I love love love Mac. I would do anything for him. That's how it is for our kids; it is that we would do anything for them, even if it isn't in our own best interest, no matter how much of a turd he can be, good or bad, as a mom I feel like it's life or death for my kid, should it come to that. All that drama being said... on a more down to Earth note...
Even though the last few months have been especially stressful since he quit school and he's not sure what he wants out of life now, I still love him. Even when I want to kick his ass I still love him.
Even yesterday when I Tweeted not nice things about him, I still love him. (I feel bad about my smarmy, smartass Tweets actually...)
He's cracked me up the last two days because Mac has given up all drinks except for water for about 3 years now. He quit drinking soda cold turkey and the kid lives on water. Lately, with the cold weather, he's been drinking hot chocolate. He's become the "at home chocolatier" and seems to have mastered the right blend of milk and cocoa with the right drinkable temperature. Which makes him all jacked up on caffeine. Which means he NEVER SHUTS UP!!!!!
Now those of you who know me in person might think his incessant speaking would be heredity. But this is talking without breathing, I think. No pauses. Just rapid fire, bullet words. It lasts about 15-20 minutes and then the caffeine and sugar high crash him.
I also feel bad for him because he is sick. The poor kiddo. He has one of those nasty winter colds with chest congestion with rattling breathing and nasty coughing and a runny nose. (He offered to show me his snot. While that's really gross, it also tells us all how sick he is if he thinks his snot is an interesting color enough to share with others...) I'm pumping him full of Day-quil and Ny-quil. He's just laying on his bedroom floor, playing video games. I'm going to offer him soup for dinner and see if he wants Jell0 and 7-Up.
No matter how old he is, he's still my little kid when he gets sick.
I guess that no matter how old he is, he is still my kid, sick or not.
Mac's Mom,
Mags
Showing posts with label being a mom can be cool. Show all posts
Showing posts with label being a mom can be cool. Show all posts
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Mac Stories #2
When Mac was in the second grade he used the word plethora. Correctly. His teacher told me she had to look it up. (That worried me on a whole different level, by the way). He's always been such a smartie pants.
Around the time Mac was 5 or 6, we had Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house. My grandparents- the ultra conservative ones that I've referred to as The Shrews- were present. For some reason, in the middle of dinner- and I swear to this day my brother put Mac up to it- Mac started singing. My grandmother asked what he was singing and in a loud clear voice he repeated this much of the song "there's a skeeter on my peter, whack it off!" Silence followed. Then my brother and my Sam of the time were in hysterical tears, the grandparents were appalled and scolding me, my dad was trying to not crack up laughing because my mom would kill him, my mother and I were mortified, and Mac just kept on eating sweet potatoes, oblivious to it all.
When Mac was around 4 or 5 years old, my mother had beautiful African Violets that she raised. They were in pots in the house. If you aren't familiar with these flowers, I should let you know they are REALLY hard to grow. They're a finicky flowers, hard to nurture and fickle, too. She worked hard with these and seemed to have a knack for them. Now, Mac was raised to "know better" about things and he was also told the word "no" so he knew not to touch certain things, house plants being one. But for reasons unknown to this day, Mac didn't like the flowers. None of us knows why and of course he doesn't remember. He would purposely dump those flowers on the rug. He would up end the pots, splat on the carpet. My mom would get so pissed and threatened to even spank him but that didn't cure it. That child managed to toss 'em on the floor so many times that he killed them all. And she could never get African Violets to grow for her again, after that. Curious....
When Mac was three years old, my parents decided to plant a tree in the back yard. Mac decided to "help." He took his little shovel outside and watched Daddy-O and my brother dig a hole to put the tree in. They made a pile of dirt. Mac would take shovels full of the dirt and throw it back in the hole. Evey scoop they threw out, a half a scoop went back in. Finally my brother got him going int he right direction with it- dirt OUT of the hole. Then Mac eyeballed the hole and decided it was just his right size so he plopped his butt in it. He would move. The tree was big enough it took Daddy-O and Bro both to lift it, so they would set the tree down, take Mac out of the hole, set him down and pick up the tree. By the time the tree got picked up again, Mac was back in the hole. After 6 or 7 times of this, Mac got set inside of his tree swing until the tree was planted.
Mac's mom,
Maggie
Around the time Mac was 5 or 6, we had Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's house. My grandparents- the ultra conservative ones that I've referred to as The Shrews- were present. For some reason, in the middle of dinner- and I swear to this day my brother put Mac up to it- Mac started singing. My grandmother asked what he was singing and in a loud clear voice he repeated this much of the song "there's a skeeter on my peter, whack it off!" Silence followed. Then my brother and my Sam of the time were in hysterical tears, the grandparents were appalled and scolding me, my dad was trying to not crack up laughing because my mom would kill him, my mother and I were mortified, and Mac just kept on eating sweet potatoes, oblivious to it all.
When Mac was around 4 or 5 years old, my mother had beautiful African Violets that she raised. They were in pots in the house. If you aren't familiar with these flowers, I should let you know they are REALLY hard to grow. They're a finicky flowers, hard to nurture and fickle, too. She worked hard with these and seemed to have a knack for them. Now, Mac was raised to "know better" about things and he was also told the word "no" so he knew not to touch certain things, house plants being one. But for reasons unknown to this day, Mac didn't like the flowers. None of us knows why and of course he doesn't remember. He would purposely dump those flowers on the rug. He would up end the pots, splat on the carpet. My mom would get so pissed and threatened to even spank him but that didn't cure it. That child managed to toss 'em on the floor so many times that he killed them all. And she could never get African Violets to grow for her again, after that. Curious....
When Mac was three years old, my parents decided to plant a tree in the back yard. Mac decided to "help." He took his little shovel outside and watched Daddy-O and my brother dig a hole to put the tree in. They made a pile of dirt. Mac would take shovels full of the dirt and throw it back in the hole. Evey scoop they threw out, a half a scoop went back in. Finally my brother got him going int he right direction with it- dirt OUT of the hole. Then Mac eyeballed the hole and decided it was just his right size so he plopped his butt in it. He would move. The tree was big enough it took Daddy-O and Bro both to lift it, so they would set the tree down, take Mac out of the hole, set him down and pick up the tree. By the time the tree got picked up again, Mac was back in the hole. After 6 or 7 times of this, Mac got set inside of his tree swing until the tree was planted.
Mac's mom,
Maggie
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Mac & Mother's Day- early
For being such a smart kid, sometimes Mac cracks me up with his little goofs.
For example, he thought today was Mother's Day. I'm not sure why but he got it in his head that it was.
And he got me breakfast. He left the house to get some Hardee's breakfast at 10:15 am and came home with food for me, too. Without me asking. And he bought it with his own money! And didn't want me to pay him back! Now how dang cool is that?
I had to laugh a little bit, other than the fact it was Mother's Day a day early. I giggled at the amount of food he got me for breakfast. He got me the same as him: TWO sausage/ egg/ cheese biscuits, TWO cinnamon & raisin biscuits, and a LARGE order of hashbrowns. And he poured me a huge glass of oj when he got home. I had no idea where I was going to put all that good food.
I now have breakfast leftovers for tomorrow. You know, on Mother's Day- Part Deux!
I thought that was one of the nicest and most thoughtful things he's ever done. There's hope.
Mac's Mom,
Maggie
For example, he thought today was Mother's Day. I'm not sure why but he got it in his head that it was.
And he got me breakfast. He left the house to get some Hardee's breakfast at 10:15 am and came home with food for me, too. Without me asking. And he bought it with his own money! And didn't want me to pay him back! Now how dang cool is that?
I had to laugh a little bit, other than the fact it was Mother's Day a day early. I giggled at the amount of food he got me for breakfast. He got me the same as him: TWO sausage/ egg/ cheese biscuits, TWO cinnamon & raisin biscuits, and a LARGE order of hashbrowns. And he poured me a huge glass of oj when he got home. I had no idea where I was going to put all that good food.
I now have breakfast leftovers for tomorrow. You know, on Mother's Day- Part Deux!
I thought that was one of the nicest and most thoughtful things he's ever done. There's hope.
Mac's Mom,
Maggie
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The joy of motherhood doesn't usually involve the police but this time is the exception
There were three boys. Mac, who is basically a good kid regardless of how much crap he gives me; his friend IP who is a good kid who is an honor student and an athlete; and Big N who is a good kid and an athlete and a member of the national honor society. They all make good grades. They all stay out of trouble, mind their parents and are just the type of "good" kids most other parents want their kids to hang around with.
Big N is a super sweetie. He's built like Michael Phelps (that's where the similarities stop) but is just a big teddy bear. Mac is like the heavier-set version of Seth Rogan, while IP is the cool stud kid (who actually really borders on nerd). And to be honest with you- all three of these boys are dorks. They are. They have no game. They play video games. Then still giggle when they talk about girls. Suave is not in their vocabulary. They would rather play a Halo tournament and eat pizza than have a date.
So ITSam and I are just settling down to watch a movie when Mac called, hysterical, because he said he was pulled over and was chased and the cops were sending him home and would be calling me. Wha??????????????????
So, the boys get here and the three of them tell me the story: Big N, Mac and IP were just driving around. They were downtown and Big N grabbed my umbrella out of the car and would jump out of the car and dance around and jump back in. A piece of the umbrella tip broke and Big N threw it out the window. A block later they were being chased by two guys in a pick up truck. The truck guys chased the boys all over town and then out into the country. The truck guys kept pulling up behind Mac's car, just inches from him. Then Mac sped off and suddenly saw lights and was pulled over.
I guess the boys sat there and three police cars showed up. Big N was asked to step out of the car and ushered into one of the police cars and questioned alone. Another officer talked to Mac. No one talked to IP. Then they told the boys to go home and the police would call me after they gathered information.
The boys where shaking and hysterical. They were worried they were going to jail. All they could figure out from the conversations with the police was that the piece of umbrella that Big N threw out of the car hit the truck windshield and broke it.
The sheriff deputy arrived and thank God it was a guy who used to work at Alcatraz and knew ITSam. As a matter of fact, deputy and Sam were in a church band together as well as working together, and they also used to work out together at a gym. Furthermore, this deputy just dropped his laptop off for Sam to fix, as a favor. This was a gift from the heavens, I must admit.
He and Sam chatted and basically what happened, according to deputy, was that the truck guys thought the boys threw a rock at them and were following them while they were on the phone with the police, staying with them so the cops could pull the kids over.
It was just a matter of timing that three cops answered the call at the same time. Deputy said as soon as he started talking to the kids they KNEW the boys didn't do anything on purpose. When they asked Big N to step out of the car, he got out with his hands up and asked if he should have lawyer. I guess the cops were trying not to laugh hysterically in their faces.
I told deputy what the boys said and he said he wanted to see the umbrella dance. He said the guys in the truck were just dumb rednecks who were pretty pissed off. He said the boys didn't do any damage to the truck and that he wasn't really happy with the truck guys for intimidating the kids. Deputy wanted to know how these boys knew each other since they were all different schools and grades and I said they all met at... church youth group. He asked which one and when I told him he said his father-in-law is in charge of that church. The deputy about peed himself with laughter.
