Reading about zombies and picking up waterlogged logs
There is no handbook to parenting. Actually that's not true. There are way too many (and I'm not counting the blogs).
Not that I've read any, but for this, and especially this, the one size fits all advice crumbles pretty quick. We, humans, manifest like paintings, many different styles on many different canvases (what painting am I? a finger painting).
The best we have are a few truths, a little bit of common sense and good intentions. Like, don't feed your kid only sugar (unless it's a roadtrip, well maybe then especially don't do it). Or try to limit the screen time to double what you would admit publicly. Supermarkets are sancerties and not playgrounds, but sometimes they have to be both. Don't hit the bullies and also don't ignore them.
Anyway, Gaël is learning how to read. Moreover, he's learning how to *love* to read.
My own role has become more facilitator than educator. The phonics books from a neighbor didn't take and collected dust. I began checking out different books from the library for bedtime. Comic books ended up taking because of the pictures and also because things were getting smashed. I'd find him flipping through them making the story himself. Randomly one day I grabbed a "Plants vs Zombies" book as he enjoyed the video game.
It turns out there is a whole series involving this wacky world of characters. He loves, loves, LOVES these. The humor is largely the "pizza in my pockets" genre, but it works and it works beautifully. Here is a sample. He can lose himself flipping through these for hours. I always have one in the car, just for longer trips.
Other than that we're swimming a lot. The pool at the apartment is heated to 80, so even though it's a bit chilly in Seattle we can stay in for a while. It's become the default activity as of late.
---
I've fallen pretty out of shape. After four years of training hard and consistently, I'm lucky if I get into the gym a few times a week. The rigid diet of chicken, broccoli, protein powder, supplements and sweat has given way to one that can best be described in one word: "yes".
Despite this there are still days that I wake up with fire in my heart. I'll put a motivational video on loop in my headphones (usually something involving John Wick) and run to the beach. Last week, I decided I wanted to be strong again. Strong like bull.
So I ran to the beach and decided I was going to deadlift this log. Logs are heavy. Logs that have been soaking in water are even heavier. Nonetheless the weight of the log paled in comparison to the weight of my own stupidity.
So I straddled the log, grabbed onto branches on either side and completely threw out my back. Pain for days. Contorting my body in strange ways so I could walk. A broken titan, ancient Hercules, hairless Sampson...
Thankfully after a week I am 80% recovered. In a few more days I'll go back and lift that log.
Cowabunga dude,
DJ
PS: Not much to tell this newsletter, life goes on - work/family/friends all good. Need some outdoor adventure (read Riverman and now I want to live in a canoe for a bit).
Not that I've read any, but for this, and especially this, the one size fits all advice crumbles pretty quick. We, humans, manifest like paintings, many different styles on many different canvases (what painting am I? a finger painting).
The best we have are a few truths, a little bit of common sense and good intentions. Like, don't feed your kid only sugar (unless it's a roadtrip, well maybe then especially don't do it). Or try to limit the screen time to double what you would admit publicly. Supermarkets are sancerties and not playgrounds, but sometimes they have to be both. Don't hit the bullies and also don't ignore them.
Anyway, Gaël is learning how to read. Moreover, he's learning how to *love* to read.
My own role has become more facilitator than educator. The phonics books from a neighbor didn't take and collected dust. I began checking out different books from the library for bedtime. Comic books ended up taking because of the pictures and also because things were getting smashed. I'd find him flipping through them making the story himself. Randomly one day I grabbed a "Plants vs Zombies" book as he enjoyed the video game.
It turns out there is a whole series involving this wacky world of characters. He loves, loves, LOVES these. The humor is largely the "pizza in my pockets" genre, but it works and it works beautifully. Here is a sample. He can lose himself flipping through these for hours. I always have one in the car, just for longer trips.
Other than that we're swimming a lot. The pool at the apartment is heated to 80, so even though it's a bit chilly in Seattle we can stay in for a while. It's become the default activity as of late.
---
I've fallen pretty out of shape. After four years of training hard and consistently, I'm lucky if I get into the gym a few times a week. The rigid diet of chicken, broccoli, protein powder, supplements and sweat has given way to one that can best be described in one word: "yes".
Despite this there are still days that I wake up with fire in my heart. I'll put a motivational video on loop in my headphones (usually something involving John Wick) and run to the beach. Last week, I decided I wanted to be strong again. Strong like bull.
So I ran to the beach and decided I was going to deadlift this log. Logs are heavy. Logs that have been soaking in water are even heavier. Nonetheless the weight of the log paled in comparison to the weight of my own stupidity.
So I straddled the log, grabbed onto branches on either side and completely threw out my back. Pain for days. Contorting my body in strange ways so I could walk. A broken titan, ancient Hercules, hairless Sampson...
Thankfully after a week I am 80% recovered. In a few more days I'll go back and lift that log.
Cowabunga dude,
DJ
PS: Not much to tell this newsletter, life goes on - work/family/friends all good. Need some outdoor adventure (read Riverman and now I want to live in a canoe for a bit).
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