The shape of things

What does that mean?

When you look at something for the first time, there are those basic characteristics that jump out at you and connect with your primordial senses at their simplest. This exchange of information either triggers you to invest further energy and thought into the sub layers that make up landscape or move on to the next thing of more interest. And for this, that’s all it is, a quick and superficial synopsis of what’s going on and maybe there’s curiosity and maybe there’s not. In any case, every story needs a starting point.

Why am I doing this?

I have always been a thinker and a self examiner. This is an exercise in that kind of mindset. For me this activity has always lead to a healing of sorts of just about any of the mental or spiritual ails that have passed through my life. I have found that this self examination has also prepared me for many of the things that have come and that may come. I typically recommend taking the time to think about things and self debate.

Also I have always had a love of instructing and guiding others. If my musings can help other single fathers or parents in any way, than at least I can feel like I contributed something to the world.

Who is this for?

Primarily, myself because I find value in being open, honest, and somewhat vulnerable to a point. It provides a sense of a cleansing and everyone should to do it in some form. Think confession sans the deities and required hail marys; just observation and perhaps some judgment from a few friends, myself, and anyone else who might feel some kind of connection to my experiences.

The Cast:

The Flawed Protagonist-

I find myself, I gather, at the midpoint of my life, this of course using the Laotian scale of life expectancy, and I definitely am being a little generous here (63.2 years avg. according to some). Maybe since I basically grew up in Oregon and bred on a mixed palate of traditional Laotian sit-on-the-floor-rice-and-meat-of-the-day-family-style meals and Made-in-the-USA –Idaho potatoes-N’-pot-roast-dinners and other related processed products, I could either add or subtract a few years. I guess time will tell after all.

I am divorced. A single father; Recent College Grad.; Recent Phi Delta Theta Fraternity Alumnus; Recent laid-off employee; A recent candidate for the Hillsboro Police department; etc. I have many other hats I juggle while trying to keep some sort of balance with them, in an effort so as to neither lose any nor gain too many more.

Spawn-
Two boys: Savon (14)

and Amari (12.5)

who live and put up with me.

One girl: Melah (7.5) who lives with mom (the ex). This will be a surprise to some and I will explain this complicated situation later.

Family of mild dysfunction-
My immediate family consists of my father (the man-child), my mother (the boss), a younger brother (the 31-year-old-teenager), and a younger still sister (the armed- pharmacists). I did have another brother who died at the age of 18months when we were still in Laos. I also have relatives at the bookends of the U.S. as well as some in Canada and numerous others in Laos, who are currently to me, are just people in pictures.

With special Appearances by my nephew-

Malik (10)

And that is pretty much it; the start of this exercise, a look into my experience and musings about life as a single dad. Soon I will be adding a couple more sets of stories; hopefully, my journey towards becoming an officer of the law and public servant, and eventually for some, the story of how I came to be.

For now, this should give you a glimpse, of the shape of things.