Book Club and Cable TV

The kids are doing cool stuff with their book club, and it goes beyond just books. They created a video trailer for one of the books they’re reading, complete with scripting, filming, acting and editing. Then AM arranged for them to go to the local cable TV station and work out the final edits for their trailer, and I think they’ll then broadcast it on public access TV. How cool is that? N got to sit in and watch the whole process, though at some point I think he got bored.

Best of all, the experience opened up all sorts of imaginative ideas for programs they’d like to create and produce. They were so excited. The guy running the program knows that the kids are homeschooled, so it was interesting when he talked about TV shows and commented that he figured they probably didn’t watch a lot of TV. He knows us so well.

When they got home, A&N brainstormed about ideas for TV shows, and they even started to outline their ideas. Not sure how long this fire will burn, but for now, it’s a lot of fun. Thanks to AM for all her hard work.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Sílvio Gabriel Spannenberg for the pic.

Going to Karate

Last week I had to confront something I wrestle with every week, and that’s going to karate. They used to hold class twice a week, which is hard to imagine, because I have trouble just going once a week. It makes it more difficult because we have so much going on every day and evening that one more thing is just adding to the problem.

However, that said, every time I go, I have a great time and am happy we attended. This is especially true for A, who is coming along nicely. Case in point, last week the weather was rather poor, and I got the dreaded phone call from sensei H that he wasn’t going to make it. For the record, he hasn’t come in weeks, and I could tell he was just looking for a reason not to show.

All I needed to hear was that Master H wasn’t coming, and I was gone, but I called him and he said he was going to attend. I had the key, so I had to go, but again, the weather was calling for freezing rain, which makes driving a bit precarious. In the end, I took A over and we opened up the doors. The class was small, only 4 of us, but as always, it was fun, and we got a lot out of it. Plus, we went, and like Woody Allen said, 87% of life is just showing up.

Live and learn. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Patrick Nijhuis for the pic.

Ultimate Hockey Weekend

How’s this for a hockey weekend? A&N both had games/practices on both Saturday and Sunday, and we went to two hockey games at Dartmouth. We clearly drank the hockey “Kool Aid,” and my only question is, can I have more? Since A has joined the House team, we have even more games and practices to attend. She’s having fun, and I’m glad she’s doing a team sport, because I think her personality fits a group activity. Plus, like her brother, she’s a good learner, so she is picking up on the game, getting some exercise, and polishing her skating. All good things.

The weeked started on Friday when we went to homeschool hockey. I’ll tell you one thing, they don’t mess around. They are all good players, and I felt pretty inadequate out there. It’s pretty intense, and I can see why A&N had reservations about playing again. Those big teenagers and adults work pretty hard out there, and being a little kid would be a challenge. I missed last week because I had to take friends back to school, but this time around, I came ready to play. They split the group up so kids played kids and adults played adults, and I skated by buns off. It was quite the workout. I even collided with another guy who easily outweighed me by 30 pounds, and it was like hitting a wall. Fortunately, I wasn’t hurt, but it sure was a wakeup call.

I’m also on the fast-track to learning how to play this game. No messing around for me. Just get in their and learn the hard way, but what else is new? I’ve found this the best way to not only learning how to play, but to getting in better shape. It so reminds me of ultimate frisbee, and it’s definitely more effective to have fun while exercising. It takes your mind off how miserable you are. When we were playing hockey, I was struggling constantly to catch my breath, but you are out there trying to stay in the game and skating hard. You can’t just quit and take a break, you have to give it your all. It’s loads of fun, and I lose liters of fluid. I love it.

I thought both A and N did a great job out there, and the dads were complimenting N on his skating and hockey abilities. I think he is still adjusting to the full ice arrangement, but it’s good for him to get a taste of it. If anything, it probably makes the half-ice game a little easier. Plus, the kids are mostly really nice, and they are all very supportive of both A&N. After the game, we headed over to the library and then to meet mom for Boloco burritos. We had a nice supper and then off to the women’s hockey game against Colgate.

It’s a shame that people don’t go to the women’s hockey games, because they are so good. They are really enjoyable to watch, just less physical, but man do they have talent. In a way, it’s more interesting to watch because they really have to rely on their skill, no brute force involved. Maybe it’s a good thing, because we can get any seat we want, and they have all sorts of contests and the lack of an audience only increases our odds of winning. With that in mind, we came close several times before finally winning a plane ticket from Lebanon airport to NYC. How cool is that?

They announced at the game that there would be a kid’s press conference the next night at the Cornell game, who happen to be in first place. The kids wanted to go, but we had two hockey games the next day, so there was no way we were going to make it. However, we woke up to snow, and that meant a hard drive to Burlington for N’s game. A had an early practice in the morning, so I took her while N slept in, and at that practice I got word that the Burlington game was cancelled. So, our plans shifted, and now we could go to the Dartmouth game, which was a great one. It was here where we won the plane ticket, and afterward, the kids got to ask the players questions, which was kind of cute. They even got free pizza. I tried to steal a slice, but they had limited quantities.

