"55 is the new 65" , Jack Kicks Butt , "Knowing" Ninjas

I hope y'all got a laugh at my 55 line. Everyone always wants to look younger, feel younger, BE younger. Our society does worship looks, after all (and money). But I turned 55 yesterday and it is a little scary. It may turn out that I live to be 90 and enjoy every day; that I have a full and happy life. But in some ways the world is closing in on me slowly. How many years do I have left in which to ski, hike anytime, go anywhere, ignore physical limitations? I could be super fortunate and get thirty more years, but the chances are it will be less, even much less. I'm not complaining, just reflecting. Maybe I can use those reflections in a positive way, to spur me on a little, to remind me to enjoy everything while I can. Don't put off til tomorrow...

I made it through a back-to-school night last night without any public display of tears. It's the kind of thing Andrea would have wanted to attend so much. Like the first day of school. Oh, damn. My eyes are stinging again. I just love Jack's 1st grade teacher. Ms. LoBello. She's a very warm and outgoing soul who puts a lot into her class and who emphasizes the fun part of learning. She likes to see her kids outside of class, and goes to their soccer games, their houses for dinner, recitals, etc. She says she loves Jack and her smile seems genuine when she says it, so I think we're very lucky. She does not assign as much homework as Jack's wonderful kindergarten teacher, which I think is interesting, as well. Am I undermining the teacher when I have Jack do additional work? I will try and make it fun, also, with plenty of rewards.

On the subject of rewards, Jack has read 70 books in the last three weeks in order to get two video games he wanted (Lego Batman and Mini-Ninja). Harriet disagrees with my having him read books in order to get the video games and says he will come to dislike reading. I think he enjoys it enough that that prophesy won't happen. He laughs and enjoys many books. It's true others can be a slog at times, but I often help out when he bogs down or give him credit for two books when he reads one long one. Just to be on the safe side, the next time he has a goal in mind I will assign him tasks instead, like keeping his bedroom floor clear for two weeks, helping put away laundry or something similar. I think that setting a goal and having him work to achieve it is a good thing, but if anyone disagrees or wants to suggest limits, by all means write.

In the car today Jack said he could be a ninja because he thinks like a ninja, he "knows" like a ninja and he can make hot chocolate from a melted hot fudge sundae. As I recall, those ARE the three criteria to be a ninja, so he's in. I just forget where to send for credentials.

On the subject of video games, I did get an eye-opener of sorts last week. Jack and I occasionally play a simple online game called "Crazy Taxi." You drive a car and have to speed up, slow down, switch lanes to avoid cars or jump over them with the space bar. Turns out Jack is much better than I am. His score is double mine or more. I was amazed and a little deflated. A little proud, too, I guess.

We started playing "Connect Four" together last week, a simple variation of tic-tac-toe, really. I ended beating Jack 10 games to 6in honest competition. I'm not sure if that says good things about him, bad things about my concentration and focus or some combination of the two. Interesting, though.

Things are going well with Kellie. I enjoy sharing a little bit of life with her and appreciate her ready smile, quick laugh and many other attributes, not the least being that she thinks I'm great. I guess Sally Field and I have something in common in that we are gratified by appreciation from others, lol (think Oscar acceptance speech: "You like me; you really like me").

Off to the Old Folks Home now...

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Oct 1 update

Went to two orientation meetings this week, for the YMCA "Guides" program, basically a father & son (or daughter) activity thing a bit like scouting. We also went to the Tiger Scouts meeting, a pre-cub scout thing. I kind of like that too, except that they are big on uniforms, which can cost a $100 bucks and may be outgrown all too soon. I'll have a look on Ebay.

Jack beat me 3 to 2 at Connect Four last night. A legitimate contest, too.

"Whirlpool of Time" , First Day of School

Hello.

I was sitting next to Jack last night as he played a video game and heard him vocalize some curious phrases and concepts that have not emerged at any other time. "Whirlpool of Time" was one, and Jack was apparently sending some villain to his doom. I shall write down more.

Well, the Whirlpool of Time affects us all. I was talking to a neighbor last night about picking up Jack's Lego pieces. She had done the same thing years ago when she had a young son, but he is now in his twenties. When I asked her how long ago that seemed, she said "about ten minutes". Damn.

Jack's first day in first grade was delayed a couple days this year because of smokey conditions caused by the Station fire in the foothills nearby. It went off without a hitch, though. There was some nervousness, as evidenced by a constant hold on my hand, but we found his new teacher (Ms. LoBello) and classroom, but also found that none of his male friends were inside. Normally, I'd say "you'll make new ones" or some such thing, but girls outnumber boys 2 to 1. I'm sure he will make new friends, but probably not as many as he might otherwise, girls being less interested in computer games and Legos and boy stuff. On the plus side, I talked to another parent and friend from T-Ball who was disappointed her son did get into Ms. LoBello's classroom. Her daughter had the teacher last year, whom she proclaimed to be "The. Best."

We combined a little work and play Labor Day weekend; I installed some fans for a family Saturday morning but enjoyed some family brunches Sunday and Monday, as well as a short beach outing Sunday. Jack had slept overnight at Harriet's, so I figured as long as we were in cool Santa Monica, why not escape the heat?

By chance on Monday, while enroute to Steph's, I started explaining a song ("Joe Hill" by Joan Baez) to Jack that we were listening to from the re-released Woodstock cd compilation. This song, if you don't know it, is about a union organizer who is shot and killed by mine bosses. I don't talk about politics to Jack, but it occurred to me that I should be, even if he doesn't understand that much. When it suddenly occurred to me, mid-stream in my story, that it was Labor Day, I took that as a Sign and validation that I needed to do more in this area. So I will.

The photo "painting" of Andrea that I ordered arrived this week. It looks pretty good, but I can't decide where to put it. Her ashes are in a pretty box in the dining room, so she can be a part of family gatherings. She is a part of my life in a thousand ways, so she's gone yet not gone.

Those of you who don't think it's appropriate for me to be dating can stop here. Thanks for reading this far, and DO come back.

I am not active on Match.com any more, having met a very nice divorced mom from Sierra Madre. Match is great, IMHO, and we never know what the future holds, but right now I'm thankful to share a bit of my life with Kellie, an outgoing, smart and funny IT consultant at NBC/Universal with two kids. She's ten years younger than I am and thinks I'm amazing, so I'm going to enjoy this window of "amazing" time and hope her view doesn't change.

I interrupted this post to get Jack dressed, finish a smidgeon of homework and read a book before breakfast. We're on a mission to read 25 books, the required number for the next Lego/WII game.

Now I'll get dressed and get going.

Best...