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!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Equality NOT Equity
Amen! "We promise equal opportunity, not equal outcomes," - future VP Paul Ryan.
Mickey Mantle
17 years ago today Mickey Mantle passed away. My clearest memory of him: an appearance he made on the Home Shopping Network or QVC in his final years, talking about his career and his alcohol problems while hawking memorabilia.
Here's to you Mick!
The Other Side of the Mountain
Late last night we fired up the ol' Netflix and streamed "The Other Side of the Mountain" , the 1975 biopic of champion skier turned quadriplegic Jill Kinmont. My Mom watched this each and every time it showed up on the CBS 6 Late Late Show when I was a kid, and it was a hefty piece of nostalgia for me. It's hard for me to grade it objectively because of that, but I'd say the value of Kinmont's story is worth a recommendation all by its lonesome.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
The Terminal Man by Michael Crichton
While watching the two lil' ones play at McDonald's I finished reading Michael Crichton's The Terminal Man, a thriller that mixes a phobic distrust of computers with a Frankenstein twist. I think the plot lacks a wee detail - namely an antagonist that isn't a 3rd rate criminal - but overall I really enjoyed it. Grade: B (book #67 of the year)
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Wanderlust
Just got done watching the Paul Rudd/Jennifer Aniston comedy "Wanderlust". Unlike most Aniston films this one was actually funny, in no small part to Paul Rudd and a comedy script that actually incorporates a little comedy. Grade: B
The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace
I finished 'The Billionaire's Vinegar' by Benjamin Wallace. It's the very well written history of a wine scandal involving 1787 bottles of wine alleged to have been owned by Thomas Jefferson. I dislike wine and I still found the book fascinating, even if the resolution wasn't worth the build up. I grade this a solid A- (book 66 of 2012)
Friday, August 10, 2012
The Milwaukee Summer Rec Program
For six weeks this summer my kids attended an all day (8AM to 4PM) program offered at a nearby school through the Milwaukee Recreation Department.
I acknowledged that it was a safe and convenient way to juggle both the demands of summer babysitting and the kids constant need to be doing *something*, but honestly? I thought the kids would hate it, and that every morning would require an argument before they walked out the door.
Not so.
They LOVED IT. The few times we picked them up late, they were angry that we didn't pick 'em up later.
Whodathunkit? Other than Lisa that is.
The kids took field trips to pools and a waterpark. The zoo. A Brewers game (see the Facebook post below). They spent a day at Silverbrook Girl Scout Camp. Another day at Indian Mound Reservation Boy Scout camp. They had 4H meetings. They did projects. They made friends. For the first time ever they walked to and from school by their lonesome.
The two oldest even joined a softball team that went undefeated. Near the end of the session they got to play a game at Helafear Field, the little league park at the Brewers Miller Park, and while Lisa and I were both working my Dad made the early morning trip to watch them in action! Thanks Pop!
Here's their coach:
August 1st: The three oldest kids attended their first Brewers game of the year today with their Rec Division classes and were treated to a 13-4 win over the Astros. They enjoyed it and commented that there were " a lot" of home runs (4), plus they got
So will we do it again next year? Well, it wasn't cheap -for four kids, and compared to any other program it was, but I'm talking soley in the context of our finances. Still, for the amount of fun they had, and all those experiences, it was certainly worth it. I'd be more than happy to have them enrolled again next summer :)
I acknowledged that it was a safe and convenient way to juggle both the demands of summer babysitting and the kids constant need to be doing *something*, but honestly? I thought the kids would hate it, and that every morning would require an argument before they walked out the door.
Not so.
They LOVED IT. The few times we picked them up late, they were angry that we didn't pick 'em up later.
Whodathunkit? Other than Lisa that is.
The kids took field trips to pools and a waterpark. The zoo. A Brewers game (see the Facebook post below). They spent a day at Silverbrook Girl Scout Camp. Another day at Indian Mound Reservation Boy Scout camp. They had 4H meetings. They did projects. They made friends. For the first time ever they walked to and from school by their lonesome.
The two oldest even joined a softball team that went undefeated. Near the end of the session they got to play a game at Helafear Field, the little league park at the Brewers Miller Park, and while Lisa and I were both working my Dad made the early morning trip to watch them in action! Thanks Pop!
Here's their coach:
August 1st: The three oldest kids attended their first Brewers game of the year today with their Rec Division classes and were treated to a 13-4 win over the Astros. They enjoyed it and commented that there were " a lot" of home runs (4), plus they got
to see a future HOF'er in Ryan Braun. Lauren was a little hurt she couldn't go w/out parental supervision, but there's always next year. Oh, and on Monday the Rec class had a Brewers day where the kids met Larry Hisle.
So will we do it again next year? Well, it wasn't cheap -for four kids, and compared to any other program it was, but I'm talking soley in the context of our finances. Still, for the amount of fun they had, and all those experiences, it was certainly worth it. I'd be more than happy to have them enrolled again next summer :)
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