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d-ray657
01-23-2010, 12:37 AM
The only family values that really matter are loving your family, however you might define it, and wanting the best for everyone in the family.

Nothing in this world gives me more satisfaction than seeing my kids live their lives to the to the fullest. My oldest kid (It's still OK to call a 21 year old a kid, isn't it) wanted us to see his band play in a benefit concert at a Lawrence club. It felt good enough that he really wanted us to be there, but it felt even better to see him up on the stage pouring joy into his music. I think that even if I was capable of looking at it objectively, I would think that those kids are really talented, but any unbiased observer would see that the stage gives the band high octane energy. The kid was hopping all over the stage, even giving the bass a few Pete Townsend roundhouses. We have had enough serious and sincere conversations about drugs that I am certain that the music didn't need any chemical catalysts to fuel the passion. He was absolutely at home on the stage.:cool:

Thanks for letting me brag. That was as happy as I have been for a while.:)

Regards,

D-Ray

Boreas
01-23-2010, 12:39 AM
You're a lucky man, counselor!

John

BlueStreak
01-23-2010, 12:54 AM
Sounds Great, Don! Blessed is the Proud Father!

Dave

Writewing
01-23-2010, 01:15 AM
Cool story, thanks for sharing and you have every right to brag.

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 01:57 AM
Thanks folks. It's hard to stop myself when it comes to talking about my kids. Raising them is the most important job I would ever hope to have. If you want a sample of the band's stuff, here is a link. http://www.myspace.com/fragmentsofsobriquet

They fired the former bass player, and the only track from the current configuration is Walking Along - but they haven't finished the production on it.

The kid really is living the life of Reilly. For his summer job, he gets to travel to Switzerland to work on the Supercollider. Yeah, I'm happy, but I'll miss the knucklehead.

Regards,

D-Ray

Grumpy
01-23-2010, 06:18 AM
Now a days stories like these are few and far between. You have every right to be a proud poppa !

merrylander
01-23-2010, 08:10 AM
Thanks Don.

JJIII
01-23-2010, 08:15 AM
:) Good on you!:)

finnbow
01-23-2010, 09:03 AM
Good for you and him. It is a trip to watch these young tykes grow up to be responsible, intelligent adults.

noonereal
01-23-2010, 09:16 AM
The only family values that really matter are loving your family, however you might define it, and wanting the best for everyone in the family.

Nothing in this world gives me more satisfaction than seeing my kids live their lives to the to the fullest. My oldest kid (It's still OK to call a 21 year old a kid, isn't it) wanted us to see his band play in a benefit concert at a Lawrence club. It felt good enough that he really wanted us to be there, but it felt even better to see him up on the stage pouring joy into his music. I think that even if I was capable of looking at it objectively, I would think that those kids are really talented, but any unbiased observer would see that the stage gives the band high octane energy. The kid was hopping all over the stage, even giving the bass a few Pete Townsend roundhouses. We have had enough serious and sincere conversations about drugs that I am certain that the music didn't need any chemical catalysts to fuel the passion. He was absolutely at home on the stage.:cool:

Thanks for letting me brag. That was as happy as I have been for a while.:)

Regards,

D-Ray

Damn that's a good story D. :)
(and it gives me an opening to share a proud dad story :p)
My little girl is a freshman in high school and plays varsity for her school.
Wednesday night she scored 32 on the road (BB).She got a big headline in Thursdays paper and last night when I got to the game there was an entire section of boys who had made tee shirts with her name and number on them.
Finished with 22 last night.
(she was also an all state selection for soccer this fall, first freshman in the schools history to be so honored)

anyway, I think I have a good idea of the pride you have in your son.
Good Stuff!

Fast_Eddie
01-23-2010, 10:51 AM
That's fantastic. Sounds like you did a hell of a job. Mine are 10 and 13. Still a few years of work to do.

finnbow
01-23-2010, 11:03 AM
Ah hell, I'll brag a little too. My oldest son is getting his Civil Engineering degree from Virginia Tech this May after just 3 years of study (I just wrote my last tuition check - for him, anyway:D). He wants to work a few years overseas like his old man did, and he already has a couple of likely offers in the Far East and Europe. He and I both want him to go and experience life overseas for a couple of years, but my wife and I will certainly miss him if he goes. But it will provide a good excuse for some foreign travel on our part.

