Sigh

Aw, so sad that as the World Series of Poker ends (or at least goes on the 4-month hiatus) visitors to the blog start dropping off. "Sigh..." I'll miss you all. To those of you who continue to wander through my musings thanks for stopping by and sharing time with me.

In my real world (at work) things seem to have settled down a bit, but I remain guardedly optimistic. I don't need someone dropping he proverbial garbage can on my head.

I'm still busy with Cole's football practice. We are still practicing 5 nights per week through this week. Next week (on Wednesday) the kids all head back to school so then, the boys will get some relief, with only 3 nights a week. But something else will no doubt fill the void.

Whitney is looking for a part-time job. She hopes becoming a wage slave will fill the hours spent last year cheering. Yes, kids the lil blond girl is NOT cheering this year. It's a long story and I won't dignify the coaches with a long drawn out explanation. You know whatcha did... and you know it was wrong... and my daughter stepped up and told you both to "get bent... I'll go my own way!" I'm proud of her. I'm proud of the effort she put into it all, over the years, but I guess the real lesson she's learned from me is that she doesn't have to take a lot of shit from anyone. Some... yes of course, life sometimes serves it up, but there is a limit to what any one of us should endure. Knowing that limit, and reacting appropriately when it is crossed defines one's character. And right now, my daughter stands tall and proud. I'm very proud of her, and the young woman she has become. Anyway, my apologies for the extended recap... wish her luck in finding a good job to earn a few bucks.

Don't forget POKER this Friday at the Eagles Aerie 2307, starting at 7:00pm. Registration begins at 6:00pm. $25 gets you in on the action. Cash games to certainly follow... Hope to see you all there.

Regards,

cheer_dad

NDPT #4 is tomorrow night

I'm leaving work early today, and not due to some level of over-indulgence last night at the club. Indulge yes, over no... Actually, I've got a number of errands to run, including I must get my cable modem replaced as it went kaboom, and at home at least I've been internet-less. I might as well not exist, don't you agree!?! I also have to go pick up part of the uniform order for my baseball team. Check in on the kids who are still on Spring Break. And then grab Cole and head to the baseball fields this evening for practice. After that, Cole is heading over to his papaw's house to spend the night, and then in the morning get up to go turkey hunting. Great white hunter indeed!

He'll be back tomorrow early evening, cause then we have baseball practice again! I'll spend the day cleaning up the basement, and other honey-do like projects, and I'll have to get the chips and tables set up for tomorrow night's NDPT Tournament #4! Turnout is going to be light, if the response I've received is any indication of things, but you just never know. It'll be good to come home after baseball and hang out with friends, drink a beer or twelve and play some cards. I'm looking forward to it.

Work's kept me busy, and I'm very thankful for the weekend.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Time for Tri-C Baseball

I'm really pleased with the group of boys that I picked up in the baseball draft on Tuesday night. I've got a few that right away I'll have to get started with on pitching. Some of them show a particular knack for it, and simply need some instruction in mechanics. The team can easily make use of as many as 5 pitchers in a season, what with the strict limits on the numbers of innings/pitches per week that they are allowed to actually pitch. It's the only way to keep the kids from blowing out an arm. Actually I think it's to keep some moron of a coach, hell-bent on reliving some previous glory day, from destroying the kids' arms for them. There's a lot of ego in the coaching staff's in these recreation leagues. I have absolutely no glory days to relive. I wasn't an athlete as a child. I'm not an athlete now. (Although, I'm sticking to my running consistently from 3-4 miles about 4+ times a week now. I'm also trying to lift weights 2 or 3 times a week as a cross-train exercise.) Okay, I'll stop tooting the ole horn!

My goal for the kids on my team is to teach them baseball fundamentals, teamwork, and self-worth. I want them to learn pride as well as humility. I want them to know what it is to win, and the hard work necessary to accomplish it; and conversely know what it is to lose and use it as a tool for improvement, rather than as an absolute. Maybe you think I've got it all wrong. Maybe I'll be nice and tell you, that you're entitled to your opinions... My goals and commitments are to the kids, and I'll do my best by them.