Deputy then went to the kitchen to talk to the boys. Big N started crying, IP called his mom who was on his way, and Mac is trying to explain and calm everyone down. Big N was offering to pay for the wind shield and write letters of apology and then cried the deputy had to step away for a minute to compose himself. He asked Big N about the umbrella and he admitted to dancing and being "Umbrella Man." I had to leave the room and Sam was already in maniacal laughing fits in the living room.
Deputy told Big N he wanted to see the umbrella dance. (Big N grabbed the umbrella and was really going to do it until the cop stopped him and said he was joking). He also told him he should buy me a new umbrella! (It was a really nice, a collector's item umbrella of a Degas ballerina dancer painting that was pretty expensive, too). I have to admit- I would love to see the dance, too. He told them he knew they weren't gang bangers and typical trouble makers but next time to not throw things out the window.
Deputy came back in the living room with Sam and me to wait for IP's mom to get there so he could tell her to not worry, and that they boys weren't in any trouble. Deputy told us if he was friends with Big N he would never let him forget any of it- the crying, dancing or Umbrella Man. He said he couldn't believe what nice, nerdy kids they were. He also said all the cops all at the scene almost cracked up when Big N got out of the car with his hands up. (Later, Big N said that was what always happened on Law and Order which is as close to the police he's ever been) He said they were stuttering and sputtering and scared, so he knew it was all a misunderstanding. He said he had to smile when they all started giving their resumes about clubs and societies and athletics and they had never been in trouble with the law and had no idea what to do- he said that was pretty obvious.
IP's mom was relieved that there was no trouble, as was I. Everyone left and all is fine, but I have to say it was the funniest moment ever involving the police. I think they learned a very important lesson. Big N will never live down the crying. Usually mom's aren't happy when their kids and cops are involved with each other, but I have to admit this was a funny moment and I think it scared them a bit, which is good for the future.
Oh, and by the way... deputy and a bunch of other law enforcement offers were meeting for dinner after he left my house and he couldn't wait to tell this story to the other officers. He said it was awesome and he probably won't have to buy his own dinner because he'll have the best story. Cop humor.
Ah, the joys of parenthood!
Nerdy Mac's mom,
Maggie
Big N is a super sweetie. He's built like Michael Phelps (that's where the similarities stop) but is just a big teddy bear. Mac is like the heavier-set version of Seth Rogan, while IP is the cool stud kid (who actually really borders on nerd). And to be honest with you- all three of these boys are dorks. They are. They have no game. They play video games. Then still giggle when they talk about girls. Suave is not in their vocabulary. They would rather play a Halo tournament and eat pizza than have a date.
So ITSam and I are just settling down to watch a movie when Mac called, hysterical, because he said he was pulled over and was chased and the cops were sending him home and would be calling me. Wha??????????????????
So, the boys get here and the three of them tell me the story: Big N, Mac and IP were just driving around. They were downtown and Big N grabbed my umbrella out of the car and would jump out of the car and dance around and jump back in. A piece of the umbrella tip broke and Big N threw it out the window. A block later they were being chased by two guys in a pick up truck. The truck guys chased the boys all over town and then out into the country. The truck guys kept pulling up behind Mac's car, just inches from him. Then Mac sped off and suddenly saw lights and was pulled over.
I guess the boys sat there and three police cars showed up. Big N was asked to step out of the car and ushered into one of the police cars and questioned alone. Another officer talked to Mac. No one talked to IP. Then they told the boys to go home and the police would call me after they gathered information.
The boys where shaking and hysterical. They were worried they were going to jail. All they could figure out from the conversations with the police was that the piece of umbrella that Big N threw out of the car hit the truck windshield and broke it.
The sheriff deputy arrived and thank God it was a guy who used to work at Alcatraz and knew ITSam. As a matter of fact, deputy and Sam were in a church band together as well as working together, and they also used to work out together at a gym. Furthermore, this deputy just dropped his laptop off for Sam to fix, as a favor. This was a gift from the heavens, I must admit.
He and Sam chatted and basically what happened, according to deputy, was that the truck guys thought the boys threw a rock at them and were following them while they were on the phone with the police, staying with them so the cops could pull the kids over.
It was just a matter of timing that three cops answered the call at the same time. Deputy said as soon as he started talking to the kids they KNEW the boys didn't do anything on purpose. When they asked Big N to step out of the car, he got out with his hands up and asked if he should have lawyer. I guess the cops were trying not to laugh hysterically in their faces.
I told deputy what the boys said and he said he wanted to see the umbrella dance. He said the guys in the truck were just dumb rednecks who were pretty pissed off. He said the boys didn't do any damage to the truck and that he wasn't really happy with the truck guys for intimidating the kids. Deputy wanted to know how these boys knew each other since they were all different schools and grades and I said they all met at... church youth group. He asked which one and when I told him he said his father-in-law is in charge of that church. The deputy about peed himself with laughter.
Deputy then went to the kitchen to talk to the boys. Big N started crying, IP called his mom who was on his way, and Mac is trying to explain and calm everyone down. Big N was offering to pay for the wind shield and write letters of apology and then cried the deputy had to step away for a minute to compose himself. He asked Big N about the umbrella and he admitted to dancing and being "Umbrella Man." I had to leave the room and Sam was already in maniacal laughing fits in the living room.
Deputy told Big N he wanted to see the umbrella dance. (Big N grabbed the umbrella and was really going to do it until the cop stopped him and said he was joking). He also told him he should buy me a new umbrella! (It was a really nice, a collector's item umbrella of a Degas ballerina dancer painting that was pretty expensive, too). I have to admit- I would love to see the dance, too. He told them he knew they weren't gang bangers and typical trouble makers but next time to not throw things out the window.
Deputy came back in the living room with Sam and me to wait for IP's mom to get there so he could tell her to not worry, and that they boys weren't in any trouble. Deputy told us if he was friends with Big N he would never let him forget any of it- the crying, dancing or Umbrella Man. He said he couldn't believe what nice, nerdy kids they were. He also said all the cops all at the scene almost cracked up when Big N got out of the car with his hands up. (Later, Big N said that was what always happened on Law and Order which is as close to the police he's ever been) He said they were stuttering and sputtering and scared, so he knew it was all a misunderstanding. He said he had to smile when they all started giving their resumes about clubs and societies and athletics and they had never been in trouble with the law and had no idea what to do- he said that was pretty obvious.
IP's mom was relieved that there was no trouble, as was I. Everyone left and all is fine, but I have to say it was the funniest moment ever involving the police. I think they learned a very important lesson. Big N will never live down the crying. Usually mom's aren't happy when their kids and cops are involved with each other, but I have to admit this was a funny moment and I think it scared them a bit, which is good for the future.
Oh, and by the way... deputy and a bunch of other law enforcement offers were meeting for dinner after he left my house and he couldn't wait to tell this story to the other officers. He said it was awesome and he probably won't have to buy his own dinner because he'll have the best story. Cop humor.
Ah, the joys of parenthood!
Nerdy Mac's mom,
Maggie
Monday, May 31, 2010
Teenage Wasteland
Saturday Mac was going to graduation open houses and then to a bonfire. I know what that means- kegger. Before he left, I told him to not become a cliche nor a statistic and to not drink and drive. If he got drunk, I told him to either call me for a ride, sleep over at the party or sleep in his car. And before he left, my uncle also told him to not be afraid to call for a ride. (Please don't judge my parenting... it was a choice I made.)
Apparently he goes to the open houses and then to the bonfire. He gets there and pretty much everyone he knows is pretty much blatto and the big rumor is that the party is going to be busted by the cops. Mac decides, when he heard that, to stay sober. He hangs out and then the word goes out that the cops are on the way to raid the party so he gets a bunch of kids in his car and they all take off, him being the designated driver.
The girl who was hosting the drunken bonfire we'll call ADumbAssGirl because she posted on her Facebook about her kegger which is how the cops knew about it- idiot. She ended up in Mac's car, as did two of Mac's best buds, R and J. ADumbAssGirl want to go to a little town about 25 minutes from here. Mac said no but she then said she would drive herself, so he decides to drive her and incur the wrath of me later. But just as they get to the edge of town ADumbAssGirl has him pull into a parking lot and she gets out of the car and into another with a guy, leaving Mac and his friends to follow them, to go to another party. Mac is sober and while R and J were fairly drunk they all decide they don't want to go to the party because they guy ADumbAssGirl got in the car with is a known around town drug dealer- they should it was a bad idea.
So J suggests they go hang out at his patents lake cabin. It hadn't been opened up yet and the floor was covered with rat poop but they decided "what the heck- why not?". As Mac pulls into the cabin driveway, another car comes in behind them and 3 more guy friends spill out. As Mac steps on the break to stop the car, he hears a weird sound from the rear. He thought the guys behind him hit him. They all look at the rear of the car and determine no danger so Mac opens the trunk. And do you know what was there?
Two bottles of 7-Up, a gallon of generic Hawaiian Punch, and two Dirty Thirties. For those of you who don't speak 17-year old boy, that means there were two 30 packs of beer. In Mac's trunk. No one knows where it came from. All they can think is that ADumbAssGirl was supposed to bring it to the next party and when the guys didn't go...
to them, it was manna from the gods.
So what are six 17 and 18 year old boys to do on a Saturday night on the first weekend of summer vacation at a deserted lake cabin when faced with 60 cans of beer? Oh yeah.
So they drank beer and hung out at the lake, sat around being stupid guys and trading stories and just... being.
Mac slept in his car because even he was to weak to withstand the siren call of 60 cans of free beer for the taking.
At this point in my narrative, I would like to point out that I get this entire story from Mac when he got home Sunday morning. Without a shirt. Missing one shoe. When he left the house Saturday night, I distinctly remember he had on a shirt, and 2 shoes.
So Sunday morning he fills me in and all he really remembers is that it was hot outside so they were all sitting around without shirts. (Keep the homo-erotic comments to your collective selves, please). They didn't want to go in because of the rat poop and it was too hot to sleep in the car so he took of his shirt. He can't exactly explain the shoe. I don't think I want to know. It was just a flip-flop.
Two funny things:
1) One kid convinced the others to smoke a joint. They passed it around and Mac said he never smoked pot before but thought- what the hell. (Again, we aren't going there as parents right now) He thought it smelled really flowery and tasted terrible and burned and was awful. Until the kids who got the other 5 to smoke let them in on the joke: they smoked room freshener incense. Dumbasses.
2) Mac came straight in the house and went straight to the bathroom and showered. Because he drank about 14 beers and then passed out and then subsequently peed on himself in his sleep... yeah. I also made him clean the car seat.
At least he didn't drink and drive. And he didn't let his friends drive drunk.
He would probably kill me if he knew I told this story to the blogging world, but I just can't help it. There is so much stupidity crammed into one evening. And when you see those teen comedy drinking movies you can stop wondering what inspires them...
