Thermos - Freedom from Work Awkwardness

Yea, I said "manly"

Look: I'm a highly, highly social guy outside of work.  I regularly wrangle my guy friends together for a bi-weekly, aka bi-monthly, (seriously Oxford: why don't you clarify those definitions?) game night; I mentor junior-high kids; I'm on a first-name basis with the baggers at our local grocery store.

But at work? I have nothing in common with those people.  Oh sure, I'm cordial and friendly, I banter and make small talk, but frankly I only enjoy talking with a few of them so I pretty much keep to myself. 

That's ok.  I've learned over the years that there's an importance in of keeping personal and professional lives separate; an air of mystery is a good thing at the Office.  It's not that I'm Don Draper, it's just that I wouldn't ever choose to hang out with most of my co-workers, so why try to force a friendship that doesn't need to exist?  I come in, I do my work, I do it well, and I leave - isn't that America? Maybe it's that way in every traditional office environment, maybe it's just because we're a bunch of lawyers, who knows? I don't fret about it anymore.

Scatological Report: Jungle Book Edition

© 1967 Walt Disney Co.

After a successful round of potty training yesterday, our little Man-Cub was congratulated on both his #1 and #2.  He responded with...

Mu: "I pee'ed and pooped in the potty.  It's the Bare Necessities!"

In a way, I guess he's right - having a designated place to do your business is one of those simple bare necessities of life!

Yea, Man!

My Disney Legacy & Fatherhood

That's ONLY Aladdin & Genie

I was raised on Disney.

Maybe it had something to do with the fact that I was born one neighborhood over from the Magic Kingdom in Anaheim and had been to Disneyland more times in my first two years than my parents can even recount.

In fact my earliest memory, back in the cobwebby recesses of my mind, is of Sleeping Beauty's castle and a "closed for refurbishment" sign - I have no idea why.  Apparently, I was very interested in the "behind the scenes" even as a toddler.

Once my folks moved us back to their home state, Disney still played a pretty heavy influence in my life - we had virtually every animated film on VHS and watched them until the tapes warbled, I wore out my recording of Disneyland's 25th Anniversary (complete with a strutting David Hasslehoff, circa Knight Rider, singing in front of Tomorrowland), I would regularly ride my bike up to the local AAA office just to grab the Disney pamphlets and travel planners - though we only went to Walt Disney World twice.

I suppose it was no surprise to anyone when I decided to go work for Disney right out of college while figuring out whether I actually wanted to go to Law School or not.

Oxford Dictionary Updates, Memorializes Laziness

Dictionary, you're as dumb as the Internet.

Really Oxford English Dictionary? You, above all other learned and authoritative things have decided that words don't necessarily need to be used in a dictionary?

*heart* - the symbol, not the word, now has it's own definition? I can't even TYPE *heart,* how does this deserve a space in your learned text? This means now, that as I prepare to draft my next appellate response, there's no reason why the Higher Courts can't accept my argument heading entitled:

I.

WASSUP, OMG APPELLANT WAS NOT DEFAMED WHEN RESPONDENT IDENTIFIED APPELLANT'S MUFFIN TOP TO LA-LA LAND RESIDENTS, B/C RESPONDENT ACTUALLY *HEARTS* RESPONDENT'S FASHION SENSE, LOL.

It's not a winning argument, but no longer because of the structure...

Aquabats, Hi-Five Soup, and a Toddler

I've loved 'The Aquabats!' ever since I was introduced to them in 1999 by a friend who would pave the way for more important avenues to be explored than just superhero-based ska.

Although they've thinned their ranks a bit - getting rid of a horn section (regrettably) - and experimenting with new-wave synth, the 'Bats! still have never lost their cache with me: goofy song titles like "Magic Chicken," "Mechanical Ape," "Demolition Rickshaw," and (of course) "Super Rad," playful rhythms, bouncy fun, and all without an ounce of cursing or innuendo.

I've often flirted with the idea of becoming a Cadet (a card-carrying member of their fan club), but feel that my professional accolades would warrant me full-fledged status as "The Suit" (Aquabat Legal Counsel).  Maybe someday I'll get the call.

A 2-Year Old's Ode to Spring

Mu: "I love Springtime.  It's warm, and sunny, and plenty of bulldozers."

May your Springtime be full of bulldozers as well!

SuperRadDad featured on Sprig Toy's Favorite Blogs!!

Great News! My little love-letter to Fatherhood made it on Sprig Toy's list of favorite blogs!

For those of you unfamiliar with Sprig Toys, look no further than my reviews of their Dino Rig, their Dolphin Explorer Boat, or the coup-de-gras their Adventure Rig. 

Green toys that'll last a lifetime, inspire creative play, and smell like fresh-cut wood? That's Sprig!

Scatological Report : Our floor will never be the same

Disclaimer:

Lady Rad does an amazing job of keeping the house tidy and establishing a very 50's lifestyle of me walking through the door with a hot, home-cooked meal waiting for me, the kids dressed and happy, and the house picked up.  She probably doesn't know how much I know that takes an enormous amount of prep and work each and every day.  I try to show my appreciation by being able to pick up both of the kids on my way through the door, and entertain them while getting changed and allow LR to put the finishing touches on our family meal.  I love her so much, and the loving servant she is to our home, our kids, and me.

Here's the scene yesterday:

Potty Training - it all comes out in the end

The SuperRad Fam has moved into a new frontier - that of potty training the Mu.

We wanted to put this off as long as possible, especially since our hands are pretty tied with making sure that Q doesn't roll into something painful as she manages to trench-crawl her way around the house like a Private during Boot Camp.

Still it was Mu who insisted, and we are happy to try to oblige him.  The past week hasn't been without highs and lows, many of which I'll chronicle in the near future.  For now, though know this - the SuperRad Fam is on high alert for all scatological activities in the area. 

And never have I imagined that Lady Rad and I would discuss poop in all manners so freely.

SuperRadDad needs a new look

Like this, but less Infringe-y

I am not artistically endowed.  Try as I might all through school, my doodles are no more impressive than the next 5th grader's.  It's not for lack of desire, I've got good ideas, but my skills and abilities have been focused on other things like good word putting together.

So to take SuperRadDad to the next level, I need an interesting background and logo that doesn't look like the same cookie-cutter as the rest.  Any graphic designers out there interested in improving your portfolio, getting exposure, and being paid next-to-nothing for it?

Anyone?

If so, send me a comment or mail and we'll discuss the deets.

Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, & Tatooine

So long, Cable!

I did an unthinkable thing the other day.  I called up our cable TV provider, Surewest, and canceled our service.  When the Customer Retention Specialist asked which competitor we would be switching to, I said "None."  When he asked what our plans were for TV, I said "We don't really know right now, we're more concerned with getting bills paid off."

And then it was gone - all of my 700,000 channels in glorious High Definition precious shows tenderly secured on my DVR - gone.

And you know, at 3 days cableless, it doesn't feel so bad.

The Dynamic Duo... through a 2-year old's eyes

Me:  What'cha got there buddy?

Mu:  Batman and Christopher Robin.

Me:  You mean Batman & Robin?

Mu: Yea.  Batman and Christopher Robin.

Who.. of course... keep the 100 Acre Woods safe from the Joker, the Riddler, and very blustery days.