Father Figure

Ava thinks I need a new hairstyle…

If you were to line the holidays up in order of how they rank, I’m thinking Father’s Day is down the list somewhere. Let’s see…you have Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day, Martin Luther King Day, Arbor Day, Flag Day, National Day Of Silence, a couple of days that nobody remembers except my IPad calendar aaaaaaaand….then Father’s Day. Does this bother me? Not really.

I mean…for me, being a father is the single most important thing I have ever done. I can’t think of any one single thing that I could ever do that is more important than me being a good dad for my kids. It’s why I’m here. In the grand scheme of things, giving my kids the best home that they can have is the highest priority of anything else I do. This means being there to help them when they need it. Being there to love them when they need it. It means being as supportive as I can, guiding them through their early life, allowing them to make mistakes but keeping the fallout to a minimum so as not to destroy their confidence.

I read about how important a father figure is in a family. You always hear the horror stories of children raised in fatherless families. It’s a tough gig, being a dad. I know there have been times that I’ve wanted to run screaming because there is a lot of pressure in this job! And it’s not like it used to be where the dad is the head of the family who works all day, comes home, eats dinner, reads the paper and calls it a night. That doesn’t happen anymore. This gig has expanded to include helping with household chores, putting the kids to bed, taking junior to baseball practice, making sure mom gets to her hair appointment on time, volunteering free time for football games, etc and so forth. So now there is always the side that says, “Well a mother has to….(insert list here)” and they’d be right. Being a mom is THE toughest gig on the planet, no doubt about it. But we all recognize that. Being a good father often times goes unnoticed. We sit in Mom’s shadow, keeping quiet, watching and waiting. We wait for the moment when a son wants to throw a ball or when a daughter wants to do our hair. We wait for when a knee gets scratched and mom’s not home. We wait for when there’s no milk in the house so we can make a dash for the grocery. We wait and we learn and we try to be the best we can be without becoming intrusive. And now that I’m a father…I realize it’s time to give my Dad some credit.

Sometimes being a dad is a tough gig. As far as nurturing goes, nothing can replace mom. She is the butter on the bread. However, I would like to think a dad plays an important role in many other ways that a mother cannot. Despite the fact that I’ve always said that I am a momma’s boy, I watch my Dad today and I listen to how he talks, how he thinks and who he is as a person and I realize just how much of him is who I am. The way he is taught me how to be respectful, how to handle the pressure of being a man, how to be aware of my surroundings and know when I need to step up my game. The way he is has taught me how to be a better person, not just a better father, and for that I can never thank him enough. My Dad has always been supportive (he came to every game), encouraging (as in THIS situation that I wrote about a few years ago) and protective. He is the greatest man a growing boy could have asked for as a father and I think it’s high time I paid him his due.

So here I go…

Dad, I would like to thank you for being there for me all of my life. 44 years in and never once have you let me down. I just want to say that I appreciate all that you have given me. From you I get my conscience, my confidence, my integrity and a vision of what it takes to be a great father. I have a good head on my shoulders and a sense of responsibility. I just want to thank you for that and when I see how far I’ve come down this path of life and how well all the other kids in our family are doing, all I can say is…you did a great job! Happy Father’s Day, Dad! Looking forward to seeing you next week!

-Your son

Ohio University Zanesville TCOM Department: Some Things Never Change.

About 100 years ago, I was a student at Ohio University Zanesville. The years were 1987 & ’88 and despite my age, I had a pretty good idea what I wanted to do with my life. And that was be the fry guy at McDonalds. My OTHER goal was to be a radio DJ. From there, I had no clue what I was doing. But I figured it out in those 2 years that I spent at OUZ. It’s hard to imagine 2 years of my short 44 that were more influential in my life. In those 2 years, I met some of my best friends, I learned a lot about myself, my abilities and what would become my future.

During those 2 years, I spent a lot of time hanging out at the college, whether in the lobby, classroom or in the production studios. Often times, I would find myself with a group of friends, hanging out in the radio production booth, listening to records and just enjoying the free time that I had. Obviously, as life goes on, “just hanging out” time seems to be in the distant past and so today I decided to go back to OUZ while I was in my hometown to see how much things had changed and you know what? They hadn’t changed all that much.

