My daughter went to a Halloween party. She remembered her costume, but forgot her camera. She was running with her crew, a collection of girls which might attract attention. So, it's really no surprise that I found a photo from the party on the internet:
For me, the best part of stumbling across this picture was the caption posted by the photographer: "Their orthodontists would be proud"
While funny, it is also accurate. Thank you, Dr. Clay Cook.
It also strikes me as disturbingly funny that I find photos on the internet of my daughter smiling in vibrant color, while I stumble across black and white representations of her brother sleeping at school: 
He snoozes. She smiles, even when she seems to be suffering from the heat:
My life's struggle in photos. To be fair, he can sleep all he wants if he keeps up his grades and test scores. He's doing quite well academically, to be honest. It's probably because he's well rested.
And, for the record, her report card was pretty impressive, too. Keep smiling.
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Friday Update:
Daddy D blog pressure sufficiently applied, a photo emerges on the internet (still black and white) of Mr. Man all bright-eyed and pointy-headed:
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Smiler and the Sleeper
Sometimes, Less is More
There was a beautiful moment during tonight's broadcast on FOX of game two of the World Series. I was so moved by it that I took photos of my teevee screen:
It's not what you see here that got my attention. It's what you don't see. For some reaason, all graphics disappeared from the screen. There was nothing there but baseball.
I know we can never go back. The networks have to brand the screen. The Attention Deficit Disorder crowd doesn't want to wait 30 seconds for the ball-strike count and the score to be put on the screen for ten seconds.
But, there it was, for a blissful minute and a half or so. Watching the game in HD with no graphics was like looking through a window.
My joy was short-lived in more than one way. earlier in the evening, I hosted a local radio show. I said this was a "strap-in Thursday." Not only is the World Series on, but there's a match-up of top 20 college football teams on ESPN. It's Thursday night, which means popular TV shows like "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Office" are airing. I made a comment that the man of the house would command the HD television for sports. This led to astonished text messaging from a couple of my buddies. I'll show them. 8:00 central time arrived, and look who's watching what on the big TV: 
Virginia Tech and Boston College look really good on a little TV in the kitchen. It's true: Less is more.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Ode to the Stream
The fair fountain flows not.
Forgotten, fallow and forlorn,
A thirst to quench it knows not where.
Parched lips pass by unaware
Of the purpose for which it was born.
Too common, with contagion in the air.
Seriously, does anybody use these things anymore?
Recently at work I had one removed because it was being used as a planter. It was easy to water the plant, but it was ugly. It had no avant-garde artfulness. It was just tacky.
At school, there would be a line for the water fountain between classes. They used to be a common sight in department stores and other public places. I pass by this one on a daily basis and I have never seen anyone use it.
I checked, just to make sure it works. The drain pan was literally dusty.
The drinking fountain: a monument to a simpler, more trusting time.
Keep 'em slupring.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Somebody Hire the Cheese
Am I the only person in the universe who thinks this sign is funny?
When I saw it at the SuperStore tonight, I thought, "entertaining cheeses?" What, do they play the piano, tell jokes, juggle or what?
I asked the lady behind the counter about it. I wondered aloud if the cheeses are suffering from some kind of performance anxiety. She said, "Why don't you just pray about it?"
I said that was good advice and walked away. I can't wait for the next show by the entertaining cheeses. I hear their opening act is the amusing apples.
A Ministry of Medicine
This was an enormous day for the in-laws. My wife's father, a retired priest, has started a mobile medical ministry which he hopes will reach the underserved throughout the area. He and my mother-in-law bought a fancy recreational vehicle, had it customized for its medical mission, and donated it to the diocese.
The vehicle was dedicated today complete with pomp, circumstance and a bishop's pointy hat.
We knew something was up when my wife's sister, who lives Deep in the Heart of Texas, showed up. My mother-in-law insisted that everyone show up for church. My wife was summoned to read a new testament lesson, something she has not done before. 
Later, the four of them were called to the front of the church and the congregation was alerted that the Big RV would be dedicated in honor of my wife and her sister, both medical professionals. Someone even painted their names on the side of the RV. 
