couple of days ago, Youngest declared that he needed to ride his scooter to go get the Wife (known to him as "Mom") a Christmas present. Youngest is 6, so trecking down Route 50 on a scooter is not a viable plan. I asked him where he wanted to go, and he told me to Target to get Mom chocolate. I offered to do it for him, but he said no. He wanted to go himself. I offered to take him, and he said that would be acceptable.
The next day, I went to work, stopped at a store or two on my way home, ate dinner and did some wrapping. The next day, I did the same thing. The next day was Christmas Eve. I went to work. Our office closed early, so I headed home about lunchtime. I stopped by Giant on my way home. I got home and ate lunch. Shortly thereafter, we headed to church for the family Christmas Eve service, where the Boys played the three Wise Men. Eldest looked very Wise-Man-like with his long, curly hair hanging below some headdress the church provided.
After church, we ate dinner and had a special December 24 dessert surprise, which shall remain our little secret. The Boys loved the special December 24 dessert surprise, and suggested that it should become a yearly tradition. I like Christmas traditions, so much that I drafted a Blog post about Christmas traditions in my head. Sadly, it never found its way onto the computer. So, I am willing to keep this one a tradition, so long as it remains a secret between me, the Wife, the Boys, O4C and Jimmy Kimmel.
After dinner and a little clean-up, I asked Youngest if he wanted to go get Mom her chocolate. At 7:15 pm. On Christmas Eve. He very excitedly said yes, so we headed out to Target, with Middle who wanted to join us. We were all wearing shorts. And t-shirts. Going Shopping. At 7:15. PM. On Christmas Eve. The person in line in front of me asked the cashier when the store closed. He said 10 pm. Oh, how the times have changed.
I enjoyed the ability to take youngest to Target to get his mother chocolate. I enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to be particularly prepared to allow him to do it. I am pleased that I didn't have to give in to his request to scoot down Route 50, floppy blonde hair in the wind, to get his mother some chocolate. I am not sure, however, how I feel about Target being open until 10 pm on Christmas Eve. I know some people didn't get off work early. I know some people have unusual work schedules. I know some people don't celebrate Christmas. I understand all of this on an intellectual level. It still seems wrong to me. Even though, there I was, at Target, at 7:15 pm, on Christmas Eve. Apparently, I am part of the problem.
I enjoy warm weather. I particularly like spring and fall, when the days are mild and the nights are chilly. I like San Diego weather. However, notwithstanding the feelings of my family in San Diego, I also believe Christmas is a winter holiday. It should be cold on Christmas. The Wife shouldn't walk outside at 10 pm on Christmas Eve and tell me that she feels fine, standing there in a tank top and jeans. I shouldn't have to allow Eldest to turn the air conditioning on during dinner, because we are all uncomfortable after the oven had been on for the potatoes. (Yes, that happened. We gave in and turned on the A/C on Christmas Eve. And slept with a ceiling fan on.) I know people live in warm weather climates and celebrate Christmas (I am related to some of them.) I understand this on an intellectual level. It still seems wrong to me. (Sorry, California Earles. Oh, and all you other people living in warm weather climates or vacationing in warm weather areas this Christmas Day.)
Despite what seems wrong to me, it is Christmas. I am sitting in my kitchen, listening to Eldest russle around in his room, unable to sleep because of the excitement of Christmas morning. (We have a 7 am rule in our house, no presents until 7, so he still has an hour to wait. However, he is allowed to get on his laptop at 6.) The tree has a plethora of presents under it. And I do mean a plethora. I am so happy to be able to use that word. The stockings are filled and sitting quietly in chairs, waiting for the insanity that will ensue in about an hour. One cat is sleeping in a place that he will not be able to sleep in just over 60 minutes.
As the Grinch learned, Christmas came. Even with the warm weather. Even with the stores staying open until 10 pm. It came, just the same. Traditions die and new ones are born. We don't do everything every year, but we have our traditions. Tonight, we will have dinner with my parents, my oldest brother and his wife. We will think about my middle brother and his family, enjoying a warm Christmas in Texas. we will think about family enjoying a warm Christmas in Rhode Island, and family enjoying a cooler than they want Christmas in San Diego. Tomorrow we will go see the in-laws to enjoy what has now been called "second Chritmas." Christmas came.
