1026070842_m.jpg, originally uploaded by iAMiAN_.
Monthly Archive for October, 2007
You may (or may not) have noticed the “unpublished drafts” block on the left side of the page. Currently, ten unfinished posts have been listed in the stack. I can tell you the actual number of posts to-be-written is closer to double that. Parenthood, as it seems, can be overwhelming.
Work has not been difficult. It has been lame, and pointless, but certainly neither difficult nor long. The latest we have been released was yesterday, and that was at 2:00 PM. This is not to say that the end of work = the beginning of free time. Yes, it is true that if I left work and went … somewhere else, I could, indeed, have copious amounts of free time, but with that time would come the sting of knowing I was spending time chilling out by myself under the auspices of still being at work.
What then, of my wife?
The kids are a handful. Raden is going through some things right now, and he is … well, I don’t think you’re allowed to call children “psychotic”, but I think I’ve illustrated the point. Yes, I could stop at the beach for a few hours every day before coming home, but it just wouldn’t feel right. There’s a woman at home in desperate need of a nap or a walk or a just-get-me-the-hell-outta-here-for-an-hour!, and what kind of husband and father would I be if I said “sure, see you in a few hours”?
I have gained an immeasurable amount of respect and admiration for my sweet wife Tracy these last few weeks. How she was able to care for our two children single-handedly for fourteen months without going completely crazy or killing someone is a true testament to maternal power. My hat is off to you, ladies, and mom, how you dealt with kids in diapers for thirteen consecutive years is unbelievable. I don’t know how you all do it.
So here I am. It is 10:37 PM and I am on the computer. This is the latest I have been up all week (I usually fall asleep right after Raden’s bath at about 8:00). This is mostly due to the fact I just spent the last hour or so doing counseling for the last five months for all four of my soldiers. I was solid for the first nine months, and was definitely more up-to-date than any of the other team leaders, but then I went to Qatar and the rest, as they say, is shenanigans.
I’m drifting.
There is so much I have to say, so much going on in my mind, and I’m afraid the longer I wait to commit it to paper, the less clear it will become. This, I now realize, is my price for being a committed husband and father right now. This is my choice. I could become addicted to diet pills and vow never to sleep again. Ever. That might help out, yes? No. Time will ease things, I know (I hope!), but for now, in this very fragile stage of so many of my personal relationships, the keyboard will most always lose to MegaBloks, catch, and the dishes.
1023071522_m.jpg, originally uploaded by iAMiAN_.
Watching video podcasts during my commute is the only way I’ll ever get caught up, hehe. Pictured here: DiggNation.
1021071459_m.jpg, originally uploaded by iAMiAN_.
We had a monumental day in Kailua. Get it? Monumental?
1021071301_m.jpg, originally uploaded by iAMiAN_.
Sunday brunch at Boots & Kimo’s Homestyle Kitchen in Kailua. Delicious.
While it had been planned for many moons, the family finally made it out to do some hiking. After searching a handful of local outdoorsy websites, we concluded the Old Pali Highway hike would be a great starter hike for us. A consistent and slight grade, 90% paved surface, and ample parking made it easy and enjoyable to dust off the old baby backpack and go for a walk.
It was about mid-day and overcast. The park was busy, but not crowded. There are a number of tour bus lines that feature Nuuanu Pali Park and the Old Pali Highway as a hot stop, but with a separate bus lot, we hardly even noticed their presence.
What struck me first was the abundance of BEES flying around everywhere. They appeared to be only mud wasps, but still, Raden’s only been stung once, and nobody wants to be unprepared when that do-or-die second sting happens. We swung wide of most of the bees, quickly walked past the commemorative tablet and enjoyed the fantastic view of Kaneohe Bay on the eastern side of the island. Unfortunately, we also caught a glimpse of yet another golf course (Google says there are approximately 105 on the island of O’ahu), and a strip mine.
Satisfactorily saturated by the view and anxious to distance ourselves from the growing swarm of bees, we headed toward the head of the path. Though greeted by a Road Closed sign, we were assured the path was open, and the sign was simply a reminder that vehicles are no longer allowed on the path. (How one could actually get a vehicle to that location nowadays is beyond me.)
The baby backpack we used is simply fantastic. It’s very comfortable, has plenty of extra pocket space for diapers, water, food, etc., and supports a weight limit of 50 pounds. Heck with the rucksack, I’ll hike-with-a-kid to stay in shape! River started off in the pack, and Tracy and Raden enjoyed dashing around the trail, examining everything from berries to grasshoppers to graffiti. About half way back up the trail, Raden decided he had exhausted himself and would please like to ride in the backpack please. No problem, buddy.
Ultimately, the hike was wonderful. It was an easy walk for us and the kids, a great visual lesson on the history of Hawaiian road travel, and it offered some amazing views of Kaneohe. When you come to visit, we will go :]
The Google Map of the location shows the parking area (should be right in the middle of that map), and as you head north and east, you can kinda follow the path along and above the [new] Pali Highway.
(On a photographic note, the mid-day sun, combined with harsh shadows (and Tracy’s white shirt), made it very difficult for our camera to really capture the lighting appropriately. As a result, you will notice very blown highlights in most of the pictures. I’m attempting to “fix” that in Photoshop.)
So I haven’t actually written anything of any substance in some time. The last dozen or so posts are nothing but photos. I suppose it is a whole lot easier to snap a picture and post a caption than it is to take the time to sit down and compose something worth reading. I’m still having a hard time finding that time.
Life at home is hectic, as I’m sure it must always be with two kids under three years old constantly competing for attention. As good as it feels to have both of the kiddos climbing all over me and hugging and kissing on me, it can become overwhelming, and it’s difficult to find a break. Nap time may seem viable, but that’s about the time I need to slow down as well.
I couldn’t imagine raising children on my own, and every day I become more and more in awe of Tracy’s strength and independence, having gone it alone for fourteen months.
I am still jotting down little notes here and there to remind me to write about this or that. They will all eventually see the light of day. In the meantime, how are you all enjoying my photoBlog? 
Recent Comments