Game Day 2021

 It's Saturday in South Carolina!

First game back in a football stadium since the Iron Bowl.  I admit.  This seemed like a better idea in April when we were starting getting vaccinated and things seemed to be returning to normal.  I bought season tickets to the Gamecocks football games.  It was motivated by the Palmetto Bowl being held in COLA this year.  The week of Thanksgiving should be really fun.  The Gamecocks play Auburn at home (again - not sure how that schedule happened) the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  The Chins will be in Charleston for Turkey Day, which will probably be BBQ day.  Then the Saturday after Thanksgiving is the rivalry game for the Gamecocks!

This week though, it is the first home SEC game of the season for the Gamecocks.  The Kentucky Wildcats are in town.  It is a primetime match up on ESPN.  Demi cooked all day Friday to provide food for the tailgate and for The Boys.  Wings, chili, gyros, sandwiches and all the fixin's.  Caz and I drove up with it all.  We met Coco and The Boys at their apartment.  Then we loaded up 2 vehicles for the State Fairgrounds parking.  The Boys were very excited to have this old man at the tailgate.  Or at least that is what they said.  Kidding.  We really did have fun.  The game was very close and exciting as well.  It was a very good day for the Chin Boys.  

Labor Day Weekend 2021

 What a weekend for the Chins.  We were not all together.  But I am happy all the same.  Demi and I got to spend a great day at the beach with family and friends.  The day turned out far sunnier and warmer than predicted.  The kids behaved very well.  There was no drama.  As always, there was no shortage of food or drinks.

What really made me smile?  The boys were together.  Caz drove up to COLA on Friday night.  I gave Caz my tickets to the Gamecocks game.  Primetime kickoff meant the boys had Friday night and all day Sat together.  I remember visiting my brother at college after I graduated.  It helped us bond even more.  I hope it does the same for them.  

FDOC USC '21

 First day of classes for Gamecock Nation!  Coco starts Junior year.  He is officially an upperclassman now.  He is excited for his classes.  That is a great sign.  Go crush it, kid.  You got this.  

Back to USC 2021

 One son comes home.  One son leaves home.  It is back to college time.  This year, it is back to one child heading back.  Even though we have done this before, it still seems strange.  

Coco drove up back to Columbia, SC today.  Classes for the University of South Carolina do not start for a few more days but he wanted to get settled back into his off-campus apartment.  I tried to stock him up at Walmart but he really did not think he needed much.  We ate a nice lunch at The Southern Belly.  Coco played it nicely by ordering the Wookie.  That sandwich, besides being awesome, is double meat.  That means two meals for him.  Well played!  It feels different dropping him off an hour and forty minutes away, than an hour plus drive and a plane ride.  I still feel sad when he goes.  I know he is where he should be, but I miss him already.  Good luck, Coco!

Friday the 13th - Boys Week Update

 We seem to have weathered the worst of the storm.  Coco and I both tested negative.  Demi tested negative in MA.  Caz is just bed sore from being restricted in his movement.  The farthest he has traveled is next to his room, to the bathroom.  He didn't really seem to mind but I am sure he was going stir crazy.

Finally, I had been able to grocery shop.  I stocked up the supplies as best I could.  i consulted Caz about what he might need after I left to return to MA.  

I got to spend a lot of quality time with Coco.  Some one on one time, is always appreciated.  Coco was good about it too.  He was willing and got into the spirit of Father/Son bonding time.  Yes, we spent quite a bit of it watching movies or general TV.  However, we had a lot of healthy dialogue too.  We reminisced over highlights and tributes centered on Bobby Bowden.  Coco is an avid student of history in general, but particularly sports history.  We discussed current events.  And we watched some quality entertainment.  I furthered his important (pop) cultural literacy by watching Midnight Run.  What a classic movie.  

We all made the best of the circumstances.  And we realized how lucky we are.  We are still more fortunate that a lot of people during these times.  It is not lost on any of us.

Boys Week in CHS - POSTPONED

 Today was supposed to be Day One of boys week in Charleston.  It was over before it began.  I was just logging into work, when Caz came down to the kitchen.  I thought he was up earlier than normal.  He said he didn't feel great and his ear hurt.  Being prone to ear infections, he decided, on his own, to go to Urgent Care to be checked out.

About an hour and a half after Caz left, he called.  He called from the parking lot.  He tested negative for strep. His ear didn't appear infected.  The other shoe dropped.  He tested positive for COVID.

