Life in Marin: January 2008

Life is like a soccer game

Sounds better than "a box of chocolates". Down 5-1 last week, the kids rallied to tie the game 5 -5. My son scored two goals in less than a minute (wow) but what was great to see was how the kids didn't quit when they were down. I told them after the game how they didn't quit, and that's how they came back. Today I was talking to one dad, and asked him if his son was enjoying the season (the most important thing). He said he was, and I said it was remarkable how his son wasn't afraid of anything this year and that was the big difference. Self confidence makes a world of difference, in sports and in life.

Today's views

Another fun day. Had to go to Fremont for a meeting and realized how bad traffic is over there. Completely full.

Got back home around 4 after a late lunch and what did I find? Homemade enchiladas with tortillas flown in from Mexico with my in-laws. Only ate three because I was already full but boy they were good. Better than any restaurant!

Then got to work for a couple of hours and went for our nightly walk with my father in law to downtown San Anselmo. He really enjoys only two things in life - being outdoors and being with family. This satisfies both of them. We talk (in Spanish of course) of the simple pleasures of life in a small town (he's from a small town in Mexico). He has other kids who live in San Francisco and we talk about how you can't go for walks like that there because it's so dangerous.

Then back home to feed my two year old, who had about a 5 hour nap today, and just be a daddy.

Life is good.

Just call me coach

So I'm coaching my son's under-12 indoor soccer team.

I've never coached before nor played competitive soccer.

It's a 'non-competitive' league so it's easier but the kids still want to win. The wife and I bought jerseys with the team name on it as a gift to the kids and they like it. My philosophy (I learned this from another coach) is talk to them in practice, and talk to the kids on the sideline during the game, but don't be an asshole that yells at the kids while they play. He said they don't really hear you and all you do is get frustrated.

It's all about encouragement and positive reinforcement. Tell the kids at least two things they did well before telling them something to improve on.

The kids had fun even though we lost 5 -2. Basically the other team made their shots and we missed ours. That's the way it goes.

Every kid got to play offense and defense so that was important.

Another beautiful day in paradise

What a great day. Sun out, reasonably comfortable outside. Not like two weeks ago when we thought it would flood. We actually put sandbags around the garage door and the back door (where we took water in 2005). Around 8 pm tonight my father in law and I walked to downtown San Anselmo and back, about a 40 minute round trip. He really enjoys being outside and misses it when the it rains too much.

He really likes it because it reminds him of walking to the plaza in his small home town in Mexico, something he does every day. When we visit him, every night at 6 pm he and I walk to the plaza, go to the same bench he's sat on every day for 50 years, and the old cronies come over and we tell the same stories over and over. Best thing in life!

Then came back home, got to play with my two year old (who's heavily into pro wrestling - he even has a finisher).

Now everyone's asleep and I'm about to join them.

These folks have never seen the snow before!
My niece!

My nephew

My sister-in-law

A day in the life

So the family is here from Mexico - my niece and nephew, who live with us, their mom, here for the Christmas break to see the kids, and my in-laws (they're here for two months).

That makes nine of us in the house so we can't even go places in one car - we have to take two! My 11 year old is having his best Christmas break yet because he has something to do all the time. My 2 year old is having fun with Ta-ta (his abuelito) and Nina Fafa (his abuelita) all day long. Usually during vacations I end up becoming a playmate with the kids but not this time.

Took my sister-in-law and nephew to the snow. They had never been to the snow before and had a great time. Went to Tahoe first then over to Reno! Everyboday had a great day.