Mac's mom,
Maggie
Apparently he goes to the open houses and then to the bonfire. He gets there and pretty much everyone he knows is pretty much blatto and the big rumor is that the party is going to be busted by the cops. Mac decides, when he heard that, to stay sober. He hangs out and then the word goes out that the cops are on the way to raid the party so he gets a bunch of kids in his car and they all take off, him being the designated driver.
The girl who was hosting the drunken bonfire we'll call ADumbAssGirl because she posted on her Facebook about her kegger which is how the cops knew about it- idiot. She ended up in Mac's car, as did two of Mac's best buds, R and J. ADumbAssGirl want to go to a little town about 25 minutes from here. Mac said no but she then said she would drive herself, so he decides to drive her and incur the wrath of me later. But just as they get to the edge of town ADumbAssGirl has him pull into a parking lot and she gets out of the car and into another with a guy, leaving Mac and his friends to follow them, to go to another party. Mac is sober and while R and J were fairly drunk they all decide they don't want to go to the party because they guy ADumbAssGirl got in the car with is a known around town drug dealer- they should it was a bad idea.
So J suggests they go hang out at his patents lake cabin. It hadn't been opened up yet and the floor was covered with rat poop but they decided "what the heck- why not?". As Mac pulls into the cabin driveway, another car comes in behind them and 3 more guy friends spill out. As Mac steps on the break to stop the car, he hears a weird sound from the rear. He thought the guys behind him hit him. They all look at the rear of the car and determine no danger so Mac opens the trunk. And do you know what was there?
Two bottles of 7-Up, a gallon of generic Hawaiian Punch, and two Dirty Thirties. For those of you who don't speak 17-year old boy, that means there were two 30 packs of beer. In Mac's trunk. No one knows where it came from. All they can think is that ADumbAssGirl was supposed to bring it to the next party and when the guys didn't go...
to them, it was manna from the gods.
So what are six 17 and 18 year old boys to do on a Saturday night on the first weekend of summer vacation at a deserted lake cabin when faced with 60 cans of beer? Oh yeah.
So they drank beer and hung out at the lake, sat around being stupid guys and trading stories and just... being.
Mac slept in his car because even he was to weak to withstand the siren call of 60 cans of free beer for the taking.
At this point in my narrative, I would like to point out that I get this entire story from Mac when he got home Sunday morning. Without a shirt. Missing one shoe. When he left the house Saturday night, I distinctly remember he had on a shirt, and 2 shoes.
So Sunday morning he fills me in and all he really remembers is that it was hot outside so they were all sitting around without shirts. (Keep the homo-erotic comments to your collective selves, please). They didn't want to go in because of the rat poop and it was too hot to sleep in the car so he took of his shirt. He can't exactly explain the shoe. I don't think I want to know. It was just a flip-flop.
Two funny things:
1) One kid convinced the others to smoke a joint. They passed it around and Mac said he never smoked pot before but thought- what the hell. (Again, we aren't going there as parents right now) He thought it smelled really flowery and tasted terrible and burned and was awful. Until the kids who got the other 5 to smoke let them in on the joke: they smoked room freshener incense. Dumbasses.
2) Mac came straight in the house and went straight to the bathroom and showered. Because he drank about 14 beers and then passed out and then subsequently peed on himself in his sleep... yeah. I also made him clean the car seat.
At least he didn't drink and drive. And he didn't let his friends drive drunk.
He would probably kill me if he knew I told this story to the blogging world, but I just can't help it. There is so much stupidity crammed into one evening. And when you see those teen comedy drinking movies you can stop wondering what inspires them...
Mac's mom,
Maggie
Monday, May 17, 2010
It was windy in the Windy City, and other stuff
Saturday in Chicago was a good time. The boys LOVED the concert and thought it was the best show ever and XRay Girl and I laughed and talked and hung out which always equates to lots of fun.
Since the boys were going to the concert festival and XRay Girl and I were not, we had to have a game plan about dropping the boys off, getting them again and parking in the midterm. According to the concert web site, if we produced a ticket stub, the parking was free. But the web site neglected to tell WHERE the free parking was located, which of course we didn't find out until we arrived. We wait in a looooooooooong line of traffic to turn into the 'event parking' and the guy says to me "$20". I said, "I thought it was free?" And he said, "Oh, the free parking is at Solider Field. Now move on or $20." (He is so not getting my vote for Helpful Parking Lot Attendant of the Year Award!) So I pull ahead to another guy and he gives the worst directions in the history of the world on how to back track to Soldier Field. So we let the boys out with a promise to call them when we knew where the car was and we told them we would meet them where we left them, at the concert's conclusion. Out they went and off we went to find the elusive parking at Soldier Field.
Now Soldier Field is a large place and we could obviously see it and we could figure out which was the parking garage. But with event parking and event road closings, getting there was almost impossible, and we were only armed with directions like, "turn around and go back and when you get to the roundabout turn left and then to to the first non one way thru street and turn at the stop sign and it should be a little bit down on the left." Wha???? And we forgot one little thing: the only way to get free parking was to produce a ticket and our "tickets" had just gotten dropped off VIP style at the concert. Well shit! So, I said to hell with it, got back in line to go back, and pay the $20 for the parking at the arena.
After finally getting parked, we were at the museum complex, meaning we were smack in between the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, the Planetarium and the Shed Aquarium. XRay Girl and I were going to go the Aquarium. There were about 173 people in line in front of us but we didn't care. What we did care about was the admission price of $29.95+ tax EACH. For that price we could have lobster for dinner rather than look at 'em through a tank so we decided to ditch the fish and walk the lake shore walk to Navy Pier. It didn't look very far from where we were...
Now here I want to say that at times I am the quintessential mother. It comes more from being organized and list making than being a good mom, I think. Before we left home I made sure everyone had gone to the bathroom and we had cell phones charged and the tickets and directions. I packed a box of snacks and a cooler of bottled water and juices. I had a loaf of bread and a package of ham so they could make sandwiches on the way. I also packed a separate cooler of Power Ade for the boys so they could hydrate after the concert. I made sure they had an extra change of clothes in case it rains and a few garbage bags to sit on if they got wet, even though the forecast was, and I quote three different web sites: "a high of 71 and partly cloudy." I made sure everyone had a jacket, and cash. So you could say I was organized.
What I did forget was my own jacket. But it was supposed to be, and I quote three different web sites: "a high of 71 and partly cloudy." And I wore jeans and a t-shirt. And it was cold. Damn cold. It was never partly sunny the entire day. Not a single shine of sun did we see. And as for the 71--- 51 was more like it!
So we walked from the aquarium to Navy Pier along the lake shore route- about 3 miles- and I froze the whole way, and it was my own stupid fault. Then we got to Navy Pier and walked all over it. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore, and I bought a stupid sweatshirt. Thank god it was on sale. It's bubblegum pink and says "Chicago Navy Pier" on the front. XRay Girl, who wore a very light weight jacket, was also freezing, bought one as well, in kiwi green. Oh, yes, weren't we cute in our matching sweatshirts that just screamed "tourists"?
After strolling around Navy Pier, we hadn't done enough walking so we walked the 6 city blocks up Grand Ave to Michigan Ave, aka the Magnificent Mile. We went in a bunch of the shops- including Tiffany's- I LOVE that store! Something about all that jewelry is magical and sparkly! We also went to a shop in Macy's called Lush which sells all natural body products like shampoo, lotions, and the like. The sale associate Kate did all these awesome demonstrations on us of these cool products.
Farrago met us here and declared he was starving so we went for pizza at a place called Pizza Duo which is one of the most famous places in the city to get the infamous Chicago Deep Dish. While we were having dinner, Mac called and said they were ready to go. He said the last band sucked so he and his buddy were sitting in the car and would wait for us. We were just finishing dinner so we paid, and Farrago helped us find the right bus and off we went to collect the kids.
We rode the bus and we knew we were the last stop but the bus just kept going and going and going. I thought when it was the last stop, he would just stop at the last bus stop place thingy. So we were about 1 block from the parking lot and I asked our bus driver if we could just get out where we were because he passed about 47 bus shelters and I was afraid he would turn left when we wanted him to turn right. He asked me where we were going and I told him to the parking lot, one block ahead. Our super nice bus driver dropped us at the parking lot where we left the car!!! He just went 1 block extra since no one else was on the bus but us!***** Is that cool or what?
And we only got lost once, on the way there. XRay Girl is not allowed to read the directions anymore- she skipped an entire line sending the boys into convulsions and me into serious eye rolling mode since I was driving on the Dan Ryan Expressway. But what was cool about getting lost is that we had to go through Chinatown- twice because I was in the wrong lane- and XRay Girl, Mac nor his Buddy had ever seen it before. The boys thought it was the coolest thing ever. Mac said, "OMG, I just saw Jackie Chan" and would point to a guy. Then about 20 feet later he would say, "OMG, I just saw Jackie Chan again" and point to a different guy. He did this for about 3 blocks until we all screamed at him to shut up! But really, it was a riot. They also saw an older Chinese woman and all the jokes about her special powers and herbs and wisdom... oh just imagine two 17 year old boys ...
But it was a very cool day. I'm glad I was able to take Mac and let him have this experience. I like being able to do things like that when I can. Even when, at first, I really didn't want to! Sometimes being a mom is cool!
***** This is the second time in my life that a public bus driver went out of his/her way to drop me off where I needed to be. In summer 1990 I 'lived' in NYC for what was supposed to be a summer but... anyway. My friend and I were going to take a Circle Line Cruise around the city and we were running late and freaking out. The stop for the cruise was near the last one on the route and the bus driver heard us talking about whether we could run for it and still make it on time. She gunned the bus the three extra blocks and dropped us smack dab in front of the Circle Line Cruise Office. We had 4 minutes to spare.
Maggie
On another note...
Since the boys were going to the concert festival and XRay Girl and I were not, we had to have a game plan about dropping the boys off, getting them again and parking in the midterm. According to the concert web site, if we produced a ticket stub, the parking was free. But the web site neglected to tell WHERE the free parking was located, which of course we didn't find out until we arrived. We wait in a looooooooooong line of traffic to turn into the 'event parking' and the guy says to me "$20". I said, "I thought it was free?" And he said, "Oh, the free parking is at Solider Field. Now move on or $20." (He is so not getting my vote for Helpful Parking Lot Attendant of the Year Award!) So I pull ahead to another guy and he gives the worst directions in the history of the world on how to back track to Soldier Field. So we let the boys out with a promise to call them when we knew where the car was and we told them we would meet them where we left them, at the concert's conclusion. Out they went and off we went to find the elusive parking at Soldier Field.
Now Soldier Field is a large place and we could obviously see it and we could figure out which was the parking garage. But with event parking and event road closings, getting there was almost impossible, and we were only armed with directions like, "turn around and go back and when you get to the roundabout turn left and then to to the first non one way thru street and turn at the stop sign and it should be a little bit down on the left." Wha???? And we forgot one little thing: the only way to get free parking was to produce a ticket and our "tickets" had just gotten dropped off VIP style at the concert. Well shit! So, I said to hell with it, got back in line to go back, and pay the $20 for the parking at the arena.
