Summer of Hope

Hope is not historically one of my favorite words.

Despite numerous pleasant associations, namely Star Wars episode IV A New Hope, countless poems of merit featuring hope as a theme, and the very definition itself, I have often likened hope that passive, wishful thinking sort of optimism which, when exposed to it, has generally left me wondering "Well, it's awfully nice that you are hoping for X, Y, or Z...but what are you actually doing to attain it?"

That said, (and with a sentence that verges on Faulknerian in length) I find myself tending a certain number of hopes for this summer that is more or less upon us.
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I hope that Evie enjoys the great summer vacation my mother has planned for her. Evie had a wonderful 2nd grade school year. She has grown tremendously, in maturity as well as height, and certainly deserves a break. This summer will include her first time flying alone, her first time attending an overnight camp (the same camp I attended for 8 years), as well as a host of other camps and activities. I imagine she will come back taller and more savvy than ever, to say nothing of tanner from trips to the poolside and beach. We have worked all year long to tend our level-headed yet still impish, leggy flower and I send her off knowing she's capable of handling herself.
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I hope I'm going improve my work situation this summer, whether that entails a return to the classroom (hurray I have my teaching credentials again), a correctional position closer to home, or something else entirely. One of the steps in this process will be going back onto shift (12 hour days, 4 on, 4 off) to free up weekday job-hunting opportunities and avoid an atrocious new schedule at my current position. While the long-term goal is getting myself back into teaching, I am realistic enough to realize are other options to consider in the short term, so long as they involve an end to this horrid and wasteful commute I've endured for over 2 years.
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I'm also hoping Michelle and I are going to use the kid-free summer to get some quality "us" time. While one might assume that's a forgone conclusion with Evie away in CA, history has proven otherwise. I've been coming up with a list of activities for the two of us, ranging from daily mundane stuff (evening swims) to more exotic adventures (Michelle mentioned kayaking and I want us to take the Jeep off-roading).

As I said, I'm not really one for the pinning of hopes, but there you have it. For lack of a better word, my three hopes for this summer.

Meet you at the 50!
B.

Be cows nothing can stop the man....

Awhile ago a post was done here and then followed up on my blog of a little writing amusement found within the bars of prison. Last night The Recalcitrant Beagle brought home another sweet note of entertainment. We love this guy, he's a raving moron of epic proportion. I think he's in for attempted murder but I forget. He's in for life though and really that's all that matters. Here I have scanned in his most recent pre-school writing nightmare. I had to stare at it for a few seconds because my brain kept doing this auto-spell spell self correct and all I could see was what should have been liter. But no he meant letter. GOOD GAWD WTF? Gow's? GOW'S?! Who the hell doesn't know how to spell goes? Oh that's right, max security morons who insist that it wasn't them that did the crime. As far as I'm concerned I could care less if he did it, spelling like this should not be allowed into the general population. Ever. And these guys have access to schools, reading material and what not. Do they use it? I guess not. Probably too busy enjoying their summer camp like atmosphere in the lovely Texas Dept of Criminal Justice. Where they are not allowed cell phones but instead recently had phones installed in their day rooms. Shit my college dorms weren't as sweet. Probably just as high likelyhood of getting raped though huh?

OBrien's: fine beer, tasty food, and good company

OBrien's is my father-in-law's favorite haunt. He's there every day. OBrien's pours great local beers, prepares some outstanding pub fare (burgers, hot sandwiches, and salads) and is filled with what can only be described as a warm, neighborly crowd.


Evie and Mom graciously allowed me to accompany them to OBriens today for lunch with Tom, the previously mentioned father-in-law. We were joined by our friend Jason (one of the only people about whom Michelle actually speaks kindly) and a few of Tom's friends.


Tom extolling the virtues of one of the many exquisite beers poured at OBrien's, likely Pliny the Elder. I admit, I am a convert. The Elder is an out-of-this-world double IPA with a full-course meal in taste.



Jason showing Mom his cool Amazon Kindle.



Here is Evie delivering a look to yours truly stating very clearly: Get your own damned lemonade!

That's it for now. Off to the Plunge!
B.

OK I'll pose, but don't expect me to smile!

Afterall, I haven't yet had my morning coffee.

Some of the best things in life are...in San Diego

Our first evening in town. They picked me up from the airport, wnad we headed straight to Jimmy Carter's. A plate of Dulce's sublime carne asada, a pint of Arrogant Bastard, and a table full of my wonderful and sorely missed family.


The Man Himself: Jimmy Carter, treating his nephew to a hometown meal and showing of his curling locks!


Evie with Olivia, my niece by way of my cousin Betsy.
An adorable little imp!

Behold...the Golden Egg, the Grail, the Alpha & the Omega

And don't worry, this precious cargo is coming back to San Antonio with us, where it will be loved, care for and appreciated.

Texas needs teachers? Really?

I don't really have the words to properly articulate the sublime blend of amusement and dismay I felt upon reading this letter, sent to my department at the prison.
Instead I'm simply going to share it and let you experience it for yourselves.



Ouch.

I'll add a translation later, "be cows" some of my readers may have some difficulty with this...dialect.

This really does drive home the need for literacy development.
I wonder if that point might be relevant to my current job search.
;)

B.