Well folks I've decided that having three blogs is just too much and I'm going to officially stop posting here.
Please feel free to stop by my other sites:
http://singledadseeking.blogspot.com/
http://www.singledadseeking.com/
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=109&SubSectionID=389&l=1
http://vinniesorce.com/
I hope you all have a very happy and healthy new year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
How Much do we Really Take for Granted?
I try very hard on a daily basis to remember how many people in the world have less than I do and then try to appreciate what I have that much more. It doesn’t always work. Several times a day I find myself complaining over minute things that truly do not matter.
I’ve been on crutches since October 5th. Last week I started using just one and today I’ve been practicing with none. I can’t do it without the brace on but it’s amazing the feeling of being able to walk again or in my case just hobbling but it’s something. I never realized before how much I took for granted that I could walk and get wherever I wanted to under my own power.
Makes you think about everything we take for granted. Things we consider normal, food in a working fridge, clean clothes, health, cars and clean water are just a very few of the things we’ve come to expect and even demand.
People are another thing we easily take for granted. Our families, doctors, nurses, police, and especially our soldiers, etc. We expect them to be there any time we need them and we’re not very nice about it sometimes.
I don’t remember the movie it comes from but there’s a simple quote that has always stuck with me, “It’s easy to forget what’s important, so don’t.” Simple words to live by…
I’ve been on crutches since October 5th. Last week I started using just one and today I’ve been practicing with none. I can’t do it without the brace on but it’s amazing the feeling of being able to walk again or in my case just hobbling but it’s something. I never realized before how much I took for granted that I could walk and get wherever I wanted to under my own power.
Makes you think about everything we take for granted. Things we consider normal, food in a working fridge, clean clothes, health, cars and clean water are just a very few of the things we’ve come to expect and even demand.
People are another thing we easily take for granted. Our families, doctors, nurses, police, and especially our soldiers, etc. We expect them to be there any time we need them and we’re not very nice about it sometimes.
I don’t remember the movie it comes from but there’s a simple quote that has always stuck with me, “It’s easy to forget what’s important, so don’t.” Simple words to live by…
Monday, August 25, 2008
Empty nest syndrome, sort of…
Well I got about 170 pounds lighter this past Saturday. My oldest son Mike is now at college. He’s been gone much of his senior year anyway with friends and working but this is different. Many of the things in his room are gone and I usually saw him at least once a day most of the time. There’s a big hole in the house.
We drove to Flagstaff Saturday morning in two cars where he’ll be attending Northern Arizona University (NAU). Three trips up the elevator and we were done. His friend Reily had come with us and helped him unpack and get set up. Reily is a good kid I’m glad he and Mike are friends.
He’s rooming with his friend Jimmy from home so that’s one less thing to stress about. We went to lunch and Walmart for some last minute things and then took our leave. I talked to him later that night and on Sunday. The freshman blues were pretty evident. I’m sure he’ll be fine but it’s hard as a parent to not feel like I want to fix it. Harder still was not being able to share it all with his mother.
Becca and Joey already miss him. Becca called him the last two nights before bed. She’s going to have a hard time when Joey goes to college in three years. Right now I can’t believe I have a college aged son let alone two of them in three years.
He’ll make new friends, he’ll find new goals, new points of view. He’ll learn what a real long distance relationship is all about (his girlfriend is going to school in CA). He’ll grow from boy to man and take his life into his own hands. Scary and exciting, for both of us.
We drove to Flagstaff Saturday morning in two cars where he’ll be attending Northern Arizona University (NAU). Three trips up the elevator and we were done. His friend Reily had come with us and helped him unpack and get set up. Reily is a good kid I’m glad he and Mike are friends.
He’s rooming with his friend Jimmy from home so that’s one less thing to stress about. We went to lunch and Walmart for some last minute things and then took our leave. I talked to him later that night and on Sunday. The freshman blues were pretty evident. I’m sure he’ll be fine but it’s hard as a parent to not feel like I want to fix it. Harder still was not being able to share it all with his mother.