It is too warm outside. The stores were open too late last night. The A/C is on. And Christmas came. Eldest can't sleep. Middle can't sleep. The Wife, after making cookies and dinner, and all the wrapping, can. The cat doesn't know what will hit him in less than an hour. Christmas came. Life is Good.
Merry Christmas!
A couple of days ago, Youngest declared that he needed to ride his scooter to go get the Wife (known to him as "Mom") a Christmas present. Youngest is 6, so trecking down Route 50 on a scooter is not a viable plan. I asked him where he wanted to go, and he told me to Target to get Mom chocolate. I offered to do it for him, but he said no. He wanted to go himself. I offered to take him, and he said that would be acceptable.
The next day, I went to work, stopped at a store or two on my way home, ate dinner and did some wrapping. The next day, I did the same thing. The next day was Christmas Eve. I went to work. Our office closed early, so I headed home about lunchtime. I stopped by Giant on my way home. I got home and ate lunch. Shortly thereafter, we headed to church for the family Christmas Eve service, where the Boys played the three Wise Men. Eldest looked very Wise-Man-like with his long, curly hair hanging below some headdress the church provided.
After church, we ate dinner and had a special December 24 dessert surprise, which shall remain our little secret. The Boys loved the special December 24 dessert surprise, and suggested that it should become a yearly tradition. I like Christmas traditions, so much that I drafted a Blog post about Christmas traditions in my head. Sadly, it never found its way onto the computer. So, I am willing to keep this one a tradition, so long as it remains a secret between me, the Wife, the Boys, O4C and Jimmy Kimmel.
After dinner and a little clean-up, I asked Youngest if he wanted to go get Mom her chocolate. At 7:15 pm. On Christmas Eve. He very excitedly said yes, so we headed out to Target, with Middle who wanted to join us. We were all wearing shorts. And t-shirts. Going Shopping. At 7:15. PM. On Christmas Eve. The person in line in front of me asked the cashier when the store closed. He said 10 pm. Oh, how the times have changed.
I enjoyed the ability to take youngest to Target to get his mother chocolate. I enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to be particularly prepared to allow him to do it. I am pleased that I didn't have to give in to his request to scoot down Route 50, floppy blonde hair in the wind, to get his mother some chocolate. I am not sure, however, how I feel about Target being open until 10 pm on Christmas Eve. I know some people didn't get off work early. I know some people have unusual work schedules. I know some people don't celebrate Christmas. I understand all of this on an intellectual level. It still seems wrong to me. Even though, there I was, at Target, at 7:15 pm, on Christmas Eve. Apparently, I am part of the problem.
I enjoy warm weather. I particularly like spring and fall, when the days are mild and the nights are chilly. I like San Diego weather. However, notwithstanding the feelings of my family in San Diego, I also believe Christmas is a winter holiday. It should be cold on Christmas. The Wife shouldn't walk outside at 10 pm on Christmas Eve and tell me that she feels fine, standing there in a tank top and jeans. I shouldn't have to allow Eldest to turn the air conditioning on during dinner, because we are all uncomfortable after the oven had been on for the potatoes. (Yes, that happened. We gave in and turned on the A/C on Christmas Eve. And slept with a ceiling fan on.) I know people live in warm weather climates and celebrate Christmas (I am related to some of them.) I understand this on an intellectual level. It still seems wrong to me. (Sorry, California Earles. Oh, and all you other people living in warm weather climates or vacationing in warm weather areas this Christmas Day.)
Despite what seems wrong to me, it is Christmas. I am sitting in my kitchen, listening to Eldest russle around in his room, unable to sleep because of the excitement of Christmas morning. (We have a 7 am rule in our house, no presents until 7, so he still has an hour to wait. However, he is allowed to get on his laptop at 6.) The tree has a plethora of presents under it. And I do mean a plethora. I am so happy to be able to use that word. The stockings are filled and sitting quietly in chairs, waiting for the insanity that will ensue in about an hour. One cat is sleeping in a place that he will not be able to sleep in just over 60 minutes.
As the Grinch learned, Christmas came. Even with the warm weather. Even with the stores staying open until 10 pm. It came, just the same. Traditions die and new ones are born. We don't do everything every year, but we have our traditions. Tonight, we will have dinner with my parents, my oldest brother and his wife. We will think about my middle brother and his family, enjoying a warm Christmas in Texas. we will think about family enjoying a warm Christmas in Rhode Island, and family enjoying a cooler than they want Christmas in San Diego. Tomorrow we will go see the in-laws to enjoy what has now been called "second Chritmas." Christmas came.
