As a bit of a confession, my last post about my mom's graduation was almost entirely written from my iPhone. I don't write this confession as a way to brag or pat myself on the back. I do it to raise a point that I have no excuse to avoid writing.
I can literally post from anywhere, but I don't out of laziness or a lack of ideas. I could have easily posted from my vacation. I decided not to. I think I've earned that right.
Speaking of vacations, I'll be writing all about it in my next post.
With that we're on to the Twitter Machine...
-The Giants not only swept the Dodgers, they worked them like a freaking speed bag #sfgiants
-The Dodgers respond by trading for Adrian Gonzalez and a quarter of a billion dollars in contracts #notatypo
-In the world of poker, this would be called "on tilt." Dodgers are better right now, but those are some horrible contracts.
-I went to training for the RAV4EV last week. I was leery at first, but it is a phenomenal product.
-The girls sing "Are You Sleeping?" but change the words from Brother John to Sister Ana and Sister Grace
-Ana likes to say her name very loudly when you sing it
-Maybe I'm un-American for thinking this, but why all the fuss behind Madden?
-You by a new game every year that basically only offers roster updates. How does this keep making money?
-Jason Priestley is 43 and has settled for doing Old Navy commercials. I feel old and a little disappointed.
-A path of destruction is heading to the American Southeast. Also Hurricane Isaac is touching down. #RNChumor
-Where was Greek yogurt 5 years ago? I feel like the person that pushed Greek yogurt on America is worth millions now.
-His name is probably John Chobani or Greg Oikos or something.
-I feel like Snooki having children should be a stark reminder to men everywhere that alcohol leads to bad decisions #birthcontrol
-So Prince Harry likes to get naked. Who doesn't?
-I think it's very telling that all the news stories on Prince Harry are being reported in Entertainment sections
-Sick kids after a vacation seemed inevitable
-Sick parents is also happening. It's fun in our house right now.
-I think I'm the only person that hates Lance Armstrong. Except the French and his ex-wife and Sheryl Crow and other cyclers. #livewrong
-Neil Armstrong on the other hand was a badass #rip
-We have Amazon Prime and haven't ever streamed a free movie. I feel like we're squandering our potential.
-Ana and Grace literally say "Go Giants!" everytime they see an SF logo #socute #damnstraight #sfgiants
-Erin and her sister watched Something Borrowed the other night. Every character is damn detestable in that movie.
-The MVP isn't awarded in April in the MLB #mattkemp
-The only question I have left for The Office is when will we see Michael Scott again before it ends.
-Our go to food when we don't want to cook: frozen pizza from Costco. Scoff all you want. They are damn delicious. #nom #pizza
-Knocked out a few items from my 30 by 30 list and didn't even realize. Posts to come.
-Fake laughter loses sincerity very quickly. Especially since I'm not the best actor in the world. #arecbarwin #insidejoke #teamamerica
-I am however a beautiful singer. Not just propping myself up. It's kind of true. #fergieandjesus
That's all for now. Vacation post for tomorrow. See you next Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Graduation
My mom graduated last night. This wasn't a higher education thing, and she didn't really get a diploma. But it was a class of sorts.
She graduated with one year of sobriety.
Our family has a history of drinking. Much of that history involves drinking way too much. It may have started before my great grandfather George, but he is the oldest family member I can think of that had the problem.
George was a clown. That isn't an insult. He was actually a professional clown by trade. Like painted face and prat falls. He had a larger than life personality from what I remember. Every room he entered felt a little smaller because his personality stretched from wall to wall. He loved to laugh loudly and tell jokes. He was also a mean, ornery drunk with a bit of a temper that didn't know the definition of too much.
In a lot of ways my mom and grandpa have both emulated his personality. You know when they're in a room. They have a joke for every situation and only one volume, loud. They also have a bit of a short fuse and have been known to fly off the handle at times. One thing that my mom also inherited is drinking.
I'm not going to go into all the tell-tale signs of her alcoholism because this post isn't about that. I just know there have been times that I was embarrassed of her drinking. There were times when I worried what she would do to herself. There were times when I was glad that my wife and children weren't around to witness some of her darker places.
Now that she has come out the other side of a year of sobriety, I couldn't be more proud of her. Her graduation included her group talking all about how she inspired them. They talked about how big her personality is and how full of humor she is. They talked about how big her heart is. And I saw that in the relatively short time (compared to how long I've known her), they've recognized everything that I love about her.
