I don't think I ever visited a pawn shop except in late 1971, after my van with the sign "Ft. Myers, FL" on the side, was broken into and most of the artifacts my wife and I had brought back from our years as Peace Corps volunteers in Afghanistan were stolen.
In the days following that event, I roamed through nearby pawn shops -- in those days there were plenty on Fillmore Street -- but I never found any of our treasures.
Lately, one of my kids has discovered the pawn shops on Mission Street, near here. Today, he and I walked up there and looked around. What were on display were mainly guitars, lots of guitars, knives, and jewelry. There were some watches (who buys watches anymore?), some silver coins (dollars like some I have go for $35!), harmonicas, swords, and tools.
But that was about it.
As we walked away from the shop, my son said, "I like that stuff and if I ever want to buy an electric guitar, I will go back, but the bad thing about it is you know someone hit hard times to have sold their stuff there."
Good point.
-30-
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Weekend Edition
Weekend: The first week of school is over for my two youngest and at least one of my grandsons. They all seem to have weathered it well.
Of course, teenagers are not known for their communication skills, but my youngest daughter told me tonight there are a couple kids in her classes who seem nice. "I don't know if I can say we are friends yet, but..."
She is taking a self-defense class this weekend -- something I consider mandatory for young women in the inner city, unfortunately.
More on that on Sunday.
My youngest son has managed to create a class schedule that means he does not have to get to school until 9:30 am every day. Since he is most definitely not a morning person, this is as good as it could get for him at Lowell HS.
Me? End of week three in my new job. The feedback is that I am doing well, which feels nice.
Lots of news -- huge fires, political scandals, an imminent shutdown of the Bay Bridge. You know the routine...
-30-
Of course, teenagers are not known for their communication skills, but my youngest daughter told me tonight there are a couple kids in her classes who seem nice. "I don't know if I can say we are friends yet, but..."
She is taking a self-defense class this weekend -- something I consider mandatory for young women in the inner city, unfortunately.
More on that on Sunday.
My youngest son has managed to create a class schedule that means he does not have to get to school until 9:30 am every day. Since he is most definitely not a morning person, this is as good as it could get for him at Lowell HS.
Me? End of week three in my new job. The feedback is that I am doing well, which feels nice.
Lots of news -- huge fires, political scandals, an imminent shutdown of the Bay Bridge. You know the routine...
-30-
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Balancing Acts
Every parent knows the drill. You are torn between what you need to do at work and what your family needs you to do at home.
I have faced this over and over and over again for the past 37 years. I would never be able to count how many days, like today, that the phone has rung and I have suddenly been confronted with a terrible dilemma given my conflicting responsibilities.
Let the record show I have always chosen my family over my job, and let the record show I have the professional scars to prove it.
This is how you lose a job.
Today's call came in mid afternoon. My 18-year-old was calm but concerned that his girlfriend was having what he interpreted as a panic attack. She was due to go to work but could not take more than a step or two without collapsing.
She said she felt numbness in her fingers and toes. She started getting very frightened, and began hyper-ventilating.
He tried to calm her down and then he called me.
I left my office and drove over to where they were. The poor girl looked so terrified, all I could do was take her hand, assure her that she was going to be okay, and advise him as he sought help via his cellphone.
First he called her colleague at the shoe store where she works and got her shift covered.
Then he called two different hospitals, seeking medical advice.
At the same time, he had a laptop open, and was looking for help from WebMD.
He finally was able to speak with one doctor, who listened to her symptoms and did not recommend that we take her in for emergency treatment. I think this calmed all three of us down.
Slowly, she started to return to something more like a normal state, and in the end, he took her home on the bus. She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I know he is intending to take her to that as well.
Am I allowed to say I am proud of my son, just barely a legal adult?
But, meanwhile, I did not help myself at the office. That's the way it goes, according to the laws of physics. You cannot be two places at once and you cannot juggle two needs equally. You have to determine which need is more important.
