It is done...I have copied all the posts from my first blog Our First Baby. I have made over 179 posts since this blogging started. I doubt that anyone cares that this has been accomplished but me but now all the posts are in one spot.
Something that I expected to last about a week has lasted 3 years. Hope you enjoyed the past, present and are looking forward to my next post.
I have an upcoming post about some of my favorite posts and some interesting stats about the blog.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Excuse me, what did you just say?
To make a long story shorter (I will post the first part of this story later...not enough time).
The family found ourselves in Mt. Pleasant with a little time to kill and decided to kill it doing what we do best - eating. We searched Center Point for our options, ruled out Chili's (because they evidently became a victim of the economy) and ended up at TGI Friday's. The place wasn't packed (since it had just opened) and the noise level was low. Another couple was sat at the table behind us. Not being nosy or trying to eavesdrop but LA and I heard one of the ladies say the exact same thing - "they were going to drop some lead in this place", and I replied "a to go box and the check please". Not exactly but I should have your attention now. She said "I am getting blah, blah, blah but without the bacon...I don't like bacon." LA and I both stopped what we were doing and looked at each other with look of did you just hear what I think I heard. What is going on in this world...talk about a sign of the end times. I am going to be honest and tell you that is the first time in my life I HAVE EVER heard those 4 words used together in a sentence. You don't like bacon? Really...I don't understand... I understand "I don't like tomato's" but "I don't like bacon" is confusing. Even a vegetarian has a weak spot for bacon. They like it but aren't going to eat it and would never tell you they like it. You can eat bacon on anything and it will taste better. I have never had a bad piece - under cooked, over cooked and it all still good. It is the filet mignon of pork and is cheaper so you can eat it everyday. I am pretty sure it should be a crime to not order it even if for some crazy reason that you have created in your head you don't like it. They aren't going to reduce the price of your sandwich because you left off the bacon. Just get it on the side and give it to someone either in your group or at a nearby table. Talk about doing a good deed...that's going to bring some joy into someone's life.
The family found ourselves in Mt. Pleasant with a little time to kill and decided to kill it doing what we do best - eating. We searched Center Point for our options, ruled out Chili's (because they evidently became a victim of the economy) and ended up at TGI Friday's. The place wasn't packed (since it had just opened) and the noise level was low. Another couple was sat at the table behind us. Not being nosy or trying to eavesdrop but LA and I heard one of the ladies say the exact same thing - "they were going to drop some lead in this place", and I replied "a to go box and the check please". Not exactly but I should have your attention now. She said "I am getting blah, blah, blah but without the bacon...I don't like bacon." LA and I both stopped what we were doing and looked at each other with look of did you just hear what I think I heard. What is going on in this world...talk about a sign of the end times. I am going to be honest and tell you that is the first time in my life I HAVE EVER heard those 4 words used together in a sentence. You don't like bacon? Really...I don't understand... I understand "I don't like tomato's" but "I don't like bacon" is confusing. Even a vegetarian has a weak spot for bacon. They like it but aren't going to eat it and would never tell you they like it. You can eat bacon on anything and it will taste better. I have never had a bad piece - under cooked, over cooked and it all still good. It is the filet mignon of pork and is cheaper so you can eat it everyday. I am pretty sure it should be a crime to not order it even if for some crazy reason that you have created in your head you don't like it. They aren't going to reduce the price of your sandwich because you left off the bacon. Just get it on the side and give it to someone either in your group or at a nearby table. Talk about doing a good deed...that's going to bring some joy into someone's life.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Inventions
By the time my kids are raised, I am going to have invented a product that I can patent and have someone manufacture or take an existing product and create a new use for it.
My first invention was a car seat that was easier to carry and didn't constantly beat against your knee and you didn't have to carry it 2 feet from you side. It has a lot of traction with parents or at least with LA and I. I just need someone to draw prototypes of our concept.
Now that we have an infant back in the house, I have came up with two new inventions to make our life easier, parenting can be a lot of work and I am all about a short cut.
First is an automatic feeding system for the crib (kind of like the hamster feeders or the feeders used by farmers). You place your child in the crib, fill the feeder and good night. When your child is hungry, they drink as much as they want and then falls back asleep. You could even put a timer to eliminate them over feeding themselves. Tell me that isn't a great idea.
Second is a pacifier that attaches (instead of taping) to your child's hand. Instead of sucking on their fingers or dropping the pacifier, it is always at arms reach. You eliminate the thumb sucking and constantly picking up the pacifier and having to rinse it off. Tell me that isn't a great idea.
We are going to start trying both of these ideas with Wyatt.