It is too warm outside. The stores were open too late last night. The A/C is on. And Christmas came. Eldest can't sleep. Middle can't sleep. The Wife, after making cookies and dinner, and all the wrapping, can. The cat doesn't know what will hit him in less than an hour. Christmas came. Life is Good.
Merry Christmas!
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Post Holiday Thanks - 2015
Yesterday I spent the morning wandering around Colonial Williamsburg, ate lunch at The Cheese Shop, came back to our cottage for a couple hours of rest, ate dinner, went back to Colonial Williamsburg for a Ghost Tour and returned to our cottage. After all this, while sitting in a chair with a glass of wine in her hand, The Wife, who crashed hard during our "couple hours of rest" looked at me and said, "Hey, you have to blog today!" Have to. I would think the one person who understands that this is a hobby and not a "have to" would be the Wife, but there she was, glass of wine in her hand, 2 hour nap in her back pocket, ordering me to get going.
I can't completely blame her. For the past 3 years, I have posted a blog on how I hate Thanksgiving. Each year, the Thanksgiving post has become a little more tongue-in-cheek. I do actually realize Thanksgiving is not the Devil's Holiday. Regardless of the trend of my Thanksgiving posts, The Wife doesn't like them. She doesn't like them for a few reasons, but mainly because she LOVES Thanksgiving and because they aren't about the Boys. This year, not only did she not like the Thanksgiving post, she didn't get it. When The Wife doesn't get it, I know I missed the mark. I guess I wasn't on top of my game Thursday. Kind of like Tony Romo. At least I came out of it without a fractured collarbone.
I knew Thursday wasn't my best work. But this year has been a pretty weak year at the Observations of a Suburban Dad Blog, so I plowed through. I needed to say something. I needed to get back in the saddle. The only two consistent subject I have blogged on are the Olympics and Thanksgiving. We are in that terrible lull of two and a half years between the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics, so I have been a little short. So it had to be Thanksgiving, whether my best work or not. Forgive me, I'm on vacation.
Now I give you my annual list of things I am thankful for. As always, these are in no particular order...really, no particular order. The first thing on the list this year may be the first thing on the list last year...and the year before, but that's just a coincidence. Really:
Alex Morgan - Now a World Cup Champion, as well as everything else.
The William and Mary Football Team - for losing last week, giving them a home game this week, instead of a bye.
My Parents - for giving us a week (almost a week) in Williamsburg, getting the family together for Thanksgiving, getting us passes to CW yesterday and, you know, raising me and stuff.
One Direction - for making the Wife feel and act like a teenage girl from time to time, or perhaps even a little more often than that.
The Wife - for finally getting out of bed, 1 hour after everyone else here has finished eating breakfast, and immediately pestering me about blogging.
The Williamsburg Ghost Tour - for giving Eldest a very fun night, Youngest a couple of fun stories and freaking the hell out of Middle.
My Brothers - for coming to Williamsburg for Thanksgiving, playing golf with me and being family .
Cousins - always family no matter what.
Twitter - where to begin? For this week, I am thankful for Twitter for hashtags. On Thanksgiving, I devoured the #Iamthankfulfor on Twitter. I was wildly entertained. The number of people who are so thankful for One Direction that they have to let people know on Twitter is #hysterical. Don't they know you should express thanks for One Direction on your blog? Hashtags are the candy of the social media world.
The Beaver Moon - for providing me endless entertainment on Wednesday and Thursday, and for being quite beautiful.
O4C - for another very busy summer.
Louis Tomlinson - because he's sooooooo cute.
The US Women's Solheim Cup Team - for an epic comeback.
The US President's Cup Team - for not losing.
The US Women's Soccer Team - for winning, in dominant fashion, and getting Abby her World Cup title. Hey, did you know Jill Ellis went to William and Mary?
Black Friday - this year was a source of entertainment, as Black Friday has turned into a media war of consumerism v. family. When you spend the day in Colonial Williamsburg on a sunny 70 degree day, in late November, that media war is just fun. #BlackFriday was also fun yesterday, although a few of those posts were not family friendly.
My 5 loyal readers - you know I love you.
My boys - for being.
The Wife - for everything.
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. And if nothing else, apparently it is now OK to put up Christmas decorations.