On Sunday, we had two more kid’s games to go to. N had a morning game in Hartford, and man was it cold. It was -10 outside, which meant -10 inside the arena. The rink is basically a shack with no insulation, and everyone was miserable. The player’s water bottles froze, I kid you not. For the record, N did a great job, he’s coming into his own as a player. After his game, we came home, had some lunch, and then went to A’s game in the afternoon. It was fun watching her play, and she, too, did a great job. She’s a good skater and even though she lacks experience, she’s a good learner and can figure out what needs to be done.

After the game, we finally got to unwind that evening after a long hockey weekend. I have to admit, I rather like all this hockey, and if anything, I wish I was out there playing myself.

Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to sean ratke for the pic.

Lighting a Fire

In trying to be philosophical about this whole newspaper story ordeal, I think there are many positives about how things transpired. First off, I learned a lot about who to talk to and who not to talk to, which is important when you consider that we are dealing in ideas. Secondly, as opposed to how I usually respond to such circumstances, I feel inspired to work even harder at making this work, because I feel somewhat slighted, even if this feeling is unfounded. And finally, I think we were limiting ourselves to a narrow vision that could be expanded in terms of our target venues.

With all this in mind, I feel optimistic in light of the temporary setback to our story idea. If anything, I think the story is still alive, and can be expanded and made even better. Along these lines, we might try to pitch it to a bigger and better publication, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. One step at at time, as the saying goes. I do realize one thing, however, and that is that this stage in our lives will best be approached as a team effort, meaning that R and I will have to work together if this is going to take off. This should be good.

Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to Miguel Saavedra for the pic.

Life Lessons from Coaching

I’ve done my third night of coaching and I’m definitely more comfortable with it. I don’t know what’s changed, either I’ve gotten better at hockey or I’ve just overcome my huge hang-ups over time, but whatever be the case, I feel like a contributing member of the team. I’m even barking out orders, with the coach’s assistance, of course. Amazingly enough, the kids listen, or at least feign it, but I’ll take it.

But first, some thoughts on having hang-ups. I had serious reservations about getting out there on the ice. I’m not a hockey player, I just play one on TV. Who did I think I was going out there and trying to teach kids about hockey? Sure, I’m a dad, and that gives me some credibility, deserved or not. My experiences with t-ball were similar in that I felt somewhat self-conscious about coaching the sport, even though I played that my entire life. There is something about being in charge of a large group of kids that terrifies me.

With that in mind, what better way to confront your fears, especially such irrational ones, than to just jump in with both feet? The first time I coached hockey, I felt really stupid because I was literally standing around picking my nose, and I decided I was done. The next practice, the head coach asked me where my skates were, and I felt bad, so I decided to stop being such a wimp and just help, especially since they could use the help. My second go-around wasn’t so bad because often the practices run themselves.

This last time, I actually had a job and had to tell kids what to do. Not my cup of tea, but I figured I could make a difference not only the player’s lives, but my own, as well. It wasn’t easy, but when you just do it, things start to flow. Sure, I needed help explaining the drills, but eventually the kids just figure it out, and it’s not pro hockey, my role doesn’t have to be flawless, though I try my best to get it right.

The point being, why am I so anxious and self-conscious? It really prevents me from doing so many things, and then I have to live with all this regret. My daughter commented that I seem to have so much anxiety about things, which is not a good example to set. However, since I have the anxiety, I can send an empowering message to the kids by dealing with and overcoming it. How’s that for a positive spin on things?

On a side note, I was speaking with one of the dads who is a hockey player about coaching, and he voiced some of the same concerns that I have. Maybe hearing it helps to clarify it in myself and that’s the first step to dealing with it. Just do it, as a wise man once said... or was it a company?

Boy, parenthood sure isn’t easy when you’re so neurotic like myself. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to Dave Di Biase for the pic.

Return of Pizza Night

We received a beautiful new pizza stone for Christmas (thanks JR and RR) to replace the one that broke, and is it ever nice. This one is super special because not only does it have a nice glazed finish, but you can use it on the range, as well. Say no more, I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a hot plate to put over the stove. Either way, we’re stoked to have a pizza a stone, and we made our first pizzas on it the other day. They turned out beautifully, we love homemade pizza, and the new stone is really easy to clean.

Looks like we’re going to have more pizza nights. Until then, thanks for reading, and thanks to ilker for the pic.

The Making of a Hockey Player

Since we’ve become the hardcore hockey parents (there is no other kind), I figure I might as well get into the act, as well. I have been dabbling in adult hockey, but was never really in a position to jump in completely. That is, of course, until now. As you may know, I tend to scour the thrift stores for any piece of random equipment that may come in handy, and last week I finally scored a pair of hockey pants that fit me. Hallelujah!

I went over to Stateline and got some socks, and now I think I have everything I need to at least look like a hockey player, and that’s what it’s all about, right? I was told by one of my classmates that they have adult open stick early in the AM, and I might give it a go. Also, this past week we did homeschool hockey, and the set aside a time for the adults to play, and let me tell you, they don’t mess around. These guys are good, and the skating was tough. I was so sore afterward, I could barely walk, but was it ever fun. The games are casual, but the players don’t mess around, and I had my work cut our for me. However, I’m figuring out what I need to do, and I’m a decent learner when I put my mind to it.

This only gets better with time. That’s all we need in our lives, more hockey. Until the next time, thanks for reading, and thanks to R Young for the pic.