Ramping up to blog...I'm Back(for now)

Thanks for the prompts to get back to the blog. This has been a chaotic season. Those who know me are aware that I am in the fitness industry and this is our busiest time of year...one statistic says that 12% of the US population joins a health club in January. Our trend has been similar here in Aiken, SC. We are busy.

On another note, Aiken, SC made national news twice in one week. First news item was for the once every 30 years ice storm. We were, in our home, without power for about 36 hours. Some have fared worse - they are w/o still: 6 days later. We, the health club, offered showers for those in the community who were unable to clean up. Second news item - James Brown was arrested for criminal domestic violence. As mentioned in a previous blog, SC is the most dangerous place for a women to live in the USA. Sad. The Godfather of Soul beat up his wife. Looked rough in the mug shot too, so unbelievably, they let him take a second mug shot. Now, to be fair about how scary his mug shot was - he too had been without power for three days and hadn't showered, etc. Still, he looked rough. Rah Aiken!! What a croc of shit. James was just pardoned last year by SC Department of Corrections(assault, etc, served two plus years in the "hotel Aiken" for this)and rec'd Kennedy Center honors this past year too. I hope he gets the help he needs. He must be "off" a bit, said he was on his way to the United Nations, after getting out of jail yesterday, so he could promote peace in the world. Huh?!? "let's kick some 'old lady' ass and promote peace." Well, stranger things have happened, I just can't remember when.

On a more serious note. My kids rock!! I am so appreciative of my children. Their ages are 14(15 in April) and 17(18 in June). My son is the eldest. He is respectful, intelligent, responsible, and a great young man. I ride his ass a little too much some times about the small stuff, but sometimes it's the small stuff that gets by and bites you. He is graduating this year. Made the A/B honor roll this quarter. I don't think that I have had to "look over his shoulder" concerning home work for years now. He is also very "self aware". Prime example. A few months ago he emerged from what we laughingly call his "cave" and proclaimed, "you know dad, now that I am 17, almost 18, the decisions that I make are pretty much mine. I mean, I'm responsible for them and my future. You've pretty much done your job and it's up to me now."

How about that!! As frightening as that sounds, it's true. He's got much more on the ball than I had at that age. Anyhow, he "emerged" again from the cave about two weeks after the first "declaration of independence" and said, "I really don't like school. I don't want to go to college, study something that I'm not sure that I want to, and be $20-30,000 in debt(We had been looking at and visiting colleges for possible admission for the past few months - a whole 'nother group of stories). I also lack discipline and self motivation in some areas so I'm going to join the Marines! I figure that if I can do that for 4 years I will have money saved, $32,500 for college (GI bill) and I will have the discipline to do just about anything that I want."

After my wife(his step-mom)finished screaming, "What, and go to war!" and various other insightful and sensitive attempts to encourage him(you have to understand - my wife is half Italian[I know - pray for me], and that half is very evident - vocal and dramatic - not a silent half - she blurts and waves her hands around as she communicates), we realized that he was following through on his first declaration. He was making his first BIG life decision. I couldn't argue with his reasoning. He thought this one out. He had taken the step.

The status in that decision is that he is formally engaged to the Marines. That means that he has been cleared medically and taken his first oath. His nuptial date, the second oath, is September 20, 2004. Parris Island, SC, just two hours and an entire universe away from home. 13 weeks after that date he will be one of the Few and Proud - "No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy."

I couldn't be more proud. I can't watch the Marine videos w/o choking up. That date in December when he graduates will be unbelievably emotional. I'll keep you in touch as the time draws near. Right now he is working part-time, finishing his senior year, playing basketball and X-Box, and getting ready for basic Training by spending time at the Health Club that dad manages - membership does have it's privledges:) While most 18 year olds will be fighting with Biology 1 and freshman jitters and all of the bullshit that the first year of school brings - my son will become a man. At 18. When did you understand what it meant to be responsible? When did you know what it was to be an adult? I sure as hell wasn't 18. I love and admire my son. He is the coolest and most amazing 18 year old I know. He is my best friend. What a gift. How many parents can say that? I told you my kids rock.

So, I'll leave it at that. More on my daughter in another blog.

Glad to be back. Hope to stay here.

WH

I'm Thinking, I'm Thinking

Hey there. I know that it has been an embarassingly long time since I posted. No excuses are sufficient. Something is coming this weekend. I hope:)

WH