That information took a moment to process in my brain.  That process felt longer, than it lasted.  Caz is smart.  He called from the parking lot on purpose.  We made a plan.  I clean and disinfected the house.  He came in wearing a mask.  He went to a dedicated bedroom.  I had created a dedicated bathroom for him.  I informed Coco what was going on.  We all hunkered down for the long haul of isolation and quarrantine.

Sebec 2021

 We are finally able to make it to Sebec Lake with family and friends this year.  It is always great to be with family and friends.  I am really happy that Coco decided to come with us.  He is twenty now.  He is in college.  I was going to say that college kids have different priorities but actually, same priority but they want to be with their friends.  Coco has a good sense of family though.  He knows it is important.  And I think he has fun with this crew and in this location.

I wish Caz was with us.  He will be missed.  Family time is incomplete without either one of the boys.  

Time at this lake is extremely therapeutic. For many years, this camp had very spotty to no cell service and no wifi.  The only TV was an old school tube TV with a VHS hooked up to it.  One could really unplug from life.  I love it.  My wallet only comes our for supply or trash runs.  My phone only comes out for use as a camera.  The days are early.  Sunrise is beautiful, as it comes up from across the lake.  Night are late, spent around the campfire.  The beer fridge in the boathouse is always stocked and is always open.  It's beer o'clock all the time.  Everyone does as they wish.  If you want to socialize, great.  If you want alone time, also great.  We have many memories and can't wait to make more.

Easter 2021

 Great weekend!  Demi got a semblance of her family holiday weekend.  Coco and some of his crew came to visit for the weekend.  It was really nice having them here.  Demi didn't get to host like she likes due to her injured wing.  But she was excited and made the most of it.

Only a couple of weeks removed from shoulder surgery, I didn't even want to offer to cook, knowing Demi would still try to help and would over do it on her shoulder.  I convinced her to order dinner.  After doing some research, she found the jackpot.  Six pounds of pulled pork, double mac & cheese, double tater tots, cornbread and two BBQ sauces.  Not a veggie in site.  Perfect college kid food.

The boys arrived Friday night, right after the Final Four tip-off.  We got pizza and wings.  The game was exciting.  It went right down to the last shot.  It was an sad outcome for the Gamecocks but what a game.

Demi got time with one of her sons.  Coco's friends are fine young gentlemen.  Both our sons continue to surround themselves with good people.  It is so nice to see.  That was the real purpose of the weekend.  Spend time with our son and the people close to him.  

Downsizing

 So.  What has been going on during this blog blackout?  I am choosing to start with Downsizing.  But I will begin this narrative with how I grew up.  My parents wanted a bigger house when I was about 6 or 7.  The bought 31 and we moved around around the corner from Temple St.  Growing up in that house was fantastic.  While growing up, I experience my first brush with Downsizing.  

When my brother and I were in high school, our mother started talking to our grandparents about moving.  They lived in Wilmington, where they had settled down for a long time, after moving a lot during my grandfather's early years with his company.  They loved the house and town. They owned 4.5 acres with a 14 room house on it.  As they got older, my grandparents found it harder to maintain.  Honestly, I think my mother found it hard too.  She was their only child living in the same the state.  My mother never drives much.  Driving from Duxbury to Wilmington was left to my Dad.

I was not a part of the discussions between my grandparents and my mother.  I believe my grandparents looked favorably on downsizing.  But I do not rightly now.  Whatever transpired, they seems to handle the change well.  All of them seem to agree that their new home would be close to Duxbury.  My grandparents didn't want to live in Florida or New York, by my Aunt or Uncle.  My Dad was always doing things for them, along with my mother.  I feel my grandparents realized my folks were their best and constant support system.  After talks and visits to independent senior living complexes around the South Shore, my grandfather pulled off a huge surprise.  While all of us attended my brother's football game, my grandfather stayed behind.  When we got home, he announced that he had put an offer on the house next door, 41.  The rest, as they say, is history. 

41 became their home for a long time.  Eventually, it became home for Demi, the boys and me.  How about that?  My grandparents "smaller" home was our family home.  It was plenty big enough for all of us.  22 years in 41.  41 will always be "home" in the memories of Caz and Coco.  I experience the emotional attachments my grandparents possessed to both Wilmington and 41.  It shouldn't have surprised me that our family created similar bonds with 41.  If I am honest, and always try to be with you, I thought I would die while living in that house.  I always joked that I would be carted out of that house in a box.  Somewhere inside, a piece of me was not joking.  

