Tomorrow, Crazy Little Man turns 4. It's been a very eventful year for my little guy. He flew back and forth twice to England and got to meet his cousins. (He says he very much likes England, thank you.) He also had to fly back and forth to America in March, which he did very well. I was actually complimented on how well he behaved. (I know, crazy.)
He's also taken more to school this year, and finally decided to be a big boy and start going by himself to the bathroom. (Went from pull-ups straight to standing up to pee. That's my boy! And yes, I Know many of you didn't ask about that, but tough.)
CLM and I like watching Phineas and Ferb together, playing with his cars and rough housing. He does get a bit weepy about being away from his momma, but he's also part Southern, and we Southern Men are particular about our Mommas. He's loved having his Grandpa here with him for a visit, and has even given his Grandma the time of day, which is a nice change for him.
He's learning quite a lot, but I'm also learning from him as well. CLM is a great little guy, who even though drives me crazy sometimes, but it still makes me smile all the time when he gives me a kiss (either on the cheek or strangely on my elbow) or tells me he loves me I just melt.
He also has learned that being a cute little boy with straw colored hair and big blue eyes is a way to get what he wants from the ladies. Numerous times I've been branded the bad guy from people in a store because I've had to give him a stern talking to and he'll start crying, which gets me evils from numerous people.
CLM is also one of the most interesting little kids you'll ever meet. He sometimes talks babyish, but then he'll come out with, "Before you go to the stars you have to look at them." Or, "My job is to learn." Pretty deep for a 3 year old. Not sure I was that coherent when I was in college.
Anyways, Happy Birthday Buddy. Hope you like your presents, and please don't hit your sister.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
It's human nature to remember the bad
We received ICASS survey comments this week. You may remember that I wrote about this earlier. The ICASS survey helps me, as a service provider, get a feel for what problems there are in the community, and how we can better serve them.
The problem with the ICASS survey is also the main strength as well: The Anonymity of it all. People can bash you all the want and have no fear of retribution. So while this is a good idea, it also allows people who feel agrieved to get all their frustrations out and sometimes not tell the whole truth about things that have happened.
I've been doing this for 13 years now, and the ICASS survey comments are almost always something that I dwell on. It's human nature to do that. Nevermind that my section hasn't grown at all this year, but the Consulate doubled in size. Nevermind that the majority of the comments left were very good and even the some of the negative comments were very constructive. Nope, I focused on the really negative ones.
That's human nature. It's the way that the brain is wired to work. We can never remember the good, but we always remember the bad. When I was in High School, I failed Algebra II. I remember that, and the teacher telling me that maybe I wasn't smart enough to be in the IB classes. (BTW, I got my IB diploma. Just Saying.) I'll always remember that. Or how people tried to cheer me up after I failed by cheerleading my doing well in History. They were probably trying to help, but it felt a little condescending. I'm good in History. That's my thing. I just can't stand Math. I'm a Math agnostic. If you say x+2x+5x=y+3, I'll say I believe you. (I think the correct answer to this is x=y+3/8, but I'm not sure. Someone help me out here.) Also about 6 years ago in Luxembourg we had a Team Building exercise when I first arrived. One of the things to do was say 3 nice things about someone next to you, and one negative. For the life of me I can't tell you what the positives were, but I remember the negative: My tie didn't match my shirt.
Anyways, I will always take these comments hard. Not because I believe them, but because I'm genuinely trying to help people. It's not easy living in another country. Moving house every 2-3 years, changing your kids' schools, trying hard to fit into a new culture, flying over 15 hours just to get back to the States. I get it. So many people take out their frustrations on the only thing they can: The Management section. That's part and parcel of my job. But I wish many of these people also had the common courtesy to come and talk to me about their problems. I have open office hours, and everyone in the mission is invited to my Management Meetings.
Oh well. We're the only people that actually get critiqued by our co-workers on how we're doing. Maybe I'll sneak into their offices and leave anonymous notes critizing their work habits or their outputs.
The problem with the ICASS survey is also the main strength as well: The Anonymity of it all. People can bash you all the want and have no fear of retribution. So while this is a good idea, it also allows people who feel agrieved to get all their frustrations out and sometimes not tell the whole truth about things that have happened.
I've been doing this for 13 years now, and the ICASS survey comments are almost always something that I dwell on. It's human nature to do that. Nevermind that my section hasn't grown at all this year, but the Consulate doubled in size. Nevermind that the majority of the comments left were very good and even the some of the negative comments were very constructive. Nope, I focused on the really negative ones.