After finally getting parked, we were at the museum complex, meaning we were smack in between the Museum of Science and Industry, the Field Museum, the Planetarium and the Shed Aquarium. XRay Girl and I were going to go the Aquarium. There were about 173 people in line in front of us but we didn't care. What we did care about was the admission price of $29.95+ tax EACH. For that price we could have lobster for dinner rather than look at 'em through a tank so we decided to ditch the fish and walk the lake shore walk to Navy Pier. It didn't look very far from where we were...
Now here I want to say that at times I am the quintessential mother. It comes more from being organized and list making than being a good mom, I think. Before we left home I made sure everyone had gone to the bathroom and we had cell phones charged and the tickets and directions. I packed a box of snacks and a cooler of bottled water and juices. I had a loaf of bread and a package of ham so they could make sandwiches on the way. I also packed a separate cooler of Power Ade for the boys so they could hydrate after the concert. I made sure they had an extra change of clothes in case it rains and a few garbage bags to sit on if they got wet, even though the forecast was, and I quote three different web sites: "a high of 71 and partly cloudy." I made sure everyone had a jacket, and cash. So you could say I was organized.
What I did forget was my own jacket. But it was supposed to be, and I quote three different web sites: "a high of 71 and partly cloudy." And I wore jeans and a t-shirt. And it was cold. Damn cold. It was never partly sunny the entire day. Not a single shine of sun did we see. And as for the 71--- 51 was more like it!
So we walked from the aquarium to Navy Pier along the lake shore route- about 3 miles- and I froze the whole way, and it was my own stupid fault. Then we got to Navy Pier and walked all over it. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore, and I bought a stupid sweatshirt. Thank god it was on sale. It's bubblegum pink and says "Chicago Navy Pier" on the front. XRay Girl, who wore a very light weight jacket, was also freezing, bought one as well, in kiwi green. Oh, yes, weren't we cute in our matching sweatshirts that just screamed "tourists"?
After strolling around Navy Pier, we hadn't done enough walking so we walked the 6 city blocks up Grand Ave to Michigan Ave, aka the Magnificent Mile. We went in a bunch of the shops- including Tiffany's- I LOVE that store! Something about all that jewelry is magical and sparkly! We also went to a shop in Macy's called Lush which sells all natural body products like shampoo, lotions, and the like. The sale associate Kate did all these awesome demonstrations on us of these cool products.
Farrago met us here and declared he was starving so we went for pizza at a place called Pizza Duo which is one of the most famous places in the city to get the infamous Chicago Deep Dish. While we were having dinner, Mac called and said they were ready to go. He said the last band sucked so he and his buddy were sitting in the car and would wait for us. We were just finishing dinner so we paid, and Farrago helped us find the right bus and off we went to collect the kids.
We rode the bus and we knew we were the last stop but the bus just kept going and going and going. I thought when it was the last stop, he would just stop at the last bus stop place thingy. So we were about 1 block from the parking lot and I asked our bus driver if we could just get out where we were because he passed about 47 bus shelters and I was afraid he would turn left when we wanted him to turn right. He asked me where we were going and I told him to the parking lot, one block ahead. Our super nice bus driver dropped us at the parking lot where we left the car!!! He just went 1 block extra since no one else was on the bus but us!***** Is that cool or what?
And we only got lost once, on the way there. XRay Girl is not allowed to read the directions anymore- she skipped an entire line sending the boys into convulsions and me into serious eye rolling mode since I was driving on the Dan Ryan Expressway. But what was cool about getting lost is that we had to go through Chinatown- twice because I was in the wrong lane- and XRay Girl, Mac nor his Buddy had ever seen it before. The boys thought it was the coolest thing ever. Mac said, "OMG, I just saw Jackie Chan" and would point to a guy. Then about 20 feet later he would say, "OMG, I just saw Jackie Chan again" and point to a different guy. He did this for about 3 blocks until we all screamed at him to shut up! But really, it was a riot. They also saw an older Chinese woman and all the jokes about her special powers and herbs and wisdom... oh just imagine two 17 year old boys ...
But it was a very cool day. I'm glad I was able to take Mac and let him have this experience. I like being able to do things like that when I can. Even when, at first, I really didn't want to! Sometimes being a mom is cool!
***** This is the second time in my life that a public bus driver went out of his/her way to drop me off where I needed to be. In summer 1990 I 'lived' in NYC for what was supposed to be a summer but... anyway. My friend and I were going to take a Circle Line Cruise around the city and we were running late and freaking out. The stop for the cruise was near the last one on the route and the bus driver heard us talking about whether we could run for it and still make it on time. She gunned the bus the three extra blocks and dropped us smack dab in front of the Circle Line Cruise Office. We had 4 minutes to spare.
Maggie
On another note...
Friday, April 23, 2010
Cake Walk?
Tomorrow is Mac's un-surprise party and tonight I must get started on the preliminary preparations. What that entails is me baking cakes for the Mad Hatter Topsy- Turvy cake. Well, more specifically that means me making 7 cakes. Yes, you read that right, SEVEN cakes!
I'm going to make all the cakes tonight and put them in the freezer and refrigerator to chill. Tomorrow, around noon, XRay- Girl is coming over to help with the assembly. She makes cakes for people's parties and the like, and she a master cake decorator so she's going to be a pivotal part of the assembly and icing process.
We met earlier this week and "reviewed" our game plan- we printed the directions, read through them and discussed what they meant, found a bunch of pictures of the cake style, and we even watched a "how to" video of how to do this. We are ready. It was a good thing we did the prep meeting because, otherwise, we would've made all the cakes on Saturday before the decorating and the directions recommend freezing and/or chilling ahead of time so the 'sculpting' will be easier. Yeah- sculpting. I, who got an F in playdoh, am making a cake that involves what is called 'sculpting'... this is gonna be.... interesting, shall we say?
I'm making all round cakes in the following sizes: one 10 inch, two 9 inches, two 8 inches, one 6 inch, and one 3 inch. That's a lot of cake.
So tonight my job is to prepare cakes. We have lemon, vanilla and yellow. No chocolate because Mac doesn't like chocolate cake and because, according to X Ray Girl, you get one chocolate crumb in the white buttercreme icing and we'd be fucked (those were her words, not mine!).
I am promising pictures......... I'll post pictures whether it's a disaster or a success. And if it looks to be a disaster, we're breaking out the wine- couldn't hurt and might help!
Cake makin' maven,
Maggie Mae
I'm going to make all the cakes tonight and put them in the freezer and refrigerator to chill. Tomorrow, around noon, XRay- Girl is coming over to help with the assembly. She makes cakes for people's parties and the like, and she a master cake decorator so she's going to be a pivotal part of the assembly and icing process.
We met earlier this week and "reviewed" our game plan- we printed the directions, read through them and discussed what they meant, found a bunch of pictures of the cake style, and we even watched a "how to" video of how to do this. We are ready. It was a good thing we did the prep meeting because, otherwise, we would've made all the cakes on Saturday before the decorating and the directions recommend freezing and/or chilling ahead of time so the 'sculpting' will be easier. Yeah- sculpting. I, who got an F in playdoh, am making a cake that involves what is called 'sculpting'... this is gonna be.... interesting, shall we say?
I'm making all round cakes in the following sizes: one 10 inch, two 9 inches, two 8 inches, one 6 inch, and one 3 inch. That's a lot of cake.
So tonight my job is to prepare cakes. We have lemon, vanilla and yellow. No chocolate because Mac doesn't like chocolate cake and because, according to X Ray Girl, you get one chocolate crumb in the white buttercreme icing and we'd be fucked (those were her words, not mine!).
I am promising pictures......... I'll post pictures whether it's a disaster or a success. And if it looks to be a disaster, we're breaking out the wine- couldn't hurt and might help!
Cake makin' maven,
Maggie Mae
Monday, March 8, 2010
Transformation
Mac has been a complete brat all week long. I won't even go into the horror stories but if you have or had a teenager, you know that when they aren't happy, no one is happy.
Then today, the clouds parted and the sun was shining and he was a happy kid. It was the weirdest damn thing.
First, I told him he had to clean the bathroom- which I thought was going to cause World War VIXL in my house. But... he just did. I asked him to just scrub the sink, the tub and the toilet. When I got home he was in the processing of cleaning which he took as doing what I asked as well as cleaning the mirror, dusting the shelves, mopping the floor, and laundering the bath rugs. Wow. I would totally hire him out with these skills! I was completely impressed! Oh, and he put away the clean towels and put a clean hand towel out. Scrubbed and dusted. A 16 year old boy- do you realize how amazing this is?
Then I was fixing dinner and he set the table WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He put away his laundry WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He took out the trash WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He laughed and talked and smiled and joked and was a completely sweet HUMAN being! He gave me a hug and told me he loved me.
Just when I was ready to wring his neck, ground him for life, and then sell him to the nearest band of passing gypsies, he becomes my normal, happy kid again.
Parenting is hit and miss and after a week of all misses, we had some hits. Makes it all worth it.
Mac's mommy,
Maggie
Then today, the clouds parted and the sun was shining and he was a happy kid. It was the weirdest damn thing.
First, I told him he had to clean the bathroom- which I thought was going to cause World War VIXL in my house. But... he just did. I asked him to just scrub the sink, the tub and the toilet. When I got home he was in the processing of cleaning which he took as doing what I asked as well as cleaning the mirror, dusting the shelves, mopping the floor, and laundering the bath rugs. Wow. I would totally hire him out with these skills! I was completely impressed! Oh, and he put away the clean towels and put a clean hand towel out. Scrubbed and dusted. A 16 year old boy- do you realize how amazing this is?
Then I was fixing dinner and he set the table WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He put away his laundry WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He took out the trash WITHOUT BEING ASKED!
He laughed and talked and smiled and joked and was a completely sweet HUMAN being! He gave me a hug and told me he loved me.
Just when I was ready to wring his neck, ground him for life, and then sell him to the nearest band of passing gypsies, he becomes my normal, happy kid again.
Parenting is hit and miss and after a week of all misses, we had some hits. Makes it all worth it.
Mac's mommy,
Maggie
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
My kid has guts
Each year my son's high school choir class does a spring show called "The Spring Spectacular." The tradition has seniors voting on a theme. The seniors get first shot to perform in small groups (duets, trios, quartets, etc...) or solos and any other spots are given to students starting with juniors, then sophomores, and finally any remaining spots are for freshmen.
Mac is a junior so he gets a spot. And since Mac is one of the "stars" of the choir, of course he gets a spot! And I'm really trying to be a braggart or anything but he is really good. And he really has guts.
He gets to pick what he wants to sing. They kids are given pretty much carte blanc as long as it's not nasty (no cuss words, no porno, etc) and as long as it meshes with the theme. The kids are also allowed to sing with karaoke, or with the piano.
Mac has picked his song for his solo. He is actually hoping it can work with the theme. I'm not sure what I'm hoping...
He wants to sing "It's raining men." In drag. With a few of the girls in choir as his "do-wop" back up- but they would be dressed as men. He even has choreography planned.
And he won't be shaving his beard for it either.