I'll say the same thing here that I told her last night. I know that much of her humor, like mine, comes from how we deal with pain in our lives. It's our coping mechanism. I'm glad she has that to cope instead of alcohol. I'm glad she doesn't have to experience her grandchildren through a fog. I know she isn't perfect, but she also admits that and is always working on just bettering herself. And my daughters are lucky that they'll only really know the sober version of their grandma. They'll only see her as the loud, funny and admittedly crazy woman that so many people can't help but love.
I love my mom. I'm proud of all she's accomplished in this past year and all she'll accomplish from this point forward.
She graduated with one year of sobriety.
Our family has a history of drinking. Much of that history involves drinking way too much. It may have started before my great grandfather George, but he is the oldest family member I can think of that had the problem.
George was a clown. That isn't an insult. He was actually a professional clown by trade. Like painted face and prat falls. He had a larger than life personality from what I remember. Every room he entered felt a little smaller because his personality stretched from wall to wall. He loved to laugh loudly and tell jokes. He was also a mean, ornery drunk with a bit of a temper that didn't know the definition of too much.
In a lot of ways my mom and grandpa have both emulated his personality. You know when they're in a room. They have a joke for every situation and only one volume, loud. They also have a bit of a short fuse and have been known to fly off the handle at times. One thing that my mom also inherited is drinking.
I'm not going to go into all the tell-tale signs of her alcoholism because this post isn't about that. I just know there have been times that I was embarrassed of her drinking. There were times when I worried what she would do to herself. There were times when I was glad that my wife and children weren't around to witness some of her darker places.
One other character trait that has been passed down from generation to generation in our family is our hard-headedness and our absolute need to always be right. It can make some family functions seem like a war, but I'd like to think this has had a little bit to do with her success over the past year.
I'll say the same thing here that I told her last night. I know that much of her humor, like mine, comes from how we deal with pain in our lives. It's our coping mechanism. I'm glad she has that to cope instead of alcohol. I'm glad she doesn't have to experience her grandchildren through a fog. I know she isn't perfect, but she also admits that and is always working on just bettering herself. And my daughters are lucky that they'll only really know the sober version of their grandma. They'll only see her as the loud, funny and admittedly crazy woman that so many people can't help but love.
I love my mom. I'm proud of all she's accomplished in this past year and all she'll accomplish from this point forward.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Twitter Machine Tuesday
There is just something so special about a Giants-Dodgers series. Fans of Michigan and Ohio State get it. Yankees and Red Sox fans get it. Cubs and Cardinal fans know exactly when they'll play each other every year. If you root for the Redskins, you know from very early on that you have to hate the Cowboys.
Yankees-Red Sox get all the pub, but Giants-Dodgers has a longer history filled with even more bitterness.
There are teams that don't have long-term, natural, bitter rivals, and the fans of those teams just don't understand. If you're a Denver Nuggets fan, you have no hatred toward another team. You may dislike Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, but there isn't 100 years of history and hate to pull from.
That is why my house will always have a level of tension when the Giants and Dodgers play. It's why I still hate saying the name Salomon Torres. It's why I'll always think fondly on a scrub like Brian Johnson. It's why I hate Steve Finley and his stupid grand slam. It's why I can't listen to a game on Fox that Eric Karros is announcing. Joe Morgan is a horrible announcer, but he gets the ultimate pass for knocking the Dodgers out of the playoffs.
Our girls will be brought up to carry on the tradition of loving the Giants and rooting against the Dodgers. I won't teach them to hate anyone. They're just not allowed to like anything blue.
-Social Media has made being a fan of bitter rivals so much more fun. Talking crap to someone in another part of the country has never been easier.
-Note to 65+ year old lady with dreadlocks: Not an especially good look on just about anyone especially you
-Notable exceptions on the dreadlock front: Anyone named Marley, Whoopi and Gary Oldman in True Romance
-I actually set the volume on the TV to 24 throughout the first game of the latest series. In honor of Willie Mays #sfgiants
-Very much looking forward to some time near the water.
-I actually don't really like going out on boats though. It's the duality of me.
-Bought The Hunger Games the first day it came out. I haven't done that in a very long time. #marriedlife
-Jingle All the Way was on earlier this week. Erin was equal parts disappointed and confused I was so into it.
-I also had a root beer float while watching it. Yeah I'm 12 years old.
-I'm very disappointed with Melky Cabrera, but I feel no shame that I rooted for him. I thought it was just a great story. #sfgiants
-The part that sucks the worst is how unfunny and unoriginal the jokes from Dodgers and A's fans are
-Yeah two left fielders for the Giants are linked to PEDs. Yeah Juice Man instead of Melk Man. You're so clever.
-I always love training classes for work. There is no sarcasm in that fake tweet.
-I just love learning new things and getting outside input on how to improve.
-Going to learn about a totally new product tomorrow. Very excited.
