Published writer, compulsive reader, Old School Whovian, Match Game enthusiast, NKOTB fan, data hoarder, and - surprisingly, given that list - married with four kids. Welcome to my take on life, fatherhood, entertainment, and whatever strikes my fancy. Enjoy!
Finally FINALLY got our van's transmission replaced after five months!! Of course, good w/ the bad, as I was pulling into the shop my Escort went belly-up. I had to push her in from the median and leave her in the parking lot. Lisa's bummed, but the way I look at it, that car was in need of work for a bit - 'twas nothing but the Grace of God that she held out until that moment. That'll do pig. That'll do.
I just finished reading "Pool of Fire" by John Christopher, the last of his Tripods trilogy. It's a fitting conclusion to the series, and, IMHO, a stronger and more tension filled effort than the second book. Grade: A
I've finished reading the Epic of Gilgamesh, a poem written ~1750 B.C. in what is now Iraq. It's the tale of a heroic king who arrogantly angers his gods, who then strike down his only friend and equal. It is a story of friendship and loss, of the value of living life to the fullest and, perversely, of the futility of human life. Powerful stuff, even from a distance of 4000 yrs.
"Have you ever paused to compare your own blessed lot with a fool's?/Can't you see how fortunate you are?/ [in grief] You have worn yourself out through ceaseless striving/you have filled your muscles with pain and anguish/And what have you achieved but to bring yourself/one day nearer to the end of your days?" - The Epic of Gilgamesh Book X
"Only the gods live forever. Our days/are few in number, and whatever we achieve/is a puff of wind. Why be afraid then/since sooner or later death must come?" Epic of Gilgamesh Book III
Caption under a pic of the USS Arizona, from the 1941 Army-Navy Game program booklet, dated November 28th 1941 - a week before Pearl Harbor - : "A bow on view of the U. S. S. Arizona as she plows into a huge swell. It is significant that despite the claims of air enthusiasts no battleship has yet been sunk by bombs."
Every yr or two I'm drawn to studying the battle of Stalingrad, and it's that time again. I just finished Beevor's 'Stalingrad', a solid study of the battle that emphasizes the Kessel over the horrific urban warfare of Aug-Nov. Of course the Wehrmacht needed to be stopped, but the 6th Army deserved a better fate than what awaited them in Stalin's hands - & they certainly deserved a better General than Paulus.
YaYa is en route to opening night of her mesmerizing portrayal of Raja in Kipling's 'The Jungle Book'. Break a leg kiddo!
Got kids? Come see St Thomas Aquinas Academy's show THE JUNGLE BOOK Friday March 26th at 7:00, Saturday 28th @ 7:00 and Sunday 1:00....free, but donations appreciated. Concessions available.
Dan, here’s a letter we received regarding your recession column. It was handwritten, but I’m typing it into this email so you can read it. It’s a nice one:
To whom it may concern:
This is just a brief note to thank both the Journal and Mr. Daniel Slap for his inspirational and upbeat letter which he wrote. Mr. Slap, a homeowner, husband and parent of four children, has been unemployed for nearly a year. Instead of the prevalent “poor me” rhetoric, he has retained his perspective, sense of humor and obviously a great faith.
He and his lovely wife of 14 years are a true inspiration to me. I have shared his letter with both family and friends.
I, too, have my issues: senior citizen, handicapped with a number of expensive medical issues. When I reread his courageous letter, I know that with people like him, he will ensure things will work out for all of us.
Thank you, Mr. Slap !
Sincerely,
Margaret - -
Dear Daniel,
Read your item in yesterday's MJS.
Content good. Relevance excellent.
But the prose--impeccable.
Quit looking for a job, start writing
a novel.
Stranger things have happened.
Sincerely,
Thomas P. R-
P:S: I am a published writer, so I know good
prose when I see it. Your line: "...bills began to
be paid in triage fashion..." is a winner!
Fond du Lac, WI
I stopped at a gas station before work. After paying I turned around to leave, in the process throwing my shoulder into a woman who was close enough to reach in and tickle my prostate.She stumbled backward and down to one knee. I apologized and went through the motions of concern, but really - learn the value of personal space - how small of a turning radius did she expect a 300# man to have?
My nephew got his temps today, so I picked him up from the DMV, took him to St. Adalbert's cemetery and put him behind the wheel. By the time we left his driving was much smoother, and he learns fast. Congrats Jonah!
