The Sword of Damocles, Sort of.

I have a recurring dream that I am still enrolled in college. The semester is winding down and finals are fast approaching. In my dream, I have just realized that I have enrolled in a class but have not been attending that class for some time. I think the class might have been today or perhaps yesterday, but I'm not really sure.

The problem is that I can't remember the name of the class.

I rack my brain to remember with no success. It's usually one of those necessary evils like Bible something, or college algebra, or philosophy. I just stopped going, but I didn't drop it and I'm worried about failing.

I've had this dream dozens of times. I've been out of college for twelve years but I'm still worried about unknown assignments hanging over my head.

Today when I had this dream while attempting to nap, I hit upon a solution. I should carry a small notebook to write down all of my assignments. When I complete an assignment, I just make a little check next to the entry. Now I never need to forget about missing an assignment or forgetting a class.

Why couldn't I have figured that out 17 years ago when it might have done me some good?

Postscript:

I just got a letter that my student loan has been paid in full. Now maybe the dreams will stop.

Hiking With the Family

We went on a short hike yesterday afternoon in the hills near our home.

The famous intrepid explorer, Abigail, poses for the camera at the beginning of a four month expedition in the deepest wilds of Moreno Valley.

Admiring the hazy view.

It's steeper than it looks.

I freaked the kids out a little when I told them to watch out for snakes. Luckily we didn't see any.

Dad, put down the camera and carry me.


It wasn't the top but we still had a nice view of Lake Perris. The kids did great. Abigail walked the entire way. Aidan slipped a couple of times but I think he still enjoyed himself.

Yawn!

I'm working twelve hour shifts in the salt mine. On top of that, my commute is seventy miles each way. It doesn't leave much time for sleeping.

So I spend my time during the weekend sleeping. Yesterday I took a nap from 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM. I went to bed around nine and slept till 7:30 this morning. I'm still tired.

I remember when I was young and stupid (six months ago). I'd burn the candle from both ends. I'd stay up till two and get up at six. And do it again the next night. Not anymore, at least by choice.

Tabitha is sleeping. Aidan is napping and Abigail is playing quietly in her room. I think I'm going to take a nap.

Wow! You Guys Look Old.

There comes a time in every man's life when he realizes it has been twenty years since he graduated from high school. This realization causes one to reflect upon one's misspent life. One wants to get in touch with one's old friends in an attempt to recapture some of that lost youth and measure one's progress down the road of life.

Several weeks ago I got in touch with my bestest friend from high school, Shanon, and suggested we might have a little get together with a few close friends. She liked the idea and ran with it. So today, we met at a restaurant in San Dimas for lunch.

It was fun. It was a gathering of nerds but it was fun. I hesitate to include myself in the category of nerd only because I lack the requisite intelligence. I'm the idiot amongst the nerds.

Marcelo brought his four-year-old son, Marcelo.

Shanon came with her husband, Dave.

Me and Shanon.

I was struck by how much Marcelo and Shanon have aged. They really look a lot older than I remember from high school. I, of course, have not changed a bit. A little more handsome perhaps, but still young. You be the judge:

I Look Like a First-Grader Now

Abigail had her Kindergarten graduation yesterday. She received the "Gentle Spirit Award." We worry she is sometimes too quiet in the classroom.

The class sang a few songs for us.

Abigail and her teacher, Mrs. Shafer.

Abigail with Emily and Selah.

Abigail and Karlie.

Rubber Duckie, you're the one.

One of these guys is handsome.

It's June...

... so it must be time for a new pool.

Every year Tabitha tells me she wants a pool. Having grown up with the sublime joys of a backyard swimming pool, Tabitha has found it difficult to adjust to life without.

I grew up with sprinklers and little plastic pools that quickly filled with grass clippings. Pools were a luxury for the idle rich.

I want a pool. I really do. I can think of nothing better than taking a dip in the cool, refreshing waters of my own swimmin' hole after a day in the salt mines. It sounds awesome.

It also sounds expensive.

So every year we have been in the new house, Tabitha has brought home a successively larger inflatable pool. This year's is the biggest yet. Abigail can actually swim across but still easily touch the bottom. Aidan doesn't really like the water, but we can usually cajole him into sitting in an inner tube. Tab and I can sit in the water and soak up all those harmful UV rays. One hundred degrees doesn't seem so hot when you are sitting in cool water.

Maybe we can get a real pool in a few years.

My Shoes

These are my Converse All-Stars. I got them at the Gap. They are the only All-Stars I've seen that have arch support. I'm worried that I won't be able to find a new pair after these are worn out.

Wearing them nearly every day will do that.

Mmmm... Yummy

We decided to go to the California Pizza Kitchen for dinner tonight. On the way Aidan said he likes "Pooperoni."

Tabitha could not stop laughing.

Abigail's Blanket

This is Abigail's blanket. It has been a source of comfort since she was an infant. She snuggles up with it every night before she goes to sleep.

An angel gave her the blanket.

When Abigail was about 7 months old, we were still living in downtown Riverside. One evening, Tabitha decided to collect leaves from the neighborhood trees to use for an art project at school. It was a warm late summer evening.

As we walked around the neighborhood with Abigail in her stroller, I noticed Tabitha was strangely argumentative. I soon realized she had low blood sugar.

We had no candy, no juice -- nothing. I didn't even have my cell phone. I was starting to get nervous as my ever diminishing options ran through my head.

We were about five blocks from home as we headed up a street. A woman and her two young children were standing in their front yard. I explained Tabitha's low blood sugar and asked if they had any juice. The woman immediately went inside and came back with a large glass of juice and a baby blanket for Abigail.

Tabitha soon came back to normal, while Abigail snuggled up in the blanket. The lady told us to keep the blanket.

We never learned her name.

Happy Birthday to My Favorite Sister-in-Law

Yep, Elizabeth is another year older. We went to the Yard House to celebrate with her tonight.

Abigail had a good time.

I swear he had only milk to drink.

Abigail takes pretty good photos these days.

Happy Belated Birthday

John-Mark Brookman turned 4 years old on Monday. He'll be driving soon.

Now That's Ironic

Most people assume that they would be in the bloom of their youth if they had immortality. They think they would have their healthy 25-year-old body but with the benefit of years of wisdom.

What if you had to live forever with a broken down elderly body.

You couldn't hear, you couldn't see, you couldn't remember anything, you soiled yourself, you couldn't take care of yourself.

And you couldn't die.

You were going to live forever.

That would suck.

Twelve Years Ago Today...

...Tabitha Herrity became my wife.

She is even more beautiful today.

Styles Change