My son is a man, Cancer news & iPhone 6

Greg outside of Seattle, WA

My son called me at work around 5pm last Thursday.  Unprompted he proclaimed, “Dad, my life categorized into four quarters would be like this:  First: TV, Electronics, Movies etc., Next; Sports, Third; School and everything related. The last quarter is Fun Stuff and Family.”  Hmmm, I just took notes as he talked. Sounds about right I guess…  Greg turned 13 this week and as some believe, he has become a man responsible for his actions. I am immensely proud of him, impressed by his work ethic and touched by his empathy. He has much potential and I relish the support and coaching role I’m finding myself in.

We went to Greg’s choice of restaurant for his birthday dinner (Longhorn) and as it was a school night Greg had homework.  I found out that he also had a project due the next day and since the printer wasn’t cooperating after school he couldn’t print out his graphics to attach to his poster board. This printer was an unforeseen problem and “not my fault” said Greg. Well yes Greg, it is your fault, you’ve had this project assignment for two weeks I reminded. Greg stressed that if the printer was working he’d of been done before dinner. Fast forwarding, because he wasn’t done with his project he thought that I would judge him negatively and so he decided to preempt that negative judgment by… (you know how it goes from here). I calmly said, “Greg, I’m on your side.  I’m your helper, I’m your coach. It didn’t seem to resonate.

Olaf

You have to love Frozen.  If you can watch this Frozen video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnEB2F_v_cE and not smile then I just don’t get you. “Winter’s a good time to stay in and cuddle but put me in summer and I’ll be a…… Happy Snowman!!

I’ve taken about 10 months off blogging and I’ve found I miss posting about once a week. Please check back for frequent updates moving forward.  The USTA Mixed doubles season is starting and I’m running my usual 8.0 & 9.0 teams. The first match is 8.0 this Saturday, October 18^th vs. Healthplex.  Go PCA!

Kenny’s racket

I read an article recently in the WSJ.  It said, 10 to 30% of women with breast cancer should not have treatment.  Essentially, they are saying detection methods have improved but not the treatments.  In many cases they are finding that the outcomes are better with no treatment. Real progress is being made with Oncology “team leads” who coordinate treatment but so much is unknown.  Kudo’s to my son Kenny for donning pink strings and pink grip on his tennis racket as a remembrance of Grand

ma who we lost in 2008 to Breast Cancer and for the NFL’s campaign, “A Crucial Catch”, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, which is focused on the importance of annual screenings, especially for women who are 40 and older. Throughout October, NFL games will feature players, coaches and referees wearing pink game apparel to help raise awareness for this important campaign.

I saw this saying by Author Chapman about the West in the Longhorn bathroom at Gregory’s birthday dinner – is this really true?

iPhone 6

In case you are wondering, I love my new iPhone 6+.  It seems easier to handle than my 5S was and I haven’t dropped it yet. It is wider and lighter and the real advantages of the new iPhone is that Siri understands everything I say on the first try and the Touch ID works easily and on the first attempt.  This may not sound like much but the concept of “how do I access the web” is key.  If it’s simple and fast and you can see it (thanks to the larger screen) on your phone then the way you get information has changed.  Your primary source is not TV, radio, your desktop or friends.  You are online.