We worked the areas approx 40 nm from LaJolla. Thurs. spent a nice night in
Kids are having a nice weekend. Went to a new skate park with friends and are ready to blossom as skater kids. Getting some grins themselves. :-)
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Masters Billfish Tourny last weekend.
Just got back from two & 1/2 days at sea on the Non-Taxing. Saw some Marlin and a small Swordfish. Mostly just hung out with 5 guys for 2 days on a nice boat. Cool.
We worked the areas approx 40 nm from LaJolla. Thurs. spent a nice night inAvalon Harbor
Kids are having a nice weekend. Went to a new skate park with friends and are ready to blossom as skater kids. Getting some grins themselves. :-)
We worked the areas approx 40 nm from LaJolla. Thurs. spent a nice night in
Kids are having a nice weekend. Went to a new skate park with friends and are ready to blossom as skater kids. Getting some grins themselves. :-)
Monday, September 12, 2005
I'm back online
Doooh Lost my log in and lost track of time. Work is filling my time so much it hurts.
Ryan is really getting into Skate boarding. He has some cool talent at it. He does an Ollie and jumps onto a rail for a slide down to ride out and away from the stunt. Cool to watch.
School is back in session and so is the carpool to the Middle School. Life is good.
Ryan is really getting into Skate boarding. He has some cool talent at it. He does an Ollie and jumps onto a rail for a slide down to ride out and away from the stunt. Cool to watch.
School is back in session and so is the carpool to the Middle School. Life is good.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
DC update
I'm in DC - Visit with Dad and Grace.
The old home and lake etc. are green lush and nice.
Did a little visit to DC mall and the new WW2 memorial.
Mom tells me that Thomas got his Orange Belt! Cool.
More later. Next Stop New York! K
The old home and lake etc. are green lush and nice.
Did a little visit to DC mall and the new WW2 memorial.
Mom tells me that Thomas got his Orange Belt! Cool.
More later. Next Stop New York! K
Thursday, July 28, 2005
little boat - big boat Fly away
Big boat is in repair yard. No fish local anyway.
Ryan's little rubber boat is in the water and he has now taken some pals for a few boat rides. Very big of him... Had to rub him a little to get him to take care of Flush and Cleaning of the motor. He get's it now.
I got that new job I wanted. It takes a monster amount of my time. Will get a plane to NY and DC tomorrow for a week. I'm hoping to line up a boat ride for when I get back for a special weekend. Wolf Pack trip.
Take care. I hugged my boys extra good tonight before my trip. Told them I look forward to goin' out on a visit to Grandma's and a Baseball game in Ontario when we I get back.
At Kenpo they tell the boys they want them to try for the orange belt. Cool. They may get it on Sat. while I'm in DC.
Hope United gets a good pass this weekend. I'm off.
Ryan's little rubber boat is in the water and he has now taken some pals for a few boat rides. Very big of him... Had to rub him a little to get him to take care of Flush and Cleaning of the motor. He get's it now.
I got that new job I wanted. It takes a monster amount of my time. Will get a plane to NY and DC tomorrow for a week. I'm hoping to line up a boat ride for when I get back for a special weekend. Wolf Pack trip.
Take care. I hugged my boys extra good tonight before my trip. Told them I look forward to goin' out on a visit to Grandma's and a Baseball game in Ontario when we I get back.
At Kenpo they tell the boys they want them to try for the orange belt. Cool. They may get it on Sat. while I'm in DC.
Hope United gets a good pass this weekend. I'm off.
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
catching up
Ho boy have I got some catching up to do here.
Kids in Sailing... Thomas turtled 2 times on the first day out with his own boat. (borrowed USSabot)
Dad changed jobs AND got a new car.
Mom upgraded bedroom furniture. Did a great job painting the boats and helping to prep them for patching/fiberglass repair/filler/sanding/cleaning etc.
Thomas turnes 8 this week. Good Stuff.
New job is a tough one with a demanding boss. Wants long hours and total control over lots of diverse parts of the work load and picky stuff. Position is very good on a lot of levels. So I am looking forward to the challenge. Today was the first day this month (July 12) that I got to do a Kenpo work out as I have been that busy with all the above.
I'll be back. Maybe have a report on Thomas' B Day.
:-)
Kids in Sailing... Thomas turtled 2 times on the first day out with his own boat. (borrowed USSabot)
Dad changed jobs AND got a new car.
Mom upgraded bedroom furniture. Did a great job painting the boats and helping to prep them for patching/fiberglass repair/filler/sanding/cleaning etc.
Thomas turnes 8 this week. Good Stuff.
New job is a tough one with a demanding boss. Wants long hours and total control over lots of diverse parts of the work load and picky stuff. Position is very good on a lot of levels. So I am looking forward to the challenge. Today was the first day this month (July 12) that I got to do a Kenpo work out as I have been that busy with all the above.
I'll be back. Maybe have a report on Thomas' B Day.
:-)
Monday, June 20, 2005
Father's Day
Yep got the hand made card from the son still in elementary school. Tender moment. Thank you Thomas. Thomas now wants to be called “Tom”
Mom made a nice breakfast and I got the day “off” of sorts. Did very little for a special day. Maybe it was special to not do much. Read the paper. Did a bike ride with Trish and Tom. To the local little store/market.
Did make a little progress on the repair of Ryan’s boat.
If only I had the props. back on the boat I woulda’ done some boating…
(they are off to the shop for service)
Soon I’ll be back to fishing. But for Father’s Day it was lounge around the house.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Update for week
Maybe I need to put “do not neglect your blogg” on the daily goals and to do’s?!?!
Ok so last weekend was the big finally of the NVLL season of baseball. The annual end of the season picnic and awards party on the big field. Kids run and play with squirt guns while the adults sit on the grass under sun shades eating and just relaxing with the last opportunity to just share in the social fun.
The kids get to have the encouraging talk from the coach “Team Manager” as he passes out the yearbooks and the trophies. He had a lot of fun with the other kids and hopefully will remember all the fun stuff when it is time for next years sign ups.
Kids almost out of school and gotta’ get Ryan's boat ready for Sailing.
Ryan's sail boat is like egg shells breaks almost every time it hits the dock or another boat. So I am about to learn Fiberglass repairs. Just like a friend recently had to learn bee keeping by necessity. Got most of the sanding and clean out taken care of. We even stripped off the old name of “Dolphin” and striping. Ryan even helped a little.
Now to actually build some fiberglass up and patch the many little dents, dings and punctures. Maybe even paint it next week.
Ryan is hot to get a new long cruiser skate board. It consumes him. Wants a Luke Nosewalker that is almost 5 feet long. And he talks about learning to surf. Kinda neat.
I took him and a friend out for a driveby on a skate shop and a walk of the Promanade the other night. Kinda a guys evening jaunt. We had some laughs. And he does not think I’m too uncool. There are some good things that come out of just doing stuff.
Got to go to work…
Ok so last weekend was the big finally of the NVLL season of baseball. The annual end of the season picnic and awards party on the big field. Kids run and play with squirt guns while the adults sit on the grass under sun shades eating and just relaxing with the last opportunity to just share in the social fun.
The kids get to have the encouraging talk from the coach “Team Manager” as he passes out the yearbooks and the trophies. He had a lot of fun with the other kids and hopefully will remember all the fun stuff when it is time for next years sign ups.
Kids almost out of school and gotta’ get Ryan's boat ready for Sailing.
Ryan's sail boat is like egg shells breaks almost every time it hits the dock or another boat. So I am about to learn Fiberglass repairs. Just like a friend recently had to learn bee keeping by necessity. Got most of the sanding and clean out taken care of. We even stripped off the old name of “Dolphin” and striping. Ryan even helped a little.
Now to actually build some fiberglass up and patch the many little dents, dings and punctures. Maybe even paint it next week.
Ryan is hot to get a new long cruiser skate board. It consumes him. Wants a Luke Nosewalker that is almost 5 feet long. And he talks about learning to surf. Kinda neat.
I took him and a friend out for a driveby on a skate shop and a walk of the Promanade the other night. Kinda a guys evening jaunt. We had some laughs. And he does not think I’m too uncool. There are some good things that come out of just doing stuff.
Got to go to work…
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Good family trip to Catalina
We did it. Went there and played and had very few problems. Boats worked. Food was plenty. Boys had good time.
Da Fish did not bite. Wife twisted an ankle while walking in the dark looking at the stars. Ryan was a little cheeky at times. Dooh.
We danced. We ate with friends. We played in a far away place from home. We were together building family memories.
Ryan got to use his new dinghy and the new motor. Very good. He shared it with the young girls that were there as a group... (Turning 16 and having a group trip and party.) And took turns on the waverunners and floats etc.
Thomas even won some $ in the Bingo after the dinner on Sunday! Ryan told me as we sacked out in the sleeping bags in the cuddy cabin. Thanks for joining the club and doing the trip. Made me feel special and that it was all worth it.
Fish wish granted. Nice.
Ryan and Thomas on the new Dinghy with our boats in Background.
Da Fish did not bite. Wife twisted an ankle while walking in the dark looking at the stars. Ryan was a little cheeky at times. Dooh.
We danced. We ate with friends. We played in a far away place from home. We were together building family memories.
Ryan got to use his new dinghy and the new motor. Very good. He shared it with the young girls that were there as a group... (Turning 16 and having a group trip and party.) And took turns on the waverunners and floats etc.
Thomas even won some $ in the Bingo after the dinner on Sunday! Ryan told me as we sacked out in the sleeping bags in the cuddy cabin. Thanks for joining the club and doing the trip. Made me feel special and that it was all worth it.
Fish wish granted. Nice.
Ryan and Thomas on the new Dinghy with our boats in Background.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Weekend Fish Wish
Here we go --- Memorial Day Weekend is here. The first big boating/camping trip for this summer is Now Here. Just a few more work items to get done. How to get time to go work on the preparations and then take Friday off and safely make the transit and have all the little things go right. Big challenge.
But that is part of the fun. Ryan is all set to go. His new little dinghy is already stowed in the bow of the boat. Little Thomas has had some good times helping me ready the boat. But yesterday was not one of the good times. Something broke. He got barked at for just doing nothing when I needed a hand. I’m deeply troubled that I got hot and may have harped to much. But we have some wiring to finish… Not really a good excuse for making his life sad.
