Another Delco Guy In South Jersey

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

S'mores and a Fire

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Fantastic Four - Spring Portends

I was awakened - at 5 freaking 30 am - today by the sound of birds chirping outside the window.  After I shook the cobwebs from my head, I was actually fairly pleased to realize that if birds were back in town the spring can't be far away.

What are the 4 best things about spring?

1. Daffodils and tulips - As a kid, we had these flowers everywhere.  My grandfather bought them by the bushel at Frank's. At my last house, we planted hundreds of daffodils. The place looks great every spring.  I missed planting in the fall, but I have put it on my calendar for this year!

2. The Phils - Even after the disappointment of last year and the mysterious acquisitions of Ben Revere and Delmon Young, I am still excited by the sounds of spring training on the radio.  Can't wait!

3. Open Windows - I love to sleep with the windows open.  Winter in this area makes that pretty tough, so some fresh air will be welcome.

4. Marshmallow Peeps - While Just Born now has a year-round supply of marshmallow treats for us addicts, there is still something perfect about a Peep!

How about you?  What are you looking forward to about spring time?

On The 'Courtesy Interview'

Being out of work, or 'underemployed' is no fun. We've all been there, combing the online ads, sending out resumes over and over, hoping for an interview, sweating bullets in the lobby while we wait for someone to ask us 10 questions in 30 minutes that could possibly change your life.

Being on the other side of the desk is no fun either.  Trying to figure out who fits best for an opening, who will play nice with the team, who you can afford, who has puffed up their resume or may be a secret psycho is no cake walk.

Still, I certainly prefer to be the guy on this side of the desk.

A good friend of mine is currently one of the millions of Americans working part time, without benefits, while looking for full-time work.  That scenario is bad enough if you are a recent college graduate looking to break into your field, but imagine you are a single parent trying to get back into the workforce after 10 years.  You've got a master's degree and are an expert in your field and you can't get an interview.

Except the 'courtesy interview.'

Which brings me to my point. 

There is nothing courteous about a courtesy interview. Nothing angers me more than to hear a friend or colleague saying that they already know who they are hiring, but hey have to do a courtesy interview.

If it was me, I would prefer the courtesy of you telling me I did not have to waste my day coming to talk to you about a job you are not going to give me.  If you feel like you have to interview me because I work here, or I am a friend of a friend, you're wrong.  Be a big boy. Call your friend and tell them you are hiring someone else and you don't want to waste anyone's time with a courtesy interview.  They will respect you more for that than for any courtesy interview you might offer.

If I work for you and you think you need to offer me a courtesy interview, then you are clueless and I am probably interviewing all over the planet to escape from your cluelessness in case it's somehow contagious.  Bring me in and tell me who you are giving the job to and why they are better qualified.  It will save time and the eventual embarrassment that you will feel when it comes out - and it will someday - that it was a sham interview from the start.

If you are bringing someone in from outside for an interview, having them take time off from another job, get child care, pay for transportation or parking, learn about you and your organization, and get their hopes up, they better have a shot at the job.  It is the height of rudeness to interview a person who has no shot at the position.

You may think that you need to do it because you have to interview a certain number of people before you can make a hire, but you're on shaky ground here.  There is nothing ethical about making a decision before you interview people and then bringing in a few hopeless fools before making an offer.  It's dirty pool and it may not even protect you legally.

Anyway - I will climb down off my soapbox now.  Return to your regularly scheduled day.

Wordless Wednesday

Underway at Jump Rope for Heart!

Emma and nearly 200 school friends are jumping up a storm to raise money for the American Heart Association today.

Everyone is having a great time. Thanks to ask who donated!

Friday Fantastic Four - Oscars Edition

It's a big weekend around Another Delco Guy, with Jump Rope for Heart, a visit to the grandparents and the Seneca War Eagles Beef and Beer on tap for tomorrow.  Sunday it's time to settle in front of the TV to watch Danica in Daytona and THE OSCARS!

So the Oscars got me to thinking about best performances.  DeNiro in Raging Bull, Brando in On the Waterfront, Jessica Tandy in Driving Miss Daisy, Nicholson in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Amazing performances by some of the best actors who have ever lived.

