The Problem With Micro-blogging

Here is the problem with twitter. Sometimes when you share your thoughts and activities in real time it is easy to forget to share them again, later, on your blog. Even when it is something like your middle son getting hit in the face with a baseball and breaking his cheek. Two and a half weeks ago that is exactly what happened to Josh as you can see in the picture below.

Finally, tonight, I was reminded of this omission when reviewing pictures I took this evening for the American Legion team. The towering kid in the back row is the one who threw the ball that hit Josh in the face. Click the picture to get a true feel for how big this kid is. The man next to him is the coach if you need context.

*Note: I should add that Matt is a gentle giant. He is one of the funniest, nicest kids you could ever meet. When I found out what happened I told Josh, "that's too bad because there is no way you are getting ANYONE to kick Matt's ass for you." This is true not only because no one in the High School is big enough to kick Matt's ass but also because I can't imagine anyone every wanting to kick Matt's ass. Besides, even if anyone ever wanted to he would have them in stitches from laughter before they could ever start the job.
Once last summer Matt hit a single late in a close game. The coach sent in the smallest kid on the team, Michael, to pinch run for him. As the kid approached first base Matt looked at him with a dead serious expression on his face and said, "what do you think your doing?" Michael replied, "coach sent me in to pinch run." Matt looked down at the poor kid and said, "I don't need no pinch runner. You get back in the dugout." Michael looked back at the dugout with terror on his face then Matt broke out into his trade mark grin and said, "nah, just kiddin' you. Get on the bag so I can go sit down." He had the whole team rolling on the floor of the dugout.

More From the Chukars Game

Following the game the short stop from the opposing team, the Helena Brewers, called Jacob and I over to the fence and handed Jake, over the heads two other kids, a game bat. We waited around after the game for the players to come out so Jake could get the short stop to sign his bat. Jake got the autograph as well as a couple more on his hat plus one from the mascot, Charlie Chukar. It was a good night. One that Jacob will never forget. He will likely be a baseball fan for life.

By the time the night was over Josh had a bat from the third baseman and Josh's teammate, Nick, had a few signatures on his hat too. This all came on the heals of running into four Brewers players the previous night at Denny's. We talked to them and they signed Josh's hat. They then recognized us at the game the following night which lead to Jake getting a game bat.

Both Pictures were taken while waiting for the Brewers to exit the locker room.

From July 13th

While in Idaho Falls for a Babe Ruth baseball tournament we went to watch the local minor league baseball team, the Chukars, play. This was only nine days after my wife left me. The baseball was good, the night was warm, and a beer sounded good. When I ordered one, Sam Adams Summer Lager, Jake looked at me with absolute disbelief. "A beer, dad?" He said, "have you ever had a beer in your whole life?"
I told him that I have had three or four but only a few. Then added, under my breath, since you've been around.
My question is this: Did I ruin my son's image of me or is he better off knowing that I might drink a beer here or there and having the opportunity to see someone drink alcohol responsibly?