My first invention was a car seat that was easier to carry and didn't constantly beat against your knee and you didn't have to carry it 2 feet from you side. It has a lot of traction with parents or at least with LA and I. I just need someone to draw prototypes of our concept.
Now that we have an infant back in the house, I have came up with two new inventions to make our life easier, parenting can be a lot of work and I am all about a short cut.
First is an automatic feeding system for the crib (kind of like the hamster feeders or the feeders used by farmers). You place your child in the crib, fill the feeder and good night. When your child is hungry, they drink as much as they want and then falls back asleep. You could even put a timer to eliminate them over feeding themselves. Tell me that isn't a great idea.
Second is a pacifier that attaches (instead of taping) to your child's hand. Instead of sucking on their fingers or dropping the pacifier, it is always at arms reach. You eliminate the thumb sucking and constantly picking up the pacifier and having to rinse it off. Tell me that isn't a great idea.
We are going to start trying both of these ideas with Wyatt.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Did you hear the alarm go off?
So yesterday Jim Furyk made headlines for missing his tee time for the Pro-Am and was disqualified from the tournament (because of a rule the tour put in place so the Pros wouldn't skip out on playing with sponsors and others who paid big bucks and the big wigs getting stuck with Jim Bob Who, number 127 on the money list).
Everyone can feel his pain because we all have been in that situation...Furyk’s cell phone alarm didn’t go off and he woke up in a panic at 7:23am. He grabbed the first pair of pants and shirt he mustered and rushed off without a belt and socks. In fact, when he arrived at the locker room at 7:35am, his shoes weren’t even tied yet. Unfortunately, it was too late - Wie Under Par
That's a bad feeling when you have overslept and only have about two minutes to get out the door.
I putting some of the blame on his caddy, Fluff (Tiger's 1st caddy). The reports say he tried to call Jim on his cell phone but it kept going straight to voice mail...How about calling the hotel where he is staying? How about sending a minion to the hotel to get him up?
BUT
The rest of the blame is on Jim. He was relying on his cell phone? Why not setting the alarm clock and why not call for a wake up call.
He has handled the situation professionally and took responsibility. The bad part is he missed out on the 1st tournament of the Fed Ex Cup and a paycheck (which he will miss but I don't think he will have to go on welfare) and missed the 1st day of school for his kids but the good news is he has the weekend off.
I am betting he has multiple alarm clocks with him now when he travels and I am pretty sure he needs a new phone now also because he threw it in the river.
Lesson of the day: If you got somewhere important to be, you might want three alarms and a backup (friend to call you).
Everyone can feel his pain because we all have been in that situation...Furyk’s cell phone alarm didn’t go off and he woke up in a panic at 7:23am. He grabbed the first pair of pants and shirt he mustered and rushed off without a belt and socks. In fact, when he arrived at the locker room at 7:35am, his shoes weren’t even tied yet. Unfortunately, it was too late - Wie Under Par
That's a bad feeling when you have overslept and only have about two minutes to get out the door.
I putting some of the blame on his caddy, Fluff (Tiger's 1st caddy). The reports say he tried to call Jim on his cell phone but it kept going straight to voice mail...How about calling the hotel where he is staying? How about sending a minion to the hotel to get him up?
BUT
The rest of the blame is on Jim. He was relying on his cell phone? Why not setting the alarm clock and why not call for a wake up call.
He has handled the situation professionally and took responsibility. The bad part is he missed out on the 1st tournament of the Fed Ex Cup and a paycheck (which he will miss but I don't think he will have to go on welfare) and missed the 1st day of school for his kids but the good news is he has the weekend off.
I am betting he has multiple alarm clocks with him now when he travels and I am pretty sure he needs a new phone now also because he threw it in the river.
Lesson of the day: If you got somewhere important to be, you might want three alarms and a backup (friend to call you).
DNA
I will be upfront and honest. I wasn' t the sharpest knife in the drawer when it came to science (or english or geometry) in high school. I improved in college but let's be honest - one reason I went to Francis Marion was because they didn't require labs with your science classes and even after sliding through high school and finally applying myself in college after all these years, I still remember a few things from my science classes:
*Newtons 3rd Law - for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction
*Cells
*Making a volcano for a science project
*Making all the planets for a science project (even included Pluto)
*Phylum (classifications of plants and animals)
*Dissecting frogs and worms
I might be able to remember more but I had 10th grade Biology with Dr. Allen. I remember him because he was the worst teacher (translation - coolest teacher) I had. We did nothing in class and spent more time walking in the woods around the Intermediate School (It is called Greg Campus now; When I went to school SHS was only 11th and 12th and 9th and 10th were at the Intermediate School) looking for leaves, bugs, insects, animals...etc. When we were in class, he would spend most of the hour in his office doing taxidermy work - stuffing ducks and all kinds of other animals while we did busy work. I am pretty sure you would get fired doing that today and I can honestly say that I don't remember anything he taught us (good thing I had to take Biology in college).