As usual, Junie was up at quarter to seven (AM) Only now, as we are on the verge of leaving for her weekly playgroup, has she fallen asleep for a nap. Which means I either wake her up and invite hell into my life, or disappoint Smiley, who gets off the school bus on Tuesdays yelling "Paygloop today?"
Dangnabbit. Smiley's at my elbow begging to go. Not gonna wake up Junie, I'm too tired to put up with her at the moment. As a sub for the playgroup I offered to take Smiley to the store later to replace some play-dough Junie ruined, but he just looked sad and said he didn't want anymore because Junie would just "woon it". Gotta find some way to rescue this day, I've wasted half of it already.
I've turned the day around (knock on wood) in the past four hours. Met up with my friend Tre & ran an errand with our kids, at long last had our van taken in for service, ironed out some bills, have a turkey & mashed potatoes cooking on the stove, and played w/ the kids outside. I even have a subject for a new article, which I hope to hammer out before the day is through. Yay Dan-Dan.
****
He who allows himself a rest will fade into oblivion - Vasari
****
@ 2:30 I heard somebody mucking around downstairs & there was Junie, digging in the fridge. From that point until 4:45, she cried, screamed begged to go to the bathroom, & decided to 'read' in bed. Finally we erased nearly a decade of parenting rules and tossed her in bed w/ us, where she made a habit of shaking us awake whenever we nodded off. It was the worst night since, whew, probably since LuLu was a baby.
I have several friends on the Left, many of whom are understandably giddy @ Sunday night's travesty. One of the funnier exchanges (well, the ONLY funny one) btwn us was the following. "Thank you Government!" read the status update. To which I replied : Is this the Jeopardy answer to "What are three words Dan will never say in his life?"
We're watching Dr. Phil on the DVR, and a woman came on and said she spent $1000 on OTC pregnancy tests last year. Say what?? Listen kookoo bird, hit up the damn dollar store already. I've got four kids and 3 of the 4 pregnancies were discovered via two for a buck Dollar Store contraptions. I'll send you some of our leftovers. Gadzooks people, why spend $15 on a piss stick?
I was very moved by this past weekend's Gospel (John 8: 1-11). Not just for the lesson it taught, but for the Jesus it presented. He was able to cut to the heart of the matter in only a few short words; forgiving and compassionate (but w/out approving of the behavior), and so uber confident he came off like a 1st century Cool Hand Luke. This, THIS would be a man you would be proud to follow even in the here and now.
The end of a Barney episode was just playing in the background - you know, the "I love you" song - and a chocolate-faced, excited Junie ran into the office, arms open, yelling "Da-dy, Da-dy". She gave me a hug, said "Uv oo" and ran back to the TV.
Lisa and I just watched the UFC's matchup of Vera vs. Jones. Not our normal viewing habits, but better to watch that shellacking than see our country destroyed at the hands of Obama/Pelosi.
Historians will mark this date as the beginning of the end. It may take 50 years, or 100, but it is now a certainty: America will be a shell of what it was/what it could have been. An obese, ever expanding Federal government; the rationing of our resources; the suppression of the constituency's demands. What a waste. What a pitiful waste.
In the dead of night I heard someone mucking around the house and got up to investigate. I found our 2 year old calmly watching TV. "Hi Daddy," she said. I said something less friendly in reply. Hours later YaYa repeated yesterday's tantrum, this time because I wouldn't give her YoGo's for breakfast. Not a good first third of the day.
2nd third of the day: so-so. Smiley & I stood on an overpass and watched a train. Then my friend Tre came over, and we took his boy & Smiley/Junie for a walk & to the playground. While there news came that LuLu had yet to be found a full *half hour* after school let out; not in extended care, or play practice, or on the playground. She was found - safe & sound - at a Daisy meeting, but oh man the scenarios in my head!
A good day so far (knock on wood), but w/ an unexplainable current of anxiety right below the surface. As good as it's been, I think I'll be glad when today is done.
update:
And the day(light) ends crappy, w/ YaYa having an epic fit outside. One so ghastly I threw her over my shoulder and carried her inside, where her theatrics continued. God Bless my Mom for teaching me to reign in my temper, because I was damn close to losing it tonight w/ YaYa.
