Five girls out of one woman by three different men. Don't try to tell me the man determines the sex of the child. For nine years we had them under one roof until, like the independent women we raised them to be, they took off when they reached that age.
They all still call me Dad despite the facts of paternity. I couldn't be prouder. When they get together, it's a happening and people take note of the palpable buzz of sisterhood.
F*#kin' A!!!!!!! DMT... that video said it all. Great music, great kids. But folks, watch it to the very end. There'll be a tear in your eye and you'll know why, despite what he might say, DMT is an awesome Dad. Those girls know the meaning of what it means to be alive, to really feel, for sure!
I got a million and one kid stories... and counting as we speak. The three youngest were driving me nutz tonight. Mom is away on biz in NYC, but hey, I'm the primary caregiver round here. Goes with the territory and at the end of the day, I can't imagine doing anything different. Or wanting to do anything different.
My life is kind of like a sitcom. Each episode starts out normal enough, then something goes awry and mayhem ensues. Sparks fly. By the end of the segment, it's all hugs, rainbows and lollipops again... well, sometimes I trade the lollipops for single malt or Kentucky bourbon.... whatever gets ya through the day.
I ended up with four of these creatures. Not a weak personality amongst them. Since I was so shy and reserved in my earlier days, I guess somebody or something is providing some equilibrium. This is the full E-ticket baby.
I don't try to push them any one way. My grandparents tried to mold my dad and that was a disaster. My dad, as counterpoint, never really pushed us at all, so a lot got thought about, but not ever executed. One day, when my first was barely two and I'd just left her mom, I decided it was time to get the hell out of the cave. To stop thinking about doing it and to start just doing it. That was the beginning of my backcountry days, getting out discovering all kinds of new things that spoke to me. Interestingly, the virtual world had the voice of DMT back in those days on the radio.. wreck.climbing radio that is!
What I do try to do, is to expose them to a lot of stuff. They'll get the breadth of experience and eventually something will stick that they're passionate about. Part of that is showing them my own passions.
This includes backcountry stuff, but a lot more too.
Here is the gang in action:
My oldest... on the Jumboton graduating from UCSD this past June, honors and all.
Credit: Fletcher
Always loved girls, but once I had a boy, I was so glad! This guy's a real athlete.
Credit: Fletcher
The youngest and most like me (our birthdays are six days apart... testy Tauri!). This means extremely stubborn and a huge workout. But a whole lot of love and zest for life.
Credit: Fletcher
Top o' Ryan Mountain to ya!
Credit: Fletcher
My middle girl... my oldest is already an actress... this one is going to be in drama/arts too, I have a feeling.
Credit: Fletcher
Obligatory DMT-style driving photo. Where do I send the royalties?
Credit: Fletcher
Don't mess with me... Little Lakes Valley last summer on first backpacking trip.
Credit: Fletcher
Don't ask...
Credit: Fletcher
Treasure Lakes, 11K, with Mr. Poofles. Supporting the local east side community (I was talked into buying Mr. Poofles from Wilson's in Bishop!).
Credit: Fletcher
Must be prepared to carry everything at some point. Don't worry, eventually I'll have the tables turned one day...
Credit: Fletcher
The whole gang in one picture. One of these days we'll get everyone looking at the camera with a half-way decent face (the hand on my shoulder is my boy... that counts!)
Merci Dingus for this inspirational thread (Great vid, People!). Nicolas will always be my favorite climbing partner. Someday I'll have to put up an account of our early climbs. It's not that easy, though. Nicolas maybe you'll read this (I know, I know, there goes pops again on one of those...), well, you might remember that when we set off for that 'Slovenia 2000' summer of alpine trad (purdy, purdy), I had absolute confidence in your reactions. That's what I meant to say. We were successfull in each climb... so we had to keep going. Man, the weather wouldn't go bad and we went on and on... successfully. It was nerve, yes it was after all. I learned a lot. It's all about confidence. I mean life. Thanks son, and respect.
Let us know!