Long Time Coming

You have to make the time for blogging. Like anything you do well, you make time during your day to put down your thoughts and respond to others. I almost wish during a school day I could record all the feedback, guidance or thoughts I give people. Some of which they might want to hear.
So I am away from the office and the routine of school and I have effectively turned my brain off. Sleeping late and staying up later than usual, I have gotten out of the routine of blogging. Is that the worst thing? No, but to be a creative and forward thinking person, I need to resolve to be better in this area. There is my first resolution. I am sure I will have more but let's see how I do.

Ice

Gotta love New England. December and we already have had two days out of school. What does the rest of the school year have in store for us.

We can deal with snow but ice is another story. Even when the roads are passable, the trees and the power lines keep us from school and work. Talk about putting a weekend on hold. 50 degrees in the house with a fire going all day. I had it easy compared to others.

Let's see what this week holds in store for us. School in July, what a great idea! It will be too hot.

Time?

So I just started reading "A Team of Rivals" by Doris Kearns Goodwin and realized that I could spend hours reading this story of Abraham Lincoln and his presidency. I am reading about one of his rivals who avidly wrote in his journal when I thought, "when is the last time I wrote in my blog?" I finished the chapter and here I am.

Finding time is not easy. My mind is stretched in several directions all the time and my ability to read, write or talk coherently after 9:00 is often limited by the need for sleep. I don't know how I will find the time to read that great book or write in this blog.

Stealing time from other areas of my life isn't an option either. The kids are busy and my wife is working and there is that little job I have. When do I find the time?

Holding out for vacation or the possible snow day seem to be answer. Not too far off is the holiday break and maybe old man winter will lend me a hand but until then, old Abe is going to have to wait and this blog is nearly done. Pillow in my future and hope for more time tomorrow are all I can think of now.

Why Plaxico?

I am not a big Stephen A. Smith fan but he nailed it. When he said Plaxico Burris and the other young black athletes, who continue to do stupid things and break the law, were making it harder for future athletes who aspire to greatness, he spoke the obvious truth. Once they make it, these athletes think they are invincible and above reproach. Break the law, pay no attention to team rules, and use no common sense all seem to be the case for many.

For those of us not so fortunate to have been born with superior physical skills to get to the professional level, it is hard to comprehend how after accomplishing fame and fortune can be thrown aside for a night out on the town with our gun and friends. What possesses all this bravado? Is it a product of testosterone? Is it the need to validate their "maleness"? I don't think these decisions are made clear headed to say the least.

With our own kids, how do we instill "doing the right thing" when all they see the bravado on and off the field? Too many of us glorify our athletes and wish we had their money and opportunities. What about our kids? What do they think?

So why do we do with the Plaxico's of the world? How do we say making it to the top is enough? When will there be no need for a gun?

Fourteen

Do you remember being 14? Eighth grade was no small feat and my daughter reminds me of that all the time. She just turned 14 and has handled the drama pretty well thus far.

We had a little celebration on Friday with 6 other 13/14 year olds descending on the Pollet home for a movie and sleep over. With the bass of the latest hits on the iPod at 12:00 am, the father voice bellowed down the stairs to turn it down, way down. Sheepishly the reply came "yes" with several giggles from the peanut gallery. All that was left to listen to was the ongoing conversation about all that is being 14.

The conversation around being 14 is one filled with variety but usually comes back around to boys, girls and the associated theatrics. Changing friendships, relationships, and allegiances bring another set of hurt feelings or romantic concerns. How do they manage all the rest of their lives? Somehow 14 does manage to get through it all to be 15 and beyond.

So school has started again after the long weekend and 14 is back in the routine. New conversations outside class (I hope) will be filled with all latest gossip. It is what is important.