Friday, February 27, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
An Ari Story
Yesterday morning, my daughter asked me to remove a small flashlight from its plastic packaging. Always the helpful and agreeable parent, I said yes and went to the kitchen to get the scissors. As I was taking the scissors from the drawer she added, "Thanks, because Momma says no."
Nice. Already committed to the act, I opened the flashlight anyway. I cut the packaging, inserted the battery and handed it to my sweet daughter feeling a bit guilty about teaching her that just because one parent says no doesn't mean the other will, too. It had to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
Ari played with the flashlight for a bit and then sat down next to me on the couch. "Daddy, let's pretend that I'm the mom and you're the dad." "Okay," I answered.
"Michael?"
"Yes, Paige," I replied.
In an accusatory tone, she asked, "Why did you open the flashlight for Ari?"
And just like that I was set up and busted.
Nice. Already committed to the act, I opened the flashlight anyway. I cut the packaging, inserted the battery and handed it to my sweet daughter feeling a bit guilty about teaching her that just because one parent says no doesn't mean the other will, too. It had to happen sooner or later, I suppose.
Ari played with the flashlight for a bit and then sat down next to me on the couch. "Daddy, let's pretend that I'm the mom and you're the dad." "Okay," I answered.
"Michael?"
"Yes, Paige," I replied.
In an accusatory tone, she asked, "Why did you open the flashlight for Ari?"
And just like that I was set up and busted.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
"Innocent When You Dream"
I sat on the cold, hard floor, all concrete and painted blue, while waiting for my ride home. For the first time in what may have been months I listened to Frank's Wild Years by Tom Waits from start to finish. I had forgotten that even while totally sober, this record always puts me into that happy-drunk state of mind. Tom sings and plays and I swagger and sway.
The rain came down hard outside while I kneeled against the wall by the time clocks. I scooped up a nickel that had fallen from the hole in my pocket and wondered if I wasn't being too much of a sad sack to consider that hole as a metaphor for the rest of my days. Probably I was. With the five cents now safely in the other pocket and "Innocent When You Dream" closing out the album, I stood up and stretched, all six-foot-two of me plus arms reaching toward the ceiling. There was reward in the stretch as my spine did that pop-pop-pop, my bone machine all elongated and ready for movement.
I opened the doors to the cold and contemplated this small chapter of my life. Bruised, but blessed. Hole in my pocket, but music in my head. No reliable means of transportation, but a ride home from a friend. I smiled and took what I had.
The rain came down hard outside while I kneeled against the wall by the time clocks. I scooped up a nickel that had fallen from the hole in my pocket and wondered if I wasn't being too much of a sad sack to consider that hole as a metaphor for the rest of my days. Probably I was. With the five cents now safely in the other pocket and "Innocent When You Dream" closing out the album, I stood up and stretched, all six-foot-two of me plus arms reaching toward the ceiling. There was reward in the stretch as my spine did that pop-pop-pop, my bone machine all elongated and ready for movement.
I opened the doors to the cold and contemplated this small chapter of my life. Bruised, but blessed. Hole in my pocket, but music in my head. No reliable means of transportation, but a ride home from a friend. I smiled and took what I had.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
She's Crazy About Babies
I walked into the living room this morning and she was practicing putting little diapers on each of these seven baby dolls. I think she'll be a pretty good big sister.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Remember when I used to think myself a writer?
If it weren't for the kids, I'd have nothing to share here at all.
In kids news, Paige just got home from the doctor. It seems that baby Samantha should make her out-of-womb debut on April 14th. Ari is really excited at the opportunity to change a real baby's diapers, but I'm imagining the novelty of that will get old quite quickly.
I enjoyed two articles in The New York Times Magazine yesterday. One was a story on Twitter's Fail Whale and the other explored the art of Facebook status updates.
What's new with you?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
She Moves On
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Two Concerts
I'm seeing Bill Charlap on Wednesday with my dad. If I can get him to drive me back home to Hermitage after the show, then I'll take a bus into town early in the day to see a matinee showing of The Wrestler. If not, then I'll just drive the van after the kids get home from school.
I'm also seeing Motley Crue next Saturday with, um, just me. This is provided that I can find a babysitter for my kiddos. Otherwise, I'll be home with an expensive and unused ticket for the show. Consider this an open invitation to any of my safe, sane and trustworthy (and pre-approved) blogger friends to hang out in my home next Saturday night and watch my kids for a few hours.
Anyway, have a great day. We're listening to opera and reading Star Wars books here. Life is good.
I'm also seeing Motley Crue next Saturday with, um, just me. This is provided that I can find a babysitter for my kiddos. Otherwise, I'll be home with an expensive and unused ticket for the show. Consider this an open invitation to any of my safe, sane and trustworthy (and pre-approved) blogger friends to hang out in my home next Saturday night and watch my kids for a few hours.
Anyway, have a great day. We're listening to opera and reading Star Wars books here. Life is good.
How My Kid Sees Me
The thing about being the photography guy in the family is that I'm rarely in the family pictures. My five-year-old, however, loves his camera so at least I've got a chance of being in a picture from time to time.
Friday, February 13, 2009
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