Saturday, February 28, 2009
Happy Birthday Demi
Happy Birthday, Honey! You look better than Demi. I hope my Leap Year lassie, has a great day.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Happy Birthday Coco
Happy 8th Birthday, Coco! My youngest is really growing up. You are such a little man. I hope you have a good day.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Facing Your Demons
The last football season has been well documents. So has my stint on the board. This week we had my third Board meeting. To say it was a doozy is a vast understatement. There were fireworks like the Fourth of July. I knew that the meeting had potential to be interesting, as the Board would be voting in coaches. But little did I know the extent of how interesting it was going to get. I was probably more concerned about having to make my own presentation for coaching, that I really didn't appreciate the possible contentions with other coaching positions. I think I figured that it was a forgone conclusion that last years head coach would run unopposed with little discussion.
But to the credit of our new Board President, he wanted to get everything out on the table. And that full disclaimer started with the Mites Super Bowl. You know. The one hat most of the kids did not play. It got termed a black eye for the program and last years head coach was asked to speak to the lack of playing, and running up the score. The curve ball this year was that the guy who actually ran the team, was running as Head Coach, but he was not able to attend the meeting. Last year's HC, actually admitted that he ran up the score, to settle a grudge against the opposing coach. I was a bit stunned by not only the confession but that I didn't really think the score had but run up. But I couldn't believe that he didn't know how many kids were left out of the game. I think he may actually think it was only a few kids, but as HC, you are responsible to know the whole facts. And then he tried to blame the substitutions on an assistant coach. The previous season's HC, that he took the team from. And the guy he knew was leaving DYF to go to Pop Warner next year.
The whole while that this was going on, my friend, Smalls was taking last year's HC to task. It was getting heated. I did try to interject twice, but others were trying at the same time. Trying and doing are different things though. I did feel bad about not speaking out after, when all was said and done. Immediately after, I felt like I had let Smalls down by not coming to his aid. Actually, I agonized over it the rest of the night. I questioned myself. Did I back down? Did I not shout out because I was concerned about offending the high school coach? And that he might take it out on my kids? Just like, in my mind, I had accused other Board members of ? Or did I make my attempts? Did I not want to escalate a bad situation and have it get out of hand?
What I decided was that my silence was not something born out of fear. The President was moderating, and both times I went to speak, was bring the meeting back to order. Also, there was no good in piling on an argument, as the guy actually running for HC was not there. And the President had already made it clear that next year's D5 Pee Wee HC had to come before the Board to answer for the Super Bowl as well. I also got to counter while making my own pitch for HC of next years D5 Mites. I improvised my presentation to subtly (and not so subtly) include some rebuttal or more truthful view. I also let it be known that I had some question for next years 5 Pee Wee HC. He was running unopposed, which was unfortunate. And his minion on the board did his lawyer thing and made a motion to vote the entire slate of coaches in at once, rather than one by one, because he knew there would be debate on his buddy. I was shocked the President seconded the motion. But it was getting late and we were about to get kicked out of the building. I think he just wanted the meeting over.
In the end, I don't think I let myself, the boys or the program down. I think Smalls may still be disappointed in me. I did call him after the meeting to discuss it, and fill him in on what he missed at the conclusion of the meeting. I do tend to take a more measure and planned approach to things, which not everyone may like. They may not expect it of me either, as I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. But it is what works for me. And believe, I planning on speaking at the next meeting.
But to the credit of our new Board President, he wanted to get everything out on the table. And that full disclaimer started with the Mites Super Bowl. You know. The one hat most of the kids did not play. It got termed a black eye for the program and last years head coach was asked to speak to the lack of playing, and running up the score. The curve ball this year was that the guy who actually ran the team, was running as Head Coach, but he was not able to attend the meeting. Last year's HC, actually admitted that he ran up the score, to settle a grudge against the opposing coach. I was a bit stunned by not only the confession but that I didn't really think the score had but run up. But I couldn't believe that he didn't know how many kids were left out of the game. I think he may actually think it was only a few kids, but as HC, you are responsible to know the whole facts. And then he tried to blame the substitutions on an assistant coach. The previous season's HC, that he took the team from. And the guy he knew was leaving DYF to go to Pop Warner next year.
The whole while that this was going on, my friend, Smalls was taking last year's HC to task. It was getting heated. I did try to interject twice, but others were trying at the same time. Trying and doing are different things though. I did feel bad about not speaking out after, when all was said and done. Immediately after, I felt like I had let Smalls down by not coming to his aid. Actually, I agonized over it the rest of the night. I questioned myself. Did I back down? Did I not shout out because I was concerned about offending the high school coach? And that he might take it out on my kids? Just like, in my mind, I had accused other Board members of ? Or did I make my attempts? Did I not want to escalate a bad situation and have it get out of hand?
What I decided was that my silence was not something born out of fear. The President was moderating, and both times I went to speak, was bring the meeting back to order. Also, there was no good in piling on an argument, as the guy actually running for HC was not there. And the President had already made it clear that next year's D5 Pee Wee HC had to come before the Board to answer for the Super Bowl as well. I also got to counter while making my own pitch for HC of next years D5 Mites. I improvised my presentation to subtly (and not so subtly) include some rebuttal or more truthful view. I also let it be known that I had some question for next years 5 Pee Wee HC. He was running unopposed, which was unfortunate. And his minion on the board did his lawyer thing and made a motion to vote the entire slate of coaches in at once, rather than one by one, because he knew there would be debate on his buddy. I was shocked the President seconded the motion. But it was getting late and we were about to get kicked out of the building. I think he just wanted the meeting over.
