The End Is Nigh!

Now that we all realize the Mayans were full of shit, I'd like to acknowledge the end of 2012 - it's a coming folks!  In less than a week we will all be living in 2013; unless of course you die in that time! 
What a year? 
What a year?
2012 has been quite a year in the Cobb World! 
Sara and I have grown as parents.  Evie Sue has grown into a fun little spitfire of a toddler!  I became a Mate!  There have been so many monumental moments in my life this year that I could not possibly record them all!  I am excited to start 2013 with my family.  

Twas The Night Before The Night Before Christmas!

One more day until Christmas!  One more early morning and one more trip around the Baltimore Beltway!  
I'm ready for a little Xmas cheer!

HOLY SHIT!

Button Is One Year Old!  Today my daughter has been in our lives for 365 days!  That boggles my mind.  How can we have been parents for a year?  How can I have been someone's father for a whole year?   I can't even understand it.  Where did the last year go?  (I'm sorry that the title of this post is so crass but it best sums up the wonder and awe I am feeling at this moment.)

To be honest I've been working on this blog post ever since the day before Evie Sue's birthday.  I just couldn't come up with anything else to write.  Maybe it was the pressure of such a monumental day.  Maybe I've gotten rusty and just don't have the motivation to blog anymore.  I've also been overwhelmed with work and finances lately, so maybe that's contributed to my lack of posting.

Then today, the day after the birthday, I heard a song on the radio that summed it up better than I was able to do.  To borrow a page out of Sara's book, I would like to quote a song as part of this post.

In 'Love Will Do That'  Darius Rucker sings:

The second I saw you  
What was important wasn't important no more 
Love will do that 
Love will do that
Made the ole moon burn brighter, 
led to all-nighters  
Made sleeping a thing of the past 
Love will do that 
Love will do that
It changes everything  
Makes the angels sing  
Puts the past in the past
It'll drive you crazy  
Sometimes it just makes you laugh  
Yeah, love will do that

Okay, so maybe the song was meant to be a love song but every time I hear it I think about how my daughter has changed my life.   I think about how I love her much more than I ever knew I could, and I think about how my life will never be the same.  Happy Birthday, Button!}  

 *Just a fun fact, apparently this is not the 1st time I have quoted a country song on this blog and I was never a country music fan!

5 Years A Few Days Later

On the 24th Sara and I celebrated our Fifth Year Wedding Anniversary!  Five years!  Our families came together to celebrate Thanksgiving, that year, and 2 days later Sara and I were wed in a small ceremony with 50 of our closest friends and family.

So here we are today.  A family of 3 with a baby approaching 1 year, and very little money.  As much as I would've liked to take Sara out and wine and dine her to celebrate.  Unfortunately, it was not in the cards.  Instead we ordered Italian carry out and opened a bottle of wine that we purchased in San Francisco on our honeymoon.  We put the baby to sleep,  I ran out to pick up the food, and came home to snuggle on the couch with my sweetheart.  Not a bad way to spend the evening.

One of these days I'll be able to shower her with riches, and celebrate our anniversary in style.  For now we'll have to be happy just spending the evening today, and reminiscing on the time we've spent together.  Once again, not a bad way to spend an evening.

Thankfuller?

This year it was a low-key celebration down at my Dad's house.  The family ate dinner and watched the Skins' game.  I was not feeling well, and got worse as the day progressed.  Add on to that the fact that I ate entirely too much and , suddenly, I was uncomfortable, and cranky.   I think maybe Sara and I built up the holiday so much in our head, because it was the baby's 1st, that there's no way it was going to live up to expectations.  That's okay.  Evie Sue's 1st Thanksgiving and she sat at the table and enjoyed smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and more.
Missed you Mom.   

3 > 1

Today we watched the niece and nephew!  We played some video games, conducted science experiments, goofed off some, visited the library and tested each others' limits.  3 children is much more work than 1.  That probably seems pretty obvious but my math skills were always kinda lacking.

Hard To Say Goodbye

Since last I wrote a Presidential Election has occurred and I have seen another of my scripts come to life in a live theatrical production.

Right now, however, I want to talk cars.  In particular family cars.  My family's cars.  Today Sara and I turned in the old CRV.  This car, originally from my Mom, has served us well since moving to Maryland.  It has almost 273,000 miles on it.  The drivers side door doesn't work, nor does that window.  The fuel gauge warning light hasn't worked for years and I can't remember the last time that the check engine light wasn't constantly flashing in the corner of my vision.  It rumbled when idling, and stalled often but it was a good car.

