Posts made in September, 2006

My hips will look fat

Posted by Dad on Sep 18, 2006 in Parenting | 0 comments

My daughter had to go to church wearing her uniform yesterday.  I noticed that she had one side of it, by her waist, folded and pinned.  “Why do you have that side pinned?” I asked her with typical father ignorance.  “Because it’s too big and makes my hips look fat”, she replied looking at me like I just didn’t get it.

I just stared at her.  You see, it caught me offguard.  My skinny eight year old is telling me that her uniform makes her hips look fat?!  Did I hear right!  I had a father of the bride moment. Yes, I freaked out.  No, I didn’t tell her anything but, “You’re hips aren’t fat. Why do you think that?” But she just walked away to finish getting ready probably thinking that daddy is having one of his moments.

Well, was I wrong? Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill? I’m just not prepared for my little girl to be thinking about the way she looks and much less concerned about her hips looking fat.  Not yet. Not my little girl!

Metro Dad

Posted by Dad on Sep 14, 2006 in Dad Bloggers | 0 comments

Is this the coolest logo you’ve ever seen or what?!  It’s a fellow dad blogger- Metro Dad.

If you haven’t read his blog, I highly recommend that you do so and often.  It’s a great read, especially if you’re in your mid to late thirties and can relate to his musings.

I think he and the Zero Boss are going to do a podcast pretty soon where Zero Boss will be interviewing MD.  That should be a doozie as these two guys are hilarious!  Don’t miss it.  I think it’s over at The Zero Boss blog.

A bloggers tools?

Posted by Dad on Sep 14, 2006 in Technology | 1 comment

Those of you that blog know that a good laptop is a beautiful thing.  It makes what you do easier.  Sipping latte at the corner Starbucks like the Blue Sloth with your laptop, cellphone and iPod casually strown about the table in front of you.  Inspiration comes easier that way, I think.

Well, my birthday’s coming soon and this is what I’m dreaming about:

A brand spanking new Sony Vaio TX790P/L.  This thing is made out of carbon fiber making it only 2.76 pounds. That’s great for me when I’m on the road for work.

It has smart wifi meaning that it will work through a cellular network if it doesn’t find a hotspot.  That’s also great for me as finding hotspots in some of the places I travel to is like finding water in the desert!

It will even start up a movie for you without having to start Windows up!  I can’t tell you how important that is for me!  I saw Failure to Launch about 15 times over a three week period because the that’s all the airlines would show.  I was literally mouthing the words in the movie.  I could have been a stand-in for any of the actors.

Anyway, I’m getting carried away.   Unfortunately, I can’t afford this beauty so it’s out of reach.  It’s a luxury not a necessity so I’ll stick to my trusty desktop tucked into a corner of our kitchen.

Oh well.  My usual antidote when I get these urges to spend on luxury items is just sitting and waiting until it passes.  Besides, the important things I want for my birthday I already have- being with my family and our health.

Back in school and homework’s a killer

Posted by Dad on Sep 14, 2006 in Family, Parenting | 2 comments

When my daughter was born, I went through a time when it was nerve-wracking coming home from work. You see, I would walk in the door and would be met with my daughter’s blood curdling, colic-induced wails.

Flash forward 8 years. I again find myself in the same situation except that it’s my wife wailing instead of my daughter. Of course, the screams are not related to colic but to the frustration she feels when doing homework with my children. Are we the only parents that think that the teachers in our school rely completely on the parents to teach our kids the school lessons??? Isn’t homework supposed to reinforce what the child learned in school that day??

Why do children come home CLUELESS about how to do the homework? It literally takes us 2-3 hours every night to teach our daughter the concept and for her to do the work. This is for an 8 year old, people! I don’t think I studied 2-3 hours until I was in college.

With the cost of private school education these days, I can’t blame my wife for being upset. She ends up being the teacher for my kids. That’s simply not right.

Parents should unite and refuse to teachers. We will gladly reinforce what the teacher taught that day. If the teacher didn’t teach it and the kids don’t get it, well teach… you ain’t doing something right. I’m sure a couple of tests with zeros and tens for scores from all the students will wake the principal up.

Gerard Dewan- a 9/11 tribute…

Posted by Dad on Sep 11, 2006 in Uncategorized | 0 comments

This is a picture of Gerard Dewan, firefighter NYFD.  On September 11, 2001, at the age of 35, he gave his life to try to save that of others he didn’t even know.  For that, he will never be forgotten.  Heros never are.

I have been trying to write this tribute, that is part of the 2,996 Project, for more than an hour.  I’ve realized that my words are inadequate to properly honor Gerard.  Even though I never met Gerard, I am so incredibly proud of him!  Thankful to him! So angry that he’s gone!  No, words are not enough to express what we Americans feel regarding the people that gave their lives on that infamous day.

I read the loving comments that have been left for Gerard in his page at september11victims.com.  He’s number 919.  It ripped my heart out reading the comments from his sister, niece and friends.  It is plainly obvious that Gerard was loved dearly during his life and that has not changed after his death.  He clearly made a difference to so many.  What more can a human being hope to achieve on this earth?!  YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE, GERARD! You were loved!

On behalf of the people of the United States, and especially on behalf of my children, I THANK YOU!!! The world needs more heroes like you!