Bullying In America

Bullying in America, as you may already know, is all over the news. This is due to the rash of suicides that have occurred due to the person being bullied. Unfortunately for these bullied people, they felt like there was no other way out but suicide. It saddens me to hear about this. No one should be bullied ever, yet alone bullied to the point of feeling lost and that there is no place to turn for help.

A lot of this bullying was centered around the person being of a different sexual orientation. This is just ridiculous, because no one, even people of a different sexual orientation deserves this. After all, they are human, are they not? Why must everyone spread this hate just because someone is different? There is no need for this. But sadly in this world there will always be hatred towards someone that is different.

This country has a long history of treating people that are different badly. American Indians, African Americans, Italians, Irish, Asian Americans, and so on. Just about everybody of a different ethnicity has been treated bad and bullied. It needs to stop now. Just put yourself in the place of someone being bullied. You wouldn't want to be treated that way, would you?

I was bullied in Jr High and High School. Not a lot, but enough to make me feel really bad about myself. Unfortunately, I participated in a little bullying myself. Not really by myself, so to speak, but it was in a large group directed toward someone. I still makes me feel bad. I have seen both sides of bullying and they are both ugly.

Bullying comes in many different forms and occurs in all places; work, school, social functions. We, as a society, should think before the next time we are treating someone badly. No one should be driven to kill them selves. Remember there is always help. If you or someone you know needs help, please don't be afraid to ask. Below is the link the the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.

Let's try to make this planet we live on a little better place to live.




http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/    1-800-273-8255

No One Said This Would Be Easy

Being a SAHD is not easy. It is even harder going to school full time. I've been doing o.k. juggling the two. I usually have homework, especially on the weekends so I spend a lot of time in front of the computer. I feel a little bad that I don't get to spend a lot of time with Maggie when it is just us. I do spend time with her, just not enough in my mind though.

 I try to get most of my work done when she is taking a nap. Which is now down to one a day now usually 2-3 hours. I am also eating and getting some TV time during this period. My average TV time now is about two hours all day and night. I have a whole lot of movies to watch, some of these I've had for some time now.

I do take breaks, and check on her all the time. I usually have her on her blanket in the living room playing by her self. When she starts to wonder off of it and getting into mischief (which is very often, she is ten months after all), I put her in the pack and play, which is right behind me. We usually have laughing or screaming contests when she is in there. I am constantly turning around and checking on her. I'll pull her out and play with her now and again. Usually she is o.k. in there, but I always set aside some time to play with her during the day. She is never ignored, because after all SHE is the priority and she is still the boss. If she needs me I am always there for her.

A lot of times, I will be in the middle of writing one of my papers, and she needs something. Stinks for me, because I could be in the zone and then BAM she needs something. Like I said, it's not always easy, but I make the most of it and I my daughter always has the priority. I'm doing the best I can, cause as Yoda says, "Do or do not, there is no try".

Five for Friday:Five Halloween Traditions for Maggie

Five Halloween traditions I will pass on to Maggie:

1. Trick or Treating. Hello! Because it's the bomb yo! I will teach her when someone leaves a bowl full of candy on porch (did they still do this?), and it says to take one, open your bag and daddy will help you empty it into your bag. Also other little tricks that I learned.

2. Pumpkin carving. I still like carving pumpkins. We will be carving ours tomorrow night.

3. Going to the pumpkin patch. I still love to do this. After this years almost disaster (me driving the family around for 3 hours trying to find a u-pick apple place, and everyone was sold out), I got some making up to do next year.

4. Haunted houses. I haven't been to one of these in years. I used to be scared to death of them, but now I need an excuse to go back to one. Maggie may be that excuse.

5. Cool costumes. Price will not be an issue! I always got stuck with cheap ass costumes growing up. Yes Sweetie, you want the $500 princess costume. No problem. Just make sure the costumes don't show any skin!

Maybe I should start a This Date in History since I am a History major and such. On this date in 1929 the stock market crashed. Then something happened.... oh yeah a book was written about it. "The Grapes of Wrath"  I did this for the hell of it, why not. Yes I am losing it.

Five for Friday:My Five Favorite Books to Read to Maggie.

It's time for another Five For Friday. This weeks topic: My Five Favorite Books to Read to Maggie.


1. Good Night Chicago. Of course it's one her favorites.

2. Snuggle Puppy. Cause its just cool and it rimes.

3. Fifteen Animals. Love the twist at the end. That turtle is a pimp.

4. But Not the Hippopotamus. Yet another twist. You gotta love Boyton.

5. Any touch and feel book. She loves to touch everything and turn the pages.


If you have any ideas for Five for Friday. Let me know. Always up for a challenge. See you next Friday.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

I thought I would share some of my thoughts on don't ask, don't tell. I started this last week and for some reason  it did not save. So here we go again.

I for one, am glad that don't ask, don't tell was repealed. After all, there are plenty of gay, lesbian, and trans-gender people would be more than willing to volunteer to join the US Military. I think it is sad it has taken this long to repeal this ungrateful law. I see no reason why a homosexual can not serve in the military. After all they are human beings. So they are attracted to the same sex. So what? There are homosexuals severing right now, they are just not "out." They are doing the job just as well as a heterosexual.

Just think of it this way. What if it was your child trying to serve and he/she is homosexual? You would probably want them to be happy, correct? If any of my children were to be homosexual, do you think I would not want them around? Of course I would want them around, and I would treat them no differently than any other child.

I guess what people realize is that homosexuality has been around since man itself. It is just more widely accepted by the masses in today's age. I saw one of Italy's most prized pieces of art, David. Did you know that he was a homosexual? Bet ya didn't. But if you ever get a chance to see David, see it. I felt like I could sit down and gaze at it all day.