Oh…there was a computer room with editing stations that had taken the place of where the old WOUZ radio station used to be, but that was about it. The old production studios are still intact and the tv studio is still there. A lot of memories came rushing back as I chatted with one of the professors who was in doing some extra work for his classes. I’d like to thank Mr. Savage for giving me a tour (I’m sure he probably thought I was a nut job at first, as I was wandering around the deserted hallways on a Thursday afternoon) and listening to me reminisce about my college days. We both share a love of music (he teaches a class on rock n roll this summer which seems like a dream job to me) and he walked me from studio to studio, chuckling every time I had a story about each piece of equipment. It’s pretty cool that things aren’t much different from when I was there however I was also a little sad. With so many changes in technology, I would have thought certain things would have been different by now but that’s not for me to say, I suppose. For an hour or so I was transported back in time and it was certainly a trip down memory lane.

The old album stacks. Vinyl is COMING BACK!!!

The old recording booth where we would spend so much time

The television production studio cameras

The Control Room

A Grass Valley Switcher from 1985

An editing station…for reals.

Does this picture make me look fat?

With Friends Like These…

Back in 1987, a class of friends graduated from high school in Philo, OH. Among them was a gawky kid with glasses who liked to play basketball and drove a beat-up Volkswagen Bug. I wasn’t an Electric for very long. For my junior & senior year, I transferred in from a different school and was lucky to be able to join a class of some of the best people I have ever known. This past weekend, I was one of 38 of us that reunited in Zanesville to relive the “glory days” of our youth. And for one night, it felt like 1987 all over again. Needless to say, there were a lot of laughs, a lot of dancing and a lot of drinks being served! When it was all said and done, I was walking into my parents’ house at 6am with 2 of my best friends to get a couple hours of shut-eye before having to return to being an adult and parent. But for 11 hours or so…it was fun going back and feeling young again.

A wise man once said, “Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.” I think that is fitting of our class. To all of my friends of Philo High School…thank you for being such great friends! And here’s hoping I see more of you in 5 years at the 30th!

In memory of our classmates who have passed…

Danny had DANCIN’ FEVER!!!

Here’s a ditty…about Chuck and Diane…(you sing the rest!)

Yeah…THAT probably won’t end well…

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Back in the day…

July 4th Fun In Zanesville

This year, the kids and I once again made the trek up north to hang out with my family in the Big Z for some fun and relaxation for the celebration of the birth of our nation (HEY! That rhymes!). This year’s festivities included Uncle Frank’s cookout, swimming, hanging at Grandma & Grandpa’s house and, capping it all off….fireworks! Here are some pictures of what is quickly becoming one of my favorite holidays!

The pool was a little smaller this year…

Yeah…this ain’t working. Let’s go BIGGER!

MUCH better!

Popsicle Time!!!

BEFORE

AFTER

And while WE were enjoying our fireworks in Zanesville…back at home, poor Stella & Barkley were terrified of all the celebration. So Stephanie had her hands full with our scaredy pups…LOL

The Great Summer Storm of 2012

It’s summer so I realize that hot weather is something that is to be expected but this week has been nuts. On Thursday night (June 28), Christopher and the Bulldogs played in 100 degree heat. Then on Friday I traveled to Washington DC to work at the AT&T National where Tiger and the boys had to play in temps that FELT like 109 degrees. THEN…to add to the misery…a summer storm with hurricane-like winds blew threw the DC area and knocked out power at our hotel, tore up the golf course and caused all kinds of havoc. And in order for the storm to get to DC, it had to make a pitstop in Zanesville where it did a number on Mom & Dad’s house, knocking a tree into the back porch and making a mess of things. Needless to say, this past week has not been what I would call “normal” summer weather. 3 million people without power, hot as an oven and storms so strong they’re knocking over trees like Legos.

Here are a few photos from my parents’ house. The tree just barely missed ripping into the meat of the house. And a couple pics from Congressional Country Club that I DIDN’T take. Only certain people were allowed on the course yesterday and, quite frankly, it’s just too damn hot for me to go out there today to take pictures so…you gets what you gets…

July 4th Celebrations

The 4th of July is a holiday to spend celebrating our freedom with family & friends and so…my family & I did just that! Although I worked the weekend prior to the 4th (it was on a Monday this year), we managed to squeak some quality family time in with my parents and my brothers & sisters while also participating in our local parade. Here are some pictures from our holiday celebration…

First up…the parade!

Spartans are in the house!