Oh god.
And if you're not familiar with the song, here ya go.....
Mac's mom,
Mags
Mac is a junior so he gets a spot. And since Mac is one of the "stars" of the choir, of course he gets a spot! And I'm really trying to be a braggart or anything but he is really good. And he really has guts.
He gets to pick what he wants to sing. They kids are given pretty much carte blanc as long as it's not nasty (no cuss words, no porno, etc) and as long as it meshes with the theme. The kids are also allowed to sing with karaoke, or with the piano.
Mac has picked his song for his solo. He is actually hoping it can work with the theme. I'm not sure what I'm hoping...
He wants to sing "It's raining men." In drag. With a few of the girls in choir as his "do-wop" back up- but they would be dressed as men. He even has choreography planned.
And he won't be shaving his beard for it either.
Oh god.
And if you're not familiar with the song, here ya go.....
Mac's mom,
Mags
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Almost nothing like "Glee", thankfully
Saturday was certainly not a day of relaxation. Mac was participating in a vocal competition. His school didn't have the money for a bus due to budget cuts so I had to take him. The regional competition was at a school that would normally be about an hour away from here. BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!
First, some background. Midwest weather tends to play havoc with events this time of year and Friday night/ Saturday morning were no exceptions. Friday night a HUGE winter storm system moved in the area and the weather forecast was predicting between 3-20 inches of snow to be on the ground by Saturday morning. (I would like to point out that there is a slight difference between 3-20 inches. Seriously, couldn't they narrow that gap just a tad???) The wind was howling and the snow was flying so thick I couldn't see the houses across the street on Friday night. Then the delays and cancellations came rolling across the bottom of the television screen, telling us the music competition was delayed an hour- this was all Friday night- and then Mac's choir teacher telephoned Friday night at 10:30 pm to give us the game plan for Saturday, which was that if it's not canceled then Mac will sing at 11:25 am rather than 10:25 am. She also said she would call before 8am if it was canceled.
So Saturday morning, we get up at 6:30 am to get ready. I want to be ready so we can leave at 8 am to be there on time and to give me extra driving time because of the weather. It had stopped snowing, finally, but the wind was still blowing. All the other events in the county where the music competition was being held had already been canceled, but NOT the music competition.
Mac and I heard from his choir teacher and she said we could try to go if we wanted or skip it because she said the roads are so terrible- her was so bad she couldn't get down her own road and she was going to the competition but it would be awhile before she could get there herself!. Of course Mac wanted to try and since I'm not scared of some nasty old snow (respectful yes, scared no-- remember me, the girl who drove across the country in a blizzard?) we took off. It took me about 2 hours and 10 minutes to make it. The roads were nasty but since I was slow and cautious we were fine.
Upon arrival, it was sort of like a scene out of Glee or Fame. Kids were running around in various forms of costumes. They were humming and singing in clumps and groups. Piano music spilled from rooms everywhere. Scales can sound like a song when in this situation, in case anyone wants to know. Of course when you get a bunch of high schools kids together who LOVE to perform and who are good at it, you have a massive quantity of D*R*A*M*A!! Girls were barfing in the bathroom from nerves. Girls and a few gay boys were crying because they didn't place first. (And I'm not being stereotypical; they really were gay because the kids Mac and I know knew these 2 boys and said they were gay.) Music was tossed, doors were slammed, boys and girls alike were pouting over something, prima donas were on cloud nine.
After sorting out all the mixed up times, finding practice rooms, marked music, accompanists, and teachers Mac finally got to sing. He was amazing. I was stunned. He just blew me away. He sang "Into the Night" which is a formal piece, as are all the songs students must sing if they're going to be eligible for State competition. He competed and he got a first place! This means he'll go to a state wide competition on Feb. 20.
Now, the kids don't compete against each other, but just against themselves. There's a special list of songs the kids can chose from to sing if they want to go to the State level; these are Division I songs. They have to sing this semi-classical crap that no one's ever heard before if they want to compete at Division I; otherwise, if they don't care about State, kids can sing anything they want- I heard more junk from High School Musical today than I ever want to hear in my life. Kids all pick a song and practice it for several months with their choir teachers (usually, or voice coaches for the lucky ones) and then come to this regional competition and sing in front of a judge at an assigned time.
The kids get go to compete and their judge is given a copy of the sheet music and can follow along as the kids perform. There's a list of criteria to mark the kids on and they can earn a total of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place according to how they did on their piece. Anyone who got a first place in Division I gets to go to the State competition. The rules/ set up is the same as the regional, and they have to sing the same song, obviously. So, guess what I'm doing two weeks from yesterday?
I'm really proud of Mac; he did a great job and sounded wonderful! What a great kid! And talented!
Proud mama,
Maggie Mae
First, some background. Midwest weather tends to play havoc with events this time of year and Friday night/ Saturday morning were no exceptions. Friday night a HUGE winter storm system moved in the area and the weather forecast was predicting between 3-20 inches of snow to be on the ground by Saturday morning. (I would like to point out that there is a slight difference between 3-20 inches. Seriously, couldn't they narrow that gap just a tad???) The wind was howling and the snow was flying so thick I couldn't see the houses across the street on Friday night. Then the delays and cancellations came rolling across the bottom of the television screen, telling us the music competition was delayed an hour- this was all Friday night- and then Mac's choir teacher telephoned Friday night at 10:30 pm to give us the game plan for Saturday, which was that if it's not canceled then Mac will sing at 11:25 am rather than 10:25 am. She also said she would call before 8am if it was canceled.
So Saturday morning, we get up at 6:30 am to get ready. I want to be ready so we can leave at 8 am to be there on time and to give me extra driving time because of the weather. It had stopped snowing, finally, but the wind was still blowing. All the other events in the county where the music competition was being held had already been canceled, but NOT the music competition.
Mac and I heard from his choir teacher and she said we could try to go if we wanted or skip it because she said the roads are so terrible- her was so bad she couldn't get down her own road and she was going to the competition but it would be awhile before she could get there herself!. Of course Mac wanted to try and since I'm not scared of some nasty old snow (respectful yes, scared no-- remember me, the girl who drove across the country in a blizzard?) we took off. It took me about 2 hours and 10 minutes to make it. The roads were nasty but since I was slow and cautious we were fine.
Upon arrival, it was sort of like a scene out of Glee or Fame. Kids were running around in various forms of costumes. They were humming and singing in clumps and groups. Piano music spilled from rooms everywhere. Scales can sound like a song when in this situation, in case anyone wants to know. Of course when you get a bunch of high schools kids together who LOVE to perform and who are good at it, you have a massive quantity of D*R*A*M*A!! Girls were barfing in the bathroom from nerves. Girls and a few gay boys were crying because they didn't place first. (And I'm not being stereotypical; they really were gay because the kids Mac and I know knew these 2 boys and said they were gay.) Music was tossed, doors were slammed, boys and girls alike were pouting over something, prima donas were on cloud nine.
After sorting out all the mixed up times, finding practice rooms, marked music, accompanists, and teachers Mac finally got to sing. He was amazing. I was stunned. He just blew me away. He sang "Into the Night" which is a formal piece, as are all the songs students must sing if they're going to be eligible for State competition. He competed and he got a first place! This means he'll go to a state wide competition on Feb. 20.
Now, the kids don't compete against each other, but just against themselves. There's a special list of songs the kids can chose from to sing if they want to go to the State level; these are Division I songs. They have to sing this semi-classical crap that no one's ever heard before if they want to compete at Division I; otherwise, if they don't care about State, kids can sing anything they want- I heard more junk from High School Musical today than I ever want to hear in my life. Kids all pick a song and practice it for several months with their choir teachers (usually, or voice coaches for the lucky ones) and then come to this regional competition and sing in front of a judge at an assigned time.
The kids get go to compete and their judge is given a copy of the sheet music and can follow along as the kids perform. There's a list of criteria to mark the kids on and they can earn a total of a 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place according to how they did on their piece. Anyone who got a first place in Division I gets to go to the State competition. The rules/ set up is the same as the regional, and they have to sing the same song, obviously. So, guess what I'm doing two weeks from yesterday?
I'm really proud of Mac; he did a great job and sounded wonderful! What a great kid! And talented!
Proud mama,
Maggie Mae
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Miscellany from Maggie
Over this long weekend Mac needed his mom. He's completely fine but he just encountered a life situation where he needed his mom, not his dad but his mom. And he told me I was a good mom as did Daddy-O, several of Mac's friends, and XRayGirl. Sometimes it's nice to be told. And he and I bonded. I didn't realize how much his growing up was taking a toll on me. I've really missed him.
And speaking of missing things... I've thought of something I miss when not in a relationship: having someone else change the sheets on my bed and turning the covers down. I washed all of Mac's sheets and blankets and turned down the bed for him. It smells all nice and fresh. And looks so appealing and comforting I just wanted to crawl in but I knew it wouldn't be the same. I wish there was someone in my life to put clean sheets on my bed, turn it down, and tuck me in. Hmmmm, now that sounds like more like a childhood thing, but I did have relationships with a few men who did do that for me as a way to just pamper me. (I'm sure there are many other things about a man in my life that I miss but ya know, right now having someone change my bedsheets and tuck me in top the list. And a foot massage where my arch would be if I had one.)
I'm getting some Christmas shopping done. I'm pretty upbeat about what I'm getting for everyone. And Mac found a super cool watch that I would love to get him so I'm saving my pennies. He's really fun to buy for this year because he isn't all video games. Oh, he does want some game stuff, but this year he's wanting books! A dressy watch! Clothes! Shoes! Music! What fun for ME! I love this holiday!
Over the Thanksgiving 4 day holiday weekend, I emptied the dishwasher 6 times. Yes, I am thankful I didn't have to wash all the dishes by hand, but 6 times? Really? I would like everyone to hoot, holler and pat me on the back, thank you very much. I hate and despise most housework.
I realize I usually blog every day, but in the month of November I decided I was going to not only blog every day but I was going to try and not resort of pictures and memes. I almost did it. I had Johnny Depp craving that had to be sated but otherwise I did it. And you know what? I think I need to occasionally resort to a meme. But I did blog every day in November.
I think white chocolate covered Oreo cookies are the best food on Earth. I had to go to three stores to find them and I actually paid $2.99+ tax for a single box. I don't want to share them, but I completely love those suckers. They're only sold here at Christmas time so this is where the holiday 5 gain comes in. Maybe I should stop eating anything else other than Oreo cookies? Will that balance out?
And speaking of missing things... I've thought of something I miss when not in a relationship: having someone else change the sheets on my bed and turning the covers down. I washed all of Mac's sheets and blankets and turned down the bed for him. It smells all nice and fresh. And looks so appealing and comforting I just wanted to crawl in but I knew it wouldn't be the same. I wish there was someone in my life to put clean sheets on my bed, turn it down, and tuck me in. Hmmmm, now that sounds like more like a childhood thing, but I did have relationships with a few men who did do that for me as a way to just pamper me. (I'm sure there are many other things about a man in my life that I miss but ya know, right now having someone change my bedsheets and tuck me in top the list. And a foot massage where my arch would be if I had one.)