Becca and Joey already miss him. Becca called him the last two nights before bed. She’s going to have a hard time when Joey goes to college in three years. Right now I can’t believe I have a college aged son let alone two of them in three years.
He’ll make new friends, he’ll find new goals, new points of view. He’ll learn what a real long distance relationship is all about (his girlfriend is going to school in CA). He’ll grow from boy to man and take his life into his own hands. Scary and exciting, for both of us.
Monday, August 18, 2008
What Does Her Butt Say?
For years I have wondered why women bitch at men ogling their bodies when they wear practically nothing. One of my biggest pet peeves is the shorts with sayings on the butt.
I bring this up because the habit starts so young. Even before she was out of diapers I swore Becca would never wear anything like that. Becca spent the summer in NJ with her grandparents and saw numerous relatives. She got so many new clothes that a box of them had to be shipped back.
I have been through the box several times since it came not yet having a chance to put it all away but pulling things from it on an as-needed basis. This morning I needed a pair of shorts and lone and behold what do I find? I’m sure they came from my sister or one of my sisters-in-law and I truly do appreciate the thought (they won’t believe me…) but what the hell are people thinking when they buy these?
Occasionally I get to the see the Bill Engvall show. In one episode his daughter is complaining she wants a belly button ring. She asks, “what’s the difference between earrings and a bellybutton ring?” and Bill’s response is, “when you wear earrings boys look up here,” and he points to his head.
Women complain that men look too much and then they put things for us to read on the asses of seven-year-old girls? This is only the beginning. I immediately took the shorts and put them in my donation bin. Becca saw them in the pile just before school this morning and had a hissy fit so bad that she’s grounded for a week and I didn’t even walk her to the playground at school like I do every morning.
Boys will be enough of an issue as time rolls along I don’t need irresponsible clothes manufactures or advertisers making it any harder.
Sears is running an ad campaign telling kids, “Don’t just go back, arrive.” Why can’t they just be themselves?
I’m sure the relatives will be pissed about it when they read this and have something to say about my having no style. Screw the style, I’m an individual and my daughter will be as well.
I bring this up because the habit starts so young. Even before she was out of diapers I swore Becca would never wear anything like that. Becca spent the summer in NJ with her grandparents and saw numerous relatives. She got so many new clothes that a box of them had to be shipped back.
I have been through the box several times since it came not yet having a chance to put it all away but pulling things from it on an as-needed basis. This morning I needed a pair of shorts and lone and behold what do I find? I’m sure they came from my sister or one of my sisters-in-law and I truly do appreciate the thought (they won’t believe me…) but what the hell are people thinking when they buy these?
Occasionally I get to the see the Bill Engvall show. In one episode his daughter is complaining she wants a belly button ring. She asks, “what’s the difference between earrings and a bellybutton ring?” and Bill’s response is, “when you wear earrings boys look up here,” and he points to his head.
Women complain that men look too much and then they put things for us to read on the asses of seven-year-old girls? This is only the beginning. I immediately took the shorts and put them in my donation bin. Becca saw them in the pile just before school this morning and had a hissy fit so bad that she’s grounded for a week and I didn’t even walk her to the playground at school like I do every morning.
Boys will be enough of an issue as time rolls along I don’t need irresponsible clothes manufactures or advertisers making it any harder.
Sears is running an ad campaign telling kids, “Don’t just go back, arrive.” Why can’t they just be themselves?
I’m sure the relatives will be pissed about it when they read this and have something to say about my having no style. Screw the style, I’m an individual and my daughter will be as well.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
A Year In The Life
31,556,926 seconds, 365 days, twelve months, thirteen lunar cycles, four seasons, 1/7 of my daughter’s life. They all equal one year. A year without the life of Stacy Anne Stubbs on this earth.
When this happened the first time with Lisa (I’m still dumfounded that I can say that…) I was already involved with Stacy when the first anniversary rolled around. I had her and all my family and friends around for comfort. Now here I am all alone and the overwhelming feeling to fall apart continually tugs at my brain.
