Let's face it, nice weather, kid's activities, family plans, friends, work, and just trying to get out take time away from the all important blog. So, this will be a short update on the fabulous job Izzy did last night at her swim meet. Now, you have to understand what I remember from my own swim team days is not wanting to take part because the water was too cold. (I love water but have never been a big fan of being in the pool). So last night, in a weird way, was special.
While Izzy isn't certainly the world's strongest swimmer she swam in three races; freestyle, backstroke and breast stroke. Each race was 25m (one length of the pool). Izzy struggled in her first event (I was the timekeeper at the other end of the pool and the Mom who was supposed to 'help' Izzy out didn't really do that at all) stopping to breath, hanging on the ropes once and finishing well behind her opponents. But that was okay, you know. I was just so proud that she didn't give up. She pushed herself to get through the race and to me, that was as good as first place. In her next two races she certainly did better and the last race, the breast stroke, she didn't grab on to the ropes once and finished in under a minute. If you'd seen my reaction you'd thought she'd just won the gold. That's the great thing about being a parent. It's the littlest things that make you proud of your kids and being competitive about it I think just takes the fun out of it and makes it a job, and at this age, she doesn't need that. That's not to say I wouldn't want her to practice and get better, but I know that she's learned to stick things out even when she isn't winning or being the 'best'. And I think that life lesson is far more important than all the gold medals in the entire world. Gotta love that kid. What a heart.
Okay, enough sappy Daddy stories. Those of you wondering (all three of you) about my 'interview' status, last week's little event got postponed and the phones have been quiet this week. But I've also been extremely busy and haven't had time for my little search. That's the latest. Oh, the sun is out today. Much nicer than the rain and gray skies we've had for the past four days.
As much as I love my job, it's come time to think about the future. And all things seem to be pointing a couple of hours north. Now, the problem lies in the fact that K has a job benefit that we can't abandon. Her company will pay 50% of our kid's college tuition as long as she is working full-time for them during that period. So, in other words, it would be foolhardy for us all to move somewhere unless that benefit is matched. So, the more I think about it, the more a long commute (couple of hours) is not so out of the realm of possibility. Now, I'm not sure I'd commute home every day but a couple days during the week and then home on the weekends. This of course, means we'd need a place in that other city which is the expensive component of this whole plan. But honestly, I have strong feelings that this the best thing for my career and the family. It's a bit of a sacrifice of course, but I think we can make it work, if all things come together.
This is not to say I'm limiting myself to this option. There are opportunities to persue locally and in DC, but I don't think I can limit myself to just those markets. There's too much going on elsewhere to ignore and from what I hear through the grapevine, the time for hiring is now. It's an interesting dilemma and one worthy of much internal discussion, more thought, a complete economic impact study and much advisement from my accounting professional.
It used to be one could surf the Web and the Internet from the comfortable confines of the Inner Harbor. But ever since the construction on the Maryland Science Center, it's as if someone flipped off the switch and never turned it back on. This is quite frustrating to those who love writing outdoors, looking at the water and wanting the immediacy of sharing the moment with a world of friends.
Now, while I listen to 01 - FM from the album A Decade of Steely Dan by Steely Dan, enjoying the slight breeze, the slowly warming sun and just thinking a little about the future, I wonder what I really need to feel like it's all coming together. What is it going to take to finally feel comfortable with all parts of life, from the professional to the personal, as if all the successes are on the same level and the failures that come with risk are quickly turned from disappointment to educational experiences? I have this interview tomorrow in New York, a dream come true, with a mystery company. If I get the job, many decisions will have to be made. Where to live? K's job here is something we really have to keep, especially with the 50% tuitiion benefit for your kids in college, so commuting and a two-city living situation might be the best solution. NYC itself is only a little over two hours from here by train. And considering I once commuted 1.5 hours a day each way, what's another forty minutes? There is much to consider. And an interview to prepare for once the mystery is revealed, which will happen when the time of the meeting is confirmed.
And now, it's time to go to work as the sun goes from warm to much warmer and the humidity begins to rise ever so slowly toward the level of uncomfortability that Baltimore is so famous for.
Seems our DSL line is being a bit uncooperative with my need for a connection to the outside world tonight. I've just come from rebooting the model and Airport and still no signal. How in the world can this happen to me when I've got e-mails to send, notes to write and just thing to still do before I try and get some sleep? Oh well, since there's no connection, I'll take the time to just stop, rest and eat some ice cream with whipped cream and Oreos. Nothing's more refreshing.
