Over the past eight years, I have begun to dislike movies. I am not drawn to big box office flicks and special effects. In fact, I would rather just wait for NetFlix before watching most movies. I only get interested when some type of human quality is the focus. Movies that stand-out to me are Sling Blade and The Shawshank Redemption. Don’t get me wrong; I love Star Wars and Star Trek too. But, more for a different reason.

When George Lucas created Star Wars, the times had never seen anything like it. Star Wars and Star Trek literally started a genre of movies. But, as time has gone by, I don’t like that genre anymore. Movie makers go out of their way to show a special effects or eye candy whether the story needs it or not. For instance, in the newest rendition of War of the Worlds, Tom Cruise is driving away in a mini-van. In the background, we see a needless shot of a bridge being blown up. In Iron Man, we see countless scenes of watch Tony Stark fly through the skies. Now, why does this bother me?

Well, it bothers me because I know movie makers can do any special effect they need. So, special effects are now common place and “easy.” There’s no new genre of movies being created here. Don’t try to wow me with special effects. I don’t have to have a needless explosion or body being blown apart just so movie makers can say: “I made that!”

This forces me to look for story: human sacrifice, great adversity. Now, when you pull special effects out of the equation, do the big blockbusters still hold water? I’d sadly answer “no.” Movies like Avatar have a nice story, but the story is nothing new. Sure Avatar looks beautiful and there are special effects, but seriously what is new about this movie? What did James Cameron show us about character and suffering we haven’t seen before? Did he even tell the story in a different way? The same themes have been told is countless movies.

But, there is another aspect of this we need to address. Earlier I mentioned Star Wars and Star Trek really started a new genre. I still believe that to be true. But, lets dig deeper. If Avatar had been created in the late seventies, I believe it may be THE movie others are measured by. I don’t mean the special effects would have been just like they are today, but that they would be breakthrough technology. The story would be amazing. The times would have been so different and this story would have an amazing impact.

Let’s look at this another way. If Star Wars was created now, would I like it? Probably not. Blasphemy, you say? Imagine my disgust at the beginning of the movie as the star destroyer goes on forever. Yes, it would have been more beautiful, but come on!! Special effects just to show special effects?! Terrible movie if it had been done today. The story is really nothing new either, but back in the late 70s. This story adding the special effects made it amazing. But, these days I don’t believe special effects can turn a normal story about a boy who eventually saves the world amazing. It’s just same old same old.

So, what makes a good movie then, snob?

Well, this is a hard question to answer. But, I am entertained by movies and stories which emphasize the characters and their social dilemmas. I am interested in acting and I often compare what my reaction would have been to the actor’s.

Special effects have no bearing to whether a movie is great or normal. But, special effects can make a movie bad. Over the top special effects just for the sake of doing it makes a movie terrible to me.

Lastly, the story. I don’t enjoy watching the same story over and over again. In Avatar’s case, you can watch Disney renditions of this theme or even try FernGully: The Last Rainforest. If you’re not fond of cartoons, 1990′s Dances with Wolves will sufficiently tell you the same story. That’s why I don’t like Avatar as a product of today’s movies (Or Iron Man, War of the Worlds, the X-Men Trilogy).

Am I being picky?  Yes, I am a movie snob.

Five Lessons About How To Treat People
– Author Unknown
1. First Important Lesson – “Know The Cleaning Lady”
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.

2. Second Important Lesson – “Pickup In The Rain”

One night, at 11:30 p.m., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car.

A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.

She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.

A special note was attached. It read: “Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.”

Sincerely, Mrs. Nat King Cole.

3. Third Important Lesson – “Remember Those Who Serve”

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “50¢,” replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

“Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?” he inquired. By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient. “35¢!” she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away. The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left.

When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies. You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

4. Fourth Important Lesson – “The Obstacles In Our Path”

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand – “Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.”

5. Fifth Important Lesson – “Giving When It Counts”

Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year-old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.”

As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?”.

Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

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Have you ever been scared?  No, really scared?  Ok, scared more than you ever have been before.  Let me put it in perspective.  You are young and had tons of things happen to you, but never has your wife gone under the knife for any reason much less a C section to get your first son.  And, never were you waiting to take care of a new life.  Can you even do it?  Some of you know what I am talking about.