Last week I went out to lunch just to get out of the office for a bit and as always I faithfully had a book with me, a Nicholas Sparks book, bad idea… The second to last chapter slapped me across the face when the newlywed bride died during child birth and just threw me off the edge into nothingness.
Desperately trying to keep myself together I paid my check and got to the car before completely losing it. I had no idea what to do, I couldn’t stop shaking. Finally I drove to the nearby cemetery barely able to see through the tears.
An hour and half later I had finally calmed down some. I still couldn’t think straight. I went back to work, shut down my computer and was lucky enough to catch a friend for a little bit before I went home.
Today actually isn’t the hard part. It’s the anticipation of the day. To realize how much has happened in the last year since the accident. Life marched on without her just as it did with Lisa. Just as it always has and always will.
Becca and Joey have moved up a grade, Mike graduated high school as valedictorian and is off to college in less than two weeks. We’ve all had a birthday. The Olympics will go on, A new president will be elected, and the sun will rise and set all without her.
Intellectually I understand all this. Mentally my brain is Swiss cheese. As ironic as it may be death is a part of life. To comprehend what that means is a different story entirely.
I don’t know what kind of afterlife I believe in if I believe in one at all but I can just imagine that by now Stacy has met Lisa and they’re off telling stories about me and having a good laugh.
People who haven’t had this experience wonder when you’ll get over it. It’s not something you ever get over; it’s something you learn to live with.
Too many things go unsaid and I intend to correct that right now en masse.
To all my friends and family:
You all know I can be a pain in the butt SOB but regardless of what may show on the outside on the inside I love each and every one of you more than I can truly express and each of you have touched my life in ways I’ll always remember and appreciate. Each of you mean the world to me in your own special ways.
Now, every single person reading this should do the same because you never know when it may be the last time to tell them you love them…
When this happened the first time with Lisa (I’m still dumfounded that I can say that…) I was already involved with Stacy when the first anniversary rolled around. I had her and all my family and friends around for comfort. Now here I am all alone and the overwhelming feeling to fall apart continually tugs at my brain.
Last week I went out to lunch just to get out of the office for a bit and as always I faithfully had a book with me, a Nicholas Sparks book, bad idea… The second to last chapter slapped me across the face when the newlywed bride died during child birth and just threw me off the edge into nothingness.
Desperately trying to keep myself together I paid my check and got to the car before completely losing it. I had no idea what to do, I couldn’t stop shaking. Finally I drove to the nearby cemetery barely able to see through the tears.
An hour and half later I had finally calmed down some. I still couldn’t think straight. I went back to work, shut down my computer and was lucky enough to catch a friend for a little bit before I went home.
Today actually isn’t the hard part. It’s the anticipation of the day. To realize how much has happened in the last year since the accident. Life marched on without her just as it did with Lisa. Just as it always has and always will.
Becca and Joey have moved up a grade, Mike graduated high school as valedictorian and is off to college in less than two weeks. We’ve all had a birthday. The Olympics will go on, A new president will be elected, and the sun will rise and set all without her.
Intellectually I understand all this. Mentally my brain is Swiss cheese. As ironic as it may be death is a part of life. To comprehend what that means is a different story entirely.
I don’t know what kind of afterlife I believe in if I believe in one at all but I can just imagine that by now Stacy has met Lisa and they’re off telling stories about me and having a good laugh.
People who haven’t had this experience wonder when you’ll get over it. It’s not something you ever get over; it’s something you learn to live with.
Too many things go unsaid and I intend to correct that right now en masse.
To all my friends and family:
You all know I can be a pain in the butt SOB but regardless of what may show on the outside on the inside I love each and every one of you more than I can truly express and each of you have touched my life in ways I’ll always remember and appreciate. Each of you mean the world to me in your own special ways.
Now, every single person reading this should do the same because you never know when it may be the last time to tell them you love them…
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Too long…
I have not posted here in a while. I started a new project which has been taking some time. No real results yet but I guess it is a more long term project than just writing a short story.
I got my business website up and running if you want to see other things I’ve been writing, http://www.vinniesorce.com/. Just click on portfolio.
