Play more
Thursday, June 7, 2012 I like to do good things, and part of that is following through when I commit to doing them. A few weeks ago, I took the LetsPlay pledge and promised I would dedicate more hours per week to getting out there and playing. I realize that this does nothing to ease world hunger, bring peace to the middle east or save the manatees, but I believe that children are our future. And that copyright laws are lax when it comes to blogs.
So aside from throwing Lessi around the backyard (funny digression: she now throws her baby dolls around while yelling "parkour!"), I actually engaged in more active play recently, despite the fact that I just landed a new job (finally! I might add). Some highlights:
Midget Racing
Never has there been an activity where I've had to follow up with "no, it's not that at all!" more so than when I told people I was taking Fury midget racing. I know there's no running and jumping involved, but the point is we're getting out there and his heart rate increases. Also, he realizes that it's like Xbox, but a million times better. I'll buy that for $10 a lap! Not for too long, but the point is I'm willing to, in theory.
Certification and racing lessons are actually highly affordable, so I made the mistake of getting all excited for Fury to join the race circuit. Turns out once you're certified, you have to buy your own race car, trailer and something to tow it with (I don't think the Volvo will cut it). Hey Fury, there's this really cool game on Xbox...
Fishing
If I had to pick one activity as my hands-down favorite thing ever in the history of the world, it would be fishing. When we lived in LA, that was the most conspicuous void in my life. At our new home in Northern CA, I can fish any of a dozen places within a 20-minute drive. Heaven isn't too far away. Like I said, lax copyright laws make the blogosphere go 'round.
There's actually a nice regional park and reservoir 15 minutes away that's perfect for a spontaneous pre-dinner trip. I've taken Fury fishing there a couple of times.
The first time we went, I had no idea what people were catching there (or even if we could catch anything at all without a boat). When we got there, these two old guys were also setting up to fish. While Fury and I caught nothing, one of the old guys caught this delicious bass:
I made Fury pose with it for a picture because you can't do that and not immediately dedicate the rest of your life to catching one like that for yourself. At least not if you share my genes.
I caught this on a business trip. Yes I bring fishing equipment on business trips.The next day, we went out again. This time, we brought his friend from across the street, who had never fished before. Also, due to the lack of rain, the shoreline had receeded about 20 yards, which meant to get to water we had to trudge through ankle-deep mud. When you're 10, mud trumps the prospect of fish. Also, dad spends all his time crawling in the mud looking for shoe that you lost after the mud pulled it off and the hole resealed itself.
You can't get mad at genuine mud-covered smiles, though.
Running
Shortly after I started working again, I decided I needed more structure in my life after so many months of improvised living. I decided to start running again. I also thought it would be nice to bring Fury along, since I leave the house for work before he gets up and return an hour before he goes to bed. This might give us some good bonding time while staying healthy. Two birds, one stone. Then I realized that both dogs would probably enjoy the exercise as well. Four birds. Then one day his buddy across the street decided that it might be fun to run with us, too. Five birds. Today, another neighbor kid joined us. This stone is like a ninja stone, killing birds as far as the eye can see. They say jogging is a sport of quiet solitude. They don't live in my neighborhood.
I guess what I'm saying is play can be pretty much anything, and no matter how busy you are, you can still squeeze it in if you put your mind to it. But if you still need more motivation, how about a 10-foot parachute, like you used to play with in gym class? I'm giving away three of these, and they each come with:
- 1 sand bucket
- 1 jump rope
- 1 carton of sidewalk chalk
- 1 "Let's Play" frisbee
- and a few cheat sheet things to kick start some play ideas
To be entered to win this stuff, I'd love it if you took the Let's Play Pledge (676 other people can't be wrong!), but you don't have to in order to win (just leaving a comment will suffice, if you want to get technical). The guilt, however, will eat at you whenever you look at that colorful parachute.
In the end, all I'm asking you to do is play more. Is that so bad?
(oh, forgot to mention... I will accept entries up until Wed, June 6, 10pm PST)
(WAIT! I meant Wed June 13! I expect you to play, not build time machines. Leave it to Zakary to point out when I AsianFAIL)
Reader Comments (25)
Yay! More excuses to be a kid with my 7-yr old!!
Okay, I'm not that good at it. But I want to try! So sign me up! Woohoo!!
Playing is good! Hurrah for fun!
I'm taking this pledge before my kids turn into actual Minecraft characters and I have to play the game to even see them.
There is something about going outside and enjoying the beautiful scenery around us. I can't wait to take my daughter out on camping trips once she is older and a little more self-sufficient!
Would love to win this. The kids loooove parachutes. They would have a blast with the other stuff too!
I spend my life teaching people about the importance of play, so this post just seems awesome to me. Also, I'd love a parachute. That was always the best day of gym class.
Brilliant! I am signing up today.
Timely reminder! And not just for busy Dads! Thanks!
My girls are all teenagers and we have so much fun playing together! We'd love to add a parachute to our toys!!
I have so many kids in my house I can use one of those, and I bet they can come up with 100 uses for it (oooo that sounds like a challenge)
New reader to your blog - found it from your fried rice post :) . I am in full agreement with more time playing with my kids!
Yay for ninja stones!
I took the pledge because parachute guilt is probably the worst kind of guilt.
(It makes me sad in my heart when I see Asian mistakes, so very sad.)
Dude, I want that parachute package of happiness. For so many reasons, one of which is the empty sandbox in our backyard. Nothing sadder than an empty sandbox.
Well, SOME things are sadder, but it'd be tough to find one.
Good job getting out and playing, dad! :-) I don't have any kids quite yet but the time is quickly approaching so might as well get prepared! Let's be real...I should play more, too.
Parachutes were always the best part of gym class! My son would love that!
hmmm...
My son is too young to appreciate the toys but I went ahead and built the time machine to be able to enter. Now I find out it was merely a typo!
I suppose I could wait until he is old enough, use the time machine to fix the results and PRESTO, Dad of the erm, I guess not year. Dad of the Time Slipstream?
:D
Great story. I've got a picture of myself holding a stringer of walleye when I was not too many years older than Fury.
Your running sounds a lot like Forrest Gump's. Let's see how big your followership can get!
Hi! I work with Proctor and Gamble at DeVries PR and we would love to have you on the list of prefered dad bloggers to communicate with. In order for this to happen we need your permission to contact you. Please email me at Mgaier@devries-pr.com if you are interested! Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Marissa Gaier
If I win I promise to go out and play frisbee with my dog, plant something in the sand bucket, share the chalk with the kids at the spray park, and go jump roping. Really! Congrats on the new job!
Since you won't share the cool town with cul de sacs of kids, for my kids (we live on a hill in SF) I'd settle for the great toys- my kids are quite expert at pulling all nearbty adults into their games -willing or not.
All that package is missing is a hula hoop, which incidentally, is what my child is getting for Christmas this year.
Perfect timing - we are already hitting summer boredom. He is turning into a gamer too soon. He will only play soccer with me so many times! :(
Dang, missed by a day. But I have to say, some of my best memories of my dad were when we went fishing... :)
I'd like a chance to win - please enter me!