Paul's return to the Vu was postponed due to what the Deja Vu folks called, "inclement" weather. I called it "sittin' around a campfire, drinkin' beer, and listening to music weather. So Paul and his fans implemented plan B and travelled south to the Hartsburg Hills for an evening of fun- Naughton style. Paul and Jeff graced us with several original tunes and I provided a fire worthy of the highest praise. Even Jerry couldn't stop himself from complementing my pyro-prowess. Thanks to him and Lisa, Paul and Carrie, Jeff, Kevin, and Bethany for indulging my craving for an evening of redneck entertainment in its purest form.
Stay tuned for an annoncement for a make up date for Paul & the Violent Farmers' return to Deja Vu.
Monday, May 15, 2006
Friday, May 12, 2006
Tonight's Festivities
Tonight marks the triumphant return of Paul & the Violent Farmers to Columbia's Deja Vu Comedy Club. Paul will be outside on the patio (last time there was no cover charge to sit outside) starting at 10:00. Designated drivers get free sodas at the Vu. We will try to get there by 9:00 to get a table and a head start on laugh juice. Come out and take in the spectacle as Paulie delights us with his tales of love, perversion, and embarrassment. Also come celebrate the completion of my first week of work.
It'll be a hellova time!
It'll be a hellova time!
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
First Day Surprises
What a Monday! When I dropped Alex off at his new pre-school, I introduced him to the director by saying, "This is Alexander and this is his first day of school!"
Nothing. A blank expression was the only response on her part. She and an employee simply stared at Alex and I as if I were speaking a foreign language. After a long, awkward silence she said, "And what do I need to do?"
I was immediately confused. Instead of greeting her new student with open arms and an engaging personality, the director of the center simply asked us what she was supposed to do. Her assistant, recognizing that her boss had no idea who we were or why we were there said, "I wrote it down on the list." I assumed that "it" was Alex.
"My wife talked to you last week and said everything was fine for him to start today," I offered.
"Okay," she said.
"We stopped in on Friday to pick up the paperwork and have most of it filled out. We didn't sign the acknowledgement of fees statement or the form that says we received the policies and rules because we didn't get one."
"Well, it will cost $90 a week."
"For part-time?"
"Oh, that's right. He'll only be here three days a week, right?"
"No. Everyday from 9 till 1."
"Oh, that's right. Well I don't know how much that will cost. We just changed our fees right before your wife called me. I'll fill out the form and have it for you when you come to pick him up. You can still sign the sheet that says you received a copy of the policies though."
"We didn't get that, so we can't sign it."
"Oh you didn't get that?"
"No."
"I'll get that to you, too."
"Thanks. Where do we put his backpack and coat?" We were in the dimly lit basement of the converted ranch house when we were speaking.
"Oh, just go up the stairs, turn left, walk down the hall until you see... Here, it'll probably be easier to just show you." It was.
"My wife said you begin your classroom sessions at 9:00, so I should have him here a little before 9. Is that right?"
"We actually start with morning prayers at 8:30 and then have activities and bible discussion at 9. Are you and your family Christians?"
Dumbfounded shock. Never at any time did she mention to Bethany on the phone nor did her assistant mention to us in person that it was a religios daycare center. "Uh, well I... we don't... we're non-denominational."
"We feel it is important to teach the children about God and Jesus in order to teach them how to be good Christians. That isn't going to be a problem is it?"
I wasn't prepared to debate religion or God and whether anything would be a problem with Alex standing right there listening. I simply said, "We like him to be exposed to all sorts of new ideas and religions including Christianity."
So then I had to make a decision. I decided that even though the owner of the facility had no idea that we were coming, had no idea what to do once we were there, never introduced herself to us, never welcomed Alex to his new school, and planned to indoctrinate Alex into the world of "Christian values" as she called it, that she couldn't ruin him in one day. I had to be at my new job in 30 minutes. I kissed him good-bye, told him to call me if he needed me, and said, "I love you." I got in my car, drove to work, called Bethany to boisterously voice my concerns (which she shared) and tried to concentrate on work. It was useless.
When I picked Alex up, he said he had a good time, and the director said he did really well. I asked her if she had the forms we needed and she said she forgot. Big surprise. Alex said he spent the majority of his day in the basement including lunchtime, Bible lessons, and movietime. He said the cartoon movie they watched depicted two people in the jungle walking around naked with a reptile. When they ate an apple, God made them wear clothes. Bethany called three other day care centers and we are visiting a fourth tomorrow.
So, how was your Monday?
Nothing. A blank expression was the only response on her part. She and an employee simply stared at Alex and I as if I were speaking a foreign language. After a long, awkward silence she said, "And what do I need to do?"
I was immediately confused. Instead of greeting her new student with open arms and an engaging personality, the director of the center simply asked us what she was supposed to do. Her assistant, recognizing that her boss had no idea who we were or why we were there said, "I wrote it down on the list." I assumed that "it" was Alex.
"My wife talked to you last week and said everything was fine for him to start today," I offered.
"Okay," she said.
"We stopped in on Friday to pick up the paperwork and have most of it filled out. We didn't sign the acknowledgement of fees statement or the form that says we received the policies and rules because we didn't get one."
"Well, it will cost $90 a week."