I’ll pick him up in a few minutes and take him to the Book fare at school. He is eager to get a few items that he has picked out. So that is my Top priority now. (this hour)
Then Fish Wish… A safe and fun weekend where we all make happy memories as a family on vacation.
Keith <”><
But that is part of the fun. Ryan is all set to go. His new little dinghy is already stowed in the bow of the boat. Little Thomas has had some good times helping me ready the boat. But yesterday was not one of the good times. Something broke. He got barked at for just doing nothing when I needed a hand. I’m deeply troubled that I got hot and may have harped to much. But we have some wiring to finish… Not really a good excuse for making his life sad.
I’ll pick him up in a few minutes and take him to the Book fare at school. He is eager to get a few items that he has picked out. So that is my Top priority now. (this hour)
Then Fish Wish… A safe and fun weekend where we all make happy memories as a family on vacation.
Keith <”><
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Good Tuesday
Thomas had a good baseball practice today.
His team will have playoffs next week with the other teams in his league. Playoffs starts with playing against the Pirates our most competitive opponent. They have a really hot pitcher or two. Will make it very hard on us. It is a short distance from the mound to the plate and one of their pitchers is throwing fast enough to be in the Majors.
The first and second grade boys are brave just to stand in the box when that heat is thrown at them. Wow. Little gladiators.
My fingers are crossed. K <"><
His team will have playoffs next week with the other teams in his league. Playoffs starts with playing against the Pirates our most competitive opponent. They have a really hot pitcher or two. Will make it very hard on us. It is a short distance from the mound to the plate and one of their pitchers is throwing fast enough to be in the Majors.
The first and second grade boys are brave just to stand in the box when that heat is thrown at them. Wow. Little gladiators.
My fingers are crossed. K <"><
Monday, May 23, 2005
Good weekend and hardly felt the heat.
It’s Monday night and I’m winding down…
Hot kid news. Sat morning Thomas and his “Farm Dodgers” did very well. They came from behind and pulled another win out. Trish was not there but Grandma and Grandpa George were able to see Thomas slide in to home plate. Two times he got to step on home plate in the 13 to 10 victory over the pirates.
We went down to the club and hung out by the pool and stayed cool on a very hot day in LA. Weatherman was impressed with the heat.
I found out how the wires look under the center console of the boat. Grandpa had some sage advice when I shorted and sparked. Ha! But at least I know now what to get and what it needs to do and where it draws power from.
Then Sunday, after a shopping spree, Thomas and I spent some quality time doing boat repairs together. He and I soldered and did electrical work. Together we wired in three courtesy lights on its’ own switch. I related some of the circut to his toy science kit that turns moters and lights on a snap on board.
Thomas told me it was fun to work on the boat. I agree so wholeheartedly! It really is. It warmed my heart to hear him say that out of the blue. We worked so well together that we cept at it until dusk. (A little too late for a school night. He He He)
Ryan and I used to have moments like that in Indian Guides. Thomas is not interested in IG or Cub Scouts. But he is interested in engineering and such.
Now if we can get the AM/FM/CD radio to work. Thomas is just the right size to get inside the tight space and hand wires out and hold things while I tighten nuts… Gotta get him back down there this week!
Friday Ryan and I leave for Catalina. Saturday Thomas and Trish follow with Carl and Francyne and Kristen on the big boat.
Hmmm got to get busy.
If you want to See Thomas and his baseball experience…
On webshots. Boring stuff unless you are family.
Hot kid news. Sat morning Thomas and his “Farm Dodgers” did very well. They came from behind and pulled another win out. Trish was not there but Grandma and Grandpa George were able to see Thomas slide in to home plate. Two times he got to step on home plate in the 13 to 10 victory over the pirates.
We went down to the club and hung out by the pool and stayed cool on a very hot day in LA. Weatherman was impressed with the heat.
I found out how the wires look under the center console of the boat. Grandpa had some sage advice when I shorted and sparked. Ha! But at least I know now what to get and what it needs to do and where it draws power from.
Then Sunday, after a shopping spree, Thomas and I spent some quality time doing boat repairs together. He and I soldered and did electrical work. Together we wired in three courtesy lights on its’ own switch. I related some of the circut to his toy science kit that turns moters and lights on a snap on board.
Thomas told me it was fun to work on the boat. I agree so wholeheartedly! It really is. It warmed my heart to hear him say that out of the blue. We worked so well together that we cept at it until dusk. (A little too late for a school night. He He He)
Ryan and I used to have moments like that in Indian Guides. Thomas is not interested in IG or Cub Scouts. But he is interested in engineering and such.
Now if we can get the AM/FM/CD radio to work. Thomas is just the right size to get inside the tight space and hand wires out and hold things while I tighten nuts… Gotta get him back down there this week!
Friday Ryan and I leave for Catalina. Saturday Thomas and Trish follow with Carl and Francyne and Kristen on the big boat.
Hmmm got to get busy.
If you want to See Thomas and his baseball experience…
On webshots. Boring stuff unless you are family.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Whats up this week & Getting ready for next adventure
Guess it has been a few days since last posting.
Thomas had a great game on Weds. evening. His team had some good plays and made some good outs. It was a tough game and for a nice change there was not a lot of walks early on to run up the score.
We got 4 runs in the 4th inning and then they got 1 run. Then it stayed there all the way to the end. Thomas may need to swing the bat more. But as a catcher he is great. He gets in there and goes after the ball. At one point he was getting too close and the batter went way out on the follow through with one hand AND the bat hit Thomas in the back of the head. It was good that he had the full wrap catchers helmet and face cage. He latter held up his fingers and said it hurt that much. (about 2 inches apart) He stayed down for about 30 seconds after the tap on the head. Then gut up and stayed in there as the catcher. What a good strong ball player.
I hope he stays with it. He sees that his brother is giving up on it and wants to stop too. He also wants to stop Cub Scouts. The local pack 59 is falling apart. I am not going to volunteer even though some of the parents pointed to me to step up as they know my other efforts with Y-Guides etc. But I’m not going to do it for Cub Scouts. I’ve had to much heat from the Mrs. for my many hours on MDRAnglers, Baseball, Y-Guides, and Soccer referee. (And she signed me up as referee. Go figure)
Ryan – He got a great report card from middle school 3-B’s and 3-A’s. OK I’m not going to rag on him. It is hard to chide him to do better when he is doing so well.
Today Ryan was riding the BMX bike. Jumping off the Kicker Ramp over Nakita (a neighbor) and over most of the big table top ramp (with Thomas under that) then landing to descend the far side of the ramp. Way out there by 8 to 9 feet on each jump. None of the local boys try to do it.
His next ideas are to dig up the grass and landscaping and install dirt ramps and jumps and make a BMX bike park out of the yard.
Gutsy Idea. Keep thinking bold Ryan. Yeah!
My accomplishment for the week is a fixing up the Jetski for Memorial Day weekend in Catalina. Coming soon. And I finished the registration for Ryan’s dinghy. I’m so looking forward to him having his own boat in Cat Harbor. He is so much going to Rock. Real joy to be your own boss of your own boat. And there is no finer place to be out on your own than in the safe and beautiful waters of Catalina. Especially Cat Harbor.
www.ecatalina.com/maps_island.cfm
and
www.scico.com/twoharbors/mainboat.html#Coves
for good info on the destination. Really looking forward to it.
Thomas had a great game on Weds. evening. His team had some good plays and made some good outs. It was a tough game and for a nice change there was not a lot of walks early on to run up the score.
We got 4 runs in the 4th inning and then they got 1 run. Then it stayed there all the way to the end. Thomas may need to swing the bat more. But as a catcher he is great. He gets in there and goes after the ball. At one point he was getting too close and the batter went way out on the follow through with one hand AND the bat hit Thomas in the back of the head. It was good that he had the full wrap catchers helmet and face cage. He latter held up his fingers and said it hurt that much. (about 2 inches apart) He stayed down for about 30 seconds after the tap on the head. Then gut up and stayed in there as the catcher. What a good strong ball player.
I hope he stays with it. He sees that his brother is giving up on it and wants to stop too. He also wants to stop Cub Scouts. The local pack 59 is falling apart. I am not going to volunteer even though some of the parents pointed to me to step up as they know my other efforts with Y-Guides etc. But I’m not going to do it for Cub Scouts. I’ve had to much heat from the Mrs. for my many hours on MDRAnglers, Baseball, Y-Guides, and Soccer referee. (And she signed me up as referee. Go figure)
Ryan – He got a great report card from middle school 3-B’s and 3-A’s. OK I’m not going to rag on him. It is hard to chide him to do better when he is doing so well.
Today Ryan was riding the BMX bike. Jumping off the Kicker Ramp over Nakita (a neighbor) and over most of the big table top ramp (with Thomas under that) then landing to descend the far side of the ramp. Way out there by 8 to 9 feet on each jump. None of the local boys try to do it.
His next ideas are to dig up the grass and landscaping and install dirt ramps and jumps and make a BMX bike park out of the yard.
Gutsy Idea. Keep thinking bold Ryan. Yeah!
My accomplishment for the week is a fixing up the Jetski for Memorial Day weekend in Catalina. Coming soon. And I finished the registration for Ryan’s dinghy. I’m so looking forward to him having his own boat in Cat Harbor. He is so much going to Rock. Real joy to be your own boss of your own boat. And there is no finer place to be out on your own than in the safe and beautiful waters of Catalina. Especially Cat Harbor.
www.ecatalina.com/maps_island.cfm
and
www.scico.com/twoharbors/mainboat.html#Coves
for good info on the destination. Really looking forward to it.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Boats and time spent in preperation
I love working on the boat and the good jobe feeling from tinkering with them.
We need to prep for Memorial Day weekend trip and get. Fitting out a new motor mount. Fuel exchange. Battery recharge.
Mounting the Jet ski on the bow of the big boat once the thing is put in working order.
Neat.
Gotta go do that stuff now.
Keith <"><
We need to prep for Memorial Day weekend trip and get. Fitting out a new motor mount. Fuel exchange. Battery recharge.
