Yeah, the hair was bad. But the eyes, and the expression...oof. It made me uncomfortable just on the tv.

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Poor Emmett. I hate when the ought-to-be fun stuff stresses them out. Can you remove any of the pressure, Hec?

I know he's imposed it upon himself, but I've noticed with Ben that a lot of times, when I get to the root of his stress, part of it comes from what he thinks Scott and I are going to think. Usually, we're much more mellow than his imaginary version of us.

Thanks for all the kinds thoughts on the matter. Emmett did very well on his tryouts, was flawless in the field and is not only moving up to Triple-A, he seems to be looking forward to it.

This was largely because of a coodinated effort between EM and myself, where we put together a detailed strategy to play to Emmett's strengths and away from his weaknesses, and even went down to discussion of Good-Cop, Bad-Cop roles and we played him like a fine fiddle until he got through his stuff (and very well) though he was very nervous.

It was exhausting because I had to manage his mood for about four hours, and he was sour and resentful when I collected him and had bouts of big anxiety about it. But we played to his greed and egotism and his sense of getting-one-over on his parents, and bolstered that with lots of subtle reminding of all the many things he loves about baseball, and his friendships there, and how much he likes his coaches.

Didn't do any negative reinforement, or threats or hardsell. Just presented the tryout as non-negotiable and inevitable, and we were both there to support him before and aft, and that people that face their hard things deserve some good rewards after. Pretty much the same strategy we take with unpleasant doctor visits. "It's gotta happen. What would make it better for you when it's over?"

Honestly, I'm okay with Emmett quitting baseball if doesn't enjoy it. I'm not okay with him quitting something I know he loves because he's afraid.

Anyway, I owe him a milkshake bigger than a utility bucket tomorrow.

Tom Scola, next time I see you the gelato is my treat.

Ple, I have to say that at one point he reminded me quite a lot of you, and how much Buffy's admission of feeling both superior and inferior resonated with you. Because on top of all his admission of nervousness and anxiety, as we walked toward the ball fields he said, "Do you think I'm legendary?" in all seriousness.

It took some effort on my part to limit my response to "No, I don't." instead of, "Listen golden boy, you are undoubtedly a legend in your own mind, but don't expect to coast through life on a little dab of native athletic ability and your long flowing locks. You ain't the second coming of Mickey Mantle by a longshot."

To be fair, he really dealt with it well and faced down his fears and performed very well under a lot of pressure. For the tryouts you're out on a ball field with literally 14 coaches sitting there in lawn chairs, marking off your skill level from 1-9 in 12 different categories. It'd be intimidating for anybody.

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Thanks for the update, Hec. I'm so proud of all three of you.

"Listen golden boy, you are undoubtedly a legend in your own mind, but don't expect to coast through life on a little dab of native athletic ability and your long flowing locks. You ain't the second coming of Mickey Mantle by a longshot."

You get to say that ten years or so from now when you're rehashing the whole thing at thanksgiving, so you might want to mark that post.

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Okay, so, that Thanksiving thing I did? Turns out, not so altruistic. I appear to have fallen tits over arse in crush with the bloke. That's okay, right?

Saw that coming.

t /Jayne

Owen is unbelievably cute.

Also, in me-related news - I have now lost 18lb. t /weightloss likes carrots.

AND on Friday I found a single solitary Emily The Strange bag sitting in the midst of utterly un-Emily The Strange bags in a bag shop in Cairo. It is pink and white and black, and has the 'Don't bother Meow' picture on the front. I wear a lot of pink and black these days. I am also one of a teeny tiny fraction of people in Cairo who has ever heard of Emily The Strange. Hurrah! And it was only 35LE, ie three pounds fifty.

Life is sweet.

eta Nice work, Hec!

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Cash, Owen is ADORABLE!!!!!

I appear to have fallen tits over arse in crush with the bloke. That's okay, right?

Hee. And awwww.

Coming home a wee bit pissed from his place at four in the morning still counts as a crush, right? Or have I just ruined everything?

Um...it all depends on what, besides drinking, happened until 4AM, doesn't it now?

FAYYYYYY! Hi! Kisses and hugs!

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FAY! My stupid brother was supposed to be in Egypt all fall and I was all excited to hook you guys up and then he went and made his own damn decisions and it all fell apart. Which, yeah, he's 30 and all, but still. I'd have made much better decisions, and he would have met Fay.

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Thanks for the update, Hec. I'm so proud of all three of you.

Thanks, brenda. As a parent you're often keenly aware of the fuckups. But every once in a while you steer the boat through whitewater rapids and rocky shoals and it's the skillful piloting that makes the difference. Not often. But sometimes. It felt like that today.

Also, in me-related news - I have now lost 18lb.

Huzzah! Though, I thought you were absolutely perfect before so I'm dubious that this is necessarily an improvement. As you were already the zenith of charm and desirability it's not like you had anywhere to go. But congratulations. Your hard work is paying off. Maybe some more Fay pictures would be a good idea?

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Cass, sorry about that-- I had AIM closed and didn't realize I was logged in still.

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Ple, I have to say that at one point he reminded me quite a lot of you, and how much Buffy's admission of feeling both superior and inferior resonated with you. Because on top of all his admission of nervousness and anxiety, as we walked toward the ball fields he said, "Do you think I'm legendary?" in all seriousness.

Huh. Y'know, I'm not sure how I feel about this. *g*

Other things I'm not sure of: how I feel about Freaks and Geeks.

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Cass, is it time to go to the doctor? I hope you get better, soon.

I don't even think you need the bubble anymore, Cindy. I am actually feeling better every day. Just some chest congestion that still needs to clear out really. And a little sinus stuff but mostly I am feeling much better. I just tend to post about the plague more its making me hurt.

Darling exBF and his wife got some new furniture so I pretended to help with the arrangement and such. In reality, I sort of was moral support and then we sat around in front of the fire drinking wine.

Also? California Kings? Huge beds. Whoa.

I had AIM closed and didn't realize I was logged in still.

No worries at all.

I just shockingly skipped a brazilian posts cause it's late and I am tired.

I sort of thought I had content but I don't. But crushes are good. Jars should trust in this.

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