Busy, Busy, Busy

Today is Thursday, July 27th. I've been just a tad busy. Over the last couple weeks Sean has been preparing for his first swim meet. Nearly every night, we go to the pool at the university. He gets about an hour and a half of practice time each night. Yesterday, he swam a load of laps and did crunchs and pushups between each lap. He's also been swimming with a long wooden pole. It's the oddest thing to watch and Sean tells me its very difficult to swim with it. I believe him. He would swim with the polel hands at each end and he would swim like you would if powering a kayak. Poor kid, lol!!

He's getting better every practice. He's going to be swimming the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 50 breast stroke. It's a pretty big event is planned as West Virginia is coming to Athens to compete. He's a little apprehensive, but he'll be fine. I'm anxious to see him compete and hopefully he'll do respectfully and gain some confidence.

Monday we leave for a camping trip. We're headed to a state park in West Virginia. Just him and I; we're going to do a little tent camping. I have a site reserved right on the river. It looks like we'll have a good time. They also have a pretty decent sized pool, so I'll get Sean there to have him run through his reps to stay in shape for the meet. We'll get plenty of fun time, but we need to stay on track for the meet.

We need to go out and purchase a bike hitch carrier. There are a bunch of trails at the park, so I want to take the bikes. We also need some fishing gear since I can't seem to find what used to have. Who knows where it went, but it's gone. Anyway, looking forward to father son time. It's been a while since we've been without all the common daily distractions (TV, computers, etc), so I am really looking forward in getting away from it all...no distractions, maybe a couple books in case it rains...and some dominoes!

Ok, update complete. I'll update when we return from our little trip....take care!!!!

My brother's son.....

Justin stopped by with his girlfriend on his way to Florida (where he lives). I haven't seen Justin in nearly 4 years. He's now about 28 (I forgot to ask) and is soon to graduate from the University of Southern Florida. It was great to see him. Justin's tall and slim and reminded me of myself when I was his age, but he was even skinnier.

Justin's a vegatarian and I believe he's been that way for many, many years? We stayed up until 2am the night he visited. He spent the night and left the next day (yesterday). We talked at length about his father (my brother) and how he was killed (train - car) accident. Justin was still in his mother's womb when his father died and and was born only a few months later. It was especially difficult growing up for him without his father. His father Terrence was a special man. 20 years old when it happened, married, with one child Corey and a hard working job at Libbie Owens Ford (LOF). Terry as he was called wanted to be a State Trouper, but life made other plans for him. When the snow fell, he was up bright and early shovelling nan and granddad's driveway out. Never asked or paid, that was the way he was.

Justin has alot of those traits and personality and his questions last night were sometimes pointed and painful....for both of us. He has alot of pain and a huge void that he still carries for his father.....which is another reason why I need to be the best father I can be.

Sean and Justin hit it off right away. Sean was excited and voiceterous (sp?) when speaking with his cousin. Justin, the big hearted kid he is, had to see the computer and games Sean has setup in the garage. Did I mention I hate computer games?

4th of July

Today is Sunday, July 2d. It's been a very warm and humid day....95 degrees today. Yesterday, I put in some landscape blocks and mulched the yard. Today, I placed the flags about the front yard in advance of the Fourth of July Celebration. I have always been intrigued with history. For years I have neglected my interest and haven't read any books in what seems to be ages. With my son entering the 8th grade where he'll be studying government, I have decided to revisit my passion and begin with the War of Independence.

Together with my son, we will read the book '1776' by David McCullough. Sean will enjoy this book as he loves history himself. This should be a nice segway into his studies this year in preparation to his schools visit to Washington DC. Later this week, I'll have him pick a couple books from the library on the Revolutionary War, only something more specific like Bunker Hill or Fort Ticonderoga. Additionally, I have located the Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior written by George Washington. It will be intetesting to read these together with my son and get his thoughts on what they mean and so forth.

My Birthday

Today's my birthday. I'm 44. My son is 13 and entering 8th grade in August/September. After work today, we went to the university pool. Sean and I have swimming memberships at the pool and are part of the Ohio Bobcat Swim Club. I'll post more later regarding how we became members, but tonight I want to focus on my birthday present.

I'm a simple man, so I don't need material things like birthday cards or gifts. Today's gift was an opportunity for my son. Tonight I asked the local high school swim coach (who doubles as the summer Bobcat Swim Coach) if it would be possible to get a high school swimmer to mentor my son in swimming. He sounded pleased to find an appropriate member of his HS swim team to fill that role. What my gift was another offer that I did not expect.

I was asked if my son would like to be a manager of sorts for the HS swim team. The position is more of a go-fer type job that would require his attendance at all the meets, be pool side, and do anything that is needed to help the team. Call him a towel boy, or a timer, or whatever. The point it he will be poolside during the meets, and be a part of something that should encourage him to dedicate himself more to the sport. I am hoping that between having a mentor, and helping the team, he will have found 'his' sporting niche. I'm excited, and so is he.

We spoke about it on the way home and he told me that he thought it would be really 'cool' to be a team manager and that he would feel special. Music to my ears.

Other happenings today:

My friend and co-worker Jennifer made a cake for me before she came to work. She's awesome....thanks Jen!!

Another co-worker, Chen; bought me and my son lunch at the Chinese Buffet. Thanks Chen!! You're awesome too!!

Sean was registered at the university library today and now uses the same university ID card to check out books. This will be nice in that he'll be able to seek and check out resources of his interests when he's at my work. He's a huge history buff, so I have to feed that hunger.

Oh, and I had my A/C fixed today. A simple contact switch was preventing the condensor fan from running. A $50 item. Sure beats hundreds or thousands of dollars to repair or replace the system.

Ok, it's midnight....and I'm tired from my own swimming. Had my best swim day today. I've been back in the pool about 5 times the last couple weeks after a 20 year gap. I have a llllllooooonnnnnggggg way to go, but I felt good today. I'm going to hit the water at least 3 times a week which is the minimum that Sean needs to swim as well. Sean will join the HS swim team in one more year (9th grade). He has a year to refine, get stronger, and prepare for what appears to be his sport of choice.

All in all, a pretty good birthday!!

Welcome to my Blog

Just a quick post to get started. This blog will hopefully assist me in reaching my goals as a father. Too often I find myself saying "I need to do this" or "I should have done that". The point is, if I write it down, there's a type of accountability and check-points to obtain some of the goals I should be setting for myself....as a father. So this is my story. Sean, I dedicate this blog to you.