Kids, Tough Regardless of Age!

Well, I am fit to be tied about my kids. While I thought this was to be a fairly stress free week, it turned out to be pretty stressful. First, Trey (1LT, US Army) has been trying to get back to Ranger School since he got hurt there a year ago. He called the other evening and told me that he had met with his Battalion Commander who told him he would not support sending Trey to Ranger School prior to their deployment to Iraq later this Summer. He did tell Trey that he would sponsor his going to Airborne School and contacted the Brigade Training Office on his behalf. The Training Office said no FORSCOM assigned soldiers were being sent to Airborne School at this time. Trey was angry. He called me, I guess looking for sympathy. I told him the Army was an Institution and one had to understand that an Institution had things happen that we don't always like, but have to learn to deal with. This was not what he wanted to hear. In fact, he told me he might not want to be a part of that institution. I said OK, its your life and I can't live it for you. He said he had to go and we haven't spoken since. Second, Dave was in a foul mood the other evening. His Mom called him to get the latest and greatest scoop from UVA and he almost bit her head off. Apparently his Thesis Advisor told him on Monday that a major draft was due this Friday. Dave mistakenly believed that he had another three weeks. Mom was just trying to be nice and Dave used the opportunity to vent some of his frustration with his Advisor directly at Mom. Anyway, somehow the blame for all of this rolls my direction. Ah well, when life throws you cherry pits, use them to grow trees.

What a Weekend!

Whew, am I beat. Started Friday evening with meeting at the Church to convoy down to the Harrison Opera House in Norfolk to see Tosca. While very long (three acts) it was an exceptional event and all fifty of us that went together enjoyed it. Home that evening just prior to midnight. Awoke early to quickly down some coffee, read the paper and walk the two mile route with Carol and Graham. Then at about 10:45 Chuck came over and we drove down to Virginia Beach for the 2009 Polar Plunge. Sat with Ed and Greg at the Fest Center while they cooked burgers for the Virginia Natural Gas team and it was sunny and warm...even warmer as we slowly built up our courage for the event by imbibing Captain Morgans and Diet Coke whilst enjoying a good cigar or two. Finally at about two, we meandered over to the beach and stripped down to our water wear and ventured over with about three thousand of our best friends to the plunge area. After the Special Olympians went in at 2:30, it was our (the crazies) turn to go in. They really try hard to make it an orderly event, asking that everyone enter the water to the right and exit to the left. The problem is that once they let us go, mob mentality and the effects of frigid water come into play. Everyone runs straight in, suffers the shock of 40 degree water coming in contact with the lower extremities and all sense goes straight out the window. Some, like me want to get our moneys worth so we try to get to water deep enough to dive into while others simply cant wait to get out and are running exactly in the opposite direction...back to the beach. Lots of collisions, lots of folks falling, very, very chaotic. Anyway, lots of fun. Finished up, got dried off and had one more Captains and Diet as well as another cigar before we headed for home. That evening we went to Pete H's surprise 60th B-Day Party at Keagans at Hilltop. A great time was had by all. Michelle had finger food and an open bar for us to enjoy. Great, but another late evening. Then on Sunday Ed decided that since he had the big VNG grill, he would invite everyone over to his house for ribs and to cook up all the burgers and dogs left over from Saturday. Another great time, but when I got home Sunday evening I was flat beat. Bed at 7:30 and out like a light!

Carol and Mom say the beard has to go!

This is the third time in my life that I have worn a beard. All three were the result of me having some kind of illness where I was just too tired to shave. After a few days, I kind of liked the growth on my face so I kept it for a while. This time however, it is showing a huge patch of white?? I can't imagine it has anything to do with age. Anyway, have been growing (cultivating?) it for about three weeks and am for the first time getting some grief from Carol. My Mom loves (actually hates) it! So, I am planning on cutting it this Sunday, a day after the Polar Plunge. I am using the excuse that it will keep me warm and toasty whilst I jump into the cold Atlantic Ocean. Good one, huh?

Polar Plunge this Saturday!

For the fourth year in a row, I will be subjecting my body to the frigid grasp of the Atlantic Ocean this Saturday in an attempt to raise money for the Virginia Special Olympics. A huge sigh of relief escaped from my lips this morning when Carol told me the weather report for Saturday was predicting a high of 65 degrees. Yea!! Even though the water temperature is only going to be 50, I can deal with anything if the air temp stays in the 60's. Wish me luck! If anyone out there in radio land is listening, here is the link to my pledge website. Maybe you can sponsor me with some money... http://www.firstgiving.com/rickparadiso