A big crowd assembled in the parking lot and the family greeted well wishers. All of this was a complete surprise to the ladies, and things got a little emotional for a moment or two. It's not every day an entire convocational ministry, not to mention a big RV, is dedicated to you.
The gesture is genuine and touching, but now the work starts. That involves finding people to go in the RV out into the region to perform the medical ministry. If that doesn't work out, my wife's name is on the thing. Maybe we can use it for tailgate parties at LSU games.
The Recovery Process
After suffering through an all-loser football weekend, the recovery process got off to a rousing Saturday start. LSU's ridiculous last-second win over Auburn was a wild way to wind up the day. The Tigers scored on a 22-yard pass play with one second showing on the clock to win by six points.
My wife and I watched the game with friends, something we don't do very often. I like to pay attention to the game in a way that is virtually impossible when you're surrounded by other people. The way the game unfolded brought out the inner child in some people. Imagine a successful business man in his fifties cursing and screaming at the top of his lungs. He is red-faced with alternating anguish and amazement at what he's witnessing on the plasma screen. That's what we had Saturday night. The thing is, I know there were many thousands of similar people across the state behaving similarly. That's what LSU football does to you.
If the Florida game two weeks ago was the greatest night in Tiger Stadium history, then you have to mention the Auburn win in the same breath. How can you not be a college football fan? 
Earlier in the day, my daughter's high school team bounced back from last week's crushing loss with a thrilling three-point victory over a cross-town school. It was a sunny, windswept afternoon...a perfect way to pass some time on an October Saturday.
OH! and my wife's college team beat Steve Spurrier. There is hope that Vanderbilt may win its way into a bowl game. Yes, there are Vandy fans. They don't have a lot to cheer about, but they're around.
On top of that, the Cowboys bounced back from their loss to the Powerful Patriots with a come-from-behind victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
Plus, the Saints got a bruising performance from high profile running back Reggie Bush to beat Atlanta. The Saints have won two straight games after starting the season 0-4.
So, we're feeling a lot better about life these days. Two weeks until LSU collides with Nick Saban.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Watching the Boys Grow
One of my favorite internet pastimes is visiting the blog of my friend Matthew in Oregon. He and his wife have one-year-old twin boys, and I love watching Will and Nate grow. 
It dawned on me last night that maybe one of the reasons I'm so fascinated by those boys is because they look remarkably like another guy I knew fifteen or sixteen years ago.
People change, of course, especially the kids. So, I feel a compulsion to warn Matt and Julie that these alert little parent worshippers will one day remove themselves from your constant influence and be out in the world on their own. Since you are raising them properly, you can expect them to represent you and your family with the highest of educational and behavioral standards. For instance, it pleased me so to discover on the internet a photo of my son, a senior in high school, giving his full attention to learning. 
It's good to know the bright-eyed boy from the swingset is realizing his full potential.
My son is on the right path. His haircut tells you everything you need to know. Watching his hair splay in countless different directions, I was thinking "rock star." He's not bad with his guitar. However, he has found a nobler profession in which his hair can be a valuable tool: Viking! He will explore the seas, pillage villages, have women in many ports and establish a benevolent dictatorship on the Faroe Islands.
That hat, in reality, is the start of what no doubt will be a carefully planned Halloween costume. He looked so sumblimely ridiculous in that thing that I broke out in snorty laughs while tears were shooting from my eyes like Chilly Willy.
He will need those cold weather coping skills when he conquers the Faroes. As the newly installed benevolent ruler of Nordicland, he will no doubt be pleased.
Which bring me back to Matthew and his boys: twice the fun, or double trouble? Come see me in fifteen years.
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Now, a rare Daddy D editorial note: In honor of the commenters: Flava Flav context:
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Coming Up for Air
Daddy D has had no stories to tell this week, because he is grieving. Only today am I beginning to recover from the Lost Football Weekend. In a ridiculous convergence of gridiron disappointment, a four-day football weekend left us battered and bloody.
My daughter's school has a fierce rival. Their nickname is the Gators, and game week is seriously intense. The kids at her school dress in camo gear the day of the game. Parents actually cook gator gumbo. The principal is reported to have said, during a pep rally, "This school is about academics every other day of the year. Today, we are about just one thing: Beat those Gators!"