D-Ray, aren't you worried that your boy will come back a Socialist Pinko after spending a summer in Europe?:D

merrylander
01-23-2010, 11:05 AM
Pick Europe and he will have a great time, besides flying to the far east from here sucks.

finnbow
01-23-2010, 11:12 AM
Pick Europe and he will have a great time, besides flying to the far east from here sucks.

Agreed. At the moment, the opportunity in the Far East looks a bit more certain. Also, the first 2 years would involve 6 months each in Korea, Japan, Hawaii and Alaska. Not exactly a hardship tour. The European opportunity would be in Wiesbaden, GE, but we won't be hearing any more about that one until April.

Boreas
01-23-2010, 11:24 AM
Ah hell, I'll brag a little too. My oldest son is getting his Civil Engineering degree from Virginia Tech this May after just 3 years of study (I just wrote my last tuition check - for him, anyway:D). He wants to work a few years overseas like his old man did, and he already has a couple of likely offers in the Far East and Europe. He and I both want him to go and experience life overseas for a couple of years, but my wife and I will certainly miss him if he goes. But it will provide a good excuse for some foreign travel on our part.

D-Ray, aren't you worried that your boy will come back a Socialist Pinko after spending a summer in Europe?:D

Over-achievers are sooooo tiresome! ;) Seriously, Pat, it sounds like your son is quite a young man. Your pride is obvious and justified.

John

finnbow
01-23-2010, 11:27 AM
Over-achievers are sooooo tiresome! ;) Seriously, Pat, it sounds like your son is quite a young man. Your pride is obvious and justified.

John

Thanks, John. And he isn't even a nerd - no pocket protector or other trappings of an over-achieving engineer. He's only let school interfere with his partying to a limited degree.:cool:

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 12:05 PM
Damn that's a good story D. :)
(and it gives me an opening to share a proud dad story :p)
My little girl is a freshman in high school and plays varsity for her school.
Wednesday night she scored 32 on the road (BB).She got a big headline in Thursdays paper and last night when I got to the game there was an entire section of boys who had made tee shirts with her name and number on them.
Finished with 22 last night.
(she was also an all state selection for soccer this fall, first freshman in the schools history to be so honored)

anyway, I think I have a good idea of the pride you have in your son.
Good Stuff!

That is awesome. I know you have a whole lot more fun watching her games than you would watching the NBA playoffs. Sounds like you are going to be saving a lot of money on college expenses. Is she already getting letters from colleges? Enjoy this time. I know I miss sitting behind the backstop with the other baseball dads.

One of the most brilliant lawyers I ever met has a mentally challenged son. The attorney's pride in his son making a catch in a softball game was every bit as sincere as our pride in seeing exceptional performances from our offspring. I thank God for the incredible joy it is to be a parent - even in those times when we want to wring their necks.:mad::D

We were reminded of our good fortune when Patrick dedicated the last song of the set to one of their contemporaries whose funeral they would attend the next day. The young man had unfortunately tried to fill some sort of hole in his soul with oxycontin. That pharmaceutical mistake proved to be quite the opposite of a pain reliever.

Regards,

D-Ray

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 12:16 PM
Ah hell, I'll brag a little too. My oldest son is getting his Civil Engineering degree from Virginia Tech this May after just 3 years of study (I just wrote my last tuition check - for him, anyway:D). He wants to work a few years overseas like his old man did, and he already has a couple of likely offers in the Far East and Europe. He and I both want him to go and experience life overseas for a couple of years, but my wife and I will certainly miss him if he goes. But it will provide a good excuse for some foreign travel on our part.

D-Ray, aren't you worried that your boy will come back a Socialist Pinko after spending a summer in Europe?:D

Glad I was able to promote a bit of chest thumping. Sometimes I think we would bust if we weren't able to express the joy we feel as parents. Sounds like the tuition money is going to be shifted to air fare -not a bad trade in my book (as long as you are able to set a little aside for audio;)).

