GRIZZLY PEAR

written snapshots

Category: Penny Delights

  • He found gender and status on faces of metal, plastic, and glass.

    We walked by a Chevrolet.
    He pointed at the golden skewed cross.
    医生车! (doctor car!)

    He said our Odyssey is a 女的车 (girl car).
    Headlights with long curved eyelashes,
    Like his sister’s cartoons.

    ䷆䷜

    chase the pheasant
    grab the illusion

  • Work at Office, Week 1

    Day 1, Back in the Office!

    …and my first meeting is on Microsoft Teams, even though the three of us are within fifty feet of each other.

    (screen sharing > face to face!)

    Work at Office, Day 2

    Sure is nice chatting in person after almost three years apart. I’m very blessed to enjoy the company of my colleagues.

    At the end of the day, I realized that I’ve forgotten where the light switches are scattered around the building.

    The delighted squeals of the kids when I came back home was a nice bonus.

    Word of the Day 3

    Solutioning.

    This meeting is only for updates, we will address solutioning at future meetings.

  • We re-shape our lives for a pink rubber unicorn with a pastel yellow horn.

    Chasing her brother,
    she slipped on the tile,
    and chipped her tooth.
    She came home with a tiny unicorn eraser.

    The boy asked about the “vet”.
    He threatened to brush his teeth —
    Badly!
    He wants to visit the dentist.

    ䷥䷁

    honest
    non-action
    hidden effort
    no end

  • Fantastic Mr. Fox, Roald Dahl, 1970, & Wes Anderson, 2009

    She enjoyed the trailer and this is one of her favorites from the Roald Dahl book set. We gave it a whirl on New Year’s Eve.

    The girl closed 2022 by learning the hard truth that adaptations distort beloved stories. She expressed her dismay throughout the viewing. Expecting fidelity is a surefire path to disappointment.

    I hadn’t read the book, so I thought it was fine. It was a welcome respite from the current Pixar aesthetic. The story and characters had a delightful edge (which Disney studiously avoids). I haven’t watched Wes Anderson before, but I now grok his reputation. I’d watch him again.

    After the kids went to bed, I read the book. It’s a fun, quiet story. I get why my daughter felt let down.

    We discussed it further on New Year’s Day —

    The director added all that stuff to fill a 90 minute movie.

    But why did he make these changes?

    Those are plot devices to manufacture tension.

    Were they necessary? The book was better.

    I agree, but the mass market demands more excitement in their movies.

    As a father, it hurts to feel her sense of betrayal. Then again, she’s embarking upon lifetime of disappointing movie adaptations.

    Best that we got the initial shock out of the way, last year.

    ䷲䷚

    last night
    she reread
    still prefers
    the source

  • Happy New Year!

    Kids are off to bed and I’m enjoying a quiet pre-midnight indulgence.

    Not sure I’ll make it to the big 0:00.

    Here’s to next year!

    a photograph of wood table with a thin can San Pellegrino Limonata flavored sparkling drink, Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Square wrapper, and an iPhone playing Waltz for Debby by the Bill Evans Trio. “Happy 2023” is written in magenta on the left side of the image

  • I didn’t even get a hug before he left.

    Mamma called out bedtime.
    He rushed into our bedroom to say goodnight.

    He picked up the bright red foam roller,
    Tipped it onto one end,
    Stood on his tippy toes,
    Rested his forehead top of the new column.
    And circumambulated around this monument a few times.

    He sauntered out to play with his sister.

    ䷂

    avoid forest deep
    prince and princess
    stone pillar at home

    ䷦

  • When two is bad, three is good, especially because numbers are fluid at four.

    We gave them a trio of Lego City Stuntz Bikes —
    A little push and they zip across the room!

    Forcing a teachable moment last night,
    I channeled my inner Mommy,
    Motorcycles are very dangerous. Never ride one. They’re bad!

    The boy ran up with a smile,
    Holding a two wheeled toy,
    These are tricycles!

    ䷓䷜

    contemplate life
    don’t ride that varmint
    no error


  • The boy shifted narratives as blocks swapped colors on the pixelated sculpt.

    We built the Lego T-Rex from last year.
    Couldn’t find the right piece for his lower jaw.

    A yellow piece was the correct shape.
    The dinosaur has gold teeth!

    I found the green piece.
    He just cleaned his mouth!

    ䷇

    auspicious
    if it fits

  • Day 2 of the New Year.

    My lower-back!

    I crawled out of bed and across the room.
    Tried to stretch it out.
    Definitely not exercising today.
    Watched YouTube videos to distract from the pain.
    (Breaking two of my five rules on the second day!)

    No clue what happened.
    A twinge showed up yesterday.
    No cause, no incident.
    Nothing stupid — not even negligent inactivity.

    The mid-40’s hath bestowed a mystery ailment upon mine body!

    Now what?

    ䷽䷧

    in small
    perseverance furthers

    extreme care
    might avoid
    misfortune

    deliverance
    advantage through inaction
    or fortune with quick action

    which path?
    something? nothing?
    how do I determine
    Habara gani?
    Kujichagulia

  • The boy masticated the masticated mass of masticated fiber until a deep green extract stained his lips and juice dripped down his chin.

    He’s at the phase where food goes down slowly.
    Never refuses to eat the meal.
    (The consequences would be dire)
    Just sits at the table for hours,
    Chewing and chewing.
    Especially veggies.

    Those.

    Dark.

    Green.

    Ones.

    Momma called downstairs
    他吃完了吗？(Is he done yet?)

    Sister yelled back
    No! He’s kale-ing!

    ䷳䷑

    the calf will not swallow
    the kid did not sow
    the buck does not fry