Deep Thoughts from the Shallow End

Monday, October 17, 2011

People of WalMart, California

Here's another installment of People of WalMart, the California edition. (Credit for picture and some captions to the website).

"We have a lot of shopping to do at WalMart today...let's take the limotruck."

He's a HUGE fan of Cabbage Patch Kids.

Apparently Harry Carey has a twin sister...who loves looking like a cupcake.

Beautiful...just beautiful...like a waterfall.

Check out the talons on that babe.

The crazy old "cat woman" shops at WalMart.

Who hasn't forgotten to wipe their booty every once and a while....me neither.

Don't know if you can see the moon pies...which I'm never eating again.

Nothing like relaxing in the WalMart parking. This is taking carpooling too literally.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Things I Know Because I'm a Dad

As a dad you get a new perspective on life. There are things that you become familiar with due to having a child (or children). Here's a list of things that I know now (or know more about) due to my kids.

1. There are more than 5 types of dinosaurs. My oldest son, Jackson, is (according to himself) a "dino-expert." He loves dinosaurs and knows a lot about them...even how to pronounce their names.

2. Getting up at 6:30 can be considered sleeping in. Unfortunately ALL my kids are early risers. Generally they are awake in the 5 o'clock hour. Sometimes we are lucky in that our youngest will "sleep in" while the older two will get up and watch TV, as Jackson is very proficient in using the DVR remote.

3. My list of shows recorded are mostly kid shows. Every parent gets familiar with popular kid shows. My kids love Backyardigans, Curious George, Wild Kratts, The Penguins of Madagascar, and Dino Dan to name a few.

4. Formula is crazy expensive and doesn't last very long. My wife breast fed all of our children, except a few weeks towards the end with our oldest. Couldn't believe how much money we spent for just a few weeks.

5. You can get sick of going to McDonald's. I remember my dad telling me he hated going to McDonald's because we went there so often growing up. I thought back then, "How can going to eat at McDonald's get old?" I now know it is possible.

6. A dinner with just my wife seems foreign. Every now and again my wife and I will go out to eat, just the two of us. We are so use to being preoccupied by our children, that without them we are just sitting there...looking at each other...thinking, "Oh yeah, this is what it was like!" We love our kids, but it is nice to have a break.

7. Nap time is GOLDEN! Especially with 3 kids, one being a baby. Usually they all start their naps at the same time. On a good day, they all sleep for 2+ hours. A little peace of mind...especially when you've lost half of it in the morning.

8. Coming home from work is my favorite part of my day. For the last few years, when I get home from work I am greeted with, "DADDY'S HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" They run to me and give me hugs. Will is now old enough to where he, too, will walk over and want me to hold him and he'll give me hugs or pats on the back. I know this stage will end at some point, but I'm loving it now.

9. You really can love all your kids the same. Growing up you ask your parents, "Who do you love the most?" thinking, of course, you already know the answer. Then they tell you, "I love you all the same." Now as a parent, I understand. I can't imagine life without one of them. I would miss them all the same. I love them equally. I love them unconditionally.

10. God's love is unconditional. It's hard to grasp the concept of unconditional love, until you love someone unconditionally. God made us and wants a relationship with us, and loves us...He is our Father. Kind of like how I love my kids and want a relationship with them. And all they have to do for me to love them is...breathe.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Person of Interest

Looking for a new show to watch...or should I say TiVo, DVR, etc?

Person of Interest on Thursday nights is a good one.

Of course my favorite show is still Survivor. Here's a disgusting scene from last weeks episode.

Hungry anyone?

Thirsty?

Friday, August 19, 2011

Who is the Best Pitcher in the National League?

The Cy Young Award goes to the best pitcher in each league. Usually every year there are multiple pitchers who have a great case to win this award. This year is no exception.

Last year the award went to Roy Halladay and it was an easy choice. The guy had great numbers and threw a no hitter AND a perfect game. This year he is at it again making big league hitters look like frosh/soph baseball players. His team, the Phillies, have the best record. All signs pointing to him having another Cy Young trophy in his trophy case.

But in my book, if the season ended today, he would not be the winner.

Granted I am a Dodger homer, but here is my case that Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the National League.

Baseball freaks love stats, so let's start there.
Roy Halladay: 15-5 record, 2.53 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 177 Ks in 184.2 innings pitched
Clayton Kershaw: 15-5 record, 2.60 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 199 Ks in 183.2 innings pitched

Roy has 7 complete games, CK has 4, but CK has 2 shutouts, Roy has 0.

Considering that Roy has a legitimate All-Star lineup behind him while the Dodgers feature mostly has-been, probably-won't-be, and never will-be players, it's astounding that Kershaw has 15 wins.