I can't completely blame her. For the past 3 years, I have posted a blog on how I hate Thanksgiving. Each year, the Thanksgiving post has become a little more tongue-in-cheek. I do actually realize Thanksgiving is not the Devil's Holiday. Regardless of the trend of my Thanksgiving posts, The Wife doesn't like them. She doesn't like them for a few reasons, but mainly because she LOVES Thanksgiving and because they aren't about the Boys. This year, not only did she not like the Thanksgiving post, she didn't get it. When The Wife doesn't get it, I know I missed the mark. I guess I wasn't on top of my game Thursday. Kind of like Tony Romo. At least I came out of it without a fractured collarbone.
I knew Thursday wasn't my best work. But this year has been a pretty weak year at the Observations of a Suburban Dad Blog, so I plowed through. I needed to say something. I needed to get back in the saddle. The only two consistent subject I have blogged on are the Olympics and Thanksgiving. We are in that terrible lull of two and a half years between the Winter Olympics and the Summer Olympics, so I have been a little short. So it had to be Thanksgiving, whether my best work or not. Forgive me, I'm on vacation.
Now I give you my annual list of things I am thankful for. As always, these are in no particular order...really, no particular order. The first thing on the list this year may be the first thing on the list last year...and the year before, but that's just a coincidence. Really:
Alex Morgan - Now a World Cup Champion, as well as everything else.
The William and Mary Football Team - for losing last week, giving them a home game this week, instead of a bye.
My Parents - for giving us a week (almost a week) in Williamsburg, getting the family together for Thanksgiving, getting us passes to CW yesterday and, you know, raising me and stuff.
One Direction - for making the Wife feel and act like a teenage girl from time to time, or perhaps even a little more often than that.
The Wife - for finally getting out of bed, 1 hour after everyone else here has finished eating breakfast, and immediately pestering me about blogging.
The Williamsburg Ghost Tour - for giving Eldest a very fun night, Youngest a couple of fun stories and freaking the hell out of Middle.
My Brothers - for coming to Williamsburg for Thanksgiving, playing golf with me and being family .
Cousins - always family no matter what.
Twitter - where to begin? For this week, I am thankful for Twitter for hashtags. On Thanksgiving, I devoured the #Iamthankfulfor on Twitter. I was wildly entertained. The number of people who are so thankful for One Direction that they have to let people know on Twitter is #hysterical. Don't they know you should express thanks for One Direction on your blog? Hashtags are the candy of the social media world.
The Beaver Moon - for providing me endless entertainment on Wednesday and Thursday, and for being quite beautiful.
O4C - for another very busy summer.
Louis Tomlinson - because he's sooooooo cute.
The US Women's Solheim Cup Team - for an epic comeback.
The US President's Cup Team - for not losing.
The US Women's Soccer Team - for winning, in dominant fashion, and getting Abby her World Cup title. Hey, did you know Jill Ellis went to William and Mary?
Black Friday - this year was a source of entertainment, as Black Friday has turned into a media war of consumerism v. family. When you spend the day in Colonial Williamsburg on a sunny 70 degree day, in late November, that media war is just fun. #BlackFriday was also fun yesterday, although a few of those posts were not family friendly.
My 5 loyal readers - you know I love you.
My boys - for being.
The Wife - for everything.
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. And if nothing else, apparently it is now OK to put up Christmas decorations.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving
I hate Thanksgiving. I think I have mentioned this before on this blog, once or twice. I am sitting in a lovely cottage in Williamsburg, VA, watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of my favorite things to do during the holiday season and I am reminded that I hate Thanksgiving.
In about 2 hours, I will go to a lovely Thanksgiving lunch/dinner/dunch/linner at a tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. The menu will include prime rib, so I don't have to eat turkey this year. And I hate Thanksgiving.
Later today, the 3-0 Dallas Romos will play the 10-0 Carolina Panthers in the traditional Dallas Cowboys 4:30 pm Thanksgiving Day game. Of course, the Dallas Cowboys are 3-7. They will probably lose, reminding me again that I hate Thanksgiving.
I am in the midst of 5 day mini-vacation in Williamsburg, during which I hope to see an old friend, I may go to a college football playoff game, I get to spend a little time in my old college town, show the boys the old campus (and the new campus - a little bone to you other W&M grads out there), spend some time with family, and relax a little, which is what I am doing this morning. I still hate Thanksgiving.
At least I am consistent.
