This is the truth.  In light of the Natalee Holloway case I'd like to tell a true story.

A few years ago in 2001 I went on a trip to Aruba with my wife.  It was a dry island.  People said it was a desert island and they were right.  There was not a lot to do there if you were not in the water and we ended up renting a jeep for the week. 

On the island there are two small cone shaped mountains.  I don't know if you can call them mountains but they are clear to see on the island and they jut upwards like pyramids. 

We wanted to explore a good bit and one day we drove towards them.  We worked are way toward the north east and found ourselves at the foot of the bigger one. 

It had a couple large radio antennas on it.  It even had a staircase ascending to the top. We assumed that at one time this may have been restricted area, but now, anyone could take a hike to the top.  At two points there were cement platforms. The first one about a third of the way up, the second about halfway up.    Near the lower one was a small hut to take a break from the sun.    It was about twenty or so feet off to the left ot the staircase path.  We parked the jeep in the dust and began to climb to the top.  It wasn't tough and it took a about 3 minutes to reach the top.  It was high and steep but because the grade was so great you got up it real quick if you didn't stop walking.  We didn't feel at all winded when we reached the top.  I think we were about 500 feet ...   more »

Father gains custody... Over his 26 year old daughter Britney Spears.  

I applaud that despite being of age, family is there to rescue this child trapped in a woman's body.  I've heard of other women having melt-downs that are not out there for courts to see.  We should all open our eyes to how troubled some lives are.

Finally we should stop seeing her in the news in such a negative light.  But I do find it interesting and NOT ironic that her father was awared what is equal to custody of her. 

http://www.usmagazine.com/father_wins_temporary_legal_control_over_britney_spears

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A friend sent me this link. This is a short video by Bob Geldof. The same man that offered us Live Aid. This is NO joke folks. I realize I was willing to be thought provoking and tongue-in-cheek with the past few days of posts. This one is serious. You can be a man or woman, you must watch this video. It is telling of HONEST genuine men. There are more of these men than the world is willing to admit to. Just search mens rights on youtube.com and you'll see some heartbreaking videos from men. The system must see the truth. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-MGHd5rz84 I fought years ago to be one of the rare statistics that FATHERS are EXCELLENT options in custody cases. Look if I had a choice my children would have both mother and father under one roof. There are scary as hell statistics out there that my children now have to dodge in order to be a success story. That is something I fear. I fear so little. I do fear the loss of my children and the possibility they could lead sad lives without a father, and not a step-father either. I mean their real father. The one that has raised them. Other men are not as lucky as me, and in some ways I think I'm just lucky. But one thing is certain. I cherish and value every moment as a father. I feel for every man that has been relegated to being a weekend father or part time dad when his only interest is to be a full time father. My soul would be ripped from me to lose my right to be a full time parent of my children.    more »

Finally there is an option to blowing your nose senseless due to allergies. This solution has further benefits too. For instance concerned parents such as myself have rejected standard throat and nose medicine as we believe it can actually cause harm to our kids. And young or old, don't we all want an answer to the common cold? Beyond that, wouldn't you prefer a natural solution? I'm not going to go off about zinc or zinc gluconate. Bear with me. I'm talking immediate impact, no waiting. Last fall I began researching alternatives and for about $20.00 you can expect great results.    more »

Recently my youngest son started a pre-school setting.  Not day care but pre-school.   What is special is that I've had the chance to see him in a class room setting just like his older brother.  For years I've visited my eldest son at school, visited him at lunch etc...  Now my youngest son is finally on the cusp of this same journey. 

At home for months now we have been doing our own thing.  The three of us play cards like Old Maid, Go Fish and a number of other activities meant to give my son a head start.   After all the three of us have nothing but time together.   Sure we do the silly stuff, sure we have a catch in the yard, we do arts and crafts etc... but I've taken special pride in knowing the three of us have learned together. 

As I sat in class with my son this past week I was floored at how I wasn't alone.  My son is almost five, but there were kids in class that could literally spell words like rabbit and rootbeer.  These kids were four like my son.  Needless to say I was very impressed.  Pre-school has really come a long way in my opinion.

When I was a child my parents drove me into the city and I went to school in a city school.  It was rough.  The kids beat on me and the teachers were firm.  I learned to be tough both mentally and physically.  I learned fast to grow up.  It's kinda sad in my case, but I look back and remember that because my teacher was so rough on me, I learned.   I remember not knowing how to spell a word and that she made me stay in the class room for lunch.    ...   more »