CLARK KENT'S INBOX July 4th!!!

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!!!
It's Friday (or maybe Saturday if you subscribe to a feeder), and I'm starting to get packed for my trip to see my boys. It would've been nice to have the holiday with them, but missing it was the difference between a $10 airline ticket (that's right t-e-n, ten U.S. American dollars) and a $300 one. Easy math here and I get to fly straight to the closest airport as opposed to a 2 hour drive from Chicago first.

I remember 4th of July celebrations as a kid with fond memories, the earliest of which were a small town parade in the morning, a family picnic get-together at our Uncle Rex and Aunt Cathy's (Happy Birthday Aunt Cathy), and the day would be finished off with fireworks at night. Usually, I was asleep by the time we drove home. It's how kids should grow up, and I'm glad I can take my boys (and hopefully Allie and Avery) back there for visits. In fact, I think I'll follow this up with a few posts about that part of the country.

Anyway... here's a few things from Clark's Inbox this week.


Think You're A Real Steelers Fan?
Oddly enough, as I am heading home to western Pennsylvania a friend of mine sent me pictures of probably the most "Die-hard" Steelers ever.


I wounder if they could just stuff and mount the guy like that and when company comes over his family could just explain how that chair is so comfy cozy it knocks Uncle JoJo dead asleep. I mean they seem like a classy bunch to start off with, so why not?

Free Music!
Like free music from bands you've never heard of? Check out Noise Trade for some cool-sounding artists that without the Internet would just be those annoying kids next door playing in their garage. It's pretty simple. Find who you like (they have samples) and then send an email to three people you know or donate a few bucks and a download code will be sent to you. I've downloaded a few bands that hopefully will make me almost as pretentious as my wife when it comes to taste in music. (No, I'm not getting paid to tell you to do this... I'm just trying to be as cool as my wife)

Need To Sell Your House... and Find A Mate?
Then here's an idea from a Florida woman - Florida where the women are hot but the market is not. It's a good slogan, but I wouldn't recommend it. Good luck Princess, the housing market isn't supposed to bounce back until next year so plan on a few more trips to your plastic surgeon in the mean time.

Kreepy Bay-Beez Pic Of The Week
It's good to see some of you are getting into the spirit out there... Thanks for the reader submission (where's the rest of them?)



Between The Batmans: Cartoon Review
Batman, The Dark Knight has been building into one of the most anticipated movies of this year, partly due to great reviews (Read This), and partly as a result of Heath Ledgers' unfortunate death. Ticket sales are already sold out in many cities several weeks before the release later this month so plan ahead. If you're a big fan (like me and my boys) or just a geek (like me and my boys), then you may want to check out the DVD, Batman, Gotham Knight in stores on July 8th. The basic synopsis boils down into the story covering Batman's early days in 6 segmented episodes that bridge Batman Begins and Batman, The Dark Knight (Good marketing strategy DC & Warner Bros) . Personally, I haven't been this excited about a movie since the last Star Wars, so I can't wait to see what kind of a bridge Gotham Knight provides.


Batman Gotham Knight - Official Trailer


Even though I'm going to be away I plan to have posts on the Lunchbox each day by me or by friends and family who will be guest posting on several of the days.

Monday is Part 2 of Leave it to Cleaver... see how Ashley falls in love, and not with me!

One more shameless plug to vote for me - it's not that I think I'm the Hottest Daddy Blogger... it's because I need the validation (I've now jumped to page 2!).



Hope you have a Happy Independence Day... and don't blow off any fingers.

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Leave It To Cleaver - Part 1

I’m pretty sure Ashley married me for my meat cleaver. No, that is not metaphorical for anything, I really am referring to the large cutting utensil in the cutlery set in the kitchen. There’s really no way for me to be laconic in the explanation of my premise so let me start with a little back-story. Cue dream sequence music….

When I first moved into my trendy downtown loft, I felt the high need to upgrade my household goods to a more sophisticated and mature look. Gone were the items I purchased as part of those Wal-Mart-Leaving-For-College specials allowing one to stock up on bulk quantities of towels, Tupper-ware, and underwear. I have to admit I felt slightly guilty ditching the 54-piece kitchen set that provided me a standard selection of pots, pans, cooking utensils and even four cobalt blue plastic place settings.

