Even though I always dread it, there’s something very fulfilling about mowing the lawn.

We start rehearsals a week from today for Guys On Ice!

Tonight, 3 quotes from Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way. I’m finding these particularly useful in my life right now.

“What we really want to do is what we are really meant to do. When we do what we are meant to do, money comes to us, doors open for us, we feel useful, and the work we do feels like play to us.”

“The capacity for delight is the gift of paying attention”

“I have learned, as a rule of thumb, never to ask whether you can do something. Say, instead, that you are doing it. Then fasten your seat belt. The most remarkable things follow.”

Fun stuff…

I want one of these!

And these…

And no Geek would be complete without this watch!

As mentioned, Williamston Theatre is going through some facade renovations, and we’re getting a new marquee…

It’s not finished yet – there are still lights to put in it and above it, but this is what it looks like right now!

Because I’ve been asked where the photos are of our new puppy…

Here’s Sneakers! She’s very sweet, and very playful, and she’s sleeping through the night without whining, so yay! (This picture was just taken at the cabin up north, this weekend.)

An elementary school in Colorado banned the game of Tag at recess.

I’m sorry, what?

This is, again, a sad example of the ridiculous notions of a couple of people somehow winning over the giant laws of common sense. Why would you eliminate a game that clearly helps kids define friendships, boundaries, fair play, self-discipline and problem solving? It’s TAG!!! If someone’s doing it inappropriately, then discipline them. Then everyone learns A) what the rules are, and B) what happens if you break the rules. Then they can decide whether they want to break the rules and get punished. (Like we must do as grownups…but why the heck would we want to prepare young people for growing up?)

It’s interesting, this ties in with the Penny Arcade Expo (commonly known as the Pax Convention), which is the annual Gamers convention. It celebrates tabletop board games, video games, card games, gaming and gamers in general. Pax was held this past week, and Wil Wheaton, the writer/blogger/actor/gamer, gave the keynote speech. It was quite wonderful; topical and relevant, while being funny and poignant as well. I, frankly, was quite impressed. He examined the notion that video games in particular are an evil, antisocial element in our society. In the midst of some great storytelling, and reminiscing about growing up as video games and arcades made their first appearances in the world, he discusses how games, gaming in general, is an extremely social activity. It’s a lack of people wanting to take responsibility for raising their children that’s a much bigger problem. It’s a lack of respect for other people that’s a much bigger problem.

(A link to the keynote speech is right here but be aware, although I loved it, it’s rated Adults Only)

These two things, the speech and the ridiculous banning of Tag, both just happened recently and both connected immediately in my mind.

Why, oh why, can people not be ridiculous? If my kids are being bothered by someone who is chasing them at recess, I would work with my son or daughter on how to deal with the situation: talk to the teacher, or recess monitor. If that doesn’t work, I would take my kid, and talk with those people, and possibly the parents of the other child, if it gets bad. Would I propose that the school ban Tag?!

No.

If a video game is available that lets you drive a car around in a very realistic environment, run over real looking drug dealers, get out and rob them while beating them, should I let my child play that game? How about a game that lets you walk through and “play” what is essentially a terrifying horror movie with graphic special effects?

No.

I may want to play it myself, I like horror movies. If I choose to play it, it would be when my children were not at home, or after they’d gone to bed.

Gaming, and playing games, is a big part of my family. We play games all the time. It’s social time, family time, and we have fun being together. It’s also great for teaching and reinforcing fair play, patience, tolerance, sportsmanship and how to have FUN with a group of people. God knows, I’m not perfect – in some of these games my 7 year old son gets so wound up and distracted that he’ll drive me insane while adding 30 minutes to a game by not paying attention to his turn. And so, in these instances, it’s not just my KIDS who learn how to play well with others, it’s me.

How does all this tie together?
Responsibility.
Good Lord, don’t ban Tag. Teach them about fair play, and boundaries.
Don’t ban violent or scary video games. Don’t let children play them! (They’re not for them ANYWAY! BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT YOUR UNDERAGE KIDS DO WITH THEIR TIME!)

Responsibility. Respect. Surely these things can’t be that hard to understand?

It’s far past when I should be sleeping, and despite being exhausted I’m having a hard time sleeping.
Lots running through my head.

Plus, my mouth hurts. Dentist appointment today. Working on getting my whole self a little healthier, and the dentist trip was one of the things to get done. I’ll have another in about 3 weeks to wrap up what was begun today.

The “getting myself healthier” thing is one of the things running through my head tonight, although it’s not one of the major things. Still, I’m also working on some other physical ailments, nothing major, but enough stuff where I finally went “Okay, I’m not 20 anymore, and I want to be around for my kids for many more decades.” (and by many more, I’m thinking at least a couple dozen. I really need modern science to catch up with my delusions of grandeur.)