Which got me to thinking...

What are the best performances from otherwise bad actors?

1. Nicolas Cage as Ben Sanderson in 'Leaving Las Vegas' -  Cage is generally awful, thinking that YELLING a lot is acting, but this is a really nuanced, haunting role.
2. Brendan Fraser as Clayton Boone in 'Gods and Monsters' - Fraser may well be the worst actor on earth, but his minimalist approach to this role was impressive.
3. Ben Stiller as Chas Tenenbaum in 'The Royal Tenenbaums' - It's been all down hill for Stiller since this great job.
4. Helen Hunt as Carol Connelly in 'As Good as it Gets' - I've never liked her and she was passably appealing in this one, so I will give her the #4 spot.

Discuss quietly among yourselves.

Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday

Ritual

Every night
I turn and flip
and
Fluff my pillow.
I turn out the light.
My cheek chases the coolness
and
I think of the past,
Consider the future,
and
I am still.

Friday fantastic Four - Time Travel

It's been a while, but I am happy to report that the Friday Fantastic Four is BACK!

Monday is President's Day here in the US, which got me to thinking a bit about history.  Wouldn't time travel be cool?

Assuming time travel existed, what time periods would you most like to visit?

1. The Wild West - how cool would it be to hang out with Butch Cassidy?
2. The Roaring 20s - Paris, flappers, speakeasies.  My kind of era!
3. The Renaissance - 15th Century Florence would be an amazing time to be part of.
4. The late 1960s - Flower Power, MLK, RFK, Vietnam, the Moon, Woodstock ... Sounds like a BIlly Joel song!

Everybody have a great weekend!

Exhibited!

It may not be my best work, but three of my images are on display until the end of the month! They are part of the annual Staff Show at The University of the Arts. It's pretty cool when you are having a bad day to look over and see your work hanging in a real exhibit hall. 

Stop by and see how talented my co-workers are!

Cabrini Alumni Game 2013 Unites the Eras!

Over 20 guys played, nearly 40 attended, children outnumbered the players and everyone had a great time.

Yesterday was a chilly, beautiful day outside and a warm, family kind of day inside the Nerney Field House at the Dixon Center.

First the women's alumni came out for their annual game, joined by current coach Kate Pearson.  The current women's squad then flattened Cairn 61-37 to run their record to 11-0 in the CSAC and 16-3 overall.  Junior Brittany Sandone led all scorers with 18.

Then the men's team took the floor. looking to avenge a loss earlier this season to CSAC rival Keystone. The Cavaliers started slow, but senior Jeremy Knowles powered the offense with a career-high 29 points against a very athletic Giants team.  The 94-79 win places Cabrini atop the CSAC at 16-5 overall and 10-2 in the league.

A healthy 200 or so friends and family stuck around for the climax of the scheduled events yesterday, as the coaches divided up the alumni and the Blue took on the Gray for alumni game bragging rights.  While some former greats like Jim McMahon, Dave Kerchner, Bill Rookstool and others just watched, 22 guys suited up.  I had the pleasure of calling subs and time outs for the Blue team, while Steve Harrow lent his expertise to the Gray squad.

The game opened with a thunderous dunk by Laval Pickney off a beautiful feed from superguard Corey Lemons.  Competitive throughout the first half, the Blue took a sizable lead before age caught up a bit and the pace slowed. Event organizer John Mack scored 2 baskets in the late going to seal a Blue victory, 74-63.  In a playful dispute about playing time that brought back some vivid memories, gray teamer Derrick Grayson defected to the Blue squad mid-way though the second half to grab a steal and layup in his first action for his new team.  Dom Farello noted 'One minute I am guarding him and the next minute you're subbing him in for me!'