I did find it perplexing, however, that this would be marketed towards recent high school graduates headed to college for the first time. Usually, as I recall, freshman were confined to on-campus accommodations in dormitories, which did not come with cooking facilities or allow for hot plates in the rooms. Why would they need a full set of pots and pans? Most freshmen I have encountered can barely master a toaster so turning the future of America lose on the world armed with a quality set of discounted cooking utensils and a hotplate would be a literal recipe for anarchy. Still, times are changing and the rules imposed under the ruling regime while I attended college have surely been overthrown in a peaceful revolution. Besides, kids today need something to safely prepare their homemade crystal meth in.

I know I made reference to the high quality of my pots and pans but the truth is, after I melted an entire skillet in the oven while making Shepherd’s Pie I started to have my doubts. In case you are wondering I did eat the Shepherd’s Pie, but as I tried to rid myself of the metallic after-taste in my mouth, that became the final factor in ensuring the pots and pans would not be moving with me to the loft.

Tossing out my old pots, pans and dishes, of course meant replacing them with the “good stuff”, and by the “good stuff” I mean the quality of kitchenware that would help me score with the many fine young women I anticipated cycling through the “loft of love” (yes, I had issues). As such, I anxiously headed to one of those home specialty stores carrying the latest in home decorating and accessorizing. I grabbed a cart and started through the store.

The store itself is set up like a racetrack of sorts that allows for pit stops in sections such as bathrooms, curtains, or bedding before leading to the finish line at the checkout counter. I made visits to each of the section checking off item on the list I had put together. My longest and most important of these pit stops stop was naturally in the kitchen section.

There was a certain degree of smugness that came over me as I eyed the dizzying array of assorted utensils and cookware that no doubt would solidify my manly sensitivity in the eyes of the female beholder. These weren’t just your average, everyday, low-brow meth lab tools either. No, these were the real, highfalutin deal.

Fondling a rather modern looking spatula I fantasized about the moment I would be at a club, at which I would smile at a young, doe-eyed brunette standing next to me, and over the pulsing, techno club mix, yell into her ear, “I make a wicked omelet!” This, of course she would find impressive, and, voila, twelve hours later she would wake to me making an omelet so fluffy and light, it would get me invited for a guest appearance on Hell’s Kitchen. Yes, an omelet so delicious, I could actually see the French government awarding me their highest peace-time award (of which they have many given their war-time track record).

The fact that I hadn’t a clue as to how to make an omelet, but I hated them myself was completely immaterial to my little day-dream (ADD Rules!). I would learn to [be a] play[er] through the pain on both accounts, but like so many of my pre-conceived notions, my little plot to render the entire female species helpless in the wake of my eggs-rotic love potion didn’t play out as I had envisioned.

One evening at a club, I tried my omelet line over the music to which I received a puzzled look. “You make a mean… outlet?” Apparently she mistook my comment as some type of double entendre, and her face twisted in disgust. “You sick-o, freak!”

This is why I never liked picking up girls in clubs. “Uh, never mind.” Having lost my nerve I excused myself realizing I needed to alter the particulars of my strategy. “Maybe I’ll try on-line match making?” I thought, “No, that would be stupid and desperate.”

One of the last items I had written on my list was, “…an impressive, quality set of knives that can be displayed on your kitchen counter, not only as a sign of your cooking skill, but also as a demonstration of your sense of style…” I’ll admit that at the time I wasn’t quite sure how a set of knives could objectively meet those criteria. I was sure that they needed to cut things. Beyond that I was lost. Relying on my instinctual male prowess, I deducted that quality and stylishness equate to which ever set has the most included items, which quickly resulted in my selection. All told, there were 15 pieces that included such items as a “bread-knife,” a “paring knife,” “culinary scissors,” and even one of those sharpening tools you see fathers use on the carving knife just before they slice up the holiday turkey.