Coincidentally, I am on the announce team for this school's radio broadcasts. Despite all that school spirit, the Gators snapped a 12-year losing streak to our Yellow Jackets. Times were tough.
The kids in camo persevered, though. After all, the Jackets are 12-1 against the Gators over the last 13 years.
Friday, my daughter went to another school's football game. She had a date Saturday night with the quarterback. This was a rare opportunity to watch him play. Things did not go well. They played a powerful team from a higher classification and my daughter's friend took a pounding. They lost.
Then, there was Saturday. People looked at me like I was crazy when I said back in August that Kentucky was the LSU opponent which worried me the most. The game was situated between Florida and Auburn. It was in Lexington, where LSU seems to struggle. Plus, Kentucky is a lot better than people think..
Naturally, LSU lost. It was a triple overtime loss, but a loss nonetheless. Even though I saw it coming, I took it hard. The only salve for the emotional abrasion is the fact that they fell just to #4 in the rankings which count the most. There's still hope they will play for a national championship. They just need to win and that will take care of itself.
Finally, Sunday came. I had no real expectation that the Cowboys would beat the Patriots. New Englad is a juggernaut. They have a goal of being undefeated. I just didn't think the game would be as one-sided as it turned out to be.
It's the NFL after all, and a loss is just a bump in the road. If this defeat stood alone, I wouldn't give it much thought. As salt in the football wound, though, it really stung.
I don't have any insightful analysis about all of this, except to say I think I have finally found a way to be a fan. After spending all of my adult life forced into an objective corner, it's nice to allow myself to care; except it's a lot more fun when at least one of my teams wins. The upcoming weekend has to be better.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Suits, Dresses, Hair, Nails and Make-up
The kid on the receiving end of this hit, captured expertly by Shreveport Times photojournalist Val Horvath, had a tough Friday night.
He seems to have recovered nicely, since he cleaned up some time on Saturday and picked up my daughter then drove away with her in his car... 
It's an interesting evening for both teenagers because they go to different schools but are together for her homecoming festivities. I'm not sure if it's controversial or not that my daughter is escorted to homecoming by the quarterback from another school, but there it is. I hope all the kids are nice to him. Most importanly, though, I hope he's nice to her. He got off to a pretty good start with a wrist corsage... 
I suspect there's not a lot of dancing going on, because dancing could lead to perspiring, or something much more worrisome and they worked so hard to look good.
For their sakes, I hope they're still smiling at the end of the evening. For my sake, I just hope they're not smiling too much.
Friday, October 12, 2007
So, You Can't Get the Flu from a Flu Shot?
The lady hiding behind the book does not get sick. She gets a little under the weather. Every once in a while she "doesn't feel well." That's about as far as it goes. There's the occasional headache or cramp. This woman does not miss work. She always gets paid for her sick days at the end of the year.
So, why is she hiding behind a book for two straight work days? Because she sick. "Bring some crackers and Sprite and I'll see what I can do" sick. Chills and fever sick. Immodium sick. All those, all at once.
She got all of these symptoms, all of this flat-of-her-back stuff less than 48 hours after getting a flu shot. She doesn't have the flu, I don't guess. After all, the doctors will tell you that you absolutely cannot get the flu from a flu shot.
Maybe not, but you certainly can suffer from flu-like symptoms. One day: flu shot. Next day: worshipping the porcelain god while sweating through the sheets. I guess it's all a coincidence.
It's a good thing we're all pretty much self sufficient. We literally have never dealt with her being down for this long. No shot for me. I'll take my chances.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Flames, Flowers, Photos and Football
Lately, my workdays have been spent mostly at a retirement community. This means most of my conversations have been with people in their 80's and 90's. One of my tasks has been to manage the installation of a big-screen, high definition television in a community room. Explaining the concept of HD to these remarkable people was something of a challenge. When the TV finally was turned on, the questions shifted from "What is High Definition?" to "How can I get that at my house?" in less time than it takes to attach tennis balls to the bottom of a walker.