Know this, that wherever we get to... we'll get there together.
Practice starts Monday! Tri-C Baseball Fever... CATCH IT!

And in other news, don't forget March 20th, Friday at 7:30pm we have a poker tournament at the Eagles, $25 buyin. Hope to see bunches of you there!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Rode the 600

Half a league, half a league,

Half a league onward,

All in the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

"Forward, the Light Brigade!"

Charge for the guns!" he said:

Into the valley of Death

Rode the six hundred.

~excerpt from Alfred, Lord Tennyson's Charge of the Light Brigade

(most enjoyed as delivered by Alfalfa in Little Rascals, episode Two Too Young.)

Another milestone of sorts here at the old NDPT Blog. This is the 600th post! I don't know if it even comes across your radar of observation, or if it's an event of note at all. Still, it's a pretty big deal to me! Thanks for continuing to visit me here, and I hope (at least on occasion) I write something worth reading. Regardless though, the thing does me good.

Today's a busy day, Whitney has to cheer at two basketball games today, at both high schools. Cole has bowling in a few minutes, followed immediately by Rec League basketball. Then, Big Red and I will be cramming clothes and cash into a suitcase in preparation for tomorrow morning's flight. Ring...ring... It's VEGAS calling! We've got a lot of things to get done before we leave, but we'll be there soon.

That's all for now... there's just no more time. The day begins...

Regards,

cheer_dad

P.S. Just as I'm wrapping up my post... the door bell rings with a delivery for Whitney. A dozen red roses for my baby-girl from the boy child who fancies himself to be her boyfriend. Okay Jordan I'll cut you some slack, you're a good guy and you seem to treat my daughter very well. Thank you for that... but let's keep it that way, shall we? : ) Nevertheless, kudos on the flowers. And Happy Valentine's Day all!

2-hour delay

Yet another 2-hour delay in the Wood County, WV school system for the year. This time not a flake of snow on the ground, but frigid temperatures (at least for this area.) I'm not sure what the morning low was, but I know last night at 10:00pm the mercury had dropped to around 12 degrees! And don't even forget about the howling winds. With the number of students that ride buses and stand out in the cold, THIS was a good call on the part of the Board. Besides, it makes the kids less cranky in the mornings. Extra couple of hours of shut eye does the trick every time. Busy day on my day off. GRRRRR! Of course get the kiddies to school here in just a bit. Then, it's off to Marietta, OH to get the car serviced at the dealership, then back for some additional service (removal of a small dent by the "Dent Doctor." THEN, I have to get some last minute shopping in for Big Red. I know what I want to get, but just have to squeeze in the time for it, before it's time to pick up the kidlets from school. I don't know yet if Cole has practice or not. Whitney's on the other hand was CANCELLED! Yeah!!! Although, I would likely have let her drive herself. Of course, then I couldn't relax then either until she pulled back in the driveway safe and sound. Beyond all that, I'm sure there are details that I'm forgetting but they'll present themselves as the day goes on.

Time for the dad-taxi to pull out. Later all.

Regards,

cheer_dad

It doesn't get easier

I ran across the following post http://jacksrok.blogspot.com/2008/08/first-day-of-schoolsniff-sniff.html on a blog that I frequent in which blogger "jjok" laments the fact that his daughters headed off for their first day of kindergarten and that they were growing up, it was all making him a little sad... and that sooner than he wanted he knew they'd be talking about "bras and boys." I remember the same feelings when my kids left for school as well. Seems like yesterday.

Unfortunately, "jjok" I wish I had better news for you, but this is what those little pony-tailed girls will end up doing to you someday:






They grow up...

