SUPER DAD

Yesterday I forgot to mention that Sonwun was forced to wear a dirty baseball shirt to his game Tuesday night. Why?

On Tuesday morning, before school, I decided the mountain of dirty clothes in the corner of his room needed some attention. I had spotted his baseball shirt in the mix and I knew he needed it that night. And so, in an effort to be a good parent and instill a little responsibility, I told him he needed to get his clothes down to the laundry room, so that he would have clean stuff for baseball. 

I passed the same message along to Sontoo who, not wanting to be left out, immediately grabbed his hamper bag and ran downstairs in order to beat his brother to the punch.

Fast-forward to 15 minutes before it's time to leave for baseball and soccer. Sonwun, as I knew he would, came out of his room wearing his dirty, grass-stained baseball shirt. He'd dug it from the pile of dirty laundry still occupying the corner of his bedroom beside the dresser. And he got a lecture about responsibility, about doing his part, doing little chores to make the household run efficiently. I explained the importance of us all working together for the common good. I told him "I forgot" is not an acceptable excuse. And I gave him my best disappointed look. 

I think it sunk in. I think he learned a valuable lesson. Parenting complete. I am Father the Wise.

So, to summarize, Sonwun had to wear dirty clothes to his baseball game because he did not get them to the laundry room in time for washing, as he'd been asked to do. 

Sontoo, on the other hand, did as he was asked. He gathered all his laundry and got it to the laundry room, with LOTS of time to spare. 

And he got to wear a dirty soccer uniform because I forgot to wash it.

I'm an awesome parent!

Another Day (More creative titles coming soon!)

Okay, let's try this again.

6 a.m.

Neomom is working night shift and will be home in an hour. Sonwun sleeps. Sontoo has been up for half an hour and is watching Curious George. I've been up for an hour and am drinking coffee.

Now you're up to date.

Last night was baseball and soccer for the boys. Sonwun's in baseball and Sontoo in soccer. They both love their respective sports and, I think, are well suited for their choices. Unfortunately, they both play on Tuesdays and Thursdays, at the same time. 

Fortunately, they play at fields pretty close to each other. So, on nights like last, when Neomom's working, I can load my bike in the back of the truck, drop Sonwun off at baseball, drive to the soccer field and park. I watch Sontoo play soccer for about half an hour, then bike over to the ball diamond to watch Sonwun play for about half an hour. Then I bike back to the soccer field, pick up Sontoo and we both drive over to catch the end of Sonwun's game and all drive home together. 

Sometimes we stop for Slushies.

And tonight, it's swimming lessons. Sontoo at 6 and Sonwun at 6:30. Each time I sign them up, I hope against hope that I can get them both in the same time slots. It's possible, but the planets have yet to align in my favour.

So, to summarize, baseball and soccer on Tuesdays and Thursdays, swimming on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Today's festivities will include washing swim shorts, baseball and soccer stuff so it's all fresh and fluffy for the next two days. 

I also have to pick up, and begin installation of, three new interior doors as part of the ongoing renovation festival. It is nearing the end. As usual, by the time we are transferred to our next fun-filled location, the renovations will be complete for the next owners of this home to enjoy. Such is the life.

Anyhoo, that's all I have for this morning. Have a great Wednesday.

Drivel

Haven't blogged for a while. Having a tough time getting started again. So, prepare for yet another stream-of-consciousness blurb. It's kind of like the writers way of turning over an old engine again and again and again, hoping against hope it will spring to life. It was more common in cars 30 years ago. Sigh.

Anyway . . .

Was listening to the TV yesterday when a commercial came on for some insurance company. It opened with the cheesy line "In these uncertain times . . ."

It got me thinking. What's so uncertain about these times? Have there ever been certain times? When and what were they like? And when did they end? Did they end suddenly, or were there semi-certain times as kind of a bridge?

Am I the only one who wonders these things?

Probably.

So, I stepped into the, I don't know, early 2000s last week. I got an iPhone, 4S to be specific. And I learned I'm old.

Let's forget that the damn thing retails for around $700. Yeah, I know, cheaper when you sign up for three years of usage. I was kind of prepared for that. Wasn't prepared for the chipper little boy at the MTS store to try and justify the cost of the 3-year plan.

"Well sir," (little fucker called me sir), "the phone company does absorb most of the cost of the phone."

"Yes son, I'm sure it does. And I'm sure it does so out of the goodness of its cold little heart, NOT because it's making gobs of money. Stop talking, grow up and show me how to turn the damn thing on."

So why get a new phone? I don't know. I guess it's because I was at the first practice of my son's baseball season a week or two back and the team manager told me that news of rain-outs and stuff would be texted to parents.

I have never understood texting. Why do it? Too much work. Why not call? It's more personal. And in these uncertain times, we all need more friends, more personal contact, blah, blah, blah.

Well, bottom line here is, apparently, the bottom line. It's just cheaper to text. Or "free" to text, according to Chipper. So what am I paying for? Nothing's free son. It's built into the cost. Stop saying "free." Now how do I turn it off?

Anyway, I am enjoying the new phone. Was pretty sure I would. I love the way it works with my computer. It talks to my computer and they share stuff. It's nice. They have the same taste in music, friends and leisure activity. Perfect match. And they share it all with me.

Vomit. Engine failed to start. If I keep trying, I'm gonna burn out the starter. And my will to blog.

Will try again tomorrow. Maybe.