So really, what is wrong with homosexuals serving? I will tell you, NOTHING!

Downstate Road Trip and Cloth Diapers.

I feel like I have been neglecting to write. But the truth is, that I have been very busy with school work, and Maggie of course. We went downstate to visit my wife's parents. We decided to leave Friday morning this time, because we both were very busy on Thursday. We wanted to make sure we were well rested before we left. The Drive down went well, and we had a great time as always. The drive back was just as smooth. We left late and Maggie slept the whole way.

I bet everyone is wondering if we bring the cloth diapers with us. The answer is yes we do. It is not as hard as you would think.We usually make sure we wash the majority of them before we leave and we wash them before we come back to Chicago. We have several vinyl bags we bring with us for the dirty diapers. Doesn't even stink up the car. My brother in-law did a good job of that. The only thing that we don't bring along as far as diapers, is wipes. We keep huggies, or some other brand wipes there. At home we use cloth wipes. Which is really Gerber wash clothes (they're cheap!), and a organic diaper solution that we dilute and put into a foaming squirt bottle.  We just wash them with the diapers. No big deal.

If you all are wondering if my attitude towards cloth diapers has changed, it hasn't. I think it has actually gotten stronger. I don't mind them one bit. Maggie never has diaper rashes and she is able to tell me when she is wet.
I think they are great. It is definitely better than taking out the trash every 8 hours or so. If you have every thought about trying them, give it a try. You might like them.

Hump Day

Wednesday is almost upon us. After a rough Monday and Tuesday, the rest of the week should be much better. Took my anatomy mid-term tonight. I think it went well. I hope it went well.

Maggie and I had a great day today. She was in a good mood and she let me get my paper done. Wife is off tomorrow and working Thursday. I get to take her to playgroup again this week. We are going down state again this weekend to visit my wife's parents. We were thinking of leaving Thursday night, but we may get some rest and leave Friday morning. It is easier on Maggie to leave at night so she can sleep the whole way.

We went pumpkin picking on Friday. We were going to go apple picking, but everyone was out of apples already. There was even a article in the Chicago Tribune about how early everyone ran out of u-pick apples. We had a good time. Except for the 3 hour detour I took us on to find apples. Three orchards and no apples. Got some great pumpkins though.. Even a small one for Maggie. We may pick some apples this weekend. There is a small orchard in Marine IL that is pretty good. Hopefully they have apples.

Five for Friday

This weeks 5 For Friday: 5 Favorite Things About Fall.

1. The leaves changing color. Here in IL it's beautiful. Up north in WI, Door County, It get even better. One day I hope to drive through New England to see Fall there. 

2. The crisp Fall air. I especially love that first blast of cold air. Makes me want to sit outside with some tea and a fine cigar.

3. Football! I don't think I need to explain this. Go 49ERS!

4. Apple and Pumpkin picking. Nothing like picking an apple out of a tree, and taking a huge bite. I give myself a tummy ache every year apple picking. 

5. Birthdays! Mine and my wife's birthday are in the fall. Our anniversary is also in the fall also. Maggie missed it by that much. 

3 Years Already!

Yes time goes by fast. I can not believe it has been three years since my wife and I got married. We have had are ups and downs, but all in all, I've loved every minute of it. Our greatest moment as of yet, has to be the birth of our little princess Maggie. The greatest Christmas gift ever. Every day with Maggie is better and better. We love to spend time together as a family. My family makes me a very happy husband and father. I am happy every day that I am with them.

Five for Friday: 5 Random Things

It seems I forgot to do a Five for Friday yesterday. So here it is, better late then never. 5 Random things

1. I spent yesterday re-arranging and dusting my Star Wars collection.

2. I am going to see Primus tonight.

3. School is eating my brain.

4. I really should be studying right now, but I am on the computer up to no good.

5. When I was about 8 I wanted to own my own hotel. I have no reason why for this except that I was in a lot growing up. My mom took my on a lot of vacations.  We once  went to Costa Rica for a weekend at the last minute. Had a great time.

6.*bonus* I once flew to Pittsburgh from Miami and then drove to Foxwoods, played some poker, then on to Boston. slept for 3 hrs. Went to have a lobster lunch. Hit the bars. Went to Fenway at last minute and saw one go over the Green Monster. Awesome trip.

Hey a New Post!

Hello out there in cyber space. It has been a while since I have posted something, so this one could be long. We've been up to a lot lately. I have been super busy with all my school work, and when I'm not doing that I'm taking care of Maggie.

My mom came to town this week to visit me and Maggie. She brought Maggie a whole big suitcase full of toys. Where was that when I was a kid? She came up for my birthday, and we went out to eat at one of our favorite Mexican places. Very good as always. The pic is of Maggie waving to her fans (the ceiling fans, I think it's funny). My father in-law sent me some sent me some cigars. The perfect gift. Also ordered myself some 49ers gear, new hat, and some sleep pants. 0-3, yep still faithful.

The wife got me the BBQ book I wanted. Awesome. Already did one recipe, so many more to master. Gotta stock up on meat when I go down state in two weeks. SO much cheaper. Brisket, ribs, and steaks galore! Maggie got me a little Yoda for my backpack, best present ever (mainly because it's from Maggie).

The wife also picked out Maggie's Halloween costume. I won't tell you what it is until I post some pics on Halloween. We are planning on sitting in back yard (our place is on a corner and the sidewalk goes right by us) and hand out candy. I still don't know what I want to go as yet.

Sometime this weekend we are going apple picking and getting some pumpkins! Can't wait to do some carving. Oh and the tummy aches from eating too many apples.