As I watch the Parade with the Wife, my boys are in their rooms watching something else. They used to want to watch the Parade with me...wait a minute. Middle just came upstairs and asked what channel the Parade is on. Hmmm...progress? Maybe they still do want to watch the Parade. Maybe they just don't want to watch with me. I hate Thanksgiving.
Yesterday I played golf. I started very well for me, through 6 holes. Then I had 3 absolutely blow-up holes (9-7-9), ruining what was a pretty good round up to then. I had another 9 on the back 9, to finish with about the same score I always get. I play golf about 5 times/year, but I never get any better. I just don't understand. Yesterday was a reminder of that. I hate Thanksgiving.
The temperature in bright and sunny Williamsburg is supposed to get to 65 degrees today. After linner/dunch at noon today, we plan to walk around Colonial Williamsburg, which is apparently open today. It is kind of funny to say that. How does Colonial Williamsburg close? Regardless, it should be a lovely day to walk around Colonial Williamsburg. My mother gave the boys a children's book about Colonial Williamsburg a couple weeks ago, which Middle devoured. It is always nice when the boys (or even just one of them) gets into something that is not on a TV, a Kindle or a computer. Middle has several things he wants to see in CW (another bone to you Tribe alums.) I still hate Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow we are hoping to go to ChristmasTown at Busch Gardens. We went 3 years ago and everyone had fun. We rode some rides, had some hot chocolate and enjoyed some lovely Chistmas lights. I still hate Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow is Black Friday. That doesn't really mean much to me, because I never go shopping on Black Friday. Plus, I have already finished almost all of my Christmas shopping for this year. But there it is, just lingering. We have commercials, people are going to go shopping and be mean to each other. I won't be there, but when I wake up at about 7 am tomorrow, I will know that they are there...shopping. I hate Thanksgiving. (Speaking of Black Friday, why does everyone complain about the people who have to go to work at some store tonight for pre-Black Friday sales, but no one seems concerned about Matt and Savannah, or the person who will be serving me linner/dunch in Colonial garb at noon today?)
Last night I went to dinner at College Deli in Williamsburg, reminding me of several fond memories from my college days. The boys enjoyed some pizza and the Wife and I ahd a very nice time with my parent. College Deli is where I drank my first legal beer at 12:01 am on April 7, 1993. It was fun to remember dome of the good days, especially those crazy times we had at the Brickhouse Deli (hi, Soupy!) I hate Thanksgiving.
I would like to complain more, but I have to go shower for linner/dunch with my whole family, including my brother's family who are visiting from Texas. We are all eating dinner together. The cousins get to spend some time together. Then we will do the walking through Williamsburg. Then we will watch the game together. Then more fun for the weekend. I hate Thanksgiving.
I do have to go tomorrow. This was my widely anticipated "Why Thanksgiving is the worst holiday of the year" post. Tomorrow I will stop being so negative and give you what I am thankful for this year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
In about 2 hours, I will go to a lovely Thanksgiving lunch/dinner/dunch/linner at a tavern in Colonial Williamsburg. The menu will include prime rib, so I don't have to eat turkey this year. And I hate Thanksgiving.
Later today, the 3-0 Dallas Romos will play the 10-0 Carolina Panthers in the traditional Dallas Cowboys 4:30 pm Thanksgiving Day game. Of course, the Dallas Cowboys are 3-7. They will probably lose, reminding me again that I hate Thanksgiving.
I am in the midst of 5 day mini-vacation in Williamsburg, during which I hope to see an old friend, I may go to a college football playoff game, I get to spend a little time in my old college town, show the boys the old campus (and the new campus - a little bone to you other W&M grads out there), spend some time with family, and relax a little, which is what I am doing this morning. I still hate Thanksgiving.
At least I am consistent.
As I watch the Parade with the Wife, my boys are in their rooms watching something else. They used to want to watch the Parade with me...wait a minute. Middle just came upstairs and asked what channel the Parade is on. Hmmm...progress? Maybe they still do want to watch the Parade. Maybe they just don't want to watch with me. I hate Thanksgiving.
Yesterday I played golf. I started very well for me, through 6 holes. Then I had 3 absolutely blow-up holes (9-7-9), ruining what was a pretty good round up to then. I had another 9 on the back 9, to finish with about the same score I always get. I play golf about 5 times/year, but I never get any better. I just don't understand. Yesterday was a reminder of that. I hate Thanksgiving.