Since LA started teaching biology and physical science and I am occasionally asked to help grade some papers (Not something, I enjoy doing but I do it to support my wife and secretly everyone has a desire to grade papers and give someone a big fat "0" or an "14" and even the nerd that makes the "100" brings some satisfaction (just not as much) - I guess it some sort of payback for all bad grades you got during your school years (for most of the readers of this blog this might not be something you can relate to...maybe it only brings enjoyment to me)) One topic in Biology that was not mentioned while I was in high school or college was DNA. It is amazing how much knowledge has been learned in 25 years about DNA and now it is taught in high school. I know that DNA "is the building block of life" and I have picked up a few other things along the way but a couple of weeks ago I learned all I need to know about DNA and more specifically about men's DNA.
The first weekend in August is a tax free weekend for back to school shopping and a bunch of other unrelated items...which is ironic since our schools are funded by sales tax but that is a whole different post. For the past couple of years we have gone to Myrtle Beach, outlet capital of the south with LA's brother's family (wives and children) on that weekend to spend some time together and for the ladies to shop til they drop. While the ladies are shopping the men keep the kids. This year we had 4 daddy's and 9 kids (and one daddy left at 4 leaving 3 daddy's and 9 kids). The ladies left early and didn't return until late - 10pm. I won't go into the details of the day keeping the kids but the day consisted of rain, Mario on the Nintendo (it's a classic), golf cart rides, meltdowns (even a couple of adults), and a bruise on Aubrey's head from falling off the bed. We survived the day and didn't lose any kids and didn't have to take anybody to the ER which in my book is a successful day. What I did have confirmed is that men's DNA is different from women's DNA. It is not in men's DNA to keep kids for an extended period of time. We can do it but it is not our strength and if you leave us too long we aren't responsible for what happens to the kids or the house. Do you need more evidence about this DNA thing? Show me a daycare run by men. Aubrey and Wyatt's daycare doesn't have any males. How many men are working in the nursery at your church? For whatever reason, women are preprogrammed for it (Don't question God) and can handle it much better than men. It has to do with Men being hunters and women being nurturing.
So you can try to teach me about all the components of DNA and how it works but it isn't necessary I have figured out all I need to know. I am sure over the next 15 years, I will have to keep our kids by myself numerous times and will survive (and might even have some fun) but it is not in my DNA.
*Newtons 3rd Law - for every action there is an equal an opposite reaction
*Cells
*Making a volcano for a science project
*Making all the planets for a science project (even included Pluto)
*Phylum (classifications of plants and animals)
*Dissecting frogs and worms
I might be able to remember more but I had 10th grade Biology with Dr. Allen. I remember him because he was the worst teacher (translation - coolest teacher) I had. We did nothing in class and spent more time walking in the woods around the Intermediate School (It is called Greg Campus now; When I went to school SHS was only 11th and 12th and 9th and 10th were at the Intermediate School) looking for leaves, bugs, insects, animals...etc. When we were in class, he would spend most of the hour in his office doing taxidermy work - stuffing ducks and all kinds of other animals while we did busy work. I am pretty sure you would get fired doing that today and I can honestly say that I don't remember anything he taught us (good thing I had to take Biology in college).
Since LA started teaching biology and physical science and I am occasionally asked to help grade some papers (Not something, I enjoy doing but I do it to support my wife and secretly everyone has a desire to grade papers and give someone a big fat "0" or an "14" and even the nerd that makes the "100" brings some satisfaction (just not as much) - I guess it some sort of payback for all bad grades you got during your school years (for most of the readers of this blog this might not be something you can relate to...maybe it only brings enjoyment to me)) One topic in Biology that was not mentioned while I was in high school or college was DNA. It is amazing how much knowledge has been learned in 25 years about DNA and now it is taught in high school. I know that DNA "is the building block of life" and I have picked up a few other things along the way but a couple of weeks ago I learned all I need to know about DNA and more specifically about men's DNA.
