Today was the first day of Daniel's computer game programming class. The school is very close to my office, so he walked over to join me when he was done. He came out of it bubbly and excited, and really enjoyed himself. He said that today they designed some games, and I talked to him briefly about the software development cycle (since I was debugging a program at the time). I can't believe how it warmed my heart that he thought programming was cool. Now I get why some parents are so hot to have their kids take over the family business!
We had a very lazy weekend, capped with hanging out at a playground last evening in listening range of a free concert by Jamey Johnson. It was a lovely evening for a walk, and for listening to great music. This evening was cool, so we took a long walk to the park, and Dan played on the playground, while I read a book in the shade. He's such good company, and I'm enjoying him immensely.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Lightbulb Moments
Tuesday afternoon, Dan rode the city bus from camp and met me at work. Then we headed back to the apartment via the Mayo employee shuttle. We ended up fairly far back, and as we rode home I explained to him how people get off the bus here. Buses empty from the front to the back, and people don't even stand up until it's their turn. Very different from the east coast, where it's every man for himself. After that we chatted at how nice everyone seems here.
"That's so..." he trailed off.
"Civilized?" I asked.
"Yeah! It's nice"
By then we were almost to the front door, and Daniel pulled his keys out of his pocket. Unfortunately, the lanyard dragged out his cash. Dollar bills sailed into the street, and Daniel wailed. There was a car coming down the street, and the driver stopped right there and got out to help Dan collect the money in the street, while I got the bills on the sidewalk. Between the three of us, we managed to gather it all. We thanked the young man profusely, and as we checked our mail, I said, "See what I mean, they're really nice here."
It was overcast and breezy Tuesday evening, so it was perfect for a long "walkies" with Dumbledore. The three of us walked south along the river, crossing to the park. I showed Daniel a very nice looking public pool and we stopped for a little while so he could climb on the playground structures. In all, I think we were out for about 2 hours.
While we walked, we chatted. He told me about his day packing food to be sent to Africa to feed hungry people. He also told me things he had learned from a young lady he rode the bus downtown with (her mom also works at the clinic). She told him how to make a whistle with a blade of crabgrass, and that the library was a short walk from our place and he should check it out.
Daniel made a remark about how automobile tires sometimes seem to spin backwards on TV. We talked about revolutions per second and the refresh rates of video screens (or the frame rate of film), going at it from a few different angles. About 5 minutes into the discussion, Daniel suddenly went "Ohhh - I get it". It was fun watching the bulb light up over his head - he was so excited. (There's a word for the effect, but I couldn't remember what it's called. Anyone?)
Next up he made a comment about being confused by the numbered streets, given that several streets have the same or similar names. So then we talked about Broadway and Center Street and how the street (and avenue) numbers radiate out from there. I told him that if you could look at two consecutive street (or avenue) signs, you would know where you were and how to get where you are going. There was another "aha" moment. (It's so much fun when you witness one - and I got two in one day!)
After that he was comparing his experience in Rochester to being in Witness Protection (we watch In Plain Sight), a fresh start where "no one knows I'm not cool in Connecticut!" He exclaimed this triumphantly with his fists in the air. I'm really glad he's having a good time here.
"That's so..." he trailed off.
"Civilized?" I asked.
"Yeah! It's nice"
By then we were almost to the front door, and Daniel pulled his keys out of his pocket. Unfortunately, the lanyard dragged out his cash. Dollar bills sailed into the street, and Daniel wailed. There was a car coming down the street, and the driver stopped right there and got out to help Dan collect the money in the street, while I got the bills on the sidewalk. Between the three of us, we managed to gather it all. We thanked the young man profusely, and as we checked our mail, I said, "See what I mean, they're really nice here."
It was overcast and breezy Tuesday evening, so it was perfect for a long "walkies" with Dumbledore. The three of us walked south along the river, crossing to the park. I showed Daniel a very nice looking public pool and we stopped for a little while so he could climb on the playground structures. In all, I think we were out for about 2 hours.