If anything the kid's exposure to socialism would help cure his exposure to a supply-side economics teacher he had in high school. He will be using a scientific facility of such a huge scale that it wouldn't have been possible without some governmental support. Other than that, his exposure will be primarily to eggheads and the Swiss night life.

Regards,

D-Ray

merrylander
01-23-2010, 12:18 PM
Don't forget the Swiss wines, they are most excellent and rarely exported.

finnbow
01-23-2010, 12:24 PM
Sounds like the tuition money is going to be shifted to air fare

Nah. Just to his little sister at Marquette University (also an engineer of the Biomedical persuasion) and his little brother who hopes to heading off to Virginia Tech in 2 years to also study civil engineering. Three kids - three engineers. Go figure. At least they'll all get jobs and not have to move back home.:D

Writewing
01-23-2010, 12:38 PM
When Nate was a Senior in HS he was in a Battle of the bands with some of his friends, the sang some rock song that was popular at the time. The song (I think) was called "I beleive in the thing called Love" and it was a sort of campy sounding rock song with wild vocals. Anyway they were ok, its a small town so no real standouts and I think the came in second place but the thing I remember is how I felt when the played.
It was 4 kids up their with some talent and many flaws but the fun they were having was so amazing to watch my face hurt from its grin. I remember that feeling of youth and I miss it but still celebrate it when I witness it.
When I see kids who sit on the fence and dont really "do" anything I feel really sad for them cause your only young once, live it up while you can!!!

Boreas
01-23-2010, 12:43 PM
Don't forget the Swiss wines, they are most excellent and rarely exported.

Am I correct in thinking that the "race track" at CERN actually crosses from Switzerland into France and then back again? That thing is freakin' huge!

John

JJIII
01-23-2010, 12:56 PM
I think I'll join in. My son is married to a wonderful young lady. They gave us the best two grandkids on earth. He is a Marine Reservist (Staff Sargent) with almost enough time to retire, has been to the "Sandbox", teaches 5th grade at a local school, and is well on his way to get his Masters in Education. His wife got her Masters in Business last December and is Director of a facility that services several of the hospitals in the area. I'll add that they accomplished all of this on their own with only baby sitting help from my wife and I. Am I proud? Hell yeah! :D

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 01:03 PM
When Nate was a Senior in HS he was in a Battle of the bands with some of his friends, the sang some rock song that was popular at the time. The song (I think) was called "I beleive in the thing called Love" and it was a sort of campy sounding rock song with wild vocals. Anyway they were ok, its a small town so no real standouts and I think the came in second place but the thing I remember is how I felt when the played.
It was 4 kids up their with some talent and many flaws but the fun they were having was so amazing to watch my face hurt from its grin. I remember that feeling of youth and I miss it but still celebrate it when I witness it.
When I see kids who sit on the fence and dont really "do" anything I feel really sad for them cause your only young once, live it up while you can!!!

The joy of parenthood clearly crosses cultural, political, social, and racial lines. I'll think of that next time I want to blast you for something you say, and then I'll think, "nah" and come out with guns blazing.:D Most of the other sports parents knew I was a lefty labor lawyer, but they liked me anyway (or tolerated me).

I agree that youth is a time to be enjoyed. No other time in our life will we have the maturing mental capacity combined with the energy of youth to live such full lives. Between a challenging academic curriculum, on-campus lab work, off-campus employment, the band, sports activities (it's nice to go to a college with a top-ranked sports program) and, last but not least, girls, he finds a way to spend most of his energy.

Regards,

D-Ray

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 01:11 PM
I think I'll join in. My son is married to a wonderful young lady. They gave us the best two grandkids on earth. He is a Marine Reservist (Staff Sargent) with almost enough time to retire, has been to the "Sandbox", teaches 5th grade at a local school, and is well on his way to get his Masters in Education. His wife got her Masters in Business last December and is Director of a facility that services several of the hospitals in the area. I'll add that they accomplished all of this on their own with only baby sitting help from my wife and I. Am I proud? Hell yeah! :D

Might as well add a little debate to this thread. You say the kids did it on their own, but you gave them more than baby-sitting help. I'll bet you also gave them the tools and the example to be able to do what it took to achieve what they did.