Well, I took the plunge and now I am a father–Easier said than done.  So, Neither one of use could sleep and Windy woke up earlier than me, but we both got up and started off with a good cry to relieve the stress.  Then, we were ready, but we were still 30 minutes early.  We agreed we needed to take a drive.  We drove through town and used up 20 minutes and got to the hospital–Being early means being on time.

We entered and right off the stress was so thick you could cut it with a knife.  Windy got her IV and I got a Sunkist.  Windy started getting meds and I started getting caffeine.  Our family stopped by and visited and even a friend, but to be honest I was in La La Land and almost didn’t notice them.  They took Windy away and I got into the scrubs.  I was shaking and almost couldn’t get those goofy things on.  I know I have a big waist, but come on guys…these things are baggy!

I waited patiently.  I had already decided I had the guts to look over the curtain.  For those who don’t know, during a C section, the wife can have a combination epideral and spinal block that allows them to stay awake.  The father or loved one can be in the room and talk to her.  There is a curtain that keeps the mother from seeing and makes the area sterile.  The curtain is low enough that the loved one can look over and watch the whole thing.  Move over TV.  This is the real thing!!

So, they called me in and I just didn’t know what I was going to see.  Would she been weird looking?  Would she be able to speak?  Well, she was weird looking, and she could speak.  I walked in and said “hi.”  I look back on it and thought I could have done better, but a simple “hi” was about all I could muster.  I was shaking at the knees and wondered if I’d even make it through it without passing out!

After a few seconds, I decided that the doctors were already in and decided to have a look.  I had thought it would freak me out to see them actually cut her.  So, I thought I’d wait and see after they started.  Oops!  I looked too early!  They cut her just as I went to look.  He hit a “squirter” and the whole ER thing where blood squirts out happened right in front of me.  I sat down and saw Windy looking like she had seen what I had seen.  She had!!

Well, sort of.  She saw a reflection in my glasses.  She had to close her eyes when I had a look.  Now let me tell you.  They jerked her around while they were working on her.  I sat and marveled at how they moved her around and all she can feel is pressure.  She started to have a weird look and I asked her if she was getting an upset stomach.  I was right and the anesthesiologist pumped up some phenergan.

I watched some more, but never really got a good view.  I really didn’t want a better view and I didn’t want to leave her.  I said down and tried some small talk and Windy gave me that “shut up” kind of look.  So, I stopped.  Just then, the anesthesiologist said “He’s coming!”

I stood up and watched and a head popped out!  I was in awe and before I knew it the doctor had the rest of his body out.  He looked like he was covered in Crisco and they got the umbilical cord and cut it.  Miles let out two small cries and Windy asked, “Do you see him?”  I responded and she continued, “Is he OK?”  I affirmed that and then she asked me how big he was.  He looked like he was eleven pounds easy.  I thought, “What are we feeding him?”

I got to go over where they were cleaning him up and he let out another small cry.  I watched him and marveled at what I was looking at.  Is he real?  Is this really happening?  It was.  The nurse handed him to me and I carefully walked over to Windy and she looked at him.  It was like a ray of love that looked like Superman’s heat vision.  She was in love, though she couldn’t touch the little guy.

I was then instructed to take the baby out and to the waiting room.  I didn’t even make it to the waiting room.  All my family was there and the pictures started.  We took Miles to the newborn room and weighed him and they gave him his shots.  He got his bath and never cried.  He was tough already.

I watched, but I was still uneasy.  Windy was not in recovery yet and it would be at least 45 minutes before I was able to see her.  I went to change clothes.  I walked in to see Windy.  They had brought Miles in to nurse.  I saw her and saw she was OK.  I wanted to cry, but was able to hold it in.  It was like a huge weight was taken off of my shoulders.  I looked down at Miles and just then, someone put a heavier weight on.  I was now Daddy.

Miles’s Stats:

• Born: 7:51am, 3/5/04
• 9lbs. 6oz.
• 21 Inches Long
• 15 Inch Cap size

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Online Poker is a fun pastime. If you get good at it, you can even make some extra pocket change. But, to have the best online poker experience, I recommend you take some time and spend a little money. Now, I am no professional, but I can get you going in the right direction.

You need to develop a basic sense for what good poker is all about. You do this by reading some books, and watching videos. After you have the basics under your belt, you should get some software and start playing. There are several pieces of software which enhance your ability to play great poker. I’ll show you each of these.

Early on, it is helpful to get on board with some online training. The Poker Training Network will put you in touch with local players, instructional videos, and simulations which will improve your game. However, you also need to read several books.