That's human nature. It's the way that the brain is wired to work. We can never remember the good, but we always remember the bad. When I was in High School, I failed Algebra II. I remember that, and the teacher telling me that maybe I wasn't smart enough to be in the IB classes. (BTW, I got my IB diploma. Just Saying.) I'll always remember that. Or how people tried to cheer me up after I failed by cheerleading my doing well in History. They were probably trying to help, but it felt a little condescending. I'm good in History. That's my thing. I just can't stand Math. I'm a Math agnostic. If you say x+2x+5x=y+3, I'll say I believe you. (I think the correct answer to this is x=y+3/8, but I'm not sure. Someone help me out here.) Also about 6 years ago in Luxembourg we had a Team Building exercise when I first arrived. One of the things to do was say 3 nice things about someone next to you, and one negative. For the life of me I can't tell you what the positives were, but I remember the negative: My tie didn't match my shirt.
Anyways, I will always take these comments hard. Not because I believe them, but because I'm genuinely trying to help people. It's not easy living in another country. Moving house every 2-3 years, changing your kids' schools, trying hard to fit into a new culture, flying over 15 hours just to get back to the States. I get it. So many people take out their frustrations on the only thing they can: The Management section. That's part and parcel of my job. But I wish many of these people also had the common courtesy to come and talk to me about their problems. I have open office hours, and everyone in the mission is invited to my Management Meetings.
Oh well. We're the only people that actually get critiqued by our co-workers on how we're doing. Maybe I'll sneak into their offices and leave anonymous notes critizing their work habits or their outputs.
Friday, March 22, 2013
My Inner Lester Bangs: "Open Heart Surgery" by The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Sometimes you happen upon a band, and they're completely outside the norm. I think of bands like Digable Planets, where you had the jazz and spoken word influence instead of regular hip hop. Or even The Black Keys, where they're just down and dirty rock.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre definitely fit this idea. Named after the Rolling Stones guitarist and the mass suicide in Guyana lead by Jim Jones, this band started in 1988 with a sort of psychedelic feel to it. In the beginning I think they really wanted to be the Stones, as evidenced by one of their first albums, 1996's Their Satanic Majesties Second Request. But it's more than that. Their sound is unique, and one probably not to be copied. Heck, probably the most recognizable figure is their tamborine player as he was on the cover of a few of their albums and on the cover for the movie DiG. They've become much wider known since one of their songs, "Straight Up and Down" was featured as the opening song on Boardwalk Empire on HBO. They were also featured, along with the Dandy Warhols, in the movie DiG. (Both Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Dandy Warhols and Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre have disavowed the documentary.)
Anyways, the song "Open Heart Surgery" comes from the soundtrack of Rescue Me. It starts off with an acoustic guitar, followed by an organ coming in playing minor keys moving to major keys. Then what sounds like a bass guitar comes in with the drums playing an irregular beat. This all adds a bit of tension to the song, which never seems to release. The music talks of a longing and love and trying to cheer up the person they love. The voice of Anton Newcombe is perfect for this. It's got a longing to it, and definitely sounds as if it's been through a lot. It could also be interpreted as a stalker, but then again so could a lot of songs. (The Police's "Every Breath You Take" is a great example of this. People use it as their first dance after getting married, and all I can think is: Are you LISTENING to the lyrics?)
Anyways, The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an amazing band, and Anton Newcombe is a fascinating character. Obviously a genius, he's had the demons that many musical geniuses have had to deal with. The band is notable for a large group of people that have been in the band, and either left on their own or been fired. Only Anton is the original remaining member of the band. Sometimes during their concerts he would stop the band to yell at them or get into a fist fight during a set. It's kind of sad that more people don't know about The Brian Jonestown Massacre, as they're an amazing band. See if you can find their stuff, but definitely find "Open Heart Surgery". It's amazing.
The Brian Jonestown Massacre definitely fit this idea. Named after the Rolling Stones guitarist and the mass suicide in Guyana lead by Jim Jones, this band started in 1988 with a sort of psychedelic feel to it. In the beginning I think they really wanted to be the Stones, as evidenced by one of their first albums, 1996's Their Satanic Majesties Second Request. But it's more than that. Their sound is unique, and one probably not to be copied. Heck, probably the most recognizable figure is their tamborine player as he was on the cover of a few of their albums and on the cover for the movie DiG. They've become much wider known since one of their songs, "Straight Up and Down" was featured as the opening song on Boardwalk Empire on HBO. They were also featured, along with the Dandy Warhols, in the movie DiG. (Both Courtney Taylor-Taylor of the Dandy Warhols and Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre have disavowed the documentary.)