The first weekend in August is a tax free weekend for back to school shopping and a bunch of other unrelated items...which is ironic since our schools are funded by sales tax but that is a whole different post. For the past couple of years we have gone to Myrtle Beach, outlet capital of the south with LA's brother's family (wives and children) on that weekend to spend some time together and for the ladies to shop til they drop. While the ladies are shopping the men keep the kids. This year we had 4 daddy's and 9 kids (and one daddy left at 4 leaving 3 daddy's and 9 kids). The ladies left early and didn't return until late - 10pm. I won't go into the details of the day keeping the kids but the day consisted of rain, Mario on the Nintendo (it's a classic), golf cart rides, meltdowns (even a couple of adults), and a bruise on Aubrey's head from falling off the bed. We survived the day and didn't lose any kids and didn't have to take anybody to the ER which in my book is a successful day. What I did have confirmed is that men's DNA is different from women's DNA. It is not in men's DNA to keep kids for an extended period of time. We can do it but it is not our strength and if you leave us too long we aren't responsible for what happens to the kids or the house. Do you need more evidence about this DNA thing? Show me a daycare run by men. Aubrey and Wyatt's daycare doesn't have any males. How many men are working in the nursery at your church? For whatever reason, women are preprogrammed for it (Don't question God) and can handle it much better than men. It has to do with Men being hunters and women being nurturing.
So you can try to teach me about all the components of DNA and how it works but it isn't necessary I have figured out all I need to know. I am sure over the next 15 years, I will have to keep our kids by myself numerous times and will survive (and might even have some fun) but it is not in my DNA.
Monday, August 16, 2010
You Heard It Hear First - Boom Goes The Dynomite
My previous post from last Thursday, Time Machine made a prediction about Greg and Jenn having baby 3 in June 2011. It turns out my prediction was more true that anyone realized (except for Jenn and Greg). Jenn and Greg are expecting Baby number 3 in April 2011. Before you start with the "you are two months off", give me a break, I didn't see anyone else predicting them or anyone else was going to have a baby and get within two months of being right...there is a margin of error with every prediction (look at election predictions and margins of error and any pole done by a news station has a margin of error). In considering the overall power of Hootie and The Blowfish, I failed to add into my calculations the purchase date of the tickets to the Hootie and The Blowfish concert. If I would have taken that into consideration, I am pretty sure I would have nailed the April 2011 date. The Hootie and The Blowfish factor is powerful stuff. It turns out the $80 I spent on tickets was a bargain compared to the cost for Jenn and Greg for that concert.
I will be honest and tell you that, I received a text message from Greg on Saturday letting me know a post was going to be made at 9:00pm on I'm Just Sayin' about Jenn and Greg having Baby 3. I was sure it was a joke of some sort. A cleaver way to drive traffic to his blog. However, after reading the special post by Jenn, I knew it was legit.
Congrats to them, Mary Ruth and Suzie...I am glad Greg finished his Master's degree this year because he isn't going to know which way is up after April 2011 and his night job probably will pay a little more for a Master's degree. This could be a good thing and give us the motivation we need to complete our book.
Greg, it's been nice seeing you around, see you in 18 years.
We could have a new record holder
*Providence Record Holder of "You know where babies come from, right?" - Currently - LA and I are the current title holders - 1 Year, 5 Months, 19 Days (09/14/2008-03/05/10) - we call it 18 months but since this is for the record we will be using the official count (there's no rounding in records) and remember all results are final and calculated by the accounting firm of Smith, Lee, Johnson, Richardson, Jones LLC.
PS - I am currently investigating a Baby Pact between Jenn and Rebecca Dunlap...Rebecca is due in early January 2011. It is a heck of a coincidence that best friends are now pregnant together. I am not going to sleep until I crack this story. I will keep you up to date on my ongoing investigation.
I will be honest and tell you that, I received a text message from Greg on Saturday letting me know a post was going to be made at 9:00pm on I'm Just Sayin' about Jenn and Greg having Baby 3. I was sure it was a joke of some sort. A cleaver way to drive traffic to his blog. However, after reading the special post by Jenn, I knew it was legit.
Congrats to them, Mary Ruth and Suzie...I am glad Greg finished his Master's degree this year because he isn't going to know which way is up after April 2011 and his night job probably will pay a little more for a Master's degree. This could be a good thing and give us the motivation we need to complete our book.
Greg, it's been nice seeing you around, see you in 18 years.
We could have a new record holder
*Providence Record Holder of "You know where babies come from, right?" - Currently - LA and I are the current title holders - 1 Year, 5 Months, 19 Days (09/14/2008-03/05/10) - we call it 18 months but since this is for the record we will be using the official count (there's no rounding in records) and remember all results are final and calculated by the accounting firm of Smith, Lee, Johnson, Richardson, Jones LLC.
