Thoughts | Fatherhood Remixed

Hard lessons to learn…

Posted on February 27, 2023 by Workshop Joe

Of all the things we can invest in life, people are perhaps the most valuable. The community that we surround ourselves with can provide us with support, love, and a sense of belonging. But what happens when that investment is met with betrayal and hurt?

There was a community of people that I invested my whole life into. I don’t always do it right, but I was committed to them. I gave of my time, my tears, and my heart. These people were supposed to do life alongside me. We had meetings to discuss how to raise our kids together, strengthen our marriages, and build a future. I made plenty of mistakes along the way. I was rude, I hurt people’s feelings, and I wasn’t always the most likable guy. But despite my flaws, I was always there for them when they needed me.

It’s all about fatherhood.

Posted on March 20, 2018 by Workshop Joe

Hello. We may have already met. Well, what I mean is that you may have already read one of my blogs. If you haven’t there’s no need to worry. This a a great time to get started. I’ve finally decided what I want to write about. This blog started out as a class project a few years back and I thought I would keep it around as a creative outlet. Over the years I’ve had a few sporadic posts usually prompted by my own musings but have never had any real direction. I believe to a certain extent that is why I have floundered so much.

So, without further ado, I’ve decided to write about fatherhood. It’s one of my greatest responsibilities and something that I dearly love. I also know that there are tons of other men out there that want to be the best dad’s they can and a useful tip every now and then can go a long way. Now, I’m not saying I’m the best dad ever but I had one of the greatest examples ever growing up as well as a great group of guys that I am constantly learning from. Above all else I have my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, as the ultimate example and I want to share my experiences and insights with you in hopes that you can also be the best dad you can be.

Travel woes and stir fry…

Posted on January 9, 2018 by Workshop Joe

So this week I’m heading to Orlando on a business trip. I’m actually looking forward to that part. Monday is my travel day followed by two days at the convention, then a half day and travel home. Seemed simple enough. Only one layover each way and no red eye flights. What could go wrong?

Last November I ended up on a three day blur of a trip the week of Thanksgiving, red eyes included, and had some tough travel days. The trip itself was well worth it but it was hard. This trip seemed like it would be soooooo much better. I got into the office this morning, went over some final items with my boss and had lunch with him before heading to the airport. Once I got there I realized that I had the wrong cord for my phone. Well, it’s not the wrong cord but it’s not the best cord. I have a portable charging block and I can’t use my home charger for it. I have a special charging cable for when I travel but it was left in my car. At the time my car was 1 mile down the road but I wasn’t going to have a coworker bring it to me. It’s a small thing and I’d survive.

The Greatest Gift

Posted on December 26, 2017 by Workshop Joe

It’s 11:30 pm and I think I have a combined 10 hours of sleep over the last 48 hours. The house is a mess with the remains of Christmas strewn everywhere. There are blankets littering the floor and couches with a cat laying on one, curled up like a king. I just realized one of our dogs was still outside too. Glad I heard him since it’s hovering just above 40 degrees outside. The lights on our Christmas decorations are still lit and my new Billy Holiday record is playing softly in the background.

Coming into this Holiday season we had some very large life decisions looming overhead. We were considering a move out of state and it looked like it was a very real possibility it was going to happen. We had begun researching the basics of the Boise area and found a lot of really cool things. We began to prepare mentally for the move and after some initial talks I was ready to uproot and go. My sister asked me, “How likely is it that you’ll move?” I thought for a moment and replied “90%”, but also mentioned that I didn’t want to say that was for sure. There was a lot to consider.

Start small

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Workshop Joe

“Go big or go home.” I don’t know how many times I’ve uttered those words. If you grew up in the nineties where the X Games and Mountain Dew reigned supreme you know what I mean. It was this quest to do things bigger and better than those before us. I remember being glued to the TV as I watched Tony Hawk attempt to land the 900 for the first time. Attempt after failed attempt he got closer and closer. It was like everything was standing still and then he landed it. It was crazy and I was awe struck at what he had accomplished. The idea of being the first person to ever do something was mind blowing.

What you don’t see is the years he spent learning how to skateboard. The hours spent repeating the same tricks over and over until they could be done in his sleep. There was a day when an ollie was a big deal for him. Then maybe when he got really good at that he tried a kickflip. Today I can picture in my mind this gradual progression that started from some kid with a skateboard to a history making moment. That’s when I look at my own goals and ideas and take a step back. I need to start small.