My "computer" bag.

CrossFit teaches us to be ready for the unknown and unknowable. I guess I’ve taken that to heart somewhat. My computer bag contains everything but the computer. Unless you count the iPad. But it does contain everything I might need in an low-grade emergency. Bandages, athletic tape, books, pens, ground coffee (yes, ground coffee), weapons (non-lethal), overnight garments, toothpaste, ibuprofen and can forget the gymnastics rings and jumprope. You never know when a wod will jump off.

What’s in your bag?

This girl has so much confidence. I wish I had half of what she has. I could learn from her. Confidence is such a big part of our success in life.

I often tell the girls, speak up! Folks tend to believe and respect those who speak with confidence. I hope they will remember that as they get older. Seems they’re off to a great start.

The Babies after school

I have had the same cell phone for probably 7 years or so. A Palm Treo 650. In fact, I had two. When the first starting bugging out and the keys on the keyboard kept sticking, I just went to eBay and bought the next one.  It did it’s job for me. I could text, make calls, set my calendar, search the internet and perform a few other key functions. There hasn’t been a need to update the phone until recently.

The phone finally died. Multiple drops will bring any cell phone to it’s knees. I reluctantly picked up a new phone from my local AT&T wireless dealer. Honestly, I never really see the need to pick up the latest in technology since it always seems five minutes later something newer and better and faster and cheaper comes out. At least in this case, I had no real choice. Fortunately, I was able to get a well regarded/reviewed phone for free after rebate – the Nokia E71x.

My initial reaction was, “I hate this thing!” It just isn’t as intuitive as the Palm. But I said, hey I will get used to it. I can’t beat the price. The alternative (Blackberry Bold) was $150 after rebate. Free is better. All that said, I’m in love with the phone now. Well love is kind of strong. I really like the phone. Of course this is in comparison to a relative tech dinosaur, but hey. What won me over was the photos it takes. The above caption of the babies was taken with the Nokia. Ironically, the photo capability was the one knock against the phone. They must have improved it since it’s debut. I couldn’t be more satisfied (actually maybe I could but I’m not that picky).

Given the season, I’m a little more introspective than at other times of the year. I tend to think about the little things. After taking this pic of the babies I just contemplated, “Wow, ain’t technology cool.” I can just snap a candid moment at any time and then share it with my family, or friends, or their mom or anyone interested in my latest tweet. Although it seems like a little thing, I hope to keep some of these shots in safekeeping so when the babies get older they’ll remember moments, fun moments we/they had while growing up. My new Nokia will certainly help in that regard.

So, of the many things I’m thankful for in my life (and I’ll be reciting them before dinner tomorrow) I’m thankful for cell phone cameras. If you’re reading this, have a Happy Thanksgiving.

I try to motivate myself. I try to get going and do something. But I continue to find myself only planning for and anticipating their arrival and dreading their departure. When The Babies are home, I’m on point. We all eat a good meal, everybody is in bed on time and bathed. Bedtime stories come with wicked quickness. The next morning is usually a mad dash but they’re to school on time, clean and alert. Everybody has taken their vitamins. My day is productive and orderly.

They go to their mom’s today.

Flickr @ yummyinmytummyblog

When they’re not around, I lose it. The time in between their stays at home is strung together with Futurama reruns, piled up dishes in the sink, Facebook marathons and several orders of Papa John’s Chipotle chicken wings. I don’t want to admit I’m that guy. You know the guy with no real direction unless he’s ushering kiddlings to a ballet rehearsal or a karate class or the next playdate. I need to get in the gym, do some yardwork, do some real work, call a friend, go to church, join a cause, do something for God’s sake.

I’ve really been trying to get better. And I have made some progress. I don’t cry anymore when they’re gone.  And I actually shave on those days. I take my vitamins. And coffee helps. But every now and again I fall back into that self-loathing funk. “OH, WOE IS ME! MY BABIES ARE SO FAR (half mile) AWAY FROM ME!”

Internal dialogue.

Get it together Ben. Snap out of it. You’re going to smother those girls. Give them too many hugs and accolades. Remember, it ain’t about you. It’s about them. And they are doing fine without you. They’ll be back and guaranteed they will be coming with loads of attitude and hair-graying rambunctiousness. So take it down a notch brother!

Outside of my brain.

Ok. I’m better. It will be Tuesday soon. They come back Tuesday. I can survive the next 24 hours.

I thought I’d take this “25 Random Things…” meme I’ve been getting from a bunch of my friends and put a BPC twist on it.

1. When Chocolate Thunda (my 3-year-old daughter) curses like a sailor (so far it’s just “sh#t” and “f*ck”) I have to hide my face in a pillow or look away because it’s hilarious to me.
2. Being called “Dad” or “Daddy” is about the best thing in life I can think of but hearing it 30 times in less than 5 minutes makes me want to pull my hair out… what’s left of it.
3. I know all the Top 40 hits because I can’t listen to hip-hop in my car anymore.
4. Thing One (my 8-year-old daughter) was being followed by two boys, probably about 10-years-old each, on bikes the end of last summer while the two of us were walking to a movie. I finally asked what they wanted, one got scared and rode away and the other said quickly and loudly to my daughter “You have pretty hair!” Then he high-tailed it. They must have seen the steam coming from my ears. NOT UNTIL SHE’S 21 PUNKS!!!
5. I don’t believe in spanking but I raise my voice way too often.
6. I hate playdates!
7. T-One is smarter (and tougher) than me and C-Thunda is tougher (and smarter) than me.
8. I have cried more since I turned 30 years-old than I did in the 30 years prior to that. Having daughters will make you sensitive.
9. Sons are so overrated. “Sigh”.
10. My stomach aches when they go back to their mom’s on her visitation time.
11. I know how to wash, condition, wet-set, braid, cornrow, flatten and curl.
12. I wish my daughters liked me as much as they like Blooregard Q. Kazoo.
13. Everything I know about parenting I learned from my parents and the Huxtibles! I’ll never forget the episodes when Rudy got her period, when Theo wanted to move out and Heathcliff taught him a finance lesson using monopoly money and when Vanessa brought home Dabness “on a garbage can lid”.
14. I never lie to my daughters but I might delay the conversation. I’m not ready to answer “Dad, what’s masturbation?” in the middle of the Transformers movie.
15. I always call my fellow dads and ask “What would you do?”
16. I saw a woman, who was huge by the way, beat the crap out of her child once and felt like I should confront her and didn’t. I cried later because I felt like a coward.
17. I joined the PTA to be informed but I’m feeling like I don’t need to be that informed.
18. Family court sucks!! Avoid it at all costs.
19. Small children serve as convenient weights. In a pinch I’ll lift them for a quick workout.
20. T-One wants me to get married. I’m trying my best to de-program her. I’ve let her watch too many romantic comedies.
21. Most of my child having men friends are getting vasectomies. Hmmm.
22. C-Thunda still gives me as many kisses as I want but T-One announced she would hold my hand when crossing the street only until she turned 10 years-old, then it’s over. Gather ye rosebuds while ye may.
23. I love snowdays because I don’t have to get the girls ready in the morning and can sleep an extra hour.
24. The only thing keeping me from having 15 children is money, time, a willing partner and a desire to keep most of my hair. “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy” every other minute 15 times over? I’m happy with my two.
25. Being a parent is friggin’ awesome but it’s tough. I personally couldn’t do it (well) without the help of my immediate and extended family. Thanks!