I'm getting some Christmas shopping done. I'm pretty upbeat about what I'm getting for everyone. And Mac found a super cool watch that I would love to get him so I'm saving my pennies. He's really fun to buy for this year because he isn't all video games. Oh, he does want some game stuff, but this year he's wanting books! A dressy watch! Clothes! Shoes! Music! What fun for ME! I love this holiday!
Over the Thanksgiving 4 day holiday weekend, I emptied the dishwasher 6 times. Yes, I am thankful I didn't have to wash all the dishes by hand, but 6 times? Really? I would like everyone to hoot, holler and pat me on the back, thank you very much. I hate and despise most housework.
I realize I usually blog every day, but in the month of November I decided I was going to not only blog every day but I was going to try and not resort of pictures and memes. I almost did it. I had Johnny Depp craving that had to be sated but otherwise I did it. And you know what? I think I need to occasionally resort to a meme. But I did blog every day in November.
I think white chocolate covered Oreo cookies are the best food on Earth. I had to go to three stores to find them and I actually paid $2.99+ tax for a single box. I don't want to share them, but I completely love those suckers. They're only sold here at Christmas time so this is where the holiday 5 gain comes in. Maybe I should stop eating anything else other than Oreo cookies? Will that balance out?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Mac was 'driving' me crazy!
I've been teaching Mac to drive for the last 2 months and a few days. I'm really proud of him and he's been doing a really good job.
There, of course, there are just a few times when I've wanted nothing more than to come home from a driving lesson and drink heavily. There are a few times I thought it would make more sense to drink heavily and then take him for a driving lesson.
I've also learned that it's too bad I couldn't get a brake installed on the front passenger side temporarily.
Actually, considering he drove about 3 times ever, before he got his permit, he's done a fabulous job! Other than having a heavy foot (re: speeding) he's a pretty decent driver. We've driven almost daily for 2 months. We've been in town, the interstate, country roads, highways, construction zones, bigger cities and small towns, in parking lots, one ways, neighborhoods, drive thrus, everywhere that I could think of that would help him gain driving skills.
I will admit I refused to teach him to parallel park. I can barely do that myself so I told his dad he had to cover that part of the lesson. Mac parallel parked about 25 times, over and over again, all over town, in his father's pick up truck on Tuesday night, until he nailed it perfectly. (Maybe he can give me some tips?)
Since he's my baby and he'll be the only child I ever have, this driving thing has been stressful on several levels. First, I want him to be a good driver and since he didn't take driver's education (he missed his when he moved from the Wild West back to Civilization and then it would've taken about $400 to attend a driving school) I taught him so I hope I didn't forget something in the driving process. Second, I only have one car and if he borrows it and would have an accident, I'm out the insurance deductible and a vehicle. Third, I'm scared to death to have him drive alone. I've spent the last 16.5 years taking care of him and if he's driving, then, his well being is totally out of my control and in his own hands or that of someone else driving a car who could be a stupid idiot. At least if I'm driving and something happened it would be my fault. What if he's driving and something happened? Then it's my fault, too, I guess, since I taught him to drive.
He's growing up and I'm scared. I hate this. I really do. I want him to have wings and fly and succeed but I'm terrified because he's my baby, and I want to protect him.
Which brings me to what happened Wednesday.
He had to take his driving test today with a driving instructor in my car at the DMV. We reviewed all the way there. He and I bounced "things to remember" off each: don't play the radio, turn off the cell phone, don't swear, remember to 10 and 2, no California stops, be aware of school zones and one way street signs, don't follow too closely, don't be sarcastic about anything, seatbelts at all times, watch the RR crossing, and don't speed on the highway (or anywhere else). He was a nervous wreck but still confident. (I was so nervous I threw up but didn't tell him that.)
The instructor said the test would be about 15-20 minutes long. They had been gone about 20 minutes and came back in. He failed the test.
She said they were on their way back to the DMV and he had done perfectly (including the parallel parking!) until he ran a stop sign. Yup, blew right through it. He didn't know the test was almost over or that he had a perfect score until then so he wasn't hurrying or celebrating. He had just left a school zone (where the yellow lights had been blinking) , in a neighborhood he had never been in, on a street he'd never been on, and near a fire station (he said he was concentrating on having to pull over if he hear a siren)- so much going on and he just missed it. No excuse, I know it, really I do. I understand he had to be failed. He knew it, too. Still, I felt sick for him.
The test lady told him he had done great until then but that's an automatic failure. She told him he just needed to relax and to try and not be so tense and nervous. She also told him he could come back in 2 weeks, and she wouldn't make him parallel park again since he did it so well.
I feel so bad, bad, bad for him. He was so upset. It really hit his self confidence and his self esteem. He feels embarrassed and stupid and like a failure. I feel like I failed him.
But in 2 more weeks we're gonna go back and he's gonna try it again. In the meantime, we're going to drive every single city street in this town so he's at least seen it all at least once.
Before the test I wasn't sure if I really wanted him to pass, that I just wanted a few more days of being in control of taking care of my baby boy, but after seeing the look on his face when he didn't make it--- I would take the "pass" and let me deal with my own stress than ever see him fail again.
Being a kid is very hard and life lessons to learn really suck, but being mom and letting him grow up is really hard, too. It all sucks.
Mama,
Maggie
There, of course, there are just a few times when I've wanted nothing more than to come home from a driving lesson and drink heavily. There are a few times I thought it would make more sense to drink heavily and then take him for a driving lesson.
I've also learned that it's too bad I couldn't get a brake installed on the front passenger side temporarily.
Actually, considering he drove about 3 times ever, before he got his permit, he's done a fabulous job! Other than having a heavy foot (re: speeding) he's a pretty decent driver. We've driven almost daily for 2 months. We've been in town, the interstate, country roads, highways, construction zones, bigger cities and small towns, in parking lots, one ways, neighborhoods, drive thrus, everywhere that I could think of that would help him gain driving skills.
I will admit I refused to teach him to parallel park. I can barely do that myself so I told his dad he had to cover that part of the lesson. Mac parallel parked about 25 times, over and over again, all over town, in his father's pick up truck on Tuesday night, until he nailed it perfectly. (Maybe he can give me some tips?)
Since he's my baby and he'll be the only child I ever have, this driving thing has been stressful on several levels. First, I want him to be a good driver and since he didn't take driver's education (he missed his when he moved from the Wild West back to Civilization and then it would've taken about $400 to attend a driving school) I taught him so I hope I didn't forget something in the driving process. Second, I only have one car and if he borrows it and would have an accident, I'm out the insurance deductible and a vehicle. Third, I'm scared to death to have him drive alone. I've spent the last 16.5 years taking care of him and if he's driving, then, his well being is totally out of my control and in his own hands or that of someone else driving a car who could be a stupid idiot. At least if I'm driving and something happened it would be my fault. What if he's driving and something happened? Then it's my fault, too, I guess, since I taught him to drive.
He's growing up and I'm scared. I hate this. I really do. I want him to have wings and fly and succeed but I'm terrified because he's my baby, and I want to protect him.
Which brings me to what happened Wednesday.
He had to take his driving test today with a driving instructor in my car at the DMV. We reviewed all the way there. He and I bounced "things to remember" off each: don't play the radio, turn off the cell phone, don't swear, remember to 10 and 2, no California stops, be aware of school zones and one way street signs, don't follow too closely, don't be sarcastic about anything, seatbelts at all times, watch the RR crossing, and don't speed on the highway (or anywhere else). He was a nervous wreck but still confident. (I was so nervous I threw up but didn't tell him that.)
The instructor said the test would be about 15-20 minutes long. They had been gone about 20 minutes and came back in. He failed the test.
She said they were on their way back to the DMV and he had done perfectly (including the parallel parking!) until he ran a stop sign. Yup, blew right through it. He didn't know the test was almost over or that he had a perfect score until then so he wasn't hurrying or celebrating. He had just left a school zone (where the yellow lights had been blinking) , in a neighborhood he had never been in, on a street he'd never been on, and near a fire station (he said he was concentrating on having to pull over if he hear a siren)- so much going on and he just missed it. No excuse, I know it, really I do. I understand he had to be failed. He knew it, too. Still, I felt sick for him.
The test lady told him he had done great until then but that's an automatic failure. She told him he just needed to relax and to try and not be so tense and nervous. She also told him he could come back in 2 weeks, and she wouldn't make him parallel park again since he did it so well.
I feel so bad, bad, bad for him. He was so upset. It really hit his self confidence and his self esteem. He feels embarrassed and stupid and like a failure. I feel like I failed him.
But in 2 more weeks we're gonna go back and he's gonna try it again. In the meantime, we're going to drive every single city street in this town so he's at least seen it all at least once.
Before the test I wasn't sure if I really wanted him to pass, that I just wanted a few more days of being in control of taking care of my baby boy, but after seeing the look on his face when he didn't make it--- I would take the "pass" and let me deal with my own stress than ever see him fail again.
Being a kid is very hard and life lessons to learn really suck, but being mom and letting him grow up is really hard, too. It all sucks.
Mama,
Maggie
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Ticket windfall- can we say Metallica?!?
RazorGator and EventChaser have done it again with concert tickets to see--- METALLICA!!!!!! And guess when??? TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's right, Metallica tickets tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis!
Mac thinks I'm the greatest mom on earth. And that's right, I am!
And I think he wants to marry the women who work at EventChaser...
So thanks to RazorGator and EventChaser for this great opprotunity- again!
Concert queen,
Maggie
That's right, Metallica tickets tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis!
Mac thinks I'm the greatest mom on earth. And that's right, I am!
And I think he wants to marry the women who work at EventChaser...
So thanks to RazorGator and EventChaser for this great opprotunity- again!
Concert queen,
Maggie
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Mac, Green Day and me, or more aptly titled: "I *heart* Billie Joe!
*I didn't take the very last picture on this post. The rest, however, are mine.*
Last week Mac and I made an impromptu trip up to the Windy City of Chicago to see Green Day in concert, and it was astounding!
We almost didn't make it, though. As you know I was given free tickets but Fed Ex didn't come through. We waited and finally the company sent the tickets via e-ticket so we still made the show. Let me tell you, it was touch and go for awhile there- I went from greatest mom ever for scoring free tickets to the worst mom on Earth when there were no tickets to the Greatest Mom on Earth when we were back on again. Talk about roller coaster! Only in the life of being a mom to a teenager, I say!
The drive was good- Mac and I jammed to several Green Day CD's all the way up, getting ourselves psyched for the upcoming show. I had great directions to the United Center (thank you Mapquest!) and other than a freaking horrible traffic jam at the Damen Ave exit, all went well and smooth. I didn't even get in a wrong lane and blow through a toll on the EZ Pass by accident. And I didn't close my eyes and hyperventilate myself into oblivion when I crossed on a huge bridge into Chicago on the tollway- but that was close.
