Fond memories...thank you, Chris

Drunktextsfromlastnight.com

That website is hilarious. Dan Chandreas Fault and I tend to play this game via text message when we are both at bars 1000's of miles away. As the second Spotted Cow hit my lips last night, I could tell it was "on". Below is the series of questions that were asked via text message. See how many you can answer. As an aside, I apologize for nothing.

1. What company did MacGyver work for?
2. Tig Bitty white girl from Police Academy's name?
3. MJ Fox's girlfriend in Teen Wolf?
4. First academy award for best picture? (question that broke the cheesy train)
5. Diner on Saved by the Bell?
6. The name of the middle school Ralphie attended in Christmas Story?
7. Company that made Johnny 5, of short circuit fame?
8. Gang in Seinfeld that Kramer and George had to flash "the sign"
9. Who was the actual spitter from the NY Mets?
10. Main character from Field of Dreams (first and last name)
11. What did Newman say to start the spit fight?
12. How much did Kramer charge for the Peterman reality tour? what was the special gift?
13. How much did Kramer sell his stories to Peterman for?
14. What town was Woody, from Cheers, from?
15. First video to play on MTV?
16. Who did the Brewers beat to go to the World Series?

Technology is awesome. I was in a crowded pub and having a conversation with my brother, and Charile, in NYC. Bar life is not my life. I'm not looking at the women, as they are gradually looking like my daughter, nor am I into displays of machismo (unless Golden Tee is involved). I usually spend time keeping Bubba from offending the bartender enough, that we can maintain a drink supply.



Answer these above if you can. No google.

Just checking the specs on the endline rotary girder....

Next thing you know there’s money missing off the dresser and your daughter’s knocked up….Chris Farley

I have found that the greatest things in my relationship with my children come in moments that were not scheduled to be moments. Birthday parties are rarely the first recollection when recalling your best memory from childhood. They are the days of building forts, baseball, catching toads and playing war. If I had to think back to the best memories of my current parenting, none would have been scheduled.

This morning my son was all excited to carry his handmade dinosaur cards. He had signed his name (AOT) on each card and cut them out so that they loosely resembled a deck of cards. He was so proud of his work. I asked him what he was going to do with them. He said he wanted to give them to his teacher’s baby, Mrs. Phelan (5 months pregnant). He wanted to make sure that the baby was happy and knew about dinosaurs. It was the moment I realized we have done alright, so far. I was proud of my kid, marveling at his age, and hoping I keep him on the current course.

How do you stay current on the "give and take" in the relationship with your kids? As he grows through adulthood, when do you relax your influence and allow him to become himself? Right now, I know I’m the center of his world (best part of the early years). This will change, and I know that, its just a matter of when. I want to make sure he never feels uncomfortable about that transition. There is no textbook to parenting, but there are moments like this one that let you know whether you’ve passed your freshman year, or not.

LPs (records) our parents subjected us to

So the first topic is to get the ball rolling.

Outside of the emascalating musicals that dominated the LP collection, there were some true treasures that shaped our music loving (or lack thereof) futures. Below is the beginning of the list, please add

Kenny Rogers : Gambler
Michael Jackson : Touch a boy, errr, I mean Thriller
Jim Croce : Time in a bottle
John Denver : Rocky Mountain High
Air Supply : The complete guide to suck
The Commodores : ??????? (Sadly, the music used to concieve us)
South Pacific : The soundrack to South Pacific
Billy Joel : Uptown Girl
Anne Murray (from America's hat, Canada) : Songs of crap
The Carpenters : Don't pass the potatoes

As an aside, many of these albums have a warm spot in my heart. I still religously stop what I am doing and sing along with the drunk pilot, John Denver. I will forever love Jim Croce. I always thought that if Jim Croce could score with girls, I would have no problem. I will sing "for the longest time" while I'm filling my depends in a nursing home someday. And most importantly, I can recite every word of "The Gambler" with effective coolness.

Despite the non-sensical collection of LPs from our youth, it comes as no surprise that you look past the musical talents of the artists and point instead to the memories that are wrapped around each song. If I ever miss my parents, which I do often, I am only one song away.

As an aside, way to go cousin Tommy for singing the swear word in the forgettable Wings song when we put on our production in the living room. Looking back as a parent, I am sure there was equal parts pride and Miller Lite in our parents at the time to maintain the unflinching smiles they wore.

Special Kudos to dad. Way to rock out the oversized headphones of the day. Glass of wine and baritone in hand, you rocked out in a white T-shirt that would have made Arthur Fonzarelli proud.

Please add your memories as I am sure there are a plenty.

In the beginning...

Howdy all,
This is my first attempt at blogging and I thought it would be a great way to reduce Facebook traffic and hit the audience I really care about. This will be a way for relatives, and such, to get an update on the adventures of the McFarland based Chandre group.

I will add photos, and post often. Our tax breaks seem to hit new milestones each and every day. I find them fascinating. Example, having your son wake you up at 530am to tell you that Grandpa Dave has a peter. Ahhh, good times. BTW, his statement has not been confirmed or denied at this time. I understand that not everyone is interested in such things, and they can choose to read, or choose to ignore any of the posts.

I will try to keep this focused on family and making fun of Brett Favre (aka sports). I won't write any political diatribes, or social commentaries. Let's leave that to the cast of the Bachelor. "Like, I like Obama, and stuff". Seriously though, there are two topics I will not tolerate on the blog: religion and politics. We can do that in a different forum if necessary.

I would greatly appreciate guest writers. I have a certain, bizarre, take on the world and would appreciate reality based views as well.

98% of all blogs fail. I will blog away regardless of audience, much like Leno and comedy. I truly hope this gathers some steam within the Downs-Chandre-Kahl-Miller-Quakenbush family group.

Remember, he who laughs last thinks slowest.

Adios