Les Singes: The Life of Monkey Boy

Stuff on My Tête

I'm saddened by the cyclone in Myanmar and the devastating earthquake in China. Watching the tv reports isn't much help either. I'm not sure how this will go over, but I'm not so thrilled with the international response on either front. I have to be honest and say I'm disappointed with my employer's lack of a stance. Nothing at all has been said publicly to our co-workers about the events. I'd expect better with two natural disaster of this magnitude. This is a grave loss of life on par with the tsunami of a few years ago.

I did some research today and found a website, Network for Good, which has taken the guesswork out of finding charitable organizations.  They've compiled lists of reputable non-profits groups to make it simple to donate with confidence.
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My final thought for today. My stepmother-in-law asked me what the biggest surprise or challenge was of parenting. It was a really good question. As I washed the bottles, I gave this some more thought. What has been the most striking surprise as a new parent? I contorted my face, thought about a proper response. I blurted out some crap about "being on" all the time yet I don't think it was my best learned experience to date.

I believe the biggest surprise to me has been how quick your mind forgets when times are tough. Right now, things are going well with her sleep, her health and our sleep, our health. However, when it's not good it can be tough. You reach a breaking point and most likely eclipse it. You step away from the situation because it's the appropriate option. I think back to those horrible hospital days in mid January. They already seem like a distant memory. The human mind is remarkable. Are we wired to be optimistic and somewhere along the line we get our wires crossed? I don't know and I'm not sure I care to find out. Enjoy the rest of your week!

Lay Flat to Dry

Hello people! I'm back from a chaotic past week or so. The in-laws are tucked in their beds on the other side of the country. Our daughter was very delightful during their four day visit. Mother's Day went off without a hitch as we took Baby Singe to her first professional baseball game. Mrs. Lessinges will receive more pampering next week via a pedicure. I will not be participating in the pedicure this time, although it was quite calming when I did it last time. My four day weekend was blissful and I'm thankful a three day weekend is on the horizon.

Speaking of baseball and professional sports... if you're not from the U.S. this may not be as much of an issue for you. Here in our grand old country where we giveaway money in the form of economic stimulus checks, we have our priorities a bit confused. Lately it has been deemed necessary to involve our politicians in matters that generally shouldn't concern them. Yes, I'm talking about the Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens federal hearings. Must we drag all these cheating athletes into a courtroom to hear them lie through their teeth about their involvement? Can't our politicians spend their time working to resolve issues such as education reform, the housing crunch, improving highways, protecting our environment, etc.?

Seriously, why can't professional baseball and football resolve their own issues? Why is so much damn time being wasted in our courtrooms trying to figure out if Roger Clemens took steroids? Screw that, have Major League Baseball resolve the issue. Our government is already messed up enough without throwing professional sports into the mix of our legal system.

Enough talk about sports though. Let's hear from you. What's on your mind folks? Since I got the "counselor" title on the DiSC personality test, it's my job to listen to your concerns. Tell me, what's on your mind? Do you have a bone to pick with someone or something? If it's me, I don't want to hear about it. Otherwise, nothing is off limits. Bring it!

Hugs not Drugs

You people are good, wicked intuititve. Most of you correctly guessed my DiSC personality pattern of "counselor". Do I give off this vibe over the internet? I don't think so, but maybe I do. I might have to rethink my chosen profession and become the world's first blogging shrink.
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The past week has flown by, but thankfully it should slow down a bit now. The Florida in-laws are in town visiting our lovely daughter and her parents. I took Friday and Monday off to unwind a bit. We did some role playing during our work meetings. My best role playing occurred after the meetings had convened, just ask my co-worker.
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It's official, my wife will be traveling to France in a couple weeks for work. Ce n'est pas juste! I'm the one who speaks French and I'm the one who taught her all the French she knows. Honestly, the Staying at Home While My Wife Work in Foreign Lands gig isn't so bad. This trip will only last five full days.
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I bought some Dreyer's/Edy's ice cream Thursday night. I'm pretty sure the size of the carton diminished and the price didn't. Damn them. Folks at Dreyer's, I noticed and I'm not entirely pleased. Maybe I will consume less of the tasty treat as a result of the downsizing.
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I've got a really cute picture to post of Baby Singe with spiky hair. That picture will be added once I connect the camera to this very laptop. Have a swell weekend everyone and those who are moms, have a fantastic Sunday. Go hug a mom!

Label Me Something if You Must

Folks, I celebrated my birthday and now I'm back at work attending an "offsite". For the uninitiated an offsite means I get to spend eight solid hours for three consecutive days in a conference room this week. There are some wonderful things one can discover about themself while trapped in a windowless box with 17 of your not-so close colleagues.

My first goal was to figure out the funky carpeting. If you've ever been to a theatre, you may have noticed how wacky the carpeting patterns can be. I think they're hideous so people won't notice all the stains from popcorn and spilled beverages. Before I started nodding my head Monday, I attempted to comprehend the carpet pattern in the Marriot. I crossed my eyes, I squinted, and rubbed my socked feet in the synthetic fibers. I was hopeful reindeer would appear if I crossed my eyes just right and whisk me away to the North Pole. (you know like those posters which were so popular in the early 90's)

Alas, the reindeer scenario was a dream that didn't come to fruition. There I was stuck in a hotel meeting room listening to the instructor complain about his three failed marriages. I was fortunate enough to get one more chance to learn more about myself. Personality test here we come. This time I took a DiSC Personal Profile System exam so we can decide why I'm so uncooperative in the workplace.

Here's your opportunity to show how well you know the blogger known as Monkey Boy. Determine which Profile Pattern best suits Monkey Boy:

a) perfectionist - Goals include stability & predictable accomplishments; main fear = antagonism.
b) persuader - Judges others by ability to express themselves; enthusiastic and trusting of people.
c) inspirational - Influences by charm; fears include weak behavior and loss of social status.
d) promoter - Judges others by verbal skills; goals include approval & popularity.
e) counselor - Goals include friendship & happiness; Influences others with "open door" policy.

Think this over for a bit and drop your guess in the comments. I will have a good chuckle during my ten minute breaks reading your comments on my iPod touch. Get this, the instructor sets a timer for our breaks. I like it since it keeps on schedule, but that's so not something I'd ever do. That could be a hint to my DiSC Profile Pattern.
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Finally, did you know Dyson, the vacuum guy with the wicked cool British accent, makes hand dryers? They had one at the hotel and was drawn to that sucker like a moth to the flame. Now if I can only get guys to wash their hands after touching their units.
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FINAL final thought: a wise blogger warned me about the love you have for your own child. Holy shit was that blogger ever right. It's one of the craziest attractions I've ever known and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I say this because I wasn't able to see my daughter during Monday's meeting and damn did I ever miss her. I'm a sap.

A Year Wiser

Yes, it's true. Your Facebook calendar isn't lying. Today is my 35th birthday. We had a bunch of friends over last night to mark the occasion. Today it's sunny and perfect for breaking in my 35th year on this planet.

More updates to follow! Have a great May 4th everyone and happy birthday to Brookem as well. I won't divulge her age though. She can decide if she wants to do that. Cheers!