Anyways, the song "Open Heart Surgery" comes from the soundtrack of Rescue Me. It starts off with an acoustic guitar, followed by an organ coming in playing minor keys moving to major keys. Then what sounds like a bass guitar comes in with the drums playing an irregular beat. This all adds a bit of tension to the song, which never seems to release. The music talks of a longing and love and trying to cheer up the person they love. The voice of Anton Newcombe is perfect for this. It's got a longing to it, and definitely sounds as if it's been through a lot. It could also be interpreted as a stalker, but then again so could a lot of songs. (The Police's "Every Breath You Take" is a great example of this. People use it as their first dance after getting married, and all I can think is: Are you LISTENING to the lyrics?)
Anyways, The Brian Jonestown Massacre is an amazing band, and Anton Newcombe is a fascinating character. Obviously a genius, he's had the demons that many musical geniuses have had to deal with. The band is notable for a large group of people that have been in the band, and either left on their own or been fired. Only Anton is the original remaining member of the band. Sometimes during their concerts he would stop the band to yell at them or get into a fist fight during a set. It's kind of sad that more people don't know about The Brian Jonestown Massacre, as they're an amazing band. See if you can find their stuff, but definitely find "Open Heart Surgery". It's amazing.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
My Wife: Advocate
Last week, Lovely English Lass spoke at a conference held here in Johannesburg about Inclusion Teaching in schools. She spoke about our life with Lovely Little Girl, and the trials and travails we had while trying to find a place for her to go to school. She spoke of her lovely teacher, who adores my daughter, and about how the school originally rejected us. She also talked about how inclusive schools are really a civil rights issue.
My wife is the least likely voice of public advocacy. At least spoken voice. She is an amazing writer, and one that does quite a bit in the autism community raising awareness and helping others. (She wrote a grant application for Autism South Africa last year that was approved helping fund kits for children.) However, one of her biggest fears is public speaking. She gets heart palpitations when she thinks about it, and her voice shakes.
Now, most of you know me, and know that's not one of my biggest fears. (Mine are snakes and needles, but my biggest fear is a snake with needles for fangs.) Heck, I LOVE public speaking. I've been doing it since age 6 when I read the Christmas story in church to about 200 people. (It might have been less, but hey, I was 6. It looked like more.) I've given speeches all over and usually do them without notes. But it wasn't me that was speaking. It was her.
LEL put on one heck of a show, according to her. She did a PowerPoint presentation along with personal anecdotes about LLG and moving around and how difficult it is for us to find places to move to due to our daughter's diagnosis. She asked the 30+ schools there to think about this, and to question their policies on inclusion. This doesn't even just mean kids on the spectrum. International Schools are famous for deciding not to take kids with ANY type of disability. Kids with ADHD, Dyslexia, or any slight problem that might be a small inconvenience, are sometimes turned away. International Schools can cater to the wealthy in some countries, and don't need to accept different learning children.
Let's be honest here: it isn't really fair. My daughter doesn't learn like other children in her class, but she's not dumb. She's one of the best readers in her class, has an amazing memory, and although has some issues, has already passed all of the things she needs to for her to move to 1st grade. Just because a kid needs some help doesn't mean they aren't worthy of attending a school. They might need some fine motorskills help, or even a little help staying focused. But they can be brilliant in their own right. Just give them some help.
After LEL's speech, many of the people in the audience, who represented schools all over the globe, came to her and said they'd love to have LLG in their school. This will definitely help in bidding this summer on a new job.
But the part that makes me proud is the public advocate my wife became. She usually writes her words to get her point across. Now she's found her own actual voice so she can expand her advocacy. Knowing that she's doing it not only for our child, but for everyone else out there that can't speak at conventions is pretty cool. I always knew I was punching above my class when I married her.
My wife is the least likely voice of public advocacy. At least spoken voice. She is an amazing writer, and one that does quite a bit in the autism community raising awareness and helping others. (She wrote a grant application for Autism South Africa last year that was approved helping fund kits for children.) However, one of her biggest fears is public speaking. She gets heart palpitations when she thinks about it, and her voice shakes.
Now, most of you know me, and know that's not one of my biggest fears. (Mine are snakes and needles, but my biggest fear is a snake with needles for fangs.) Heck, I LOVE public speaking. I've been doing it since age 6 when I read the Christmas story in church to about 200 people. (It might have been less, but hey, I was 6. It looked like more.) I've given speeches all over and usually do them without notes. But it wasn't me that was speaking. It was her.
LEL put on one heck of a show, according to her. She did a PowerPoint presentation along with personal anecdotes about LLG and moving around and how difficult it is for us to find places to move to due to our daughter's diagnosis. She asked the 30+ schools there to think about this, and to question their policies on inclusion. This doesn't even just mean kids on the spectrum. International Schools are famous for deciding not to take kids with ANY type of disability. Kids with ADHD, Dyslexia, or any slight problem that might be a small inconvenience, are sometimes turned away. International Schools can cater to the wealthy in some countries, and don't need to accept different learning children.
