wordsimageslife
an exploration of life as a parent & designer

School Days

Vacation has ended for sure as Izzy heads off to start 2nd grade today. I certainly don't think I was as worldly when I was in 2nd grade. Seems that none of us were. It's funny how ones perceptions of things change or is it that our culture has changed?

Or maybe it's just my memory of things and they aren't really as different as I think they are. Oops, I just figured out my brain isn't ready for serious writing at this hour without my coffee. So, off I go to wake-up my 2nd grader and start-off another school year.

Winding Down

It's a picture perfect day to end our vacation at the beach. A few scattered clouds, a cool breeze waking the rest of the sleepy bunch and my last morning coffee at the Java Beach Coffee House and Cafe. It has been a wonderful week with no rain and many laughs, joys and pleasures. Could have done with Liam's screaming fits while being showered on returning from the beach but hey, he is only 3.

We are going to spend a bit more time on the beach before heading back home. Karen's brother Paul, who came down on Wednesday, may leave earlier and I actually have to get back to our beach house soon to finish up the packing of the car.

Funland, which the kids love, was a pleasure for all on an almost daily basis. We got a chance to spend some time with a few friends who were at the shore at the same time as us and all-in-all it was a pretty relaxing time. Leaving will de difficult but one of the necessary things in life. All good things must come to an end.

So since I'm sitting here sipping my brew, readings the two Times (FT and NYT), But alone time is not about to end, as I do have responsibilities to follow-up on. But I did want to share this perfect morning. The relaxed state of things and a calm that everything is on its way up.

Two big interviews next week. One Monday and another on Tuesday. And waiting to hear on a potentially big project from the pipeline by the end of the week. Oh, that's right, I'm on vacation and I shouldn't be thinking about work.

A Thief in The Night

Here's the evidence, show to the left of the photo below:

It seems that some little person in my house just couldn't go to bed without one more, well a few more, bites of something to eat. Now, of course, this is the same person who didn't finish his dinner but was quite methodical, wouldn't you say, in making sure he got what he wanted. And of course, like any good thief in the night, left no evidence, not even on his little lips.

I'm still laughing about this. Even though it's 1 in the morning and we're mostly packed and ready to go to the shore for the week. But this is one of those priceless moments of parenthood that I just couldn't resist sharing. It's nice to know that I'll be going to bed with a big smile on my face. And I just can't wait until breakfast tomorrow morning when it's time for...the confession.

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.

Losing Touch

Reading a friend's recent post, I realize I don't really write they way I used to. I used to explore the literary form with a little bit more wit and strong use of wonderful strategies such as: ie, “the kid's art table appeared as if a hurricane had stopped by and spent the day” or “my laptop screen's hinges are looser than girl's in the red light district” (I'm trying hard so these are not remotely funny). And why am I writing about this now? Why am I writing at all?

Writing for me is almost therapy, like taking a seat on the couch with someone who's gone to school for four more years, spent a few years with exciting titles like resident and intern and compiled enough debt to make them pricey as hell. All of this, so you can share your inner most thoughts and have them analyzed. So, that's why I write. It's cheaper than a shrink. (Why are psychiatrists called shrinks? It's not like someone's brain gets smaller or something).

Today I have no patience for the kids. No patience for my "best friend" commenting that the cover image on a brochure I designed isn't up-to-par (in her opinion) for the piece—nothing else about the brochure just the photo comment. Honestly, I just want to be left alone, put on an island, also known as running errands by myself, where I can load the CD player with music only I like to listen too and think without any interference from the outside world. Of course, I'm not this way everyday. My only other choice would be too sleep and that's not possible. At least I know to take my mood away from everyone and put it to good use by getting things done. And I want to sneak up to the park and try out my new pocket kite and see if it will really fly.

Is there anything wrong with wanting a day alone when you are married and have children? Should I feel guilty or just do what I need to do and try to be as nice as possible about it? Talking to me when I'm like this is a lot like having a conversation with Oscar the Grouch. Biting and annoyed at the slightest thing.

Time to go, too many people in the room. Would hate to be criticized for not paying attention to them.

Waiting on the bank's investigation

So, here's where I stand. My bank, since I used my bank card for the original transaction, has provisionally reinstated the lost sum pending their investigation. I'm not exactly sure, the bank was not forthcoming and neither is their fine print, about what exactly the terms of the investigation are. But I gave them everything I had in terms of 'evidence,' and hope that will satisfy them. I still feel totally stupid for letting myself get taken but life must go on and I'll get over it.

Bath Night

Since I've been at this stay-at-home Dad thing for the entire summer, I can just say, I don't know how Mom's really do it and keep their sanity. Honestly, as I prepare to get the kids ready for their bath, I think about how much I love them. And how much I want some alone time when the weekends come. Honestly, I feel a little guilty about it, but somehow my little window of three hours in the wee hours of the morning, isn't enough time compared to the truly hard work of taking care of a three-year old and a seven-year old, and I'm not even doing much of the housework. So, all you Mom's out there, and real stay-at-home Dads, my hat is off to you. It's amazing that you are able to do all you do and keep everything together. Well, now, it's time for bath. Thank goodness they like bath time. I can't imagine having any patience left for arguing over something as silly as taking a bath.