I drove that CRV around the Baltimore/Washington Beltway in morning and afternoon rush hour traffic for 4 years, and my Mom wrestled with the same type of commute for years before that even.  I've climbed in and out of the passenger side door since last January, maybe when the driver's door stopped opening completely.  For months before that I would unroll the back window, reach around and open the driver's door from the outside.  I have many fond & frustrating memories of the car. 

Earlier this year, when I took the promotion and was, once more given a 40+ mile commute I knew the CRV would not be the car to rely on.  Unfortunately, there was no money at the time for a permanent replacement.  We've been borrowing my Father's 2nd car now for months as we explore our options, and try to find a new car while getting rid of the old one.  Originally I was going to junk her.  I'm glad I didn't.  Carmax gave us 6 times what the junk yard was offering.  (Still not a major financial gain but better than I anticipated.)

So here we are now.  The CRV is gone. I'm driving the Kia Rio 5.  We still are in need of a 2nd car; preferably, a reliable, and affordable one.  I'm commuting up to Towson 5 times a week.  Dad has been unbelievably patient and giving with the loan of his 2nd car, and the Holidays are upon us.  It's hard to believe it's that time of year again. 

Here is the CRV right before we drove it to the dealer.  In the background you can see Sara waiting for me to say goodbye to the old car.

In other news, Obama won the election.  The system is still flawed.  My One Act Play: Brock was produced, and directed by a friend, as part of an evening of One Act Plays at a local high school.  I saw it opening night and was happy to see another script brought to life.  The evening I saw the show had some technical difficulties, and pacing issues but I'm confident that everything worked itself out in the later performances.  I noticed some script issues, as well, and plan to revise some.  Oh, and the baby is almost 11 months!  Time flies...

Nightlights Vs Glow Sticks

Last night Super Storm Sandy or Hurricane Sandy or Tropical Storm Sandy, depending on what news broadcast you watched pounded into the East Coast!  Maryland was prepared for the worst and, luckily, things turned out much better than we hoped.  Yesterday was windy, and rainy but the majority of the damage and devastation was further to the north in New Jersey and New York. 

Before the storm we extended an offer to my father to come and stay with us through the storm; he lives right on the Chesapeake Bay and is prone to flooding while we live on higher ground in a wooded neighborhood that suffers from power outage epidemics.  Who has it worse?  Anyway, he came to ride out the storm here in Annapolis and we kept power until the very moment we sat down to eat a hot dinner.  10 minutes earlier and we would've been eating some seriously al dente spaghetti.  

We broke out the lanterns, candles, and a few glow sticks and spent a powerless night listening to the storm rage outside the apartment, huddled around the  radio broadcasts from a hand-cranked radio.  Sitting in the dark there isn't much to do but chat, drink and wait for a tree to come crashing down through the roof.  This wasn't the first Hurricane we rode out in our apartment but this was the first as parents and we were more concerned for all of our safety than I remember us being before.  At Sara's suggestion I spent the night sleeping in a  recliner in the baby's room to be close to her in case something unexpected happened.  It would help both of us sleep better.

It occurred to me last night, falling asleep in Evie Sue's room, and bathed in only the soft pink light from a Dollar Store glow stick that while glow sticks can be silly, and fun nightlights are dependable and comforting.  Nothing happened during the night except the storm passing by and the temperature in our apartment dropping uncomfortably but I was there in the room early this morning as Evie Sue awoke in a room lit only with a pink glow stick instead of her butterfly nightlight.    The glow stick was a fine temporary nightlight but I was happy this afternoon when the power came back on and Evie Sue's butterfly nightlight started to shine!  It meant the storm had passed and everything was fine.

Thank You, Yul!

The bigger picture?   I have to keep it in mind.  That's not always easy as you go through life.  Sometimes I get bogged down by the stress.  Sometimes I'll open a bill, or pay a bill, or spend an afternoon trying to figure out how we can afford a new car and I just shut down.  I get overwhelmed, go silent and want to run off and bury my head in the sand.