The real story yesterday had nothing to do with the score.  Alumni for all three eras of Cabrini basketball were out on the floor together, joking and having fun but also showing some pretty serious competitive fire.  The 'pre-Dzik' period always brings out a few guys and this year was no exception.  Men of the Dzik Era were disappointed the Big Dog was not in the house, they came out to see each other and Coaches Kelly and Keeley, with all-time leading scorer Bill Carr captaining the Blue team. The usual cast of excellence from Tidwell, Hargrove, and Sticks filled out the group of guys rapidly approaching middle age.  Marcus Kahn's crew provided the fresh legs with recent stars Cory Lemons, Kevin Misevicius, Dom Farrello, Greg Zabel and others more than willing to put up a few shots against the old guys.

I'd like to thank the guys on the Blue bench, especially Greg and Cory, who entertained my kids, John and Emma, throughout the game and kept it all pretty clean!  Thanks to Mailsy and Paul, super fans to the core. Finally, thanks to Marcus Kahn and his great staff, Brian Beacham and everyone in athletics and development who helped make this a great day.  I skipped the post-game party, I am sure a fun time was had by all, but I had a few very important things to take care of.

Photos of everything are up at my photo site.  Great job by Patti snapping the shots while I had fun with the boys!

The Dawn of a New Year

New Year's Day is always a bittersweet holiday.  Saying goodbye to a year full of memories, both beautiful and difficult.  Looking forward to the challenges and opportunities and all that may be for the year upcoming.

It's a natural time for reflection and evaluation, of reviewing and setting goals and considering who and what are important to you and why.

2012 was a year of much personal growth. Of finding a new comfort zone and living within it.  Of celebrating what I have and those who are with me. But, like any other, there were hard moments and times of sadness.  People who have left us and the end of some great times. Of accepting that I can't be everything that I want to be every day.

My friends and family made the year bright, both for me and for my children. We were rarely idle, laughed much, enjoyed a varied menu of activities, locations and people.  I often forgot to photograph the festivities, rarely wrote about them, but still they are ours.  Still, there was a sharp tone in my voice too often and more than a few sleepless nights wondering about the future and asking 'what if?'

I'm looking forward to 2013.  To see where friends old and new fit into my life and make it richer and fuller througout the year.  To see what new places I can visit and what old places I can see with new eyes.  To continue to learn and to grow as I do more and watch less.

I will always look back on 2012 with a mix of excitement, sadness, and wistfulness.  Isn't that really how we should look at all of life's experiences, though?

Happy New Year!

Emma Loves to Dance!

That's Emma in the Santa hat shaking her little butt for her holiday dance showcase piece!

 

Running Before the Sun

Chasing the blackness

The mist and fog

Glow violet

Then burn golden

With anticipation

Of the new day

Art

Woof woof!

Quite A Birthday Party

Can you believe this?

Not A Bad Place for a Meeting!

The Castle on the campus of Arcadia University.

Wordless Wednesday

Guapos Tacos Truck Spotted

Between the Kimmel Center and Hamilton Hall of the University of the Arts!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Random Observation

In case you were wondering if getting an ad in the yellow pages will help your business ....

That's an entire dumpster full of brand new yellow page books. Try advertising on Facebook or Google!

Look Who Got Glasses This Weekend!

Purple and lavender glasses and super happy about it!

9/11 - 11 Years Later and Still at War

It's 11 years since cowards took advantage of the open, free society that we enjoy and flew airplanes filled of innocent people into buildings filled with still more innocents. Nearly 3,000 people died. America had been attacked on her home soil and we reacted like the proud, wounded nation we are.

For all of my daughter Emma's life and 90% of my son John's life, America has been at war. But it's not a war that has really affected them in any way. Or me either. Or most folks.

It's a real war.  Ask those who are fighting it.  They are sacrificing , giving lives and limbs.  Months and year of their lives.  Losing jobs and houses, coming home bankrupt with PTSD and an indifferent public.

But there's no rationing.

No shortages.

No real significant protests.

No body counts on TV each night.

Would we have tolerated 11 years of war if we had personal sacrifices required of us?

If our tv shows and sports events had been disrupted?

If we had not been able to get strawberries in February?

If gas or chocolate or razor blades were only available on alternate weeks?

Or how about, if, god forbid, middle class, white people from northern states would be compelled to serve?

Not a chance.

