Baby's First Christmas Ornament 2013

The Greatest Vacation of My Life and I Never Left the House

Home, Writer's Block, ,

Today marks the last day of the greatest vacation I have ever known. I did not travel to a tropical island or ride roller coasters at the world’ s greatest theme park. I did not gamble the night away or meet celebrities in sunny Hollywood. What I did do was stay at home for three weeks with my wife and our beautiful new son. While we only left the house for a few doctor visits and a crazy trip to our local Christmas tree lot, it has truly been the greatest three weeks I have spent on this Earth. No future vacation will ever top it.

Meals served. Hugs exchanged. Laughs had. Joy all around! Needless to say, this vacation had it all.

Activity Gym 2013The holidays came early to our household and we are truly blessed. In the middle of it all was baby boy. He was the rock star of the affair. Every person who held him did not get to hold him long enough. Every person who fed him wished they could do it one more time. From Face-timing with Great Grandparents and Uncles far away to sharing our sweet baby boy with family and friends, the entire experience left us transfixed with joy.  As this vacation’s last week draws to a close, new attractions include little boy now lifting his head during tummy time, looking up in wonder at hanging sea animals and resting comfortably in new holiday themed outfits.

In truth, a once in a lifetime life has begun. Baby boy is happening 24-7. Front row tickets to this ongoing event are free. All you have to do is visit our house and little Sweet Cheeks. If you stopped by over the last three weeks then you helped get this event off to an extraordinary start. You all were a part of a truly special extended holiday.

As I look back on that holiday, the wildest ride of the last three weeks occurred aboard the changing table. This roller coaster included sprays to the face and scrambles for un-stuffed cloth diapers. The most hilarious moment came when a baby boy blowout shot not once, but twice across the table bow mid-change. Fortunately, my wife and I survived and got on the ride again 3 hours later.  We even invited others to take part in the ride if they were game! While the changing table no longer offers the thrills and spills of the first couple of go-rounds, it can still get dicey when we least expect it.

As we prepare to put the finishing touches on our Christmas tree, my heart is heavy because tomorrow marks my return to work. Before my son was born I worried about deadlines, pleasing higher-ups and being left out of the loop once I went on paternity leave. Those life concerns are now taking a back seat. As I head back to work my sole focus is on the well-being of my wife and baby boy. I will soak up these last hours of joy knowing we will share many more moments together. We have plenty more books to read, rattles to rattle and night-time lullabies to sing. I look forward to those moments but nothing will be quite like the uninterrupted bliss of these first three weeks.

I’ve got iTunes radio set to the Rockin’ Holiday station. I’ve got baby boy in my arms. We are reaching for our first ornament to hang together and I’m looking back at my wife in awe. Here’s to family, friends and the best vacation of my life!

Nelson Mandela (1918-2013)

Mourning Mandela

Home, Writer's Block, ,

“We would like to create a world familiar with the smiles of children rather than their tears” – Nelson Mandela

Last night my wife tasked me with filling out the current events section of my son’s baby book. Adding hit TV shows and songs was a breeze. Popular entertainers were no problem. It was only when I got to adding the top 2013 news headlines that I became stuck. I desperately wanted to add a positive story. Instead, my mind circled around tragedies like the Syrian Civil War, the Boston Bombing and the flooding in the Philippines. Then, just when I thought my heart could hang no lower, my AP Mobile app notified me of the passing of Nelson Mandela. Needless to say, I went to bed last night worrying about the world my son is inheriting.

Luckily, this morning I came across this blog post by Roberto A. Ferdman and Ritchie King:

IN MEMORIAM: The wisdom of Nelson Mandela: quotes from the most inspiring leader of the 20th century 

Nelson Mandela’s life was an inspiration! I still feel an overwhelming sense of loss, but it is no small consolation to be reminded of his many great deeds, his resiliency and, above all else, his words. While the Nelson Mandela’s of the world are in short supply, I know my life, and my son’s life, will continue to populate with positive leaders that shine light on the dark corners of the world. The efforts of these people, and those that follow their light, consistently renew my faith in humanity.

I believe strongly that we can all have a positive impact on the world. Small acts of kindness do not go unnoticed. Tolerance and understanding are teachable traits. Love is in far greater supply than hate. For every conflict or tragedy, there are a thousand helping hands reaching out to those in need. For all of these reasons we are far better off today than we were a half-century ago.

On behalf of my son and a mourning world, thank you Mandela. Rest in peace.

Best Block:  Nelson Mandela, 1918–2013: Remembering an Icon of Freedom (Richard Stengel)

Hour of Code

Apple Core, Home,

“Everybody in this country should learn how to program a computer because it teaches you how to think.”

— STEVE JOBS, THE LOST INTERVIEW

In order to raise awareness about Computer Science, Code.org is sponsoring a Hour of Code next week (December 9-15).   So far, over 4 million students across 166 countries have signed up to participate.  In addition, almost 10,000 schools have agreed to hold campus-wide events.  My home school, Piedmont High, is one of those institutions.  It is a thrill working with programming teacher Angie Medlin and her class.  Her programming students will be hosting the event and we have set up a Google Site to help everyone at the school take part: PMHS: An Hour of Code.

In many ways coding is becoming the new literacy of the 21st Century.  There will be great economic advantage for those that learn to write code.  In addition, coding teaches problem solving, engages students in other curriculum areas and leads to innovation.  Some countries, like Britain, have even gone as far to make it a part of their national curriculum.

