Xmas 2016

Merry Christmas 2016

From Brad, Gwen, Odin, Cyrus, and Drake Myers

 

What’s new? Gwen and I celebrated our 20^th anniversary in Scottsdale AZ. Odin turned 16 and started <cough>driving. We did some road trip mini-vacations to Great Wolf, Omak, and Olympic Game Farm Park. Gwen took Odin to Junior Olympics in San Jose while I stayed home with the other juniors where on a good day and from the roof we can see the Olympics to the northwest. I’m all about adding value, so this year’s Xmas letter is complete with a few games to play! Read on for details…

 

Resume trigger word	Water polo term?	MMA term?
Setting the hole	Water polo	MMA
Eggbeater kick	Water polo	MMA
Axe kick	Water polo	MMA
Back control	Water polo	MMA
Hook	Water polo	MMA
Backside help	Water polo	MMA
Slough	Water polo	MMA
Sprawl	Water polo	MMA
Backhand	Water polo	MMA
Hole guard	Water polo	MMA
Duck under	Water polo	MMA

Odin: He continues to get better at water polo as a sophomore this year at GHHS. He turned 16 over the summer and started <cough>driving. He’s growing more (6’4”) and now has the ability to simply get up and drive away. I guess we spend a lot of time preparing them so they can go away and be productive members of society. I don’t like it. He worked for Play-Well this summer where he helped teach kids at week-long Lego camps how to build and imagine. As part of preparing our kids to be productive members of society we talk about resumes and how to build ones that POP! Employers look for interesting things like hobbies and sports along with proven academia. Since we’re lacking in the latter, let’s focus on the former. Since water polo is a lot like (mixed martial arts) MMA in the water, I’m hoping his skills translate in the workforce. See that table to the right? Determine whether the “Resume trigger word” is a “Water polo term” or an “MMA” term.

Cyrus: Cyrus is now a freshman at GHHS and in band. He’s played piano, and trumpet, but recently moved to something called a ‘euphonium.’ I caught euphonium when I was kid because I didn’t wear a hat outside when it rained. But this is an actual thing- you blow in one end and sound comes out the other. He’s growing up to be quite the gamer. He loves his video games, not sure where he got that, but he’s quite good and hopefully his killing skills translate in the workforce. It’s going to be hard to build a resume to make, “I frag better than anyone” sound unlike masturbation. Actually, here’s another game you can play with your family; choose whether the trigger word is a gaming term or hairstylist term to be used on his potential resume:

Resume trigger word	Gaming term?	Hairstylist term?
L33t 360-no-scope	Gaming	Hairstylist
Fantastic head shot	Gaming	Hairstylist
Point cutting	Gaming	Hairstylist
Perk	Gaming	Hairstylist
Dusting	Gaming	Hairstylist
Aggro clipping	Gaming	Hairstylist
Carve and slice	Gaming	Hairstylist
Gamine	Gaming	Hairstylist
Roguelike	Gaming	Hairstylist
Jooge	Gaming	Hairstylist
Gank	Gaming	Hairstylist
Fringe	Gaming	Hairstylist

Resume trigger word	Knife term?	Fishing term?
Gimp	Knife	Fishing
Angling	Knife	Fishing
Backlash	Knife	Fishing
Pile side	Knife	Fishing
Blade bait	Knife	Fishing
Strike	Knife	Fishing
Tommy Pin	Knife	Fishing
Spine depression	Knife	Fishing
Rear quillon	Knife	Fishing
Weedless spoon	Knife	Fishing

Drake: Drake turned 10 this year, marking a decade of Drake. It’s going far too fast and I just hope I’m not breaking him too much. He’s swimming, playing water polo, piano, and making us laugh every day. He’s always asking if I need help whenever I’m working on a project or lying on the floor in pain from working on a project. Drake has a quick wit and good friends which are great qualities. Drake really likes playing with his friends and is very versatile in his hobbies- one of which is collecting knives. I should be worried, right? Yet another game to try; match the resume trigger word with either his hobby of knife collecting or potential job as a Fisherman.

Brad & Gwen: We are still loving life and doing family things. Gwen keeps Gwenning, what with her full time job, running three kids around, taking care of herself at the gym, and still entertaining for family and friends. She’s truly remarkable. I realize I say that a lot and you might think it’s tiresome but it’s important for everyone to recognize each other for what they do in a relationship. You might think you’re bragging about your significant other, but what you’re really doing is bringing those great qualities of him/her to the forefront of your own mind. You’re also sharing good things with them and others. By sharing your feelings, you open your own eyes and heart to be acknowledged as well. You’re remembering them, you’re acknowledging them, and you’re loving them. In doing that, you’re also sharing with others that it’s ok and important to share how we feel. Everyone wants to feel loved and appreciated. It’s ok to tell people.

…I hope he felt it. Like a reverse sigh, it’s that stuttered gasp for breath just before the tears well up. It’s that lump in my throat as he touches the wall, plays the note perfectly, follows through after a rocket-of-a-shot, or even completes chores without being asked. It’s also that smile of satisfaction when someone says, “Your son is so polite.” Perhaps it’s a combination of feeling good about their achievements while also validating us as potentially good parents. I don’t know how to describe ‘pride’ but it feels great! Tell your kids you’re proud of them, because you never want them to wonder and make statements like, “I hope he felt it.”

The moment of energy through my body as he touched the edge, or follows through on a shot, plays the note perfectly, or even completes his chores without being asked. That deep inhale and slight shutter just before tears well up.  Or that satisfaction from, Cherished.  is cherished. It’s that energy build up from

Go share your love and joy with your family and friends this holiday season.

For all my boys, if this is what pride feels like; I sure hope my Dad was proud.

 

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year from the Myers’