The Rule of Thumb

Here are my five rules…

1. No Whining
2. Always Share
3. Remember your Please and Thank You’s
4. Listen to the Adults
5. **Uncle Oliver is always right

** The Rule of Thumb!!


On Monday School started for my 3 nephews. Over the past 9 months I have gotten to spend an extended period of time with them so they feel more like my own children than they do my nephews!! The youngest was starting K-4 and boy was he excited. In the morning they were all running around the house, but he was ready to go first. He had on his little book bag and was ready to go!!! It is amazing has fast they grow.

Taking them to school was a family affair!! Their parents were there along with my mom. I walked with them as we went into the courtyard and quickly dispersed to find their old friends. For the first time, all three boys ages 8, 6, & 3 were attending the same school. Their excitement was only topped by my anxiety as a concerned uncle. I know you have to let them go, but I was just a too attached to the youngest one. As he was sitting in his chair I could not help but smile at him as he was becoming his own person. No more flips, no more trips to the bathroom, he has grown up into a little man.

Over the summer I taught the kids the rules listed above. Of all the rules the most important is rule #5 or the rule of Thumb. Uncle Oliver is always right!!! This has become a joke between us, but now it is going to be challenged as they are all growing in knowledge and learning to think independently. The theory of Uncle Oliver always being right will soon be tested and challenged, as they grow older. As I enjoy my place of autocracy, I realize that part of their development will be to challenge the ideas and customs taught to them. The oldest has already discovered this independence of thought as he often tells me that I am not always right!!

As I review this list I wonder how much better each of our lives would be if we stuck to these five rules?

1. No Whining. - I am guilty of this many times over!!
2. Always Share – what would the world be like if those who controlled all the wealth truly followed this simple principle
3. Remember your Please’s and Thank You’s – Again, how many times in a day do we take thing for granted or forget to appreciate the little things that people do for us?
4. Listen to the Adults – Forget the adults, just listen, and don’t wait for your turn to speak!! I think again such a simple premise has been forgotten!!
5. Well, the Rule of Thumb should definitely be followed!! I am pretty sure that I would do a great job running things around here, but hey, nobody asked me how things should go!!

It is like one of those poster’s that read, Everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten!! If you ask any of my nephews what the five rules are they can tell you in a snap. I wonder if they could teach the world at least 4 out of 5??

K Fed

Poor Brittany!!

Last night, between soccer matches, I was forced to watch the “K Fed” performance and the teen choice awards. How exciting!! This was quite possibly the worst performance by anyone I have ever seen in my life. It was like watching an American Idol performance gone horribly wrong!! After his “performance” they could only find one group of people who were cheering…I think it was his family!! He even looks like a young Vanilla Ice, a name no one wants to be compared to for any reason!! I feel sorry for Brittany and her baby daddy!! It’s not funny when everyone is laughing at you and you don’t even know it.

Soccer Addict!!

Me…. a Soccer Hooligan???

A few months ago I wrote a blog on a soccer match that would be taking place between Barcelona and London Arsenal. This match features two of the world’s premiere players and was a precursor to the World Cup. As the world cup approached, my personal interest was at an all time peak!! I was excited to see America compete on the world stage and finally bring us some well-deserved respect!! That didn’t happen. The American team laid a big fat goose egg. Even though the competition was stiff, they really left their game stateside. This was a good thing for me. With no real media attention to the US team, the focus was on the rest of the world. My eyes really became open to “Soga Bonita”.

The World Cup had become my addiction. So much so, that when it was all said and done, I was beside myself with nothing to watch on TV. I could not get enough soccer. I scoured the Internet gathering information on every team and player I could find. I am completely, and have really since, ignoring the ongoing baseball season in preparation for the English Premiere league, which began this weekend. Just as in any sport I enjoy, the true sign of obsession is one thing….The Video Game!!

Whether its Madden, College Football, NBA Live, Baseball, or Golf. If it was a sport that I enjoyed, I was going to own the video game. When I was younger, I would stay up all night with a friend playing either Madden or College football until the sun came up. Recently I was over a friend’s house and he broke out a game that simulated the World Cup. Instantly my passion had been rekindled. We played a couple of matches and I got hooked. I went out and rented a game and just this weekend purchased it. Ironically, the game features countries from all over the world. My first team was Jamaica, of course, but they are still a bit raw in the game. My second team is the Queen’s own English Team!! Beckham, Rooney, and the boys have become my choice assassins. I am a addict!!

Last night was another session. As I arrived, the smack talking began!! 6 months ago if you had told me that I would not only own a soccer game, but be bragging about how good I was, I might have had you committed!! Now, I am a full-blown soccer hooligan. I spent hours on the phone with my brother in England discussing strategy and players. My knowledge of the sport, formations, and players has increased so rapidly that I recently joined a Fantasy Football (soccer) league in England. Isn’t the Internet great!! I cannot get enough soccer. My brother-in-law and I argue daily about players and why Jamaica’s team can’t get it together!!

I realized this weekend how bad my addiction has become. Not only was I driving 45 minutes just to play a couple of matches, in my dreams I am thinking about it. I wake up and search the net for unknown players who I can add to my team. Last night I played until a little after 3 AM and am up at 7 thinking about it again….I may need to see somebody about it….this can’t be healthy!!

In Due Time

This is one of my favorite rap songs. Driving down the road it comes up on my playlist. Like a Ginsu knife, these words cut straight to my heart. It always amazes me how someone else’s words can audiate exactly what you want to say in your mind. As I am going through a sudden career change, Cee-Lo’s lyrics rip right into my mind and remind me of the peace I am still searching for.

Song: In Due Time
ARTIST (I stress ARTIST): Outkast f/ Cee-Lo
Album: Soul Food Soundtrack

Cee-Lo: Verse 2
Strugglin's just a part of my day
Many obstacles have been placed in my way
I know the only reason that I make it through
Is because I never stop believin in you
Some people wonder why we here in the first place
They can't believe because they ain't never seen your face
But even when you pray, the next day you gotta try
Can't wait for nobody to come down out the sky
You've got to realize that the world's a test
You can only do your best and let Him do the rest
You've got your life, and got your health
So quit procrastinatin and push it yourself
You've got to realize that the world's a test
You can only do your best and let Him do the rest
You've got your life, and got your health
So quit procrastinatin..

Chorus:
Just keep your faith in me
Don't act impatiently
You'll get where you need to be, in due time
Even when things are slow
Hold on and don't let go
I'll give you what I owe, in due time


Again these lyrics seem to sum up my feelings over the past couple of weeks. As the changes are rapidly approaching on the horizon it is important to hang on to my faith and understand that we “can only do our best and let him(God) do the rest”. Understanding that blessing do come down from above, but they also happen to those seek them out. Life is such a precious gift to not squeeze every drop out of it, would be a waste. My persistence will pay off one day I am sure, in this life or the next!!