Red Pen’s blog

There's always tomorrow

2008-09-20T13:25:33Z

A friend of Sleeper's invited him to go to her school's Homecoming dance. He doesn't care much for school dances, but he's a nice guy and the kind of friend you can always count on, so he agreed. Yesterday evening: The transformation begins. He s...

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The ad critic

2008-08-11T17:01:24Z

We're sitting in the movie theater. The lights are down, 'pre-previews' advertising is underway. This ad plays: Take a moment to watch it. (It's short.) ... Just as it comes to an end and the theater falls silent for a moment, Antic's voice rin...

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But we like it

2008-05-29T15:49:12Z

Tall and I recently watched an interesting documentary (King Corn) and we took the opportunity over dinner the other night to remind the boys that soda and other processed sugary beverages have been linked to an increase in the risk for diabetes, ...

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The best response

2008-05-14T16:26:35Z

It has taken me far, far too long, but I've finally learned that sometimes the best response to my teenagers is no response at all. If ignoring the question/comment would be outright rude, I go with a noncommittal "hmmmm" or "I see", or a quick hu...

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I got one thing right

2008-02-27T18:26:33Z

Before I became a parent, I had wonderful expectations and visions of family life that were soft around the edges, emotive, and highly idealized. My head was full of idyllic scenarios: quiet moments spent in the rocking chair with baby, days at th...

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When I grow up I want to be

2008-02-04T15:32:09Z

...nothing like you! "When I have kids, I won't be like you. I'm going to be a cool dad. A fun dad. No stupid rules. My kids are going to love me. I'll put Poison Control in the speed dial and just let 'em go. We'll have parties. I'll be their fr...

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Why, oh why?

2007-12-03T20:29:47Z

Me: Sleeper, do you think you could find your copy of Night? Antic's going to need it soon. Miss Temornin mentioned they're going to read it as a class assignment. Sleeper: Yeah, sure I'll look for it. I dunno where it is, though. Antic, highl...

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Uncool

2007-07-26T14:26:10Z

Antic needs to read a couple of books before school starts, so I pulled up my city library's website and called him over. I searched for the first book, and pulled up the record. "This is one of the books you need, right?" "Yeah." "Okay. I'm going...

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Change doesn't come easy

2007-06-28T14:49:24Z

"Hey, Tall. Look at this book I borrowed from the library. I was thinking we could give some of these recipes a try. What do you think?" "But I like meat." "I know. But it wouldn't hurt to cut back. Maybe two or three times a week we could try me...

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Loosen up

2007-05-27T17:26:29Z

I couldn't resist snapping a photo of this car window. Too funny. This leads to a story. Due to 'fashion' choices and hairstyle, I think Antic looks somewhat 'emo'. He hates it when I say so, and vehemently denies any similarity in looks, or, m...

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