Today we were running errands, and I was in a funk.  The baby was just as cute as ever, and Sara was as supportive as she always is but I was not in a good mood.  Then Sara changes the radio channel and the Broadway station plays a song I remember from the 'King and I'.  Yul Brynner sings 'A Puzzlement'.  Do you know the song?  If not, here is a sample of the lyrics.:

'There are times I almost think
I am not sure of what I absolutely know.
Very often find confusion
In conclusion I concluded long ago
In my head are many facts
That, as a student, I have studied to procure,
In my head are many facts..
Of which I wish I was more certain I was sure!'

Now, admittedly, I am not the King of Siam, and my problems would seem trivial when compared to the responsibilities, and stress of an Asian monarch but I relate to the song.  I feel for the man whom doubts the wisdom of his ways.  Even though he has more children than he can count and I have but one, so far, I feel for this man.  He holds his head high, and tries his best.  Sometimes he is stubborn.  Sometimes he makes poor decisions.  Through it all he is just a man - except in Westworld, in which he played a killer cyborg cowboy, but I digress - he is a man, and a man is flawed no matter how perfect he wishes to be. 

Evie Sue visited her 1st pumpkin patch yesterday!  It was just a small roadside farm stand with local produce, pumpkins and a corn maze but it was exactly what Sara and I were looking for.  We both love this time of year, and were looking forward to getting Evie Sue in a photo op with some pumpkins!  It was a beautiful Fall day, a quick little stop, and yet another memory that I'll always cherish.

The Weekend Is Whenever

Several months later here we are.  I'm still working the management job, commuting up to Towson 5 days a week, 10 hour shifts, and 2 days off a week.  That last part is very important.  I get TWO guaranteed days off to spend with my family.  That's valuable time.

Last year I worked almost every single day.  Nowadays I get a weekend, yes it's during the middle of the week but we try to make it work.  We sleep in, but not too long.  We eat breakfast as a family; today was pumpkin pancakes!  We spent some time on the floor playing with baby toys and singing silly songs.  We spend time together as a family. 

Tomorrow I will go back to work but I will be counting the days until my next weekend!

A Few Of My Favorite Things...

Sara had this great idea awhile back.  She put a jar up on the mantle and suggested that the two of us write down little memories, or moments of our 1st year as parents as they happen and put them into the jar.  At the end of the year we will go through the jar and read each memory.  It's a good idea in theory, but I'm not always the best at putting it into practice.  I'm never sure if the entry I have is right for the jar.  Is it significant enough?  Will I remember it when we read about it on New Years?  Does this moment count?  Am I over-thinking this whole thing?

Yes.

I guess what I'm saying is I enjoy everyday of this parenting job; if not every second.  Sometimes it's hard.  I'm working a lot and miss out on somethings.  I'm often preoccupied with adult matters, when I should be focusing on interacting with the Button but I'm trying.  And I try to write down the moments that make me smile, warm my heart, or make me tear up.  I know I'm missing a million though.  As I drift off to sleep I sometimes think of a submission I should make but then I fall asleep.  Or the moments come so fast and furious that I can't keep track of them.  I even sometimes just tell Evie Sue, 'Daddy's favorite part of his day today was coming up the walkway and seeing you and your mommy standing there.  When you recognized me and smiled, that big goofy smile, that was it; my favorite moment from today.' 

Too Damn Quiet

Sara and the baby are out of town, and the dog is staying with my father since my work schedule isn't the greatest for a dog left alone.  The apartment is so quiet.  There's no jiggling of a dog's collar.  No squealing baby.  No singing wife!  The silence is making me sad.  I've kept a TV on or played music all day long just to have something else to listen to besides the quiet.  

Why Bother?

A week ago I wrote this post about creativity, lack thereof, a book I was reading, and leash aggression.  I was reading this book about inspiration and feeling pretty uninspired.  It was a fascinating read, and, at times, alarming.  There was a section that discussed the drop off in creativity during middle age!  A chapter discussed urban friction, a concept which, loosely translated, means that in city settings individuals are forced to interact/cross paths and exchange ideas. 

My previous post was all about how my dog has developed leash aggression since living in seclusion here in Annapolis, and I have not been as creatively productively since moving to the Forest!  I sat on the unpublished post though because it seemed overly negative.  I felt like, unintentionally, it belittled my accomplishments since moving back to MD.  I didn't want to make it seem as if being a father wasn't the best development in my life!  So why bother?  Why bother complaining? 

Quitcha Bitchin, Boy!

I enjoyed the book.  It made me long for the days when I could sit down at my computer and work on a writing project, or wrestle with revisions.  I was approached by a friend to see some of my scripts for possible production in the future.  I enjoy spending my down time playing with baby, and snuggling with mommy.  That's what the life is right now.  So why not enjoy what I can? 