Let's be honest here: it isn't really fair. My daughter doesn't learn like other children in her class, but she's not dumb. She's one of the best readers in her class, has an amazing memory, and although has some issues, has already passed all of the things she needs to for her to move to 1st grade. Just because a kid needs some help doesn't mean they aren't worthy of attending a school. They might need some fine motorskills help, or even a little help staying focused. But they can be brilliant in their own right. Just give them some help.
After LEL's speech, many of the people in the audience, who represented schools all over the globe, came to her and said they'd love to have LLG in their school. This will definitely help in bidding this summer on a new job.
But the part that makes me proud is the public advocate my wife became. She usually writes her words to get her point across. Now she's found her own actual voice so she can expand her advocacy. Knowing that she's doing it not only for our child, but for everyone else out there that can't speak at conventions is pretty cool. I always knew I was punching above my class when I married her.
Friday, March 15, 2013
MILB: "No Diggity" by Blackstreet
It's hard to believe that No Diggity is 17 years old, but it's true. 1996 was when it was released. I remember it well, and that was a great year for me. I had just come off the worst semester of my life in University, and was ready to re-focus.
As I've said before, music is supposed to transport you to a specific time and place. Strangely, "No Diggity" does that for me. I was a Junior at College, and this song was everywhere.
Blackstreet was an R&B group that was headed by New Jack Swing inventor Teddy Riley. He also had appeared previously on Wrex N Effects "Rump Shaker", another song that brings back some wild memories. Anyways, Blackstreet had originally come to the attention of the public by being on the CB4 movie soundtrack. (I remember listening to them at Camelot at the Volusia Mall. Boy does THAT date me.)
Anyways, onto the song. It features a great guest by Dr. Dre, who had just left Death Row to form Aftermath records and who was a co-writer of the song. The harmonies are tight, the beat is sick and the flow is amazing. When this came out, it blew up big time in clubs and at parties. Everyone was singing the chorus, "I like the way you work it/No Diggity/I got to bag it up (bag it up)."
The first verse is just awesome. Love the break too: "Can't get her out of my mind (what)/I think about the girl all the time." And then comes the sing along part.
"Hey yo Hey yo Hey YOOOOO/(Hey Yo that girl looks good)/Hey yo Hey yo Hey yo." Back in 1996 you couldn't go to a club in DC (except the goth club) that wasn't playing this song. When it came on, everyone hit the floor and sang along. Guys did the bounce dance we do. Heck, it even got this Baptist boy on the floor dancing. (And we know the joke about Baptists and dancing.)
The reason this came up, besides the fact that I have this song on my iPad and listen to it every once in a while, is because I saw it in a movie recently.
Since I had 17 hours in the air from Atlanta to Johannesburg, I decided to watch "Pitch Perfect"on the flight. Decent movie. Rebel Wilson is a riot, Anna Kendrick is great, and the music was actually quite good. In one of the scenes everyone is doing a capella in a drained swimming pool, and one of the songs they do is "No Diggity". It was pretty darn cool.
This is one of the songs from the 1990s that I'm glad hasn't been lost down the memory-hole. There was quite a lot of rock and R&B back then that was pretty great that I'm afraid will be forgotten. (Except here in South Africa, where I've previously said they're in the 1990s on the radio. Seriously, they played an Alanis Morrisette song from the "City of Angels" soundtrack the other day.) Montell Jordan's "This is How We Do it" or Screaming Trees "Bed of Roses" are just a couple of examples. Or Tad's "Jack Pepsi" and SWV's "I'm so in to you".
Anyways, it's a Friday. Go out, have a good time. Or, if you're a parent without a babysitter, stay home and maybe put on some old music. "No Diggity" might in fact put you in a better mood.
As I've said before, music is supposed to transport you to a specific time and place. Strangely, "No Diggity" does that for me. I was a Junior at College, and this song was everywhere.
Blackstreet was an R&B group that was headed by New Jack Swing inventor Teddy Riley. He also had appeared previously on Wrex N Effects "Rump Shaker", another song that brings back some wild memories. Anyways, Blackstreet had originally come to the attention of the public by being on the CB4 movie soundtrack. (I remember listening to them at Camelot at the Volusia Mall. Boy does THAT date me.)
Anyways, onto the song. It features a great guest by Dr. Dre, who had just left Death Row to form Aftermath records and who was a co-writer of the song. The harmonies are tight, the beat is sick and the flow is amazing. When this came out, it blew up big time in clubs and at parties. Everyone was singing the chorus, "I like the way you work it/No Diggity/I got to bag it up (bag it up)."