(A Day Later) DSL has returned to action. Last night's ice cream treat was great and writing was interrupted by a freak occurrence. Liam woke up and was WIDE awake. This never happens. He wanted to read a book. He wanted to get out of his crib. He wanted to do anything but go back to sleep. So, after trying a) sitting on his floor; b) reading a book; c) trying to sleep on the sofa (I had to turn-off the TV); and finally, by request, a trip to e) Mom and Dad's room for an hour of twisting, kicking and general two-year old sleeping movements when not in his own bed, I finally got him asleep enough to return to the crib, albeit two hours later, and go to sleep. And he still got up early this morning. That being said, we are six minutes away from face/hand washing and teeth brushing time before books and bed. So, it's time for me to go.
A precious four minutes, two sips of my Eight O'Clock coffee and then the moment ended. The quiet peace was shattered by the morning cries of Liam, who had slept late due to last night's outing at the pool. Karen and Izzy were out at swim practice and for all practical purposes I was alone, in relative silence for a glorious four minutes.
Not that I minded Liam waking up. He's really such a joy that it's hard not to want him around. (Well, okay, like everyone is does have his difficult moments) Tonight, we will introduce the kids to the great sounds of the one and only Violent Femmes at Artscape. Now before I sign off, let me just say if you are in or around Baltimore, you don't want to miss Artscape. It's great art, great music (just for example, the Femmes, Arrested Development, the Commodores—last night, sorry—De la Soul, Wyclef Jean and so much more) and of course, festival food. Best part is that the festival is free. So, now it's off to make sure the big boy drinks all his milk. Have a great Saturday.
My first essay on design issues is currently posted at SpeakUp, the popular design blog/commentary site. Not sure how much attention it will get from the general Speak Up audience but that's really not all that important. It's more about exposure to the greater design community and building name recognition for my favorite brand. I hope to have more pieces on the site which could lead to even better and greater things. Time will tell.
Kudos to SNL for the borrowed headline. Decided to stop and write in the Harbor as the humidity and temperature have taken a brief break and the breeze is in-line with where I like to sit. So, in short, it's a nice, by myself moment. The only downside is that Baltimore's free wireless network seems to be down and out. So, will actually have to post this later.
In the morning news, Tugs Steals Wireless Signal. Aliens?
Watching a tug come into the dock, straight towards me, which is really, really cool. Not sure I can explain why but I'm sure it has to do with my love for the water and boats. I just find the whole thing fascinating. This tug is privately owned, which I have always held as my never to come true fantasy house. But it is pretty cool as long as you don't have kids or anything. And where is that wireless signal?
The Weekend Hard Wiring the Kids
So, anyhow, weekend was busy. Saturday morning was spent at Izzy's swim practice, she's got a meet this Wednesday and will swim, according to her, in three events. I call this the power of the ribbon. Awards to have an effect even in they are for just finishing. (Especially at this age). But I am so proud of her because she's really enjoying it and is way more driven then she was in t-ball. So, at least now I know that if she likes something a lot, she's really willing to put in the effort. If she's anything like me, then the trick is to help her learn that even the things we don't like as much, or find somewhat overwhelmingly challenging, deserve the same amount of effort if not more. It's one of those things that I somehow missed learning as a kid and feel I would have done so much better if I had learned it earlier. It's a bigger struggle trying to instill those things in yourself at a later age, after your brain is so-called 'hardwired,'
A Wet Lunch followed by Cones
We stayed at the pool for a couple of hours after practice and then went home to for lunch, naps and house cleaning. Our friends, Brad and Rebecca, came over with their relatively new baby (he's four months old) and we all spent some quality time together which included a trip to the neighborhood bike shop (Brad's in the market and test drove a couple of bikes) and our beloved ice cream store. This is now my favorite trip of the week, because I'm destined to eat not one cone of ice cream but at least one and a half. Liam will only eat about half his ice cream and has me helping him stop the dripping that he doesn't like. Since he only likes chocolate, I get my chocolate fix that way and can order something else that I like as well. This particular day, not only did I finish my own cone but Liam's and Izzy's as well. Ice cream dinner. Not a bad deal for Dad. The kids having eaten ice cream so close to dinner had a cracker, cheese and fruit plate as their 'dinner.' After their dinner were there baths and then I worked on my proposed piece for Speak-Up, which is going to be way more personal than I originally intended. But it is a voice of experience kind of thing.