The Adventures of Mr. Tall & Mr. Round

As I walked out of the restroom I noticed two larger men, one tall and one round, waiting in line.  There seemed to be some confusion as to who was next.

Mr. Round said, 'Oh are you next?'

Mr. Tall replied, 'That's alright.  You go ahead.'

Round shuffled around a little and then asked, 'Well, what were you going to do?  Number 1 or...'

'Yeah, number 1.  That's it.' 

Looking a little uncomfortable Mr. Round offered, 'Then you go.  I'll wait.'  Evidently he had to do a number 2!

Really, guys?  Number 1?  Grown men out in public discuss their bodily functions like kindergartners?  Why not just cut out the basic arithmetic and say Poopoos and Peepees? 

PS.  A few minutes later a coworker informed me that the toilet was backed up.  Thank you, Mr Round.

It's All About Perception

I'm fond of saying that I never thought I would move back to Maryland, and if things had gone differently back in the day I probably wouldn't have.  Even though we've been living in Maryland for the past six years part of me has always considered this a temporary situation.   It's not that anything is overwhelmingly terrible about living in the Old Line State, as a matter of fact there are things I enjoy about living here.  Part of us would like to be closer to the other half of the family, in the Midwest, and all of us would love to find a way to relocate back to Chicago; the city which we both love and where we met.

It's interesting to me then when a dear friend from our past comes to town for a few days and visits Maryland for the 1st time.  Our friend, in town for a brief conference in DC, arranged his travel plans so he could visit Annapolis and meet our daughter.  The last time I saw this friend was 5 years ago when I drove through Missouri on my way to our wedding in Minnesota.  The friend was, then, a father to a newborn baby boy, and would not be able to make the trip to Sara's and my nuptials.  That was ages ago.  Now he has two young sons, Sara and I have a daughter and we are all in a different place in our lives.

Our friend seemed to really enjoy Annapolis.  We walked around downtown, checked out the Naval Academy, ate some local fare/crabs and even went for a little kayaking excursion on the Severn River.  It was odd to see our neighborhood, our city, and our lives through the eyes of someone else.  It made me wonder if I sometimes neglect to appreciate what we have and where we are.  When my friend snaps a picture of the river, I stop and wonder when the last time I really noticed the beauty of the river.  When he wanted to walk around the Naval Academy and just take in the architecture it made me feel silly for not having gone there and checked it out since we moved back.  When he savors every morsel of crab he picks from the carcass of a blue crab... well, there I'd have to say I've always loved eating crabs.

It was a good visit.  He joked several times about moving to Annapolis.  This morning as I dropped him off at the Metro station so he could go into DC for his presentation I was sad to see my friend go but happy to have had him visit our family.  Peck is a friend whom, even though we sometimes lose touch, always makes me appreciate the friendship we shared in the past and the bond that grows as we do.  I had a wonderful time. 

Pick A Peck...

Our dear friend, Jonathon Peck is coming to town.  More on this later, I have to get to the airport to meet his flight from the Show Me State.

Every 4 Years!

It's the Summer Olympics!  Yay! I love the Olympics both Summer & Winter.  They're something I look forward two every 4 years.
4years ago I was laid up in hospital bed, having gone through my 2nd percutaneous kidney procedure.  Sara was by my side as I was laid up, draining into a bag, popping pain meds, and watching the Summer Games!  This year with my busy work schedule, & lack of cable television or television viewing time I don't anticipate seeing a lot of the competition.  I'll have to try my best to catch highlights on the news, or find access to footage online.

These Days I Really Enjoy My Weekends!

Weekends!  I get a weekend these days?  It's nice!  After almost a year of working 7 days a week it's nice to consistently get a pair of days off  EVERY WEEK!  I'm not used to it.  

It's not like we're doing incredibly exciting things, or having grand adventures during my days off from work but I am thoroughly enjoying spending time at home with Sara and the Button.  Sometimes it's just nice to unwind on the floor with a rolling baby, walk the dog as a family, or even just sit on the couch and giggle at each other.  My days off are in the middle of the week but you'd better believe I am working for my weekends!

Why A Bullfighting Theme? Why Not?