-I'm going to write a full post about Tony Scott killing himself. I have strong opinions.
-There was no need to add a second wild card team in baseball. One game playoffs are dumb #mlb
-One game doesn't determine the better team in baseball #mlb
-What is it about Dr Pepper that is just so damn delicious?
-When are New Kids on the Block coming to town? #thingsiveneversaid
-We did FaceTime today and Grace kept saying Hold you which was adorable and heartbreaking
-I keep looking at my 30 by 30 list and feeling sorry for myself for failing almost all of them #stupidgoals
-Do Ed Hardy shirts come in a size besides small? #legitquestion
-To any Oakland fans: We aren't rivals. Get over it.
That's all for this week. Vacation is almost 24 hours away. See you next Tuesday.
Yankees-Red Sox get all the pub, but Giants-Dodgers has a longer history filled with even more bitterness.
There are teams that don't have long-term, natural, bitter rivals, and the fans of those teams just don't understand. If you're a Denver Nuggets fan, you have no hatred toward another team. You may dislike Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, but there isn't 100 years of history and hate to pull from.
That is why my house will always have a level of tension when the Giants and Dodgers play. It's why I still hate saying the name Salomon Torres. It's why I'll always think fondly on a scrub like Brian Johnson. It's why I hate Steve Finley and his stupid grand slam. It's why I can't listen to a game on Fox that Eric Karros is announcing. Joe Morgan is a horrible announcer, but he gets the ultimate pass for knocking the Dodgers out of the playoffs.
Our girls will be brought up to carry on the tradition of loving the Giants and rooting against the Dodgers. I won't teach them to hate anyone. They're just not allowed to like anything blue.
-Social Media has made being a fan of bitter rivals so much more fun. Talking crap to someone in another part of the country has never been easier.
-Note to 65+ year old lady with dreadlocks: Not an especially good look on just about anyone especially you
-Notable exceptions on the dreadlock front: Anyone named Marley, Whoopi and Gary Oldman in True Romance
-I actually set the volume on the TV to 24 throughout the first game of the latest series. In honor of Willie Mays #sfgiants
-Very much looking forward to some time near the water.
-I actually don't really like going out on boats though. It's the duality of me.
-Bought The Hunger Games the first day it came out. I haven't done that in a very long time. #marriedlife
-Jingle All the Way was on earlier this week. Erin was equal parts disappointed and confused I was so into it.
-I also had a root beer float while watching it. Yeah I'm 12 years old.
-I'm very disappointed with Melky Cabrera, but I feel no shame that I rooted for him. I thought it was just a great story. #sfgiants
-The part that sucks the worst is how unfunny and unoriginal the jokes from Dodgers and A's fans are
-Yeah two left fielders for the Giants are linked to PEDs. Yeah Juice Man instead of Melk Man. You're so clever.
-I always love training classes for work. There is no sarcasm in that fake tweet.
-I just love learning new things and getting outside input on how to improve.
-Going to learn about a totally new product tomorrow. Very excited.
-I'm going to write a full post about Tony Scott killing himself. I have strong opinions.
-There was no need to add a second wild card team in baseball. One game playoffs are dumb #mlb
-One game doesn't determine the better team in baseball #mlb
-What is it about Dr Pepper that is just so damn delicious?
-When are New Kids on the Block coming to town? #thingsiveneversaid
-We did FaceTime today and Grace kept saying Hold you which was adorable and heartbreaking
-I keep looking at my 30 by 30 list and feeling sorry for myself for failing almost all of them #stupidgoals
-Do Ed Hardy shirts come in a size besides small? #legitquestion
-To any Oakland fans: We aren't rivals. Get over it.
That's all for this week. Vacation is almost 24 hours away. See you next Tuesday.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Lake Living
This week is vacation week.
For the last three years, Erin's parents have rented a cabin near Donner Lake. It doesn't have the same name recognition of a Lake Tahoe, but it is still a beautiful (and not as crowded) destination. It allows us to escape the heat that has been a constant in our area for the last few weeks. We can go on hikes and take the boat out on the lake. We get to play cribbage and farkle and any other board and card games with weird names.
Last year we took the girls before they could really move and get themselves into trouble. This year will add some beach and lake time with the whole family. Not only that but Grace absolutely LOVES the water, so she'll be in heaven for the next few days.
It's going to be a great week. Or more accurately for me at least, it will be a great four days.
I have to work for the first part of the vacation for a variety of reasons including wanting to do a great job at work, coverage at my job and not really having vacation accumulated yet. I don't mind working. Trust me. I appreciate the ability to earn an honest day's wage.
