Teacher from the past

For some strange reason the other day, I was looking at my old high scholl's web page, and noticed that the baseball coach from when i was in school is still the coach. There was an email link, so I just sent him a line with a brief description of who I was, and wished him luck in the upcoming season.

This morning, I got back a real nice email from him basically saying how could he forget me, and how no one since I left has done quite the same job for him as I had. I used to keep score, update all the statistics, take care of the field and the equipment, and write the newspaper articles about the baseball team for the two local papers.

I was kind of shocked for some reason. In my mind, there is no way a teacher could remember "me" from 30 years ago. I was just a student, never got great grades, couldn't be a star player on a team because I had zero skills, I was just a student. One of 180 in my class, or 700 in the school. Just a face in the crowd.

I did the sports writing thing in high school because it was a way to get to go to the games. I loved sports. Still do. I covered the big sports, football, basketball and baseball. Went to all the games. I went to watch my classmates that would be remembered years down the road for the things they did. I was there to write about what they did, so people could go back and remember them.

The email this morning let me know that we touch people's lives every day in ways we cant even imagine. Little things we do now will be remembered years down the road by someone you wouldn't begin to think would remember. It is something we should think about always. How do we want to be remembered? We better act that way then.

My old teacher taught me that this morning.

Random Thoughts

Up early this morning. Andrea and I are going down to the conservatory to get some pictures of the butterflies with the Lens and Leaves camera club. It's nice because we get in an hour before the general public does. I took the boys yesterday, and it was a madhouse. I got a few nice pictures, but it was difficult with everyone around.

Tonight is Amber's birthday dinner. Couldn't do it last night on her birthday as she and Andrea went to watch the Blue Jackets game. We are going to the Mexican restaurant next door, Casa Fiesta.

Got a call yesterday from a friend of mine, Heida. I used to work with her, but we all know what happened on that front. She let me know that around 15 or so people where I used to work got let go this past week. One of them is my former boss, Tom. It's a shame. Tom's a good guy, and a good boss. Same with most of the people let go. It's hard watching what is happening there.

Amber and Andrea are going prom dress shopping today. I think it's good when those two go out together. They usually seem to have a good time together. Not quite sure I am ready for prom though...I'll have to chew on that for a while.

17 years ago

I remember it like it was, well, 17 years ago. Leaving my 3rd shift job early, going home, getting Jackie and taking her to the hospital. It was scheduled, as she had problems delivering Mandy when she was born, and we didn't want a repeat.

I missed Mandy's birth due to a small fact of being on the other side of the world in the military. I didn't want to miss this one. I stayed by Jackie up until they took her back to the operating room. I remember asking them to get a different nurse to put the IV in because the 1st one couldn't find a vein.

After they wheeled her back to the OR, I was to get prepped. The process was a lot less than I expected. I thought I was going to have to scrub just like the doctors and nurses, but all prepping consisted of was putting on scrubs, booties and a cap. I was told that I was the least important person in the room, and if I fainted or something, I was the last priority, so keep that in mind. So much for any self esteem.

Went I went in, I was glad to see the 'tent' built up so I couldn't actually see what they were doing. I was also surprised at the conversations that went on in the room, discussing what CD was going in the boom box next, and whether Skyline was better than Gold Star.

Shortly thereafter, she was born. Not very clean. Wrinkly. Scrunched up. Beautiful. An amazing moment. One I wished I could have been there for with Mandy. One I was there for with both Andy and Albert. It's a very strange moment, where you realize you helped make that, and you are responsible for making sure that that little, helpless thing in your arms grows up. Its weird how you can be so happy and scared at the same time.

She's 17 today. Almost there. One more year before society says she's grown up. I hope I have done a good job.

Happy Birthday Amber. I love you :)

Job search update

Seems the number one quesiton whenever Andrea or I go out somewhere these days is "how is the job search?" I am happy to announce that it is over. All the little details are still being worked out, but I should start soon for a company called UFAX, being their support guy. A good friend of mine Matt is the owner and was all sorts of happy to hear I was available. More details to follow.