Farrago, my Chicago guru, had told me the United Center wasn't in the greatest part of the city and we should've plan on hanging around there. Well, the original plan was to park at the United Center and then head to the East side of the city so Mac could see Navy Pier and eat at the Hard Rock Cafe but we didn't have enough time after our late start. So Farrago, being the super hero
gentleman he is, met us at the "House that Jordan Built". But he needed not to fear for our safety. The entire block of Madison Ave, running in front of the United Center, was lined with concert goers. People had been camped out all day long to get the best floor spot or in hopes to catch a glimpse of the band. There were "punk" rocker kids all over the place. And lots of teenagers with their parents. And while this sounds hilarious, Green Day had their first hits in the late 1980s, and I happened to be a teen then, and then their reclaimed their popularity and soared to Super stardom in 2005 when they released American Idiot. And then with this album 21st Century Breakdown- well you can see the cross generations here so it made since for there to be people Mac's age and mine all together. And it did make for an unusual blending of people to see a pop punk group.Anyway, Farrago met us and we headed to the infamous Billy Goat for supper. This is the same
Billy Goat that was featured on Saturday Night Live skit starring Dan Akroyd and Bill Murry. The Billy Goat was a popular place for the Second City actors to hang, as well as most newspaper men in the entire city, most notably the departed columnist Mike Royko- who was an institution in and of himself.The Billy Goat is known for "no fries- cheeps, no Pepsi- Coke" and "Cheezeborgor, Cheezeborgor, Cheezeborgor". The original owner, a Greek Immigrant, named the place after a goat allegedly fell off the back of a truck and stumbled into his diner. Customers belly up to the counter and order food quickly or the short order cook will order for them. It's fun and a bit quirky. The food is hot, served quickly and is basic but good. Mac liked the buns on his burger... go figure.
After dinner it was back to the United Center to stand in line to enter at Gate three. And special
thanks again to Farrago for hanging out with us. We appreciate it!Once Mac and I got in the Center, scored a freaking cool $40 t-shirt and found our seats, we soaked up the ambiance. There were 2 college students sitting in front of us who were finishing college as summer interns at a radio station in Chicago who had worked the Center all day long, doing give aways. We chatted
with them and they told Mac it was cool that his sister would bring him to the concert- go me! He didn't even roll his eyes and just grinned. They were also super impressed with Mac's music knowledge. My child is the next Cameron Crowe, thank you very much!Verizon Wireless Blackberry (I won't say one bad word considering my past relationship this is particular phone :ahem:...) was a corporate sponsor of the concert so there was a running marquee allowing folks to text message VZW and the messages would post on the marque inside the arena for everyone to read until the concert started. This was fun because there were the obvious "Scream if you love Green Day" which caused the entire crowd to ... well, scream. There were "I love you, moms" and "Will you marry me?"s and greetings among friends. I sent one that said "Event Chaser rocks" and we took a picture which was just a ginormous blur. I also sent one that said "Have fun Mac- you rock! Love mom" and he thought that was hilarious. The ones that made me laugh were the various forms of fans proclaiming their love to Green Day's lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong. "I love you Billie", "Shelly is Billie's biggest fan" , "Jane wants to Marry Billie Joe", "Alice Loves Billie Joe" and the like . There were tons and tons of these, which made me smile and chuckle to myself. This guy is MY age (seriously, Billie Joe Armstrong is 37 years old, as am I) and married (as I am NOT) but these teeny-bopper girls were proclaiming their love publicly to their rocker idol. How cute and sweet, I thought.
Mac and I suffered through the opening act- they sucked so much I don't even want to give them print space here- and then Green Day took the stage. They rocked the United Center for 3+ hours with a show that blew me away. (Go read my review here at EventChaser for the details!)
This was one of the greatest concerts I've ever been to in my life (They were even better than they were when I saw them with their American Idiot tour 3 years ago). I stood the entire time and rocked with the rest of the crowd. Mac didn't even care that I didn't act my age since he didn't know another soul in the place- and that all the other parents acted like the kids. I had my "rock arm" pounding the air and sang with every song. Come'on, it was a total concert experience!
Billie Joe had that audience eating out of the palm of his hand. We sang when he told us to do so.
We were quiet when he told us to be. We screamed and cheered and jumped up and down like he did. We chanted his name and swooned when he crooned a ballad. When the screen behind the band had a close up of his face, the girls in the audience went insane. He was audacious, profane, profound at times, but mostly just pure entertainment. Diminutive in stature, he still stood as a giant before the audience of 23,000 and partied like a teenager, rocked us out- wearing his typical all black, signature tie, black eye liner coating his lovely lashes, arms crawling with tats, black Chuck Ts adorned his feet, and his wild unkempt heavily dyed black hair in all directions, with a voice that spilled over the crowd, pulling us all in, weaving around us into a cocoon with him and... well, all I could think was "Maggie LOVES Billie Joe. MARRY ME!"Still rockin' out,
Maggie
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Mac's magazine
A funny thing happened on the way to the news stand... No actually, in Mac's mailbox.
It all started because last Sept. I renewed Mac's subscription to his Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. This is a mag that is target toward people who want to be in the know about all things Video Game related. It was pretty specific and was really written for those who were gamers, using the specific lingo and jargon of that group of folks. Anyway, I renewed it through a junior high school magazine subscription fundraiser sale. Well, what I didn't know was that Ziff-Davis, the publisher of this magazine, had filed for bankruptcy in March 2008. I didn't receive any letter from them telling me so, they were still on the list of possible mags to subscribe to, and when I heard the name of the publishing company I certainly didn't associate it with EGM, even though most of their media mediums relate to technology. Gee, can't believe I missed remembering that 6 months later when I went to renew his magazine. (and if I roll my own eyes any more they're going to get stuck!)
So around last November Mac asks me why he hasn't gotten his mag and I did some investigating and realized they filed bankruptcy. I emailed the company and was basically told they didn't know what would happen to my subscription since they were in Chapter 11. I figured I was just out the $20, which sucks but- alas, what could I do really?
Then last week Mac calls me to say he got a replacement magazine for his EGM. I said something about that being cool. And he starts howling with laughter. He told me the magazine he received was Maxim magazine, sort of a guy's guide to women that is sort of a combination of a man version of Cosmopolitan and Playboy. This is the magazine a random publisher decided to send my 16 year old son in the mail without parental permission to replace a video game magazine. Hmmmmmmmmm...
Several things here: the cover stories for this month are "hot grill on grill action" (yeah, cute play on words... NOT!), "the rise of recession sex", "America's Best beaches", "Hometown Hotties", and there's a half naked celebrity woman on the cover. There are other features: sex advice, movie reviews, celebrity stuff, and one small section or article of video gaming information... the ads are mostly for alcohol and feature lots of scantily clad women who look physically enhanced and really really sexual.
FIRST I want so say loudly and clearly that while I am most certainly NOT the target audience, I believe in the 1st amendment that this can and should be published, there is an audience for this type of magazine, I do not think it should be banned... BUT BUT BUT- this is not really appropriate for MY child at THIS age right now. He can buy it when he's older and making his own choices. While we live in a society with enough social issues to float a battleship, I have enough problems as a single parenting mother teaching my son to respect women and not degrade them without having to do battle with a magazine in the house that, IN MY OPINION, seems to do the opposite. Yes, he is a boy who likes girls and boobs and is curious about sex and probably sees and hears worse on the Internet- I do get all that. But, this was foisted upon him, without anyone asking me as a parent if it was okay. Or even asking him if he wanted it. Some arbitrary company some how made the leap from a gaming magazine to a guy's magazine. This irritates me.
And while I try to be fair and cover all bases here at 'shoes/purses' I will say Mac told me there was a place he could send in a card to just get a refund rather than get the magazine. So we had an option AFTER the fact, but still an option.
So, Mac and I talked about it and one thing I LOVE LOVE LOVE about this kid is the head on his shoulders and his sense of humor- most of the time, and this is one of them. Head on his Shoulders: I told him all of my qualms and arguments and reasons why I was opposed. And he acknowledged what I said and felt, he didn't even try to argue the "I see worse on the 'net, or hear worse on the school bus mom" or anything. Mac said he got where I was coming from and he also knows the magazine was full of shit. He said he wasn't so weak that looking of pictures of booze in the ads made him want to run out and drink. He said he knew "real" women didn't look like the digitally enhanced triple DDDs in the magazines- or at least none that he's ever met yet (his words, not mine!). He said seeing these women weren't going to make him respect or disrespect women any more or less than he already did because it's just a magazine. Do I have a good kid or what? Besides, he informed me, he just wants to read it for the articles.
He's 16 years old and seems to, overall, have a a brain functioning somewhere other than in his pants, so I gave my permission to let Maxim come in the house.
Now Mac does have a sense of humor about this. He also couldn't help but crack up laughing over the whole thing. He said this company must not have a single clue about EGM target audience. Mac said most gamers are nerds, geeks, and loners who prefer games over people. He went on to further say that most geeky gamers are terrified of women and know they have a snowball's chance in hell of ever meeting women like those featured in Maxim- he said that "hell, even hot guys would be intimidated with these boobalicious babes" (okay he's 16 and aiming for the funny here...) let alone even needing the sex tips and advise sprinkled throughout the magazine. Mac said "most of us gamers are chubby, have acne, bad hair, are shy, no sense of style, no social skills... even ugly chicks don't want gamers- what the hell do guys like us need with Maxim magazine? Now, put a joy stick in their hands and have them playing some RPG naked, and we'd notice what game system they're playing. Naked would be secondary. Gamers around the country are probably scared to even read Maxim! Don't these publishers know anything? However, I'm cute and lovable- girls think I'm a Teddy Bear so I can handle it" and he gives me a wink and cracks himself up with laughter.
Raising a teenage boy to the maxim,
Maggie
It all started because last Sept. I renewed Mac's subscription to his Electronic Gaming Monthly magazine. This is a mag that is target toward people who want to be in the know about all things Video Game related. It was pretty specific and was really written for those who were gamers, using the specific lingo and jargon of that group of folks. Anyway, I renewed it through a junior high school magazine subscription fundraiser sale. Well, what I didn't know was that Ziff-Davis, the publisher of this magazine, had filed for bankruptcy in March 2008. I didn't receive any letter from them telling me so, they were still on the list of possible mags to subscribe to, and when I heard the name of the publishing company I certainly didn't associate it with EGM, even though most of their media mediums relate to technology. Gee, can't believe I missed remembering that 6 months later when I went to renew his magazine. (and if I roll my own eyes any more they're going to get stuck!)
So around last November Mac asks me why he hasn't gotten his mag and I did some investigating and realized they filed bankruptcy. I emailed the company and was basically told they didn't know what would happen to my subscription since they were in Chapter 11. I figured I was just out the $20, which sucks but- alas, what could I do really?
Then last week Mac calls me to say he got a replacement magazine for his EGM. I said something about that being cool. And he starts howling with laughter. He told me the magazine he received was Maxim magazine, sort of a guy's guide to women that is sort of a combination of a man version of Cosmopolitan and Playboy. This is the magazine a random publisher decided to send my 16 year old son in the mail without parental permission to replace a video game magazine. Hmmmmmmmmm...