The temperature in bright and sunny Williamsburg is supposed to get to 65 degrees today. After linner/dunch at noon today, we plan to walk around Colonial Williamsburg, which is apparently open today. It is kind of funny to say that. How does Colonial Williamsburg close? Regardless, it should be a lovely day to walk around Colonial Williamsburg. My mother gave the boys a children's book about Colonial Williamsburg a couple weeks ago, which Middle devoured. It is always nice when the boys (or even just one of them) gets into something that is not on a TV, a Kindle or a computer. Middle has several things he wants to see in CW (another bone to you Tribe alums.) I still hate Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow we are hoping to go to ChristmasTown at Busch Gardens. We went 3 years ago and everyone had fun. We rode some rides, had some hot chocolate and enjoyed some lovely Chistmas lights. I still hate Thanksgiving.
Tomorrow is Black Friday. That doesn't really mean much to me, because I never go shopping on Black Friday. Plus, I have already finished almost all of my Christmas shopping for this year. But there it is, just lingering. We have commercials, people are going to go shopping and be mean to each other. I won't be there, but when I wake up at about 7 am tomorrow, I will know that they are there...shopping. I hate Thanksgiving. (Speaking of Black Friday, why does everyone complain about the people who have to go to work at some store tonight for pre-Black Friday sales, but no one seems concerned about Matt and Savannah, or the person who will be serving me linner/dunch in Colonial garb at noon today?)
Last night I went to dinner at College Deli in Williamsburg, reminding me of several fond memories from my college days. The boys enjoyed some pizza and the Wife and I ahd a very nice time with my parent. College Deli is where I drank my first legal beer at 12:01 am on April 7, 1993. It was fun to remember dome of the good days, especially those crazy times we had at the Brickhouse Deli (hi, Soupy!) I hate Thanksgiving.
I would like to complain more, but I have to go shower for linner/dunch with my whole family, including my brother's family who are visiting from Texas. We are all eating dinner together. The cousins get to spend some time together. Then we will do the walking through Williamsburg. Then we will watch the game together. Then more fun for the weekend. I hate Thanksgiving.
I do have to go tomorrow. This was my widely anticipated "Why Thanksgiving is the worst holiday of the year" post. Tomorrow I will stop being so negative and give you what I am thankful for this year.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, October 23, 2015
We Survived September
"We survived September."
Those were the first words (probably after "hello") The Wife said to me yesterday, when September ended and we finally entered October. I guess it makes...what?...yesterday wasn't October 1? WHAT DAY IS IT?
I kid because I love. I know it's October 16. My anniversary was just a few days ago. Huh? Really? Not October 16?
Well, perhaps I should start over...nah. Just plow ahead.
In all seriousness, those were the first words The Wife said to me on October 1. They are true words. September does seem to be the hardest month. If you consider that all 3 boys are swimming right now, and all 3 boys are playing soccer right now, and all 3 boys are in school right now, and we try to start going to church again, and two of the boys are in Cub Scouts which starts anew in September, it kind of makes sense. Of course, summer, with Kill the Family Tour combined with multiple swim meets is no breeze. In the spring, we had 2 swimmers, 2 soccer players, a baseball player, a Cub Scout, school and me teaching 2 classes at church. Winter comes with basketball and the dull, dreary days of swimming, plus there is no sun, and we have had A LOT of snow the past couple of winters. Why is September so hard again?
Again, I kid because I love.
September is hard because we are getting back into the routine. After a very busy summer, especially in 2014 and 2015 with Kill the Family Tour and Kill the Family Tour 2.0, we ease out of summer. Swim practice ends. The boys do no new sports. We have no school, we don't go to church, the sun is out late and we end it with vacation. One glorious week at the beach, with nice weather, the ocean, a round of golf, mini golf, the lazy river, a Japanese Steakhouse, a couple family movies, one last family day trip and a shark. More on the shark later.
The last several years we have gone on vacation the last week of summer. We enjoy this week, because most people are already back in school. Traffic on I-95 is relatively light, the beach is not too crowded, restaurants are rarely full and things are just relaxed. We go Saturday to Saturday, so we have 2 days after we return to get ready for the return to school on the Tuesday after Labor Day. I have blogged in the past that Labor Day is the worst day of the year, which is true, because after all that loveliness I just described - BLAM!!! - everything starts up again. Within 1 week of school starting we are back into every activity a suburban family of 5 can handle.
