Watching baseball in the middle of the night with a newborn in one arm and scattered thoughts running through my brain, I’m reaching for a decent explanation of why my digital scrawling is worthy of your (or even my) attention.
For the last several years I haven’t bothered sharing my life’s minutiae, as I did when social media was a shiny novelty. Periodically, I’d amble over to twitter or google+, before the latter was finally given up for dead, and like old times I’d try to mix just the right quip with an uploaded photo of my lunch. Or some attempt at a clever observation that easily washed by in the stream of my followers’ feeds.
Even ridiculous terms such as Twitter followers and the idea of my once having been mayor of Rotkreutzplatz on 4square, makes it abundantly clear to me that accusations of this all being pretentious nonsense was closer to home than I liked to face.
What changed? The easy answer is the above mentioned infant. Major life changes normally coincide with an assessment of one’s behavior, and a baby can easily be considered both a logistical as well as philosophical shift.
Somebody recently told me you don’t truly know German culture until you watch your kid go through the Teutonic educational system. As with most thing related to raising children, my first reaction is that some people take this whole parenting ordeal gravely seriously. It’s understandable, and perhaps this will finally be that life alteration which makes me grow up and approach at least one area of my existence with some maturity.
Hopefully not too much, though.
My second reaction, you ask? After I’ve let the observation settle and considered it came from someone who’s been here in Germany as long as I have, has teenage children and clearly speaks from experience.
Do I really want to know this culture better? Wouldn’t I rather continue to go off half cocked? Isn’t it easier to knowingly shake my head and mutter, ‘Damned Krauts,’ when I run into something that perplexes me?
Yes, probably.
Oh by the way, the baby’s been fed and has drifted back off to sleep. My second favorite baseball team is up a few runs in the fourth inning in Boston, and I’d like to get back to watching this game.
Relaunching this blogging lark with a whimper in the night. Anyone out there listening?
Congratulations on becoming a father!
Noice to see you back, teadude.
Thanks. Have so much to learn. Everyday is an adventure.
Totes listening, and enjoying. GO ASTROS!
Signed a lady who lived in Munich briefly, loved it, and loves kids. And you.
Totes jelly of your ability to go to the neue Pinakothek on the regular, my all time favorite painting is housed there.
Which painting???
Being a parent is an amazing adventure! Enjoy the ride. I still need to get the Ella and Louis collages to you. Someday. We’d love to travel someday and maybe could meetup in Munich. Keep on keepin on! ❤️
Thos is the Joe, with whom I am really fascinated. The little one chose her father well…