Mounting the Jet ski on the bow of the big boat once the thing is put in working order.
Neat.
Gotta go do that stuff now.
Keith <"><
Optimism vs pessimism
A repost of my thoughts to a Fathers support group...
Dear Fathers of the Very young. Stick up for yourselves very early on. Or later you too will likely be the sufferer of the “I’m the better nurturer” crap that women have falsely been able to claim as their own high ground.
14 years married. 12 year old son. 7 year old son. Wife has been messed up “I’m the better nurturer” type for years. She even scuttles my authority to make decisions stick about the house.
I am regularly depressed by the horrific abuses I get mentally in front of the kids by the Mrs. And never ever an “I’m Sorry” will come from her lips. Somewhere in her past the ideas of apologizing was stomped out of her. Part of the macho take responsibility or your actions or a Psychology class that had a professor experimenting with new Ideas? I don’t know. But I do know that we live in a beautiful house in a not so happy emotional home.
A couple of nights a go after dinner I got to spend time on the sofa with just me and Thomas. We snuggled and tickled and laughed at a good TV show. America’s Funniest Home Vids with a big end of season finally. Then the Mrs. walks in and has her head full of all this hatred and angry thoughts that she must have been ruminating about, while watering in the back yard, and unloads on me. I was berated and put down and ordered to do the dishes and to dam well do them right now.
How depressing to ruin Thomas and My night just for the dishes. Later while I was hoping to cap a night off with a bedtime story with Thomas once she walks into the bedroom and starts ordering us around and countermanding each of the few things I had gotten Thomas moving on. I left the room. I try my gosh darn best to not ever put her down in front of the kids but it is Just the opposite for her.
I am surprised often that the same woman that will Ragg on my for not reading the “parenting books” she picks out will not read a passage I point out in one I like. She will not watch “Nanny 911” or the show “Super Nanny” that is on TV.
As I see it she may be afraid that she see proof that she is not entitled to be as arbitrary and mean and dogmatic as she has been.
I long for joy, play and relaxation around the house. Not worry and anxiety and living as if on egg shells. Then told that I’m the one needing to go see a shink.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I am struggling with my inner voice often. Trying to keep my inner commitments I made to my boys and my marriage and my house.
Then not forgetting to keep a little for my inner happiness via a boat trip or fishing or work out at the dojo. The counselor we used to see told me when I had a session one on one… regarding my efforts to always try to please her… “Stop It.” To do some stuff to please me now and then.
So I have set my goals better and try to focus on the needs of Dad, the Boys and then of the house. And then and Wife. Gets me through the week a lot better.
Not perfect. Just my built up calluses from being rubbed raw over the years.
Thanks for letting me share.
Thanks for the many good posts.
On… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FathersRaisingSons/
If not for finding some like minded and helpful Dads…
I may have been really lost.
Sincerely Keith <”><
Dear Fathers of the Very young. Stick up for yourselves very early on. Or later you too will likely be the sufferer of the “I’m the better nurturer” crap that women have falsely been able to claim as their own high ground.
14 years married. 12 year old son. 7 year old son. Wife has been messed up “I’m the better nurturer” type for years. She even scuttles my authority to make decisions stick about the house.
I am regularly depressed by the horrific abuses I get mentally in front of the kids by the Mrs. And never ever an “I’m Sorry” will come from her lips. Somewhere in her past the ideas of apologizing was stomped out of her. Part of the macho take responsibility or your actions or a Psychology class that had a professor experimenting with new Ideas? I don’t know. But I do know that we live in a beautiful house in a not so happy emotional home.
A couple of nights a go after dinner I got to spend time on the sofa with just me and Thomas. We snuggled and tickled and laughed at a good TV show. America’s Funniest Home Vids with a big end of season finally. Then the Mrs. walks in and has her head full of all this hatred and angry thoughts that she must have been ruminating about, while watering in the back yard, and unloads on me. I was berated and put down and ordered to do the dishes and to dam well do them right now.
How depressing to ruin Thomas and My night just for the dishes. Later while I was hoping to cap a night off with a bedtime story with Thomas once she walks into the bedroom and starts ordering us around and countermanding each of the few things I had gotten Thomas moving on. I left the room. I try my gosh darn best to not ever put her down in front of the kids but it is Just the opposite for her.
I am surprised often that the same woman that will Ragg on my for not reading the “parenting books” she picks out will not read a passage I point out in one I like. She will not watch “Nanny 911” or the show “Super Nanny” that is on TV.
As I see it she may be afraid that she see proof that she is not entitled to be as arbitrary and mean and dogmatic as she has been.
I long for joy, play and relaxation around the house. Not worry and anxiety and living as if on egg shells. Then told that I’m the one needing to go see a shink.
Thanks for letting me get this off my chest. I am struggling with my inner voice often. Trying to keep my inner commitments I made to my boys and my marriage and my house.
Then not forgetting to keep a little for my inner happiness via a boat trip or fishing or work out at the dojo. The counselor we used to see told me when I had a session one on one… regarding my efforts to always try to please her… “Stop It.” To do some stuff to please me now and then.
So I have set my goals better and try to focus on the needs of Dad, the Boys and then of the house. And then and Wife. Gets me through the week a lot better.
Not perfect. Just my built up calluses from being rubbed raw over the years.
Thanks for letting me share.
Thanks for the many good posts.
On… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FathersRaisingSons/
If not for finding some like minded and helpful Dads…
I may have been really lost.
Sincerely Keith <”><
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Go fish
Maybe more fishing time will calm my head and help me unwind. The boating club has a trip on the bigger boat in MDR called the New Del Mar and for just $10 per head we three boys can go.
Mom will be attending an event at the middle school about preparation for college. Ryan can go to that meeting or go fishing. His choice. Thomas will enjoy going out on the boat.
Hope we catch some stuff. If Ryan is not going I want to use his new rod/reel combo and get a few good casts in.
Think fish <”><
Mom will be attending an event at the middle school about preparation for college. Ryan can go to that meeting or go fishing. His choice. Thomas will enjoy going out on the boat.
Hope we catch some stuff. If Ryan is not going I want to use his new rod/reel combo and get a few good casts in.
Think fish <”><
Tuesday, May 10, 2005
Weekend ended
Well the Mothers day weekend came and went. Thomas and I did have a little shopping spree where he got to use up his toy story credit cards and some ( 1/3 ) of his cash reserves. How a 8 year old can come up with money is a bit of a mystery but there are grandparents and birthday cards that filter in.
He got a remote controlled Hummer and two boats. We went to the pool and drove the boats and Hummer. Had a sandwich and a Swim. Then came home to have a movie and popcorn with Ryan and Mom.
Not a bad weekend. (not really a good one either)
But Thomas and I did have some special time together. Good enough.
He got a remote controlled Hummer and two boats. We went to the pool and drove the boats and Hummer. Had a sandwich and a Swim. Then came home to have a movie and popcorn with Ryan and Mom.
Not a bad weekend. (not really a good one either)
But Thomas and I did have some special time together. Good enough.
Friday, May 06, 2005
It is Friday again
Here we are at a Friday again.
Good thing. Maybe socialize with neighbors again or maybe go to a movie and get a babysitter. That would be a good thing. Needed.
Trish and I have had a few heated moments recently as sometimes happens
So a date night out is really needed.
On the boat side I picked up a good bit of wood to fix up a mount for the 6 hp outboard Ryan got for his dinghy. Hooked up with good old Ed Basier to go down to the boat and look around. Which was good for me. he was a healthy breadth of fresh air. He knows just about everybody as he has been in the community for so many years. He had a lot of good encouraging words to say about the boat/boating/Catalina/family that I feel reassured that I am on a good track with the boys.
Thomas has a Batting practice at 5 pm tonight. And the season is close to over. Dang. I like rooting for the home team so much. I get so proud of them when I watch them do well... I can't hold back on my joy.
Gotta Run now. More stuff to do.
Good thing. Maybe socialize with neighbors again or maybe go to a movie and get a babysitter. That would be a good thing. Needed.
Trish and I have had a few heated moments recently as sometimes happens
So a date night out is really needed.
On the boat side I picked up a good bit of wood to fix up a mount for the 6 hp outboard Ryan got for his dinghy. Hooked up with good old Ed Basier to go down to the boat and look around. Which was good for me. he was a healthy breadth of fresh air. He knows just about everybody as he has been in the community for so many years. He had a lot of good encouraging words to say about the boat/boating/Catalina/family that I feel reassured that I am on a good track with the boys.
Thomas has a Batting practice at 5 pm tonight. And the season is close to over. Dang. I like rooting for the home team so much. I get so proud of them when I watch them do well... I can't hold back on my joy.
Gotta Run now. More stuff to do.
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Ryan gets his Fish Wish
My son and I were out on the water this weekend in his new dinghy. He has wanted this for a long time. We were working it out as he was to earn half the money and bring home a top notch report card and I would fund half.
We even had called on a few used ones in the recycler for boat and motor for $600 but did not get there in time to see it and buy it.
And we used the rod he won in the Halibut Derby on Sunday to troll around the breakwater at the end of MDR. No luck on fishing. But we did pluck out of the water a bunch of plastic bags. It was another version of 3 men in a tub. Ryan, Thomas and I in a little tiny inflatable boat. We even did a outside loop around the front side of the end breakwater. Gave us a little thrill. Ryan spotted some Porpoise on the outside corner and yelled “Whales.”
http://www.mdranglers.com/HD2005/dinghy.htm
Check it out. It was a good weekend for Ryan.
Thomas had a fun Baseball Game on Sat. at 8:30 am.
Now I don't mind not going to Cat Harbor with John R. on his boat.
We even had called on a few used ones in the recycler for boat and motor for $600 but did not get there in time to see it and buy it.
And we used the rod he won in the Halibut Derby on Sunday to troll around the breakwater at the end of MDR. No luck on fishing. But we did pluck out of the water a bunch of plastic bags. It was another version of 3 men in a tub. Ryan, Thomas and I in a little tiny inflatable boat. We even did a outside loop around the front side of the end breakwater. Gave us a little thrill. Ryan spotted some Porpoise on the outside corner and yelled “Whales.”
http://www.mdranglers.com/HD2005/dinghy.htm
Check it out. It was a good weekend for Ryan.
