Hey Kids,
No answer.
That’s what I get when I ask anything about you.
Closed doors. No response through any communication attempts.
I hope one day you’ll understand why I couldn’t just continue to leave gifts at the door.
I hope one day you’ll understand that I wanted to give you the world, but in exchange I wanted to be your dad.
Happy Birthday. May you never realize what you lost today.
Day 316
Hey Kids,
I’m really tired today. Sometimes the double shifts really get to me, but I’m going to try…. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Day 315
Hey Kids,
I’m taking some time to watch a little football while working on a few projects.
The speed of the game, the complexity of the strategy, and the refined talent of the players, have all transformed this game to a wonder of the human ability. It’s silly to try to compare the teams of the seventies, eighties, or any year other than the current year to the current year’s version of the game. It all speeds up, changes, and players get physically better each year.
What’s also silly is the posturing.
After near any play, the player who gained the advantage acts out some sort of victory dance of dominance. A blocked pass, a sack, a first down; it doesn’t matter. A show will be on display.
There have always been some sort of in-your-face display, but in the past they seemed more reserved or more reserved for actual important plays.
It might not be fair, like the game, to compare yesteryear to today. Players today are running a personal business and building a brand. TV and ESPN Sports Center time is the thing that can push a career and the earnings that go with it. Perhaps it’s necessary to make sure it’s clear who made that last play and get the 15 seconds of dedicated airplay.
As a consumer, however, I could do with a little bit less. But then again, it wouldn’t be the first time I went Old School.
Day 314
Hey Kids,
2 o’clock in the morning.
I know the witching hour is identified with midnight but I find between two and three o’clock much more spooky.
At 2, everyone who should be asleep is asleep. The stay-up-laters for the most part have accomplished what they needed and retired for the night. It is this hour that the night is near coldest and the alive world has conceded its domination of the world.
I think it’s at this time that spooks have dominion of the night, it is this hour that those who dare to remain awake are the most likely to see why they should be asleep.
This also happens to be my lunch hour.
Day 313
Hey Kids,
Happy New Year!
It still kind of feels like the last one.
Of course, nothing will feel different from the day before, unless you decide to change it.
And that opportunity happens every day. Not just January 1.
Change it today.
Day 312
Hey Kids,
I’ve heard a number of people say that they hope next year will be better than this year, implying that this year has been bad.
I’m not sure I agree.
I mean, I do hope next year is better. Why wouldn’t I? But thinking back to this past year, it wasn’t too bad.
Sure some bad things happened, like my recent hearing loss; but so did some good things, like we got married and took our first family vacation to Texas.
Getting married in the Chapel of Pines
When I reflect on the past year, I’m satisfied. It wasn’t the best year ever, no. But I’m pleased and satisfied with 2015
2016. Let’s see what you’ve got.
Day 311
Hey Kids,
Power.
That thing that inspires some and consumes others.
Even when it’s a big fish in a little pond thing, the quest for power is irresistible.
They must have it. They must be seen by others. They must exert their power over those around them. And they must have praise heaped upon them.
I know one such person.
I find it sad and pathetic.
I also find it annoying.
Why try to make people look bad to bolster your image?
And I wonder if it’s an act of sacrificing others to their own graven image or is it a complete disregard of others, used without acknowledgment of their status of human beings?
I’m not sure which is worse.
People such as this person baffle me.
Don’t be this person. Treat others as you want to be treated. And know, what does it profit you to gain the whole world but lose your soul?
Be nice people. The world needs more of that kind.
Day 310
Hey Kids,
Yeah, you kids.
You hurt me. I’m sorry to say it but you did.
Like in a bull fight, individual swords do not seem to make much difference, until one does and then they all add up together; so do the decisions to ignore me. The brush off the other day staggered me.
I love you. I’ve never stopped trying to reach out to you. I stupidly listened to the advice given that I needed to take it easy when we first split, that I needed to not insist that you all come with me; the advice proved to be bad advice and I question its motive.
Either way. The more I force, the stronger you resist. The more I backeoff, the further you create distance.
Now, I’m without all of you. One by one, you are turning 18 and cutting me off all together.
My reaction is to stop being so hurt; to stop caring so much. This experience is teaching me apathy for the things I care the most about. It is a lesson I do not want to learn. It is a lesson from your other parent’s handbook.
I love you. I miss you. I hate that I have missed so much of your lives from just beyond the viewing area.
But I wait. I’ll wait and hope forever. Know that I’m around, waiting to hear my name called by you. No foul called, no penance sought; simply call me dad and give me a hug.
I apologize for the public forum. It’s what we have. For now.
Love always,
~dad
Day 309
Rolling boxes of strange smells and broken dreams. ~Drew Carey
Hey Kids,
Unless you can suggest a solution, don’t complain about a problem.
That is the conventional wisdom. I’ve even espoused the idea myself. But it’s not always true. Kind of.
If you’re complaining and nitpicking the efforts of others, being nasty or condescending about it, and have no real ability to suggest or implement change, keep quiet.
Here at the Store, the method appears to be so chaotic. I am constantly thinking there has to be another way. It’s hard to believe anyone came up with this system and wished it to be followed exactly as it is.
I can offer no real comprehensive solution, but I’m telling you; there has to be a better way.
Day 307
Mike M Jensen 