Purchase these books and read them in this order:

1. Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington.

2. Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame by Dan Harrington.

3. Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 3: The Workbook by Dan Harrington.

4. Sit ‘n Go Strategy by Collin Moshman.

Now, you are ready to play in tournaments. You know the value of starting hands, and understand the concept of tournament poker. So, time to sign-up at a poker site. Before you do, understand the concept of the rake and rakeback.

The rake is a percentage of every pot or tournament entry fee paid directly to the poker site. This is one of the ways they make money. Rakeback is when a player receives a percentage of the rack back for their own use. You get rakeback by using a rakeback site. So, do not sign up at any poker site without doing it through a rakeback site. I use Rake Update and regularly cash out$ 300-$500 per month.  Rakeback really makes variance easier to live with.  Visit that site and follow their instructions. You’ll be set up in now time.

To play tournaments well, you need a little help. Tournament Indicator (TI) has all the tools you need to help you ensure your profitability. Buy and install TI. Now, log in to your poker site, find a tournament ($2 +.25-nine man sit n go) and register. When the tournament starts, start up TI and play your first tournament. I realize you don’t know all about TI yet, but after the next step, you will. I just want you to get your feet wet.

Go to pokersitandgoreport.com and sign up for Marty’s free videos. As each one comes out, watch them and you’ll learn how to apply the concepts learned in your reading and to use your new software. These tournaments teach you the discipline needed to excel in multi-table tournaments and cash games. I highly recommend you join the forum at tournamentindicatorforum.com. Now, its time to take on the next type of poker: The Cash Game.

The cards may be the same, but cash games are a different animal. To succeed, you should purchase these books:

1. Harrington on Cash Games (How to Win at No-Limit Hold’em Money Games) Vol. 1 by Dan Harrington.

2. Harrington on Cash Games, (How to Win at No-Limit Hold’em Money Games) Vol. 2 by Dan Harrington.

3. Professional No-Limit Hold’em: Volume I by Ed Miller, Sunny Mehta, and Matt Flynn.

4. Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em by Ed Miller, Sunny Mehta, and Matt Flynn.

The last two books are serious professional level books. They will make your head spin. I reread them about every other month. Now, you need a different piece of software that handles cash games: Holdem Indicator. Buy it and never play without it. Sometimes, you’ll find yourself wanting to call, but HI will remind you why it is such a bad call. This is indispensible.

By this time, you may find you need more help fixing your play. I highly recommend you buy Holdem Manager. This software is a database engine that tracks your play and your opponents play. You can use its tools to find your leaks and plug them up.

I cannot end this article without saying something about bankroll management. Your bankroll is what you use to play poker with. If you do not take care of it, you will have a zero bankroll and you will not be able to play poker. What is the point? You manage your bankroll by playing in games that fit your bankroll. You need a bankroll of at least 30 times the buy-in for any game. This is because of variance. There will be times when you play everything perfect and a poor player will draw out on you. That is variance. You get your money in good, but a suck out happens. You will find yourself on losing streaks. Don’t panic! If you are playing the right stakes with the right bankroll, you’ll be able to sustain the variance. So, to play in $2.25 tournaments, you need $67.50. To play .01/.02 Cash games, you need $60.

I hope this little guide helps you get going in the right direction. Below, I have put all the links in a list to help make it easier for you.

See you at the tables,

Mario

—–

L I N K S

Training:

Poker Training Network

RakeBack:

Rake Update

Software:

Tournament Indicator

Hold’em Indicator

Hold’em Manager

Books:

Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington.

Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame by Dan Harrington.

Harrington on Hold’em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 3: The Workbook by Dan Harrington.

Sit ‘n Go Strategy by Collin Moshman.

Harrington on Cash Games (How to Win at No-Limit Hold’em Money Games) Vol. 1 by Dan Harrington.

Harrington on Cash Games, (How to Win at No-Limit Hold’em Money Games) Vol. 2 by Dan Harrington.

Professional No-Limit Hold’em: Volume I by Ed Miller, Sunny Mehta, and Matt Flynn.

Small Stakes No-Limit Hold’em by Ed Miller, Sunny Mehta, and Matt Flynn.