Thomas had a fun Baseball Game on Sat. at 8:30 am.
Now I don't mind not going to Cat Harbor with John R. on his boat.
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Kids - homework & genealogy
Yesterday - Monday - was a good one for the boys and the homework went well. It was also Mom's B-Day. So that added some cake into the mix. Mmmm.
Thomas has a class project to do a Family Tree. He wants to stop at grandpa so he does not have to write to much. Ha.
Our family tree is rich so I got out the info and many photos from my Mom and Dad for us to look through. Then all the pages Dad (Gradpa) has created for genealogy of the Lambert family back 7 generations. That sould be impressive enough to get a good grade and be a fun start for his own research later. Ryan liked looking at the photos too.
We even played an old VCR tape form years ago that included Grandma Nora Lambert. Brings a little life into the mix.
I'm pleased to say we forund a lot on Mom's side to. But mostly after bedtime came and went. So I typed it up in xls and it is ready for him. Neet.
4 Gen on maternal side... Walton, Winch, Iverson, Erickson
7 Gen on paternal side... Lambert, Nutter, Sweazy, Whetstone, Adcock, Hite, Starr, Webb, Boring, Dean, Burnes, Loyd
Thomas has a class project to do a Family Tree. He wants to stop at grandpa so he does not have to write to much. Ha.
Our family tree is rich so I got out the info and many photos from my Mom and Dad for us to look through. Then all the pages Dad (Gradpa) has created for genealogy of the Lambert family back 7 generations. That sould be impressive enough to get a good grade and be a fun start for his own research later. Ryan liked looking at the photos too.
We even played an old VCR tape form years ago that included Grandma Nora Lambert. Brings a little life into the mix.
I'm pleased to say we forund a lot on Mom's side to. But mostly after bedtime came and went. So I typed it up in xls and it is ready for him. Neet.
4 Gen on maternal side... Walton, Winch, Iverson, Erickson
7 Gen on paternal side... Lambert, Nutter, Sweazy, Whetstone, Adcock, Hite, Starr, Webb, Boring, Dean, Burnes, Loyd
Sunday, April 24, 2005
too tired to post much
Just a note to say a weekend happened.
Ryan visited girls.
Thomas had a baseball game.
Trish had a birthday. (actually tomorrow) I baked her a cake.
If you really want to see the weekend go to
http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/2005pizzapractice.htm
for the Friday night kids Pizza Party after the baseball practice
or go to
http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/2005game4-24.htm
to see the game photos. We walked 5 runs in the first and second innings and that gave an insurmountable 10 run lead. We Dodgers had a really nice top of the 6th rally that got us 4 runs and the other coach pulled the pitcher for a fastballer to close us out. Argh. We left out pitchers in even though they were walking runs in. This other coach pulled a good pitcher because we got a few hits. Dang.
(In farm there is a 5 run limit in all but the last inning.)
We really were building some momentum. I really like that Thomas is on a winning team.
PS I got to spend some time on the boat on Sat. Evening. Just me and my tools. Boy do I like the tinker and repair time. So rewarding.
That's the short post.
Ryan visited girls.
Thomas had a baseball game.
Trish had a birthday. (actually tomorrow) I baked her a cake.
If you really want to see the weekend go to
http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/2005pizzapractice.htm
for the Friday night kids Pizza Party after the baseball practice
or go to
http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/2005game4-24.htm
to see the game photos. We walked 5 runs in the first and second innings and that gave an insurmountable 10 run lead. We Dodgers had a really nice top of the 6th rally that got us 4 runs and the other coach pulled the pitcher for a fastballer to close us out. Argh. We left out pitchers in even though they were walking runs in. This other coach pulled a good pitcher because we got a few hits. Dang.
(In farm there is a 5 run limit in all but the last inning.)
We really were building some momentum. I really like that Thomas is on a winning team.
PS I got to spend some time on the boat on Sat. Evening. Just me and my tools. Boy do I like the tinker and repair time. So rewarding.
That's the short post.
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Weds. was full of action
Weds was the first day of the new on campus Cub Scout meetings. Mar Vista Elem. Is nice. The kids are OK but the group does not do enough for him. Thomas asked for us to transfer back to the Brentwood group 117. Hard to hear.
Then got Thomas to Baseball and had a duce of a time finding all of his baseball uniform. 3 trips home and still could not find his cleats. Did find the pants. Then the Belt. Then the nut cup. Dang. It was good to watch the first 4 innings. The boys were cheering in the dugout with some funny slogans.
Left Thomas’s Baseball game to take Ryan and I to Kenpo. The score was 1 for Sox to 7 for Dodgers. It was Weds night Sparing. At Kenpo I got my butt beat up. Needed Ice on back side ribs. And some Advil.
Good news. Thomas’s Dodgers Won. All but one game this season are good Wins.
Thomas is also asking for a Dog. Keeping an eye out on Craigslist.org.
Then got Thomas to Baseball and had a duce of a time finding all of his baseball uniform. 3 trips home and still could not find his cleats. Did find the pants. Then the Belt. Then the nut cup. Dang. It was good to watch the first 4 innings. The boys were cheering in the dugout with some funny slogans.
Left Thomas’s Baseball game to take Ryan and I to Kenpo. The score was 1 for Sox to 7 for Dodgers. It was Weds night Sparing. At Kenpo I got my butt beat up. Needed Ice on back side ribs. And some Advil.
Good news. Thomas’s Dodgers Won. All but one game this season are good Wins.
Thomas is also asking for a Dog. Keeping an eye out on Craigslist.org.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Did good on road trip
Had a nice trip. Palm Springs did not go over 101 while we were there. Ramada was OK and boys loved the pool time. Family time was pleasant. Wow. Nice surprise.
Thomas got his 3rd stripe on Monday in Kenpo. Very cool.
Another fish wish granted. More soon.
Thomas got his 3rd stripe on Monday in Kenpo. Very cool.
Another fish wish granted. More soon.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Road Trip - to see In-laws
It is Thursday and I haven’t posted in a few. Boys are well.
Thomas Is doing Kenpo OK. Missed a Baseball practice. Did have a few good days.
Ryan has bought a Outboard and we took it in to be checked out at Regency Boats. Then made a big deal about getting an X-Box. I helped him withdraw the funds and take trips to the store to get it. (One store was out of stock and we had to return the next day. Ryan hated this delay. Dad just had to shop for the best deal.) But I did not let him play it as he needs to finish a school project first. Good progress was made and he did cooperate.
Ryan did not complain (much) when I made him pay for parts on his outboard. He is just now reaching the limits of the $450 in Halibut Derby Prize money. I feel it is his money to spend. He earned it and I’ve been encouraging he use his funds wisely. Buying an asset like an Inflatable and Outboard motor is a wise choice.
Top quality Fun and top end Responsibility. He is growing up and I can not give him the motorcycle and space to ride that many other kids have and want. ( I had a Trailhopper minibike as a kid.) Boating is our thing now.
Back when I was little we lived near water and did sailing etc. Lake Barcroft was a cool place to grow up. Ryan gets that in a way at the club in MDR where he can sail his sabot and out at Catalina where he can be free to explore and play on his own. He feels free and confident there as we have been there many times with Uncle Carl and with Indian Guides trips.
This weekend we are off to Palm Springs for a family gathering of my Wife’s Clan. Road Trip.
Next weekend is Camping. Road Trip! Then maybe a trip to Cat Harbor for the work weekend. Boating trip?!
I’ll be out of town, so no posts until Monday or later.
My fish wish for the weekend. That the family gets along this weekend.
Thomas Is doing Kenpo OK. Missed a Baseball practice. Did have a few good days.
Ryan has bought a Outboard and we took it in to be checked out at Regency Boats. Then made a big deal about getting an X-Box. I helped him withdraw the funds and take trips to the store to get it. (One store was out of stock and we had to return the next day. Ryan hated this delay. Dad just had to shop for the best deal.) But I did not let him play it as he needs to finish a school project first. Good progress was made and he did cooperate.
Ryan did not complain (much) when I made him pay for parts on his outboard. He is just now reaching the limits of the $450 in Halibut Derby Prize money. I feel it is his money to spend. He earned it and I’ve been encouraging he use his funds wisely. Buying an asset like an Inflatable and Outboard motor is a wise choice.
Top quality Fun and top end Responsibility. He is growing up and I can not give him the motorcycle and space to ride that many other kids have and want. ( I had a Trailhopper minibike as a kid.) Boating is our thing now.
Back when I was little we lived near water and did sailing etc. Lake Barcroft was a cool place to grow up. Ryan gets that in a way at the club in MDR where he can sail his sabot and out at Catalina where he can be free to explore and play on his own. He feels free and confident there as we have been there many times with Uncle Carl and with Indian Guides trips.
This weekend we are off to Palm Springs for a family gathering of my Wife’s Clan. Road Trip.
Next weekend is Camping. Road Trip! Then maybe a trip to Cat Harbor for the work weekend. Boating trip?!
I’ll be out of town, so no posts until Monday or later.
My fish wish for the weekend. That the family gets along this weekend.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Saturday – Kicking it up
We had a full weekend again. This weekend was another wild Kid filled weekend.
And checking the calendar so are the next two! Wow.
Ok, Saturday was a regional Kenpo Invitational Tournament. Ryan and I went to that. Trish took Thomas to his baseball Photo Day event and Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.
It was a interesting day watching all the kids compete. Kata and forms and even some weapons. Kata is the routine where you do the moves in a set sequence as if the attackers were coming in certain directions with certain set attacks. This is very useful in training ones self the proper positioning and form. I could not get Ryan to sign up for this. Even though he got a trophy for it last time.
He just wanted Freestyle fighting. Points and tags for getting to the other guy first. When it finally came we were a little bored of the event. But then everyone needs a turn. Ryan got out there and forced the others to come to his terms well. Attacked hard and with skip kicks etc. But the referee was not from our dojo and did not watch for this simple little kick. He was looking for back knuckles to the head and reverse punches to the body.
Ryan beat several kids. Then this girl with speed and a very fast fwd hand back knuckle took him out. Ryan was very sad. Almost pissed off. She had gotten him with a shot that popped him on the bridge of the nose. He felt that she aught have been cautioned and not awarded the point!
