I wonder

You know sometimes I wonder,
if I am doing a good job as a stay at home dad.

I must admit, this is the hardest job I have ever done in my life.
I got to hand it to all the mothers of this world.
How do you guys manage to do it all?
Unbelievable.

I know I am over the “EGO thing”,
about staying at home and not being able to provide for my family.
I say this because I dare any male out there to try and be a mother for a day.

It’s funny how we have this double standard thing,
that when women go out and work, and do basically any man can do,
they are being cheered.
But when Men stay at home and do what women do at home,
It’s the exact opposite.

It truly is a full time job,
and it’s a job that you can’t quit.

I thought it was just changing diapers,
and bottle feeding when I signed up.
But Nooooooo..
There is so much more.

And it’s quite amazing when the day is over,
And when I say Over, that is “hoping Tyler would not wake up
at 3 in the morning kinda Over”
.
When all is done quiet and peaceful,
When you finally have time for yourself,
You have no energy left.
I’m serious.

I update this site at the end of the day, (when I can)
because I have no one to talk to, Tracy works at night.
I might explode if I don’t.

Also, now that Tyler can crawl,
He is so mobile, he will not stay in one place.
So I have to be on extra alert mode.
His teeth are also coming out,
so he is just not having a good time.

I also read some parenting articles from “American Baby” Magazine,
and sometimes the more I read it,
the more I feel scared of not doing a good job.

Plus there are so many things that they want you to do
to your baby that I am afraid that I will not be able to do them all.
And if I didn’t, I fear something would go wrong with my child.

They even have suggestions on how to decipher your child’s cries.
So, there I was, using my ear for tone and music,
listening to Tyler’s diverse sounds.
And I still end up going with my gut instinct.
(Thankfully, I am usually right.)
It’s just frustrating sometimes when
you can’t figure out whats wrong with them.

A good friend of mine, Tammy V., once told me,
“Remember always that Tyler can not speak yet,
and his only way to tell you something is to cry”

That helped me a lot. (thanks Tam)

Thank you also to My Mom, and Tracy’s Mom,
for all the help and advice we get.
It’s just great knowing that I can call any of you anytime.

Thanks to my son, Tyler Austin,
for teaching me about myself.
you are all worth it son.
I love you very much.

And thanks to Tracy,
for telling me that I am doing a good job,
and for driving an hour and a half,
to and from work, just for the betterment of our future.

Thanks to the Lord up on high,
for the strength and patience,

And I also would like to thank the Academy for this little drama speech.
Thank you!!!

*Raises trophy* as crowd cheers.
*Fade to black — on to commercial*

No Dice

GO! SENS! GO!
GO! SENS! GO!

We pushed it to Game 7,
From a 3-1 standing.

They worked so hard, just to lose in the end.

NO! SENS! NO!
NO! SENS! NO!

Now it’s time to check the NBA Playoffs..
God I love SUMMER!!!

Wednesday What If’s?

1. What if you had 24 hours to pack up and leave your country forever?

I’ll be like, “No need to pack! C’mon Let’s go!!
No wait! I need my toothbrush.”

2. What if you had 24 hours to get married?

I’ll be like, “Dude!!! Bachelor’s party!! Now!!!! Hurry!!!”

3. What if you had 24 hours to entirely change the way you look,
so much as to become unrecognizable?

I’ll be like, “Stupid witness protection program!”

4. What if you had 24 hours to make a scientific or historical discovery?

It would be nice to find a cure for Cancer,
To eliminate Heart Attacks,
Better Tornado warnings,
End World poverty and hunger,
And predict who’s gonna win the Stanley Cup Playoffs!

5. What if you had 24 hours to meet and befriend the leader of your country?

I’ll be like, “Hey dude, Should we lower taxes or decriminalize marijuana?”
Which one do you think is more important to the public?”

Anyways,

Today’s cool links:
Enjoy the Classic Atari game — Pitfall
Great 3D Fighter jet Game — SkyBolter
Classic Dispute Game — Rock, Paper, Scissors
Create your ideal mutant — Protozoo

Senators Win!

