Jake was gone over the holiday on a trip out west. I have managed to speak with him briefly about his trip and Thanksgiving. A few minutes with Jake can still be an eye opening talk. I learned that Thanksgiving tradition has changed a bit from when I was his age. It seems the two biggest impressions he came home with are: they don’t appreciate great skate boarding inside the airport and rather than football on TV, Scottsdale has an awesome skateboard park to work off those turkey pounds. Thanksgiving tradition!
Even the brief talk reminded me of Jake and me attending the, Tony Hawk Boom Boom Huck Jam. For those not familiar with Tony Hawk, I have it on good authority he is just the best darn skateboarder of all time. His Huck Jam Tour started as a Vegas type show with the best skateboarders, BMX riders and motor cross crazies ever. The music features, believe it or not, Alice in Chains and Social Distortion. Again I was reminded it was great and if it was to loud, I am to old. The big feature being a million dollar custom made half pipe. If you don’t know, don’t ask.
Amazingly great to see the excitement in Jake’s eyes as these X-Game athletes demonstrated their talent. Not Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa, but every bit the awe! Each one a hero to a young skateboarder. The highlight being, The Hawkman actually giving Jake a high five. Life could not be better.
It was a wonderment to a young boy to see so many great "stars" and a lesson for a 50 plus year old Uncle that needs his own, Boom Boom Huck Jam. The older we get, the harder it is to have heroes, but it is kind of necessary.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Friday, November 25, 2011
THANKSGIVING
Jake grabbed his skateboard and headed west for Thanksgiving. While it may not be the highlight of his trip Jake ran in the Turkey Trot and is getting in some valuable time on his board. He did take time to call and wish a happy Thanksgiving and said how lucky he was to have the life he lives.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Monday, November 21, 2011
How About That?
The purpose of this blog is to share the wisdom and insight of a very special young man and hope it will make you smile. Today’s post is a bit different. Hopefully you will allow me to be a bit selfish and share something personal to me. William Burroughs said, “In this magical universe there are no coincidences.” Tomorrow, November 22, Jake moves from being a 10 year old to 11. My grandson celebrates his first birthday. My father, who has been gone almost two years would have been 84 years old. A special day for me and three of the most important people of my life. This is a joyous time and I am full of happiness. Although there is no cleaver story, I invite you to join me as I smile.
What a grand coincidences in this magical universe.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
A lot of life just has to do with luck.
A lot of life just has to do with luck.
Don’t think I have ever been accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer. I was in high school before I even heard the word SERENDEPTY. Truth told, not certain I have a complete understanding of the word now. However, I think it is like looking for a needle in a haystack and finding the farmer’s daughter.
Recently I actually had a date. Think you are surprised, Jake was down right amazed! He was quizzing me on the entire thing. I explained my date was one of my best friend’s sister that had moved to town. I grew to know her through my friend and decided to go on a date.
Shaking his head, Jake looked at me and said, “Well that certainly was serendipitous.” Then he just walked away.
Some things are a puzzlement! Especially 56 year old uncles that aren’t married.
Don’t think I have ever been accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer. I was in high school before I even heard the word SERENDEPTY. Truth told, not certain I have a complete understanding of the word now. However, I think it is like looking for a needle in a haystack and finding the farmer’s daughter.
Recently I actually had a date. Think you are surprised, Jake was down right amazed! He was quizzing me on the entire thing. I explained my date was one of my best friend’s sister that had moved to town. I grew to know her through my friend and decided to go on a date.
Shaking his head, Jake looked at me and said, “Well that certainly was serendipitous.” Then he just walked away.
Some things are a puzzlement! Especially 56 year old uncles that aren’t married.
Monday, November 14, 2011
The past is not dead. It isn't even the past.
Having a DR before your name merely enables you to be wrong with authority. That is an important part of today’s post. Also, we start with the back story. Two summers ago, Jake was eight years old at the time, I took a trip to Key West with some very close friends. The “purpose” was to attend Hemingway Days and run in the Hemingway 5K. Truth told, we went to party like rock stars.
One of the very close friends is a, DR. The first night, running on the tile around the pool, I fell and broke my shoulder. It instantly turned ugly! I called the DR over and said, “Look what happened when I fell, what should I do?" My very close DR friend glanced at it and replied, “If I were you, I would find a DR that's not on vacation.”
Of course the story has been told many times over the last two years and Jake is more than familiar with it. It is the kind of one liner that sticks with you.
Recently, on a trip to the farm, we played with every toy you get when you have a farm. Motorcycles, four wheelers, taking the tracker for a spin with no particular reason. During all of the fun, Jake hurt his leg and was laying on the ground trying to hold bar the tears. My very close DR friend said to a now 10 year old Jake, “Can I take a look at it?” Without missing a beat, Jake answered, “No, I need a doctor that is not on vacation.”
Touché very close friend DR. Jake knows, and remembers all.