Then one more fight to determine 3rd or 4th he fought even harder and took 3rd.
A nice Trophy. But a not so nice victory. Not when he took first last weekend fishing and thinks he was deprived unfairly of 1st or 2nd. He would not even pose for a photo with the trophy.
Maybe he did that to tweak Dad. Maybe it was just the boredom of having to be there from 8:30 to 1 for one short event. Life with kids. Sometimes you have to roll with it.
My events came and went in the afternoon and I got smoked in the fighting by the Dad of the same girl that beat Ryan. A friendly fellow that chatted nice and was encouraging to all competitors but a hard fast vocal “Ki” on quick reverse punches and kicks that were up near my eyes put me out, 1-2-3.
Saturday came and went. Ryan got a 3rd place Trophy in Kenpo and Thomas had a good baseball weekend.
And checking the calendar so are the next two! Wow.
Ok, Saturday was a regional Kenpo Invitational Tournament. Ryan and I went to that. Trish took Thomas to his baseball Photo Day event and Pancake Breakfast fundraiser.
It was a interesting day watching all the kids compete. Kata and forms and even some weapons. Kata is the routine where you do the moves in a set sequence as if the attackers were coming in certain directions with certain set attacks. This is very useful in training ones self the proper positioning and form. I could not get Ryan to sign up for this. Even though he got a trophy for it last time.
He just wanted Freestyle fighting. Points and tags for getting to the other guy first. When it finally came we were a little bored of the event. But then everyone needs a turn. Ryan got out there and forced the others to come to his terms well. Attacked hard and with skip kicks etc. But the referee was not from our dojo and did not watch for this simple little kick. He was looking for back knuckles to the head and reverse punches to the body.
Ryan beat several kids. Then this girl with speed and a very fast fwd hand back knuckle took him out. Ryan was very sad. Almost pissed off. She had gotten him with a shot that popped him on the bridge of the nose. He felt that she aught have been cautioned and not awarded the point!
Then one more fight to determine 3rd or 4th he fought even harder and took 3rd.
A nice Trophy. But a not so nice victory. Not when he took first last weekend fishing and thinks he was deprived unfairly of 1st or 2nd. He would not even pose for a photo with the trophy.
Maybe he did that to tweak Dad. Maybe it was just the boredom of having to be there from 8:30 to 1 for one short event. Life with kids. Sometimes you have to roll with it.
My events came and went in the afternoon and I got smoked in the fighting by the Dad of the same girl that beat Ryan. A friendly fellow that chatted nice and was encouraging to all competitors but a hard fast vocal “Ki” on quick reverse punches and kicks that were up near my eyes put me out, 1-2-3.
Saturday came and went. Ryan got a 3rd place Trophy in Kenpo and Thomas had a good baseball weekend.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
Weds did the IGFA forms
Yep I did it.
Got the IGFA forms all filled out to submit Ryan's winning halibut to get the record in the Jr male category for California Halibut.
It now stands at female youth record is 35 pounds 12 oz. the male record is 14 pounds.
So this blows away the previous kid fish. Got the form noterized and all the sigs needed.
That's what got Ryan that nice gift.. George the Weighmaster and old friend in the club gave Ryan a dingy! Now he has the money for a motor too.
It has slip in wood floors that makes it possible to take it appart. 4 person - 9'6" long. Good size. Ryan is really happy.
We went shopping for a Motor.
Got the IGFA forms all filled out to submit Ryan's winning halibut to get the record in the Jr male category for California Halibut.
It now stands at female youth record is 35 pounds 12 oz. the male record is 14 pounds.
So this blows away the previous kid fish. Got the form noterized and all the sigs needed.
That's what got Ryan that nice gift.. George the Weighmaster and old friend in the club gave Ryan a dingy! Now he has the money for a motor too.
It has slip in wood floors that makes it possible to take it appart. 4 person - 9'6" long. Good size. Ryan is really happy.
We went shopping for a Motor.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Ryan the Winning fisherman
Wow he is some fisherman. I'm pleased that he got the accolades for the biggest fish.
”Overall Winner of the Halibut Derby” is what they are calling him. There is a little difference on the trophy between what I think that they should give him and what they are making him share... But that does not change that he caught the best fish in the derby!
Dang good. Today he wanted to spend his winnings in a big way. We went to the bank and deposited the check. We went to a boating store (Regency Boats) and we priced used moters vs new. We looked at what they had.
Ryan got a call from my Dad while we were there. I'm sure he meant well but his save save save may not have sat well with a young pre teen that really wanted to taste the cake he just got presented with. That money was burning a hole in his pocket. And I was doing my best to be a wise shopper so he could use those skills later for buying a car etc. Ryan is of the age where a Car is a possible discussion topic. He has been diligently working to save even though we do not give him an allowance. So having money to spend is a real treat. But the phone call dropped his spirits some. He was quiet and sullen. He even sealed the envelope that he put the deposit into with the words "Don't open for fifty years" across the seam. Some prize when he can’t touch it. So I got an ice cream at the Fosters Freeze and we sat a little. Thomas did not understand why his older brother was not changing the soothing classical music. Ha. Ha. It was soothing.
Then another errand. Dropped in on George Balian a friend from the fishing club who was the weighmaster... He signed off on the weight slip. Ryan would not get out of the car. He was so sulky. George talked with me and Thomas for a while about the catch etc. Then when he heard that Ryan was looking for a dingy he offered one that he had sitting on the side of the house unused for a few bucks and transfer fees. Very cool.
That got Ryan out of the car. Not quite animated but back to life.
Tomorrow he may have some work to do checking it out and inflating it and searching for leaks etc. It is older but a nice big 9 foot 4 person slat board bottom dingy. Now he can use his money for an outboard. We saw a 1983 mercury that is 4.5 hp for just $400 while at Regency. Hmmm Ryan is putting that idea together.
Now that is a match. Maybe the next thing to do is to build a little dolly for it.
A cool little wood shop project for father and son to do together. Yeah. I Like That.
Go to the Marina Del Rey Anglers web pages to see Ryan's write up. He did well.
http://www.mdranglers.com/HD2005/2005_YouthHalibut.htm
I made a few calls on Monday and this morning, Tuesday, to reporters and gave them his new cell phone number so the reporters could call for personal insights into the human interest story. He had a little surprise! Wow a reporter called him. Adds to the importance of the event. And the powerful memories of the momentous event. It is those great memories that are more important than a tip to Cabo. It is being on stage with 500+ people cheering.
Gotta Love It. Happy and Proud - Fishing Dad
”Overall Winner of the Halibut Derby” is what they are calling him. There is a little difference on the trophy between what I think that they should give him and what they are making him share... But that does not change that he caught the best fish in the derby!
Dang good. Today he wanted to spend his winnings in a big way. We went to the bank and deposited the check. We went to a boating store (Regency Boats) and we priced used moters vs new. We looked at what they had.
Ryan got a call from my Dad while we were there. I'm sure he meant well but his save save save may not have sat well with a young pre teen that really wanted to taste the cake he just got presented with. That money was burning a hole in his pocket. And I was doing my best to be a wise shopper so he could use those skills later for buying a car etc. Ryan is of the age where a Car is a possible discussion topic. He has been diligently working to save even though we do not give him an allowance. So having money to spend is a real treat. But the phone call dropped his spirits some. He was quiet and sullen. He even sealed the envelope that he put the deposit into with the words "Don't open for fifty years" across the seam. Some prize when he can’t touch it. So I got an ice cream at the Fosters Freeze and we sat a little. Thomas did not understand why his older brother was not changing the soothing classical music. Ha. Ha. It was soothing.
Then another errand. Dropped in on George Balian a friend from the fishing club who was the weighmaster... He signed off on the weight slip. Ryan would not get out of the car. He was so sulky. George talked with me and Thomas for a while about the catch etc. Then when he heard that Ryan was looking for a dingy he offered one that he had sitting on the side of the house unused for a few bucks and transfer fees. Very cool.
That got Ryan out of the car. Not quite animated but back to life.
Tomorrow he may have some work to do checking it out and inflating it and searching for leaks etc. It is older but a nice big 9 foot 4 person slat board bottom dingy. Now he can use his money for an outboard. We saw a 1983 mercury that is 4.5 hp for just $400 while at Regency. Hmmm Ryan is putting that idea together.
Now that is a match. Maybe the next thing to do is to build a little dolly for it.
A cool little wood shop project for father and son to do together. Yeah. I Like That.
Go to the Marina Del Rey Anglers web pages to see Ryan's write up. He did well.
http://www.mdranglers.com/HD2005/2005_YouthHalibut.htm
I made a few calls on Monday and this morning, Tuesday, to reporters and gave them his new cell phone number so the reporters could call for personal insights into the human interest story. He had a little surprise! Wow a reporter called him. Adds to the importance of the event. And the powerful memories of the momentous event. It is those great memories that are more important than a tip to Cabo. It is being on stage with 500+ people cheering.
Gotta Love It. Happy and Proud - Fishing Dad
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Fish Wish Granted in Halibut Derby
My Fish Wish was for the kids to have fun and to catch something. Little Did I know that Ryan was praying for a Winner!
Ryan landed a 36 pound halibut that puts him on the top of the leader board for day one.
See the photo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mdranglers/
It is all his fish! I’m such a proud Dad today.
He spooled the reel last night. He tied some of the knots on the leader. He baited the hook.
He set the hook. Reeled it for 7 or 8 min hard. And did it perfectly.
New Trilene 12 pound line. On a TLD5 reel. On an older Saber rod that I have been using since the late 80s.
Fish finally stopped sulking and fighting. Then came up at a steep angle and I got the gaff in it nicely. With one smooth pull got it up and into the boat. From about 8 inches under the water to on the deck flopping hard and flinging slime all over me and the boat.
Love it. At 36 pounds it is the biggest for the whole derby so far. But a Youth contender only.
Time for me to get some sleep for Day two. I got a chance to beat my 12.6 pound halibut maybe. I’m beat. It takes a lot of time and effort to filet up a 12 and 36 pound halibut after all the other stuff.