While we walked, we chatted. He told me about his day packing food to be sent to Africa to feed hungry people. He also told me things he had learned from a young lady he rode the bus downtown with (her mom also works at the clinic). She told him how to make a whistle with a blade of crabgrass, and that the library was a short walk from our place and he should check it out.
Daniel made a remark about how automobile tires sometimes seem to spin backwards on TV. We talked about revolutions per second and the refresh rates of video screens (or the frame rate of film), going at it from a few different angles. About 5 minutes into the discussion, Daniel suddenly went "Ohhh - I get it". It was fun watching the bulb light up over his head - he was so excited. (There's a word for the effect, but I couldn't remember what it's called. Anyone?)
Next up he made a comment about being confused by the numbered streets, given that several streets have the same or similar names. So then we talked about Broadway and Center Street and how the street (and avenue) numbers radiate out from there. I told him that if you could look at two consecutive street (or avenue) signs, you would know where you were and how to get where you are going. There was another "aha" moment. (It's so much fun when you witness one - and I got two in one day!)
After that he was comparing his experience in Rochester to being in Witness Protection (we watch In Plain Sight), a fresh start where "no one knows I'm not cool in Connecticut!" He exclaimed this triumphantly with his fists in the air. I'm really glad he's having a good time here.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Back and Forth
Last Thursday night, Dumbledore and I headed east for the July 4th weekend. The nice surprise for me was that Alex came down from Massachussetts, so I got to have lunch at Chili's with all my guys! The weekend was filled with visits with family and packing up Daniel for his fun-filled summer in Minnesota.
We started with a large pile of what Daniel thought was neccessary, and with judicious pruning and smart packing, we managed to get into two duffles (along with my things). Flying home was mostly problem free, but boos and hisses to American for posting the wrong gate number on the monitors for a while and not making any announcements at the "wrong" gate until the final boarding call. But the three of us got home safe and sound, and made a quick trip to the market for food for Daniel.
He had his first day of camp yesterday, and likes his "team leader" and the rest of his team. He enjoyed the activities but not the lunch, and had a good time. He had no problem catching a city bus and called me from his new cell phone when he got downtown (the good news is that every bus in Rochester ends up by the Clinic.) I met him in the plaza and brought him up to my office.
Today, he'll be making his way to my office by himself. He doesn't seem to have been nervous about the bus trip (he's hardly ever taken public transportation before - let alone by himself) and seems to have been fine with being dumped in a strange place with a bunch of people he's never met before. I'm so proud of the way he adapted!
We took a little walk with Dumble last night and I pointed out some things. I showed him where he should be able to get off the bus near our apartment if he doesn't want to meet me at work (and he's on a particular bus).
Of course, it's been great having him here. Dumble is enjoying having another playmate, and I'm just tickled to have his company. He's such a nice guy and I've missed him terribly.
We started with a large pile of what Daniel thought was neccessary, and with judicious pruning and smart packing, we managed to get into two duffles (along with my things). Flying home was mostly problem free, but boos and hisses to American for posting the wrong gate number on the monitors for a while and not making any announcements at the "wrong" gate until the final boarding call. But the three of us got home safe and sound, and made a quick trip to the market for food for Daniel.
He had his first day of camp yesterday, and likes his "team leader" and the rest of his team. He enjoyed the activities but not the lunch, and had a good time. He had no problem catching a city bus and called me from his new cell phone when he got downtown (the good news is that every bus in Rochester ends up by the Clinic.) I met him in the plaza and brought him up to my office.
Today, he'll be making his way to my office by himself. He doesn't seem to have been nervous about the bus trip (he's hardly ever taken public transportation before - let alone by himself) and seems to have been fine with being dumped in a strange place with a bunch of people he's never met before. I'm so proud of the way he adapted!
We took a little walk with Dumble last night and I pointed out some things. I showed him where he should be able to get off the bus near our apartment if he doesn't want to meet me at work (and he's on a particular bus).
Of course, it's been great having him here. Dumble is enjoying having another playmate, and I'm just tickled to have his company. He's such a nice guy and I've missed him terribly.
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