random access memory

I was sitting here, yesterday afternoon, preparing for a student.  The sound of Meego's video game humming and crashing nicely to my left.  When I heard a car door shut in the driveway followed by the pitter patter of big feet, I assumed that Wolfgang was  home earlier than usual from cross country practice.

The pitter patter crashed down the stairs to where we were, and Chaco appeared.

Recall that Chaco is "away" at college.  About 7 miles "away".  Since he lives in the dorm, though, he could be in the next state over.  He doesn't often bless us with his presence, and I think that's a good thing.  He really seems to be loving the college life.  I knew that he could barely wait to be done with high school last year, and managed to keep his grades up mainly because that made getting into college easier.

He'd known for some time what he wanted to study.  He visited one other state school, but in the end, the local university was an easy choice.  It has one of the top programs in the country for his major.  Plus, three of his good friends were going there, for the same program.

Magnum and I were silently tickled.  It's a good school.  I love that it's so close.  Plus, it's a relative bargain.  Add the fact that his major is both in demand and quite nerdy, his enginerd parents are geekily  happy.

College:  all about the merchandising

Now, Wolfgang is in that soup.  He's not as honed in as Chaco was.  He's a lot like I was at that age.  So many different interests, how to choose one?  Our visit to CU last week was fun for us both, and I think  enlightening to him.  Since then, he seems to have a new fervor for looking to the future.






Magnum and I suck at helicopter parenting.  On purpose.  We think the kids should figure out their own paths, knowing that we ARE watching and interested and supportive (within reason).  They should also learn from their own mistakes (within reason)

Wolfgang has been asking more about college admissions and grades, etc., since it's often part of my job to advise on these things.  His grades have slipped the last couple of semesters, which is why we began enforcing The Agreement regarding his participation in extracurriculars.  They're not horrible, but I know he can do better.  NOW, he cares.  It really is all connected, hello!

I'm glad he's seen the light.  As cross country season is coming to an end, I was hoping for alternative incentives.

And Chaco?  He came home to get one of our card tables, so the guys can play poker in their "living room".

"Hmmm, I was going to ask you something, but now I forgot", I remembered.

"Oh yeah", it came to me,"Do you have our wool blanket?", I asked

"No", he asserted.  "You mean the wool blanket you put in here?", he said while opening the small closet to my right.

"Uh.... yeah, that one".

There.  Got my blanket.

And, so far, a couple of good sons to care for their mother in her senility.
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