Category Archives: My Life

The Plague of the Yellow Mustangs

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Mustang et remorque Jet-Ski - front

Image by mondialdelauto via Flickr

First, I would like to say that personally I have nothing against the color yellow or Mustangs, but this is starting to get downright bizarre.  I am writing this today because the cars have begun to invade my workplace.

It all started last May or June with my daughter talking about cars and how she would like a yellow one.  Within a week the attack of the yellow Mustangs had begun.  I would go out to the grocery and I would see 3 or 4 in less than a mile.  I live near a Ford dealership, but during this whole time (5+ months) I have not seen one yellow one there (go figure). I go out on the road and they seem to multiply like rabbits.

I go to the mall (3 miles), 5 or 6 yellow Mustangs. I go into Indianapolis and it gets worse.  I might even see ten or more driving the 80 miles to where my daughter goes to college. It makes me want to scream.  One day in an hour or two of driving my son and I counted over 15 and we never made it more than a 5 mile radius from the house.  It wouldn’t be so bad, if it were not for the fact that they are all the same color regardless of model year and appear to stretch out over a 15-20 year period.  No deviation.  None.  Nada.  Where I live one of the residents has one so I normally discount it, but today another one showed up and that one was number five for the day, all of them over my lunch break.  Where will it end?  Does anyone have any ideas? Anyone?!?

I wonder if someone is trying to tell me something. For the life of me, though, I cannot figure out what multiplying, yellow Mustangs have to do with anything in my life other than my daughter.  But for her I think it wouldn’t matter the car.  We drove past a yellow Corvette and she said, “I’ll take that one.”

I would too, honey. I would too, especially if it would rid me of the plague of the yellow Mustangs before they invade my dreams.  That, I believe, would drive me crazy.

Advice to my daughter as she prepares for college

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I know you think Dad doesn’t know anything, but for what it’s worth here’s my advice:

  • Go to class.  There will be some times that you can’t for various reasons.  Try to not miss more than 3 classes due to illness or appointments during a semester.
  • Budget your time. If you can’t, learn.
  • Use any resources the university has that will help you, time management help, tutoring, etc.
  • Make friends.  These may be your only lifeline in those classes that you miss.  It isn’t like high school. You miss a class, you may still have to turn in the paper or assignment when it is due, no exceptions.  This is real life.
  • Get to know your instructors before you have problems and don’t be afraid to ask them for help if you need it. Most will have your success in their class as one of their priorities. Showing them you are engaged in the class before there is a problem will go a long way in getting their help when you do need it.
  • Don’t believe or think you know it all.  You don’t and there will be many instances where that will be brought home to you!
  • Don’t be afraid to ask your mother or me for help, a shoulder to cry on or anything else.  For money go to your mother, I’ll be paying for your college.  LOL
  • Plan ahead.  Do this as you need to do it and when necessary. See budgeting time and university resources above.
  • Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing something you wouldn’t normally do. Don’t drink or do drugs as you have never done either and this is a sure way to torpedo your success.
  • THIS IS IMPORTANT.  Papers, assignments DO NOT have to be perfect.  You have a problem with wanting something to be perfect.  Perfection is an admirable goal, but you are not perfect.  Let that imperfection show.  Sometimes an imperfect thing is the best that can be done and may get you the better grade.  Being technically perfect is not always best.
  • If you decide you need to be in a sorority, make sure it is for you.  This can be a plus for you later, but the people in them can be just as cruel as other people, maybe worse.  Use your best judgment as to what you want out of college life on this one.
  • Finally, do your best.  I know what grades you can make if you set your mind to it and don’t let perfection and obsessiveness get in your way.

Well, that’s my advice for what it’s worth.  Hope you enjoyed it.

Growing older

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Ball State University

Image by D.Liv via Flickr

My daughter turns 18 in May and starts college in the fall at Ball State University. She begins her journey toward the rest of her life while her mother and I must stand to the side and watch.  We can attempt to guide her, but she will push against us if we try too hard.

I was there when she was born.  Her mother might say otherwise, since labor was long and drawn out and I believe I had fallen asleep when the action started.  But I know I was there as my daughter was born, a small, insignificant person in a large, unfriendly world.

I have tried to be a good father to her and her brother. In some ways I have triumphed and in others I have failed. I should have a closer relationship with both my children, but I do not.  Divorce does that sometimes.

But there is one thing that my daughter should know, one thing that I truly mean.  I am proud of her and most—can’t say all here—of her choices and I am proud of what she wants to do with her life.

I guess that’s how a father should feel.

What is love?

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I don’t know whether I am going to upset some people or have them agree with me but here it goes.

I feel love, I guess the marrying kind, is when you are so wrapped up in the other person that you don’t know where you end and they begin. It’s unconditional. Things can happen, really bad things, and still you love them. You forgive. You may not forget, but do forgive.  Love is when you spend every waking moment and some sleeping ones thinking about this person. You want what’s best for them. You do little things and big with no thought of getting anything in return. That doesn’t mean you let them run over you, but if they love you they will feel the same.

I am at that point, I have to forgive. It’s required of me because I love this person. I am in love with her. I have never been out of love with her. She is the reason I would get up in the morning and the reason I would come home. I enjoy spending time with her, vacations, watch television or more “intimate” time.

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