When I was little we lived in Spain. We would go to bullfights every now and again. I never wanted to be a matador. I admired them. I was dazzled by their flashy outfits and their cape work. Behind it all, though, I think I realized it was all show; a sport of which I didn't really understand the rules. Once my brother convinced my parents into letting him bring home pieces of one of the butchered bulls that we found in a trash can outside of the arena. It was gruesome, it was fascinating, and soon it began to stink.

Posted the above as my profile information on the day I changed the blog's look. 

A Storm Is A Brewing

Actually the storm is already in full swing outside. 
10 minutes ago a thunderclap, or maybe it was a lightning strike, shook the entire house.  I involuntarily ducked as I walked through my kitchen.  Now the thunder continues to sound, and there's been some pretty spectacular arcs of lightning out in the night sky.  I'm sitting inside listening to the rain drops pound on the AC unit.  I am amazed that the baby is still sleeping and I am pretty sure that the wife is curled up in bed, under the covers and dreading the next thunderclap.
Oh, there she is.  Out of bed and  into the baby's room to check on her.  Apparently, she's still sleeping.  I should go to sleep soon myself, but I love a good thunderstorm. 

Even Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part V

So it's finally here.  My last 3AM shift... this week.  I was able to get a better night's sleep last night even though we are still without power.  I am so glad to be done with this week!

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part IV

Miserable night's sleep... up again for my 3 AM shift!  I'll be happy when this week is over!

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part III

Still without power... I have to admit; sleeping in a oven has not made this week any easier.  Two more 3AM shifts to go after today!

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part II (Delayed Due To MD's Widespread Power Outage!)

Roosters Are Still Asleep: Part I

Sorry if the volume is a little low.  It's 1:30 AM and I am getting ready to leave for work.  Today marks my 1st of five 3AM shifts at the store.  This is going to be one rough week.  I didn't get more than 3 hours sleep last night and I am wondering when I'll hit the wall today.  Fortunately next week I'll move to a different shift and eventually settle into a normal schedule, although I'll, more than likely, get a 3AM shift every week.

Ahoy There Matey...

No, this will not be a post about sailing, or pirates, or anything nautical.  Not really.  This is a post to say Congratulations To Me!  That promotion I'd interviewed for, received, and then waited for has finally happened.  I've become a Mate 'In Training'.  A Mate is part of the management team at Trader Joe's, where I work, which you knew if you are one of my few readers. 
This past year of teaching was not what I had hoped for and it became pretty evident early on that I would not be able to support myself if I continued my job at the school.  I've enjoyed my few years of teaching, for the most part, but I've known that I did not see myself doing it long long term.  So that was my dilemma.   I was working at the school and making very little money.  I was also working at Trader Joe's, part-time, making very little money.  At home I have a wife, and a baby girl - both wonderful & lovely - and I needed to better our situation.
I wasn't even thinking of turning my part-time job into a career, but I was encouraged to interview for a promotion, nailed the interview, and needed only to wait for my teaching contract to end before I could start my training.  My contract ended last week, I said goodbye to my students, and received a call from the regional manager.  I was to start June 18th at a new store!  (Now this was no surprise.  I knew I would not be able to stay in my current location; the Annapolis store.  That's not usually how things work.)  My new home base, my new store location is taking me back to my college days.
I am now working out of the Towson store.  It's over 45 minutes away, on the other side of Baltimore, and in the town where I finished up my undergraduate college.  I have not been back to Towson very much since graduating in 1998, and much of the area has changed.  Some of it has not.  The store where I work shares a parking garage with the mall in which I worked during my time at Towson University. 
This, being the 1st week of my transition, will be an interesting one.  I have said goodbye to old coworkers/friends, and will meet many new people.  I will have to get used to the new store layout, customers, staff, and difference in routines.  I am excited to jump right in and make this job my own and I am eagerly anticipating the 1st paycheck.  (Please, please, please let it not disappoint!)

Thank You, Sara

My wife is really good about trying to include me in the daughter's milestone moments.  She'll often tell me of her plans to move the Button into a crib for sleeping, instead of her car seat, or asking me if I want to be a part of a fitness class with the baby.  With my busy work schedule this isn't an easy task and I appreciate the care and concern she shows me as a father.  Sometimes it can be a bit annoying when I want to spent a morning off sleeping in and she's scheduled trips out and about in search of a high chair or baby clothes.  Then there are times like today when we, together, fed Evie Sue food for the 1st time.  The baby"s been on an all Mommy diet since day one but today she ate some brown rice cereal from a spoon.  It may not seem like the most exciting morning to some but to us, 1st time parents, it was a very entertaining and momentous meal.

