The time it takes

I'm a little frustrated. Originally I had thought that 1:40 was a long time to pick up the kids. Currently that's closer to a best time for me. I'm often closer to 2 hours to do pickup. It was much faster with picking up Isaac on the bike, going home, putting things away, hoping into the car and picking up Alice. It took me 20 minutes to drive down Murray street tonight. That's not typical, but somewhere on the route their is always a surprise congestion for no visible reason. The other day is was Kent street.

At this point it just seems like the cost in time I have to pay, but it's frustrating. It shouldn't be that bad.

Even on the days where I'm not doing pickup but just taking the bus it's horrible. It used to be I could take just about any bus going by. Waiting 10 minutes was the most I've waited and it's usually because I was choosing to wait for a bus that had more room. So that was 10 minutes of walking + 10 minutes of bus. Currently it's 25-30 minutes on the bus, plus 2 minutes of walking plus a wait of 10 to 45 minutes for a bus. That doesn't count the time I go "I'm going home now. Uhh, a bus doesn't come for 20 minutes. I guess I'll stay at my desk longer...". Google maps says that it's about 1:18 minute walk. *sigh*

I can't wait until the weather is better and I can bike (or ride my new scooter!) again. *sigh*

I don't feel geeky enough

Some days I don't feel geeky enough. People at work talk about the stuff they do on "side projects", or how they are building things with a raspberry pi. But what do I want to do? Read books, watch movies, play with my kids, go for adventures with Laura.

Should I be trying to build more things for the sake of building them? I'd rather things just work with minimal involvement from me so I could go on a bike ride. Or a ski. Or build a snowman. Is that wrong? Should I be playing around with more stuff? I feel like I'm not keeping up with the Jones. But then I'm like screw the Jones's, I'm going to have some cake and fancy tea then then go look at the stars.

I guess I know my answer. I'm me, and I like building things to have a finished product. The focus for me isn't the journey, it's the destination with the fancy drink with an umbrella and some fruit in it.

Do you want to build a snowman?

Freezing the Musical

Today we took Alice to Freezing the Musical. It's not Frozen, but the characters pay a striking resemblance. We were front row center and it meant that we involved with the performance. The Drag Beauty Queen introduced me as her former lover. Alice played hockey on stage and won a stuffed pig (as you do).

I laughed and laughed at their silliness. It's hard not to be involved with people that are putting themselves out there and having a grand old time. I had forgotten how much fun live theater can be.

The stars of the afternoon.

Fortunately, the Daddy

Tonight I started to read a "big book" to Alice. It is Fortunately, the Milk which I got for Christmas as part of a set. Isaac not wanting to be left out asked to sit with us as well. It went well. I love reading to my kids, especially if I can do voices and it's a bit silly.

Today has been a good day.

Jim's Journal 97/10/15

I found an old "journal" that I wrote on an outdoor ed school trip to the Adirondacks. Good times. Rather than trying to keep the old paper, I'm just going to transcribe it for my own interest. I'll try to be as accurate as possible and not edit it. However I've added some links that weren't in the original paper document. ;-)

Hello, Hello, Hello. We I'm on my long hiking trip in Mr. Zuro class. Yesterday We went up to the top of Mount Jo. Boy I wish I had my camera. We were up so high yet still so close to the lodge were we started from. A crow was flying at the same level as up us (I think that it was a raven). It would fold it's wings up, turn a little to the left and would dive bomb 50 feet or so. This morning it is rain, lightly but still raining. We have a slightly damp area in our tent (on my side) but nothing to worry about. People are starting to get up and make breakfast so I guess I will have to too soon. I don't think we will be going to mount marcy today because we are not getting and early start (it's 8:48). Yesterday we so cool... I am so glad I was well enough to come. The mist was in the mountains. The view was breath-taking. I am glad I joined this class because I am able to do things I wouldn't be ever doing w/ my family; Which sucks. I would love to come back. Getting up now. See you later.

  I guess "later" is like 18 years later.

It's weird. I had forgotten my teachers name and most of that trip. But reading that, especially the part about the crow (!), it brought it back. Some memories linger if you apply enough wonder when they are forming.