2/24/2009

Will's Epic Tale of Glory
























Will's been turning out impressive quantities of fiction lately. I copied this story directly from Katie's notes last week:

When I was four, Dad(that guy), built me a bike with two seats (the second seat is just for Katie). A bike with training wheels. It had two seats! And you can come.

(We have matching track suits, and matching helmets, girl and boy helmets.)

Dad & Will & Willow & Ginger & Isaac & Bampa can ride with us too.

In trailers, behind us, and we pedal really hard.

WE ride all the was to a Michigan state football game, ride into the stadium, down the steps(still a bike parade)

All the people have been waiting for Will

We put in mouth guards.

When they see us, the whole crowd cheers

Will goes out on the field and makes the winning play, just in time, and all the fans go crazy.

All of us share his glory.

Then Will quickly changes into his marching band uniform, grabs his tuba, and does a march around the field.

He then does a giant jump-spin with the tuba. And does not fall.

Again. Of course. The crowd goes wild.

2/19/2009

the worst kind of drainage, the best kind of downsizing

since my last post, the rudd six have been ravaged and persecuted by:
colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, ear infections, the gout
(ok, maybe one of these didn't really happen, but the rest did)

it seems now that these invaders have, for the most part, been vanquished by antibiotics and/or antibodies, with only the remnants of my sinus infection remaining.

Before our family was transformed into a breading ground for disease and plunged into sleepless nights and zombie-days, we were celebrating the climactic end to Tony Petty's eight years of employment under my merciless thumb.

That's right. I'm downsizing my company significantly. I'm canning Tony's Caboose. Not today, or tomorrow, but at the end of this month when he moves to Buffalo, NY and starts his new job where he will be making more money than I do.

**

After working together in some capacity or another for almost a decade, I will definitely miss having Tony as an employee, but several months ago, it seemed clear to all parties that our current arrangement wasn't sustainable for Stock20, or the best path for Tony's career.

So Tony started looking for a new gig.

As you all know, jobs are in short supply these days.

Tony was concerned about his lack of formal education or certifications.

But he caught the attention of growing company in Buffalo, NY (that seems to take very good care of their programmers).

He was pessimistic through numerous phone interviews, and even when they flew him (business class) to their headquarters for more interviews.

But once they offered him the job, and salary that was substantially larger than the number he had given them, there was less room for self-doubt.

With the exception of one freakishly fortunate year, I have never enjoyed a yearly income greater than Tony's starting compensation at this new company.

When he told me that he got the job, and what they were going to pay him, I was not necessarily surprised. I had told him all along that I thought the right company would pay top dollar for his services. So I wasn't all that surprised, but I was feeling very strong emotions.

Part of the emotional response was probably because I knew they would be well taken care of (a point of concern which had been growing inside of me at a rate to match Tara's uterine passenger).

But I think I may have been even more happy about the demonstration of confidence in Tony's ability. Lots of executives, experts in the field, who interview scores of programmers each year, gave Tony a great deal of scrutiny, then they worked very hard to make sure Tony understood: they *really* wanted him to work for them.

Somehow, over the last eight years, that's become something that I really wanted for Tony.

Back when he was a teenager, doing an internship for me at Orchard View Church, Tony's talent has been obvious to me. He's worked hard to develop a set of impressive skills. He's had his share of obstacles. Nothing's been handed to him.

Both He and Tara have really grown as individuals, they've earned my respect. They aren't teenagers any more.

They've cared for my children. They've run my business for me. They've become my close friends.

They are very good people and they are going to be great parents. I'm really proud of them both.

I think this move will be good for them in many ways, but I will really miss having them close by (and I know our kids will too). But right now, I'm just very happy for them both.

2/03/2009

long weekend

here's the weekend post. a bit delayed. (but I started it on the weekend)
worked through the night on friday to make film submission deadlines.
I think we sent in a pretty decent film.
We definitely learned a lot which will be helpful on the next project.
My brother is a very good writer. We're going to make a very good film (and soon).
*
a regular night's sleep is in short supply as of late.
some kind of stomach bug has munched its way through our entire family (except me).
Katie and I have been up with kids (or personal pain) many nights in the past week.
(This early morning blogging is brought to you by Isaac's 4am sanitary requirements).
*
I have reason to hope that I'm nearly finished having regular interactions with both the legal system and the corporate bullying which drove me to engage it. I've learned a lot and survived. I'm beyond ready to be done with that.
*
Ginger has entered the world of "homework". She gets a week's worth on Monday. She brings it home with the reverence and anticipation of a sacred scroll. She completes it (all of it) in about an hour with fury and precision. Then she giggles for about five minutes.
*
Willow is gaining independence (occasionally with a 1700s colonial flair). She's handling things on her own. She makes solutions. She includes and entertains the 3 year-olds. She makes food for herself, her siblings, and her grownups.
*
Will's theological frustration continues as he persists in his inquiry to ascertain the physical whereabouts of Jesus.

He is more often attired as a drum-major than not.
*
Isaac's voice has changed and he's growing a mustache. Our dialogue reflects the expansion of his consciousness.


**

Conversation With Will 4 days ago (special story time):

Will: Does Jesus have a belly? For me to.. Can I rub Jesus Belly?
(this isn't for "good luck". Will finds great pleasure and comfort in having his belly rubbed, he assumes everyone else does too)

Me: Sorry buddy, you can't rub Jesus' belly.

Will: Why not? Why Jesus not have belly. Does he eat?

Me:

Will: He had a belly when the soidiers kill him on the cross. I saw his belly.

Me:

Will: (turns and looks at me to see if I'm looking)

Me: (deep breath). Well, Jesus had a belly when he lived here on earth. But now he lives as a spirit. It's kind of like he doesn't have a belly, but it's kind of like all the bellies in the whole world are his.

Will: I touch it?

Me: Whenever you do something nice for someone who needs it, You are really doing something nice for Jesus. That's kind of like rubbing his belly.

Will: (thinking)

Me: (hoping this will be good enough for now)

Will: Is heaven messy, or is it pretty clean.

Me: I think it's pretty nice.

**
(last night my phone rings. Isaac and I are preparing a bedtime snack for he and his brother. The girls are upstairs)

Me: Sounds like my phone is ringing

Isaac: I think it's your brother

Isaac: or maybe it's Maryanne, or David, ... or Jesus.

Me: You think it might be Jesus?

Isaac: (pause) ...or Goliath!

Me: Sheesh! ...I hope it's not Goliath

**

Well there's your post. Hope your happy!
(please send me $4)

Congratulations to the Beans, I love you guys.