Unexpected Bits Of Wisdom? Aisle 5

I was rocking out to the Rolling Stones at work last night.  We were stocking the grocery aisle when I serenaded a coworker.  'And I try... and I try... and I try... I really try, coworker.'
A customer looks up at me and seemingly smiles at my silliness.  Then he pulls a ball point pen out of his pocket, approaches me in a very serious manner, and places the pen on a shelf.  'Do me a favor,' he starts, 'try and pick that up.'
I do.
He says, ' No, I said TRY and pick that up.'
A little confused I drop the pen and then immediately pick it back up.  I look at him and he smirks.  I drop the pen again.  I start to try again and then I stop... 'Wait.  What?'
'Try and pick it up.'
'I did.  I picked it up.  It's only a pen.  If I try I'm pretty sure I can pick it up... every time,' I explain.
He nods and says, 'Exactly.  Trying isn't about success or failure.  It's a state of mind.  Don't try.  Do.  It's a process and result.  If you don't get the result you want then you tweak the process and try again.'
I thanked the grocery store Yoda, and went about my business.  I kept revisiting his words all night long and  couldn't help but thinking about his theory that it's all a process and result... Hm, who knew a little 'Satisfaction', some dry goods, and your local neighborhood grocery store could be so enlightening?

Might Be A Little Anxious...

Last night I dreamed that I was working a help desk - fielding questions and demands from an endless line of clients.  I was always paired up with a fellow employee, not always the same employee, and often left alone for prolong periods of time when my counterparts would take a break. 
At one point I was working with a supervisor and I answered a question about salad dressing.  I answered correctly that we did not have the sought after product, suggested an alternate and was feeling pretty confident that I handled myself well.  Suddenly, the supervisor corrects me, offers her assistance to the customer, and shoots me a disapproving look for not having the correct information.  I was stressed out and started to doubt myself.  
Now, in the light of day I realize that I did, indeed, have my information correct.  I was right.  My stress was unnecessary.  I believe that the dream was just in anticipation of an upcoming job interview I'm going on.  The brain is a funny thing. 

Happy Birthday To Me!

Another year has come and gone...
Suddenly I am in my late 30s and I have no idea how I got here.   It seems like just the other day I was a young whipper-snapper trying to figure out what to do with my life.  Now I'm 37 years old and still trying to figure it out.
This last year has been quite the doozy.  Starting a new job.  Starting a 2nd job to supplement the new job.  The birth of my daughter.  Parenthood!  I'm a father!  There are still days when I wake up and have to remind myself that I am a parent.  It still seems like something so foreign to my understanding.
We're making it work, though, as best we can.  Hopefully, soon I will be on track to better support this family of mine, and I will be able to focus on enjoying the 1st year of the Button's life.  That is my goal for the next 365 days.  I want to settle the job uncertainty, and give myself permission to really be present and invested in the time I spend with my family.  Right now it often feels like I'm just spending time trying to stay awake between alternating shifts at my jobs.  I know the next year will bring its own set of challenges but I hope that when I post about my birthday next year I will be able to say that the late 30s have been kind to me.

Thank You Easter Bunny!

When I was a kid my Mom would make these cookies. I loved these cookies so much. These Easy Peanut Butter Fudge Cookies were amazing.

Sara decided to use my Mom's recipe to make these Easter desserts for our family get together today.

Here you see the resulting cookies with malted milk 'Robin' eggs to make the cook look like a birds nest. I sampled one of the cookies last night when I got home from work and let me tell you it's like eating a childhood memory!


(This is a neglected post. I wrote it, saved it as a draft and then forgot to post.)

Spring Break Has Sprung!

I'm on vacation! Sort of... I'll still work my shifts at Job # 2 but I will sleep in everyday that I am able. Gonna spend some quality time with the wife and kid. We're gonna hit up the season opener at the Bowie Baysox with our family. Bert & Stephanie are in town from Chicago so we'll get to spend some time with them. Oh, and our taxes! We always seem to wait until the last minute on our taxes so we'll be trying to get those out of the way this week. This will probably not be the most exciting Spring Break ever but I will try to make the most of it.

If you look back at my Spring Break posts from last year you will see that Sara and I drove down to Asheville, NC to visit friends and enjoy the mountains. What you won't glean from those posts is that Sara and I were trying, at the time, to wrap our heads around the fact that we were soon going to be parents. We spent the whole time away wondering what life was going to be like when we came home and reality set in. It all seems like so long ago.

