Yesterday Gert and a friend grabbed a table, made a sign and set up a lemonade stand on the driveway. They had cups, napkins, the whole nine-yards. A fantastic six-year-old effort and a childhood rite of passage. But their approach was different.
The lemonade was free. But you could donate money for "homeless babies and pets". All together they raised $13, half of which was given to the stray rescue people and the other half is being sent to a babies in need program in tomorrow's mail.
Right now Gert's upset because it's raining. She was planning on raising money for cancer today. Now her free lemonade stand is on hold.
If you happen to be in the neighborhood and see a stand offering free lemonade, stop on by.
It takes a pretty special kid to spend several hours making signs, setting up a stand and sitting out in the hot sun only to give away the lemonade and donate any money they get to charity.
I think we could all learn a lesson from Gert's approach to life. I know I did.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Mixed Emotions
Sitting here migrating files and what not to a new computer. It's more fun than ever. But I'm listening to the groovy mix I'm putting together for my sister's Fourth of July BBQ. Two CDs: Hot Summer Days & Cool Summer Nights. A lot of classic soul and funk and even a little Horace Silver. Good music to drink and talk to.
But as I'm sitting here I realize how freaking weird it is having a teenager living here. She used to be a lot shorter, talked funny and played with dolls. Now she's tall, talks to boys and has a really sharp wit. She's also a little strange. But hey, weird kids make interesting adults, right?
Okay, back to copying files and listening to some nice funky music. Helps the time pass.
But as I'm sitting here I realize how freaking weird it is having a teenager living here. She used to be a lot shorter, talked funny and played with dolls. Now she's tall, talks to boys and has a really sharp wit. She's also a little strange. But hey, weird kids make interesting adults, right?
Okay, back to copying files and listening to some nice funky music. Helps the time pass.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Need More Time
I thought summer was supposed to be relaxing. How is it possible that we have less time every day in the summer than during the school year? It has been insane around here. Absolutely insane. Chris and I see each other for about 45 minutes at the end of the day.
That is all. I have no point. No funny stories. Unless you think round is funny.
Oh, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are coming to Live On (off) the Levee. I won't be here. Sigh. My brother is going to go for me and make indecent remarks. Neko Case is coming in September. It's a Wednesday. Chris and I are trying to work out the details for that, since tickets go on sale shortly.
That is all. I have no point. No funny stories. Unless you think round is funny.
Oh, Grace Potter & the Nocturnals are coming to Live On (off) the Levee. I won't be here. Sigh. My brother is going to go for me and make indecent remarks. Neko Case is coming in September. It's a Wednesday. Chris and I are trying to work out the details for that, since tickets go on sale shortly.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Dance & Cheer
Gert went to Dance & Cheer camp last week. Naturually, my kid was the one who looked like she was going to a Misfits concert. It was cute. This is one of the moves she brought to the class:
Patented Gert Move from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
How could they harness that sort of raw energy? More here.
And, this is what happens when Matilda gets a hold of the Flip:
Our Kitchen from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Patented Gert Move from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
How could they harness that sort of raw energy? More here.
And, this is what happens when Matilda gets a hold of the Flip:
Our Kitchen from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Tour of Missouri
It's in September and, for the second year in a row, the person I was going to travel with has had to drop out. Anyone wanna go? I've been saving my vacation time for it. I'd hate to have gone through seven months without taking a day off and not be able to follow a few stages.
I buy you pork and beer.
This is where actually having friends might come in handy. Sigh.
I buy you pork and beer.
This is where actually having friends might come in handy. Sigh.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Children's Story
I'm not answering email today. Don't take it personally. I'm preparing for a conference on Wednesday and Thursday and have to learn everything I can about my client's product line since, ostensibly, I'm selling it. My client can't be there so I am his proxy. Maybe I'll sign a new book for him...I'm also demoing some sort of technology that I haven't seen yet. This could be interesting.
Father's Day? Videos to come. But, in a word, awesome. KATY ride, lunch with in-laws, man-sized hamburgers and ribs for dinner, laying on the couch bloated and tired. Success.
A few things: Gert made me cry. Long story. But when she said, "Daddy I know that you love me" for some reason it just opened up some river of emotion. She didn't see me cry. She still makes fun of me tearing up at the end of Field of Dreams. But, for some reason, the purity of her comment just killed me.
It could be because her sister had secretly made me a video about her favorite thing about me (I am funny and sing silly songs all the time). But, also, if you bother me while I'm working apparently I "go all WOOOOO" on you.
There were two quotes from this weekend that, unfortunately, I did not get to record. Gert and Mom were the culprits and, no I won't explain:
"I don't want to be the penis."
"It tastes like clown vomit."
Those go down in the hall of fame.
Father's Day? Videos to come. But, in a word, awesome. KATY ride, lunch with in-laws, man-sized hamburgers and ribs for dinner, laying on the couch bloated and tired. Success.
A few things: Gert made me cry. Long story. But when she said, "Daddy I know that you love me" for some reason it just opened up some river of emotion. She didn't see me cry. She still makes fun of me tearing up at the end of Field of Dreams. But, for some reason, the purity of her comment just killed me.
It could be because her sister had secretly made me a video about her favorite thing about me (I am funny and sing silly songs all the time). But, also, if you bother me while I'm working apparently I "go all WOOOOO" on you.
There were two quotes from this weekend that, unfortunately, I did not get to record. Gert and Mom were the culprits and, no I won't explain:
"I don't want to be the penis."
"It tastes like clown vomit."
Those go down in the hall of fame.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Apache
The ghost of Geronimo came back and killed Tommy Seebach. At least we can hope. Dig that funky dancing at the 2:50 mark.