Our fans waved!

The REAL reason for the season

Thank you to all the service men & women who have served our country!

And then family time in Zanesville…

Ava swam with a killer whale!

Aunt Amber wore her floppy hat

Aunt Kathy thought it was a little chilly

Cheeseballs for EVERYONE!!!

Uncle Frank is full of hot air

Uncle Chris & cousin Erik can’t wait for the fireworks!

Still blowing!

Sparklers are FUN!

I gotta sit down…

Mission accomplished!

Ava & the fireworks

Soooo…THAT summer happened…

Tomorrow (or today, depending on your time zone), my kids go back to school. Christopher will be going into 3rd grade, Ava in 1st. I’m not sure, but I think summer officially started maybe a week ago? And now they’re heading back to school??? Wow…time goes by when you’re having fun. Needless to say, summer has flown by and now…it’s on to the fall and then winter and then spring and then…uh…summer again?

Interesting cycle we’re in here.

Aaaanyway, this summer, beginning in May, I found myself in Louisville, Dallas, St. Louis, Washington, DC, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, Zanesville, Williamsburg, Houston, Milwaukee, Chicago, Canton, Phoenix, Los Angeles & San Francisco (again). Needless to say, it’s pretty much been non-stop traveling ever since the sun woke up and I’m a little worn out. 4 months of moving around, working and trying to cram in as much family time as I can is winding down as the kids go back to school and my schedule actually starts to slow down. Which kinda sucks considering that it should work the other way. I should take more time out for my kids when summer starts and then go back to work when they go back to school…but sometimes things don’t work out that way and I can’t control those things. So…I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Football season is right around the corner and baseball season will, for me, be wrapping up.

I imagine now that my schedule is slowing down a bit, I’ll get back into my writing. I have some projects I want to get working on, some housework that needs to get done and some makeup time with my wife & friends. I am hoping that some of the thoughts I have will pour out of my brain and onto my little blog here, but if they don’t all come rushing out right away, I’m okay with that. But I just wanted to let you guys know that I’m still alive & kickin’. It ain’t been easy and I’m still working as I type (I’m in Phoenix right now), but I can see daylight and I can’t wait to have a little free time to be creative again!

Peace!

Picture Of The Day_6.16.09

Christopher’s First Fish!

A Walk At The Landing

Zanesville, Ohio probably isn’t considered to be the hotbed of healthy living, considering it has an entire strip of restaurants and fast food joints. But if you look hard enough, you can always find a bike trail just about anywhere you go! And in Zanesville (home of the Y-Bridge!), there is a trail right next to the Muskingum River. My parents like to go biking there. I like to walk there. Well…I enjoyed walking there this morning, which was the first time I’d ever been to the Zane Landing Park. Here is a pictorial of my 3 mile walk this morning. It ain’t spinning…but with the humidity and the heat, I worked up a pretty good sweat!

The Lorena Sternwheeler

The Bicentennial Statue

Happy Trails…To Youoooooo….

Under A Bridge

Get Outta The Way Pedestrian!

Cool Tree

Railroad Tracks

The Love Couple Pass Me By

Top 10 Reasons I Love Goin’ Home

Last Year’s Summer Visit. Everybody’s Bigger Now!

This weekend I’m taking my kids to go visit their Grandma & Grandpa and their aunts and uncle and cousins in Zanesville, OH. Maybe you’ve heard of it…home of the Y-Bridge? Uh…well…that’s about it. Anyway, there are a few million reasons I like going home, but here is my Top 10 list!

10. I might run into someone I know at the Colony Square Mall.
I don’t know about you, but it’s one of the coolest things to run into someone from my past who I haven’t seen in years at the mall. Usually I don’t remember them, but I eventually come around.

9. I hang at my brother’s house.
Apparently he’s been doing some work in the backyard. He’s only been working on it for years. Let’s see what kind of concoction he’s come up with now. First he was digging a river or something, then it was a strawberry field. I assume he’s got a baseball diamond out there now. We’ll see!

8. Driving down Maple Avenue.
I used to cruise Maple when I was a teenager and it’s always fun to go and cruise in the summertime with the windows down and the music up. And it’s funny, but kids still do it to this day!

7. I get to see my nieces and nephews.
It seems like every time I go home they grow more and more. I wish I could see them more often!

Cousin A.J.

