Flying, Prepared
October 1st, 2015 | daily life parenting
I thought I’d be one of those prepared dads, with a little pocket screwdriver, duct tape, some crayons and a bunch of grapes at the ready. But I often fail to have even the essentials.
Having Power
September 17th, 2015 | daily life
Yesterday there was rain in the air, and that’s a good thing for parched Northern California. But the gutters were choked with leaves, and I’d put off getting up there and dealing with it. I had two hours before my next client call, so I got the ladders and went to work against the elements, sweeping away a million little oak leaves, enjoying the dark, brooding sky.
My Life Not In The Theatre
August 18th, 2015 | daily life parenting
I had such a vision for my family enjoying culture and the arts. I’d get dreamy seeing young kids at the museum, or when friends brought a baby to a party. It gave me a refreshing hope that creative parents can keep their lives going and integrate the kids. If they can do it we can do it, right? Right?
The Baby
August 11th, 2015 | daily life parenting
I can remember only a few things about kindergarten. Making paintings with string, all of us in our painting aprons. Somehow getting poor Mrs. Gibson in a conversation about whether God exists. (She and my mother became lifelong friends, so whatever that was about they worked it out.)
Treehouse Summer
July 14th, 2015 | daily life takes a village
I love the cool, foggy Bay Area weather, but I lose track of the seasons. Rain means fall or winter, but chilly and overcast could be any day of the year. I wilt in real heat, but sometimes I miss signs of summer.
Skin
July 2nd, 2015 | parenting
Is it normal for parenting to feel like you’ve got absolutely no skin?
Camp Dreams
June 22nd, 2015 | daily life holidays and celebrations
One: Getting Here
It’s hard to remember, with the weeks of excitement and anticipation leading up to family camp, that what I should be reminding the kids, at least the older ones, is that the first day of camp can be tough. Not for Jaden. Our 4-year-old is at home everywhere we’ve ever taken him. He gets right to work, charms all who might need to be charmed, and gets pretty much what he wants.
Please, Anybody But Me!
June 13th, 2015 | daily life parenting
I was startled today to realize that I’d been comforting my daughter for a few minutes without really taking in, or taking seriously, that the tragedy at hand was that she had to ride with me to swimming, not her beloved Papa. (“Not Daddy, noooo! I always have to go with Daddy! Why do I never ever ever get to ride with Papa?!” [Weep!] [Wail!])
Spring, Break
April 9th, 2015 | adoption
Jaden and I were driving back from getting his kindergarten immunization records. He’s off. It’s our second Spring Break for 2015, a bit more pragmatic. We’re getting errands done.
Throwback Parenting
March 6th, 2015 | parenting
I love the Throwback Thursday photos posted by friends when the nineties seemed so “now.” How young/cute/clueless we all seem! But parenting is giving me a different kinds of flashback, and lately it’s been to high school, 1978-1982. (Yikes!)
Being a Dad Means Having More to Lose
February 21st, 2015 | daily life
The above is not a photo of tragedy, neither kid got hurt. But I can’t help looking at my son flying through the air and imagine crash landings and disaster. There’s been a lot this week reminding me how fragile and precious life is.
My Miranda July Superbowl
February 1st, 2015 | daily life gay dads holidays and celebrations
The best part about reading fiction, maybe any book, is the way a wonderful writer stays in your head. For a few days after finishing a book, it feels like I have some special goggles on, still half in the world of the novel.
Put On the Curb
January 12th, 2015 | holidays and celebrations
After the New Year, I get an itch to take down the decorations and get everything “put back.” Part practical, part compulsive. Use that vacation time productively! Don’t have pine needles and sorting out light strings and boxing up hanging over my head.
Thank You for the Yucky Food
January 4th, 2015 | daily life parenting
I know it’s developmental. Kids are wired to be self-centered, and part of our job is to help them understand there are other people in the world. Sometimes they impress me, like when Jaden insists on bringing his big sister a treat if he’s getting one. Haircut lolipop? He’s got an absolute code of honor that he takes a second for his sister, asking nicely for it, and actually saving it for her. She manages to thank him because it gets more sugar into her system.
Growing Up Fast, Part 16
December 23rd, 2014 | daily life holidays and celebrations
My babies are growing up sooooo quickly.
Drawing the Future
December 12th, 2014 | daily life parenting
I’ve been thinking about a sketch I did years ago. In another life, really. Surrounded by sick and fearful friends, I immersed myself in what you might call the California New Age curriculum. We talked about our feelings, drew them, danced them. A skeptic would have a lot to make fun of. A believer could be changed forever. I’ve got both inside me, but on a good day the believer wins out.
The Family Bed
November 26th, 2014 | daily life parenting
We all know Jay and I didn’t turn out to be French Parents a la Pamela Druckerman. The vision sounded so nice: after eating a very adult dinner, the little ones loving the kale and trying everything, the kids trump off to their rooms, ready for bed. After books and kisses, no drama sleep while the parents have an adult evening.
Pondering Irrelevance
November 6th, 2014 | gay dads
Tonight I had the fantastic opportunity to attend the Out & Equal conference closing dinner,thanks to Jay’s connection Brigadier General Tammy Smith, the highest ranking openly lesbian or gay person in the US military.
Blue, and Red: I Am What I Drive
November 5th, 2014 | daily life
The day after the election and I’m feeling blue. As a kid we learned one did not discuss money or politics, period. So let me say something about cars.
Sign In Here
October 28th, 2014 | daily life
The kids were off to school, crazed about Halloween (Jaden: “Is it today?” Me: “No.” Jaden: “Is it the weekend?” Me: “No, it’s Monday.”)