There is no way 'The War on Terror' would still be going on if you and I had been forced to make the same sacrifices of the men and women serving today.  Or those of the generations who have been conscripted to protect this nation from evil (immediate or potential) in previous generations. Or even if the sacrifices expected of those on the home front in World War II were expected of us today.

There would have been massive protests, perhaps riots. Politicians would have been run out of office and pay and benefits for the military would have been seriously adjusted.

As sad as it is to note on this day of memorial, in some ways, I fear the terrorists have won this war.  Yes, we got Bin Laden and toppled Saddam Hussein. Yes, we drove the Taliban from power (sort of). No, there have not been any other Al-Quaeda  attacks on our home soil. These things all point to victory.

But the cost has been massive. 6,280 American have given their lives since 9/11 in service of our cause.  We have spent around $4 trillion to accomplish our war goals. At home, our freedoms and liberties have been curtailed or eliminated, infrastructure funds diverted to hardening targets and strengthening the homeland. 

While we may not feel the effects of a decade of war every day, they are there. 

Our 11 years of war have had their toll. And it's one not often thought of by most of us and that seems completely lost in today's presidential campaign. Today I remember all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well all the heroes who risked and gave so much to save lives that day.

But I also remember all the warriors who have fought on my proxy, going where I can - and would - not.  And their families, silently suffering so that Emma and John don't. 

So many heroes to whom we give so little.

Thank you and I am sorry I have not made your struggle part of my every day.

Emma Loves Jazz Dance!

Emma's my supersweetheart, a great daughter who always keeps me laughing and on my toes.  Tonight was the last session of summer dance and there was a little show for the parents.  Turn down the music, while it's the great "Lovecats" from The Cure, the combination of abused dance studio boombox and my phone's recording ability don't do it justice.  Just check out the happy little girl all the way to the right!

Thanks to Miss Mea for a great summer class and to Miss Rachael at Dance Xperience in Mount Laurel.  Rach - we'll miss you!

A Nearly Sleepless Night

We all get them from time to time I guess.  The night so filled with dreams, vivid in imagery and intensity that we sit straight up trying to force them from our heads. Last night was one such night for me.

I'm a bit groggy today, having roused myself at something like 5 AM after a few cycles of trying to clear away the dreams and find inky dark sleep.  I dream a good bit, sometimes about things form my past, sometimes the dreams seem to be a bit predictive. I've never written them down, or really tried hard to remember them.  Usually they just fade away like the darkness running from dawn.

Last night's were full of color and energy, burning candles blown out in a darkened room that forced me awake, thinking I smelled smoke. A large white cat that I tripped over in a in a shiny, hardwood-floored hallway which clawed gently at my bare foot.  A half-closed door beyond which I am certain my parents slept. A window, filled with a deep blue sky, luminous with millions of hard, cold stars, the ground below suffused oddly with reddish moonlight. The window image was strong enough that it seemed to stay there on the far wall of the bedroom even after I opened my eyes and shook my head.

Finally, fitfully back to sleep, the sound of a plastic cup clattering in the sink, loud enough to wake me again and force me to wander the dark house looking for the offending item. 

There was nothing.

At that point I had had enough and roused myself to peruse the overnight news, review medal counts and read a library book.

Where did it all come from?  I have no idea really.  White cats seem to represent all kinds of things, some good and some not so good.  Candles, as well, seem to mean all kinds of things as well.  In the end I guess they could mean anything I want them to mean.  Or they could just the the idle workings of a mind trying to create things for me to write about.  If so, it worked!

Happenings on South Broad Street

If you have tried to drive around The City of Brotherly Love anytime in the last 6 weeks, you know there is a movie being filmed in town. Paranoia is currently shooting right outside my window at the Kimmel Center.  In the 1400 block of Spruce St, there is a row of trailers which I am told house the cast while the shooting is going on.  Over on Broad Street, the entire block from Spruce to Pine is lined with equipment trailers stuffed full of rack of lights, colored plastic sheeting for the lights, scaffolding, and all kids of other cool equipment.

