Who Cares About a Clean House? My Wife Does!

clean houseSo, what do my wife and I fight about? The big things like sex, money, and the kids?  Nah, that would be too easy, too typical.  We fight about a clean house including the dog-hair, where the dishes go, the vacuuming, wiping off the counters, folding the laundry, and the kid’s messy rooms.  Oh, and making the bed with ALL those pillows!

I was a 24/7 single dad to my two boys and two dogs for several years.  During those years, I lapsed in the area of clean house.  There were more pressing things to deal with, in my opinion.  Dating again, for one thing.  And, more seriously, the emotional fall-out to my boys because of their (biological) mom abandoning them. read more

This Guy Talks Too Much!

I have a big mouth and I’ve even been described as a guy who talks too much.  Anyone that knows me knows I’m highly opinionated and my family, in particular, lives with me both repeating myself and just droning on endlessly. It’s as if I don’t get an “Okay” or “Yeah, Dad” I assume my boys haven’t heard me.

Recently, I’ve begun a very stupid habit of complaining or voicing out loud issues between my wife and I, venting and expecting a sympathetic ear, to one or the other of my boys.  I’m not voicing anything of a deeply personal nature but it is still inappropriate discussion for them to hear from their dad, about their stepmother. Like I said, this guy talks too much. read more

Falling Between the Cracks – The Secret World of Home Schooling! – Revisited

Falling Between the Cracks is an old column of mine, but I thought I’d resurrect it given a recent tweet I read about home schooling.  It was an extraordinary and very valuable experience for my son (and me).

I’ve recently become exposed to a secret world.  One in which mere mortals rarely can glimpse.  This world is populated by strange, passionate humans who apparently see things in a different light from the rest of us.  They also reek of happiness and contentment.  They appear to be eclectic in their approach to life and their children are like mini Renaissance Men and Women.  No, I’m not talking about a cult, Scientology, or even Hollywood but, gulp, the underground world of home schooling! read more

Review of “The Boys Are Back”

The Boys Are Back is a small independent film, shot and set entirely in South Australia, directed by Scott Hicks (who did “Shine”) and starring Clive Owen and all unknowns, including two child actors who were pivotal in the “inspired by a true story” film.

My wife and I went to a preview and had a spirited discussion about it over dinner later.  It didn’t help that there was a Q&A afterward with the director and Clive Owen in which my wife was practically drooling.  Okay, he is one handsome dude.  Plus, he was articulate and gracious.  In other words, completely hate-able. read more

Short Review of “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”

cloudy with a chance of meatballsMuch to my surprise and pleasure, I totally loved Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs when I saw it yesterday with my “little brother” (I’m a Big Brother and he is 7).  We saw it in 3D and while those effects were good, it wasn’t a movie that screamed a need for 3D.  It was that rare animated movie that was truly clever, without trying too hard.  I was totally amused, laughing, and appreciative of the extraordinary quality of its graphics and very clever script. read more

Suddenly 15 Again, 40 Years After Woodstock

I just attended the Outside Land Music Festival, in San Francisco, with my teen son and two of his female friends.  It proved to be a rare opportunity to relive my youth, experience those feelings of excitement only a 15-year-old can feel, and vicariously share it all through their eyes and the excitement they radiated the entire time.

The line-up was extraordinary and included Incubus, Black-Eyed Peas, Pearl Jam, the Dave Matthews Band, and Tom Jones, the current retro star of this generation.  And, the Welsh hipster didn’t disappoint as, at 69, he put on a show that rivaled any of the younger headliners.  The crowd of kids knew every word of every one of his songs. read more

Friends, Dads, and Quality Time from Australia by Bruce Sallan and Darren Lewis

One of the wonders of the Internet and my writing has been the reach it’s had globally.  Not long ago, I received an email that began with “G’Day” from a man named Darren who had come across one of my columns.  He wrote a wonderfully complimentary note and also told me about his fathering website and business.  Clearly, though we live literally on opposite sides of the globe, our values united us instantly.

I asked him to send me something that expressed his views and what his site offers which is centered on adventures with fathers and their children, boys or girls.  He also included some very relevant data that I totally agree with and that also makes me sad to read.  How so many parents can spend so little time with their offspring is a mystery to me.  The lasting damage is incalculable.  I’m often struck by the clearly documented fact that human beings tend to recreate behavior they’ve learned whether it’s good or bad.  That’s why abused children often become abusing parents.  It defies logic, to me, but the evidence is overwhelming.  read more

Two Tragedies That Shaped a Man – An Essay

On most family occasions, my Uncle Sandy would try to teach me a little French, as he was a French teacher. That day, he sat on the couch, looking down at his hands gripped together. I parked myself in my grandfather’s beloved television chair. So often I had sat in it with my grandfather, snuggling against him, as we watched “Superman,” “Rifleman,” and “Gunsmoke” together. That Sunday, though, I inhabited it all alone.

read more