Computer Science Stats

While the United States enjoys a competitive advantage in the technology sector with homegrown companies like Apple, Google, Microsoft and Facebook, the competition to fill jobs and innovate is heating up across the globe.  The United States alone faces a 1 million person per job shortfall by 2020 if we do not begin to train students in the field of computer science.  Computer programming is a top paying job and the field is growing at twice the rate of other available occupations.   This, along with the field’s gender and racial equity gap, is reason for concern.  Participation in the Hour of Code is just one way to raise awareness and let students know that there are many benefits to pursuing the computer sciences.

To get involved you can visit Code.org’s Help page.  There you will find links on everything from signing up your school to making a financial donation to the non-profit.  If you want to try the different programming activities being used throughout the week you can visit Code.org’s Learn page.  There are activities for beginners and advanced users.  There are even several activities for people who do not have computers or an internet connection.

Best Core: Convince Your School or State (Hour of Code);  Computer Science is Fundamental (Hour of Code)

Duke Redhawks

Devilish Redhawks Will Play for ACC Championship

Home, Score Keeper, , , ,

The Duke Blue Devil’s secured a spot in the ACC Championship game with their thrilling 27-25 win over North Carolina.  The football game was one for the ages and culminated in Duke’s first-ever 10 win season.  While Tarheel fans are dismayed by this development, I have reason to cheer.

Two of my former U.S. History students, Jamison Crowder and Issac Blakeney, played prominent roles in the Duke victory.  These two gifted student-athletes have the entire Monroe High community beaming with Redhawk pride.   It has been a thrill watching them compete all season.  While Jamison and Issac’s names are relatively new to those that follow college football, many who know them from their high school days are not surprised by their success.  Their athletic abilities on the football field and basketball court has never been in doubt.  What makes the two men even bigger stars is that at Monroe High they always put student before athlete when it came to academic achievement.  They were two of my best history students.  In my classroom, they never once let their athletic development get in the way of their educational goals.  This is why I believe they were exceptional role models at Monroe High.

Their success is in large part due to the support of their parents and their high school coach, Johnny Sowell.  I have learned a lot over the years from Coach Sowell about building relationships and inspiring student athletes.  It is no surprise that the Monroe High football team finds itself again competing for a chance to win an elusive state football title.  A victory against Parkwood High this week will get them into the title game on December 13th in Chapel Hill.  It is my hope that Monroe High, and Coach Sowell, will add a football state championship to the basketball state title Jamison and Issac helped the school win in 2010.

Until then, there will be plenty of Redhawks in attendance as Duke takes on Florida State for the ACC title in Charlotte.  This is as close to a homecoming as one can get.  The excitement in the stands will be electric come December 7th.   While I cannot wait to see how Jamison, Issac and the Blue Devils perform, they are already legitimate heroes to the Monroe High community.  Go Redhawks!

Best Score:  Finally, a Duke-Carolina football game for the ages (Luke DeCock)

Shop Small Saturday

Home, Music Lines, ,

The Saturday after Black Friday is reserved for small businesses.  The Shop Small Saturday tradition, amazingly enough, was started by American Express in 2010.  This year the credit card company has even set up a twitter feed where you can share your favorite local stores.  I will be adding three of my favorite businesses to the feed this morning.  With 52% of what you spend staying in your community, the act of purchasing from these type of stores is a no-brainer.  It’s a win for you, the local merchant and the community you love.

I am placing today’s post under Music Lines because two of the businesses I am highlighting are my go-to spots for music off the beaten path.  The third business offers a first class meal to go along with the music I enjoy.  Here are the three small businesses I will be celebrating today:

Ed McKay's Used Books and More     Edward McKay Greensboro NC

I can remember when Ed McKay’s was truly small.  My home town’s used book store was a hole in the wall that stacked books like a teetering Jenga puzzle.  I spent many teenage years finding books teachers did not want me to read and used CDs I could not afford to buy new.  Today, Ed McKay’s commitment to quality trade and customer service has led to a thriving business that now serves multiple locations (Greensboro, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Winston-Salem).   I still drive up to Greensboro on occasion to walk the store aisles looking for books by my favorite authors.   In addition to the best used book selection I have ever come across, Ed McKay trades/ sales used DVDs, music CDs, video games, video game consoles, eReaders and other electronics.

lunchbox records     Lunchbox Records Chralotte NC

It took me some time to find the last truly independent record store in Charlotte.  Growing up in Greensboro, I enjoyed shopping at the now long gone Record Exchange and School Kids Records and Tapes.  I thought that experience was lost forever.  Fortunately I was wrong.  The Lunchbox is the quintessential record store and offers a variety of music that is not available at big box retailers.  Last year, I went to the Lunchbox and bought my wife the new She & Him Christmas album.  To my surprise, the record came with its own wrapping paper, stickers and special Christmas pen.  From that point forward, I have tried to make the drive downtown anytime I was looking for a special CD and the packaging that comes with it.  My last purchase, Bob Dylan’s Another Self-Portrait, did not disappoint.

Fat Ninja Food Truck     Fat Ninja Truck Charleston SC

The last small business I would like to highlight belongs to a life long friend.  His food truck is approaching its first year anniversary and has become a popular destination for Charleston residents and tourists.  The Fat Ninja Food Truck focuses on modern Vietnamese food with a blend of Korean, Thai and Chinese.  Each dish’s presentation represents a modern interpretation of my best friend’s family recipes.   Needless to say, an ever-changing contrast of flavors, temperatures and textures is present in each delicious bite.  If you find yourself in Charleston, I urge you to check them out.  Our crew of Boone Goons (Appalachian State grads) will be doing just that when we travel down to celebrate the wedding of our fellow alum’s brother in December.  You can find the Fat Ninja Food Truck by checking their calendar on the Events page or by referring to a Charleston area map on their Driving Directions page.

Best Lines:  Small Business Saturday fosters mom-and-pop shopping (Jeff Ayers)