My younger boy thinks he is going to go into education as well - he wants to teach high school science. His long-time girlfriend is also getting her education degree. Wouldn't that be a wonderful work schedule to share.

Regards,

D-Ray

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 01:12 PM
Am I correct in thinking that the "race track" at CERN actually crosses from Switzerland into France and then back again? That thing is freakin' huge!

John

I'll have to get more info from the kid on that one.

Regards

D-Ray

merrylander
01-23-2010, 01:31 PM
It does run through both countries, and yes it is huge.

noonereal
01-23-2010, 04:07 PM
Ah hell, I'll brag a little too. My oldest son is getting his Civil Engineering degree from Virginia Tech this May after just 3 years of study (I just wrote my last tuition check - for him, anyway:D). He wants to work a few years overseas like his old man did, and he already has a couple of likely offers in the Far East and Europe. He and I both want him to go and experience life overseas for a couple of years, but my wife and I will certainly miss him if he goes. But it will provide a good excuse for some foreign travel on our part

that is awesome. Great experience on so many different levels will be learned overseas ;).

noonereal
01-23-2010, 04:14 PM
I think I'll join in. My son is married to a wonderful young lady. They gave us the best two grandkids on earth. He is a Marine Reservist (Staff Sargent) with almost enough time to retire, has been to the "Sandbox", teaches 5th grade at a local school, and is well on his way to get his Masters in Education. His wife got her Masters in Business last December and is Director of a facility that services several of the hospitals in the area. I'll add that they accomplished all of this on their own with only baby sitting help from my wife and I. Am I proud? Hell yeah! :D

That's what I am talking about. My older girl is doing graduate work at NYU and frankley I am looking very forrward for her to graduate and having a child so I can be grand dad like you.;)

noonereal
01-23-2010, 04:34 PM
When Nate was a Senior in HS he was in a Battle of the bands with some of his friends, the sang some rock song that was popular at the time. The song (I think) was called "I beleive in the thing called Love" and it was a sort of campy sounding rock song with wild vocals. Anyway they were ok, its a small town so no real standouts and I think the came in second place but the thing I remember is how I felt when the played.
It was 4 kids up their with some talent and many flaws but the fun they were having was so amazing to watch my face hurt from its grin. I remember that feeling of youth and I miss it but still celebrate it when I witness it.

Sounds like a good time and grteat memories were had by all.:)

When I see kids who sit on the fence and dont really "do" anything I feel really sad for them cause your only young once, live it up while you can!!!

When this happens I blame the parents.
We had a parent last year pull his kid off the AAU basketball team because report cards came out and she was doing terrible. It took all my strength to be still. The parent pulled the kid off a healthy activity instead of pulling the kid off of the fence at night.
Kids who are involved at school, band, drama club, chess club, sports,...... have much better grades than kids that are not involved.
The problem when kids have bad grades is lack of parenting healthy actives.

Writewing
01-23-2010, 05:45 PM
When this happens I blame the parents.
We had a parent last year pull his kid off the AAU basketball team because report cards came out and she was doing terrible. It took all my strength to be still. The parent pulled the kid off a healthy activity instead of pulling the kid off of the fence at night.
Kids who are involved at school, band, drama club, chess club, sports,...... have much better grades than kids that are not involved.
The problem when kids have bad grades is lack of parenting healthy actives.

Yup, kids need activity like band, sports and clubs cause either they are gonna be a housebum or run with the other kids with nothing better to do. Those are for the most part the same kids who go down any number of bad paths.

d-ray657
01-23-2010, 07:40 PM
Yup, kids need activity like band, sports and clubs cause either they are gonna be a housebum or run with the other kids with nothing better to do. Those are for the most part the same kids who go down any number of bad paths.

Our younger son was an example of the risk you mention. He played football his freshman and sophomore year, and he participated in the German club. He worked most of his junior year and the summer after to help pay for his trip to Germany. His senior year, he was not involved in anything, he didn't have a job, (actually, he didn't take a job, because he had one waiting for him where he worked before) With all of that free time, he got less homework done, and he made some bad choices about what he put in his body. A scholarship that he had been offered after his Junior year, shrunk, which hit him doubly hard, because we told him we would not pay for college without a clean UA.