OH yeah. The Weather was perfect. The boat ran perfect. The bait was perfect. The boys behaved (until back on shore). Plenty of food and drinks. The fishing Cooperated!
It was all perfect.
Ryan will have more fishing memories that are Priceless.
Ryan landed a 36 pound halibut that puts him on the top of the leader board for day one.
See the photo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/mdranglers/
It is all his fish! I’m such a proud Dad today.
He spooled the reel last night. He tied some of the knots on the leader. He baited the hook.
He set the hook. Reeled it for 7 or 8 min hard. And did it perfectly.
New Trilene 12 pound line. On a TLD5 reel. On an older Saber rod that I have been using since the late 80s.
Fish finally stopped sulking and fighting. Then came up at a steep angle and I got the gaff in it nicely. With one smooth pull got it up and into the boat. From about 8 inches under the water to on the deck flopping hard and flinging slime all over me and the boat.
Love it. At 36 pounds it is the biggest for the whole derby so far. But a Youth contender only.
Time for me to get some sleep for Day two. I got a chance to beat my 12.6 pound halibut maybe. I’m beat. It takes a lot of time and effort to filet up a 12 and 36 pound halibut after all the other stuff.
OH yeah. The Weather was perfect. The boat ran perfect. The bait was perfect. The boys behaved (until back on shore). Plenty of food and drinks. The fishing Cooperated!
It was all perfect.
Ryan will have more fishing memories that are Priceless.
Friday, April 01, 2005
Halibut Derby Time – Boys Trip this year!
The biggest fishing event of my fishing and boating year for many years has been the Marina Del Rey Anglers annual Halibut Derby. Each Spring. (followed closely by a Marlin trip in Sept or Oct)
Normally I take a few of my best buddies and even if the fishing sucks the fun company and drinking and jokes and just enjoying the day out on the water makes it all really worth it. I’ve even had some friends come down from as far away as Monterey and Salinas to be a part of this big tournament. It is a great big party to me.
Just look at HalibutDerby.com to see the size of the event. Close to a thousand contestants. I do the web site for my fishing club at MDRAnglers.com to publicize the club and this big event. I’m even a two time Halibut Derby Chairman in years gone by.
But Now
Now I am going to just take Ryan (12) and Thomas (7). Just us 3 Lambert boys. This may be the start of a many splendid thing. If we can do this and have fun. If we can catch some fish. If none of us get sick. And IF the young boys do not get to bored and impatient. Wow!
This can be a good start to a lot of family fishing and boating fun. This is my Fish Wish !
Send me a prayer of good luck and for patience for all three of us.
Look for my next post on Monday. After the Derby is over.
Normally I take a few of my best buddies and even if the fishing sucks the fun company and drinking and jokes and just enjoying the day out on the water makes it all really worth it. I’ve even had some friends come down from as far away as Monterey and Salinas to be a part of this big tournament. It is a great big party to me.
Just look at HalibutDerby.com to see the size of the event. Close to a thousand contestants. I do the web site for my fishing club at MDRAnglers.com to publicize the club and this big event. I’m even a two time Halibut Derby Chairman in years gone by.
But Now
Now I am going to just take Ryan (12) and Thomas (7). Just us 3 Lambert boys. This may be the start of a many splendid thing. If we can do this and have fun. If we can catch some fish. If none of us get sick. And IF the young boys do not get to bored and impatient. Wow!
This can be a good start to a lot of family fishing and boating fun. This is my Fish Wish !
Send me a prayer of good luck and for patience for all three of us.
Look for my next post on Monday. After the Derby is over.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Kenpo and the Kid
Wednesday is the big Kenpo Day at our dojo. Kids spar in there classes and the adult evening class is the most demanding work out of the week and then the adults spar.
I personally like the pace and good sweat of the noon classes. But try to make Weds evening now that I have my own fighting gear for sparing.
Thomas on Wednesday was a little timid in the sparing I saw. Ryan on the other hand was ferocious. He came home after class and was lit up with a new light from within. “I beat him” was the most important words at dinner. He regaled us with stories of how two boys who are more Sr. to him have often made him nervous and frightened were tagged by his new moves. He was so quick off the line and powerful that he got strong tags and awarded the points needed to be a winner. Event soem after class complements from the same kids. Very good feelings.
Key item… During the spring break Ryan talked his way out of some Jr. classes. So Dad made him promise to attend the noon classes I go to to replace the ones he missed. At those adult classes they taught us some new moves and advanced skip kicks that the Jrs. may not know. It was this new Skip Kick that was Ryan’s secret weapon of choice on Wednesday March 30th 2005.
I’m very proud of him. He is eager to spar in the next competition in two weeks.
I personally like the pace and good sweat of the noon classes. But try to make Weds evening now that I have my own fighting gear for sparing.
Thomas on Wednesday was a little timid in the sparing I saw. Ryan on the other hand was ferocious. He came home after class and was lit up with a new light from within. “I beat him” was the most important words at dinner. He regaled us with stories of how two boys who are more Sr. to him have often made him nervous and frightened were tagged by his new moves. He was so quick off the line and powerful that he got strong tags and awarded the points needed to be a winner. Event soem after class complements from the same kids. Very good feelings.
Key item… During the spring break Ryan talked his way out of some Jr. classes. So Dad made him promise to attend the noon classes I go to to replace the ones he missed. At those adult classes they taught us some new moves and advanced skip kicks that the Jrs. may not know. It was this new Skip Kick that was Ryan’s secret weapon of choice on Wednesday March 30th 2005.
I’m very proud of him. He is eager to spar in the next competition in two weeks.
Monday, March 28, 2005
Road Trip for Easter 2005
Hope you had a wonderful Easter. We had a lovely time and had new experiences. Yep We did the big Road Trip this year for Easter. Not to Gradma's. As usual for the most of the past 12 years.
We went to Carmel and visited dear friends and just acted like tourists.
I did a webshots photo page for the Easter Trip just with the photos I have so far.
Three Nights and over 6 hundred miles. Ouch that is hard on the kids and nurves after a while in the car. Returning into LA with the other masses was a little stressful. It is monday night and I am still wipped.
But the kids got to spend some quality time doing quality stuff. Made new friends and had a blast.
We went to Carmel and visited dear friends and just acted like tourists.
I did a webshots photo page for the Easter Trip just with the photos I have so far.
Three Nights and over 6 hundred miles. Ouch that is hard on the kids and nurves after a while in the car. Returning into LA with the other masses was a little stressful. It is monday night and I am still wipped.
But the kids got to spend some quality time doing quality stuff. Made new friends and had a blast.
Pacific Grove Beach and rockhopping was very cool. Hopfully there is a photo that comes out when the film is developed.
More details soon.
Tonight Ryan and I did some Peeps research at http://www.peepresearch.org
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Three men in a Car can get along
Had a OK Tuesday with the boys. I had a not so OK Tuesday getting things done. IE TV repair – with gouging prices from Audio-Video Center in SM. (Even Sony would sell the part at full retail for $200 and Audio Video Center charges $300 for same part. XL2000U Made me mad to see thm attempt to gouge customers so much.) And other trivial distractions…
But after giving the boys some of what they wanted to do… (It being Spring Break.) They both cooperated to pack an overnight bag and go visit Grandma and Grandpa for the day. My Mom (aka Grandma) really likes Easter and having the family around. We are doing a Road Trip out of town on that weekend. So this was our and her only opportunity to visit for the whole spring Break. Wow! The Kids behaved!
They played well together and had a ball. I let them be boys and have a little longer leash than their Mom would have. And it paid off. Tug and poke and sink (in the pool) etc. While I got to catch up with family conversation.
I swam a little with them and older boy wanted me to play “Tickle Shark”. A game I used to play with him years before. It was a way to reconnect with a happy time. I get to swim and chase the boys. A very healthy form of roughhouse that leads to healthy male touching and poking and tickle and testing of strength and agility. That is what a strong Pre-Teen boy wants. He wants to test your and his ability. He wants Fun and Action.
Thomas got into it some. He spent a lot more time on the wall for safety etc. But he and Ryan have a new trick. They cooperate and Thomas stands on Ryan’s shoulders until the count of 60 seconds before taking a jump/fall. Ryan works to keep him balanced and to be out into water nose deep. Fun to watch. They have fun doing it too.
Then after swimming and a change and a shower they were cooperative and mannerly for dinner at the formal dinner table! Wow. They can do it. Ryan helped and participated in conversation and helped clean up afterwards. Very well behaved.
What a change from the usual teasing of his brother at home. Not a word of backtalk for anyone. (unlike the many times when the family has casual kitchen dinners at home.
After dinner we all played a domino game of Mexican Train. 5 of us working together and helping and politely taking turns. Thomas is good at this game. So the game is fair regardless of age. If you’re ever at our house Please ask to play.
Then I found out what prompted the nice manners from Ryan. He wanted to return home and not stay the night. The Ruse was so that he would be in good graces to get a special request. All so that he could have more play time with his pals at home the next morning.
We then made the long drive back in the pouring rain. Seeing swamped roads and stalled cars often. The long drive late at night was just within my tolerance.
Therefore the “three men in a tub” analogy. We were afloat often on the late drive home.
Thomas napped in the back seat and Ryan and I got in a good “Father – Son” conversation when he talked about his prized possession of VIP cards to the Spearmint Rhino that offers 1 free lap dance. He does not want Mom to find them in his wallet. So he wants to sell it to me. For cold hard Cash!
I don’t want Trish to find them in my possession now that I think about it. I don’t go waste money on that stuff. Need the $ for fishing expenses.
But after giving the boys some of what they wanted to do… (It being Spring Break.) They both cooperated to pack an overnight bag and go visit Grandma and Grandpa for the day. My Mom (aka Grandma) really likes Easter and having the family around. We are doing a Road Trip out of town on that weekend. So this was our and her only opportunity to visit for the whole spring Break. Wow! The Kids behaved!
They played well together and had a ball. I let them be boys and have a little longer leash than their Mom would have. And it paid off. Tug and poke and sink (in the pool) etc. While I got to catch up with family conversation.