Aside from the number of items, what really made this set of knives unique was the inclusion of a meat cleaver. I found that this tool aroused both curiosity and nostalgia in me in that my only experience with meat cleavers came as a child in the form of watching cooking shows on public television with my mother or laughing at cartoon characters who wielded them in the air as they chased their nemesis back and forth across the screen. This set of knives screamed of quality in much the same fashion as the cartoon mouse that used a meat-cleaver to cut off the cat’s tail. I was sold, and I ensured the knife block with meat cleaver held a position of prominence in my kitchen.

To Be Continued... Part 2 Enter The Dragon

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Date Night

Last week was a pretty rough week for the Allie and Avery, I thought, given they had to spend most of their days pent up in a stuffy loft with me all day while I worked. There's not much in the way of playground or stuff to do outside, and even had there been, Houston weather deteriorated into storms each day anyway. Work-wise (or trying to find work) it was pretty busy for me, and I had several proposals that needed to be completed for upcoming meetings, which meant the girls were on their own for the most part.

I didn't like the idea of just propping them in front of the TV all day so I tried to break things up with a few activities here and there along with playing some games together. Still, it was boring for them. On one of the days I was particularly busy which corresponded to how bummed out they were because plans to sleep over with relatives had fallen through. I felt bad they had me as a consolation prize, so I made them a deal that if I could get a few things done we would go on a "Date Night" with just the three of us.

"Ewwww, gross!" Allie proclaimed. "We're not going to marry you."

Apparently, Allie had some rather antiquated views on dating, as this was not the response I was expecting. "No, silly. It's pretend date where we all dress up and go out to dinner together." The girls' expressions remained unmoved. "You get to wear make-up."

"Yay!" And they were off to prepare for their date... for the next six hours.

I got the idea from my dad who used to take my three sisters out, and now continues that tradition by taking out his granddaughters. I told Ashley about it later over the phone, and she wanted to know where the four of were going to eat. I almost felt bad explaining to her it would be just Allie, Avery and I, but she said she understood even though she seemed to pout all evening.

Once mamma got home she helped the girls get ready while I put on the outfit the girls picked out for me. Once ready, we took pictures and headed out the door to Ziggy's. Ziggy's is a nice little restaurant with healthy food and an laid-back atmosphere perfect for hyped-up kids.

Allie and Avery were a mixture of giggly and inquisitive. Most of the night was a bevy of questions.

"Why do boys pull out our chairs?"

"Why do we put a napkin in our laps?"

"Why should boys hold open the door for us?"

Of course Avery, always comfortable in any social setting, let forth a thunderous belch rattling glasses on several of the surrounding tables.

"You definitely don't burp on dates, Avery." I explained in a matter-of-fact tone without sounding parental.

"But why?" She was genuinely perplexed, "There's bubbles in my Sprite."

This was latter followed up with an announcement to everyone in earshot that the ketchup was "farting" as I squeezed the bottle over her fries. Oh well, if this means Avery acts herself on all her dates that's not a bad thing - and it will probably scare a few unwanted suitors off making my life easier.

After dinner, we all went to get ice cream. Allie, however, had not stopped trying to make sense of the whole "date night" concept.

"Why are you taking us on a date again?"

"Because sometime daddies and step-daddies need to take their girls out so they can dressed up and feel special." I kind of wanted to get into her thought process. "You like to dress up right?"

"Ya," she answered, and then she thought for a moment. "I like to dress up but we're not going to date the boys." By which she meant my boys, Noah, Harrison and Sawyer.

"Yes, I know. You have a boyfriend," I teased. "You love Landon and you write songs about him and you are only going to go on dates with him."

She started giggling, "Yes," then added, "And we're still not going to marry you."

I guess I'll get over the rejection... somehow [sigh].

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Five Great Education Resources For ADD

Last week I ended up having several discussions on the phone and through email about the the post on the source of my creativity (Kryptonian Kreativity). A couple even mentioned they thought maybe they had ADD based on the test I had included. During those exchanges I suggested a few resources they cold tap into for more information, and I'd like to include them here for anyone interested.

Personally speaking, education is the best way to live effectively with ADD in a non-ADD structured world. I constantly felt defeated and frustrated in my ability to get things done and in my relationships, but once I started to read up on the typical behaviour patterns and thought processes for an ADD-wired brain, I realized I wasn't a nut-job either.