I think that is why September seems like the hardest month of the year. We go from easy to vacation to insane. Once we get into the routine, between soccer practices and swim practices, combined with my feeble attempts to swim at least a couple days/week, I am rarely home before 7:30 pm. This year, on swim nights, I am getting home at 8:40 pm. Then I eat dinner. Between the 5 of us, if you include The Wife's time as a Den Leader and my time as a coach, we average 15 activities between Monday and Friday. That includes 1 swim practice on Friday, so we are pulling 14 activities from Monday through Thursday.
I know I have written about this before, and I know we are not exceptional. We know several other families in the same boat, and everyone is doing the best they can with it, but I am writing now for a few reasons. First, it seems funny that The Wife said "We survived September" to begin a day that included school, work, three soccer practices and a Cub Scout meeting. It isn't like surviving a marathon or surviving a war. It wasn't over. Not even close.
Second, our September schedule inspired a new phrase from The Wife, "Drive by Marriage." We are like 2 ships passing in the night, rarely seeing each other and just blowing a horn to get each other's attention. This is not my way of saying we have marital problems, because we don't. This is just a funny way to describe a marriage of 2 working parents with active kids at active ages. Again, we know several other families in the same, and sometimes an even more difficult, position. I think it is just fun to have a phrase to describe it. This summer, O4C, in an effort to make us a couple of the cool kids, encouraged us to use hashtags once we finally decided to get on Instagram. We make jokes about it when we do, because we aren't cool, but it is fun to act like it. Recently, my Volleyball Insider has gone hashtag crazy in our various email "discussions." Just for fun. I think I will see if I can make the term #drivebymarriage start to trend. Hashtags are fun.
Third, I am writing about this because it got me to write again. I have "written" several blog posts in my head over the past couple of months. One about the summer, a couple about Kill the Family Tour 2.0, the shark (still coming), saying good-bye to O4C, my anniversary. I have had a couple suggestions offered to me as well, which I still may use. But I write when I feel motivated. The fact that I was motivated to write about a comment that was said 3 weeks ago seemed funny to me; and appropriate.
As for #drivebymarriage, my anniversary was a couple weeks ago. To celebrate, The Wife and I had Chick-Fil-A for dinner. Separately. She went with the Boys before soccer practice. I picked mine up after soccer practice. She went to a meeting when I got home. I ate alone, while the Boys finished homework and got ready for bed. I am not complaining. This is the life we chose, and I wouldn't change much. Winning the lottery would be a bonus, but that is hard to do if you never play. Hard to do even if you do play. We choose family over just about everything else. And family means all of us, not just each other. So, sometimes, the anniversary dinner gets delayed until we combine it with a birthday dinner. In February. Or April. Or sometimes, we eat Chick-Fil-A, separately, and just laugh. #drivebymarriage.
I guess it is also funny that we "survived" September because of the shark. After a summer of shark attacks in the mid-Atlantic, we went to Myrtle Beach with no fear. On September 2, I was playing in the ocean with all 3 boys, when a 5 foot shark swam right past us and headed back out into the ocean. All things considered, that was probably the closest I came to not surviving September. (Although, realistically, that shark didn't care at all about me.) I brag about that story. I love that story. I saw a shark, in the wild, no more than 5 feet away from me. I think that is pretty cool. And I hope to never do it again. The boys enjoy the story, too, and we all got back in the ocean, but with a little more caution, a couple days later.
Drive by Marriage. Drive by Shark. #fun
Those were the first words (probably after "hello") The Wife said to me yesterday, when September ended and we finally entered October. I guess it makes...what?...yesterday wasn't October 1? WHAT DAY IS IT?
I kid because I love. I know it's October 16. My anniversary was just a few days ago. Huh? Really? Not October 16?
Well, perhaps I should start over...nah. Just plow ahead.
In all seriousness, those were the first words The Wife said to me on October 1. They are true words. September does seem to be the hardest month. If you consider that all 3 boys are swimming right now, and all 3 boys are playing soccer right now, and all 3 boys are in school right now, and we try to start going to church again, and two of the boys are in Cub Scouts which starts anew in September, it kind of makes sense. Of course, summer, with Kill the Family Tour combined with multiple swim meets is no breeze. In the spring, we had 2 swimmers, 2 soccer players, a baseball player, a Cub Scout, school and me teaching 2 classes at church. Winter comes with basketball and the dull, dreary days of swimming, plus there is no sun, and we have had A LOT of snow the past couple of winters. Why is September so hard again?
Again, I kid because I love.