The kids are on spring break this week. Yesterday was a day of cleaning, today I am taking the teens down to Mason to see their Mom. We are hoping that with it being the middle of the week instead of a weekend, we wont run into her husband, a real waste of humanity if you ask me. The next couple of days they are all busy as well, running here and there.

Last Friday I took all the kids to COSI, as I thought it would be a nice get out of the house day. Everyone else in Columbus had the same idea. What a madhouse it was. You couldn't get in to see the things that we havent already seen. Kids running and yelling and screaming and carrying on. UGH!

This photo came from the water exhibit at COSI.

Its been a while

You'd think with as much time as I seem to have, I could keep this updated more. Doesnt seem to be the case.

Today is the 1st day of Spring Break for the kids. Even the babysitters are closed down today for th eholiday. I believe that once the kids get up, we are heading down to COSI. I would prefer to take them all to the zoo, but it is just too cold, plus Al is just getting over his ear infections, and I am fighting a sore throat. Probably best to stay indoors.

March Madness started yesterday. First time I can remember I did not fill out a bracket. I used to run the office pool untill it was frowned upon last year. Just wasnt feeling this year, plus, I didnt follow the NCAA season too much this year. Add to that there are probably two teams I would root for, and they played each other in the 1st round yesterday. That would be Xavier and Georgia. Why those two? Most of my life was spent in Mason, Ohio, a suburb of Cincinnati, where Xavier is from. My brother Steve and his wife Tish are both professors at UGA. So while I have a serious dislike for the cockiness of the whole SEC, I'll root for Georgia just because the family ties.

Have a Happy Easter if I dont get here before then.

Lazy

Wow. Got to looking, its been 5 days since I've posted. Getting kind of lazy here I guess. Not much to report. I'm still unemployed. I still hate looking for a job, trying to sell myself to people. I tend to lack the self-confidence that this whole process requires I guess. That, and I think I try to sell myself sort sometimes. My ex-wife would pad her resume so much that the best engineers at Microsoft or IBM couldnt possibly do all the things that she could.

Not much going on here. Snow is melting, just not quick enough. Then again, when you have some piles of it 5 ft high, that will take a while. I just want warm weather, be able to open up the windows, let some fresh air inside.

I did take one day and go downtown to watch the Blue Jackets practice. It was fun as I got to sit where ever I wanted. I wound up in the 1st row behind their bench, got to listen to all the chatter between themselves. I got there early, as the practice times for the week hadnt been posted on the web site, so I showed up for a 10:30 practice befcause thats what it was all last week. Wound up bein gnoon that day, so I took a stroll up to the North Market, had lunch in there, including desert at Jeni's Ice Cream. Man is that stuff good. If you are ever in town, be sure to look the place up and try some. Not your usual flavors, but I've never had anything bad there.

Here is Rick Nash, the Blue Jackets newest Captain, at practive the other day.

White Death!!!!!!

Well, after years and years of winter storms being hyped up to no end here in Central Ohio, it finally hit. One storm, 2 days, 2.4 inches of snow. Over 15 inches of it since midnight. Radar says it is pretty much over, but this record setting death from above is over with.

I shoveled once last night. I shoveled this morning. The kids shoveled this afternoon. I look outside now, and you cant tell where the shovel was. I will try again tomorrow. Also, I will get Albert out in the snow. It should come up to his chest. Thats if we put him in the shallow section. As I was cleaning the car today for a trip to the grocery store for essentials, I stepped in a drift that went up to my mid thigh.

I guess we'll have to listen to all the weathermen in town toot their horns for the next 8 years about how they 'nailed' this prediction. We are supposed to forget all the times they promised us something similar to only get one or two inches. I get amazed at how these folks can go on and on about how good they are. Maybe I'll go on my weatherman rant someday when I am bored and need a topic for this blog.

Anyway, tomorrow is a day to dig out. Hope things are good where you are at.

All Shook Up

Went last night to the dress rehearsal of All Shook Up, this years musical put on by the Licking Heights High School. It is a story of inter-racial issues in a small town during the 50's. The music is all Elvis music, if you couldnt guess that from the title. I've been amazed at the talent level of these kids for 3 years now, and this year is no different. Amazing acting and singing. As much talent as the kids have, the directors all do an outstanding job as well getting all that talent out of them.