Several things here: the cover stories for this month are "hot grill on grill action" (yeah, cute play on words... NOT!), "the rise of recession sex", "America's Best beaches", "Hometown Hotties", and there's a half naked celebrity woman on the cover. There are other features: sex advice, movie reviews, celebrity stuff, and one small section or article of video gaming information... the ads are mostly for alcohol and feature lots of scantily clad women who look physically enhanced and really really sexual.
FIRST I want so say loudly and clearly that while I am most certainly NOT the target audience, I believe in the 1st amendment that this can and should be published, there is an audience for this type of magazine, I do not think it should be banned... BUT BUT BUT- this is not really appropriate for MY child at THIS age right now. He can buy it when he's older and making his own choices. While we live in a society with enough social issues to float a battleship, I have enough problems as a single parenting mother teaching my son to respect women and not degrade them without having to do battle with a magazine in the house that, IN MY OPINION, seems to do the opposite. Yes, he is a boy who likes girls and boobs and is curious about sex and probably sees and hears worse on the Internet- I do get all that. But, this was foisted upon him, without anyone asking me as a parent if it was okay. Or even asking him if he wanted it. Some arbitrary company some how made the leap from a gaming magazine to a guy's magazine. This irritates me.
And while I try to be fair and cover all bases here at 'shoes/purses' I will say Mac told me there was a place he could send in a card to just get a refund rather than get the magazine. So we had an option AFTER the fact, but still an option.
So, Mac and I talked about it and one thing I LOVE LOVE LOVE about this kid is the head on his shoulders and his sense of humor- most of the time, and this is one of them. Head on his Shoulders: I told him all of my qualms and arguments and reasons why I was opposed. And he acknowledged what I said and felt, he didn't even try to argue the "I see worse on the 'net, or hear worse on the school bus mom" or anything. Mac said he got where I was coming from and he also knows the magazine was full of shit. He said he wasn't so weak that looking of pictures of booze in the ads made him want to run out and drink. He said he knew "real" women didn't look like the digitally enhanced triple DDDs in the magazines- or at least none that he's ever met yet (his words, not mine!). He said seeing these women weren't going to make him respect or disrespect women any more or less than he already did because it's just a magazine. Do I have a good kid or what? Besides, he informed me, he just wants to read it for the articles.
He's 16 years old and seems to, overall, have a a brain functioning somewhere other than in his pants, so I gave my permission to let Maxim come in the house.
Now Mac does have a sense of humor about this. He also couldn't help but crack up laughing over the whole thing. He said this company must not have a single clue about EGM target audience. Mac said most gamers are nerds, geeks, and loners who prefer games over people. He went on to further say that most geeky gamers are terrified of women and know they have a snowball's chance in hell of ever meeting women like those featured in Maxim- he said that "hell, even hot guys would be intimidated with these boobalicious babes" (okay he's 16 and aiming for the funny here...) let alone even needing the sex tips and advise sprinkled throughout the magazine. Mac said "most of us gamers are chubby, have acne, bad hair, are shy, no sense of style, no social skills... even ugly chicks don't want gamers- what the hell do guys like us need with Maxim magazine? Now, put a joy stick in their hands and have them playing some RPG naked, and we'd notice what game system they're playing. Naked would be secondary. Gamers around the country are probably scared to even read Maxim! Don't these publishers know anything? However, I'm cute and lovable- girls think I'm a Teddy Bear so I can handle it" and he gives me a wink and cracks himself up with laughter.
Raising a teenage boy to the maxim,
Maggie
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Mac and music
We have a music store here in town. They sell instruments, focusing on guitars and drums, as well as sheet music and other musical stuff. This isn't the music store with everything nice and neat but more of a store with practice rooms and a stage. people can go in and pick up instruments and try them out. There are jam sessions held there. The owner gives lessons. it's a pretty cool place.
They have open mike nights on Thursdays and Mas has been with some of his friends who have a band. Mac sang on several occasions the last several months. I've never been because he doesn't want his mom there- apparently I'd lower his cool level or something.
Anyway, I went in to price guitars and lessons for him since I have a job. (And I've wanted to learn the acoustic myself) Mac has been dying for an electric guitar for months and months and months- did I mention forever? I was going to get him one for his birthday but financially I just couldn't afford it, which sucked. The owner guy was supremely helpful and showed me a bunch of lefty guitars for a beginner.
Through conversation with the owner of the place, I mentioned Mac had been in to sing on Thursday nights. He asked his name and when I told him "Mac O'Sullivan" he KNEW who Mac was and couldn't stop talking about what a great singer he is, how much talent he has, how much potential he has and that he should be doing something with his music. I was blown away. I thought it was amazing to hear that from a total stranger.
The guy told me I should forget everything he told me about guitars and showed me an entirely different set of "axes" since it was for Mac. The guy said if Mac could learn to play guitar an "Nth" amount as well as he can sing, then he'll be famous. He showed me some great guitars and threw in some freebies (amp, guitar case, musicc) and offered me a layaway opportunity since it was for Mac. I was floored. This guy said Mac sounds like a pro when he's on stage and would love for him to have every chance to explore his music passion.
Last year Mac had the lead in the school musical and was awesome. He also sang a solo in the Christmas program. I always thought he had a great voice. A woman who used to perform professionally and did some training at Julliard said Mac had perfect pitch and should be trained. Now I hear this from the music store owner. Now, if I could get Mac to buy into this... it's scary and flattering and amazing to hear compliments like this about your kid. Wow. Just wow.
Mother of the next Mr. Slow Hand,
Maggie
They have open mike nights on Thursdays and Mas has been with some of his friends who have a band. Mac sang on several occasions the last several months. I've never been because he doesn't want his mom there- apparently I'd lower his cool level or something.
Anyway, I went in to price guitars and lessons for him since I have a job. (And I've wanted to learn the acoustic myself) Mac has been dying for an electric guitar for months and months and months- did I mention forever? I was going to get him one for his birthday but financially I just couldn't afford it, which sucked. The owner guy was supremely helpful and showed me a bunch of lefty guitars for a beginner.
Through conversation with the owner of the place, I mentioned Mac had been in to sing on Thursday nights. He asked his name and when I told him "Mac O'Sullivan" he KNEW who Mac was and couldn't stop talking about what a great singer he is, how much talent he has, how much potential he has and that he should be doing something with his music. I was blown away. I thought it was amazing to hear that from a total stranger.
The guy told me I should forget everything he told me about guitars and showed me an entirely different set of "axes" since it was for Mac. The guy said if Mac could learn to play guitar an "Nth" amount as well as he can sing, then he'll be famous. He showed me some great guitars and threw in some freebies (amp, guitar case, musicc) and offered me a layaway opportunity since it was for Mac. I was floored. This guy said Mac sounds like a pro when he's on stage and would love for him to have every chance to explore his music passion.
Last year Mac had the lead in the school musical and was awesome. He also sang a solo in the Christmas program. I always thought he had a great voice. A woman who used to perform professionally and did some training at Julliard said Mac had perfect pitch and should be trained. Now I hear this from the music store owner. Now, if I could get Mac to buy into this... it's scary and flattering and amazing to hear compliments like this about your kid. Wow. Just wow.
Mother of the next Mr. Slow Hand,
Maggie
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Amazing Mac
My son amazes me at times. Just simply amazes. Oh, he's a pain in the ass like any other teenage boy who is just turned 16, wants a car and is a raging hormone. But sometimes he amazes me.
Last night we took a roadie to Northern Civilization to sell some books and video games for cash. So we had quality time in the car together to chat; he didn't even bring his cell phone or his iPod this time, so we could just talk or listen to the radio.
Mac LOVES music. This is an almost abnormal obsession with music. He reads magazines and books about music genres or his favorite bands. He has over 2000 songs on iTunes. And his collection is diverse: from Cream to Green Day to Sinatra to BB King Sex Pistols to Thin Lizzy or Pink Floyd. I mean, this kid listens to almost ANYTHING.
He had a good ear as well. He knows lyrics. He can pick out instruments. He listens for melodies, harmonies and instrumentals. He listens to the whole package of a song. He'll say things like, "listen to the bridge after the first verse" or "the guitar solo in this song is played on a Fender blah blah blah" except he uses the real words, not blahs. He knows album names, release dates, and track numbers. He collects real records in addition to his iTunes. He quotes music "stats" like most boys can recall information off of baseball cards.
Right now he's reading a biography of Pink Floyd. In the car on the way home he was telling me interesting information about the group, their history, the music, the instruments, the albums. The amount of information he can recall is phenomenal. AND... the passion in which he shares this info is astounding. He gets excited and his eyes light up. He trips over the words and can't talk fast enough to tell everything he wants to say- I can see that his mind is about 7 thoughts ahead of the words coming out his mouth. And he doesn't say "Dark Side of the Moon is cool"- oh no, he wouldn't ever say anything so trite. He talks about the "piece of work as a whole" and the work that went into each song. Things like that...
I admire my son. The passion he has for music, all kinds of music, is overwhelming. He knows so much, more than I could ever know about music. As a mom it was a powerful feeling to listen to him, to hear him, to see him be excited over a part of his life, to share a grown up perspective and outlook on his passion. I was proud that he wanted to share it with me.
Times like these make me proud to be a mom,
Maggie
Last night we took a roadie to Northern Civilization to sell some books and video games for cash. So we had quality time in the car together to chat; he didn't even bring his cell phone or his iPod this time, so we could just talk or listen to the radio.
Mac LOVES music. This is an almost abnormal obsession with music. He reads magazines and books about music genres or his favorite bands. He has over 2000 songs on iTunes. And his collection is diverse: from Cream to Green Day to Sinatra to BB King Sex Pistols to Thin Lizzy or Pink Floyd. I mean, this kid listens to almost ANYTHING.
He had a good ear as well. He knows lyrics. He can pick out instruments. He listens for melodies, harmonies and instrumentals. He listens to the whole package of a song. He'll say things like, "listen to the bridge after the first verse" or "the guitar solo in this song is played on a Fender blah blah blah" except he uses the real words, not blahs. He knows album names, release dates, and track numbers. He collects real records in addition to his iTunes. He quotes music "stats" like most boys can recall information off of baseball cards.
Right now he's reading a biography of Pink Floyd. In the car on the way home he was telling me interesting information about the group, their history, the music, the instruments, the albums. The amount of information he can recall is phenomenal. AND... the passion in which he shares this info is astounding. He gets excited and his eyes light up. He trips over the words and can't talk fast enough to tell everything he wants to say- I can see that his mind is about 7 thoughts ahead of the words coming out his mouth. And he doesn't say "Dark Side of the Moon is cool"- oh no, he wouldn't ever say anything so trite. He talks about the "piece of work as a whole" and the work that went into each song. Things like that...
I admire my son. The passion he has for music, all kinds of music, is overwhelming. He knows so much, more than I could ever know about music. As a mom it was a powerful feeling to listen to him, to hear him, to see him be excited over a part of his life, to share a grown up perspective and outlook on his passion. I was proud that he wanted to share it with me.
Times like these make me proud to be a mom,
Maggie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)