If you go back even further - go back to Spring Break of 2008 - you will see pictures from our adventures in Northern California. We spent our Honeymoon in San Francisco, exploring the city, and up in a cabin in Boonville, compliments of my Aunt & Uncle (Thank You Very Much!). We walked around the city, ate good food, road the ferry to Tiburon, drove into the mountains, drank good wine, and enjoyed the countryside. It was a fabulous time!

This Spring Break will be spent locally, and much of the time will be spent on little mundane tasks. There will be no great adventures. No travels. No escape from our everyday. Sometimes a vacation is just a slowing down of our chaotic existences.

What A Fool

I missed it again. Today is the 1st of April and I did not even see it coming. In fact, I was at work for several hours before I realized it was April Fools' Day. This has been a trend that's developed over that last few years. I cannot help but to be a little disappointed in myself.

Back in the day, boy, I was a funny little bugger! I would plan elaborate pranks. I would scheme. I joke around with my coworkers. I crack wise when the opportunity presents itself. I still love good practical jokes, and I believe I still have a great sense of humor I just am having a hard time being funny when society says I should. I

If You Do/If You Don't

What's the best way to resolve our current predicament? Financially, something needs to change. Our debt, and/or living expenses is almost equal to our monthly income. How can that be? Oh, and then if you factor in gas prices, food costs, and diapers we're over-extending ourselves. I work two jobs and am currently looking to replace these low-paying jobs with jobs that can pay the bills and allow us to eat.

As my father is prone to say, and Albert Einstein agrees, "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

And He Wore A Bow-tie!

Just in case you were wondering, I did end up driving into Baltimore for Jury Duty but on the 13th, that Tuesday, not on my day off. It was a small group of Jurors. We were chosen for a civil case, asked questions to determine our potential as fair and impartial jurors and then the majority were dismissed. I was not asked to sit on the jury. I was happy.
The best part of the day - besides getting out early enough to rush home and enjoy a beautiful afternoon with Sara and Evie Sue - would have to have been the attitudes of the court employees. The Jury clerk was bright and friendly. The Court Officer was warm, and constantly making little jokes here and there, mispronouncing names, and reassigning names for the jurors whom he could not pronounce. Then there was the Judge. At first glimpse he seemed like rather a severe sort of character with glasses, a bald head, and an apparent scowl. I soon noticed that he was wearing a bow-tie. When have you ever seen a Judge sporting a bow-tie? The scowl quickly faded to a puckish sneer. This guy, His Honor, was funny, too. He cracked jokes about Jurors obviously preferring to be elsewhere! He got it! He understood. He was happy to expedite the process and send us home.
The worse part of the day was the $25 parking lot fee, which, hopefully, the court will be reimbursing me for. Keep your fingers crossed.

Relax

As it turns out I don't have to drive into Baltimore for jury duty; not today anyway. Tomorrow? Maybe I'll have to drive in tomorrow. I'm supposed to call this evening and check on my status again.
But for today I am off! No school! No grocery store!
I slept in, and was only slightly disturbed by the utility workers digging up my neighbors' driveway. I walked the dog - beautiful morning - had a cup of coffee, and now I'm just relaxing as the baby naps. I plan on doing some reading today, some cleaning, laundry, and some relaxing. Maybe we'll take the family unit out on a long walk with the doggie and enjoy the sunshine. We've got the whole day ahead of us.

"Cosmic Joke".

One of my co-workers used the above term to describe the fact that I may have to drive into Baltimore and go through jury selection/serve jury duty this coming Monday. The reason it's funny is because Monday is my DAY OFF! I get one day off a month, when I don't work either job, and it looks like I might be performing my civic duty on that one day! Yay! Life is funny that way!

Then & Now

Then when I didn't update my blog I felt a little guilty. I used to write all the time. Sometimes it was interesting, I think, and sometimes it was just to write.

Now when I don't update my blog I'm OK with it. I'm busy balancing 2 jobs and being a 1st time daddy. I'm sitting around playing with my baby, changing diapers or trying to quiet the baby.

Peaks & Valleys!

