Saturday evening marked the first time that Ahna and I had gone out together for the night since Ezra arrived. Sure, we had spent a few afternoons away for lunch or an errand or two…but never hit the town until the other night. I suppose that ‘hitting the town’ isn’t the right description…..it was the fire department’s 93rd annual awards banquet. We find that it’s always a fun time and we enjoy seeing and spending time with everyone. 

On the drive to the pre-party, Ahna and I discovered that there was a large amount of excitement in anticipation for spending some time together, but that there was the expected large amount of nervous energy towards concern about how Ezra was going to do with my folks. The resulting feeling was like having drank 8 coffees before leaving the house. We promised ourselves that we would try to not worry about Ezra too much and focus on having fun….I mean, what was the worst thing that could happen? He would still be awake when we got home? Turns out it’s easier said than done. 

Overall, I thought that we did a great job of paying attention to each other and not to our concern over Ezra. Of course there were moments. But those seemed fleeting as we reminded ourselves that my folks had our phone numbers as well. We did make an attempt or two to call and check in, but nobody answered their phones…and we didn’t get pushy about it in fear that it might wake Ezra up if we called the home number. 

Turns out everything went fine. Ezra did great: he enjoyed his bath, ate some dinner, and went to sleep. Mom and Dad also did great – making sure that everything got done that needed to get done. We were gone for almost 5 hours when it was all said and done, and had a great time. Ahna and I have already begun making plans for the next time out.

50 years ago today in some random field in northern Iowa, the music stopped for a while. Or so I’ve been told. I’m only 32. 

It seems to be getting lots of press due to the 50th anniversary – and deservedly so – but it just seems like one of those moments in history that seems to be forgotten as time goes by. Perhaps if you asked someone in the music business about the song American Pie, they would be able to tell you it’s about the plane crash that happened on Feb 3, 1959, where Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens died. Perhaps not. Almost assuredly most people who listen to music would not….despite the enormous impact that each of them had on the tunes that we hear today. 

I listen to American Pie by Don McLean, and I actually don’t think of the plane crash first. The song takes me to another place….the Bucksnort…..and the amazing times that I had up there with family and friends before Joe stopped singing. The song was one of those that you could count on being played every single time…and one that everyone in the place would sing along with. Almost like clockwork, when finished with the song, Joe would ask if anyone knew what it was about. Again, like the clock, almost nobody knew. I can remember at least 3-4 times getting a free beer for knowing about the meaning behind the song…..but I can’t take full credit for it. I must admit that I didn’t know that until I heard it one time at the Bucksnort. 

So now it’s your turn. Tell someone about the song, tell someone about the day. Tell someone about Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper, and Ritchie Valens. I remember being educated about Buddy Holly’s ‘Peggy Sue’ by my Dad….a great rif written to get laid. Isn’t that what rock-n-roll is all about? Okay, perhaps it’s a little deeper than that. Or not. 

Yea, me. For the better part of the past week. Two doctor visits, countless bathroom visits. Feeling better today, so hopefully a post will come from it with something more interesting than me not feeling well.

This snuck unreported in the media’s coverage of Obama’s first day…..but might end up being one of the most important early decisions that he can make: renewing the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA: pronounced fo-ya). His memo about the new administration’s approach to FOIA flies directly in the face of the Bush administration’s MO of hiding everything; and stands in direct example of his intent for an open and honest government. 

There is a lot about FOIA to know and understand – you can find out more here – but in it’s simplest and most often used form, it’s a check and balance to public government. It is vital that officials know that the media and public can research, look into, and investigate actions…and keeps a level of honesty that doesn’t exists without that openness.

Your local and national media rely on this act for research, and your local and national politicians widely despise this act for it’s ability to expose stuff. Those two angles pretty much define the act’s importance. 

I say ‘go try it sometime.’ Wanna know how much your Mayor makes? FOIA. Wanna know how your city evaluates employees? FOIA. Wanna know how much the new computer system in finance costs? FOIA. Wanna see those e-mails that went between town officials and that huge business? FOIA. 

Seriously, try it sometime. You’ll get to know your city officials in ways that you never thought possible. Trust me on that one. 

And a new way. Of thinking, of being, of acting. We have broken the mold of idiocy in the White House and found a path to greatness (hopefully). Well, at least we have found our way to someone who can speak better than a third grader. 

How exciting was that?! I think that in the evening when Ahna and I said ‘President Obama’ for the first time, there was a little bit of emotion to go along with it. I’m not admitting to tearing up – that would just be silly. And I don’t admit to silly stuff here. Ahna and I truly feel an inspiration for the country that I think has been absent for some time. We’re proud of us all. 

Ahna had to teach yesterday, but was able (mostly) to have the kids watch the inauguration. They first tried the web, but there were so many people that the connection was too slow. Then they met up with some other classes to watch it on TV….when during the speech (!) the cable went out. At least we had it recording at home, so she was able to watch the speech in it’s entirety last night. 

I had the opportunity to go to the department’s annual retreat yesterday. They select two members from each shift to serve a two year commitment to the retreat….this year, I was asked by my Battalion Chief. It lasts one day, and is an open forum to get on the table anything that we want; it is also the place that we set the department’s goals for the year. Anyhow….I was excited to participate, but was rather upset when I learned that it would be on the day that I have been looking forward to for over 8 years. That all changed when the Chief lead the day off and said that instead of a team-builidng excersice (1999 for you FOC fans), we would watch the swearing-in and the speech. It was great. 

Oh, big props to O’Bama (as the Irish say) for bringing up firefighters in the speech. He knows.