The biggest things keeping me up now, I suppose, are my to-do lists – the lists (family, work, house, career, health, etc…) are numerous, and of course, like everyone’s lists, the stuff on them could go on forever. It’s not just the stuff on them, though – lately I’ve felt like I’m skating a little, and it’s frustrated me. I think, in truth, that I’ve been in a little bit of a funk. Not sure if it’s “burnout”, or just “being tired”, or what, but I hit a point this summer where I think I just checked out for a bit. Started getting done only what needed to get done, and not moving forward in any meaningful way. Work wise, it’s been busy: getting Williamston Theatre up and running, getting through our first season, plus going out of state to direct two productions in totally new settings – that’s all been wonderful, and I’m certainly not complaining. I’m also realizing that I have to take care of myself a little more, though.

The last few weeks, it’s been nice feeling like I’m coming out of that funk. Lord knows, we all get tired sometimes, and need a breather, and now that I’ve realized what I’ve been doing, it’s a relief to find a little more enthusiasm, a lot more drive, and all of my excitement about the future again. It’s the big picture that I’d lost track of – and in doing so, I let a lot of the little things slip away as well. Funny, that. When you start just doing things because they should be done, without really focussing on WHY or HOW…you can lose your way.

Family, work, recreation, meaningful actions.

Less bullshit, more awesomeness.

Tonight, though, my goal is to try to get some sleep.

This weekend (well, Thursday thru Sunday), my wife and kids and I went Up North.

My folks have a great place on the river, in the middle of the woods, and we spent a few days just hanging out there and relaxing. The first two days were filled with lots of rain – thankfully we didn’t get the brunt of those massive storms that passed over a lot of Michigan – but even though it was raining, we had a great time. Lots of reading (I’m currently reading World War Z, a really neat, end of the world Zombie book!) We also played a bunch of games: Uno Attack (which is RIDICULOUSLY fun), LCR, and a bunch of card games.

My folks were there with us, which was really nice, and after the kids were sleeping the 4 of us would play cards and chat.

Did a little bit of fishing the last two days, when it wasn’t raining! In fact, Saturday night was fun, because we sat out on the pontoon boat, putting worms on hooks for the kids and listening to the Tigers play on the radio. Very relaxing. Only caught a couple of little blue-gills, but completely worth it. Then this morning, before packing up to head home, Max and I fished for a little while off the dock. My wife, Jeanne, is really the fisherman (fisherperson?) in our family, she’s much better at it!

Speaking of, Jeanne and I also went on a nice date for a few hours, and saw Superbad, which was very fun. I love Michael Cera, and have since first seeing him in Arrested Development.

The kids did lots of “arts and crafts” with my mother, who loves doing that kind of stuff with them! They did some painting of wooden boxes, some painting of rocks, and some hip and trendy iron-on stuff on a few shirts and pairs of pants! (You crazy kids with your iron-on patches and your Volkswagen busses!)

And of course we made a bunch of meals, including some awesome homemade Mama Caselli’s Spaghetti! Yum!

So – tomorrow – back to work. Well, tonight, actually – I’m doing some work online after/while I type this!

A little bit of time with the family stolen, though. Carved out of the non-stop go-go-go that our schedules can create. In a week or so, the kids go back to school. In two weeks, I’ll be in rehearsals for the next show, and working to keep a small theatre company alive and kicking, and Jeanne will be teaching and as busy as ever, and our lives will slip back into that “school year” routine – less snuggles, more quick “see you tonight/later/in the morning/tomorrow” kisses. This weekend was a nice little priority straightener. A reminder, for me anyway, that there shouldn’t be any trying to find time for stuff like that, there should just be doing it. (What was it Yoda said? “Do, or do not. There is no try.” – yep, it should be like that!) I’ve been feeling a little less than my usual driven, positive self lately – not sure why – a little less inspired, and feeling like my work, imagination and efforts have been a little flat. But that’s starting to change.

So – as Sunday turns to Monday, and another school year begins, another theatre season rolls around, and one more Summer fades away, that’s my goal: More productivity in every area: Family, work, recreation, meaningful actions.

I’m reminded of a couple of wonderful quotes from two women I know:

“Either way, the time will be spent. How are you going to spend it?”
-Mindy Woodhead

And a shorter, more spirited quote with a similar message:
“Less bullshit, more awesomeness.”
-Annie Martin

Let Autumn come. After this weekend, I’m ready for it.

Oh. My. God.

This is one of the funniest, scariest things I’ve seen in a long time. This young woman gets asked a GREAT question, and her answer makes me fear for the future of our world. See Miss Teen South Carolina miss the point! (Completely clean, safe for all ages)