PS - I am currently investigating a Baby Pact between Jenn and Rebecca Dunlap...Rebecca is due in early January 2011. It is a heck of a coincidence that best friends are now pregnant together. I am not going to sleep until I crack this story. I will keep you up to date on my ongoing investigation.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Time Machine
Last night, I got in my time machine and went back about 20 years to relive some good times spent in downtown Charleston at Myskins and The Music Farm and on the Isle of Palms at the world famous Windjammer. My journey in the time machine put me at the Family Circle Cup Tennis Center on Daniel Island to see Hootie and The Blowfish put on a show just like the old days. Not much had changed (except a lot more people were there) with the songs or how I went to the clubs in my day...rolling in with my girls on both arms. Every player knows you can't roll to the club with your wife, so I had to leave the her at home with the kids for this adventure...Throughout the evening, I over heard girls saying "He's their Sugar Daddy" and some guys saying "He's the man"...at least that's what I heard. There was a lot of picture taking...hopefully, those pictures don't make it on the internet or somehow get mysteriously emailed to my wife.
Here are a few observations:
*I wasn't the only one looking to go back in time.
*What is it about music that makes couples want to slow dance in their 4 feet of space? (older couples)
*What is it about music that makes a couple think everyone wants to watch them grope, kiss and grind? (younger couples) **I know the answer to this one - alcohol...might want to start tracking who is having babies in June 2011
*Not sure if Greg and Jenn were dancing in their seats but my money is Greg and Jenn H for baby 3 in June 2011 - Wed was Jenn's birthday, a celebration culminating with a Hootie and The Blowfish concert, birthday's presents don't get much better than that - good job Greg!)
*Hootie and The Blowfish still puts on a good show - They played their hits and great covers - STP, REM, and David Allan Coe (and if I had a band (which there is no chance) and the crowd wasn't responding, was getting restless, booing or starting to throw beer bottles, we would immediately start singing David Allen Coe songs...you can't go wrong with DAC)
*I saw a couple of friends in passing before the concert and they had the "Where's LA and Who are those girls? look on their faces...awkward
*This concert in April/October would be killer...it was hot, not surface of the sun hot, I am about to explode hot but it wasn't a nice cool spring/fall evening, either. Mark was the only one in the band not wearing jeans. He looked comfortable. I probably would have came out in just my boxers.
*It doesn't matter where you go but in a large group liquid courage eventually gets someone in trouble and the cops get involved
*Family Circle Cup is a great venue...small, cozy and seemed like all the seats would be good, even the General Admission didn't seem so far away - ours were the great - center stage, middle deck
*Leaving Daniel Island - terrible - I am actually writing this while still sitting in traffic (a full day later...also note that my wingman left me high and dry (which is reason 2, why my money is on him for June 2011))
*Missed the opening act, Crowfield - on purpose (sought out some AC, didn't want to sweat anymore than necessary)
*Everything is more expensive on Daniel Island, $6 beers. Evidently, they haven't heard about the economy. I need to go back to a Stingrays game so I can feel like I am getting a deal on a $4 beer.
*Hootie and The Blowfish proved that something good can actually come out of Columbia
*Their music is good enough for me to put up with the references to SC's perceived superiority over Clemson...I can't hold it against them that they couldn't get into Clemson.
*They have come a long from me watching them in a bar in Savannah, GA with my brother-in-law with less than 20 people. There were 20 times more people on the second and third floor of the bar just sitting and hanging out and not the least bit interested in a band named Hootie and The Blowfish playing on the first floor.
Here's the REAL story on LA...she didn't go because she wasn't feeling well. I wish she could have gone, it wasn't as much fun without her there with me. I missed hanging out with my best friend. To clarify "my girls" were actually my cousin, Beth and her friend Cappy. We had fun and I was glad they were able to come down for the show.
Here's a video from the show...quality sucks but what do you expect from a cell phone at night...and it sums up my feelings about my wife - "Only want to be with YOU"
Here are a few observations:
*I wasn't the only one looking to go back in time.
*What is it about music that makes couples want to slow dance in their 4 feet of space? (older couples)
*What is it about music that makes a couple think everyone wants to watch them grope, kiss and grind? (younger couples) **I know the answer to this one - alcohol...might want to start tracking who is having babies in June 2011
*Not sure if Greg and Jenn were dancing in their seats but my money is Greg and Jenn H for baby 3 in June 2011 - Wed was Jenn's birthday, a celebration culminating with a Hootie and The Blowfish concert, birthday's presents don't get much better than that - good job Greg!)
*Hootie and The Blowfish still puts on a good show - They played their hits and great covers - STP, REM, and David Allan Coe (and if I had a band (which there is no chance) and the crowd wasn't responding, was getting restless, booing or starting to throw beer bottles, we would immediately start singing David Allen Coe songs...you can't go wrong with DAC)
*I saw a couple of friends in passing before the concert and they had the "Where's LA and Who are those girls? look on their faces...awkward
*This concert in April/October would be killer...it was hot, not surface of the sun hot, I am about to explode hot but it wasn't a nice cool spring/fall evening, either. Mark was the only one in the band not wearing jeans. He looked comfortable. I probably would have came out in just my boxers.
