got his Father's Day present early.

I've written about my son before, but the daughters sometimes get shortshift and I apologize to them about that. Don't want to be accused of playing favorites. Anyhoo, since my separation and now divorce, every Friday involves all of em coming to my apartment at least for a night. This one was no different. We went swimming and did dinner and whatnot and generally hung out. It was pretty great.

Saturday, I told my sister's SO that I would come over and help him move some furniture for a yard sale he was having. Came back to the apartment and slowly me and the kids got the day going for real. We went over to the sale so the kids could see their aunt and pick out some stuff. After lunch we headed back to the pool. My son met a friend of his there and the invite was extended to go see Fantastic Four at the friends house. Who am I to say no to more "clobbering time."

It was me and the girls. It's been an educational dynamic for me. Sometimes they've been punching the clock, "When are we going home?" That sort of thing. Yesterday, it was what's for dinner and unspoken hanging out, with a little bit of laughing mixed in. Pretty great . I must be doing something right.

My dignity was taking a beating today. It was Father Son Day at my son's Tae Kwan Do studio. When your eight year old extends a personal invite, you can't say no. I acquitted myself fairly well. I got through it all and am reasonably sure I wasn't turning purple during the stretching exercises, it just felt like it.

I know the instructors were babying us, which is fine as they know who does the paying. Afterwards, we got some dinner and repaired to the pool, ipod boom box in tow. Said IPOD now contains the mix provided to us all by (e:Jenks)(thanks again!). There is a shallow circle where I was soaking and watching my son swim off the last of his energy for the day. I set the Jenks mix as the soundtrack, which got an approving nod from the lifeguard.

A trio of kids came down to swim and were shooting the shit. As they got in, they took note and one little twerp actually said "Hey, the old guy's got good tunes." I felt my own grey hair stab me like a dagger, turning me into one of the villians from Scooby Doo ("I'd play it louder if it wasn't for you meddlin kid!").

As my son and I were getting ready to leave, I couldn't resist. I got the question of "Hey Mister, who schooled ya on the tunes?" Without missing a beat, I replied "it was something a doctor prescribed for me."

Thanks Jenks, I got cred....for the moment

I wasn't ready to settle in earlier. I had a bite to eat and hopped in my rust bucket over to the water. I went over to Bird Island Pier and took an post dinner stroll. There's a little incline that slopes toward the water. A few neighborhood kids were falling into the water and there was one kid who took his BMX bike off the side, caught a little air and went right into the water. Now, the practical Dad side of me wants to say the obvious: "Are you out of your natural mind?" You could drown or lose your bike. It also looked kinda fun. A passing tour boat dropped a wave unexpectedly in my lap. I took that refreshing surprise as my cue to head out.

Journeyed over to the marina and caught a great view of the sunset and headed home, spiritually renewed, ready for what tomorrow may bring.

On a recent foray to Becker Farms, I found that there is actually a draw bridge up near Gasport. Here's how to take the picture from your driver seat


And this is what happens when your hand slips

The farm rooster was not amused by last year's father's day gift

Tastes like chicken

A few leftovers tidbits....

My daughter came up to me last night and decided that she and her sister have come to the conclusion that I've been alone too long and they think I need to get a girlfriend (rest easy (e:women), I'm too bloody old). They're pretty smart and left me with a warm fuzzy (okay I started snifflin' on the walk home). They worry about me on that score (sniff, who knew). Even more comically/touching, they had a few candidates in mind. Just when you are wondering who's radar your showing up on, surprises abound.

My car is fucking with me. It started making a noise that suggests brake pad fell off, with the grinding and the whatnot, but now it's not doing it. So, I'm not sure if it is the clutch, the brake or all in my head.

I gave a ride to one of the women I work with and because of it, wound up being half an hour late. Privately, I'm thinking where the fuck is the husband, the kid with car, but I try to be a person (don't always succeed, but I'm in there trying) so there I was at 7:45 waiting on her. I'm supposed to work at 8 which is when she showed. After she got taken care of, we came in at almost 8:30 which is when the monday staff meeting is supposed to occur.

Threw me off for the whole day. Everybody has to deliver a report on where you are/going for the week and I usually scribble a few notes so my ad-libs are good and scripted, but I winged it because of the lack of time. Felt like I was making it up, ya know.

I think not leaving the office at lunchtime left me in a state. Same carless woman wanted to know if I could cruise her back and not wanting to risk wrath from our boss for cruising in late and leaving early, I hesitated on the answer. My phone rang and she called her kid. I feel like a bit of a heel, but my other colleague said not to sweat it.

Hoping the voices in my head get laryngitis...