Paranoia will star Harrison Ford, Liam Hemsworth (who has brought skanky Miley Cyrus to town to entertain him) and Amber Heard.  Sadly I have not run into Amber Heard yet.  Harrison Ford won't regularly be in town during this part of the shoot but will be here in December when shooting resumes.

In other News, The Atlantic Building at Broad and Spruce, formerly site of Ted's Montana Grill and before that Avenue B by Neil Stein, has sold. Apartment developers the Post Brothers bought the mostly-empty but still-stately property for a cool $33 million.  Apartments are sure to follow.

Happy Birthday America

It's America's birthday and our family has come from farther than ever for our annual summer gathering in Kennebunk Beach, Maine. 

On our way up, the kids and I stopped on what I consider hallowed ground, the Battle Green in Lexington and the North Bridge in Concord.  Along the Battle Road between these towns and back down to Boston, the first blood was shed in the defense of American freedom. 

While I have been there before, it was the first visit for John and Emma.  Emma is a kid who loves history and was very excited for her opportunity to better understand what happened at the beginning moments of our country's fight for independence.  John was uhh ... tolerant ... of the stop on the way to Maine.

It's a bit rainy and gray here on the 4th in Maine, but the rest of the week has been pretty glorious so far.  I hope that you and yours are enjoying your day together loving life, exercising liberty, and pursuing happiness.

Happy Independence Day America!

Wordless Wednesday - Tabernacle Sunset

Angry Skies

Happy Father's Day

Being a father is at the center of who I am today.  Most of us will not leave this life having made significant contributions to the arts and humanity, or have invented a major scientific or technological breakthrough.  Darn few of us will leave behind the kind of wealth to make an important impact on society. 

But those of us who are lucky enough to be parents will, if all goes well, leave our children behind to make their impacts.  Like ripples on a still pond after you throw a stone in, their effects will be far broader than our small efforts.

Being a father is more important that anything I can thank of.  Teaching discipline without being harsh.  Encoraging success without work or activites becoming all-consuming.  Helping the little ones learn that respect for everyone is important.  Developing a balanced sense of self, family and community.

Having great kids helps.  I sure know it helped my dad!  I have been gifted with two young people who humble me. I am a dance dad and a baseball dad and I love every minute of it! They have no idea how happy I am when family friends and even strangers tell me that John and Emma are smart, happy, children who value fairness and enjoy life. They've made my journey as a father far easier than I know it is for others.

I've spent the weekend in the company of some of the best fathers I know at Tabernacle's 17th Annual Pinelands Classic.  Whether it's coaching the young men (and women), dragging and lining fields, or working the concession stand grills, these men have it figured out. I am lucky to have so many friends who put parenting first.

After we get moving a bit, we are headed back to Delco to celebrate our annual Father's Day Crab Fest.  There, I will again be surrounded by some of the best fathers I know.  People who have taught me that blood is thicker than water and that family comes first in all things. It will be a lot of work, but a lot of fun and that's why we have done some form of Crab Fest for four generations now.

A special thank you to the fathers who are serving our country both at home and abroad.  The sacrifices that you and your families have endured for the benfit of the many do not go unnoticed. The police offices, fire fighters and first responders who leave the comfort of their homes each day not knowing if they will kiss their children again also deserve 'most-favored father' status today.  I can't imagine doing it and all I can say is thank you.

Finally, thank you dad.  I appreciate all you have done and continue to do for me, for Carin and Matt, and for your grandchildren.  I love you.

Wordless Wednesday - Emma's New Do

Wordless Wednesday - 5 Years Ago Today

Goodbye Marianne

My youngest aunt left us this morning.  She was one of the sweetest people I have ever known.  My mom's baby sister, Marianne was dedicated to her family, and was lucky enough to meet her grandson in her final months.  She was the person in the world who most reminded me of my grandmother and in some ways I am feeling a double loss this morning, remembering a cold January morning as well.

While she lived most of her life in Atlanta, Marianne grew up in Essington, Delaware County.  She visited often enough that my children knew her and her children well.  She has been to our house at Christmas, baked cookies with them, laughed over a glass of Pinot Grigio after they were tucked away.