6. I get to sit on the couch, watch the Golf Channel and eat my mom’s cookies.
Don’t tell her though…I like to let her think she’s goin’ crazy! HA! Right Frank?

5. The small town feel.
Zanesville isn’t a small “small” town, but it’s just a slower pace than in Cincinnati. I don’t feel all the every-day pressures. It’s a nice little getaway for minimal dollars. KnowhatImean?

Grandpa Takes A Break From The Golf Channel

4. The kids love to visit.
Seriously, if I ever wanted to be cruel to my children, I could just tell them we’re going to Grandma’s house and then tell them we’re not. It would be the meanest thing in the world. They LOVE going and have been asking when we’re going every day since I told them we are going! It’s quite maddening, actually.

3. I go to the movies with my brother and sisters.
This trip, we’re gonna go see the new Indiana Jones flick. Can’t wait!

Uncle Frank’s Usual 2nd Shot (Minus The Cigarette)

2. Go golfing with my Dad and brother.
We don’t get out there every time I go home, but I do have a great time every time we do! My Dad plays the same course every day, so he always whips my butt. But I can get into my brother’s head a little bit. He’s a really good golfer, but he can’t seem to chip worth a lick and his putter kinda sucks. But he hits the ball really, really far. So…he’s got THAT going for him!

Grandpa Teaches Christopher How To Golf…The Right Way

1. My Mom’s cooking.
You knew this was coming. Not only is my Mom the greatest mother in the whole world, but she feeds me like I need to gain 30 pounds before I leave. And there ain’t nothing better than those pork chops and mashed potatoes and spinach. NOTHING! Love it!

The “Other” Woman In My Life

So…we leave after school on Friday! Can’t wait to see you guys! I know the kids are extra excited and I’m not gonna eat for 3 days previous so I’m all ready! LOL  

Reminiscing (Top Gun)

On the way home from work tonight, “Danger Zone” by Kenny Loggins popped up on shuffle on my IPod. It’s funny how music can make me remember things that I thought I had forgotten. In particular, this song, which I have kept on my IPod not because I want to listen to it, but because of the memories that it invokes.

I’m not gonna lie here…I’ve had a few drinks, and I’m in the mood to reminisce. If there are a few mispellings, I apologize. Every now and then I hear a song or see a movie or a picture that takes me back. Tonight was one of those nights.

According to IMDB, Top Gun came out my junior year of high school (1986). I remember it being a huge hit. I probably saw it 3 or 4 times at our local theater. In Zanesville, OH, there wasn’t much else to do on a Friday night but drive down the strip, crank up the music, go see a movie or hang at the mall. Me and my best friend would hit Taco Bell (which I also had tonight…just because…), cruise down Maple, listen to the Top Gun soundtrack and then see who else was out that night.

Tom Cruise was the star, but I used to think that the Iceman was so freaking cool. He was a total badass. I don’t remember much else about it. Goose died. They sang “You Lost That Loving Feeling” at a bar. A scene where they played volleyball. I don’t think I’ve thought of that movie in probably 20 years. I’ve never had the urge to see it again. I don’t even think I’ve ever seen it on TNT or any of those other networks that show 80′s movies over and over again. Either way, I know I haven’t watched it in its entirety since. But for some reason, tonight I’m wanting to see it again.

Doesn’t matter what stupid stunt Tom Cruise pulls. I personally don’t know what all the commotion was about when he jumped on Oprah’s couch. I don’t know anything about his religion, and I don’t know anything about him and his new wife or girlfriend, Katie Holmes. I don’t really care about Tom Cruise and his personal life. What I do care about is this song by Kenny Loggins and how cool it was to be cruising downtown with the windows down and the music cranked in my 1967 Volkswagon Bug on a Friday night in my hometown, hanging with my best friend and enjoying life. It’s something I think about from time to time and I just think it was a really fun time.

Anyway, it made me think about how lucky I’ve been in almost all aspects of my life. How I got this from “Danger Zone”, I have no idea. But those were magical times…much like the life I have now. Consider this my form of drunk dialing…but I’ve enjoyed getting to where I am today. It has been an amazing. And to all of my friends who I haven’t seen, especially Chuck, who was my best friend back in those days, I’ve had a good time, dude. Hope yours is going as well as you had dreamed!

And now…time for sleep. I’m sure I’ll be wondering about this in the morning! LOL