The first verse is just awesome. Love the break too: "Can't get her out of my mind (what)/I think about the girl all the time." And then comes the sing along part.
"Hey yo Hey yo Hey YOOOOO/(Hey Yo that girl looks good)/Hey yo Hey yo Hey yo." Back in 1996 you couldn't go to a club in DC (except the goth club) that wasn't playing this song. When it came on, everyone hit the floor and sang along. Guys did the bounce dance we do. Heck, it even got this Baptist boy on the floor dancing. (And we know the joke about Baptists and dancing.)
The reason this came up, besides the fact that I have this song on my iPad and listen to it every once in a while, is because I saw it in a movie recently.
Since I had 17 hours in the air from Atlanta to Johannesburg, I decided to watch "Pitch Perfect"on the flight. Decent movie. Rebel Wilson is a riot, Anna Kendrick is great, and the music was actually quite good. In one of the scenes everyone is doing a capella in a drained swimming pool, and one of the songs they do is "No Diggity". It was pretty darn cool.
This is one of the songs from the 1990s that I'm glad hasn't been lost down the memory-hole. There was quite a lot of rock and R&B back then that was pretty great that I'm afraid will be forgotten. (Except here in South Africa, where I've previously said they're in the 1990s on the radio. Seriously, they played an Alanis Morrisette song from the "City of Angels" soundtrack the other day.) Montell Jordan's "This is How We Do it" or Screaming Trees "Bed of Roses" are just a couple of examples. Or Tad's "Jack Pepsi" and SWV's "I'm so in to you".
Anyways, it's a Friday. Go out, have a good time. Or, if you're a parent without a babysitter, stay home and maybe put on some old music. "No Diggity" might in fact put you in a better mood.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
What we've been up to for the past week.
So the blog was quiet for the last week, but somehow I got more readers. Not sure how that works, but thanks!
Anyways, we returned to Washington, DC last week for work reasons. Well, not really work reasons. My children are on Special Needs Educational Allowance, and they have to be re-assesed every year to continue to receive it. So we went back to the people that first diagnosed Lovely Little Girl, and to the sibling study for Crazy Little Man along with a visit to our favorite developmental pediatrician.
While I was there I also had to go and meet people to get my name out for the upcoming bidding season. This is important in the Foreign Service, as you want people to remember you when the time comes for bidding. If you can get people to remember you, and they see your name with a job, they might start associating you with that job. (At least that's the theory.)
But first we had to get to Washington. To get to Washington from South Africa, there are numerous trips you can take. First is on the SAA flight that goes through Dakar, Senegal, stops for a bit (you can't get off the plane) and then continues on to Washington. Second is the Delta flight direct to Atlanta, where you have a layover and then move on to Washington. We chose the second option. Boy is 16 hours a long time to spend on a plane. Especially when at 2 am your lovely daughter's ADHD medication wears off. That's when you start to think parachuting out of the plane might be a good idea.
(Small word on Delta here. We told them 4 times that my daughter was allergic to peanuts. Twice on-line and twice as we checked in. What did they serve as a snack? Yep. Peanuts. On the second flight I told the lady checking in, and she noted it in the system. Again on the flight they start to hand out peanuts. When I told the flight attendant that my daughter was allergic, she got a bit indignant and said "Well you should have told us, as we'd create a peanut free zone around you!" I looked at her and said, "I told the lady at check-in, and when we booked the tickets. Every time they told me they would note it!" Of course the snack for the kids was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So pro-traveling tip for you parents with peanut allergies: Make sure you tell the Delta people at the gate that you have the allergies, and again the flight attendants when you board the plane.)
Anyways, the flight wasn't that bad, and we arrived in Washington to meet my parents as we got our bags. My son and daughter were very happy to see them, and my son absolutely LOVES his Grandpa. To the point that I hardly saw him when my dad was around. Which is fine with me, because I had the same relationship with HIS father too. It's also very good that my mom and my daughter get along too. (My daughter, who is generally scared of men, even allowed my father to hug her and play "Walk Like the Elephant" which is awesome.)
We had a day to do nothing, so we got into the car and drove out to Leesburg Corner for a little retail therapy. Bought the kids some lovely stuff for the upcoming winter, bought Lovely English Lass some stuff, and I got a new pair of Merrell Boots and some sweat pants from Puma. It was a win/win situation.
