And so we begin…Parenting, Phase 3
Quick update: Alex’s senior class won, but did NOT achieve the sweep. The Juniors won the Golden Bulldog and the Freshman win the volleyball tournament. Crazy. But I’ll give you an idea of the insanity that was my son for Spirit Week. Penny Count – at one point this was about collecting pennies, but it’s now just … Continue reading Spirit Week Results
Here are some unremarkable photos, that are remarkable to me.
Very exciting news for any word nerds who follow NuckolBall. A word I created is on the short list to be included in the 2024 Merriam-Webster dictionary. I give you: ROADPHORIA. Here is the official definition as it stands today. road·pho·ria | rohd-fawr-ee-uh noun : a state of transcendental bliss associated with the American road Origin American: from … Continue reading Merriam-Webster 2024 Shortlist
I've worked as a writer in healthcare marketing for 25 years. I've written hundred of brochures, websites, and sales tools about dozens of different drugs. And when it comes to side effects, you really aren't allowed to say much. The FDA is very particular about overpromising tolerability. So most of the time you just say … Continue reading Generally Well Tolerated
Part 1: The Grand Tetons (this story has 35 photos) This past August, like most years, we hit the road for an epic family trip. We hiked Arches National Park in Utah, drove the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, stayed in a bizarro AirBnb in Iowa, saw friends and family – just amazing. A major … Continue reading The Adventures of Alex (a story in 2 parts)
(See video at the end) It was a Saturday afternoon. I was in the living room teaching myself Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen on the guitar. Alex came down. “Dad. I have this lump.” Then he turned and showed me the back of his right thigh. “Woah." A fist-sized blob of flesh was pushing out against … Continue reading The Not Cancer Post
He told Jack first. We were all on a hike, they were up ahead of Shani and me, and he told Jack he was gay. Jack didn’t seem to think it was a big deal. Then he told Shani. She was in the living room. He came up, sat on the ottoman, told her, and … Continue reading The Coming Out Post
Maybe a year ago, Alex was looking at family photo albums and said: "Jack used to smile so much more when he was little." Then this past weekend, I heard Alex's best friend, Aidan, refer to Jack as: "The man who never smiles." Here's a pretty typical shot of Jack from a bike trip with … Continue reading My son doesn’t smile
If you’re looking for a two-day, one night backpacking trip – this is the perfect option. But be warned…day one is 6.5 miles and climbs 1945 feet of total elevation. Overall Run/Beecher Ridge If you’re looking for a companion, this is the perfect candidate. He is an experienced packer, in great physical shape, makes … Continue reading Packing Perfection
Alex and I were hanging out the other weekend and I mentioned it was almost April. “Blah,” he said. “It’s almost time for me not to like you.” “What?” I asked. “Baseball season. All you and Jack want to do is sit and watch boring baseball. All you talk about. This guy did blah blah … Continue reading The End of the Season
FLASHBACK: 1 YEAR AGO. THE 2016 GEOGRAPHY BEE. Alex was one of 12 kids in the Geo Bee last year. I thought he had a chance to win in. The boy is good at geography, regularly reads an Atlas for fun, traces maps and puts them up on his walls. And he studied some by taking geography … Continue reading 2017 Geo Bee
Alex’s goal for the AAU Diving Championships in Orlando: “Not come in last.” It turned out to be a wild and emotional experience. Alex and Shani had flown down to Orlando on Sunday. I flew in Monday night and after a bunch of flight delays, I slithered into the hotel room around 1 in the … Continue reading Diving on the Big Stage
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