I swam a little with them and older boy wanted me to play “Tickle Shark”. A game I used to play with him years before. It was a way to reconnect with a happy time. I get to swim and chase the boys. A very healthy form of roughhouse that leads to healthy male touching and poking and tickle and testing of strength and agility. That is what a strong Pre-Teen boy wants. He wants to test your and his ability. He wants Fun and Action.
Thomas got into it some. He spent a lot more time on the wall for safety etc. But he and Ryan have a new trick. They cooperate and Thomas stands on Ryan’s shoulders until the count of 60 seconds before taking a jump/fall. Ryan works to keep him balanced and to be out into water nose deep. Fun to watch. They have fun doing it too.
Then after swimming and a change and a shower they were cooperative and mannerly for dinner at the formal dinner table! Wow. They can do it. Ryan helped and participated in conversation and helped clean up afterwards. Very well behaved.
What a change from the usual teasing of his brother at home. Not a word of backtalk for anyone. (unlike the many times when the family has casual kitchen dinners at home.
After dinner we all played a domino game of Mexican Train. 5 of us working together and helping and politely taking turns. Thomas is good at this game. So the game is fair regardless of age. If you’re ever at our house Please ask to play.
Then I found out what prompted the nice manners from Ryan. He wanted to return home and not stay the night. The Ruse was so that he would be in good graces to get a special request. All so that he could have more play time with his pals at home the next morning.
We then made the long drive back in the pouring rain. Seeing swamped roads and stalled cars often. The long drive late at night was just within my tolerance.
Therefore the “three men in a tub” analogy. We were afloat often on the late drive home.
Thomas napped in the back seat and Ryan and I got in a good “Father – Son” conversation when he talked about his prized possession of VIP cards to the Spearmint Rhino that offers 1 free lap dance. He does not want Mom to find them in his wallet. So he wants to sell it to me. For cold hard Cash!
I don’t want Trish to find them in my possession now that I think about it. I don’t go waste money on that stuff. Need the $ for fishing expenses.
Monday, March 21, 2005
Agony and ecstasy on a Sunday
Family life is full of it's ups and downs. Getting cooperation from 4 strong willed and opinionated people is a feat. Both sides of my and my wife's family are strong willed and forceful. Some openly and some passive aggressive.
Boy, does that come to a head in our sons. Wildly in the case of 12 year old when we have to deal with hormone fluctuations. Agonizingly tearful in the case of the young son wanting to force his will.
This Sunday was a good example.
1. Going to Church on Palm Sunday. The Pre Teen son wants to go in baggy shorts and a black t-shirt. NOT. That was hard for us to work out. (Turned eventually to better options regarding new clothes for him. And shopping with him over spring break.)
2. Going to opening day ceremonies at DRYC. Where young son proceeded to have a melt down because he was not going to get to play with friends and this is to boring and he was not going to cooperate. This later boiled over into altercation between sons that landed Wife's meal onto her lap.
3. Altercation upset Wife and caused major heart ache and bluster of parent vs child. So Ryan is sent to his room to chill and Thomas goes off to his baseball game. With Mom leaving this beleaguered Dad to hold the fort with an upset pre-teen.
Even Dad caught some of the angry outbursts.
In the bigger picture we did do the outings I wanted. Church, Club, Baseball. This should have been a gloriously successful day. But the overcast of the interactions with Wife and Ryan and Thomas. In the end left a bad aftertaste.
Therefore the Agony.
The good points I will say are there also... Inner strength from my prayers and fabulous music at St Matthews Church. Time spent visiting with friends after church and at the DRYC just before and just after the formal speeches. And to top it off… Getting to finally get to the ball park and watch second half of the game. (Ryan finally started to cooperate.)
Boy how I love to cheer for the boys. How fulfilling it is to sit in the stands and have the blue sky with green fields juxtaposed with the fun of the anticipation on each pitch. ( I took a few photos )
Therefore the ecstasy!
I have updated the Farm Dodgers web pages. Even got the team a sponsor.
http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/Dodgersindex.htm
It now looks good and has enough photos where it is not just about my son Thomas.
Boy, does that come to a head in our sons. Wildly in the case of 12 year old when we have to deal with hormone fluctuations. Agonizingly tearful in the case of the young son wanting to force his will.
This Sunday was a good example.
1. Going to Church on Palm Sunday. The Pre Teen son wants to go in baggy shorts and a black t-shirt. NOT. That was hard for us to work out. (Turned eventually to better options regarding new clothes for him. And shopping with him over spring break.)
2. Going to opening day ceremonies at DRYC. Where young son proceeded to have a melt down because he was not going to get to play with friends and this is to boring and he was not going to cooperate. This later boiled over into altercation between sons that landed Wife's meal onto her lap.
3. Altercation upset Wife and caused major heart ache and bluster of parent vs child. So Ryan is sent to his room to chill and Thomas goes off to his baseball game. With Mom leaving this beleaguered Dad to hold the fort with an upset pre-teen.
Even Dad caught some of the angry outbursts.
In the bigger picture we did do the outings I wanted. Church, Club, Baseball. This should have been a gloriously successful day. But the overcast of the interactions with Wife and Ryan and Thomas. In the end left a bad aftertaste.
Therefore the Agony.
The good points I will say are there also... Inner strength from my prayers and fabulous music at St Matthews Church. Time spent visiting with friends after church and at the DRYC just before and just after the formal speeches. And to top it off… Getting to finally get to the ball park and watch second half of the game. (Ryan finally started to cooperate.)
Boy how I love to cheer for the boys. How fulfilling it is to sit in the stands and have the blue sky with green fields juxtaposed with the fun of the anticipation on each pitch. ( I took a few photos )
Therefore the ecstasy!
I have updated the Farm Dodgers web pages. Even got the team a sponsor.
http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/Dodgersindex.htm
It now looks good and has enough photos where it is not just about my son Thomas.
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Supporting the team with a web site full of photos
Yes, I am a dedicated Little League father...
I worked a few hours on the web page for the baseball team my son is on. Got them a sponsor. Organized the photos into pages for the different games and opening day.
see http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/Dodgersindex.htm
Then sent a email out to the parents that asked for more photos.
In response I got a Flame email telling me to get a life.
Dooh.
I got a life. I'm a doting father to two sons. I am a fisherman. I am into residential real estate and busy with my home and legal wrangling over a lot line and practice Kenpo. Go to church and try to be the best husband I can be. This person does not know me. Nor does he want to. He just wants to tell me what???
He obviously looked at the web page. He took the time to write the email. But to what end does it help him to send me a flame email and call me names. It makes him feel better to take me down a notch maybe? It did make me spend more brain time on the issue.
I was asked what this Blog does for me by my brother-in-law.
My father made comments from the other end of the spectrum. That he wished he had a way to do the same thing for his feelings of fatherhood that he could share with his son's years later. I did Indian Guides with him in 1967. He still reminds me of "Pals Forever".
Back to Baseball
Well I want to give the kids of the Farm Dodgers a place to see photos of themselves. I want to contribute to the parents a little of what I can do... Web pages.
It really does no good to take photos if you do not display them. So some parents and grand parents may see the happy faces of the boys and get to share in the joys of baseball. Maybe some of the boys will find the photos in a year or to and be happily reminded of a good time. Hopefully some parents will download to their PC's shots that have their kids in it.
That makes it worth it.
Or his Grandpa in VA.
I worked a few hours on the web page for the baseball team my son is on. Got them a sponsor. Organized the photos into pages for the different games and opening day.
see http://www.venicesuites.com/nvll/Dodgersindex.htm
Then sent a email out to the parents that asked for more photos.
In response I got a Flame email telling me to get a life.
Dooh.
I got a life. I'm a doting father to two sons. I am a fisherman. I am into residential real estate and busy with my home and legal wrangling over a lot line and practice Kenpo. Go to church and try to be the best husband I can be. This person does not know me. Nor does he want to. He just wants to tell me what???
He obviously looked at the web page. He took the time to write the email. But to what end does it help him to send me a flame email and call me names. It makes him feel better to take me down a notch maybe? It did make me spend more brain time on the issue.
I was asked what this Blog does for me by my brother-in-law.
My father made comments from the other end of the spectrum. That he wished he had a way to do the same thing for his feelings of fatherhood that he could share with his son's years later. I did Indian Guides with him in 1967. He still reminds me of "Pals Forever".
Back to Baseball
Well I want to give the kids of the Farm Dodgers a place to see photos of themselves. I want to contribute to the parents a little of what I can do... Web pages.
It really does no good to take photos if you do not display them. So some parents and grand parents may see the happy faces of the boys and get to share in the joys of baseball. Maybe some of the boys will find the photos in a year or to and be happily reminded of a good time. Hopefully some parents will download to their PC's shots that have their kids in it.
That makes it worth it.
Or his Grandpa in VA.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Win some – don’t win some
Well it was not a winner day in the mandatory court mediation in the legal case between my neighbor over the fence and lot line issues. Wore out a day and made a mess of my head. He won’t have my driveway gate touch his fence. No options. Maybe just have to let a judge hear the case.
But on the Dad side it was much better... I sat in the big bed with my two sons and the three of us just had some very cool guy time. We watched Junk Yard Wars as they built mud buggies and raced them.
So as a Dad, it was a winner of a day after all.
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Pulled it off... A rather good day in the life of a Dad
I like that line... "A day in the life"
OK like no-one may really care. But today was a good day. Really.
I Did good as a Dad today. Fixed Plumbing under the Kitchen Sink. Took Thomas to Cub Scouts. Took Thomas to Baseball Game and rooted for him vigorously as he made plays and got hits and scored a run. (His team Won in a come from behind bottom of the 6th rally!)
Had a Teacher conference with Thomas' 2nd grade teacher and learned about his strong points in math and critical thinking and comprehension. Although he may need to bring it up a notch or two in writing.
Did Kenpo myself today at noon and had all the boys uniforms and Gi's ready early in the day.
Thomas had a lot of good things to say about how his team felt good and was really happy to have won the game.
I sat back and let the den leaders do their thing with as little help and interference as possible so that the boys and the den leaders got to work it out on their program and craft. It was the egg drop contraption. Den leader picked a very unlikely design but it worked at the test. Ha!
Nice Day. A very nice day in the life of a proud Dad.
OK like no-one may really care. But today was a good day. Really.