*It doesn't matter where you go but in a large group liquid courage eventually gets someone in trouble and the cops get involved
*Family Circle Cup is a great venue...small, cozy and seemed like all the seats would be good, even the General Admission didn't seem so far away - ours were the great - center stage, middle deck
*Leaving Daniel Island - terrible - I am actually writing this while still sitting in traffic (a full day later...also note that my wingman left me high and dry (which is reason 2, why my money is on him for June 2011))
*Missed the opening act, Crowfield - on purpose (sought out some AC, didn't want to sweat anymore than necessary)
*Everything is more expensive on Daniel Island, $6 beers. Evidently, they haven't heard about the economy. I need to go back to a Stingrays game so I can feel like I am getting a deal on a $4 beer.
*Hootie and The Blowfish proved that something good can actually come out of Columbia
*Their music is good enough for me to put up with the references to SC's perceived superiority over Clemson...I can't hold it against them that they couldn't get into Clemson.
*They have come a long from me watching them in a bar in Savannah, GA with my brother-in-law with less than 20 people. There were 20 times more people on the second and third floor of the bar just sitting and hanging out and not the least bit interested in a band named Hootie and The Blowfish playing on the first floor.
Here's the REAL story on LA...she didn't go because she wasn't feeling well. I wish she could have gone, it wasn't as much fun without her there with me. I missed hanging out with my best friend. To clarify "my girls" were actually my cousin, Beth and her friend Cappy. We had fun and I was glad they were able to come down for the show.
Here's a video from the show...quality sucks but what do you expect from a cell phone at night...and it sums up my feelings about my wife - "Only want to be with YOU"Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Shark Week
I am not sure I want to know what you have been doing the past couple of evenings but I hope that you have been spending time with your family watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel in HD (It's probably just as good in regular def but LA and I thought we were going to have a shark in the living room with us a couple of times...maybe we do need to purchase that 3D TV.)
I am pretty sure that LA and I will not be going into the ocean anytime soon. Actually, I think we have the "It's not going to happen to me" syndrome and it goes back to a post from last week, we're not going to do anything stupid (which after watching so far this week, there are some crazy a*s people out there - swimming in the water with dead fish, blood, paddling in rubber raft or kayak with 10+ feet sharks - I'll pass "Looks like we won't be able to get that shot today because of little girl we hired", my response "sorry, not in my job description", "I quit") but were not going to let the possibility of a shark attack keep us from enjoying the beach (until one happens at the beaches we go to or to someone we know).
Here's a little taste of Shark Week and one of the most awesome breaches ever recorded. They are using a dummy of a seal and what you see towards the end of the video is that in less than a second the shark realizes it is not a real seal and spits it out...crazy stuff. I think I am selling my black wet suit...(actually, I don't have one but it causes me to wonder...Why are wet suits black? What color is a seal? Black...It would seem to me that maybe a different color would be a good alternative to offer customers)
I am pretty sure that LA and I will not be going into the ocean anytime soon. Actually, I think we have the "It's not going to happen to me" syndrome and it goes back to a post from last week, we're not going to do anything stupid (which after watching so far this week, there are some crazy a*s people out there - swimming in the water with dead fish, blood, paddling in rubber raft or kayak with 10+ feet sharks - I'll pass "Looks like we won't be able to get that shot today because of little girl we hired", my response "sorry, not in my job description", "I quit") but were not going to let the possibility of a shark attack keep us from enjoying the beach (until one happens at the beaches we go to or to someone we know).
Here's a little taste of Shark Week and one of the most awesome breaches ever recorded. They are using a dummy of a seal and what you see towards the end of the video is that in less than a second the shark realizes it is not a real seal and spits it out...crazy stuff. I think I am selling my black wet suit...(actually, I don't have one but it causes me to wonder...Why are wet suits black? What color is a seal? Black...It would seem to me that maybe a different color would be a good alternative to offer customers)
Monday, August 2, 2010
Public Restrooms
As frequent readers are aware (all three of you), that for the past couple of months we have been potty training Aubrey and as with all kids she has days of brilliance and moments of frustration but for the most part I would say she is potty trained. Our work is not completed but we are well on the way to her being able to function in society without having to constantly carry an extra set of clothes as an adult.
When Aubrey was in diapers and especially now that she is using the potty, I have a few rules that I try to follow when in public with the kids.