For me, the choice is clear -- my family -- and that now includes my son's girlfriend. But the hero of this particular story is him -- his ability to stay calm in a crisis, manage a difficult situation, and take care of someone he loves.
He can be immature at times but also mature beyond his years when it matters, and today proved it.
-30-
I have faced this over and over and over again for the past 37 years. I would never be able to count how many days, like today, that the phone has rung and I have suddenly been confronted with a terrible dilemma given my conflicting responsibilities.
Let the record show I have always chosen my family over my job, and let the record show I have the professional scars to prove it.
This is how you lose a job.
Today's call came in mid afternoon. My 18-year-old was calm but concerned that his girlfriend was having what he interpreted as a panic attack. She was due to go to work but could not take more than a step or two without collapsing.
She said she felt numbness in her fingers and toes. She started getting very frightened, and began hyper-ventilating.
He tried to calm her down and then he called me.
I left my office and drove over to where they were. The poor girl looked so terrified, all I could do was take her hand, assure her that she was going to be okay, and advise him as he sought help via his cellphone.
First he called her colleague at the shoe store where she works and got her shift covered.
Then he called two different hospitals, seeking medical advice.
At the same time, he had a laptop open, and was looking for help from WebMD.
He finally was able to speak with one doctor, who listened to her symptoms and did not recommend that we take her in for emergency treatment. I think this calmed all three of us down.
Slowly, she started to return to something more like a normal state, and in the end, he took her home on the bus. She has a doctor's appointment tomorrow and I know he is intending to take her to that as well.
Am I allowed to say I am proud of my son, just barely a legal adult?
But, meanwhile, I did not help myself at the office. That's the way it goes, according to the laws of physics. You cannot be two places at once and you cannot juggle two needs equally. You have to determine which need is more important.
For me, the choice is clear -- my family -- and that now includes my son's girlfriend. But the hero of this particular story is him -- his ability to stay calm in a crisis, manage a difficult situation, and take care of someone he loves.
He can be immature at times but also mature beyond his years when it matters, and today proved it.
-30-
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
As Boys Become Men
At the table with me was a beautiful, brilliant young man at the beginning of his adult life, with so much to offer our society, but not yet knowing how he will fit in.
He talked about his job search. It's been tough so far. Few companies want to hire teenagers, even ones as charming and reliable as he is. So, while he continues to seek work, I encouraged him to pursue his art, examples of which I've posted here. I hope he will launch a website, where people can see his drawings, which are truly remarkable.
His passion and talent may not soon translate into a career, but that doesn't matter. What matters is his journey to finding out how he can help us make this a better society. In that, I have ultimate confidence in Aidan.
I'm sure any parent reading this knows what I am talking about...
-30-
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Seasonal Beginnings
So much excitement among the kids -- my 18-year-old passed his driver's test today. His first trip without supervision was to pick up his girlfriend and drive her to the mall. Classic Americana.
My 17-year-old, a senior in high school, got a good class schedule, finally. He doesn't have to be there until 9:30 every day, and he is most definitely not a morning person.
My youngest has started high school, seems to like it, says the kids are nice, and is back on a club soccer team with regular practice and an upcoming schedule of games.
All good. One grandchild just started kindergarten, another is on his first soccer team. It's the season of starting things.
I, of course, just started a job. Last night I got to spend a couple hours with a special friend who has been accompanying me to tech events this past summer. She is moving away, sadly, but says she will stay in touch. She'll be just in LA and back here monthly, so maybe she will.
-30-
My 17-year-old, a senior in high school, got a good class schedule, finally. He doesn't have to be there until 9:30 every day, and he is most definitely not a morning person.
My youngest has started high school, seems to like it, says the kids are nice, and is back on a club soccer team with regular practice and an upcoming schedule of games.
All good. One grandchild just started kindergarten, another is on his first soccer team. It's the season of starting things.
I, of course, just started a job. Last night I got to spend a couple hours with a special friend who has been accompanying me to tech events this past summer. She is moving away, sadly, but says she will stay in touch. She'll be just in LA and back here monthly, so maybe she will.
-30-
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)