Despite it being a lovely spring day, Junie is obsessed with wearing her pink snow boots around town, and Lisa's drawn a line in the sand.. "I'm serious, you're not going anywhere unless you put shoes on. There is NO SNOW. You look like a goof. You're making US look like goofs. Take them off. Now!" Good luck w/ that. I caved after 5 min yest.
Is anyone on FB going to take part in a fantasy baseball league? I'm looking to join a free but competitive league on one of the major sites and would welcome the company.
Just read an article about a 68 yr old in Ohio punching little kids in their heads w/ a closed fist (and a key sticking out) at walmart. Said he's been coming there since January to punch random kids because they don't fight back. Nice......dude better steer clear of this mama! - Lisa
I received & completed the census form today. We were already subjected to the 'long' form earlier in the yr. Assuming u don't mind answering questions about your race, bills, income, transportation, etc. the long form isn't invasive at all.
Today's form was easy-peezy, and I'll admit I felt proud listing the whole family. In a weird way, I feel we now 'exist' in history.Good news: Smiley's cast will come off at 9 a.m. on my birthday. Bad news: one of LuLu's fish was obviously dying, and so I fed him to our turtle (circle of life and all). I had Smiley and Lulusay a prayer over him as they were a bit too gleeful over the feeding bit. He was a good fish, nothing more than a 30 cent feeder that's lasted since last May. RIP noble swimmer.
Finished 'Gone for Good', the first novel I've read by Harlan Coben. It's a good read and a solid page turner. Still, while one twist or turn is great, an endless parade of them (all more extreme than the last) gnaws away at the all important suspension of disbelief. Unless you're watching The Sting. Then it's cool.
No more hand sewing for me, finally have a machine! Thanks Dan, and craigslist - Lisa
Finished 'Gone for Good', the first novel I've read by Harlan Coben. It's a good read and a solid page turner. Still, while one twist or turn is great, an endless parade of them (all more extreme than the last) gnaws away at the all important suspension of disbelief. Unless you're watching The Sting. Then it's cool.
Paranoid is what people who are trying to take advantage call you in an effort to get you to drop your guard
I'm not a big 30 Rock fan, but "Hard Cheeses and Your Root Canal, Liz" had me LOL for so long I dang near wizzed my pants.
I've finished the historical novel "The Burning Land" by Bernard Cornwell. As the 10th century ends the Saxon warrior Uhtred, oath-bound to Alfred the Great, forsakes his vows. But soon a Danish army under Haesten threatens Mercia - & Alfred's daughter, its Queen, so Uhtred's blade must sing again. It's fast moving, blood-drenched, (more or less) historically accurate adventure from a proven master. Well done.
I think the men did quite well tonight on AI. Michael Lynche won the night, although not my vote, but I was also quite impressed with Alex Lambert's voice. My picks to go home: the one-note Andrew Garcia and Todrick Hall.
I'm a wee bit peeved. I was called and asked to pick up a shift at work and said yeah, sure, just let me ck the wife's schedule and I'll call you back. I called and, naturally, it had been handed over to someone else - because that 15 min delay obviously meant the diff. between the comp going bankrupt or staying solvent. $%^#@
Just finished watching the Spanish language film "Before the Fall" (Tres Dias). The world has 3 days before a meterorite destroys the earth. So its a disaster movie right? Nope. Prison riots break out, & a serial killer escapes to kill the family of the man who caught him. Only the man's loser brother is left to defend the children. Think High Noon meets Armageddon meets Party of Five. Very good flick.
I'm a wee bit peeved. I was called and asked to pick up a shift at work and said yeah, sure, just let me ck the wife's schedule and I'll call you back. I called and, naturally, it had been handed over to someone else - because that 15 min delay obviously meant the diff. between the comp going bankrupt or staying solvent. $%^#@
I've finished the historical novel "The Burning Land" by Bernard Cornwell. As the 10th century ends the Saxon warrior Uhtred, oath-bound to Alfred the Great, forsakes his vows. But soon a Danish army under Haesten threatens Mercia - & Alfred's daughter, its Queen, so Uhtred's blade must sing again. It's fast moving, blood-drenched, (more or less) historically accurate adventure from a proven master. Well done.
Just finished watching the Spanish language film "Before the Fall" (Tres Dias). The world has 3 days before a meteorite destroys the earth. So it's a disaster movie right? Nope. Prison riots break out, & a serial killer escapes to kill the family of the man who caught him. Only the man's loser brother is left to defend the children. Think High Noon meets Armageddon meets Party of Five. Very good flick.
