Post Party Depression

In the waining hours of my eve, I find my mind drifting into reflection.  Or perhaps these are the “waxing” hours.  Either be the case, I can’t help but feel a strange melange of sadness, confusion and elation.  A chapter feels as though it is coming to an end and with it a bit more of my former identity.  On this day we hosted a “thanksgiving” dinner for those that really defy proper description.  My hosting got the better of me and a sentiment that I wanted to convey got lost.  As the sands slipped through our hour...

My Thanksgiving Apology

I must begin this post with a hearty apology to all.  My intent from my last entry was a multi-part post that unfortunately never made it to print in favor of a very ill 9 year old in our home.  It seems the lad picked up a stomach virus that has kept him homebound for most of the week.  Playing nursemaid has not allowed time for much else.  Those that have children will understand my absence.  He is home again this morning but seems to be on the mend.  It is Thanksgiving day, and though we are not festive today, the...

Red Tape, Holiday Cheer and learning to live with Second Place a three part series.

Part 1 As often happens in my life, way leads on to way and the screw or two I have loose upstairs keeps me moving from one topic to the next.  And so, after my last post, I found myself lost in reminiscence.   From this sleepy daydream I extracted a bit of the old and will endeavor to rehash it as something new for all you crazy kids out there.  I was reminded of a pair of presentations I gave while at the University and given recent events in my life I think they are due for a re-release.  In addition, I am going to...

Easy as ABC and 123

As you can well imagine, scholastic pursuits are never too far from our dinner conversation.  With two children valiantly attempting to conquer a second language, we continually pour over dictionaries and school books in an effort to help them deal with the dismal truth that they are stuck with immigrant parents.  Until a certain age, all children believe that mom and dad know “everything” and trying not to burst their bubble with our ignorance is a full time job.  Our eldest’s intellect is frightening, and trying to keep up with...

I’m a monger, he’s a monger, she’s a monger . . . wouldn’t you like to be a monger too?

Happy Armistice Day!  Don’t know what that is?  I can’t say as I am surprised.  For most of us, our high school history lessons fell short of the mark in more ways than one and that of course is presuming that you were paying attention to begin with.  Let me enlighten you if your memory is a bit fuzzy.  On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice (cessation of hostilities), was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War.  So why don’t American’s care?  Why...

A Promise to My Wife

A PROMISE TO MY WIFE But for you my bonnie lass I would have quit, and this would have passed In the greyest of light before the dawn A line in the sand has near been drawn From a pile of ash must the Phoenix yet rise Else be cast aside without sweet reprise  If not for you, the quiet would reign Life’s canvas left empty of color’s pale stain And so continue I will, without much lament Hours of toil not yet eagerly spent For in my life, the voice of one critic matters It is for you my wife, that my silence thus...

Unbridled Enthusiasms: Secrets of a Contented Man

“A man becomes preeminent, he's expected to have enthusiasms. Enthusiasms, enthusiasms... What are mine? What draws my admiration? What is that which gives me joy?”. Without bludgeoning a henchman to death with a wooden baseball bat, let me tell you what I fancy. These days my eldest seems obsessed with “favorites”, constantly inquiring on a variety of topics as to what I believe to be my favorite things. The question always leaves me scratching my head. I have come to the realization over the past several months that this obsession with one’s...

“I’m in trouble”: A case study in “HE said, SHE said”

Once again, I gladly take a back seat and let someone else do the driving. This time, the guest writer will receive credit for their contribution. We have joked about it from time to time, but now it is the wife’s turn to be heard, and here is what she has to say . . . Enjoy. So it began as a normal day in my oh so boring life. Up at 7:00, out the door by 8:00 with two kids in tow breakfast round number two in hand. Dropped the kids off at school, successfully avoiding all the dog poo on the sidewalk, and then clocked in for another long day...

Life aboard the S.S. Minnow with First Mate Betty Crocker

Well, it would appear that my transformation is now complete.  I can proudly report that I am “officially” the “lady of the house”.  I remember a time not so long ago when I used to lust after such boyish things as fast cars and high end electronics, but these days all I can think about is getting my hands on a really good tart ring.  The truth is, the wife’s terribly demanding career and tremendously long working hours means that more often than not you will find me in the kitchen come dinner time.  I spend my evenings puttering...

Oh Captain, My Captain, there is Mutiny on the Bounty

It should be noted that I am a big fan of letting the lunatics run the asylum and that I am truly a man of my word.  Today I will be taking a much needed break and turning over the helm to a guest author.  As promised, all guest submissions will be honored provided they are relatively family friendly . . . at least as family friendly as I get these days.  As such, you really have a great deal of latitude here.  I welcome any and all submissions and promise that this is not going to turn into a completely open town hall.  I...

“Ated” and Abetted

Ask me how I am doing today . . . go ahead, ask.  I dare you.  Truth is that day “whichever the fuck” finds old Jack Butler a bit “ated”.  I realize that it has been days since my last post, but my give- a-damn is busted and today I am not one to be trifled with.  So what has me so “ated” you ask?  Or maybe you are scratching your head wondering what in the hell “ated” means.  You aren’t likely to find an official definition, even in Webster’s newest dictionary.  Yes, to some degree it is a commonly used suffix,...