It is hard to be a modern Dad

 I am an old fashioned sort of guy... I like working on vehicles and getting my hands dirty... I get my hair cut at a "barber" not at a "salon" (well - actually Sari cuts my hair but that is beside the point).... and the thought of going for a massage makes my skin crawl (In fact, I gave myself the heebie-jeebies just thinking about it).

Some things about being a Dad and husband have not changed over the years.  For example, the need for Dad to be an "awe inspiring example of awesomeness" has not gone out of style.  People need someone to look up to.... someone to idolize.  I can't tell you how many times I have heard my kids say, "I wish I was as cool as my Daddy" (Ok.... most of the time I have supplied that voice for the girls.... and it was only heard in my own head..... but I could see it in their eyes!)


However, some things are different in this modern age.  I live with three females (and a very girly dog - even though he should not be) and I recognize that they need me to be more sympathetic to their "feelings" and other silly things like that.... so I work very hard at this aspect of "fathering" and "husbanding" (Is that really a word?  I think I am thinking of "husbandry" which means "to grow a crop"..... ah well - close enough).

For example, when the kids or Sari get sick (which it seems they often do - sniffles and such), I try to be supportive..... empathetic..... sympathetic..... and other "etic" things.  

I also try to offer them some good advice (distilled from my years of experience, knowledge and logic).   Helpful things like....... "GET AN IMMUNE SYSTEM!!!!"

So what happens when this sympathetic, caring, kind, modern "feeling" Dad gets sick ONCE in like 10 years?????  These sweet kind girls that I live with (including their mother to some extent) come to my death bed (which I valiantly fought back from mind you) and say...........

"Oh you look sick!  Are you sick?  You are looking a little half dead.  Are you sure that you are not dying?......  GET AN IMMUNE SYSTEM!!!!!"

I am telling you..... it is hard to be a modern, nice Dad.

Good thing I don't live with really bad kids!  :)

Single-handedly saving the internet and a dream comes true

Many months ago, I declared that I was done with blogging.  "Bah!" I could be quoted as saying (I like saying "Bah!" especially out of context...... "So what are you doing next weekend?"...... "Bah!" ... I find that and a crazy look in your eyes generally stops useless "chit-chatty"conversations).

Anyway.... I had decided that "Facebook" had killed blogging.  No one reads blogs any more because they are wasting all their time on Facebook. Facebook status lines have reduced people's attention spans to the point that no one has time to think about, write or read anything if it is more than 10 words words long. Fortunately, though, it is mostly important, earth shattering stuff like "I just opened a can of soup" .......or "I am really enjoying this tomato".

Well here is the thing..... I DON'T CARE WHAT TV SHOW YOU ARE CURRENTLY WATCHING, NOR DO I WANT TO KNOW WHAT SOME ACTRESS WORE ON THE RED CARPET LAST NIGHT AND IF I WANT TO BE ANNOYED BY SOMEONE I WILL DO IT THE OLD FASHIONED WAY...... BY ACTUALLY FINDING SOMEONE TO TALK TO.... NOT BY READING THE LAMEST THOUGHTS THAT 200 OF MY "FRIENDS" CAN COME UP WITH WHILE PLAYING "FARMVILLE".

BAH!

Ok that rant is over.... though I will say that this advice posted below is really good.....

I think I would wear out the "You're an idiot" button though.

So, with all that being said, I decided not to let Facebook take out all the bloggers in the world.  Along with my vast collection of readers (which from the survey that I just completed seems to be 4 real people and two cats....), I have decided that I will be the last blogger standing (if necessary).  I am not promising a blog per day, but I promise that if you keep coming by there will be something to read (whether it is worth reading or not is another discussion).

So - in an effort to combat the Facebook drivel and in an attempt to inspire.... I have a story about dreams coming true......

When I was 20 years old, I attended a curling bonspiel in Langbank, Saskatchewan (near Moose Mountain Provincial Park).  Since that time, I have played in that bonspiel almost every year (always losing.... no matter what. In fact one year I loaded up our rink... I was convinced that I was finally going to win..... and then we were beaten by a 45 year old man and three 10 year old girls....... but that is a story for another day).

Along the way, over the last 20 years, I thought to myself, "It would be fun to curl with my own family someday".  Well, this year it happened... and I hope it was the first of many more.

And I am happy to say that we did not lose to a bunch of 10 year olds this year..... we did, however, lose to a team of seniors - one of whom could not remember which foot to put his slider on (I thought he was going to break a hip several times).

The point:  It may have been a little dream, but it eventually came true..... and to me it was a big dream!  It was fun.  It was with my three girls.  We all made a shot or two and best of all..... no one could check Facebook all day!  :)

Thanks for coming by......

Maaayyybe!!!???

Hey all (if there are any "all"s that still come by here)

I have a bunch of funny (to me anyway) stories to tell.... some pictures to share.... some observations to - umm - observe (I didn't really know where I was going there)...... but I want to know if anyone is still checking this thing..... so here is the deal.......

If you read this, please sign in.  If I get 5 people on board.... away we go!  :)