As the economy implodes, it's nice to focus on life's simple pleasures. Like Halloween. The kids and I carved this beauty of a jack-o-lantern over the weekend, and we're pumped to go trick or treating, my boy as Bumblebee the Transformer and my girl as Tinkerbell. I'm thinking I'll supervise the shenanigans costumed simply but proudly as Guitar Dad. Happy Scary Day to all you buggers!
Over the years I've performed as a rock guitarist and singer at frat houses, bars, nightclubs, outdoor festivals, corporate parties – you name it. But I think today's gig was my most important one. My wife and I played a handful of fun tunes for my son's kindergarten class, me strumming the acoustic guitar and the two of us sharing vocal duties. I finally joined Facebook. All the kids are doing it, right? I wasn't sure what real purpose it would serve, but then three days after I set up shop on this "social networking" site a dear friend from high school found me – after we'd lost touch 15 years ago. It was delightful to say the least, and since then I've connected with a few other old pals. Best known as a top vacation spot – and home to the world's largest concentration of theme parks – Orlando is actually quite a satisfying place to live. I realize that Disney and the tourism machine around it put this town on the map. But the community has evolved into a multi-dimensional, and dare I say multi-cultural, mid-sized metropolis. The city's youthful energy and variety of family entertainment options, along with its agreeable (if a bit sweaty) climate, make Orlando an invigorating home base. Living in Florida has its merits, but man do I miss North Carolina barbecue. Specifically Lexington-style barbecue – the variety that's prepared in just the right, heavenly way, in a tomato-and-vinegar-based sauce and accompanied by a side of slaw and hush puppies. It’s hard to get much computer time at my house. My son can easily spend an hour or more at a single sitting, playing shoot-'em-up games on the Transformers website or staring at lengthy Power Rangers videos on You Tube. He's also a diehard Webkinz fan, which can obliterate the hours like you wouldn't believe. |
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