The new project I started is described here, http://singledadseeking.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-about-soccer-dads.html. If you know anybody please send them my way. You can see the full site here, http://www.singledadseeking.com.
Writing hasn’t been coming lately. Other computer-related freelance jobs have been taking up my time and then I just don’t feel like writing. I need to figure out how to focus better. While I sit at the keyboard I’m often thinking about what to make for dinner the next day or who needs new shoes or did I did pay the phone bill.
Too much real life going on and then I decide to try my hand at a BIG project. Go figure…
We’re in Disneyland next week so I hope the trip and the kids will inspire me! Still deciding if I should take the laptop or not. Was away last week with Mike in Detroit and didn’t take it and that turned out to be a big mistake. Since we’re driving to CA and not flying taking it will be easier. I’ll probably have less time this time though but what the heck. I’d rather have it if waves of inspiration wash over me.
Hasn’t been many waves lately, no wading, no sand, not even somebody spitting on me.
I’ll publicly (well to the two or three people who may actually read this anyway) make a new years resolution to write for at least 30 minutes each day starting today.
And away we go…
I got my business website up and running if you want to see other things I’ve been writing, http://www.vinniesorce.com/. Just click on portfolio.
The new project I started is described here, http://singledadseeking.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-about-soccer-dads.html. If you know anybody please send them my way. You can see the full site here, http://www.singledadseeking.com.
Writing hasn’t been coming lately. Other computer-related freelance jobs have been taking up my time and then I just don’t feel like writing. I need to figure out how to focus better. While I sit at the keyboard I’m often thinking about what to make for dinner the next day or who needs new shoes or did I did pay the phone bill.
Too much real life going on and then I decide to try my hand at a BIG project. Go figure…
We’re in Disneyland next week so I hope the trip and the kids will inspire me! Still deciding if I should take the laptop or not. Was away last week with Mike in Detroit and didn’t take it and that turned out to be a big mistake. Since we’re driving to CA and not flying taking it will be easier. I’ll probably have less time this time though but what the heck. I’d rather have it if waves of inspiration wash over me.
Hasn’t been many waves lately, no wading, no sand, not even somebody spitting on me.
I’ll publicly (well to the two or three people who may actually read this anyway) make a new years resolution to write for at least 30 minutes each day starting today.
And away we go…
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Are Dreams Worth the Cost?
Watching the Olympic trials this past week I have discovered a fascinating woman in Dara Torres. To be going to the Olympics at the age of 41 and competing with women—girls— over half her age is a testament to what humans can really do.
She’s at the very top of the ladder and Beijing being her fifth Olympic games since the tender age of 14 is what dreams are all about. This mother of a two-year-old girl has gone where no other swimmer and most other Olympians have never been.
She’s twice divorced so it would appear the dream came at a price.
Not knowing all the details it’s impossible to make an educated statement about the relationships but one could easily suspect that Dara’s schedule, status and notoriety may have had something to do with it.
Most people’s dreams aren’t quite that lofty. Being able to support your loved one’s dreams while not forgetting your own is the trick. Putting aside your own dreams in total support of your other half can be the greatest gift of love and commitment there is but at the same it time can create a deep chasm of bitterness and anger.
I say choose your dreams wisely and then go for it with every ounce of energy you have even if you're down to your last ounce.
She’s at the very top of the ladder and Beijing being her fifth Olympic games since the tender age of 14 is what dreams are all about. This mother of a two-year-old girl has gone where no other swimmer and most other Olympians have never been.
She’s twice divorced so it would appear the dream came at a price.
Not knowing all the details it’s impossible to make an educated statement about the relationships but one could easily suspect that Dara’s schedule, status and notoriety may have had something to do with it.
Most people’s dreams aren’t quite that lofty. Being able to support your loved one’s dreams while not forgetting your own is the trick. Putting aside your own dreams in total support of your other half can be the greatest gift of love and commitment there is but at the same it time can create a deep chasm of bitterness and anger.
I say choose your dreams wisely and then go for it with every ounce of energy you have even if you're down to your last ounce.
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