Okay, I have to cleanse that pallate. Here's a much better song with the same name.
Oh fuck it. I'll ruin that too.
Sucker Theather
So Gert already had a flat on her new bike. She has daddy's good luck. I've discovered that glueless patch kits are roughly useless compared to the old ones. Sure, they get you back home but not with confidence. Granted, I've only used the patch kits to patch other people's flats. I'm a tube carrier. You can get the tube switched out in half the time and be on your way. Just cuts out the middle man.
So I went out and bought a traditional patch kit with real glue. The kind that allows you to fix the flat and get a nice model airplane high. And I needed to get Gert a new tube.
Instead, I bought three tubes for 20 inch bikes. Why? Well, it's possible Gert will destroy hers again. I've seen her ride. But I thought about all those kids with 20x1.75 tires riding around the neighborhood and thought about all the dads who would probably let that flat tire sit in the garage because they didn't know how to change the tube. So color me a sucker.
Yes, I'll even use them for the neighbor kids who are being raised by wolves. Even feral children deserve proper bike rides.
So I went out and bought a traditional patch kit with real glue. The kind that allows you to fix the flat and get a nice model airplane high. And I needed to get Gert a new tube.
Instead, I bought three tubes for 20 inch bikes. Why? Well, it's possible Gert will destroy hers again. I've seen her ride. But I thought about all those kids with 20x1.75 tires riding around the neighborhood and thought about all the dads who would probably let that flat tire sit in the garage because they didn't know how to change the tube. So color me a sucker.
Yes, I'll even use them for the neighbor kids who are being raised by wolves. Even feral children deserve proper bike rides.
Monday, June 09, 2008
Gert's Big Ride
Gert got a brand new bike this weekend. The very first one that wasn't previously owned and abused by a sibling or another kid. The model is a "Pixie", which she loves. It's very sporty. It's a decent bike. This should last her a few years, I hope.
We rode the KATY on Saturday morning and had a fantastic time. Gert was determined to make it to Frontier park in historic St. Charles, which is a little less than 5 miles from the trail head. Ultimately she did a little over 9 miles that day. Here's the proof:
Gert's First KATY Ride from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Riding behind the Family Arena.
Interview with Gert from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Taking a break just shy of her goal. We tried to tell her that we could turn around, that she'd done more than expected. But, she was determined. By the time we got back to the steep series of ramps that took us out of the river valley and I shot off to catch and school some dick who buzzed by Gert without announcing himself, Mom offered Gert the opportunity to walk. She refused and fought her way up most of the climb. Her legs gave out about 100 feet from the end. You can kind of see how big the climb is, especially for a 6-year-old, here. That's taken from the bridge which is level with the parking lot. You can see the asphalt leading up.
Apple and tree seem pretty close...
Oh, and I blew past that asshole at 16 mph up hill while he was struggling to find the right gear while still looking studly in front of his slutty girlfriend. Kind of hard to do when some geek like me not only passes you on the climb but scolds you about nearly running a six-year-old off the trail. Again: Dick.
Celebration Dance from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
She made it to her goal and here is her celebratory dance. At least I think it's a dance. Then we had to turn around and make the same distance back. Though she was tired in the end, she was cheerful and hilarious the entire time. And when I told her that the people who had just passed us were getting further away her face tightened and she started to hammer. If she had a little more energy she would have caught and passed those stupid adults.
It's Not On! from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
This is about a mile from the ramp to the parking lot. She's cute.
We rode the KATY on Saturday morning and had a fantastic time. Gert was determined to make it to Frontier park in historic St. Charles, which is a little less than 5 miles from the trail head. Ultimately she did a little over 9 miles that day. Here's the proof:
Gert's First KATY Ride from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Riding behind the Family Arena.
Interview with Gert from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Taking a break just shy of her goal. We tried to tell her that we could turn around, that she'd done more than expected. But, she was determined. By the time we got back to the steep series of ramps that took us out of the river valley and I shot off to catch and school some dick who buzzed by Gert without announcing himself, Mom offered Gert the opportunity to walk. She refused and fought her way up most of the climb. Her legs gave out about 100 feet from the end. You can kind of see how big the climb is, especially for a 6-year-old, here. That's taken from the bridge which is level with the parking lot. You can see the asphalt leading up.
Apple and tree seem pretty close...
Oh, and I blew past that asshole at 16 mph up hill while he was struggling to find the right gear while still looking studly in front of his slutty girlfriend. Kind of hard to do when some geek like me not only passes you on the climb but scolds you about nearly running a six-year-old off the trail. Again: Dick.
Celebration Dance from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
She made it to her goal and here is her celebratory dance. At least I think it's a dance. Then we had to turn around and make the same distance back. Though she was tired in the end, she was cheerful and hilarious the entire time. And when I told her that the people who had just passed us were getting further away her face tightened and she started to hammer. If she had a little more energy she would have caught and passed those stupid adults.
It's Not On! from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
This is about a mile from the ramp to the parking lot. She's cute.
Thursday, June 05, 2008
Feed the Birds
Ever tried to sprint into a 20 mph headwind in order to escape a bird trying to tear through your helmet and eat your brains? (Or protect its fledglings, depends on your perspective).
It's hard.
Really hard.
It hurt. A lot.
But I escaped. Hopefully without bird flu.
It's hard.
Really hard.
It hurt. A lot.
But I escaped. Hopefully without bird flu.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
This Weekend DaVinci Cried
Rennaisance Faire from Gary O'Brien on Vimeo.
Got the father of the year nomination when at the Renaissance Faire I borrowed money from my daughter to buy beer.
When you watch the above video you'll understand why.
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