From the monthly archives:

October 2008

What Not to Wear

When did it become acceptable for little girls to dress like hookers? I am outraged at our society’s attempts to sexualize our daughters. I don’t blame the advertisers or manufacturers who sell this stuff. I blame the parents – especially the fathers. As dads we must protect our daughters’ innocence. We cannot turn a blind [...]

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The Barbershop

The barbershop is a great place where men (young and old, white collar or blue collar) can be men. When I say barbershop, I mean a place that has actual barbers – not stylists or manicurists. You simply cannot blow off steam and revel in your manhood while getting your nails done.
I like the camaraderie [...]

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I Heard It From God

I have a bad habit of not fastening my seat belt until I’ve driven a few blocks down the road. This behavior drives my five year old son nuts. Last night, he was fed up and gave me a piece of his mind.
“Daddy,” he said. “You didn’t put on your seat belt before you [...]

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Power Rangers, Piñatas, and Birthday Parties

Birthday parties have come a long way since I was a kid. Today, they are elaborate productions complete with themes and catered meals. Kids anticipate a party each year of their life until they reach sixteen. That’s when they expect the soiree of a lifetime. My blood boils each time I watch the spoiled brats [...]

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How to Live

Today, I would like to share a poem that inspires me titled, “How to Live.” It is a guide to living life to the fullest. I first heard it last year on The Writer’s Almanac with Garrison Keillor. Since then, it has helped me to refocus my life when things get crazy.
How to Live
By Charles [...]

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Education is the Key to Ending the Cycle of Poverty

I grew up poor. That fact became quite obvious to me when I started attending gifted schools in the wealthier areas of town. While all of the other kids had the latest fashions and the newest Atari video game systems, I had to settle for the clothes and toys that my mother could afford.
My mother [...]

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A Father’s Take on Things That Matter Most

I read several blogs each day and I’m amazed by the talent that I encounter. I recently came across a blog titled iAMrj.com. I was immediately drawn into the author’s post, “A father’s take on things that matter most.” The piece is insightful and heartfelt. It is the type of post I wish I had written for [...]

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Parent Teacher Conference

Today my wife, K, and I went to our daughter’s Parent/Teacher conference. I’m embarrassed to say that this was the first conference that I have been to since she was in kindergarten (she’s in second grade now). Nee was ecstatic when she found out that I would be attending the conference. Actually, so was I.
K [...]

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36 Hours in Dubai

After leaving Iraq, my colleagues and I had 36 hours to spend in Dubai and here is what we did:
Wednesday, 12 p.m.
1) FIRST IMPRESSIONS
A driver was waiting to pick us up at the Dubai International Airport. His name was Raj and he had emigrated from India to work in Dubai. This booming city is full [...]

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Leaving Iraq, Finally

My work in Iraq is finally done. Despite the hardship on my family, I was glad I got to visit the country. Things are not nearly as bad as they are portrayed. For the most part, I felt safe and secure. Obviously, there is much work left to be done to rebuild the country, but [...]

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Freedom Ain’t Free

As the weeks passed, the generals and colonels who were on my team grew more comfortable with me and let me in their inner lives. I stayed up late many nights listening to their stories. They were so rich and full of excitement and adventure. One of the colonels told me this story:
I was stationed [...]