This morning I had a sick wife and a baby that needed taken care of and I had to get to work. Now, I’m not the cliché Dad…I’m no stranger to diapers, wet and solid, I feed the baby, clean up spit up disasters, put her to bed, and play with her all the time. But to be very truthful, the baby’s Mom, my beautiful wife, takes care of the lion’s share of the work.
I had to do this all myself today, and I would like to apologize to and thank my wife. Every day, you do most of this without panic, and get everyone moving with grace. Even while I was sick all weekend, you kept the house moving and the kid happy and fed. Not sure where you get the ability to do it all, but you are aces in the Mom department. Our baby girl is lucky to have you for a Mom. I am lucky to have you for a wife. I hope I provided a bit of entertainment this morning while you listened in on my late for work, get crying baby ready, walk the dog panic filled morning, you deserve it. I love you.
Hope you feel better soon!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Wednesday, February 08, 2012
My Review of Van Halen, A Different Kind Of Truth
My thoughts and opinions on the new album:
1 Tattoo - I just don't get it as a lead off track/single, lyrics are not as good as the music. Song is mixed way better on the album than the questionable YouTube video they put out. Not everyone is good off the tee box at #1, I'll give them a mulligan after the last 14 tumultuous years off.
2 She's The Woman - 1970's demo track redone, classic VH sounds, cool chugging rhythm section, decent solo.
3 You And Your Blues - I'm not a fan of songs singing about other songs, I get the song, the chorus is catchy, but it's just OK. Missing Mike Anthony backing vocals (tear in eye). Classic VH outro is a nice finish.
4 China Town - Wow. Welcome back Mr. Edward Van Halen, the reports of your demise have been greatly exaggerated. Punch in the face right off the bat. Love the song, love it. Could sit comfortably next to songs like Mean Street or Get Up and not blink. Crushing most of current rock songs.
5 Blood And Fire - Look at all the people here tonight! Another 1980's VH sounding track. Funny DLR talking middle section, tip of cap to long time fans. Really great solo, for realz.
6 Bullethead - 1970's demo track redone. Fast, grinding, fun. I'm fine with the redux of these 70's demos, they kick ace in 2012 too.
7 As Is - Al had to have a drum intro song, come on it's a VH album! Ed rips the sh!t out of this song. Wow, he has some electric licks on this. Wolfgang keeps the low end fine on this speed racer. Solo gave me goose bumps, just really classic VH kung fu.
8 Honeybabysweetiedoll - Cool modern intro leads into great rhythm riffs. VH sounds really fresh and 2012 relevant here. One of the best on the album!
9 The Trouble With Never - Sixth straight great track in a row. Band is in the flow now, Ed is giving lessons to rock guitarists. Wolfgang has been practicing, a lot. Maybe I don't hate DLR for what he did to the band anymore...just don't ride an inflatable mic on stage again.
10 Outta Space - 1970's demo track redone. I should be riding in a 1974 Camaro, openly drinking Schlitz pull top cans for this one. I'm still a bit shocked at this point how much I like the album.
11 Stay Frosty - Really going to be a fun live song. Song is the grandson of Ice Cream Man, just a fun rocker, great Eddie solo.
12 Big River - 1970's demo track redone. Cool intro, sounds like it's from Diver Down era, classic DLR-VH stuff. Great groove, fun to sing along and drive to. Another perfect solo fitting the song.
13 Beats Workin' - 1970's demo track redone, sounds like like 1970's VH, in a good way. Should be sitting in a van with a circle back window, interior carpet and a keg. Add cowbell, 'nuff said.
Stand out tracks:
China Town
As Is
Honeybabysweetiedoll
Trouble With Never
Outta Space
Stay Frosty
Final thought:
I am really surprised at how great this album sounds. All VH drama aside, they have done a phenomenal job here. Ed is alive and well on this recording. I thought he lost his famous brown tone after VH III, but he found his sound. The band is tight, and DLRs chops are fun and surprisingly sing-along-able, I forgot the DLR BS while listening, and just enjoyed the ride. I cannot wait to see some of these live in Pittsburgh. I went into my little review with low expectations, expecting to be very critical. I came out loving the album. Tracks, 4, 6-13 are VH at the top of their game. No real duds on the album, Tattoo should not have been the first single, nor had the awful hand camera video, it's not to shabby here. Definitely worth the purchase, the deluxe version has a 4 song acoustic set, it was worth the couple extra bucks for the fan.