I'm finding joyful moments in small things. For instance, I spent almost an hour with a man in a scooter who sat transfixed watching some workmen clear land nearby.
The process was kind of hypnotic and he was riveted. 
Finally, he opened up and told a story about taking 15 months to clear some land he once owned. He was younger, physically strong and learned how to work heavy equipment. He was wistful, but smiling all the while.
Later, a lady came by and offered a flower to me. She told me it was a Confederate rose, which she has been carefully cultivating in her yard. It is with great pride that she shared the product of her devotion, and it appears she will soon have much more to share.
The day ended with a wine and cheese reception to toast an exhibit by noted Shreveport photographer Fletcher Thorne-Thompsen. Many people visited with the affable world traveler and admired his work. Someone even won a framed print. It was fun to watch the silver hair set enjoy a cabernet or two. Once they paid proper homage to the photographer and his work, much of the talk turned inevitably to last Saturday's classic LSU-Florida football game...which many of them had watched on their brand new high definition TV.
Maybe the next step is to combine the wine & cheese with the football. Now, that's retirement!
Monday, October 08, 2007
The Nina, The Pinta and the Wilkes Barre
It's Columbus Day, something I typically would not notice. However, my random encounter with a Christopher Columbus statue in central Pennsylvania earlier this year has brought me international acclaim!
Well, that's a bit of a stretch. I got a random e-mail from a man named Peter van der Krogt who somehow had stumbled across my silly cell phone photo on the internet. Peter asked permission to use the picture on his website dedicated to Christopher Columbus monuments. Apparently Peter had no idea Columbus was honored in Wilkes Barre. How could he know? Clicking around Peter's page, it's easy to see how his hobby became a fascination, perhaps even a quest. One of the great explorers in history obviously is revered the world over, particularly in Portugal, Spain and the Americas. This means that Peter and his agents can travel far and wide photographing monuments honoring Ferdinand and Isabella's fair haired boy. Peter apparently goes on holiday a lot, which I envy. In his travels around the globe and on the web, he has discovered more than 400 Columbus monuments. He has solicited contributors, Columbus stringers if you will. I am proud to be in that number. In fact, he gave me credit and even linked to my Flickr photo stream. That and 95 cents will get me a Diet Coke in the cafeteria, but it's all about the Columbus brotherhood.
Of course, Big Chris in the Big Man for Peter. So, he posted the photo of the Pennsylvania monument and cropped me right out of it. I wouldn't expect anything else.
I find it immenseley amusing that he's getting photos from places like Barcelona while I'm unwittingly helping him from Wilkes Barre. Maybe I need to re-think my holidays. Happy Columbus Day!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Shutterbuggery Abounds
In my advancing years, my wife has decided I need a hobby. She seems to think I have an eye for detail, so she has been encouraging me to express myself through photography. While I have not risked life and limb for the Great Photo, I was hissed at by a mother duck. I had no idea ducks could hiss, but they can. She is hoping her eggs hatch soon. So am I. Nobody likes a hissy fit. The photo isn't bad, though.
Firmly in touch with my sensitive side, I have been drawn to animals and flowers. This leggy bug seemed to find a nice resting place on a rose petal.
The TV weathermen have an annoying tendency to talk about "dew points," and I have no idea why I should care about that, except when dew makes things seem fresh and new.
My job has led me recently to spend a great deal of time in a retirement community. I have been edified by talking with so many people in their 80's and 90's. I came upon a man named Mr. Vaughn studying a pocket watch. His octegenarian perspective on the measurement of time was quietly moving. Morning is his best time of day, always offering a hopeful outlook on the day ahead.
I've been taking a good number or portrait photos. Some of them have turned out pretty nice. My favorite is of Mr. Turner, who paints a porcelain owl to indicate the season and/ or his frame of mind.
Finally, back to my roots with a sports photo. LSU quarterback Matt Flynn had a difficult afternoon in the Superdome. 
I'm old school enough to believe the marketing slogan "a picture isn't a picture until it's printed," so I'll get a couple of enlargements. I don't know what I'll do with them. Maybe I'll add a room onto the house and have a gallery. That's a good "old man" thing to do.