The story does have a happy ending. He found a way to pay for school on his own (With a thousand here and there from mom and dad, after he had secured as much funding as he could). After having spent most of his freshman year broke, he started to realize that we were not as stupid as he thought. He decided to spend the summer at home working,and saved everything he made. Our relationship has done a 180 from the previous summer. He his brother and I drove to the All-Star festivities in St, Louis, and the most enjoyable part of the trip turned to be the five hours we had to visit on the drive home. He is making better choices about lifestyle and work habits than his old man is now. We loved him through all of it, but I think he learned to love himself a little bit when he realized what he was capable of.

Regards,

D-Ray

noonereal
01-23-2010, 08:31 PM
Bringing up kids is a job that requires vigilance 365 days a year.
Glad your vigilance has paid off D.

BlueStreak
01-24-2010, 12:47 AM
Yup, kids need activity like band, sports and clubs cause either they are gonna be a housebum or run with the other kids with nothing better to do. Those are for the most part the same kids who go down any number of bad paths.

I dunno, I ran with hooligans in highschool and I turned out alri.......uh, on second thought, maybe you're right..........

Send your kid to bandcamp.

Dave

d-ray657
01-24-2010, 12:58 AM
I dunno, I ran with hooligans in highschool and I turned out alri.......uh, on second thought, maybe you're right..........

Send your kid to bandcamp.

Dave

Some people choose to contribute to society by being a horrible example.:D

Personally, I limited my associations in high school to the jocks, the bible-thumpers, the freaks, the soshes, the class clown and, of course, the nerds. Got stuck dating blonds and braniacs too.

Regards,

D-Ray

BlueStreak
01-24-2010, 01:19 AM
My associations were limited to the dopeheads, fistfighters, drag racers and the degenerates who banged the class slut under the bleachers at homegames.
When I wasn't doing any of those things, I could be found on the beanbag in front of my early '60s vintage Scott Console Stereo jammin' to Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, Led Zep with Pops beating on the door, "Turn that shit off!!!"........and reading Orwell.

"When they leave here, Winston, they are washed clean. There is nothing left of them but sorrow for what they have done, and love for Big Brother. My it's touching how they love Big Brother."

Dave

Boreas
01-24-2010, 02:44 AM
"When they leave here, Winston, they are washed clean. There is nothing left of them but sorrow for what they have done, and love for Big Brother. My it's touching how they love Big Brother."

Dave

Ah, O'Brien! Double plus good!

John

noonereal
01-24-2010, 04:17 AM
My associations were limited to the dopeheads, fistfighters, drag racers and the degenerates who banged the class slut under the bleachers at homegames.
When I wasn't doing any of those things, I could be found on the beanbag in front of my early '60s vintage Scott Console Stereo jammin' to Pink Floyd, Alan Parsons, Led Zep with Pops beating on the door, "Turn that shit off!!!"........and reading Orwell.



ah yes, the good old days :)

finnbow
07-10-2010, 01:51 PM
Agreed. At the moment, the opportunity in the Far East looks a bit more certain. Also, the first 2 years would involve 6 months each in Korea, Japan, Hawaii and Alaska. Not exactly a hardship tour. The European opportunity would be in Wiesbaden, GE, but we won't be hearing any more about that one until April.

Update. My oldest son just received and accepted the offer in Wiesbaden, GE in lieu of the Korea position. He's very stoked. This job will also involve travel through several European countries.

Boreas
07-10-2010, 01:55 PM
Update. My oldest son just received and accepted the offer in Wiesbaden, GE in lieu of the Korea position. He's very stoked. This job will also involve travel through several European countries.

Very cool, Pat! Congratulations to him!

John

d-ray657
07-10-2010, 02:07 PM
Update. My oldest son just received and accepted the offer in Wiesbaden, GE in lieu of the Korea position. He's very stoked. This job will also involve travel through several European countries.

Sounds like a great choice. Did he seek any advice from the old man?

Regards,

D-Ray