The next day we separated into boy and girl cars for doctors' appointments. CLM, my father and I drove to Baltimore for his appointment at Kennedy-Krieger, and LEL, my mother and LLG drove to Upper Marlboro for theirs. Our appointment went fast, and we drove back to DC just in time to stop for lunch. After lunch we drove to the Apple Store and bought me my birthday gift from my wife. (iPad mini.) After buying a container for it (I tend to break iPods), we went back to the hotel. I got ready for my Wednesday meetings. It was a lovely 50 degrees fahrenheit outside, and it looked like it'd be very nice.
Wednesday I awoke to snow and the entire US Government being shut down. To be honest, it wasn't that much snow, but they shut it down anyway. So I was left with a free day, and needed to re-schedule my appointments. Luckily I knew most of the people I was meeting with, so that was easy to do. We spent the day with the kids going to Target and having a late lunch. It was nice to spend time with the kids and with my parents.
The next day, while my parents went with LEL to another set of doctors appointments, I went to Main State. When they show you the Department of State on the television, that's Main State. I walked around to see people I knew, and some I didn't. I went to talk about jobs, which no one is sure what's available as of yet, and also to see my friends. The good part about being in the Foreign Service so long is that I know now people who can actually get things done. Nice, really.
Friday was a rest day before the long trip home. Our friends Frank and Z threw a party and a bunch of our friends came. It was great to see everyone, as if nothing had changed. (Except for the part where we all have more kids now.) They even gave cupcakes for my birthday that was Sunday. Great time, and I really enjoyed it. (LLG fell asleep on the couch and CLM ran around like he was, well, crazy.)
Saturday was the start to our long trip home. Flight to Atlanta, 4 hour lay-over, and then the long 15 hours home. Didn't get much sleep because surprisingly there was a woman sitting next to me larger than I was, and she kept moving into my seat! The kids slept alot on the flight, and we arrived back in Johannesburg at 430 pm. The kids didn't get to sleep until 1 am.
On the trip I had a realization I'm getting old. (Besides the 10th being my 37th birthday, I mean.) While shopping for a birthday gift for my dad, we looked at sunglasses. The lady selling them asked if I ever bought Oakleys. I told her that no, because when I tried the blades I looked like a broke down Kool Mo Dee. She looked at me and said, "Who?" Wow! LEL pointed and chanted, "Old Man, Old Man."
Oh well. We won't be taking that flight again for a long time, so that's good. Hopefully we'll be ready for the next one.
Anyways, we returned to Washington, DC last week for work reasons. Well, not really work reasons. My children are on Special Needs Educational Allowance, and they have to be re-assesed every year to continue to receive it. So we went back to the people that first diagnosed Lovely Little Girl, and to the sibling study for Crazy Little Man along with a visit to our favorite developmental pediatrician.
While I was there I also had to go and meet people to get my name out for the upcoming bidding season. This is important in the Foreign Service, as you want people to remember you when the time comes for bidding. If you can get people to remember you, and they see your name with a job, they might start associating you with that job. (At least that's the theory.)
But first we had to get to Washington. To get to Washington from South Africa, there are numerous trips you can take. First is on the SAA flight that goes through Dakar, Senegal, stops for a bit (you can't get off the plane) and then continues on to Washington. Second is the Delta flight direct to Atlanta, where you have a layover and then move on to Washington. We chose the second option. Boy is 16 hours a long time to spend on a plane. Especially when at 2 am your lovely daughter's ADHD medication wears off. That's when you start to think parachuting out of the plane might be a good idea.
(Small word on Delta here. We told them 4 times that my daughter was allergic to peanuts. Twice on-line and twice as we checked in. What did they serve as a snack? Yep. Peanuts. On the second flight I told the lady checking in, and she noted it in the system. Again on the flight they start to hand out peanuts. When I told the flight attendant that my daughter was allergic, she got a bit indignant and said "Well you should have told us, as we'd create a peanut free zone around you!" I looked at her and said, "I told the lady at check-in, and when we booked the tickets. Every time they told me they would note it!" Of course the snack for the kids was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. So pro-traveling tip for you parents with peanut allergies: Make sure you tell the Delta people at the gate that you have the allergies, and again the flight attendants when you board the plane.)
Anyways, the flight wasn't that bad, and we arrived in Washington to meet my parents as we got our bags. My son and daughter were very happy to see them, and my son absolutely LOVES his Grandpa. To the point that I hardly saw him when my dad was around. Which is fine with me, because I had the same relationship with HIS father too. It's also very good that my mom and my daughter get along too. (My daughter, who is generally scared of men, even allowed my father to hug her and play "Walk Like the Elephant" which is awesome.)
We had a day to do nothing, so we got into the car and drove out to Leesburg Corner for a little retail therapy. Bought the kids some lovely stuff for the upcoming winter, bought Lovely English Lass some stuff, and I got a new pair of Merrell Boots and some sweat pants from Puma. It was a win/win situation.