The real problem is that Erin and the girls left yesterday which means I'm home alone for the next few days until I head up the hill. This means I can't wake up to them for the next three mornings. I can't put the girls to bed for the next three nights. I can't spend time with my wife for the next three days. We aren't going to sit down for dinner together for three evenings. This basically throws my whole life out of the normal axis.
I'll just keep working hard for the next 72 hours looking forward to the 4 days of fun that will follow. Based on the pictures that Erin has been sending me, it is a beautiful and serene place to spend some time off with my family. The days with them will make me forget all about the next few days without them.
For the last three years, Erin's parents have rented a cabin near Donner Lake. It doesn't have the same name recognition of a Lake Tahoe, but it is still a beautiful (and not as crowded) destination. It allows us to escape the heat that has been a constant in our area for the last few weeks. We can go on hikes and take the boat out on the lake. We get to play cribbage and farkle and any other board and card games with weird names.
Last year we took the girls before they could really move and get themselves into trouble. This year will add some beach and lake time with the whole family. Not only that but Grace absolutely LOVES the water, so she'll be in heaven for the next few days.
It's going to be a great week. Or more accurately for me at least, it will be a great four days.
I have to work for the first part of the vacation for a variety of reasons including wanting to do a great job at work, coverage at my job and not really having vacation accumulated yet. I don't mind working. Trust me. I appreciate the ability to earn an honest day's wage.
The real problem is that Erin and the girls left yesterday which means I'm home alone for the next few days until I head up the hill. This means I can't wake up to them for the next three mornings. I can't put the girls to bed for the next three nights. I can't spend time with my wife for the next three days. We aren't going to sit down for dinner together for three evenings. This basically throws my whole life out of the normal axis.
I'll just keep working hard for the next 72 hours looking forward to the 4 days of fun that will follow. Based on the pictures that Erin has been sending me, it is a beautiful and serene place to spend some time off with my family. The days with them will make me forget all about the next few days without them.
Friday, August 17, 2012
Daddy Daughter Days
On Wednesday morning Grace had a follow up appointment regarding her hurt leg. For anyone who doesn't remember, she hurt herself when we were going down the slide. We weren't sure if there were any broken bones because the X-ray didn't really show anything conclusive. After a little time of her refusing to stand on it, we didn't it was time to put here in a cast.
The doctor told us we were looking at two weeks in the cast and then they would reevaluate. If they saw any bones in the process of healing, they would put her back in the cast to continue healing for another couple of weeks. If it still showed nothing broken, she was out of the cast.
We were obviosuly rooting for the no cast option. We're going on vacation next week and really wanted it to be a vacation without a kid in a cast. Bath time would become that much easier. We wouldn't have to rub it in Grace's face that she couldn't go in the pool. And we could just relax (as much as you can with two 2-year-olds). It turns out we got our wish. Apparently Grace has Wolverine-like healing ability because she did in fact break a bone in her leg, but it had completely healed since then.
So yesterday we had a first Daddy Daughter Day without an injured kid in what seemed like forever.
The doctor told us we were looking at two weeks in the cast and then they would reevaluate. If they saw any bones in the process of healing, they would put her back in the cast to continue healing for another couple of weeks. If it still showed nothing broken, she was out of the cast.
We were obviosuly rooting for the no cast option. We're going on vacation next week and really wanted it to be a vacation without a kid in a cast. Bath time would become that much easier. We wouldn't have to rub it in Grace's face that she couldn't go in the pool. And we could just relax (as much as you can with two 2-year-olds). It turns out we got our wish. Apparently Grace has Wolverine-like healing ability because she did in fact break a bone in her leg, but it had completely healed since then.
So yesterday we had a first Daddy Daughter Day without an injured kid in what seemed like forever.
See no cast here. Just four legs and tennis shoes. On our way to the park.
I just love Ana's face in this picture. She always seems like she's up to no good even when she is stuck in a swing.
We went on a march around the park. Ana decided that we should speed up. She said "Bye-bye" and ran off.
And Grace faced her fears and went right back down a slide in spite of her last slide leading to injury. Actually she feared nothing and went right after it like it's her job.
Ana is a little more careful on the slide...
...until I told her to go the other way. Although it may have had more to do with her sister sliding down on her butt.
And then she got even more adventurous and went right to the big slide.
We logged some building block time. I asked Grace what she was making here, and she replied with "House." Obviously she is going for a Frank Lloyd Wright-type design.
We were pooped after a long day of parks, blocks, helping to clean mom's closet and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Great day.
I hope everyone out there has a wonderful and safe weekend. There won't be a Daddy Daughter Day post next week because I'll be on a little vacation, but I'll have four days worth of Daddy Daughter Vacation pictures when I get back.
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