We all had different reactions to leaving 41.  Caz likely took it most in stride.  He was comfortable at Auburn.  He loves it there.  I believe that helped him with the transition.  Demi was ready to start a new chapter.  She saw all the possibilities before us.  Coco was not pleased.  At all.  Of course, all this started before he even left for USC.  He hadn't made a connection there yet.  I think I was somewhere in between, although, again, if I am honest, I was closer to Coco's side of the see-saw.  Change is always hard.  But Change is inevitable.  Fighting change is pointless.  You can't win.  And it only makes it harder.  You can just go with it.  And it will be fine.  But if you embrace it, you can make it wonderful.

Last Class 2020

I can't believe today was the last class of 2020 for the boys.  Coco just finished the freshman year regular season.  Caz is wrapping up junior year.  I am about to have a rising sophomore and a rising senior.  In college!  How did that happen?!  Where did the time go?  It didn't end in a usual fashion.  It ended on Zoom.   Life goes on.  The world goes on.  College goes on.  Time stops for no one. 

Draft 2020

The first ever virtual NFL Draft!  It was certainly different.  The NFL had a captive audience.  This was the first live sporting event in months.  Something to get excited about.  Finally.  I joked about watching every single pick for the first time ever.
     Watching the first round was something I hoped would be a family event.  The boys had a vested interest with players from their colleges.  At least one from each was projected going in the first round.  I knew better to wait for the Patriots pick and for them to make it.  I was confident that Bill would trade out of the first round.  Sure enough, he did.  Coco was eager to watch.  Demi was a good sport.  She hung out with us, while Coco and I discussed and watched each pick.  Unfortunately Caz was not looking to engage.  According to Coco, Caz was playing a video game with friends.  Virtually, of course.  The virus hasn't changed that.  The kids have played online with friends for years. 
     Coco bowed out of night two.  So I watched rounds 2 and 3 on an iPad, silently.  Demi and I watched the new Chris Hemsworth movie on Netflix.  That was a win win. Thor for Demi to watch.  Action movie and draft for me to watch.

Back to USC

Now its Coco’s turn to go back to college.  Took him to the airport to fly back to Charlotte.  The nest is empty again.
     Coco was ready to go back.  He missed his crew.  A totally normal reaction to the first extended break in a freshman campaign.  Can’t blame either of them for wanting to return to school.
     I think they do miss Mom and Dad though.  They would never offer that up directly, on their own. They miss home too.  I think Coco misses it a tad more.  Although he got to see over fall break that home is not totally the same as how he left it.  His DHS buddies have their college friends and environments.  Most didn’t come home at the same time.  They had other commitments.  And quite a few got to see each other quite a bit, since they all left for their respective schools.  There is no ill intent.  It is all a part of the circle of life.

First Visit 2019

Our first trip to the University of South Carolina to visit Coco was a success.  Great trip, even with the rain all day on Saturday.  Friday was beautiful.  The most perfect weather.  It was sunny.  It was cool enough to walk around without sweating, even wearing jeans.
     Coco really enjoyed being our guide on a walking tour of campus.  He tooks us to all the buildings in which he has a class.  He walked us through the Horseshoe.  I asked to go by the bookstore, of course.  Coco guided us into Russell House, the Circle and the Theater.  He was really eager to show us his college.  He really seems happy there.
     Game Day on Saturday was a noon kickoff.  That made for interesting tailgating.  Demi and I actually slept in.  I had picked a hotel about a half mile walk to the stadium.  I thought I was so smart, not having to deal with parking.  What I failed to realize was that the South Carolina State Fair was going on.  This was the last weekend of it.  Friday was a bit of a circus with the amount of traffic in front of our hotel.
     Demi and I had rolled into Columbia about lunch time.  We were hungry.  We hit a local BBQ joint.  We had called on our drive and the room was not ready yet.  After lunch, we figured we would give the room a shot.  At least we would leave our bags.  Four lanes of dead stop traffic was in front of the hotel.  The gate to the Fair parking lots had just opened recently.  Poor timing on our part.  We used Waze to try and bypass traffic.  We ended up on a dirt road, running parallel to train tracks.  It felt like part Stand By Me and part Lost Boys.  We ended up getting around traffic, sure, but then we had to make a left, across all four lands of stopped cars.  Southern Hospitality helped us.  They parted the Red Sea, to allow us access to the hotel parking lot.  No way that happens in Massholia.
     Demi and I walked to the game.  It was misty.  A sprinkle shower passed quickly.  We checked out Cock-a-boose Alley & Gamecock Park.  We hit the Jameison's tent.  I thought it was a standard bar at first.  We got two free drinks each, but all were of course, Jameison's based.  No way Demi was going to like it, right?  Wrong.  She really got into the Jameison's and Ginger. It is now on the favorites list.  The game was a bit rainy.  It actually hailed for quite a bit.  But we were prepared and managed to stay dry.
     We did not see Coco that night.  He and his boys napped after the game and the early AM tailgate.  I get it.  A college kid wants to hang with his buddies.  We had breakfast in the morning.  It seemed clear he had been out with said buddies that night.  It was a really nice trip.  Can't wait to go back.