The next day we separated into boy and girl cars for doctors' appointments. CLM, my father and I drove to Baltimore for his appointment at Kennedy-Krieger, and LEL, my mother and LLG drove to Upper Marlboro for theirs. Our appointment went fast, and we drove back to DC just in time to stop for lunch. After lunch we drove to the Apple Store and bought me my birthday gift from my wife. (iPad mini.) After buying a container for it (I tend to break iPods), we went back to the hotel. I got ready for my Wednesday meetings. It was a lovely 50 degrees fahrenheit outside, and it looked like it'd be very nice.
Wednesday I awoke to snow and the entire US Government being shut down. To be honest, it wasn't that much snow, but they shut it down anyway. So I was left with a free day, and needed to re-schedule my appointments. Luckily I knew most of the people I was meeting with, so that was easy to do. We spent the day with the kids going to Target and having a late lunch. It was nice to spend time with the kids and with my parents.
The next day, while my parents went with LEL to another set of doctors appointments, I went to Main State. When they show you the Department of State on the television, that's Main State. I walked around to see people I knew, and some I didn't. I went to talk about jobs, which no one is sure what's available as of yet, and also to see my friends. The good part about being in the Foreign Service so long is that I know now people who can actually get things done. Nice, really.
Friday was a rest day before the long trip home. Our friends Frank and Z threw a party and a bunch of our friends came. It was great to see everyone, as if nothing had changed. (Except for the part where we all have more kids now.) They even gave cupcakes for my birthday that was Sunday. Great time, and I really enjoyed it. (LLG fell asleep on the couch and CLM ran around like he was, well, crazy.)
Saturday was the start to our long trip home. Flight to Atlanta, 4 hour lay-over, and then the long 15 hours home. Didn't get much sleep because surprisingly there was a woman sitting next to me larger than I was, and she kept moving into my seat! The kids slept alot on the flight, and we arrived back in Johannesburg at 430 pm. The kids didn't get to sleep until 1 am.
On the trip I had a realization I'm getting old. (Besides the 10th being my 37th birthday, I mean.) While shopping for a birthday gift for my dad, we looked at sunglasses. The lady selling them asked if I ever bought Oakleys. I told her that no, because when I tried the blades I looked like a broke down Kool Mo Dee. She looked at me and said, "Who?" Wow! LEL pointed and chanted, "Old Man, Old Man."
Oh well. We won't be taking that flight again for a long time, so that's good. Hopefully we'll be ready for the next one.
Friday, March 1, 2013
MILB - Traveling Music
I may have done this somewhere before, but I can't find it. But since we're about to get on a plane for 17 hours with two children that are not known for sitting still, I Need some music to get me through the journey. So, here is my top 10 traveling music songs. (Also works for driving music.)
1) "Radar Love" - Golden Earring. A Dutch band's only big hit in the US. Great song, fantastic drums and a great chorus. Radar Love is the ultimate in driving and traveling songs. You hear this at night while driving, you turn it up and start singing. "I been driving all night/my hands wet on the wheel."
2) "Danger Zone" - Kenny Loggins. The king of movie soundtracks (see "Caddyshack") makes a great driving song (and a favorite of pep bands everywhere.) Guitar kicks in and you just rock out. Then it gets quiet with the verse, before screaming into the chorus. "Highway to the Danger Zone./Ride in to the DANGER ZOOOONNNNNEEEE."
3) "Born to be Wild" - Steppenwolf. A great song, which probably introduced the word "Heavy Metal" to the vernacular. This song rocks hard and keeps going. You can't help but think of "Easy Rider" and wish you had the wind in your hair.
4) "In-a-gadda-da-vida" - Iron Butterfly. Great opening, a bit long, but it'll keep you involved the entire time. Great to sing along to, and everyone always tries to imitate the voice of the lead singer.
5) "We Can Work it Out" - The Beatles. Almost went with "Drive my car" here, but decided against it. We can work it out is a great traveling song, as it keeps moving, has the change in the middle for a slow down, but picks right back up. It's sing-a-long worthy, and I think everyone likes it.
6) "Sympathy for the Devil" - The Rolling Stones. Great opening with the congas, and then moves into the verses. "Pleased to meet you/hope you guess my name!" The "Whoo/whoo" really adds to it. Great song, and a great driving song.
7) "Do the Evolution" - Pearl Jam. The group formerly known as Mookie Blaylock put this out, and it really hits the spot when you're on an open road with no one around. Fantastic lyrics, Eddie Vedder's voice hits home, and the repetitive guitar lick just kicks it up a notch. Great song.
