As soon as I saw the advertisement in the school newsletter, I knew I would be attending this event with the boys. The event? A lecture at the Duxbury PAC put on by The Parent Connection. I know. Lecture? Parent Connection. Well, the Parent Connection is a local organization that tries to help the local parents become better parents. Lectures, workshops, classes, etc. All kinds of training. They actually put on a talk by a former Boston Celtic that grew up in MA (check old posts). So what's so noteworthy about another lecture? The talk was titled, "Danger Choices" and it was being delivered by Chris Herren.
I had seen bits and pieces of the documentary on Chris Herren called "Unguarded." I was familiar with the published accounts of the "fall from grace" of a local Boston sports figure. I knew that this would be a worthwhile expenditure. But it delivered far more than I built it up to be. It's always amazing when something over delivers on expectations. Awesome. Phenonemnal. Tremendous. You pick the adjective. It wouldn't do it justice.
Chris was an engaging speaker. He was honest. His message was right on. He focused on the decisions and the consequences. The consequences to him and to those around him. This was not your cliche "Don't do drugs. Drugs are bad." speech. This was not the I was the next big thing but blew it. Sure there were themes about those things. But this talk was so much more. The standing O at the end was well deserved.
If you are not familiar with Chris's story, I would recommend you seeing the documentary or attend one of his talks. After all the years of dependence and what he and his family went through, to be able to do what he is currently doing is mind blowing. Sure, it appeared that he was destined to be a professional basketball player, and an All Star at that. But maybe this is what he was meant to do. Maybe this was the destiny. In a way, he is an All Star.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
May Day
It sort of snuck up on me, this "anniversary". I probably should have seen the correlation as to why the Discovery Channel was showing all the Seal Team Six and Inside Osama's Compound specials. I guess it didn't seem like a whole year had passed since that Special Ops mission. Security in and around Boston was definitely taking precautions, as if the Terror Alert Level had risen. The commuter train platform had about a dozen paramilitary SWAT-type personnel and 2 K9 units. Even the lobby of our office building had our rent-a-cops on high alert.
Of course I couldn't help think back on 9/11. My family came to the forefront of my thoughts, then and now. I assume because it's my family that is important to me. Seems like good theory, right? OK, I jest a bit. It's how I deal with serious thoughts sometimes. Most of the time. I don't think I will ever forget the ride home on the T after the attacks on 9/11. There was some good camaraderie. Banter about the information we all had at the time. But the whole duration of the trip, I just want to get home. Get to my family. I know the media whips up these "anniversary" frenzies. But maybe it's because of the important thoughts they generate.
Of course I couldn't help think back on 9/11. My family came to the forefront of my thoughts, then and now. I assume because it's my family that is important to me. Seems like good theory, right? OK, I jest a bit. It's how I deal with serious thoughts sometimes. Most of the time. I don't think I will ever forget the ride home on the T after the attacks on 9/11. There was some good camaraderie. Banter about the information we all had at the time. But the whole duration of the trip, I just want to get home. Get to my family. I know the media whips up these "anniversary" frenzies. But maybe it's because of the important thoughts they generate.
Friday, April 27, 2012
Fore!
Caz had his first golf outing of the season with a kids only grouping. He and Rosewood teed off after school. Demi dropped off the clubs at the clubhouse. The boys walked over after school. They played 9 and then had snack/dinner at the 10th hole (clubhouse) after. Soda, chicken fingers, and chips. Snack food of champions. I bet they have that on the menu at Augusta.
Quite the set up. Since there is no baseball, Caz got a junior golf membership. He's outside. He's active. He's socializing. Win/Win for all of us. Demi has him going at least every Monday. I bet he's out twice during the week while school's in session.
Quite the set up. Since there is no baseball, Caz got a junior golf membership. He's outside. He's active. He's socializing. Win/Win for all of us. Demi has him going at least every Monday. I bet he's out twice during the week while school's in session.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Qiltytown
What is Quiltytown? Quiltytown is a throwback to the old days. It takes one back to a simpler time. A time where families celebrated a nice day with friends. A time where kids gathered en mass and entertained themselves, without a joystick, computer screen, or electricity of any kind.
