Having experienced and worked with complex systems, it's astounding the shear amount of chaos that underlies the seeming order of any endeavor.
Welcome.
Happy Mothe's Day . . .
. . . to my Wife."
I't s almost Mother's Day, 2006. It's been either a very long or very short year so far, dependent on your perspective. For me, it's been short - I have again spent 90% of my time away from home, courtesy of my job. For my wife - I suspect it's been long; no one at home to help or support. She has been working, taking care of the house, the dog, the cars (NEW TIRES FOR THE Z!!), the yard works, and going to school at the same time. I don't think I could I could do it.
And now, on the 17th, I'm heading out of the country for a month. She will be left alone again.
So this year I really need to tell her how much she means to me.
How much I love her.
How much I wish she were with me.
How much I wish I were at home, with her.
And how proud I am of her accomplishments.
Happy Mother's Day, Kay. Congratulations on your accomplishment - a testament to your dedication and hard work. You've earned your certification.
Big Blue Madness . . .
Is Happening NOW
"Dad, uh.... I found some tickets on eBay... they're for the UK Midnight Madness ... they're only $65 ... and there's 15 minutes left. Can I use your credit card?"
"What?"
"Oh.. never mind. I was looking at the wrong time - I think the auction has ended already. Rats! Uh... would you mind looking for me and see if you can get some tickets for me, please??"
That was the scope of the entire conversation on Tuesday.
"Dad, I want..."
"Dad, will you..."
Sure son. Anytime. Three hours and a few gray hairs later, we are the proud winners of an eBay auction offering 3 tickets to Big Blue Madness at Rupp Arena on Friday, October 14. The offer of a cash payment and a personal pickup is considered and accepted. Now the only thing my son needs to do is drive 17 miles and meet the seller at a local book store.
"Dad, uh.... I don't think I can drive over to the book store."
"What?"
"Something came up. Why can't the guy just drop them off here at my dorm? What's the big deal...?"
Home Again, Home Again . . .
"Jiggity - Jig.
... Jiggity - Jig"
October 30. Son's Birthday. Away
.
.
November 25. Thanksgiving. Away
.
.
December 25. Christmas. Away
.
.
January 1. New Years. Away
.
.
February 14. Valentines Day. Away
There was a definite pattern emerging. If this kept up, I could see July 4th coming quickly. Long days and even longer weeks quickly turned into very short months. It was time for a break.
Friday. The weather in Chicago was calling for moderate temperatures and windy. The sun had been shining and it was actually a pretty day as I sped around completing errands and packing for the return home. The decision to leave had been made only moments before so I really wasn't ready - after nearly four months away it was the additional purchased clothing that threw things over the top. I needed another bag.
Saturday. The weather in Baltimore couldn't be different... cold with the promise of snow. The schools have been closed (it hadn't snowed yet - just the threat of snow - but the schools close anyway) so my wife is able to pick me up at the airport. We haven't driven three miles and I notice the sound. "What's that?" I ask her. "Don't know," she says. "It just started...". The grinding continues. "Hmmmm... sounds like a brake to me..." I think out loud.
Monday. Snow is falling. We're expecting 4-9 inches before it tappers off. Good thing we just went shopping for the new shades, drapes and hardware on Sunday. I can spend the next day or so putting them up." Welcome home." my wife says.
Tuesday. We have about 4 inches of new snow. It's lovely. The schools are open - it seems they have used too many snow days when there was no snow so they must make some up. My wife leaves for work - but only after I throw the battery charger on my car (after four months of winter non-use it didn't want to start). And since it's a small Z3, I really needed to shovel the drive first, before I could nurse it out and onto the street. Good thing the schools were delayed two hours. She would have been late.
On the way to drop her off at school, the repair shop calls about the Jeep... "All four brakes need replacing - rotors and pads... sorry... $700+... and that doesn't include the transmission...
"Welcome home." my wife says again.
I wonder if I should tell her my ticket was a round trip...
Update:
The Sophmore
Well, He Did It. He made it through his first year at college.
To be honest, I never had any doubts.
It's tough for any young adult to leave home - tough for the parents, that is. We have a hard time cutting that dependancy chord - after all, they need us! They seemingly can't do anything without help or supervision. It sure seemed that way while they were living at home.
But independence creates awareness. Independence awakens the realization that one needs to make their own decisions. No longer does mom and dad tell you where to go, when to go, what to eat, when to eat, who to see . . .
The first half of the semester was full of trials and tribulations. He experienced his first true sense of absolute independence and took advantage of it. It was after the Christmas Break came the realization that with independence comes responsibility. He excused himself from the demands of the frat, quit smoking, (kept the girl friend) and concentrated on his academics. What a difference a semester makes.
His phone call subjects changed from "Dad, I need money for Frat dues . . ." to "Will you read this paper and tell me what you think . . .?"