The SENS won tonight!!!
Woohoo.!!
We are still in the playoffs.
Hopefully they win again to push the game to 7.

Worrying about the game did not bother me tonight.
What really bothered me was:

My Mom got invited by her employer to watch the game
at the Corel Center.
in the V.I.P box!!

Holy Puck!!!
Free food, free drinks.
I think you also get a massage when you are in the box.

But I am not bitter.
Oh no.

I’ll just sit here at home, watching the game.
Hoping to catch a glimpse of the box where my Mom was.
Wishing I was there too.

Screaming like an Aerosmith groupie.
Enjoying the game,
along with the other 2 thousand people
who are not in the box with me!!

HAhahaaaa Looossaaaahhhhhssss!!!!

Eating my free food, drinking my free drink,
Hey Where’s my massage??

But I am not bitter.

(“switching TV channel noise” – CLICK!!)

Souvenir – Eric Johnson

Souvenir

It finally came today!!!
Souvenir – by Eric Johnson.
I ordered this CD about a week ago.
And it finally came today! Wooohoooo!!!!!

A compilation of his early recordings which truly deserves to be acknowledged.
Why? Because it’s brilliant!
From Blues Rock to Bluegrass to Jazz and a bit of Pop.

And of course, Eric’s (in)famous tone perfection.

It starts off with a slide guitar blues style called “Get to go”.
I just truly love the power on those Chords.
I have no idea where he comes up with them.

Then check out the Techno voice version of The Beatles’ “Paperback Writer”.
The first time I heard it, I am telling you
I loved it so much, I was frothing in the mouth.

And the reason I wanted this CD so bad is for the song “I’m finding you”.
This never fails to bring a tear in my eyes.

I first heard and saw him perform that song at
Austin City Limits, way back in the early 90’s (I think).
Then I have been looking for this song ever since.

I have checked and called all CD Stores here in Canada and the States.
I have emailed Austin City Limits, PBS Network, Guitar Magazine,
even left a message on Eric Johnson’s website.
I have also posted on message boards asking about the song, but to no avail.

My only solution was to play it on my guitar solely from memory.
And boy did it suck, but hey, I got my fix.

On the whole, I give this Album a perfect 10.
This CD is Beautificent!!

Thanks to Tracy for buying it for me!

OTTAWA TULIP FESTIVAL

So we were having fun strolling at the Ottawa Tulip Festival,
Taking some pictures, enjoying the flowers, minding our own business.
Tyler is 7 months today.

Then this guy came and approached us.
He had his own camera setup, with a tripod, lenses and everything.
He Looked like an amateur photographer.

He asked me what kind of digital camera I have.
So I said, Oh it’s a SONY DSC-P30.
An old model, I bought about a year and a half ago.

Then we talked about new Cameras, Mega Pixels,
Memory, Resolution and stuff.

Now I am not a professional Camera guy,
but I know what the terminologies are, because I got one
and I can carry out a pretty descent conversation.

Then he started telling me about the new ones,
features and what have you,
then he started giving me advice on where to get them.

He said,
“You know, you can get them pretty much cheap here.
The Canadian dollar is getting very strong,
Do not order one from the States.
You know those Bloodsuckers south of the border would charge you a lot.”

—at this point,
Tracy is getting Tyler situated in his stroller,
as I answered the guy back.

I said,
“Well with all the tax that they add here, wouldn’t it cost the same?”

He said,
“Yeah that’s right, but you don’t get ripped off with the shipping.
Those “bloodsuckers” down there will get you any way they can.”

–at this point,
I can hear Tracy’s neck creaking shaking from side to side.

Then I said,
“Well, we are from the States, and it would be easier for me to buy it down there.”
(in my most polite voice)

Now he immediately replied,
“Oh really?? where in the States??”

–at this point,
I can hear the embarrassment gargling inside his mouth.

I said,
“New York.”

Then he looked at Tyler, and said,
“Well, He’s a very good looking little boy.
You’ve done a pretty good job here, you should make one or two more.
Have a nice day!!”