]]> http://blog.marioandwindy.com/2010/01/07/online-poker-primer/feed/ 0 http://blog.marioandwindy.com/2009/06/05/miles-current-favorite-song-walk-outside-by-dan-crow/ http://blog.marioandwindy.com/2009/06/05/miles-current-favorite-song-walk-outside-by-dan-crow/#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:09:12 +0000 mleal http://blog.marioandwindy.com/?p=98 Every now and then, Miles finds a song and everyone in the house starts singing it.  This song is no different.  This song comes from the movie Milo and Otis – great kid film.  “Walk Outside” is just an inspiring tune that makes you want to put on your hat and head outside!

Here’s the youtube with the song…but a montage of somebody’s family…

Here are the lyrics:

Walk Outside
by Dan Crow

We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today
We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today

On a pretty little farm the sun comes up
On a curious cat and a pug nosed pup
A brand new life outside the door
Follow your nose and go explore

Cause We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today
We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today

Such a great big world its all set up
For a curious cat and a pug nosed pup
Friends to meet, places to be
Its all so new and fun to see

And We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today
We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today

Now the journeys over and were headin’ back home
With a very good friend you’re never alone
Stories to tell, stories to hear
There’ll be a lot more in the comin’ year

We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today
We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today

Saw a fox and an owl and a turtle and a bear
Different animals everywhere
Each one where they wanted to be
Some on a farm and some livin’ free

We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today
We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today

Now our story has come to an end
But we’ll have more to share my friend
Tomorrow mornin’ when the sun comes up
On a curious cat and a pug nosed pup

Oh We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today
We’re gonna take a walk outside today
Gonna see what we can find today

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Buck Pickens was a 77 years old father of five and grandfather/great-grandfather to 3 times that.  He was a man who spent time with family and believed in family values.  He loved watching young children play and was content giving things to them to watch their imagination run wild.  He loved his family and it showed through the way he picked up and hugged the smallest grandchild in his family.

I remember on several occassions being at his house and upon his learning of my latest interest, he would give me an object that fit my whim.  Once it was a CB radio.  Another time, he gave me his time.  I was interested in RC airplanes.  Buck happened to be a member of the local RC airplane club.  He took me out and showed me how he flew his airplane.  He even let me give the joystick a try.

Even though he was Windy’s grandfather, I feel very close with him.  He was a great man and I feel honored to be a member of the family.  He was as wise a man as I have ever known.

My prayers are with his wife, Nancy, who was married to Buck for over 50 years, and his children who have suffered a great loss to the family.

I never say goodbye to family or friends, but I always say: see you again.  Because, some time in the future when I pass through the gates into heaven, I know that I will see all of them again.  I can’t wait to sit and enjoy the glory of God and celebrate seeing all of my loved ones again.  Now, as I write this I am saddened that I will not hear the stories Buck could tell.  But, soon enough, I will get to hear them again.

To Buck, I’ll see you again.

Not to sound too weird, but I think I’d like to live more like a Jedi from Star Wars. No, not dress in robes and carry a flashlight jumping around in my living room…but, be about helping and defending those in need. Be charitable and remember the little things that make my life so nice. Patience and benevolence are also traits of Jedi which I have tons of work to do on.

PATIENCE AND BENEVOLENCE
“Patience!” – Yoda

Patience is something that I have to really watch. Windy and Miles just never seem like they move fast enough. I want to proclaim: “HURRY UP!” But, what does it really help to move a few seconds faster? It is just in my mind. Relax! Charitable or Benevolent is something that I feel I have always been good at. I find myself helping others all the time. I don’t have money to give, but time and kind words are always available.

MATERIAL POSSESSIONS
“… Attachment leads to jealousy. The shadow of greed, that is.” – Yoda

Jedi tend to live a life where materials and emotional attachments are forbidden. Well, the emotional attachments can stay, but the worshiping of materials has got to end. Too often do we as humans treat others who have as those who are better. That just isn’t true.

FEAR
“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda.

Jedi also do not fear. This one is hard. I don’t think I’ll ever get over my fear of heights, but fear of the future, maybe. But, fear can show itself all the time. Like when Miles decides to climb on something and I walk around the corner and see him. Fear rushes in and I watch in horror thinking he could fall. I usually run over to him and help him down. But, I think that putting things in God’s perspective and remembering that he is watching the family should settle my reaction. Now, I’ll still go over to help him down safely, but I’ll also remember the angels who are watching over my family.

Jedi hold the deepest commitment and serious minds. I want to commit myself to my family and to God and to remember to think seriously about my family and my actions.

I’ll leave you with some of my favorite quotes from Master Yoda:

“… Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

“Named must your fear be before banish it you can.”