In the end, I don't think I let myself, the boys or the program down. I think Smalls may still be disappointed in me. I did call him after the meeting to discuss it, and fill him in on what he missed at the conclusion of the meeting. I do tend to take a more measure and planned approach to things, which not everyone may like. They may not expect it of me either, as I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. But it is what works for me. And believe, I planning on speaking at the next meeting.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Spring Training
The boys are very fired up about the start of spring training. Talks around the table are starting to included signing Varitek, who are starting pitching rotation will be, and will Lowell and Papi be back to their old selves. I do love the change this year that boys want to talk about the Celtics and Bruins too. It's nice to have a little variety. But I also like the boys being excited by all four of the Boston sports franchises. Even if the Grinch does still own the Bruins. There are the Krafts, John Henry, Wyc, and then.........the Grinch. One of these kids is not like the others.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Weekend of Chinny
Think Summer of George.
Demi is taking the boys to the Island this weekend. It is the tail end of school vacation week. However, work is just so hectic, that I cannot get Friday off. So I will be staying behind. I have already gotten the razzing about "Bachelor Weekend", "tearing it up", and "oh, you are so lucky". But weekends are my time with the kids. With my new commute, even though the boys are staying up later each night during the school week, I don't feel that I am getting enough quality time with them. Don't get me wrong. It is nice for everyone to have a break now and then. But three days is going to be a long time. I already know that I will be birthday shopping for Demi and Coco. So in a way, my weekend will be partly spent on family. And of course, I am going to start a fire. Outside. I promised Coco that I wouldn't burn the house down while he was away. But I do have the burning permit. So I might as well use it.
Demi is taking the boys to the Island this weekend. It is the tail end of school vacation week. However, work is just so hectic, that I cannot get Friday off. So I will be staying behind. I have already gotten the razzing about "Bachelor Weekend", "tearing it up", and "oh, you are so lucky". But weekends are my time with the kids. With my new commute, even though the boys are staying up later each night during the school week, I don't feel that I am getting enough quality time with them. Don't get me wrong. It is nice for everyone to have a break now and then. But three days is going to be a long time. I already know that I will be birthday shopping for Demi and Coco. So in a way, my weekend will be partly spent on family. And of course, I am going to start a fire. Outside. I promised Coco that I wouldn't burn the house down while he was away. But I do have the burning permit. So I might as well use it.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Playing With Fire
"Let me stand next to your fire"
What is it about males and fire? We are just attracted to it. It must be encoded into our DNA. Men always congregate about the grill at a BBQ. The man with the spatula is the alpha male. Men stare with gaping mouths at fireworks. Men love bonfires and campfires. Any opportunity to light on or place something in a fire, is taken. Really. How else do you explain roasting marshmallows?
I was burning some kindling (sticks and branches that had fallen over the lawn during this past winter) in the chiminea, when after 5 mins the boys had bundled themselves up and come out of the house to join in. They had just pooh poohed my suggest that they get outside and get some fresh air. They had stated that they were happy playing a board game in the den. But light a fire, and they will come. This usually attracts some of the other neighborhood lads, but not on this particular occasion. The boys volunteered to gather more sticks and logs from the lawn (bonus for me, I put them to work). Inevitably, they asked to roast marshmallows. Sure. Why not?
If you light it. They will come.
What is it about males and fire? We are just attracted to it. It must be encoded into our DNA. Men always congregate about the grill at a BBQ. The man with the spatula is the alpha male. Men stare with gaping mouths at fireworks. Men love bonfires and campfires. Any opportunity to light on or place something in a fire, is taken. Really. How else do you explain roasting marshmallows?
I was burning some kindling (sticks and branches that had fallen over the lawn during this past winter) in the chiminea, when after 5 mins the boys had bundled themselves up and come out of the house to join in. They had just pooh poohed my suggest that they get outside and get some fresh air. They had stated that they were happy playing a board game in the den. But light a fire, and they will come. This usually attracts some of the other neighborhood lads, but not on this particular occasion. The boys volunteered to gather more sticks and logs from the lawn (bonus for me, I put them to work). Inevitably, they asked to roast marshmallows. Sure. Why not?
If you light it. They will come.
Friday, February 13, 2009
School Vacation - Feb 2009
Let the games begin. The boys are on break. Long weekend for me with Presidents day. That means I can help Demi run the boys ragged for three days to try and tire them out for when we both go back to work on Tuesday. We even got some help from our friends, with a extended birthday party, followed by a sleep over at their house for both the boys. That means a free Valentines evening for the two of us. How novel. Valentines is a whole separate post.
We are trekking up to Nashoba Valley with other friends from the Peterson Farms neighborhood here in Deluxebury, to go tubing. That should tire out the boys more. You know they are going to stay up late and likely be up early during sleep over night. Monday will get played by ear, to see if we can keep the activity level up. The more active they are over vacation, the happier we will all be. I hope we don't get any snow. I probably just jinxed it, but really, haven't we had enough now?
We are trekking up to Nashoba Valley with other friends from the Peterson Farms neighborhood here in Deluxebury, to go tubing. That should tire out the boys more. You know they are going to stay up late and likely be up early during sleep over night. Monday will get played by ear, to see if we can keep the activity level up. The more active they are over vacation, the happier we will all be. I hope we don't get any snow. I probably just jinxed it, but really, haven't we had enough now?
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