–at this point,
I can hear Tracy snorting as she starts to push Tyler,
heading towards the chocolate fondue food stand.

and me?

I was like…

TYRONE = 1

FAT ASS GUY WITH FOOT IN MOUTH = 0

Moral of the story?
Do not expect everyone to think like you.
Oh! and keep your mouth shut.
(Attention: Canadian Ministers)

Check out the pictures under the Photos Menu

Punk Rock Baby

Oh My God!!!

I want this! I want this! I want this!
I want this! I want this! I want this!
I want this! I want this! I want this!


Un-Freakin’-Believable!!

Everytime I put Tyler to sleep,
something would always happen.
Today was even extra annoying!

Last night, Tyler was sick, and he threw up twice.
And I mean, projectile-Exorcist-movie-style vomit.
He has been cranky all day, wiggles and squirms too.
Which makes him very very tired.
But, he is so curious of everything around him,
that he would do absolutely anything to keep himself awake.

Making him go to sleep, or even a nap is like
forcing a circle where a square should be.

So we work so hard to put him to sleep,
Tyler will fight it like a fly caught in a spider’s web
Once he gives in and falls asleep.
The phone would ring.
I mean every freakin’ time.

It’s like someone is doing a constant
surveillance on us,

like:

Okay, the kid is asleep…
Now he is laying him down…
okay…okay… steady…..steady…
ready on the speed dial….
steady……steaaadddyyyyy..
NOW!!!!!!!!!!..

RIIIIINNNGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AAAHHHHHH!!MMMTTHHRRFFFRRRCCKKKKAAAAAAAAA!!!!

It never fails.

It’s either the phone,
or Nimbus would see his boyfriend Sparky outside,
Barking like crazy, wanting to smell his nuts.

Tracy and I almost lost it, and told everybody off.
She is tired, I am tired,
and Tyler is sick.

And to finish our night,
at around 8 o’ clock,
some guy from Bell Canada rang our doorbell.
(which drove the dog crazy and charged to the door, barking, slipping and sliding like a cartoon)
Then this guy is asking if we have internet
and if we would like to subscribe to Sympatico.

I mean come on!!!
8 o’ clock at night?
Tracy almost tore his head off.
I swear.

You know sometimes,
Tracy and I talk about other Parents, who have kids.
and how they deal with situations like this.
Or better yet,
Parent’s who have twins or triplets.

She said,
“You never hear about those people complaining.”

I said,
“Yes. That’s because I think they already killed themselves. “

I need some sleep.
Oh and a happy Cinco de Mayo!

Friday Five

Last Friday’s Friday Five.
Man, I suck!

1. Name one song you hate to admit you like.

— Girl I’m gonna miss you , by Milli Vannili
(Or was it them?)

2. Name two songs that always make you cry.

— Ikaw Lamang – by Zsa Zsa Padilla (Filipino Artist)
**this one always makes my eyes water whenever I play it at weddings.

— And, Count Your Blessings (From White Christmas),
**I am not sure who did this one, but it goes..
When I worry, and I can’t sleep
I count my blessings, instead of sheep.
I think it was sang by Ella Fitzgerald.

3. Name three songs that turn you on.

— I am a guy, I do not need any song to turn me on!

4. Name four songs that always make you feel good.

— Cliffs of Dover, by Eric Johnson,
— The Tempest, by Vinnie Moore
— You Give Love A Bad Name, by Bon Jovi
— Always With Me, Always With You, by Joe Satriani.
(Listen to my rendition of it in “Chorus”)

5. Name five songs you couldn’t ever do without.

— Any song by Eric Johnson, Paul Gilbert, Joe Satriani and Bon Jovi.

oops, I gave four artists instead.

Man, I suck.

Links for today:
How cool is this — Honda Ad
Who’s your celebrity match?? — Find out here.
I ended up with Tracy’s Favorite. (Julia Roberts)
I can’t wait to see X-men 2
(Cool Flash anim.)