Although it all started with an email from X's better half, an invitation to a BBQ turned out to be a return to Mayberry. The adults gathered around in Adirondack chair with beverages, while the kids (about 10 at first but close to 30 by the end) started playing football or swinging on a old tractor tire. How many men does it take to cook hamburgers on a grill? Apparently it takes one very great woman to cook burgers and dogs for all the kids, while about 5 guys take over after the hard part is through, to pretend they have been doing the heavy lifting all along. Of course nothing brings men to one spot like a grill.
After scarfing down meat, meat, and more meat, we ignored the vegetables and gathered in front of the TV to watch the Bruins lose game 5 in OT. Fortunately we missed the low point of the Sox misery, blowing 9;0 lead to lose 15-9. We started watching the Rangers playoff game but brownies and the fire pit called. The children were running around, playing man hunt. When X got the fire blazing the beer came out for the adults (again), while the sticks and marshmallows came out for the kids. The near scaldings from fiery, melted mounds of sugar were kept to a minimum.
X started the kids on charades next. Movies were the popular choice. The abilities ranged from excellent to "what the heck was that"? But a great idea by X. That was the rule. All the kids had to do charades, in order to be allowed to play Kick the Can. This version of Kick the Can was new to me. The 30 kids running around, hiding and waiting to kick a can was normal. But the adults trying to catch said kids, with a flashlight was new. It was sort of flashlight tag with a can kicking to get out jail.
These are the nights that really mean something. The kids will remember nights like these when they get older. I know it brought back great memories of my childhood for me.
Although it all started with an email from X's better half, an invitation to a BBQ turned out to be a return to Mayberry. The adults gathered around in Adirondack chair with beverages, while the kids (about 10 at first but close to 30 by the end) started playing football or swinging on a old tractor tire. How many men does it take to cook hamburgers on a grill? Apparently it takes one very great woman to cook burgers and dogs for all the kids, while about 5 guys take over after the hard part is through, to pretend they have been doing the heavy lifting all along. Of course nothing brings men to one spot like a grill.
After scarfing down meat, meat, and more meat, we ignored the vegetables and gathered in front of the TV to watch the Bruins lose game 5 in OT. Fortunately we missed the low point of the Sox misery, blowing 9;0 lead to lose 15-9. We started watching the Rangers playoff game but brownies and the fire pit called. The children were running around, playing man hunt. When X got the fire blazing the beer came out for the adults (again), while the sticks and marshmallows came out for the kids. The near scaldings from fiery, melted mounds of sugar were kept to a minimum.
X started the kids on charades next. Movies were the popular choice. The abilities ranged from excellent to "what the heck was that"? But a great idea by X. That was the rule. All the kids had to do charades, in order to be allowed to play Kick the Can. This version of Kick the Can was new to me. The 30 kids running around, hiding and waiting to kick a can was normal. But the adults trying to catch said kids, with a flashlight was new. It was sort of flashlight tag with a can kicking to get out jail.
These are the nights that really mean something. The kids will remember nights like these when they get older. I know it brought back great memories of my childhood for me.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Happy 100th Fenway!
The 100th Anniversary of Fenway. Quite a milestone. I set Tivo to capture all the festivities while I am at work. I can wait to see who comes back. The ownership invited everything living player back for the occasion. Pretty cool!
The boys are fired up to watch. I talked about getting ballpark food for dinner: wings, hot dogs, nachos, etc. After the opening ceremonies, the boys would settle in to watch the Sox take on the Evil Empire. Normally, that would be an amazing match up for the milestone event. But the way the Sox are playing, I wouldn't feel good about a match up with BC or Northeastern.
Our plans changed throughout the day. I couldn't get any video streaming at work. Coco was off on a hike. Caz was the one watching the game and texting me scores on my commute home. When I got home, I walked into the kitchen to see Caz boiling water for hot dogs. Demi told me that he had wanted to surprise me. My week of yogurt and salads was over. How could I say no to a ballpark frank made by my son? ....It was one of the best dogs ever.....
The boys are fired up to watch. I talked about getting ballpark food for dinner: wings, hot dogs, nachos, etc. After the opening ceremonies, the boys would settle in to watch the Sox take on the Evil Empire. Normally, that would be an amazing match up for the milestone event. But the way the Sox are playing, I wouldn't feel good about a match up with BC or Northeastern.