September is hard because we are getting back into the routine. After a very busy summer, especially in 2014 and 2015 with Kill the Family Tour and Kill the Family Tour 2.0, we ease out of summer. Swim practice ends. The boys do no new sports. We have no school, we don't go to church, the sun is out late and we end it with vacation. One glorious week at the beach, with nice weather, the ocean, a round of golf, mini golf, the lazy river, a Japanese Steakhouse, a couple family movies, one last family day trip and a shark. More on the shark later.
The last several years we have gone on vacation the last week of summer. We enjoy this week, because most people are already back in school. Traffic on I-95 is relatively light, the beach is not too crowded, restaurants are rarely full and things are just relaxed. We go Saturday to Saturday, so we have 2 days after we return to get ready for the return to school on the Tuesday after Labor Day. I have blogged in the past that Labor Day is the worst day of the year, which is true, because after all that loveliness I just described - BLAM!!! - everything starts up again. Within 1 week of school starting we are back into every activity a suburban family of 5 can handle.
I think that is why September seems like the hardest month of the year. We go from easy to vacation to insane. Once we get into the routine, between soccer practices and swim practices, combined with my feeble attempts to swim at least a couple days/week, I am rarely home before 7:30 pm. This year, on swim nights, I am getting home at 8:40 pm. Then I eat dinner. Between the 5 of us, if you include The Wife's time as a Den Leader and my time as a coach, we average 15 activities between Monday and Friday. That includes 1 swim practice on Friday, so we are pulling 14 activities from Monday through Thursday.
I know I have written about this before, and I know we are not exceptional. We know several other families in the same boat, and everyone is doing the best they can with it, but I am writing now for a few reasons. First, it seems funny that The Wife said "We survived September" to begin a day that included school, work, three soccer practices and a Cub Scout meeting. It isn't like surviving a marathon or surviving a war. It wasn't over. Not even close.
Second, our September schedule inspired a new phrase from The Wife, "Drive by Marriage." We are like 2 ships passing in the night, rarely seeing each other and just blowing a horn to get each other's attention. This is not my way of saying we have marital problems, because we don't. This is just a funny way to describe a marriage of 2 working parents with active kids at active ages. Again, we know several other families in the same, and sometimes an even more difficult, position. I think it is just fun to have a phrase to describe it. This summer, O4C, in an effort to make us a couple of the cool kids, encouraged us to use hashtags once we finally decided to get on Instagram. We make jokes about it when we do, because we aren't cool, but it is fun to act like it. Recently, my Volleyball Insider has gone hashtag crazy in our various email "discussions." Just for fun. I think I will see if I can make the term #drivebymarriage start to trend. Hashtags are fun.
Third, I am writing about this because it got me to write again. I have "written" several blog posts in my head over the past couple of months. One about the summer, a couple about Kill the Family Tour 2.0, the shark (still coming), saying good-bye to O4C, my anniversary. I have had a couple suggestions offered to me as well, which I still may use. But I write when I feel motivated. The fact that I was motivated to write about a comment that was said 3 weeks ago seemed funny to me; and appropriate.
As for #drivebymarriage, my anniversary was a couple weeks ago. To celebrate, The Wife and I had Chick-Fil-A for dinner. Separately. She went with the Boys before soccer practice. I picked mine up after soccer practice. She went to a meeting when I got home. I ate alone, while the Boys finished homework and got ready for bed. I am not complaining. This is the life we chose, and I wouldn't change much. Winning the lottery would be a bonus, but that is hard to do if you never play. Hard to do even if you do play. We choose family over just about everything else. And family means all of us, not just each other. So, sometimes, the anniversary dinner gets delayed until we combine it with a birthday dinner. In February. Or April. Or sometimes, we eat Chick-Fil-A, separately, and just laugh. #drivebymarriage.
I guess it is also funny that we "survived" September because of the shark. After a summer of shark attacks in the mid-Atlantic, we went to Myrtle Beach with no fear. On September 2, I was playing in the ocean with all 3 boys, when a 5 foot shark swam right past us and headed back out into the ocean. All things considered, that was probably the closest I came to not surviving September. (Although, realistically, that shark didn't care at all about me.) I brag about that story. I love that story. I saw a shark, in the wild, no more than 5 feet away from me. I think that is pretty cool. And I hope to never do it again. The boys enjoy the story, too, and we all got back in the ocean, but with a little more caution, a couple days later.
Drive by Marriage. Drive by Shark. #fun
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