I will always remember her in Cape May Point last summer, clearly weakened, but still strong enough to enjoy being with everyone.  She was planning her recovery, trying to find way to help people, and talking about visiting us again this summer.

You'll be missed Marianne.  I am happy for you that the fight is over but so sad for your children, Mason and the rest of us that your kind heart has left us for somewhere easier.  Say hi to the rest of the gang from Saude Avenue.  I am sure they are happy to see you again.

Wordless Wednesday - Just Another Day In Center City

Saying Thank You

This isn't my standard Memorial Day post.  I waited until the end of the long weekend to re-work my thoughts to make them a bit more personal than my standard patriotic thank you on the final Monday in May.

This was a wonderful weekend for me.  I was able to coach my final games with my son's baseball team, and despite some hard losses (and bad calls) I enjoyed every second.  I was able to enjoy my daughter's sweet personality and the love and companionship of good friends, new and old.  While baseball made it impossible to see my any family except my kids, I know that they gathered and enjoyed time together as well.  It was an All-American weekend and I hope that yours was as well.

Today we walked a block or so to our town's Main Street and honored veterans and first responders for the sacrifices they have given to keep us free and safe.  Later we watched humbly as those who gave everything they had were honored with a final reading of poetry, a 21 gun salute, and a quiet rendition of 'Taps.'

I honor the soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who have served our  country with the pledge that our freedom is more important than their lives.  It shames me that it generally takes national holidays for us to remember their work, their blood, the pain of their families, the tears of their children.

There is another group I honor today, the nations's first responders.  The police officers, the fire fighters, and the emergency medical personnel who help us live safely under the freedom our military service persons provide.  Without these millions of people, both paid and volunteer, we would be a sad nation indeed.  It is time they have their own day of recognition.

So for all who have given so much and for those who continue to do so, I thank you with all of the energy I can muster.  My wonderful weekend, and indeed, life, are lived under your protection and I appreciate it very much.

Happy Memorial Day!

UArts Graduation is Underway!

Wordless Wednesday - Princess Edition

Hello There!

It's been a while ...

Things are busy, so I can't say the site has been at the top of my list of priorities. May is deposit season, so work is as busy as it gets. It's also the heart of youth baseball season, so the weekends (including Mother's Day) have been full of games and time with friends.  My daughter's social butterfly stage is in full bloom and I even understand she may have a boyfriend. Sigh.

I've been a bit better on the eye health front, but there are still some mornings where getting the lenses in is darn near impossible.  The crazy days of greenish yellow tree pollen coating everything seem to be waning, but who knows what will come next.

I haven't read much lately, but did finish the audio versions of the Dragon Tattoo series.  I'm working on reviews and looking forward to listening to the new John Sandford 'Prey' novel that is out.  I've also become acquainted with 'Mad Men,' and it's as good as everyone says.

I'm eating better, getting some exercise in and have found some new things to interest me and make me happy. I'm still here and will be checking in more as baseball winds down. 

Wordless Wednesday

Friday Fantastic Four - Light

It's kind of a gray morning here in the Philly area.  The color palette is subdued and quiet, almost drained of energy.  It's my least favorite light.  That got me thinking ...

What are your four favorite kinds of light?

1. Sunsets - It's a no brainer.  I love them all.  The Hazy yellows, the fiery oranges, smoky reds, the pastel purples and pinks.  Sunsets infuse everything with last light of the day and prepare us for tomorrow.
2. Moonlight on Snow - The bluish cast of moonlight on freshly fallen snow brings me a peace that I can't really explain.  Until I think about shoveling!
3. GE Reveal Bulbs - I know they are not good for the environment, but the light these bulbs give off just seems so perfect at home.  It's less yellow, colors, especially wood tones, look so much fuller.  The quality of light in homes has been going down a lot in my opinion, with too much harsh light from cheap CFLs. Nighttime outside is being spoiled by the horrid orangey cast of mercury vapor lamps.  Treat yourself to a few of these bulbs where you relax at home.  You will be glad you did.
4. Campfire light - Either from a back yard firepit, a fire on the beach or a real campfire, there is something magic about a fire.  The way the oranges and yellows fight back the enveloping darkness is one of my favorite things to see.