Our plans changed throughout the day. I couldn't get any video streaming at work. Coco was off on a hike. Caz was the one watching the game and texting me scores on my commute home. When I got home, I walked into the kitchen to see Caz boiling water for hot dogs. Demi told me that he had wanted to surprise me. My week of yogurt and salads was over. How could I say no to a ballpark frank made by my son? ....It was one of the best dogs ever.....
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Beach Day
As we drove back from NH, Demi and decided to make our first trek to Duxbury Beach when we got home. We quickly unloaded the car and repacked with beach gear. We were all anxious to collect Gizmo from my brother's. We missed her a lot while we were away.
Caz decided he was done and just wanted to lay low. So he agreed to work on some homework and read. Since we just came back from over 72 hours of family time, I was OK with this arrangement.
Cars were coming off the beach in droves as we came onto the beach. Fine by me. I would rather have more privacy and space. Too many knuckleheads find their way to the beach these days. We experience a record heat day, so it made sense the beach was packed today. I heard the harbormaster was kicking people with expired stickers off in droves.
Coco had packed the car with stuff, balls, buckets, bats, kites, rackets, shovels, and bocce. He had a grand plan to do it all. We started with a sandcastle. Or rather sand fiefdom. We had a huge Camelot type palace with a moat. But then we had the farming village and wharf as well. It was a massive undertaking, with a time crunch. The tide was coming in. But we got it done. And our medieval village stood for most of the time we were there. Coco got in some beach tennis matches with both Mom and Dad. We got the kite up, flying high. Gizmo was thrilled to be free and with the family. Then Coco and I dared set foot in the water. Crazy, I know. But we dove it. Not for long. Just long enough to freeze the family jewels. All in all, a successful day. Welcome, beach season. Looking forward to a long one this year.
Caz decided he was done and just wanted to lay low. So he agreed to work on some homework and read. Since we just came back from over 72 hours of family time, I was OK with this arrangement.
Cars were coming off the beach in droves as we came onto the beach. Fine by me. I would rather have more privacy and space. Too many knuckleheads find their way to the beach these days. We experience a record heat day, so it made sense the beach was packed today. I heard the harbormaster was kicking people with expired stickers off in droves.
Coco had packed the car with stuff, balls, buckets, bats, kites, rackets, shovels, and bocce. He had a grand plan to do it all. We started with a sandcastle. Or rather sand fiefdom. We had a huge Camelot type palace with a moat. But then we had the farming village and wharf as well. It was a massive undertaking, with a time crunch. The tide was coming in. But we got it done. And our medieval village stood for most of the time we were there. Coco got in some beach tennis matches with both Mom and Dad. We got the kite up, flying high. Gizmo was thrilled to be free and with the family. Then Coco and I dared set foot in the water. Crazy, I know. But we dove it. Not for long. Just long enough to freeze the family jewels. All in all, a successful day. Welcome, beach season. Looking forward to a long one this year.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Hiking NH
So far, a really great family trip to NH. We mulled over taking advantage of Wildcat's offer for the last day of skiing for the season. But it looked bleak. The temp fell in the 70's. Wildcat had no beginner trails open. So we drove over and made the decision to hike instead. We landed at Pinkham Notch, which is part of the Appalachian Trail. It was packed with people hiking up to Tuckerman's Ravine to ski. I was a little worried at first, since I couldn't get a lot of information on the trails from the "rangers" there. I think they were old timers, just futzing around.
We ended up hiking for 2 hours on the Long Pond Trail. The sun shined brightly, with enough warmth in amongst the treeline. It struck me as odd to be walking over layers of snow still. We saw the Saco River running low from not enough spring rainfall. We encountered a loud flock of mallards. The boys made themselves walking sticks. Demi captured the moments on film. When we finally got back to the base lodge, I found a reliable source to help me pick out a good map for future hikes. We could come back for years and not hit all the trails. Looking forward to trying.
We ended up hiking for 2 hours on the Long Pond Trail. The sun shined brightly, with enough warmth in amongst the treeline. It struck me as odd to be walking over layers of snow still. We saw the Saco River running low from not enough spring rainfall. We encountered a loud flock of mallards. The boys made themselves walking sticks. Demi captured the moments on film. When we finally got back to the base lodge, I found a reliable source to help me pick out a good map for future hikes. We could come back for years and not hit all the trails. Looking forward to trying.
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