One of the very close friends is a, DR. The first night, running on the tile around the pool, I fell and broke my shoulder. It instantly turned ugly! I called the DR over and said, “Look what happened when I fell, what should I do?" My very close DR friend glanced at it and replied, “If I were you, I would find a DR that's not on vacation.”
Of course the story has been told many times over the last two years and Jake is more than familiar with it. It is the kind of one liner that sticks with you.
Recently, on a trip to the farm, we played with every toy you get when you have a farm. Motorcycles, four wheelers, taking the tracker for a spin with no particular reason. During all of the fun, Jake hurt his leg and was laying on the ground trying to hold bar the tears. My very close DR friend said to a now 10 year old Jake, “Can I take a look at it?” Without missing a beat, Jake answered, “No, I need a doctor that is not on vacation.”
Touché very close friend DR. Jake knows, and remembers all.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Comfortable Skin
As a 56 year old man, it is always amazing how much I learn from a 10 year old boy. Jake has the clam self assurance I wish for, but at times lack.
This past August, my daughter got married. She ask Jake to be the ring barrier, and while he personally thought he was a bit old for that position, gladly agreed. It was a large affair, with many attendants and guest. Perhaps it was just me, but my daughter’s wedding was a very big deal that required a calming of the nerves.
The ceremony had begun and it was down to my daughter, Jake and me, left to walk up the aisle to the wedding party and groom. To break the tension, just as Jake was taking his first step, I put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Don’t screw this up for everyone.” He turned, looked me in the eye and slowly said, “You must be talking to yourself. I know my part.”
Much wisdom for a 10 year old boy. Don’t let people drive you crazy when it is within walking distance.
This past August, my daughter got married. She ask Jake to be the ring barrier, and while he personally thought he was a bit old for that position, gladly agreed. It was a large affair, with many attendants and guest. Perhaps it was just me, but my daughter’s wedding was a very big deal that required a calming of the nerves.
The ceremony had begun and it was down to my daughter, Jake and me, left to walk up the aisle to the wedding party and groom. To break the tension, just as Jake was taking his first step, I put my hand on his shoulder and said, “Don’t screw this up for everyone.” He turned, looked me in the eye and slowly said, “You must be talking to yourself. I know my part.”
Much wisdom for a 10 year old boy. Don’t let people drive you crazy when it is within walking distance.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Think Big
" Hello, room service? Send up a bigger room." Groucho Marx
Jake’s fifth grade class recently had an assignment Jake saw no value in. Each student was to select a civil servant from town, learn what they do and on the same day, the entire class would dress like that civil servant and give a report on that job. Pretty tired stuff for a musician whose mission was turning out good honest tunage for the masses. Jake refused to have any part of it. Took it all the way to the night before the day of dressing and telling about your job. Mom had warned, threatened, punished, but all with no apparent impact on Jake. However, the next morning Jake came down to breakfast wearing his suit and carrying a big round button he had made for Mom to pin on his coat. The button said, MAYOR! Jake completed civil servant day as Mayor.
With you all the way Jake. Aim high. It would be friggin sweet if you were mayor. Should you ever be called for military service and get called to interview. When they ask what you are interested in, tell them General. The world needs you Jake. Keep thinking big.
Jake’s fifth grade class recently had an assignment Jake saw no value in. Each student was to select a civil servant from town, learn what they do and on the same day, the entire class would dress like that civil servant and give a report on that job. Pretty tired stuff for a musician whose mission was turning out good honest tunage for the masses. Jake refused to have any part of it. Took it all the way to the night before the day of dressing and telling about your job. Mom had warned, threatened, punished, but all with no apparent impact on Jake. However, the next morning Jake came down to breakfast wearing his suit and carrying a big round button he had made for Mom to pin on his coat. The button said, MAYOR! Jake completed civil servant day as Mayor.
With you all the way Jake. Aim high. It would be friggin sweet if you were mayor. Should you ever be called for military service and get called to interview. When they ask what you are interested in, tell them General. The world needs you Jake. Keep thinking big.
Thursday, November 3, 2011
The Human Body
It was probably shortly after human beings emerged from the primordial ooze and began walking upright, that 10 year old boys began trying to deal with the 11 year old boys, who Beaver Cleaver might say, were givin’ them the business, and were terrified about what certain things in school would be like. So it was last week for Nephew Jack who had to watch the dreaded human body film in health class. He had heard stories and was not looking forward to the afternoon film and discussion. However, Nephew Jack made it and learned it was nothing like the older kids had said. Over the weekend Nephew Jack shared with me his memorable Wednesday after noon. According to Jack, “Don’t be fooled, there is nothing down there but a hole and a lemonade dispenser. If You know what I mean.” You would think Jack would catch on to the fake stories, but he is very excited about school next year. Word is, they get to see the female human body film. Hey Jack, I am right there with you. It never hurts to hope.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)