Educating yourself isn't just good for you, it's good for those around you like your spouse, family, and friends as well as your kids, who may be ADD themselves since it's a hereditary thing. My oldest son is, and as I've educated myself, I've learned to recognize behaviour patterns in him which have opened doors of dialogue between us that may not be open to non-ADD family members.

Before I list these resources, let me preface it by saying don't be like me. When I first was diagnosed I ran out to the bookstore and bought every book I could on the matter and brought them all home with the idea of reading them all. Guess what? I read maybe one out of the fifteen I purchased (and I didn't even finish the one). One classic ADD trait is to get all excited about something new and shiny, commit to immersing yourself in it and then forgetting about it the minute something shinier comes along. I exemplify this remark to the point of ridiculousness which I am aware of, and so I warn you now not to clear out your local bookstore or library as you are overcome with dizzying hysteria.

That said, I will also mention I had planned on offering 10 resources, but 10 is a tsunami of information, whereas 5 is more reasonable (but it still can be a shotgun blast to the face).

5 ADD Educational Resources

1. The books Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction by Dr. Edward M. Hallowell. Both are landmark books written by a doctor with ADD on understanding and dealing with ADD on all levels from childhood to adulthood. The first book (Driven) was the only one of the 15 I bought that I read (mostly), and the second (Delivered) was so good, I've purchased several copies and handed them out like gifts to people struggling with the issue. Dr. Hallowell also has a blog and website for ongoing updates and information.

2. Odd One Out: The Maverick's Guide To Adult ADD by Jennifer Kortesky. Jennifer's book is extremely motivating, easy to read and filled with quick tips and helpful stories. Given the fact she's an ADD management coach with ADD herself, the content is practical and easy to relate with. She also has a regular blog/website where I get weekly motivational emails (but she's also selling her services too which can be a turn-off to some people).

3. ADD & Creativity: Tapping Your Inner Muse written by Dr. Lynn Weiss. I recently went back to this book to re-read several chapters as a reminder of how ADD affects my productivity, and now I plan on re-reading the whole thing because I forgot how empowering it was. Dr. Weiss is a writer and painter in addition to pioneering much of the original research into the ADD. She also has ADD herself (starting to see a pattern here?).

4. ADDitute Magazine. There's a couple ways you tap into this resource: by mail or by web. I've done both and I like the web version best since they send a notification by email with highlights of the key material. That way if none of the articles sound like they apply then I can just delete it, whereas with the actual magazine I end up with an additional element of clutter to use as a coaster. The information is mainly geared to parenting ADD children, but they still cover adult issues that are relevant. Oh ya, it was started by a mom who's son was diagnosed with ADD so started the magazine as way to bring other together while presenting solid information in an ADD friendly format. Another bonus is a readers forum you can register for in order to find out first-hand insights on all kinds of subjects from meds to ADD Diets.

5. The Shire: Life Management Center. This is a new resource for me, but thus far I like it - especially with the free on-line classes on topics such as how to organize your life and tools on becoming more productive. The site offers quite a lot of info on ADD medication (many of whom I think are major sponsors), but I'm not going to complain since I qualified for an offer through this site for free samples of my meds.
If you noticed, that's actually more than five resources (ADD is incorrigible sometimes) given there are multiple books and websites within what I listed. You'll have to pare down what works for you, but let me add a few notes of consideration to these resources.

- Only get information from those with ADD themselves. No offense to the non-ADD'ers but I have a hard time taking advice from anyone who doesn't understand this going on in my head.

- Don't overwhelm yourself. Take one at a time. I recommend the books first since you can get lost on the Internet.

- Speaking of which, stick to only one or two web sites. If you do use resources from the web limit them to a couple sources and take advantage of RSS feeds and email subscriptions. Also, avoid the glitzy ones started by amateurs looking to make a buck... these sites are shiny objects on purpose and that's to take advantage of the main weakness of ADD to make a buck off it.

- One last note, once you get educated, don't expect everyone to know what you're talking about. I made this mistake (I made many), and people just looked at me like I was preaching about the Apocalypse, which became frustrating. Educating yourself can be a freeing experience, but it's a personal one that only you can enjoy so don't get discouraged if others don't start speaking in tongues and rolling on the floor with you.

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