So I’ve been going through some old posts that used to link to my now-defunct Flickr account as I keep everything at Picasa these days. I’ve been manually replacing the Flickr links with Picasa ones in the off chance someone comes across a five year old post and sees a dead link.
When I update, however, I noticed that the newly republished posts show up in my Google Reader. So if you subscribe to this blog, you may see some old stuff.
Also, you might notice that I used to get out a lot more.
by John 2 Comments
At some point after Ander’s Behring Breivik’s terrorist attacks in Norway, I thought of his parents and what they must be going through. Other than the fact that his father was a diplomat, I have no idea what kind of parents they were or what kind of values they instilled in him. I do know that he and his father are estranged but for what reason, I don’t know. Did they raise him with hateful views? Or were they kindly parents who did all they could but at the cusp of his own adulthood, they knew that he would have to be responsible for the formation of his own personality?
It’s something I think about a lot, now that I have a person of my own to raise. I often see young people behaving horribly and wonder what their parents must be like. So, to make sure I did my job as a parent, I told my son, "James, you’re not allowed to grow up to be a terrorist." I’ll remind him again in a few years, just to be sure.
On a slightly lighter note, I wonder what a parent can actually do to shape the personality traits of their children. How much is DNA and how much is environment and how much is just plain personal choice? I like to think my parents were decent folk who did their best but it didn’t stop me from becoming a self-absorbed asshole for most of my teens and early twenties.
So I teach my child to be kind and tolerant but will he make the choice to become hard and hateful? Sure, he’s full of hugs and kisses now but what happens in ten years when he’s about to turn 13?
I think I can deal with just about any phase a kid can go through (kind of hoping for Goth) but I won’t know what to do with a kid who turns out to be an asshole.
by John 2 Comments
No, I did not buy a Dodge Caravan. Besides being out of my budget, I, like the family in the commercial, have ONE KID. Who needs that much car to cart one entitled kid who apparently needs TWO TV screens to keep herself entertained?
We’re still rolling in the 2003 Corolla which recently treated itself to a $1,500 brake job. The new car will likely be smaller than that. The list includes a Yaris or Ford Fiesta. I do understand that when you start a family, you need to evaluate how you’re going to cart everyone around and sometimes an SUV or Minivan just fits the bill. We just don’t need that much car ourselves but I’m not anti-Minivan or anything. I just think sometimes people get more car than they need. Some people don’t need any car. I know a couple in NDG whose family vehicle is one of these cool bikes from Denmark.
I do admit, I love the Toyota Highlander. But I fear if I ever got one, my kid would turn into an asshole.
Seriously, Dad? You’re gonna let your kid behave this way? I’m calling child protection services.
“James, eat your cherries.”
“I don’t like cherries”
“You liked them yesterday. Why don’t you like them today?”
“I ate cherries at grammy’s house. Gus [dog] lives there.”
“Does Gus eat cherries?”
“No.Gus gives kisses.”
“He does?”
“Yucky kisses. I don’t need them. Pfft!”
“Do you like Gus?”
“Gus went poop in the ball park. Grammy picked it up.”
