Latest Blog Posts
Don’t Go!
Man, nothing makes you feel like a crappy dad like leaving your kid in a crying heap at the front door in order to catch the bus. I was a little slow getting ready this morning, so when 6:51 rolled around I had to get moving. I said goodbye to The Missus and Robbie, but Robbie grabbed onto my pant leg. It was cute, so I let him hold onto it all the way to the front door. But when I saw that the bus was sitting right in front of the house, I had to get moving. I removed Robbie’s hand, patted him on the head, and ran to the bus to the sound of pure toddler disappointment.
It’s some consolation to know that he forgot about the incident within minutes. But only a tiny bit.
Rocky Mountain Hi, What Are You Doing Here?
I sat across from John Denver on the bus this morning. Well, a dead ringer (sorry), anyway. I really wanted to ask for an autograph but I decided that would be rude. I’ll add that to my list of celebrity sightings around Lincoln. For example, a couple summers ago I had repeated sightings of Ice Man eating a burrito at Chipotle. Still no Elvis sightings, though.
Speech!
I’m best man in a wedding this weekend, so I need to prepare a speech for the reception. I already have most of it thought out, but I figured I should see if any of you have any advice for me. I already have some of the basics:
- Keep it short.
- Do not give a speech while drunk.
- Beware the fine line between funny and cringe-inducing.
Anything else?
What Does My Garden Grow?
I finally managed to get my flowers and vegetables planted over the weekend. I wish I knew more about flower gardens. I happen to like marigolds and many of the other drug store parking lot classics, but I know there is so much more out there. Does SCC offer a quick-and-dirty flower garden course?
I’m a little more confident in my vegetable garden—but just a little. This year I put in:
- 4 tomatoes
- 4 bell peppers
- 4 Italian grilling peppers
- 1 super chile
- 3 cayennes
- 3 jalapenos
- 1 habanero
- 2 zucchini
- 1 yellow squash
- 2 cucumbers
I’m hungry already. I don’t know why I put in an habanero again. The last time I had habaneros I nearly killed Mr. T with one. Maybe I’ll use them as ornamentals. By the way, I have room for two more plants (one in sunny, dry, fine soil and one in partly shady, heavy clay soil) so if you have some suggestions, fire away.
The sage bush I planted two years ago is big and beautiful right now with its pretty purple flowers. I’m not the only one who likes it; the sage has its own bumble bee pal who hangs around all day, every day. The bee and I got to know each other pretty well yesterday since we worked so close to each other for a couple hours. In addition to the sage, I have a thriving basil plant, some struggling rosemary, and a ton of cilantro.
Next project: building a small retaining wall and bringing in several cubic yards of dirt. After that: install a picket fence. It’s going to be a busy summer.
Payoff
Within a one-month span The Missus and I will:
- Pay off RUNRGAL, her 2001 Prism
- Pay off our credit card expenses from our trip to Boston to pick up Robbie last year
- Pay off my laptop
- Stop paying for daycare, since The Missus will be home with Robbie this summer (and beyond?)
Not having to pay for these items each month is going to feel very, very good. With these four liabilities out of the way, that just leaves the house and my student loan, and my student loan debt isn’t bad at all considering it covers a BA and an MA.
Nevertheless, I’m not going to do a happy dance or anything since I know darn well that debt abhors a vacuum and new expenses have a way of wiggling their way into one’s life. For example, my 1993 Ford Tempo needs some potentially expensive repairs and will probably need to be replaced sooner rather than later. And with The Missus no longer working full time we’re going to feel a shock when her paycheck stops arriving later this summer.
Still, I will allow myself a nice smile and a deep breath while I enjoy the temporary freedom from some of our large regular expenses. I plan to enjoy it while it lasts.
Shrimp
It’s official: Robert is a shrimp. He weighed in at a slim-and-trim 19 pounds 4 ounces at the doctor’s office this morning, putting him in the 5th percentile. Sheesh! Height-wise he’s doing better, standing tall at the 25th percentile. And as a direct result of everybody giving him a big head by constantly calling him “adorable”, his head circumference is right at the 50th percentile.
At the other end of the spectrum is my nephew Sam. Sam is 5 months old and he just weighed in at 19 pounds. What a horse!
Happy Birthday, Robert!
Happy first birthday, Robert!
I wish I had time to write more, but we’re getting ready to head to the doctor for his 12-month checkup. I will say this: in some ways it seems like it was just yesterday that we first met him in Boston (and he pooped all over me), and in other ways it seems like he has been a part of our lives forever. Hey, The Missus, remember when we used to go to movies? Seems like a long time ago, doesn’t it?
As I stand here watching Robbie toddle around the kitchen and look out the back door, I can’t help but think the next year is going to be pretty darn fun. Now if I could just stop saying “no” all the time…
Robert’s Latest Photo Shoot: Round 5
The last bath of photographs from Robert’s April 27 photo shoot.
Off to Omaha
I received my State Soccer Tournament reffing assignments last night. I ended up with two centers (one today, one tomorrow) and an alternate (today). Everybody received either two or three game assignments. I’m trying to read the assignors minds. Do I still have a shot at centering a final? Let’s see…
On the one hand, the two centers may indicate that they like me in the center, which would bode well for a final center. Or they could be saying “here are your two centers for the tournament, thanks for playing” and I’m out of luck for the finals. Both of my centers are first-round matches; I think a semi-final center would definitely have ruled out a final center. Hmm.
So why the interest in having a center in the finals? For the same reason that teams want to make it to the finals, of course. The four championship matches are the four top games of the year. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? There’s a lot of stress involved, but that’s part of the fun. I enjoy the game within the game.
Regardless, I’m looking forward to the two assessments I will receive after my two centers today and tomorrow. I used to dread assessments but now I enjoy them. The feedback is almost always valuable. The two assessors I’ll speak with today and tomorrow are two who haven’t seen me work in a while, so that will give me a chance to hear some perspectives I don’t get very often.
Enough of that referee baloney. Who is going to take State this year? Get your picks in.
Robert’s Latest Photo Shoot: Round 3
More photos from Robert’s latest photo shoot.
Robert’s Latest Photo Shoot: Round 2
Round 2 of Robert’s latest photo shoot.
Robert’s Latest Photo Shoot: Round 1
These photos were taken on April 27, 2007.
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