Recinnati

This year we gave Rece the option of a birthday party with friends or taking a trip to a Major League Baseball game with Bryce and Dadda. He chose the baseball game. This, of course, makes me very excited, not only because I love baseball, but it's fun to just hang out with my boys and have another grand adventure. I purchased tickets online a few weeks ago. Earlier this week, I tirelessly researched hotels in Cincinnati to go see the Reds play. Growing up my favorite baseball player was Pete Rose, yes, I know his character is questionable at best. But going to Cincinnati is kind of like going to Memphis, if you are an Elvis fan. Even though Pete is officially banned from baseball (perhaps I'll debate the merit of that in another blog post), there's still tons of reverence for the all-time hit king of baseball. (4,256). They've even named a street after him. Great American Ballpark is also a really nice place to watch a game. I've been there once before with some friends. It's really a beautiful park.

Rece also had a few other requests while going to Cincinnati. The city is famous for it's chili. They have a famous chili restaurant chain called Skyline Chili. The ballpark also has Skyline Chili Dog stands. Rece is a big fan of chili, so that's definitely on his list.

Since we are staying at a hotel, Rece also wanted to make sure we are going to be able to swim at the pool. I found a hotel that has an indoor pool, but has a retractable roof. That will, hopefully, guarantee us of swimming success.

I am excited to be able to spend a good portion of two days with my boys. Hopefully it will be a weekend we all remember for many years.

Dad from a distance

It's been hard, these past few weeks to be without my kids. I am trying to talk to them on the phone as much as possible and be dad for them, but it's just hard to not be physically with them. Bryce called me the other day. He sounded very down, said he was homesick. He wanted so much to be with his toys and bed and house, but most of all with his dad. He said that he got a new football with rocket fins on it and he couldn't wait to play catch with me. If there was any possible way I could find to play catch over the phone, I would do it in a second. Can't wait until they get home.

Fugaciuos Film Foray

So over the past week and a half or so, With Liesl and the kids out of town I have gotten a chance to catch up on a lot of movies that Liesl would not really be interested in. And a few that have been on my list for a while and just not gotten the chance to view. While you may think it's rather sad that I've just been sitting around watching movies in my boxers, well, maybe it is... So here's what I've seen:

Harry Potter 1-6

Breakfast At Tiffany's

Lost In Translation

Signs

Dazed and Confused

A River Runs Through It

Fight Club

Out of all those, besides "A River Runs Through It", which I have seen many times before, "Lost In Translation" was probably my favorite. I was really disappointed in "Fight Club" after many people told me how good it was. It just kinda left me feeling sick. It was just really messed up. I thought "Dazed and Confused" was very much like "American Graffiti", only set in the 70's instead of the 50's. "Signs" was really pretty good with a really good theme of losing faith and being redeemed in that loss. I thought "Breakfast at Tiffany's" was a little slow, but the end was really good. Just had to be patient with the story a little.

I've got a few more days before my family returns, I'm not sure if I will rent any more movies, But I've been wanting to watch (for like the 10th time) "The Last Samurai" again. I love that story.

2 weeks

Liesl took the kids and left me for two weeks. I assure you, nothing is going on with our marriage. In fact, I think we are stronger than ever. She made her yearly trek to Iowa to hang out with her college friends. In fact, I think she's meeting with everyone she went to college with. Well, the school only had 200 people, so that wouldn't be too hard. Anyway, I am alone for two weeks. So I am trying to figure out what to occupy myself with other than going to work for 9 hours a day. I am borrowing the first five Harry Potter movies, so I embarked on the HP marathon last night, by watching the first two. I'd seen 1 and part of 2, but I thought I'd watch them all in succession. I of course have some things to do around the house... I will most likely be renting some more movies also. Wow, what a boring life I lead. Suggestions are welcome. maybe I'll pick up the crime fighting life of the Lone Ranger.