Tuesday I took a personal day from work to stay home with the wife and kid. Sara had a doctor's appointment and I decided it was time for a mental health day. So I slept in a bit, cuddled with the wife and kid and enjoyed the unusually mild weather.
Then the capper on a great day was that, while Sara was at her appointment, I took the daughter on our 1st ever Daddy Daughter Date! Liverpool FC was having a soccer match and a local Irish pub always shows the games. This past season I've tried to pay attention more to the English Premiere League Soccer season. So I packed up the baby, a diaper bag, change of baby clothes, and a bottle of freshly pumped breast milk and headed off to the pub. My plan was that Evie Sue would sleep for most of the game and I would be free to enjoy a pint or two, and some Guinness BBQ Wings! Unfortunately, the bartender, an Irishman who roots for a rival team, came over to talk smack about my Team Jacket and his boisterous Irish Brogue woke the baby. Her eyes popped open, she looked around and started to whine. So I scooped her up in my arms, started pacing back and forth while cooing in her ear as the game started.
She was great!
Evie Sue was quiet, amicable and actually seemed to watch some of the action. She wasn't, of course, but I pretended. Then I finally got her to fall back asleep right before the 2nd half of the game started. She nearly awoke at each goal Liverpool scored because her daddy would stand up and cheer loudly before remembering her sleeping nearby. Sara showed up after the appointment, all clear, and watched the rest of the game with us.
The weather was beautiful. The game was a victory. Evie Sue and I enjoyed our day and I dreaded going back to work the next day.
Then came the next day!
A Double Shift! I went to school, and then the evening job! UGH! Working with the students, some of whom are ungrateful and disrespectful, when all I can think about is my family back home is difficult. Then to move on to my 2nd job and work another 7 to 8 hours is brutal. I was exhausted.
I was complaining to a coworker - a rather peaceful-minded fellow - when he said, "Hey man, it could always be worse. This weekend a friend of mine died. He was camping and a tree fell on him. He's dead."
Yes, he was right. I guess it could always be worse.
Later on, as I was talking to the same coworker. We were talking about work, paychecks, travels, and careers when this grocery-stocking Confucius said, "They've got it right over there in Spain, man. When I was there they told me, 'Americans Live To Work but we Work To Live!' And they do, man. They do."
Then he said, "Your job is what you do not who you are."
It was a very interesting conversation. Made me think about spending the day before with Evie Sue, about how I'm working two jobs, exhausting myself and wishing I was home more. It made me wish, yet again, for a way to find an answer... to every little question that plagues me; every single one.
Wouldn't that be nice?

Getting Much Sleep?

But still more than the wife is! Just think, teething is just a few months away. So we've got that to look forward to...

My New Favorite Thing

Waking up, sitting in the nursery recliner, with my daughter in my arms. It's a great way to start the day even if my day is starting before 6 AM.
There've been a couple of days this past week when I've been called up for diaper duty around 4 in the morning, and then I sit up with Evie Sue until she goes down again. Inevitably, daddy falls asleep, as well, and then wakes up a short time later, smiles, kisses the baby, and then moves the precious cargo back into her bassinet.
In other news, the baby appears to have reflux. She was crying at times when she was clean, full, and not tired. Turns out she was crying because she couldn't say, "Holy crap, this hurts! Hey you two, I've got heartburn! Hot bubbling magma in my esophagus! Hey! Hey? Why aren't you helping me? Oh, I see how it is. That does it! Next time you change my diaper I'm going to poop all over that changing table! Jerks!"
Now we are aware of the problem and we can do our best to combat the reflux. We keep her upright for a longer after feedings, have her on an incline when we lie her down, and just pay attention more to her squirming, fussing, and gurgling. Looks like we won't be leaving her home alone anytime soon. (That's a joke. She's very independent. for a month old infant.)

No More Reinforcements?

Here we are. The 2nd week of January 2012 and this is my 1st post of the New Year! It's been quite an adjustment having this little baby person come into our lives. The crying! The fussing! The crankiness! The pooping! The crying! And that's just me and the wife! (Rim-shot)
Anyway, we're parents. We were fortunate enough to have Sara's mom here for the 1st week or so of Evie Sue's life and that help was immeasurable. Then we had a few weeks to do the parenting thing on our own before Sara's best friend flew in from Minnesota and lent a hand. Her help was, once again, immeasurable. Just having someone in the house who's done this sort of thing before was very calming.
Now we're on our own again, at home anyway, and still trying to find our normal. How do we spend our quiet time? How often should the baby sleep? Eat? Cry? Why does she always soil a freshly changed diaper. Slowly but surely we're figuring things out.
I hope...