Sunday Phone Home Day

Sunday is the day we talk to the boys.  One uses Skype.  One uses FaceTime.  Either way, we get to see their faces.  It really doesn’t have to be Sunday.  The point is, once a week, you, the child, call home.
     It’s funny.  All these years after college, our friend Vorhees, calls his parents every Sunday.  He uses a cellphone, but it is a standard phone call.  He has called from the Lake.  He has called from the beach.  He has called from a bar.  Wherever he is on Sunday, he calls home.
     Years from now, it would be nice if the boys call home often.  It would be nice if it is unprompted.  I hope they want to call home.  It’s easy to get caught up in life.  It really is the though that counts.

Move-In Day 2019

It's go time!  Move-In Day (2 of 2) for the University of South Carolina.  It would have really been nice to have the first move-in day.  At least Coco drew the first time-slot of the day.  "First one to the park.....first one to leave."
     Overall, I would say it was a good move-in experience.  It is still organized chaos though.  The volun-tolds were there.  There was not a clear leader.  They didn't seem to have been give clear and consistent instructions.  Coco's dorm was not cart friendly.  Good news is that we were provided a cart and two volunteers to help move.  Bad news is the cart was a cardboard box on an unattached set of wheels.  On uneven ground, that cart design is poor. 
     The RM was extremely nice and very helpful.  Bonus points = he is a Red Sox fan.  Coco even got his bed elevated while we were there.  UofSC didn't want students or parents messing with the bed frames.  I wish Auburn had felt that way.  Coco had his priorities.  Get the smart TV up and running, then XBOX One.  I will say, Demi did far less nesting than she did in Caz's room.  That meant we were able to make our third Target run a lot earlier. 
     Coco was anxious.  But all in all, I think he held it together.  He was nervous about this book order.  We all walked to the bookstore.  I will say, it wasn't clear where to go or what to present.  Coco got it done in the end.  He could have done it alone but hey, he felt better with us there.  A target to vent on, but what are parents for? 
     Best news of the day?  When we went to pick up Coco for dinner, he texted that he would be a bit late.  He was at the Strom Thurmond Health & Fitness Center, playing basketball with his roommate and with some new friends.  That's right.  He was out of his room.  And he was meeting new people.  I can't tell you how relieved Demi and I were.  We knew our boy would be ok.

Off to USC

Off to South Carolina!  This is it.  We are taking Coco to college.  A short flight to Charlotte, then a short drive to Columbia. 
     We got an early flight.  We wanted to have plenty of time to drive down, check into the hotel and then go to Target.  One thing we did really well with Caz for preparing to take him to college, was to order things from Walmart and have it all delivered to the store closest to campus.  For Coco, it's Target. 
     Move-in day is tomorrow.  We have an 8 am time-slot.  I made sure to remember the Move-in packet.  It has a parking placard for the car.  It also has a placard that Coco needs to check-in and to receive his room key.  We have to leave the house at 4:30 am.  Man, is it early.  I actually couldn't sleep.  I was up at 2 am.  I watched most of the Predator before I meditated, stretched and made coffee.  I heard Coco up pacing too.  He was definitely nervous, which in turn, made me nervous.  I know in my heart, Coco will be alright.  My heart needs to tell my head that.  And then convince it.