I Did good as a Dad today. Fixed Plumbing under the Kitchen Sink. Took Thomas to Cub Scouts. Took Thomas to Baseball Game and rooted for him vigorously as he made plays and got hits and scored a run. (His team Won in a come from behind bottom of the 6th rally!)
Had a Teacher conference with Thomas' 2nd grade teacher and learned about his strong points in math and critical thinking and comprehension. Although he may need to bring it up a notch or two in writing.
Did Kenpo myself today at noon and had all the boys uniforms and Gi's ready early in the day.
Thomas had a lot of good things to say about how his team felt good and was really happy to have won the game.
I sat back and let the den leaders do their thing with as little help and interference as possible so that the boys and the den leaders got to work it out on their program and craft. It was the egg drop contraption. Den leader picked a very unlikely design but it worked at the test. Ha!
Nice Day. A very nice day in the life of a proud Dad.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Fathering boys - Getting Ryan to care about Shirts
I have been following a group on Yahoo Groups that is called
Fathersraisingsons
It is one of the few places where the frank discussion of spanking is aired. It gave me a little more to go on as to keeping the lid on a very rambunctious 12 year old.
Tonight I had a talk with him and told him about some of his behaviors that were not good. Specifically the name calling and rude vulgarity that happened between him and other little kids in the baseball scoring booth at he ball field on Sunday. The little girl that got called a very rude name came out to complain. Later that same little girl gave me some feedback on Monday while pointing out Ryan as the instigator. (We were at the Kenpo dojo)
Tonight I gave him a +'s and -'s chart of actions that he has been doing and not doing. (verbal behavior modifiers re: chores etc.) Even some hard lectures about laundry and stuff. It seemed to make a difference. He did go to the store with his Mom to get a few shirts so he can have some "acceptable" clothes to wear.
Boy that should help at the early AM rush to get out the door on time for the Carpool to school. The past few weeks it has been a lot of only one or two items will do. IE Stupid fashion demands.
Then late this evening he sat in my lap and let me tickle and nooogy him as he told me a few tails of the rough and tumble ways of boys in middle school. Ryan is doing OK at holding his own. Possibly a little to rough for others. But he is OK. Shoulder punching...
Back when we/I had a hand slap game that was stinging. Did it at home with the older Brother at time. Youch!
Middle School is a proving ground and a place where some possible lifelong friendships can be formed. I am praying that his associates are good ones. It seems possible that the mix is not as bad as I had feared for a LA school. Ryan mixes with older and upper grade clicks with ease. That is Very good. I am a little worried that he may not have a lot of 6th grader friends when he and those kids are upper class piers in 8th grade. But that is not to big a deal.
Ryan is into Risk, Grand Torismo on PS2 and Mercenary on PS2. But that does not keep him from playing basketball with the neighbor kids and riding his bike to the ball park on the top of the hill to pretend he is riding off road.
All of his new shirts are sporting the latest designs from FOX that has the moniker for a BMX dirt bike type action brand. (Not cheap) But kool looks. An assortment and a set that will get him though the week and... I Hope... Will change him into taking some interest in the care and stocking of clothes into his dresser for several days worth.
I.E. Not just "What am I gonna wear today?!?!" at 7:26 am when the carpool honk is due out front at 7:30 something. All to often followed by Mom and Dad yelling at him not to be so picky about his socks or pants or shirts. Yeesh.
I'll be watching to see if it gets much better in the morning rush.
Fathersraisingsons
It is one of the few places where the frank discussion of spanking is aired. It gave me a little more to go on as to keeping the lid on a very rambunctious 12 year old.
Tonight I had a talk with him and told him about some of his behaviors that were not good. Specifically the name calling and rude vulgarity that happened between him and other little kids in the baseball scoring booth at he ball field on Sunday. The little girl that got called a very rude name came out to complain. Later that same little girl gave me some feedback on Monday while pointing out Ryan as the instigator. (We were at the Kenpo dojo)
Tonight I gave him a +'s and -'s chart of actions that he has been doing and not doing. (verbal behavior modifiers re: chores etc.) Even some hard lectures about laundry and stuff. It seemed to make a difference. He did go to the store with his Mom to get a few shirts so he can have some "acceptable" clothes to wear.
Boy that should help at the early AM rush to get out the door on time for the Carpool to school. The past few weeks it has been a lot of only one or two items will do. IE Stupid fashion demands.
Then late this evening he sat in my lap and let me tickle and nooogy him as he told me a few tails of the rough and tumble ways of boys in middle school. Ryan is doing OK at holding his own. Possibly a little to rough for others. But he is OK. Shoulder punching...
Back when we/I had a hand slap game that was stinging. Did it at home with the older Brother at time. Youch!
Middle School is a proving ground and a place where some possible lifelong friendships can be formed. I am praying that his associates are good ones. It seems possible that the mix is not as bad as I had feared for a LA school. Ryan mixes with older and upper grade clicks with ease. That is Very good. I am a little worried that he may not have a lot of 6th grader friends when he and those kids are upper class piers in 8th grade. But that is not to big a deal.
Ryan is into Risk, Grand Torismo on PS2 and Mercenary on PS2. But that does not keep him from playing basketball with the neighbor kids and riding his bike to the ball park on the top of the hill to pretend he is riding off road.
All of his new shirts are sporting the latest designs from FOX that has the moniker for a BMX dirt bike type action brand. (Not cheap) But kool looks. An assortment and a set that will get him though the week and... I Hope... Will change him into taking some interest in the care and stocking of clothes into his dresser for several days worth.
I.E. Not just "What am I gonna wear today?!?!" at 7:26 am when the carpool honk is due out front at 7:30 something. All to often followed by Mom and Dad yelling at him not to be so picky about his socks or pants or shirts. Yeesh.
I'll be watching to see if it gets much better in the morning rush.
Sunday, March 13, 2005
A day in the Ball Park
Sunday at the
He got some great compliments from other parents sitting near me as to his form and style while playing Catcher. Up on his feet in a good squat and with his free hand wrapped back around his back. Great look. Now to get faster to move to the ball.
I’m so proud of him.
Makes working the shift in the snack bar not so bad. I was a short order fry cook from 11 am to 3 pm. “Cheeseburger! Cheeseburger!” and “Order Up!” was the new lexicon for the day. Got out in time for the 4pm ball game of Thomas’s Dodgers.
A
Fish wish granted
We went ... By the time we hit a Subway and got fuel we left the dock at the early hour of 11 am. Dooh. No big deal. It was a kids day on the water.
Talked to the guy at the bait dock while getting fuel. Learned the interesting fact that the Buda Monks like to pay the bait guy to let the fish go. He makes more money doing that than he makes selling fish to the fishermen. That and that his boat insurance is very expensive because when you flood your boat with 21 tons of water the insurance companies have good reason to wonder if it is going to stay afloat.
I did my best to try to go easy on the water. Doing the best I can to let the kids have their way. I still got a bit grouchy in my voice on a few items. Not the best but... I'm working on it.
We all sank some live baits near the Star of Scotland in
Then we tried a little bit of trolling. Giving the boys a chance to practice the steering of the boat. Ryan is now willing to Turn the engines on. Thomas still over-steers the boat but well on the way to learn good boatmanship.
We heard on the radio the sound of fish being cought a few miles south from a few fellow MDRA members and decided to give up on the trolling. Reeled them up and Lit out for the area just south of L A X Airport. A place called the Pipe. The boys feeling like a new experience would be good wanted to get into the bow cabin. ( A rather small cuddy on my boat. ) I let them ride there. You gatta say yes sometimes.
On the ride south it was right into a big flotilla of sail boats for a little race. Mostly Laser size. I made a detour around them at 35 knots and then realized I could easily bear the lead boat. At full speed. Hoped the wake did not slow down the leader. As we neared the spot I spotted the others who had had some luck. While looking at the boats figuing out who was who... It went Thump! I turned to see some wood rolling in my wake.
Turned out the boys hurd it as well. I had then look below decks as I looked at the out-boards. No visible dammage. Whew!
We fished for a little more. Maybe 4 or 5 drifts. Surrounded by some boats owned by fellows we knew. At 3 pam we headed in. This time Ryan helped keep watch for debreis in the water and Thomas road in the seat next to me. We raced back in with no problems.
Ryan (12) did most of the driving down the main channel. It was not easy. We had one engine running. And lots of traffick in the way and behind wanting to pass. Ryan did a really handy job of it with me only gining him some coaching.
We met up with the Guys at the docks. Compaired notes. Bassically most did not catch anyting. A few guys did scratch out a halibut. Thats fishing.
The real good part. I went out on the water with my sons. There were no break downs. Blood. Or Tears. Mom even came down to the harbor and took the kids home early so they did not have to even help clean the boat. the trade off for me was I got a bit of pleasure and quiet puttering around the boat. Fix this. Clean that.
I know what I need to do to get ready for the Halibut Derby. the kids know a little better what is needed for the derby too.
Fishing trip Wish... Wish Granted. Successful day!
Friday, March 11, 2005
My first Blog and my first Fish Wish
OK My fish wish for the day... Day one.
I hope to go fishing tomorrow - Saturday - with my two sons. Not a big fishing trip. But a little check out of the boat and systems and the rods and reels we have and need to fix etc.
You see I'm a member of Marina Del Rey Anglers fishing club and the big event is just a few weeks away and both boys say they want to fish in the halibut derby! It is a big affair.
Lots more on that at the web sites that the fishing club has and maintains. This little blog is about how we boys get along and get to do fishing and maybe some baseball stories.
That is my Fish Wish for Today. Take my sons fishing for a few hours out on Santa Monica Bay.
I hope to go fishing tomorrow - Saturday - with my two sons. Not a big fishing trip. But a little check out of the boat and systems and the rods and reels we have and need to fix etc.
You see I'm a member of Marina Del Rey Anglers fishing club and the big event is just a few weeks away and both boys say they want to fish in the halibut derby! It is a big affair.
Lots more on that at the web sites that the fishing club has and maintains. This little blog is about how we boys get along and get to do fishing and maybe some baseball stories.
That is my Fish Wish for Today. Take my sons fishing for a few hours out on Santa Monica Bay.
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