Kershaw, at the ripe age of 23, has a legit shot at the Cy Young Award this year...and probably the next 10 years (assuming he stays healthy). If he continues his dominance since the All-Star break (6-1 record, 1.53 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 52 Ks in 53 innings), then I think he seals the deal.

Hopefully McCourt sells the Dodgers and the new owner locks up Kershaw. If not, then I guess I will be rooting for him from afar as he dominates as a Yankee or Red Sox.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Why Do I Need to Know Math???

I get this question ALL THE TIME from my students..."Why do we need to know math?"

Here's what happened today to show why knowing some basic math would be helpful.

We bought an item that was priced $20 and marked 40% off. The 40% would be taken off at the register.

When we were checking out, the cashier ripped off the UPC code sticker to scan it due to the size of the item and the lack of having a handheld device. As she was doing this she said, "Got to be careful that I don't..." RIIIIIIIPPPPPPPP. "...do that."

She tried a couple different ways to scan it but it didn't work.

So she typed in the price, "$19.99". I reminded her about the 40% discount. She called for help.

When helped arrived, they came to the conclusion that it should be marked down 40%. Here's the conversation:

Helper: "Go ahead and mark it off 40%."
Cashier: "Get a calculator, I don't know what 40% off is."
Brief Pause

Help: "...Just put $10."
Cashier: {after Helper left} "That's like half off."

Yep, yes it is. If you know how much we should have paid, thank your math teacher.

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Christian Atheists

I'm not sure I know a true Atheist, as I think most people I know agree that there is a God...or at least a supreme being to get this ball of wax going. This is not a creation vs. big bang theory debate. This is about not believing in God.

Our church went through a series about Christian Atheists. The concept is, you believe in God...but you live as if He doesn't exist. I got out of it that the attitude that Christians are hypocritical is somewhat true. We all have our area that we don't want to give up, for whatever reasons. There are some things that we hand over to God, but there is your "secret stash" that you don't want God coming in and telling you that you need to stop doing "that".

I believe we all have crap, just some are better at hiding it. We all fall short. We are human. It's just a question of do you admit your errors, and go back to Him.

The good news is, now matter how "bad" you think your crap is...God doesn't care. He's there EVERY TIME. His arms are open, and He is saying, "Come on home. I've been waiting for you."

Sunday, May 1, 2011

My Team Making Me Look Good

Frosh Soph update...

This week we played a team that routinely is one of the best teams in town year in, year out. We played them on Wednesday and Friday, Friday being a doubleheader due to an earlier rain out.

On Wednesday we started out down 5 to 0, without giving up a hit. At the end of the 2nd we were down 14 to 3. They had 14 runs on TWO hits. Errors and walks KILL YOU!!! After the 2nd inning, the umpire came over and asked when we wanted to call the game. (I'm sure he was thinking, "These guys stink.")

Wow...well we tried to manage a few more innings and got guys some playing time that haven't played much this year.

I lost track at 25 to 3.

Needless to say it was a disaster. After the game my "pep talk" was quite short. "Let's get our stuff out of the dugout as fast as we can. Then let's get to the bus as fast as we can so we can get out of here and pretend this didn't happen."

Sure we stunk it up, but most of it was self inflicted. I built on the positives (yes, I was able to find some), and let them know we did a great job setting the other team up for Friday.

I told my team, "They think we are a piece of crap team. And we were yesterday, but we won't be tomorrow [Friday]. They will come in thinking they can just show up and they will trounce us again. But our pitchers are going to throw strikes, our guys are going to catch the ball and throw the ball better, we're going to hit, and we are going to WIN!!!"

I even convinced myself.

So Friday comes along and all is good. We jump out to a lead and are playing GREAT. Final inning we are up 6 to 1. All is well in the world.

Then the hits started to come. And then a few more hits. Mix in a few errors and we are tied.

At this point I am losing my mind. I'm thinking, "I've seen this movie before. I hope the there is an alternate ending to this one."

2 outs, runners on 2nd and 3rd. Next batter pops it up to 2nd. CATCH!!!!!

I meet with the guys and say, "We are alright. Santa (my 3rd baseman) is going to get on base. We are going to move him over and we are going to WIN!!"

And can you believe it, Santa got a hit and we got the runner over to 3rd with 2 outs. Next batter popped it up to 2nd. DROP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!

We are pumped. They are stunned.

15 minutes later we started up again. They jumped out to a 3 to 0 lead. We battled back and tied it up, then took the lead heading into the final inning. We continued our great defense and shut the door.

Two wins Friday after getting smashed on Wednesday. Now our league record is 2 wins, 8 losses and 1 tie.

We are a much better team than our league record shows. It was nice to get in the win column, but it was great to comeback from the shellacking on Wednesday.

Four games left. We'll see what team shows up.

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