Final Wrap-Up
It's about thirteen hours later and I'm too damn tired to write anymore.
If we can forget for a moment the damage that summer thunderstorms can cause, is there nothing more beautiful to watch? What other kind of natural occurence can turn day into night, creeks into rivers and even street corners into ponds? There is a strange kind of thrill to its power and, as I can confess, walking through it on your way home.
Yep, I did that. At the height of the storm, umbrella in hand, I took on the rain, lighting and thunder as I walked home from work. I knew I'd be wet, from the knees down was soaked within seconds, and my only goal was to keep my head and laptop dry. And you know what, I actually had fun. I splashed through the puddles (my poor leather shoes didn't have a chance) like I was five again and really, just enjoyed the fact that the rain was coming down faster and harder than I can ever remember having seen it, or at least walked through. And I think this was all good for my soul.
So, next time you hear those ominous booms in the distance, see the lighting bolts streak across the sky, take a few minutes to let yourself go and play. Outside. Alone or with a friend. It'll make your day and even your week.
A day off with kids really isn't a day off. It is a great pleasure and we are sure to have much fun at the pool later. Yesterday was hot and humid and thank goodness there was little sun for the annual Federal Hill kids parade (pics to come). Izzy rode her scooter, all decorated for the holiday and Liam was atop his sister's purple tricycle (when you are two, the color of your bike isn't an issue) also decked out in red, white and blue. Izzy was psyched for the parade and Liam was psyched until we got there. Then between the crowd, the police horses and the overall noise level, psyhed went to freaked out and he was a bit of mess.
So, while I was managing Liam's issues, Izzy scooted in the parade with her friend Emily and her parents. I spent most of the parade urging Liam on, up the hill, push here, push there and to the park. I found Karen and there an promptly tried to swap kids. Of course that only lasted until I upset Izzy by trying to instruct her in the proper way to go downhill on one's scooter. (Never tell a six-yearl old how to do something). Karen intervened and I was back with my little half-back. At this point he just wanted to be carried. So, I did, Trike and all. I told him that he was flying and that he really enjoyed. Back at the parade starting point there were plenty of treats, free flavored ice and singing of patriotic songs. It is really a great neighborhood together that I enjoy very much, despite the heat and humidity. (And this year was cooler than last year).
After the parade we went to the Inner Harbor to ride the carousel and then home for lunch and naps. The afternoon was very sleepy as it got very dark and rainy. Everyone napped except for me. A quick dinner at home and then off to a friend's house for a short get together. Then is was a race back to the city in time for the fireworks. We made it time and for the very first time, Izzy didn't keep her fingers in her ears during the whole performance, just for selected, louder than your average, firework booms. But this I consider as progress.
Izzy is at a sleep over party at her friend Rylee's house. Karen and I took Liam to our neighborhood ice cream shop for a treat, he rode his sister's old tricycle all the way. On the way home he rode, pausing to say "it's too dark." He is just too cute for words. Really.
So, I just woke up from falling asleep on his floor. What happened was he had gotten his finger caught in the loop of thread of one of his stuffed animals, so I had to untwist it in the dark to get it off. He say's 'thank you' and then asked me to stay. So, I sat on his floor and hear this voice say, "Hear, hear's a bear for you." So, I take Liam's little bear and fall asleep.
Just another night with kids. I'm beat. It's time to go to my real bed and leave the laptop downstairs where it belongs.
After five days last week in St. Louis, work bit back like a lion. I have been so swamped this whole week, I've had no energy to even write down anything about the event and how everything went. So, before I start my writing assignment (that'll be news if it gets published on-line) I'll give you the scoop on what I was doing in St. Louis.
I am on the board of the American Institute of Graphic Artists in Baltimore. My role, all volunteer, is the head of our education (this includes working with student chapters at local universities) efforts. Each year AIGA has a leadership retreat where board members from all over the country come together to discuss the state of the organization and what's happening at the local level as well.
Well, the conference went extremely well. I came back totally enthused about what we are doing and what our direction is nationally. The challenges are many but I have a lot of respect for our national board and think that our Baltimore board is just a phenomenal group of people with the skills to achieve a lot. I also met a lot of great people in St. Louis and feel that my circle of friends has grown exponentially.
Well, that's the short and sweet version of what happened. (Okay we did have a little fun, too. Some late night partying (work hard, play hard) and of course the Cards/Cubs game, previously mentioned). The hardest part was being away from my family who despite the fun, I did miss a lot. Now, it's off to my writing assignment.