Daddy's Fish BowlA Clear View Of A Father's Family Experiences

Recently, I was approached with what I thought was a phenomenal and heartwarming story. It was the story of Alex and Hal Malchow; a story that was both compelling as well as inspiring. What moved me the most was the fact that this Father and Son team had not only overcome the odds and persevered, but they did so and then decided to give back and help others. Most individuals would have been satisfied with conquering their own challenges, but these guys took it a step further and are helping conquer the challenges of others as well. It is because of this that I have decided to get involved and promote The Sword of Darrow Scholarship Contest. Alex and Hal are offering a $5000 contribution to a 529-college savings plan for the winner of a parent/child short story writing contest. The contest is a way of celebrating the release of their book, The Sword of Darrow

Now if you’re the “warm and fuzzy” type, stop right now, go on your merry way knowing that all is fine and dandy in DFB’ville and have a nice day. On the other hand, if you love the controversy, enjoy the drama (which I know most of you do) continue on reading!

I haven’t blogged in quite some time, and that’s because the last two months of my life have been a wild rollercoaster ride complete with accomplishments, turmoil, and setbacks.  The funny thing is: I didn’t purchase the tickets to this ride, they were given to me; unfortunately, I had no option to decline them.  Last week, I thought the ride had ended.  I believed it was over, so I unbuckled my seatbelt and stepped out of the coaster seat with a sense of pride; knowing that I had weathered the storm and survived.  I was relieved that the nightmare was finally over and that life would continue on in its typical fashion…that was last week.  Today however is a different story completely; if I were a betting man and had known that this morning’s weather was any indication of how my day would turn out, I’d be rich beyond my wildest dreams.  Unfortunately, I’m not psychic, and today’s gloomy rainy morning didn’t set off any precursors to let me know that I was in for one hell of a ride.

As you guys know, the main factor behind my family’s separation is a suitable living situation for the entire clan. Tre is a terrorist who I wouldn’t set free in my worst enemy’s domicile, let alone my best friend’s. Therefore, it has been my sole mission to find a home & find one quickly. Since I’ve been out in Minneapolis, a lot of my free time has been consumed with searching for a new home. If I’m not out viewing homes, I’m online searching for new ones to view the next day. Which is a big part of the reason that the posts here haven’t been as plentiful as in months past. I’ve never hunted live game before, but I’d imagine it’s filled with many ups and downs and disappointments as well as achievements. I never took the “hunting” portion of my adventure literally but as I continue on this journey, I can definitely see the similarities.

While I’m out here in Minneapolis away from my family, some may think that I’m living the good life: no pestering kids, no nagging wife (sorry Fefe), limited responsibilities. You would think that for a guy who’s been tied to a ball & chain for a few years that a bit of “me” time would be well welcomed. You’d be wrong!!! Yeah, I do get to hang out til the wee hours of the night, I get to go to a restaurant without feeling as though I’m plopping down a mortgage payment to cover dinner, and I get unlimited uninterrupted nights of sleep. All that’s fine and dandy, but you guys are forgetting a few very important things. Things that no man should be forced to deal with, things that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy! Have I built up the suspense enough?

Today is my first day of work, which means I’ve been in Minneapolis a little under a week now. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past few weeks (okay, maybe it’s not that prolific), then you know that I had to leave my family behind while I sorted out our living situation. Doing so has made these past 5 days feel like an eternity, but we’ve been managing fairly well so far & I’ve even wrangled a few funny tales concerning the kids and their “unique” ways of dealing with my departure. We’ve got betrayal, deceit, jealousy, and even murder people. Oh yes, a lot has gone on since I departed from my family, and if you thought that Daddy’s Fish Bowl was going to be any less spectacular than it’s been throughout the last year, then you are sorely mistaken. So go ahead, get your popcorn ready & sit back while I take you on this journey through the life of the family-less family man.

On this day, 2 years ago, I began serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole.  A life sentence is pretty harsh and is typically reserved for very heinous crimes, such as murder, etc.  I’m no murderer though, and yet here I am 2 yrs in to a life sentence.  What could I have done to deserve such harsh punishment? My only crime was that I fell in LOVE, and because of it, I have been stripped of my basic freedoms.  But unlike most inmates, I’m not protesting my verdict, not searching for a plea bargain, and show no remorse for my actions.

I love being married to Fefe, the love we share is quite honestly one of the best things to happen to me and I wouldn’t trade it in for anything in the world.  Since getting married, we have grown stronger as a couple and our bond has strengthened tenfold.  I’m happy that we made it over the 2 yr hurdle, (did you know that 1 in 12 marriages fail after only 2yrs?) but we aren’t out of the woods yet. They say 7 years is the magic number, if you make it that long you’re pretty much in the clear. I say screw them, our magic number is March 21, 2009, the day we got married.  Like I said, I’m serving a life sentence WITHOUT the possibility of parole, and there’s no one else I’d rather spend it with.

I Love You Fefe

There is only one week separating my departure from NC and my arrival in Minnesota.  Notice “I” said my and not “our”, that’s because I’m going up there ahead of the family to scope out the lay of the laid and get things situated in our new location.  Upon arrival, I’ll be staying with one of my best friends, which eliminates the burden of paying rent & a mortgage.  This gift is also a curse however, as bringing my entire clan into my friend’s home for an undetermined amount of time is something that doesn’t sit very well with me.  My buddy loves my kids and is all for it, but until I know that an end is in sight (buyer or renter for our home), I cannot in good conscious subject him to a never-ending wrath of the terrible two, otherwise known as Tre & Ty.

Have you heard the news??? If you follow my Twitter or Facebook, then no doubt, you probably have.  If not, then start following, so that you aren’t the last to the party next time.  Okay, time to fill you in: We’re moving!!!!!!  No, not the Daddy’s Fish Bowl site, but our actual residence.  Our family is packing up and high tailing it from the great state of North Carolina all the way across the country to the Twin Cities in Minnesota.  Well I guess that isn’t all away across the country (I was never good in geography), but hey you get the point. 

and the WINNER is.....

Okay DFB family, time for a serious topic here at the bowl. As I write this, I have my vodka & cranberry sitting next to the computer; attempting to recover from the events that just took place in my household. Timeout, I know you may be thinking how dare he bring up a serious topic while under the influence? My response: some of the greatest ideas known to man were created while in a bar & written on a cocktail napkin! I’ve even included a reference. (editor’s note: the events actually took place 2 nights ago.  I guess there was more vodka than cranberry in that drink and I didn’t get a chance to finish the post).