Accentuate the positive

Eliminate the negative....

That song is running through my head right about now. Something makes me want to say that it was in a Disney movie..."The Parent Trap", perhaps?

Just three short weeks until our sailing date. Having a little anxiety attack about it at this moment. Why? God bless NBC for running the movie "Titanic" tonight. Yes, I truly know that nothing bad will happen. It's just that the scene with the mother quoting scripture to her children as they fall asleep (just before they die, obviously) has me wanting to keep my little one safe from all harm. And yes, I teared up some.

I know I probably could've picked a better time, but did a little shopping today. I wanted to get a few things to get my garden in decent shape. I didn't buy any perennials, since I now seem to have an intruding four-legged neighbor. For some reason, I thought the cicadas from last year were the root cause of the disappearance of my hosta plants, but now I know it's Bambi. That's right...a beautiful "lost in my woods" doe roaming the woods behind my house, and she has developed a taste for MY vegitation. Why can't she eat weeds or some of the bountiful ivy I have???

Just like the title says, I should accentuate the positive. Matthew and I will be safe and have a wonderful cruise, and my dear little deer will be well fed while I'm gone.

The way things used to be....

All in all, it was a pretty productive day today...if you weren't a member of the Cincinnati Reds, anyway....

Got up early for a weekend morning, got some yard work accomplished. Although I was never much into hunting growing up, I'm about ready to take a rifle and peg me a deer. Seems this doe has discovered how tasty my hosta plants are. Leaves are disappearing like crazy. Why can't she eat the weeds???

Later, went shopping at Barnes & Noble. After listening to samples of three Disney CD's (I know...shut up about the cruise already!), I purchased a Dungeons & Dragons Players' Handbook, so that my son and I can learn more about our respective characters. I also bought Birnbaum's "Disney Cruise" guide (can you tell I'm stoked about this vacation?). I then met my ex-wife and picked up my son for an evening at the Reds' game.

It was a special night filled with memories for me. Tonight they retired the number 10 in honor of Sparky Anderson, arguably one of the best managers in the game. He led the "Big Red Machine" to back-to-back World Series championships...that team is still one of the best to ever play. Names like Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Ken Griffey, and Tony Perez (my personal favorite). Quite a moving ceremony for Sparky before the game. Reminded me of how successful that team really was...and it was fun sharing that with my son who, by the way, spent as much time talking to the handsome straight guy sitting next to him as he did to me.

Then the starting pitcher, Eric Milton, gave up seven runs in the first three innings. I don't get it...the man is being paid $25 million over three years, and he's already given up 20 home runs...including three tonight. As could be expected, the Reds lost 9-2. Looks like the "Big Red Machine" needs an overhaul.

Oh well, at least there's Disney on the horizon....

I wonder as we "Wonder"

WOOHOO! The tickets came in the mail yesterday!!!

Now I'm REALLY starting to get "crazy 'bout the mouse"!

My son and I have been anxiously awaiting Father's Day. Why? It's the day we leave for our first cruise. We will set sail for a four night excursion on that ship of ships, that dream of dreams, the DISNEY WONDER!!!

Yes, you heard right. This gay man (and what gay man doesn't have a little fondness somewhere in his soul for Disney) and his son are headed to Mouseketeer Naval Academy!

We will only see two ports: Nassau and Castaway Cay, which is Disney's private island. However, there looks to be so much to do that I don't think we need to clutter our schedule further. We have only booked one excursion...swimming with stingrays. It sounds a little scary and fun at the same time!

I'm as excited for my son as I am for myself. After all, even though it's a first time for both of us on a cruise ship, it's his first time outside of the U.S. Plus, it won't be like he's hog-tied to Dad all vacation. They have plenty of activities for just the kids.

I find myself waking in the morning singing "Part of Your World", and humming "A Whole New World" in the evenings. I think I've read the ticket booklet a dozen times already.

No, I'm not obsessed or anything. After the havoc of the past few weeks, with my son learning more about his dad than he knew before, I think the vacation will cement the idea in his head that I'm the same person I was before...the Dad who loves his son. The vacation itself won't make me a great dad...deep down I think I already am.

And, just in case I've made you curious: http://www.disneycruise.com

"Darling it's better out where it's wetter...take it from me!"

What was I thinking?

Time for a couple of embarrassing bits about myself:

First, one of the few terrible physical traits I inherited through my mother's genes was back hair. I don't mind it so much on other people, but feel like a troll having it myself.

That didn't hurt so much saying it, did it? Yes, it did.

So, after some time using a clipper or razor, I finally decided that it would be worth it in the long run to have laser hair removal.

A good friend from work knew of a place. I found out that the girlfriend of one of the firm's attorneys worked there. So I finally went.

It appears that the cost for such a large area is pretty expensive...$2500. But, knowing I had been referred by a friend, the lady said that she would only charge me half price. Quite a deal, I surmised, and went ahead and paid for the five visits, getting my first treatment on the spot.

My next appointment is scheduled for a week from today, but I've since found out that the place has shut its doors and the employees were let go.

A local news station is investigating, and trying to find out what people can do (if anything).

Okay, so it wasn't such a good deal...$1250 for one treatment. However, I think they got a majority of the problem. Hopefully I'll get some money refunded somehow.

On a lighter note, I walked downtown on my lunch hour, passing a news stand which carries quite a variety of newspapers and magazines. They have a display behind glass, showing off some of the wide selection.

I'll admit to more than a mild surprise when one of the magazines on display was "Crappie World". We're talking about a species of fish here. They actually devote a year's worth of issues to CRAPPIE?! What a crappie world we live in (sorry, couldn't resist).

Finally, as I watched "The Amazing Race" last night, it dawned on me that the Travelocity gnome ( you know the commercials) bears quite a resemblance to one of my female employees...without the beard, of course.

If only I could recommend a place to have that hair removed....

In Memoriam: Welby Hilltopper

This post is dedicated to the memory of a fine young man: Welby Hilltopper, who died tragically today.

Although slight in stature, Welby stood as tall as any man. At 35 years of age, he had just begun his journey of life, when it was snuffed out from under him.

Welby was an energetic young man with an impish demeanor. Nonetheless, he had a heart of gold and a constant yearning for adventure. Unfortunately, it appears that this need for adventure got the best of him in the end.

Sadly, Welby was bludgeoned to death this afternoon by a ruthless orc.

Yes, an orc. And yes, Welby was a Halfling. And a critical blow to him sent him across the floor of a guard's tower.

If there is any consolation, his death was avenged by his two compatriots...who then divided his worldly possessions amongst themselves.

I'll have to make a note to remind my son just what being a paladin means. Until then, I'll look back fondly on Welby's life...and the hiccups my son got from the laughter bellowing from him after envisioning a not-so-harmless game of "Hobbit Pinball".

I'm glad my son is enjoying D&D. Yet another thing that bonds us closer together...in spite of recent discoveries in his life. Thanks, TSR!