1. I Love LA and Our Kids
2. I Will NOT Take Aubrey to public restrooms
3. I Will NOT Take Wyatt to public restrooms to change a diaper or when old enough to do number 2
4. Refer to Number 1
I try to be a good father and help out with the kids as much as possible and haven't frowned about doing many of the tasks thus far. However, I have tried to draw a line on this topic. It's not that I am some obsessive compulsive, germ freek about public restrooms but I do have some issues especially the toilet seat and having to sit on it. There are a very few select locations throughout the Lowcountry that have passed my inspection and unless there is an emergency, I am sticking to taking care of my business at my house.
The reasons this applies to me taking our kids to public restrooms are the same. If your a girl, you wouldn't understand because you haven't been into a Men's restroom. Guys couldn't hit the toilet if it was the size of the Grand Canyon and don't think that because there are urinals (Guys can't hit them much better and then you have to contend with splatter) it is any better because the first rule for a guy is to see if the stall is open regardless if it is number 1 or 2. If it is for number 1 and the seat is down you don't touch it, you attempt to see if you can not hit the seat which is always a failure and then you multiply by the number of users and you have a place where DHEC could be called daily and that is enough reason for me not to want me or my kids to come in contact with the seat or anything within reach. (A couple of weeks ago while dining downtown at Hall's Chophouse (which is now on the top of my list of best steakhouses - expensive, yes but worth every penny - the money is in the Aged Prime beef (less than 3% of all beef is Prime)) I went into the bathroom and they had an old time urinal that went from the floor up to about 5 feet and in the bottom it was full of ice. I was unsure of what to make of the ice so I used the other toilet. I was so intrigued with the ice that I asked the bartender (which made my wife look at me like I was crazy). The ice is to help with the smell and was used a lot before air conditioning. A gentlemen at the bar said it was quite common up north and went on the tell me that your supposed to see how much you can melt of the ice and that in the old days there used to be a trough with ice at the bar so you didn't have to leave, you just stood up and did your business - I am all about friends hanging out at the bar but that is about 1 step further than I want to go with our friendship. I am glad we have bathrooms now days.) To summarize my thought on the majority Men's restrooms - dirty thus why I do not want to take Aubrey or Wyatt in there. I will take Wyatt in for number 1 when he is able because he won't be able to hurt anything or make it any worse.
As with all rules there are sometimes exceptions, on occasion do to the circumstances beyond my control, I have had to take Aubrey to the restroom. In an effort to avoid the Men's bathroom, I have been taking her to the Women's bathroom. She doesn't need to be in the Men's bathroom that's just creating a bad example that could come back to haunt us and it could emotionally scar her for life. It's my opinion, that it isn't worth taking the chance. You understand my point, right? I always new it was nicer, always wondered what was on the other side of the door but I never had the proof. What so great that they would actually line up to use it. Now, I have the proof and it is much nicer in the Women's. The Men's is all about quantity. How many and how quickly can we get them in and out. The Women's is about creating an experience and comfort. However, what I have learned is that are women territorial. Now that someone has cracked the code, you wouldn't believe the looks and the groans and the verbal abuse I am taking. I point to Aubrey and tell them to deal with it and ask them for a better solution (which the say "take her to the Men's" and I politely ask them to walk with me to the Men's and they can find out for themselves why I am in their space with my daughter). I am pretty sure Aubrey shouldn't be hearing the names they are calling me AND I am pretty sure the if a women entered the Men's restroom, we wouldn't treat her the way I have been treated. The restrooms with less traffic cause the fewest problems except for occasionally bumping into a woman on the way in or out and then you just get the look and sometimes just a friendly "opps" on my part solves any problems and avoids a confrontation. I am respectful, I wait my turn and don't ever go in without Aubrey that would just be weird, a man standing in the Women's bathroom. I am beginning to think this is frowned upon.
Okay, so I haven't taken Aubrey to the Women's restroom but it has crossed my mind a few times and even just handing her off to a stranger walking into the Women's to take her to the restroom doesn't seem like a terrible idea. We are working on the her using the bathroom in the pike position. LA learned this little parenting trick when she took our friends daughter to the bathroom and she new better than to let her sit on the seat and she even new better and showed Miss Leigh-Ann how her mommy and daddy would take her and she proceeded to get into the pike position with her legs parallel to the toilet - impressive. We actually got to try that the other day on the way to Lodge when Aubrey told us she had to go potty and we pulled off the side of the road. We have learned that if she tells you she got to go then you better listen and you better have a plan.
Come to think of it, maybe, the diapers weren't so bad after all.
