Category — Bragadocious

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.

T-One Hard At Work

Earlier this school year I received T-One’s NJ ASK scores which test elementary school age children in NJ in language arts and math. The scores are grouped into three categories: “partially proficient” (which is just a pc way to say that the child scored below standard), “proficient” and “advanced proficient”. T-One scored at the upper end of the “proficient”. I must admit when I saw the scores I was both a little surprised and a little disappointed. The girl does so many things so well and things seem to come so naturally to her that it comes as a small shock when she’s deemed “average” at anything.

Of course as parents we think our kids are extraordinary at everything, both good and bad. In my mind, no kid is a better athlete than T-One, no kid is more creative than C-Thunda and no kids are more beautiful than either of them. There’s also the flip side. No kids get into more mischief or are as sassy or are as hair-grayingly maddening as my children. They are extraordinary in every way. But average they ain’t. At least, in my mind.

So when I opened the envelope containing T-One’s NJ ASK scores, I was a little baffled. [Read more →]

I’ve recently been reading alot about the intagible force some of us posses to be able to push through adversity when it presents itself. Thing One displayed the force during her 9th birthday party. She was sick as a dog and literally wanted to cancel her own birthday party. But she pulled through not to disappoint all the folks who were “depending” on her to be happy about her birthday.

Thing One: Birthday Trooper

After witnessing her valiant effort, I thought to myself, man I want to be like Thing One when I grow up. She has the wherewithal to ignore her own discomfort for the sake of others’ comfort. I don’t know where she picked that up from but isn’t it a neat trait. Trooper!

Next time around I hope she feels better. Or at least doesn’t feel like she’ll be disappointing others if she happens to allow herself to be sick. What a great kid.

[Interesting side note: I told her I bought her two books today. She was so appreciative she said she would pay me back the $14 in installments. I told her there was no need for payback. What a great kid!]

I know I’m not supposed to say this but I don’t give a yak’s ass what I’m not supposed to do. DAMN I have some gorgeous kids! Deal with it people. Being the wonderful person I am, I thought I’d let you enjoy The Babies’ brilliance. Check them out in their Easter best.

The Babies

I’m sure your kids are gorgeous too. Or you know some kids who are. They’re just not as gorgeous as mine. Don’t fret. It just is what it is.