Last Night: Transformers

Last night with the 4 Chins in one place.  Caz leaves to go back to Auburn tomorrow morning.  Early.  Really early.  Somehow I seem to frequently draw the early morning airport runs.  But I digress.
     Caz gets to pick dinner.  We offered to take him out.  However, he procrastinated packing.  Procrastination is not an uncommon occurrence.  Chinese takeout is the call.  Takeout from Tsangs’s Village Cafe in Hanover to be precise.  Nothing but the best.
     We all have a good talk at the dinner table.  Family time is so important.  We talk about everything and anything.  We talk even when the subject isn’t an easy one.  I think that has helped the boys be prepared to go off to college and off on their own.  The boys may not talk much at times.  But when it is important, they know they can talk with us.
     It won’t be the same after tomorrow.   It’s the beginning of the breaking of our fellowship.  The start of the emptying of the nest.  A family transformation.

Let’s Talk About S@x, Baby

Another son going off to college.  The same rules apply.  While packing up Coco and ordering supplies to Target in Columbia, it is an opportune time for The Talk.  It’s not the first time.  It won’t be the last time.  Demi and I are straight forward.  We don’t want to be grandparents yet.  Coco, you’re going to college.  Wrap it up.
     We have had discussions about STDs (or STIs I believe they are calling them these days).  He knows Demi is going to send him to college with a box of condoms.  While packing clothes in his room, Demi finds a condom.  “Is this the brand you want?”
     Silence.
     “What size?”
     At first, more silence.  Then, “Extra large.”, with a smile and a chuckle.
     Without missing a beat, “You know it doesn’t do any good if it’s too loose and falls off, right?”
     The smile fades and Coco exits the room.
     “So what size?”, as she follows him.
     Coco can’t get away fast enough.

DHS Prom 2019

Another year, another Prom equals another success.  I really enjoyed being on the fringe, observing Coco having a ball.  For a parent, this year's prom excelled past anything I could have hoped for.
     Coco and Demi prepped upstairs.  Coco even submitted to a test run with his hair around noon.  They mapped out a shower and dressing strategy, starting at 2:30 pm.  I got a kick out of watching them execute it.  Coco still had a wet head of hear, with most of his tuxedo on when I walked past to see Demi tucking him all in.  I am pretty sure I made a Lannister Game of Thrones reference.
     Coco finished earlier than expected.  I watched him pace around nervously before his date and his friends showed up.  The photo shoot entertained me immensely.  The pinning of the boutonnieres is like an Olympic sport.  So many traditional skills are becoming lost.  Tying a tie, folding a pocket square and pinning boutonnieres are almost a lost art.  Coco's date, Melissandre, smiled the entire time.  She possesses one of those energetic personalities, which really comes alive when a camera is around.  That's not a bad thing.  You need someone to be excited about pictures with teenagers.  She got the rest of them to loosen up and smile for all the parents taking pictures.  The parents appreciated having one spot for pictures.  Melissandre's dads were please with Coco as her date.  He is a good young man, who treats women with respect.
     Following the Zoolander photo shoot at the house, we all raced for the red carpet at the High School.  Very well attended, parking became a premium.  I dropped off Demi with the camera, so that I could find a parking space.  As it was, I barely made it in time to see Coco and Melissandre get out of their ride and walk the red carpet.  It is a great Duxbury tradition now.  A lot of folks turn out to see the kids all dolled up.  The rides are part of the attraction too.  I can't tell you how many boats bore prom goers to the carpet.  Old classic cars, Mom and Dad's luxury vehicles and even a float were in the procession.  Volunteer parents valet these things.  The kids walk the carpet, then enter the High School to a snacks and hors d'oeuvres before boarding the buses to Gillette.  How cool is that venue?
     After the Post-Prom plans were up in the air right up until the bus ride home.  Melissandre had a mandatory skating practice the next morning, so she went home.  Her friend was in the same bind, so Coco's buddy ended up going home after too.  Coco ended up going across the street at 2 am to hang with his friends.  I am so happy he did that.  This is their final run.  Their senior year, their high school careers, are coming to an end.  They have so little precious time together.  I am happy he took advantage of it.

Bookworm

Coco crafted a list for his birthday, which fascinated me.  The list contained mostly books.  Not just titles and authors, these were specific books.  Most were chosen for the bookbinding.  Really amazing artistry covers “Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea” .  Classic Middle Earth artwork covers this specific edition of “The Hobbit”.  There are ten copies of this Tolkien time in the house.  There is even a copy of this edition, but it is missing the jacket cover and it has a library stamp (bought from the library, not checked out and never returned).
     Then with his birthday money, Coco ordered a whole bunch of books from Amazon.  These were also literary classics.  These were also chosen for their bookbinding.  The conversation we had entertained me greatly.