8) "Runnin Down a Dream" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I was not going to chose "Free Fallin". While it is an iconic scene in movie history with Tom Cruise singing it in Jerry McGuire, it isn't half the driving song that "Runnin Down a Dream" is. "RDD" has exactly what a good driving song needs: Pounding guitar lick, quiet/loud dynamic, and usually a song about love. It works perfectly, and is infinitely better than "Free Fallin."
9) "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" - Jet. A brilliant song from the beginning of the last decade, from a band that should have done more. Jet's first album, Get Born, was fantastic, and should have gotten more recognition. Great beat, great lick, and a slow down for the "Are You gonna be my girl" line. Just fantastic, and when I hear it on the radio, I always turn it up. (If I'm by myself, that is. My kids and wife don't like loud music.)
10 "It's the end of the world as we know it" - REM. Many people don't like REM. (I do, as you can tell.) This song is a great driving song, mainly because no one knows all the words, and basically mumbles until everyone yells, "LEONARD BERNSTEIN!" (Side note, my fraternity brothers and I would always sing along with this song, and in honor of one of our brothers we'd change the line to: "JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN!" Yeah, we were the dorky fraternity. But we had fun!) Brilliant song, and a great driving song too.
Anyways,wish us luck on this trip to the states. It'll be a long trip for only one week. Hopefully the kids travel well, and mummy and daddy get some sleep on the way over.
1) "Radar Love" - Golden Earring. A Dutch band's only big hit in the US. Great song, fantastic drums and a great chorus. Radar Love is the ultimate in driving and traveling songs. You hear this at night while driving, you turn it up and start singing. "I been driving all night/my hands wet on the wheel."
2) "Danger Zone" - Kenny Loggins. The king of movie soundtracks (see "Caddyshack") makes a great driving song (and a favorite of pep bands everywhere.) Guitar kicks in and you just rock out. Then it gets quiet with the verse, before screaming into the chorus. "Highway to the Danger Zone./Ride in to the DANGER ZOOOONNNNNEEEE."
3) "Born to be Wild" - Steppenwolf. A great song, which probably introduced the word "Heavy Metal" to the vernacular. This song rocks hard and keeps going. You can't help but think of "Easy Rider" and wish you had the wind in your hair.
4) "In-a-gadda-da-vida" - Iron Butterfly. Great opening, a bit long, but it'll keep you involved the entire time. Great to sing along to, and everyone always tries to imitate the voice of the lead singer.
5) "We Can Work it Out" - The Beatles. Almost went with "Drive my car" here, but decided against it. We can work it out is a great traveling song, as it keeps moving, has the change in the middle for a slow down, but picks right back up. It's sing-a-long worthy, and I think everyone likes it.
6) "Sympathy for the Devil" - The Rolling Stones. Great opening with the congas, and then moves into the verses. "Pleased to meet you/hope you guess my name!" The "Whoo/whoo" really adds to it. Great song, and a great driving song.
7) "Do the Evolution" - Pearl Jam. The group formerly known as Mookie Blaylock put this out, and it really hits the spot when you're on an open road with no one around. Fantastic lyrics, Eddie Vedder's voice hits home, and the repetitive guitar lick just kicks it up a notch. Great song.
8) "Runnin Down a Dream" - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. I was not going to chose "Free Fallin". While it is an iconic scene in movie history with Tom Cruise singing it in Jerry McGuire, it isn't half the driving song that "Runnin Down a Dream" is. "RDD" has exactly what a good driving song needs: Pounding guitar lick, quiet/loud dynamic, and usually a song about love. It works perfectly, and is infinitely better than "Free Fallin."
9) "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" - Jet. A brilliant song from the beginning of the last decade, from a band that should have done more. Jet's first album, Get Born, was fantastic, and should have gotten more recognition. Great beat, great lick, and a slow down for the "Are You gonna be my girl" line. Just fantastic, and when I hear it on the radio, I always turn it up. (If I'm by myself, that is. My kids and wife don't like loud music.)
10 "It's the end of the world as we know it" - REM. Many people don't like REM. (I do, as you can tell.) This song is a great driving song, mainly because no one knows all the words, and basically mumbles until everyone yells, "LEONARD BERNSTEIN!" (Side note, my fraternity brothers and I would always sing along with this song, and in honor of one of our brothers we'd change the line to: "JONATHAN GOLDSTEIN!" Yeah, we were the dorky fraternity. But we had fun!) Brilliant song, and a great driving song too.
Anyways,wish us luck on this trip to the states. It'll be a long trip for only one week. Hopefully the kids travel well, and mummy and daddy get some sleep on the way over.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)