This one headed off to her first day of high school on Tuesday. Eventually I know it'll be college, and then worse she'll be bringing some "guy" home to meet the folks. (shudder)











I'd like to pretend that it won't be so bad with my son, who is younger, but in the end I know it'll be just as bad. It's just right now it seems like there's a lot more time to deal with the eventuality of it all. We've still got more days of elementary school and little league, thank goodness, but even those are numbered. Either way, try as we might to stop it, our kids are going to grow up on us. All we can do is do our best by them, equip them as best we can and give them love.


The time escapes me... but it was never mine to keep.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Pix from Whitney's Prom Night

As promised... some of the pictures of my "baby girl" on her 9th grade prom night. Here's Whitney from the overlook at Fort Boreman Park in Parkersburg, WV:


Whitney and Matt at Lindsey's house:


Another shot of the couple at Fort Boreman Park:


And again...


The kids had a good time... more so over at Jo Jo's house party and bonfire than at the prom itself. The school year is nearly over, and next year they'll all be headed off to high school. Funny I still remember vividly changing diapers. Time marches on...

Regards,

cheer_dad

A day turned around

Today wasn't going so well. Not at all... don't know why. No good reason at all. But then I got home and things improved. Really, and again for no good reason at all. Step one was to say hello to Cole and ask how the day at school went, and check on the homework situation both of which were "okay." I left him to continue playing with his wrestlers here in the family room, while I headed down to run my 30 minutes on the treadmill. Finished, showered, checked the homework. We all grabbed something to eat...then had a few various chores to take care of. Cole really pitched in and helped out, then he asked if we could pass the baseball around a little. It was one of the most enjoyable times I've had with my son in a very long time. He did well, we worked on some fundamental form, speed and accuracy. We even finished it out with him practicing "pitching." There were a few "wild" ones in there, but there was power and some really great pitches that came out. But aside from all the mechanics of the thing... it was just great spending time with my son.

I later had to go pick Whitney up from a track meet, and let her drive us home. I think I've mentioned the "learner's permit" before (shudders to self.) Well it is a reality people, but fear not, the lil blonde girl's doing a great job. Again, something very mundane and insignificant on its face, but I think this was a very good day, after all. When I tucked 'em in, I told them it was good spending time with them, and that I love them very much!

Whole day turned around just like that. They make me want to be better than I am. It's all about them. Luv ya kids!

Regards,

cheer_dad

My wallet shudders

While Cole and I were trying to stay warm last night down at Tri-C Baseball fields, my wife and daughter were out shopping on a whole other scale. The subject of a new car has been breached in the "casa de cheer_dad" and it's been brought up in casual conversation. Now that Whitney is of driving age (she has her permit now) she's eventually going to have to take the driving portion of the test. None of us were particularly looking forward to her taking the test in either my Dodge 1500 pickup extended cab, or Big Red's Durango for that matter. Frankly the friggin' Hemi is just not something that I think she'd find conducive to the stress of the test, and don't even think about the parallel parking portion of the test. And I'm not real interested in having her drive either of our current tanks out and about in the teenage world. Let's not even get into my blood pressure here folks. Suffice it to say we're wanting to go smaller, yet comfortable. Miles to the Gallon of gas is also a HIGH priority here people. My meager poker earnings just aren't covering the cost that OPEC keeps shoving down our throats. ANYWAY I've gone around the block with my story. So my wife and daughter go to "look" at cars last night. When I return home, nearly frostbitten, and aching from a baseball to each shin, and one to the ribs... out comes the new car brochure for the Toyota Camry. Suddenly I'm gettin' chatted up, something fierce. I know where this is all headed. I know yet another major purchase is looming on the horizon for me. So, I humor her and let her talk, not letting on that I've already spotted the pricing sheet that's already been worked up with her "Jane Hancock" clearly visible at the bottom. Folks what we have here is a done deal. It's all over but cheer_dad's crying. There's a Toyota Camry in my future. This has been further confirmed as of today, when I went down to visit my lovely wife at work (Credit Union) downstairs in my building and find her pouring over the paperwork, finalizing loan forms, a fax coversheet all but sealing my fate.