“Death is a natural part of life. Rejoice for those around you who transform into the Force. Mourn them do not. Miss them do not.…”

“Do or do not… there is no try.”

Captains Tim and Cheryl Gilliam are the pastors who are leaving to Maryland.  I met them shortly after they came to Waco.  I learned that my grandfather had preached to Tim many years ago and served as instrumental to Tim becoming an officer in the Salvation Army.  As Tim talked of my grandfather, I saw that he loved him too.  His love made him family to me.

The more I spent time with him, I realized that he was a true and loving person.  One who really cared about people and the lives they lead.  I found that he was a model for the person I wanted to be.  But, why I couldn’t get there I don’t know.

I attended church now and again and every time he preached I was touched.  He made me want to be a better Christian.  Many of you know me and you’ll know that I have been fighting God for many years.  Tim’s spirit caused me to take a pause and remind myself what my grandfather told me often: That God teaches us lessons by giving and taking away.  Sometimes, we don’t want it to be so hard, but the lesson is so important.

Those lessons I still fight to understand–everyday.

Cheryl is another diamond.  She radiates God’s light and being around her will blind you with God’s light.  She loves the Lord and taught me a new way to express my love.

I was taken by both of them.  I truly found people who were living and walking in God’s light.  I always wanted to do the same, but for me, it is so hard.  It seems I am surrounded by people who don’t walk the walk.  My light is so dim compared to the darkness they bring in.  So, when I am around the Gilliams, I find that I can feel my light expanding and breathing and living.  I want that more.

Now, that they are leaving, I find times darker.  Yes, I had my chance to improve my light and I floundered it by not taking advantage of their pressence.  Yes, I would love to take that time back, but who knows…

Today, I fought back tears because I was losing a friend and a family member to distance.  But, as I think about it, I pause to remember that God gives me Light and even though it feels better to spread the light with friends, I can do it alone because God is by my side.  This point is what the Gilliam’s have taught me.  Let your light guide you…Let others see it…Let God see it…and even when times are dark, God’s Light is still visible because it is in my heart.

To my friend, Bless you and most of all–Thank you.

Only today I found out I was lied to. Not a big lie, but lied to by someone whom I respect and trust. But, I left work today wondering if I could still trust them.

A brief look at dictionary.com gives the following definition:

trust n. 1. Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing.

So, what to do? Trust is something that I take VERY seriously. I believe that when a person tells you something in confidence that they are bound by honor. Is that dead? What do you do with people who blindly don’t believe the same things as you? I don’t know.

To be quite honest, I am sick to my stomach and just plain old tired. It seems that you just cannot put trust into people nowadays. No one takes it seriously and no one cares about it. But, I do.

Running around life not having integrity is an empty life. Life without the joys of friendship and the happiness of knowing that you have friend in which you can in confidence confide can’t be happy.

I am happy that I can trust my wife and my family. Those have been my true constant. But, it hurts having another constant torn away. I guess I’ll just have to get over it.

Maybe I am just spoiled…or just too trusty.

I’ll never know.

Everything went wrong and nothing seemed to go my way.  I knew it when I woke up this morning.

I went to a campus to take care of some of my hardware.  When doing an upgrade, the management hardware died.  Not good news especially since this hardware’s value is well over $50K.  Well, I went to get some of my spare parts and found out they were also bad.  Then, it seems that I had more than one part go out!  Wow, what a surprise.  Ever been changing a flat and found out your spare was flat?  That horrid, sick, I wanna vomit feeling came over me.

The campus closed down before the problem could be alleviated so I had to close down shop.  Destined to be back tomorrow to finish.  Well, I finished my work day and went to pick up Miles.

He ran to me and gave me my favorite “Daddy!!” welcome.  In the car, his tone changed.  He is beginning to notice body language and afflections of voice.  He noticed that I was still a little upset.  So, he tried one of his new phrases:

“Daddy, OK?”

I answered, “Yeah, I am fine…”

He gave me a big smile and said, “Love you, Daddy.”  Reminded by him of his love and his caring heart, I pulled over and gave him a big hug.  He kissed me on the check and said: “Daddy, OK.”  Patting me on the back, he reassured me that I was OK.

It is amazing how a two year old already knows how to love and how to take care of a thing they love.  I was recentered by him and reminded that things are going to be OK.  Yes, I had a bad day, but I was OK.  And, tomorrow?  Well, I bet it’ll be OK, too.