wordsimageslife
an exploration of life as a parent & designer

The Kids Made Me Do It

Members of my family will tell you that one of the things I had in common with my father is that I really didn't enjoy going on most rides at amusement parks. Well, maybe I did, but my stomach did not. But now that we have kids of our own, and my wife won't even entertain the thought, it's been up to me to be the brave one. So here's a picture of the famed Paratrooper ride that Liam and Isabella insisted on taking me on with them. Now, Izzy has made me also go on the Scrambler and that is not treat but this was all together something I was a little worried about.

First thing, I survived. I think I screamed louder than the kids, particularly on the downswing. You see, for the uninitiated, with the speed you reach, and being seated on the outside of the seat, the centrifugal force pushes you further out to the right, actually lifting one slightly out of the seat, which while part of the 'thrill' of the ride, is also a parent's worst nightmare when riding with his own kids. Anyway, my stomach survived and as for the kids, well, Liam (who's just three, mind you) loved it. I think he was laughing during most of the ride, particularly when I was yelling 'Yahoo' and holding on for dear life. Izzy I think met her match but knowing her, she'd ride it again. And me, well I would too but I'm not sitting on the outside edge again. I'm taking the middle and promise I won't let go of the kids on the downswing.

An interesting side note. Going backwards was actually easier on me than going forward.

I just put my name into the hat here for the position of Creative Director and hope that I can at least get an interview. I did have someone on the inside turn-in my resume and I'm friends with their former CD as well as posting as requested through Monster. And if things get really bad, it seems I can get a part-time job making $9 and hour as a designer for a local sign shop. I think I could do better panhandling down at the Inner Harbor. Or as my mother has always said, in tough times, one could work at McDonald's.

Finally, Saturday is day one at the shore. We'll leave early in the morning, get their just before lunch and then spend some time on the beach before we can check into our house. I think we've got some friends who are going to come down during the week and hang-out. So that will make it even more fun and relaxing for me. And, I hope, I'll have time to catch-up on my writing. I have three articles in the works and I'm giving a presentation on Sept. 14 that I have to write. So, it's not what I'd call work but it's stuff to work on while sitting on the screened porch, lights are low and all are asleep. For now, the sun is up and one of the kids is probably going to be up any minute, and I've got sandwiches to make. It's a pool day and it's gonna be beautiful.