Okay, I'll quit my whining about it now. Much of this has been in jest after all anyway. I don't particularly like the Durango. My truck on the other hand is like my mostest favoritest vehicle ever! Although I offered to part with her... I wasn't looking forward to having to give her up. Luckily (I think) a compromise has been reached! Whew! And honestly this is a good looking car, that I think we can all be happy with. Now I know some of you way in the back are wondering in your male chauvinistic way about how I could let a "woman" go pick out and buy a new vehicle without having me around. Those of you who would even think it have never really gotten to know my beloved Big Red! Salesmen beware... you've bitten off more than you can chew. Go huddle at your friggin' sales tower and beg for the help of the Sales Manager. She'll take him on too. I wasn't present for the purchase of my last 3 vehicles. Once I showed up just to sign a paper and then left the showroom. The last time I did get to opt for the color that I wanted... and signed the papers and once again left the showroom floor. Trust me, I know my place. I bow to her supremacy in these matters. I just hope the poor salesman eventually recovers. So anyway, I'm sure by the weekend we will have completed the deal.

Like I said it looks to be a beautiful car. I'm sure my wife and daughter will enjoy driving it. I'll never even get close to the steering wheel. : ) Of course I haven't even factored in the exponential increase that I'll be seeing soon in my insurance premiums, thanks to having a new young driver in the family. Ain't parenthood grand.

Guess I better get back to the poker tables and improve my game by at least 10 fold or I'll never be able to afford it.

You there in the back!!! Stop laughing at my misery!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Less than 2 hours away

Poker night at the Wolfe's is less than 2 hours away people. And in the words of SpongeBob SquarePants... "I'm ready!" I was up late last night, waiting for Big Red to return from the Eagles after her SPA party, here at the house. She came home a winner, cashing out for $200 on the dreaded machines. She does well on them usually, me...not so much. I think they can smell the fear! I got up a little late this morning, and immediately headed down to do my 30 minutes on the ole treadmill. Then, it's been a friggin' Laundry-Palooza around here. Sheesh who's wearing all this shit! But it's nearly done now. I got the kids fed, kitchen cleaned up, I have to drop off Whitney at Jordan's for the night. Cole of course in tow. Teresa will be coming back (late I'm sure) from a day at the mall with her mother. Yes, the dreaded Monster-In-Law, guilted her into a day of shopping, since they don't spend enough time together. Guess she never did the math on... time spent with her, is time away from me. Aw...who am I kidding I got a lot done today. Albeit, Martha Stewart-ish...and if I can just get these frackin' panty hose to stop riding up. And hold the jokes about me making someone a good little wife one of these days.

Anyway, game plan for tonight...there is no game plan, other than me consuming mass quantities of cold and wet drinks, containing a lot of barley and hops. There could be the occasional Jello Shot and/or shot of Crown. (Big Red you better remember to pick it up!) The Jackson's will be absent from tonight's game. I'm wondering what affect that will have (if any) on how I or anyone else for that matter plays. I'm sure JR, will notice fewer suckouts! Maybe I could invite "Call-Station-Carl" over for S and G's! Where the frack is my boy KIMA?! Wait that's frack or some derivative of it now twice in this post. You could probably guess I've been watching the Battlestar Galactica series. I had not been watching it since it first aired back in the first season. So, I rented Season 1 from Blockbuster and have been watching it in its entirety. Anyway that explains the frackin' frack of it!

I read today that "annette_15" had made the final table at the the EPT Dublin. Is there no stopping this "little-girl?" Best of luck to you. It just dawned on me, she's just a bit over 4 years older than my daughter! Who among you can picture my lil blonde girl at the tables? Although she did used to make the most of the trash talk when she played my freerolls for me on UB! Depressed smart-ass punks to no end to hear they were getting beat by a little girl. HEEHEE!

Well, it's time to wrap it up, and herd the kids together, and get Whit to where she's heading for the evening. See you all very soon. See a very few of you at the final table, and then you can all watch me take down the top spot tonight. How's that for the power of positive thinking!?!

Regards,

cheer_dad