December 2009
It's time once again for the world of computer programming to prove it's usefulness by teaching us a thing or two about parenting.
When developing a piece of software, there are times when it is necessary to get down to the nitty gritty and figure out why things are behaving the way they are. One way to do this is with a breakpoint. A breakpoint is a place in a program that when reached, temporarily halts execution of the remainder of the program. You could also think of a breakpoint as a time-out in sports. The breakpoint (time-out) allows the programmer (the coach) to take it all in and draw up a play without the pressure of the clock still running.
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Well... it's that time of year again, and I should probably write about Christmas, the Holidays, and family. But the fact of the matter is that I'm just not in the mood. You may call me a Scrooge, and to that I say bah humbug. You don't know what it's like being me!
I work all day at a desk while my hands slowly turn into gnarled, arthritic, useless appendages. Meanwhile, my waistline is morphing from chiseled stone to mashed potatoes.
On average, my commute takes an hour and a half, during which I may be coughed on by sickos and accused of being in the KKK, or waiting patiently for the bus to come in -10 degree weather.
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When I think of graphic novels, what usually comes to mind are two of my favorites, Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. I enjoy the dark, gritty feel of the characters, whose flaws play just as big a part as their admirable qualities. So... when the opportunity arose to check out a book that was billed as part novel, part graphic novel, with a rather grim story, I decided to check it out.
In a faraway land where the bluebird's sing a happy song, and the grass looks like of a blanket of new-fallen snow, there lived a princess. This princess had a pure voice, and even purer heart. However, she would often give herself over to the desires of darkness.
One day, while out taking in the wonders of her vast kingdom, the princess happened upon a little midget. Unbeknownst to the princess, this midget was one of her most loyal townsfolk. She could often be found mimicking the princess's every behavior, in hopes that she would one day become royalty. Would today be the day the the princess finally noticed her?
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Have you ever asked yourself why you're a parent? What in the world drove you to bring a child into the world, or adopt? Were you looking for the "Child Tax Credit" to reduce the taxes you owed the government? Were you looking to unleash mini-you's on the world, spreading your agenda to all?
When it comes right down to it I don't know if I have a good answer for why I became a parent. I've always liked kids, and wanted to have kids, but was that all there was to it? Was it just the instinct to "be fruitful and multiply?" My thoughts could perhaps best be summed up with a slight modification to a great scene in an even greater movie:
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Are you reading this at 1am on your Blackberry while trying to quiet a screaming child who refuses to sleep? Or maybe after an exhausting day you have a hard time falling asleep. Then you may be in luck.
When we put Special K to bed, she shifts around for about 10 seconds before she's out like a light. However, with Princess P it's a whole different ball game. After tucking her into bed it may take her up to 2 hours to fall asleep. So, when the opportunity arose to test a product that could shorten her 2 hour cool down period, I was intrigued.
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The older I get, the faster time goes by. College seems like it was last week, high school last year, and kindergarten about five years ago. As I type this, my fingers are succumbing to arthritis, my knee is predicting rain tomorrow, and my eyesight is going down the tubes. It's as if life is passing me by, and I don't even realize it.
But it wasn't always this way. As a child I remember when lunchtime was an eternity away, weekends were like a vacation, and one year felt like two. The only thing that came quickly was bedtime.
A powerful thing
Now I see a year in a child's life for what it really is... a powerful and influential period of time. This fact was very evident during a recent trip over the river and through the woods, to Grandma's (and Grandpa's) house.
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Kids Learn the Hard Way
Princess P went up the stairs, and Princess P went down the stairs. Each time down the stairs, she was instructed to hold onto the railing. Almost every time, she resisted, claiming she was an expert at balancing, railings were for sissies, and her way was faster and better (at least that's what I heard).
Then, on that fateful trip, it happened. Thump-a-thump... and she was down. Shrieking and cries for mommy were soon follow. Thanks to grandma's quick reaction time, Princess P only tumbled 3 or 4 steps, but the lesson was learned. Railings are bolted securely to the wall to assist in going up and down the stairs. If properly used, they will prevent devastating tumbles.
It was a lesson that was learned the hard way, but from now on, Princess P will (hopefully) use the railing.
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