"For part-time?"
"Oh, that's right. He'll only be here three days a week, right?"
"No. Everyday from 9 till 1."
"Oh, that's right. Well I don't know how much that will cost. We just changed our fees right before your wife called me. I'll fill out the form and have it for you when you come to pick him up. You can still sign the sheet that says you received a copy of the policies though."
"We didn't get that, so we can't sign it."
"Oh you didn't get that?"
"No."
"I'll get that to you, too."
"Thanks. Where do we put his backpack and coat?" We were in the dimly lit basement of the converted ranch house when we were speaking.
"Oh, just go up the stairs, turn left, walk down the hall until you see... Here, it'll probably be easier to just show you." It was.
"My wife said you begin your classroom sessions at 9:00, so I should have him here a little before 9. Is that right?"
"We actually start with morning prayers at 8:30 and then have activities and bible discussion at 9. Are you and your family Christians?"
Dumbfounded shock. Never at any time did she mention to Bethany on the phone nor did her assistant mention to us in person that it was a religios daycare center. "Uh, well I... we don't... we're non-denominational."
"We feel it is important to teach the children about God and Jesus in order to teach them how to be good Christians. That isn't going to be a problem is it?"
I wasn't prepared to debate religion or God and whether anything would be a problem with Alex standing right there listening. I simply said, "We like him to be exposed to all sorts of new ideas and religions including Christianity."
So then I had to make a decision. I decided that even though the owner of the facility had no idea that we were coming, had no idea what to do once we were there, never introduced herself to us, never welcomed Alex to his new school, and planned to indoctrinate Alex into the world of "Christian values" as she called it, that she couldn't ruin him in one day. I had to be at my new job in 30 minutes. I kissed him good-bye, told him to call me if he needed me, and said, "I love you." I got in my car, drove to work, called Bethany to boisterously voice my concerns (which she shared) and tried to concentrate on work. It was useless.
When I picked Alex up, he said he had a good time, and the director said he did really well. I asked her if she had the forms we needed and she said she forgot. Big surprise. Alex said he spent the majority of his day in the basement including lunchtime, Bible lessons, and movietime. He said the cartoon movie they watched depicted two people in the jungle walking around naked with a reptile. When they ate an apple, God made them wear clothes. Bethany called three other day care centers and we are visiting a fourth tomorrow.
So, how was your Monday?
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Updates
First and best of all, Bethany's grandmother (pictured with Alex) is doing much better. She is responding well to treatments to shrink a tumor in her brain that rendered her speechless and partially paralyzed a couple of days ago. Already she is speaking clearly, can move and sit up, has a healthy appetite for the first time in ages, and exhibits her wonderful sense of humor that we all depend on and love. She is such a neat person and we are all lucky to know her and to get to spend some quality time with her. We do not take a minute for granted.
Second, Paul & The Violent Farmers will be taking the patio at Deja Vu on Friday the 12th at 10:00 pm. Originally he was scheduled to go on at 9:00. Our friend Jeff (Jagua Piru on the bloggosphere) may even play a few songs with him. Please come out and support them. I promise you will laugh till you cry. If you're nice, Paulie might even sign a few autographs. (You'll wish you had one when he hits the big time.)
Finally, I wanted to remind everyone that I officially begin my new career as store manager of Doggie Empawrium on Monday. For those of you who were living vicariously through me during my brief retirement, stop by to say hello and to lament the passage of those care-free days known as "the Year of Travis." Actually, I think I'm going to have a lot of fun at the store. I won't have Alex there to play with, but I will get to play with lots of dogs everyday, and I will get to work with three great people who, like me, love dogs and are seeking the good life. As for Alex, he will be in pre-school making new friends and having lots of fun, too. Luckily, I will only be working mornings during May, so I'll still get to spend some quality time with him before he starts real school. Just like with Grandma Viola, I'm not taking a minute of time spent with Alex for granted either.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Seven Hour Work Week
Whew! What a brutal week of training I've had. T.G.I.W.!!! Seriously, I did learn a lot about my new job and should be ready to grab the dog by the tail come Monday morning. Tonight is Kate's going away dinner and tomorrow is her last day of work. Kate will be starting a new career at the KC Zoo. Good luck, Katie-Bear! I'm glad I got to know you.
In other news, Bethany's grandma has taken a turn for the worse healthwise. Bethany and other family members are visiting her in the hospital this week. Keep them all in your thoughts.
Also, Char and Doug's baby boy Duncan weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. at birth. I erroneously underreported his weight by two ounces. The babies born into our extended family are usually "trophy" sized and their weights are bragged about like catching a "trophy" fish. Of course Alex weighed 9 lbs 15.5 ozs. which I of course round off to an even 10 pounds. I believe that's a state record.
In other news, Bethany's grandma has taken a turn for the worse healthwise. Bethany and other family members are visiting her in the hospital this week. Keep them all in your thoughts.
Also, Char and Doug's baby boy Duncan weighed 8 lbs. 11 ozs. at birth. I erroneously underreported his weight by two ounces. The babies born into our extended family are usually "trophy" sized and their weights are bragged about like catching a "trophy" fish. Of course Alex weighed 9 lbs 15.5 ozs. which I of course round off to an even 10 pounds. I believe that's a state record.
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