Tonight's opening night for the show, or should I say, was SUPPOSED to be opening night. What is being declared as the "Storm of the Century" is currently blasting us, and the kids have come home from school early. All evening activiites have been cancelled, so tomorrow will be the opening. Andrea and I are ticket sellers for the show, plus helping out in the consession stand, so what were pland for tonight has now become a free night. Not sure what we will do.

I leave you with a picture of the show from last night.....

Call in sick....

I had to take Albert in this morning to the Doctor. Over the last couple of days, we noticed his eyes were starting to water more. Last night, his nose joined in, and his temperature started to climb over night. I got him in this morning, 102.4 temp, ear and sinus infections. Joy. He got shots and Advil. I've never seen him cry as much with shots as he did today. Poor guy is in pain. He's slept off and on most of the day. I hate it when kids are sick.

Last night started the 4H band season. It was good to see the kids again, along with the adults. This year, Andy is joining the band, so we just have to keep track of Al during the show. I love listening to this stuff...you might even say I look forward to it. I've become such a band whore!!!!!!

Yesterday strip to the conservatory was nice and relaxing, but I could tell they were between exhibits. In a couple of weeks, the Blooms and Butterflies will be there, so there was still the prep work going on for that. It's been a while since Andrea's been there, and it was nice jut spending time with her. Today's picture is from that trip. Its a closeup of a piece of Chihuly Glass.

Back to the drawing board

Got the call I was waiting on yesterday. I didn't get the job. Seems one of their part time people has some health problems, and they need to replace that person, with a full time salary. So, back to the drawing board I go. I hate job hunting.

As i revisit yesterday's blog for a moment, I wake up today to snow and ice outside, kids on a two hour delay. It's cooled off in Orlando as well...its only 62.

Tonight starts 4H band practice for the kids. Both big kids are going to be in it this year. It's a lot of fun, and met a bunch of good people last year during this, besides going to a lot of placers in Licking County that I would have never gone before.

Andrea is taking a half day off today so we can get the kids out there together tonight. I think her, Albert and I are going to use our membership and go to the Franklin Park Conservatory again, just to get out of the house, spend some time together.

(Hayden Run Falls)

Birds do it....

Go south for the winter that is. I used to think that it was crazy for people to go south for the winter. I mean, its only a few months, right. How much of a wimp are you? Tough it out, it will be over soon. How hard can it be?

Did you catch the past tense up there? I thought so. For some reason, the older I get, the longer these blasted winters are. And it is not like they are that bad of a winter. I just cant stand the cold, gray, dreary gloom. Gives me one of those made up psychological disorders I don't believe in, that seasonal disorder, whatever its made up name is.

What makes it worse is days like yesterday. Mid 60's, slight breeze, sunshine. I walked around the zoo in jeans and a t-shirt, just soaking up the nice day. What do I wake up to? Mid 30's, and it's been raining all night. It will rain all day. Gray. Dreary. Cold.

A quick look at Orlando right now? 70. Sun. I might have to start the search for property down there.

(this is from yesterday's zoo trip)

Sleep finally came

During this time of unemployment, I have still been getting up at regular time to help get the kids off to school, and to get Al off to the babysitters. 5:30 AM is early, especially when you don't have to go off to work. I was so looking forward to the weekend...get some sleep, rest, you know the deal. Yeah, right.

When you have a toddler, you know that you don't make plans. Albert decided Friday night Saturday morning was the night to not sleep well, which meant Andrea and I didn't sleep well. There is always Sunday morning at least. 4:15 - BOOM! Eyes open, mind going in a thousand different directions, 500 miles an hour. 30 minutes I tried to reign it back in, no luck. I get up, and decide to head out to one of the Columbus MetroParks to catch the sunrise. Pickerington Ponds is not to far away, and has a nice pond to get some reflection. It was a bit chilly, but it was very peaceful. Nice morning for a sunrise. The result is today's picture.

This morning was back to normal, slept till the alarm went off at 5:15. After the weekend, I should be thankful for that.