Anyway - kind of deep for the day before Cinco de Mayo, but let's hear what you think.  Have a great weekend and enjoy safely!

Wordless Wednesday - Go Flyers!

The Things You See In Philly

I went for a lunchtime walk today and saw these signs. I did not see any elephants though. I was quite disappointed. I suspect that they have something to do with the Occupy Philly May Day Protests, but I am not sure. Anyone know?

Very Cool Turf Field

It's a beautiful morning for baseball! We are not playing on this field, this one is for special needs baseball!

On Youth Baseball

Hello, my name is Chris and I coach youth baseball.

There.  It's out in the open.  Though if you have spent more than 10 minutes with me in the last 5 years you probably already knew this.

There are crazy dance moms, obsessed theatre dads, grandmoms who take their charges to Makin' Music 5 times a week to encourage the slobbering 3 year old to channel her inner Taylor Swift and grandpops who dress the youngest of kids in camo, hand them a shotgun and drag them into the woods every morning.

And then there are the baseball coaches. I freely admit that during the season (March to June, August to November, January to March) I have very few conversations that don't have youth baseball mixed in some how.  I looked last year at the percentage of my income I spent on baseball teams, travel, fees, training, equipment and lessons.  It scared me.

I had intended to step away from coaching this year.  I have been coaching my son for 6 years now, from T-ball to travel and over the winter I decided I had done enough.  There were better coaches available I reasoned. I wanted to sit with my daughter and watch. Like they always do, things happen, and here I am again, shouting repetitive instructions at 11 year olds, desperately hoping something sinks in.

It's an obsession. It dramatically affects our relationships with our significant others. Our other children have baseball day packs, filled with art supplies, snacks, water bottles, blankets, sunscreen and electronic diversions. Lunch hours are spent calling other coaches looking for games, staring at cell phone videos of pitchers and batters or fielding calls from parents concerned (inevitably) about their son's playing time.

I've watched other dads give it up. It's not pretty. They shout instructions though the fence at their sons. They tremble and shake in the bleachers when an umpire blows a call. They grumble and groan and hold parking lot meetings with their son's coach after the games. All of the symptoms of withdrawal are there. (One note: the guy pictured does none of these things. He's a model ex-coach.)

I'm not alone in my coaching obsession. Nearly all of the friends I see reguarly  anymore I have met through youth sports. We talk briefly about a new restaurant in town, our daughter's dance recital or taxes, but things move quickly to 'Did you see what so-and-so's kid did the other night? or 'Did you see so-and-so's email about whatever tragedy is confronting the team?'  We compare the latest catalogs from JustBats or Baseball Express and swap coupons to Dick's and Sports Authority.

We borrow each other's kids to fill out our lineups, throw countless batting practice sessions and show up at random rec league games to check how other coaches are using our travel team players. We spend hundreds on gear and apparel and look for every advantage for our kids and our teams. I recognize this is probably some form of insanity, but when everyone you know is doing the same thing, it all feels pretty normal.

We practiced last night until 8:45. On a school night.  We've got tournament games for the next 3 weekends.  Including Mother's Day. Today is an off-day and I am going to resist the temptation (I think)  to hit a rec game to see which kids are throwing tonight.

It's just what we do.  And every year I swear this will be the last year I coach, and every spring I am right back out there.

Wordless Wednesday - Art

 

Even the Littlest Ones Grow Up

Today was one of those moments as a dad. 

Emma dresses herself most days.  It takes about 35 minutes on a good day.  An hour on a bad day.  This morning she came out of her room wearing the dress and boots outfit pictured here.  I raised my eyebrows a bit.  It's not her usual look for school, but she switches it up now and then.

So when we got home tonight I asked her why she wore the dress today.  She said 'I know it is getting too small and that it's a winter dress. I wanted to wear it one more time.  My doll has a dress just like it.'

She wasn't sad, just matter-of-fact. She's growing up. A little more every day.

'Let's go take a picture,' I said. And we did and she went back to memorizing her poem for school. My little one is getting so grown up.