On Fatherhood, Manhood & Becoming Better Ancestors.
One year ago, on March 1st, I quit my job as a retail manager for a grocery store. It was not a lucrative job by any means, but it was one that I did enjoy because it allowed me to be around people. I know that sounds crazy, but I actually do like people even if it means putting up with cranky folks. But I was tired of it as well. I needed something new. I was not an expert, but I was pretty good...
Maybe I am strange. Scratch that. I am strange by most people’s accounts. Some may even say I am unique if they feel like being friendly. But I have no burning desire to see my name engraved on a statue or have building named after me. And despite being a man, I don’t have any need to keep having children until I have a boy simply to carry on my name. Trust me, I have a HUGE ego. You...
One of my biggest challenges in the last year has been managing myself. My ability to manage my energy and focus has been a daily struggle that has me up at night sometimes. I obviously have never worked for myself as my own boss. In my career as an employee (even as a manager) I was under the supervision of someone else. Expectations for my position were set before I got there and I had been...
Well, I am obviously still that skinny kid. Lanky and long. I was the oldest of the youngest kids that have been raised here in the U.S. My older brother and sister were reared in Mexico. Growing up I had to be self-motivated to excel in school. My parents couldn’t speak English, so I couldn’t ask them for help with my homework. Thankfully, I had an awesome teacher in first grade that...
This has been one of those weeks that I will always remember. It has been a week full of events that will go down in Teevee history. My older daughter turned 7 on December 9th. My little big girl is getting so big, and already taking her piece of the world. I did not have her for her birthday, but we still had a great time together the next day. (I plan on spinning the typical Christmas tradition...
2009 marked a year of a lot of new things and new people in my life.
2009 was the year of the biggest leap of faith in my life.
I have always been one to take risks, but frankly they have been safe risks (aside for that one time, but who’s keeping score)
So, as you may know by now, I am pretty busy learning several new things. (If you are unaware of this then take a moment to read the previous post and come back here after that) Although I am happy doing these things and learning new skills, I can’t help feel frustrated regularly. I suck at 3 things at the same time. ARGHHHH! Dance? Yup. Boxing? Uhuh. Improv? You guessed it. I will take a...
I was blessed with a precious present. Perfectly healthy aside from her petit size. Of course I did the obligatory “5 fingers and 5 toes Check?” She was handed to me that night and I cried like a baby with my baby. Being feisty has always been one of her redeeming qualities, even at birth. Like her sister, she loved to lay on my chest and fall asleep. She has always been able to calm...
“Hey is it true you’re taking boxing training?” “Yup, I love it. I get to take out some built up frustration and get opportunity to hit and be hit.” “That’s crazy. Why, would you want to do that?” “Why not?” “You might get hurt.” “Yes, I may. Love does the same thing. Yet we all pursue it all our lives.” ”...
Last week I met with my mentee (real word) for the first time. I almost thought I wouldn’t make it on time. I had made a trip to San Antonio for the weekend and decided to drop in on my Tia in Houston Sunday night. I am such a great nephew, even though I haven’t seen them in over 10 years. (Long story) I show up in Houston and crashed my cousin’s birthday party. Did I mention I...
Tonight at 8pm I will take the stage to perform some improv. It is about damn time! I have studied and talked about it for a long time. The anxiousness is huge. The butterflies are proliferating(?). To say that I am nervous would be stating the obvious. One of the biggest benefits of this event is being able to entertain many of the people that have supported me through this journey of finding...
A couple of years ago when I was a “training specialist” I came across a wonderful quote that really made a lot of sense to me. “Like farmers we need to learn that we cannot sow and reap the same day” ~unknown We all want that magic pill that will just fix everything. The 24-hour solution to our problems. It is evident in many of the things we do and attempt. If the...
On Fatherhood, Manhood & Becoming Better Ancestors.