Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Lifetime? Me?

So I'm travelling on business.


No, I'm not in Scotland. I'm in Chicago. I walked past the Tribune Building.



Unfortunately my dinner plans fell through, so I ended up eating alone. I walked up to the Magnificient Mile and found a nice looking restaurant. They had outdoor seating for a beautiful night, but there were no tables available. So I walked inside and said hello to the hostess.

As we were talking, Terry, the manager, motioned for me to follow him to the bar.



He looked at me and said:

"We have Lifetime on the tv for you sir. Will that be OK?"

I laughed but am I really that easy of a mark?

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Zach puked but I feel worse

While getting him up and ready for pre-K this morning, Zach told me that his stomach hurt.

I wonder how you guys would have handled this differently - if at all.

I asked him about it and he told me it hurt.

Like you're hungry? no
Like you need to make a poop? no
Like you're going to throw up? no

So based on his answers (or lack therof really), I got him dressed and continued along in our morning (usually rushed) routine.

While in the car on the way to the JCC, he told me again his stomach hurt. And so I repeated my questions. He gave me basically the same answers. So we pressed on.

I noticed he wasn't eating his snack, but it didn't strike me as odd because he was busy looking out the window.

We arrived at the JCC and his drop off went fine. I gave him my usual pep talk before leaving - have a great day, I love you, can't wait to see and play with you tonight...

Actually it went smoother than usual. This should have been another clue - that he didn't really react to me leaving.

And then I left.

And then I got the call from Nancy. He puked. Into his teacher's coffee cup. So she went to get him and take him home.

First, I felt so bad for him that it happened. But then I felt worse because I missed every sign he gave me. In his own way he must have been trying to tell me he felt sick...even though he never actually told me.

I'm not sure I could have done more, but all day I felt guilty about somehow letting him down.

I tell him everyday that I'll always help him - no matter what. And here I didn't. Thank g-d he feels better now, but I know I felt worse.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Quote of the week

Sophia & Zachary both started ice skating lessons this afternoon.

My hope, of course, is for them to have lots of fun and get better each week. But then:

In the year 2022, at the XXIV Winter Olympics, Sophia (age 21) will make her olympic debut in figure skating. And then -

In the year 2026, at the XV Winter Olympics, Sophia will (coincidentally) be XV herself. She'll take the gold.

Today's quote, though, is an all-time classic:

"Let me tell you right now, anywhere you fall is cold."

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Wilderness Survived!


19 Jews camped (really!) in the woods over Labor Day Weekend and we all survived. Actually it was great. In fact the vote return was in favor of doing it again next summer and possibly for a longer amount of time. In bigger tents with more gear.

We had so much food and drink that our our meals (buffets really) can only be described as an embarrassment of riches. It was great.

Highlights include having trouble starting the smoke...er...fire...identifying the wildlife (bugs)...thinking about swimming in the pond...not swamping the canoe...getting tents erected...getting kids to sleep...remembering which coolers had the beers vs. the food...finding the cookies well into the night...and much much more.

All the photos that can be shared are on Flickr.

Enjoy. We did.