Category: Dad

Musing at the Amusement Park

My mama would wake us up way early and while my Squid sisters and I got dressed she finished packing the egg-tortas and stuff into the cooler. My pop made sure he had a couple of VHS tapes ready and the camera was fully charged. We drove a while and parked at either at the Donald lot or Chip & Dale. I think Cars land now lies atop our old spot. The day was long and worth it. We do it different now. I can’t imagine my dad ever hunting for a specific nerd shirt to wear. 
Fingerprints now get you in the park. King Kong is digital and most kids don’t know who Boris Karloff is. Then again…lines can still get long, hot is hot in California and most things are way too expensive. 
Oh yeah…and New Yorkers still stand out in a crowd!

Give me a Break

My dad and I got on the 60 Freeway going east at about 5:00 pm one day. I was 16 and it was a driving lesson. Back then our family had an old Ford Econoline van and I was in charge of it’s 5,000 pounds. Traffic was light as I got on the road and I was having fun feeling the van taking speed as I pressed on the accelerator. I kept on looking down at the Speedometer, proudly conscious the effect of my pressing foot and how it then moved the needle. I was so mesmerized that I didn’t really see the red lights in front of me and the traffic that had begun to stall. Right under the 710 freeway my father yelled at me to stop and by luck I found the Brake. The van’s wheels screeched and I felt my dad’s hands at my chest. When we were stopped he looked at me for a while and then we had to move on. I didn’t drive again for a while and I can’t say I blame him.

When I was a kid

When I was a kid I wanted to be zapped by a lazer and get super powers. When I was a thirteen I wanted to use my own Transformer to fight bad guys. When I was a young adult I wanted to write the great American novel. When I turned 18 I wanted to drive somewhere far far away! 
As I take stock now I’d like to think that I DID become a bit of hero to at least a couple of young minds, that I take effort to do right for myself and others, that my little bursts of writing inspire some and that road trips with my family are the best stress-reliever in the world. ?#
Perspective…that’s a super power que no?



Pomp and Circumstance

My kids are not graduating today and yet as I hear the Pomp & Circumstance playing at their campus for those who are I can’t help but feel a little sad. It’s bittersweet to think that there’ll be a flock of good kids I’ve met moving on to higher grades. Along with them parents who have become friends move with them. I’m sure we’ll KIT somehow. Have a great summer everyone!