When Aubrey was in diapers and especially now that she is using the potty, I have a few rules that I try to follow when in public with the kids.
1. I Love LA and Our Kids
2. I Will NOT Take Aubrey to public restrooms
3. I Will NOT Take Wyatt to public restrooms to change a diaper or when old enough to do number 2
4. Refer to Number 1
I try to be a good father and help out with the kids as much as possible and haven't frowned about doing many of the tasks thus far. However, I have tried to draw a line on this topic. It's not that I am some obsessive compulsive, germ freek about public restrooms but I do have some issues especially the toilet seat and having to sit on it. There are a very few select locations throughout the Lowcountry that have passed my inspection and unless there is an emergency, I am sticking to taking care of my business at my house.
The reasons this applies to me taking our kids to public restrooms are the same. If your a girl, you wouldn't understand because you haven't been into a Men's restroom. Guys couldn't hit the toilet if it was the size of the Grand Canyon and don't think that because there are urinals (Guys can't hit them much better and then you have to contend with splatter) it is any better because the first rule for a guy is to see if the stall is open regardless if it is number 1 or 2. If it is for number 1 and the seat is down you don't touch it, you attempt to see if you can not hit the seat which is always a failure and then you multiply by the number of users and you have a place where DHEC could be called daily and that is enough reason for me not to want me or my kids to come in contact with the seat or anything within reach. (A couple of weeks ago while dining downtown at Hall's Chophouse (which is now on the top of my list of best steakhouses - expensive, yes but worth every penny - the money is in the Aged Prime beef (less than 3% of all beef is Prime)) I went into the bathroom and they had an old time urinal that went from the floor up to about 5 feet and in the bottom it was full of ice. I was unsure of what to make of the ice so I used the other toilet. I was so intrigued with the ice that I asked the bartender (which made my wife look at me like I was crazy). The ice is to help with the smell and was used a lot before air conditioning. A gentlemen at the bar said it was quite common up north and went on the tell me that your supposed to see how much you can melt of the ice and that in the old days there used to be a trough with ice at the bar so you didn't have to leave, you just stood up and did your business - I am all about friends hanging out at the bar but that is about 1 step further than I want to go with our friendship. I am glad we have bathrooms now days.) To summarize my thought on the majority Men's restrooms - dirty thus why I do not want to take Aubrey or Wyatt in there. I will take Wyatt in for number 1 when he is able because he won't be able to hurt anything or make it any worse.
As with all rules there are sometimes exceptions, on occasion do to the circumstances beyond my control, I have had to take Aubrey to the restroom. In an effort to avoid the Men's bathroom, I have been taking her to the Women's bathroom. She doesn't need to be in the Men's bathroom that's just creating a bad example that could come back to haunt us and it could emotionally scar her for life. It's my opinion, that it isn't worth taking the chance. You understand my point, right? I always new it was nicer, always wondered what was on the other side of the door but I never had the proof. What so great that they would actually line up to use it. Now, I have the proof and it is much nicer in the Women's. The Men's is all about quantity. How many and how quickly can we get them in and out. The Women's is about creating an experience and comfort. However, what I have learned is that are women territorial. Now that someone has cracked the code, you wouldn't believe the looks and the groans and the verbal abuse I am taking. I point to Aubrey and tell them to deal with it and ask them for a better solution (which the say "take her to the Men's" and I politely ask them to walk with me to the Men's and they can find out for themselves why I am in their space with my daughter). I am pretty sure Aubrey shouldn't be hearing the names they are calling me AND I am pretty sure the if a women entered the Men's restroom, we wouldn't treat her the way I have been treated. The restrooms with less traffic cause the fewest problems except for occasionally bumping into a woman on the way in or out and then you just get the look and sometimes just a friendly "opps" on my part solves any problems and avoids a confrontation. I am respectful, I wait my turn and don't ever go in without Aubrey that would just be weird, a man standing in the Women's bathroom. I am beginning to think this is frowned upon.
Okay, so I haven't taken Aubrey to the Women's restroom but it has crossed my mind a few times and even just handing her off to a stranger walking into the Women's to take her to the restroom doesn't seem like a terrible idea. We are working on the her using the bathroom in the pike position. LA learned this little parenting trick when she took our friends daughter to the bathroom and she new better than to let her sit on the seat and she even new better and showed Miss Leigh-Ann how her mommy and daddy would take her and she proceeded to get into the pike position with her legs parallel to the toilet - impressive. We actually got to try that the other day on the way to Lodge when Aubrey told us she had to go potty and we pulled off the side of the road. We have learned that if she tells you she got to go then you better listen and you better have a plan.
Come to think of it, maybe, the diapers weren't so bad after all.
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