Category Archives: family

Mar 11 2007
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family

Tim Elhajj Knows What Time It Is

Daylight Savings Time is here and I have one clock radio that I can’t figure out how to update. It’s one of those self-setting clocks that uses some sort of heuristics to keep itself up to date. I bought it years ago at Costco, thinking it was the kind that updates itself using radio waves. When I discovered my mistake, I was disappointed but not enough to take it back. I set it so infrequently I have never been able to memorize how to do it. There is a PDF manual on my computer somewhere, but I haven’t gotten around to finding it yet.

If I can hold out three more weeks, I guess it’ll update itself A LITTLE BIT LATE THIS YEAR.

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Mar 08 2007
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family

Speaking of Sex…

11-26-2007 015

I recently had a chance to discuss sex with my nine-year old son, Aaron, and it was possibly the most satisfying parenting experience I’ve had in a long time.

After being cooped up with the kids for an entire week of Winter Break, where first one, and then the other, came down with the flu, Holly and I went out Saturday evening. When we got back home, the babysitter, a twelve-year old from across the street, was out on the front porch to greet us, and he looked excited.

Never a good sign.

As I got out of the car, he started talking about having an evening that was a babysitter’s worst nightmare. “Oh, my,” I thought. My mind raced with possible worst case scenarios, but I tried to present a calm front.

“Yes?” I encouraged.

He stuttered nervously and looked at his feet. “You know the computer in Kennedy’s room?” he said. My daughter Kennedy is a budding writer. I had just set her up with an old laptop to write stories on, so she wouldn’t have to bug Holly for time on her laptop. “They were looking at something they probably shouldn’t be looking at.” He said this last part with so much  gravity it was hard not to laugh.

“Really?” I said.

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Jan 19 2007
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family

RIP: George Kolarac (1935 – 2007)

George Kolarac, my mother’s brother, died earlier this week. This is on the heels of the death of his brother, Sam, and his sister, Carol, which all happened in the last 6 months. Poor Mom! Her family is collapsing all around her.

I called her up this morning and she was typical Mom, tough as nails. I know I ran into George at the last wedding or picnic, but I remember him best from when I was a kid. Huge, barrel-chested man, with a massive head, like an upturned bucket resting on his shoulders. Mom told me he played high school football for Bishop McDevitt. My first thought was how could they afford McDevitt? Turns out he won a scholarship. His obit says he played in the 1953 Orange Bowl for Maryland. I suppose his athletic ability is his legacy, but I remember him best for his big laugh and gentle spirit.

So long Uncle George!

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