Sometimes It's Boring to Parent

Gotta teach kids all the work-a-day stuff they need to know in order to function in the world. How to write a check. How to handle 4-way Stop Signs. What to keep for taxes.

How to shop.

A few weeks ago, one of the cereals we consume provided a golden opportunity to teach how to be a savvy shopper. What differences to you see in the two cereal boxes?
Same cereal. Same contents, same nutrition information. The boxes are the same physical size.

But if you look close, their contents are NOT the same size any more.


*sigh*

I remember when ice cream was sold in half gallon containers. When Dove bars were 4 to a box, and not 3. I've lived through the gradual shrinking of Wendy's 99¢ bacon cheeseburger, until Dave finally quit trying to make it less than a dollar.

Keep your eyes open kids. Don't be fooled into thinking a new shiny package is a good deal, when it's not!

Today's Court Thought; Seriously, If You Ever Are Interviewed by the Police . . .

...whether you did anything or not, have a lawyer present.

I've gotten pretty good part-time work pulling court papers. The following excerpt is from a police report in State v. Anthony Derek Stewart, Baltimore Circuit Court Case 03-K-08-001281. The report was drafted by Sergeant Jay Landsman of the Baltimore County Police Department;

During this interview, I explained to Suspect Anthony Derek Stewart that I was currently investigating a home invasion robbery that occurred at 6 Carleon Court Pikesville, MD 21208. I further explained what happened during the course of the home invasion robbery when he replied that on that date he was seeing Probation Officer Shannon Mick at Northwest Precinct in Baltimore City. He then stated that after he left his probation officer, he went to an auto collision shop on Wabash ave in Baltimore City.

I asked suspect Anthony Derek Stewart how he knew that that is where he was when I did not mention the date of the home invasion robbery. He replied that it was on whatever day the home invasion robbery occurred. I asked him to tell me what day of the week it was, when he replied, "On a Monday". I advised Anthony Derek Smart that the home invasion robbery occurred on a Thursday, when he became quiet.

"I don't know. Crime makes you stupid?"

Blogging

Some days, I don't have much to say.

Some days I probably shouldn't say anything at all. But this picture is pretty, and the juxtaposition of the saying made me chuckle.

Two Blondes

One of my favorite aspects of having done some in-home childcare these past several months is how our kids have responded; they are always happy on days where there are still babies/toddlers in the house after school!



For the youngest siblings, taking care of, being around smaller children is not part of their family life. Having a chance to play with and nurture a little person is important. It lends perspective. And it's messy fun.

Dad! I Saw the Bat!

Most school days, in the morning, we only get to family prayer right before Sam heads out for middle school. Two weeks ago, right after we had prayed and Sam had left, he burst back into the house shouting that he had seen, "The Bat"!
Sure enough, we had a little bat hanging from our porch roof. It looked liked it was breathing, and moving its ears a little. I told the kids to stay away, just in case it was rabid.


Anyone know what kind of bat this is?

Lions and Tigers and MMORPGs update

Right after I published that blog-post a few months ago, I saw two online articles that interested me.

One was kind of a pat-myself-on-the-back, self-congratulatory article about how awesome The Lord of the Rings Online game is. 10 Reasons LotRO is worth getting instead of a newer game.

The second was a disturbing article on how video game designers craft gaming experiences on purpose to get players addicted to playing the game (one supposes as a marketing move; addicts keep playing/paying more). I think anyone who does anything as a leisure activity should probably read the article; understanding our own motivation and human behavior, especially the concept of Skinner Boxes, is an important aspect of the examined life.

A friend asked me to elaborate on my original comment about LotRO versus WoW. The article above really does a good job capturing many of the simple reasons I love the game, but here are some specifics. Two recent quests I completed on Lord of the Rings Online were thoughtful, amusing, heartfelt. In one, my character was tasked with helping an in-game character with completing something that his family had made an oath to fulfill, the protection of an heirloom treasure for the Dwarven Race. When all of the steps were finished, I was then asked to go back to the home of the in-game character, the Dwarf City of Thorin's Hall, and return the now-complete treasure that the family had sworn to protect. After arriving, I was told by the chief treasurer that the the gold I had returned was insignificant, that what really mattered, what was really valuable, were the family names I had learned tracking down all the people who had helped discharge the obligation. He made careful note of their names, and assured me that no one would forget those brave dwarves.

I did Dwarven Family History!

Another story arc was a delightful allusion to the history of J.R.R. Tolkien himself. I encountered a hobbit just north of the town of Oatbarton named Ronald Dwale. He sent me on a number of simple quests (finding his pipe, retrieving his son's lost lead dog from a beach), and then complained that some rough big people (some of Sharkey's Men) had chased him away from his home. He was forced to drop the first page of his book, and needed my help to find and return the page.

Upon receiving it, he asked me to deliver a message to three friends who were waiting for him at the Bird and Baby Inn in Michel Delving; Jack Lewisdon, Carlo Williams, and Owen Farfield. The message is that he needed to miss the meeting of authors in order to work on his book. Upon travelling back to Michel Delving and passing the message along, the three Hobbits admonished me to make sure that Ronald was in reality working on his book, and not playing silly games.

The entire encounter is ripe with tidbits from Tolkien's real life. My favorite line is Ronald's final comment on his book, "In a hole there once lived a boar. No, wait, that's not right."

The whole game is for sale cheap right now (this purchase comes with 30 days free playtime, though monthly fees are still $10 if you buy a multi-month plan).

Come and see.

Fathers and Sons

Dude! Check out that cabin. I wonder if there's anything insi-AUGH!WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT!

So we went on the Father's and Sons campout last weekend. The map said a bathroom was behind the Nature center, but what was there was a primitive cabin instead. When I stuck my head through a window, I was greeted by a horrible screeching, a creature of enormous size jumping at my head, and the impression of great filth. A Buzzard had made it's "nest" inside the cabin! You can see the egg on the floor in the first picture (and can see Momma jumping through one of the windows, too).

As it always is; kids party, Dad sleeps. Dad drives, kids sleep.

This Poster Right Here Makes Me Wish I Had that Job as a US Government Teacher

Sergeant Peterson, if you see this, email or comment as to whether or not the data the poster contains looks accurate to you. It's impressive in presentation, but I trust your data review.

For the Word and Font Lovers in My Life.

(That's really mostly just Jennilyn, as far as a I know, but the rest of you can enjoy this, too)

An original version of this graphic can be found here.