1 Tattoo - I just don't get it as a lead off track/single, lyrics are not as good as the music. Song is mixed way better on the album than the questionable YouTube video they put out. Not everyone is good off the tee box at #1, I'll give them a mulligan after the last 14 tumultuous years off.
2 She's The Woman - 1970's demo track redone, classic VH sounds, cool chugging rhythm section, decent solo.
3 You And Your Blues - I'm not a fan of songs singing about other songs, I get the song, the chorus is catchy, but it's just OK. Missing Mike Anthony backing vocals (tear in eye). Classic VH outro is a nice finish.
4 China Town - Wow. Welcome back Mr. Edward Van Halen, the reports of your demise have been greatly exaggerated. Punch in the face right off the bat. Love the song, love it. Could sit comfortably next to songs like Mean Street or Get Up and not blink. Crushing most of current rock songs.
5 Blood And Fire - Look at all the people here tonight! Another 1980's VH sounding track. Funny DLR talking middle section, tip of cap to long time fans. Really great solo, for realz.
6 Bullethead - 1970's demo track redone. Fast, grinding, fun. I'm fine with the redux of these 70's demos, they kick ace in 2012 too.
7 As Is - Al had to have a drum intro song, come on it's a VH album! Ed rips the sh!t out of this song. Wow, he has some electric licks on this. Wolfgang keeps the low end fine on this speed racer. Solo gave me goose bumps, just really classic VH kung fu.
8 Honeybabysweetiedoll - Cool modern intro leads into great rhythm riffs. VH sounds really fresh and 2012 relevant here. One of the best on the album!
9 The Trouble With Never - Sixth straight great track in a row. Band is in the flow now, Ed is giving lessons to rock guitarists. Wolfgang has been practicing, a lot. Maybe I don't hate DLR for what he did to the band anymore...just don't ride an inflatable mic on stage again.
10 Outta Space - 1970's demo track redone. I should be riding in a 1974 Camaro, openly drinking Schlitz pull top cans for this one. I'm still a bit shocked at this point how much I like the album.
11 Stay Frosty - Really going to be a fun live song. Song is the grandson of Ice Cream Man, just a fun rocker, great Eddie solo.
12 Big River - 1970's demo track redone. Cool intro, sounds like it's from Diver Down era, classic DLR-VH stuff. Great groove, fun to sing along and drive to. Another perfect solo fitting the song.
13 Beats Workin' - 1970's demo track redone, sounds like like 1970's VH, in a good way. Should be sitting in a van with a circle back window, interior carpet and a keg. Add cowbell, 'nuff said.
Stand out tracks:
China Town
As Is
Honeybabysweetiedoll
Trouble With Never
Outta Space
Stay Frosty
Final thought:
I am really surprised at how great this album sounds. All VH drama aside, they have done a phenomenal job here. Ed is alive and well on this recording. I thought he lost his famous brown tone after VH III, but he found his sound. The band is tight, and DLRs chops are fun and surprisingly sing-along-able, I forgot the DLR BS while listening, and just enjoyed the ride. I cannot wait to see some of these live in Pittsburgh. I went into my little review with low expectations, expecting to be very critical. I came out loving the album. Tracks, 4, 6-13 are VH at the top of their game. No real duds on the album, Tattoo should not have been the first single, nor had the awful hand camera video, it's not to shabby here. Definitely worth the purchase, the deluxe version has a 4 song acoustic set, it was worth the couple extra bucks for the fan.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Bread
There is a little piece of pumpkin bread sleeping in her crib right now. She doesn't know anything about our work day, or the mortgage, or folks we have to deal with or any of that stuff. She knows a few things though.
I like to be dry
I like to be fed
I love the two crazy people that do these things for me
I can stare at my puppy and laugh for hours
Bath time is fun so far
My neck is super ticklish
I jump-a-roo with the best of them
Oh, and did I mention, I'm wet again, please make me dry
It is a bit cliché, but the simple things make a person happy. Adults need to try to peel back the layers of broken friendships, hurt feelings, tough bosses, money, ego and so many other learned problems to enjoy more of the simple pleasures life provides for us.
