Blog Identity Crisis-Know when to move on!
Posted on January 12, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | 1 Comment
After several days of inner turmoil, I’ve decided to remodel my blog and try out a different direction before I got to far down this road. As much as I’m passionate about my job, who really wants to read about that crap? It’s boring as hell. The stuff I really want to write about keeps sneaking in.
I did a little research and decided that there might be a few folks more interested in some of that “sneaking in stuff”.
I know that my thousands of fans are going to be shocked and dismayed. Sorry. If it’s any consolation, the “New and Improved” blog will be even better yet! Should be up and running again this weekend, bear with me. Meanwhile, if you want a little teaser, check out my new front page. (on the bottom right of the header).
I think the search engines are going to go a little bit bonkers as I delete irrelevant articles and concentrate on my new topics.
If you like this post, please consider buying me a cup of coffee.A Teachable Moment
Posted on January 9, 2008
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Being a long distance Dad is the most challenging part of my life. I see my daughters for a total of 9 weeks out of the year. Although it’s great to have long periods of uninterrupted time with the girls, the downside is that there are vast periods of time when I don’t see them at all. I often wonder if I am making an impact on their lives. There just never seems to be enough time.
A few days ago, I had the opportunity to provide what my wife would call a “teachable moment”. Before starting the drive home from the airport, the kids and I sat awhile in the parking lot visiting. I hadn’t seen them since late August. We were all very excited, laughing and talking a mile a minute.
A car pulled up beside us a couple of spaces away. I wasn’t really paying a whole lot of attention, other than to notice that they were a young, nice looking couple. They too sat in their car, talking.
It came time to leave, and as I was backing out, the couple got out of their car. I glanced over just in time to see the young man’s wallet flip out of his pocket and onto the pavement, unnoticed. The couple had already taken several steps toward the terminal before I had a chance to roll my window down and yell.
They didn’t hear me, so I tooted the horn a couple times. The young man turned around and I pointed and shouted, “You dropped your wallet!” Maybe he thought I said “I want your wallet!” because they both just stared at me for a few moments until the man started patting his pocket.
He quickly came over to his car and retrieved his wallet, flustered. He waved gratefully, and the girl mouthed a silent, “Thank you!”
My answer to the young man and lady…..It is me who should be thanking you! Because of you I became a hero in my daughters’ eyes. My oldest said to me, “Wow Dad, that was really cool!” and the little one chimed in “Yeah, wow! That man was really happy!”
I didn’t really think a whole lot of it then, and simply said, “He would have had a hard time getting on a plane without that.” But a week later as I was bringing the kids back to the airport and wheeling their luggage across the parking lot, one of the girls said, “Remember that guy? You know, the wallet? That was really neat!”
So I guess I did make an impact this time.
If you like this post, please consider buying me a cup of coffee.My Late Start New Year
Posted on January 5, 2008
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I am not a morning person. To be be quite blunt, I am a crabby son of a bitch. This morning was no exception. It has been a tough week, despite the holidays. Problems at work, and strife at home. Nothing but headache and struggle on both fronts.
This morning I sat on the edge of the bed for a few moments after getting up, feeling way too beat still, and I wondered why everything was such a struggle lately. What a rotten attitude I had for the start of a brand new year. Everything just seemed like a grind. I hate to admit it, but I found myself immersed in self pity. How disgusting.
In the past, when I got up it was just my wife I would see. She would be awake long enough to say goodbye, before falling back to sleep. My work day would start around 4:30am. I would give her a growly little peck on the cheek and she would say her usual “Be safe!, to which I would answer with another little growl and I’d be off and rolling.
Recently, my shift changed to a later start, and now I find that I have to share my morning hours with others. This really annoys me. I’ve not had to do this in over twenty years. I’ve always had my mornings, and a clear shot to the door, no distractions. A nice routine.
This morning, I got an attitude adjustment. (No, my wife did not beat the hell out of me.) As I was coming from the bathroom, I heard my 3 year old ask me, “Are you Grumpy, Daddy?” I could tell right away that my wife had put her up to it, because from my daughters bedroom, I could hear my wife coaching her, teasing quietly. “Ask him if he’s crabby.” She said.
As I walked in, my little girl asked me, grinning. “Are you crabby, Daddy?” But something in my face made her stop smiling, and she looked at Mommy for reassurance. It was almost like a look of…….. are you sure it’s okay to pull the tigers tail?
A thought struck me as soon as I saw that look. Fifty years from now, I don’t want my daughter to remember that her Dad was a crabby S.O.B. in the morning. What if, heaven forbid, I got in an accident on the job, or on the way to work and that onery morning face was the last thing my little girl remembered of her dad?
I went over to her. Her mom was combing her hair. I kneeled down and looked into her serious little face. “I’m not grumpy anymore.” I said. “Do you want to know why?”
She nodded and I said, smiling, “Because you make me happy.” And I gave her a hug.
The look on her face was priceless. Pure happiness. That look and how it made her feel so special touched me in ways I can’t even describe. If you ask me fifty years from now about this morning, I’ll tell you about the day I stopped being a crabby son of a bitch in the morning. (Except for at work), and that 2008 was the new year that started four days late. So now that 2008 has officially started, I would like to wish everybody a Happy New Year!
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Quitting The Smokeless Tobacco Habit
Posted on January 1, 2008
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It’s time to quit! Smokeless tobacco just went up another dollar today in Wisconsin. I bought another tin of chew this morning for $6.24. Holy *bleep*!!! As if I needed yet another reason to quit! I guess Wisconsin figures that us diehards who have refused to quit so far might as well be taxed to death, as opposed to dying of cancer.
I’ve “chewed” for over 30 years now, and let me tell you, quitting is a daunting task. It has been top on my New Years resolution list a few times, this year included. I’ve tried at least a dozen times over the years and statistics say that my odds of quitting are considerably less then most because of starting at such an early age. It’s time to defy the odds and take the bull by the horns!
Coincidentally, my dad stopped smoking at the same age as I am right now. That was also the year I started chewing. My friends were doing it, and I fell for the whole peer pressure thing. Dad stopped smoking cold-turkey, although with the aid of lots of candy and chewing gum. (Having stashes of candy all over the house was great!) I’m not going to stop cold turkey, I’ve tried this approach several times and I get so damned cranky that my co-workers and spouse have been known to buy me a tin just to get some relief from my nastiness.
I’ll try the gradual reduction process, some nicotine gum and a little self hypnosis. What a great way to start off the new year! Wish me luck.
Reasons to kick the habit!
- It is expensive! I have an $18.00 per week habit. This is over $900.00 per year! Not including the wasted trips to the store. With gasoline being so expensive, that alone probably accounts for another $100.00 per year.
- Health: Cancer is a real possibility. A painful and a slow death. I want to live to see my grandkids.
- Many work places are going tobacco-free, with penalties for infraction up to termination. Even some industries that traditionally have tolerated tobacco use are adopting these policies, including construction.
- Let’s face it. It’s a gross habit. I’ll get more lovin’ and have better smelling breath! (That used to be my primary reason to quit).
I found a link to quitting with a simple self-hypnosis trick that I’m going to try out: Quit Smokeless Tobacco. If I start losing my resolve, I’m going to make it a point to visit this site: Effects and Risk Factors FAQ at Quittobacco.com. This site has some very compelling reasons to quit chewing, as well as photos of mouth cancer.
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About Me
I understand step parent issues. I've been a step parent, have a step parent, and I am married to a wonderful step parent.
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