I know I could use a little more patience, take a little more time to think of a laugh, a giggle, a smile or any of the multitudes of things my baby girl does. I need to deal with all the adult things all day, but keep the dear moments a little more present. In the end, we all just need a little pumpkin bread in our lives.
I like to be dry
I like to be fed
I love the two crazy people that do these things for me
I can stare at my puppy and laugh for hours
Bath time is fun so far
My neck is super ticklish
I jump-a-roo with the best of them
Oh, and did I mention, I'm wet again, please make me dry
It is a bit cliché, but the simple things make a person happy. Adults need to try to peel back the layers of broken friendships, hurt feelings, tough bosses, money, ego and so many other learned problems to enjoy more of the simple pleasures life provides for us.
I know I could use a little more patience, take a little more time to think of a laugh, a giggle, a smile or any of the multitudes of things my baby girl does. I need to deal with all the adult things all day, but keep the dear moments a little more present. In the end, we all just need a little pumpkin bread in our lives.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Laugh
There is nothing quite so heartwarming as the sound of a baby's laughter. I've been a soft hearted guy my whole life. I cry during Field of Dreams, Shawshank Redemption, Rudy, even certain church songs get me. I'm easily touched by beautiful scenery and moments. But the sound of my daughter laughing like crazy when I play with her makes my heart happy. The kind of happy that makes you forget about every bad thing that has ever occurred for a moment. What a gift she is. I hope I earn her laughter for the rest of my life. I hope she always has reasons to laugh, and is not afraid to let the laughter flow. I hope we always can laugh together.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
What I am thankful for
This year I have more to be thankful for than I believe I could list. I want to start with a few of the big ticket items.
- I am thankful to God for granting me the life I have, and the faith I grow. I'm far from perfect, but know I try every day to improve.
- I am thankful for my beautiful wife. I do not tell her enough, but she is the sail on my ship, she is my love.
- I am thankful for my precious daughter. I hope to one day earn the title your birth granted me...father.
- I am thankful for my family, the best family I could have ever been born into.
- I am thankful for my friends, years and years of good times, bad times and fun times have been shared with you.
- I am thankful for my job, this year employment was more cloudy than ever, and I appreciate being able to provide for my family.
- I am thankful for my dog, she's always happy to see me, and never questions a bad day.
- I am thankful for all the people not listed here, alive and dead, that have entered my life and helped shape who I am.
In the next year I plan on letting more people know they are valuable. I want to be more truthful, kind and helpful with my words.
I want to learn, laugh, grow and love...and help someone else do the same.
- I am thankful to God for granting me the life I have, and the faith I grow. I'm far from perfect, but know I try every day to improve.
- I am thankful for my beautiful wife. I do not tell her enough, but she is the sail on my ship, she is my love.
- I am thankful for my precious daughter. I hope to one day earn the title your birth granted me...father.
- I am thankful for my family, the best family I could have ever been born into.
- I am thankful for my friends, years and years of good times, bad times and fun times have been shared with you.
- I am thankful for my job, this year employment was more cloudy than ever, and I appreciate being able to provide for my family.
- I am thankful for my dog, she's always happy to see me, and never questions a bad day.
- I am thankful for all the people not listed here, alive and dead, that have entered my life and helped shape who I am.
In the next year I plan on letting more people know they are valuable. I want to be more truthful, kind and helpful with my words.
I want to learn, laugh, grow and love...and help someone else do the same.
Monday, July 11, 2011
First Kiss
Tonight for the first time ever, my first kiss went to a woman other than my wife. Well she's under two feet tall, and weighs about eight pounds, but she was a sight for sore eyes after a long day back at work. Mom was a good second one too!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Best Week (and a half) Ever.
The was the best eleven days of my life. My beautiful wife and I welcomed our even more beautiful daughter into the world. I will spend a few more posts discussing the amazing week we've had. I am humbled by the experience. It was life changing to say the least, and I mean life changing. I simply cannot be the same person i was two weeks ago with this bundle of joy in my life. Every moment of every day I think of my little girl. I pray that I have the heart to raise a girl and always let her know Dad will always be her landing net. A wise friend of mine gave me a book with tips for fathers raining girls, the final page was foreign to me...I have way to much time for the other 377 pages...
Simply stated in this first post baby blog, I love my daughter, and I always will.
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