Red Rowan the Fierce

So at Thom's work they had a contest to win some super fancy video game. You had to write an essay to the Easter Bunny on why you deserved the game. Thom's WINNING essay is below. Thom worried that they would either think it was really funny or refer him to HR for counseling.

Dear Easter Bunny,

My 16 month old daughter won't leave me alone about getting a copy of God of War II. She's already beaten Call of Duty II three times on Impossible, and is threatening to arrange real melees with the other neighborhood kids, spears, swords and all, if she doesn't get her blood-fix through God of War II soon. The situation is complicated, because I swore to her at a time she was trying to give up gaming altogether, that I would never buy it for her.

So, I'm stuck! And you can save lives! I can't buy her a copy and remain a man of honor (if I reneg on my word, she'll likely push even harder to overthrow me), but if I don't, the neighborhood children will be drilled in the ancient arts of phalanx warfare, and driven against each other for sport. I don't think they understand she means to use unbated blades--but she can be very persuasive.

None of this is your responsibility, of course, but you do have the power to save my honor and the lives and limbs of countless toddlers by sending a copy of God of War II home to Rowan, called the Fierce, or the Red.

Thank you for considering our cause.

Thom

Working with the Peewee

I try to check my e-mail as often as possible, although today I finally checked it like at 10:30pm. Luckily there wasn't much on there. I have been feeling really tired at night. Rowan likes to check e-mail with Mama, unfortunately that often means that she manages to shut my laptop down just as I am reading an e-mail from my boss. She loves that on/off button.

I love being home on Tuesdays and Thursdays all day to just be with my daughter. She is so much fun. I am trying to develop discipline that when I work I am focused and when I am not working, I am all Mama. I have trouble when I get home from work turning off that part of my brain that is thinking about all that I have left undone and all that I have to do. I want to focus in on Rowan and I cherish so much the time we spend together. I enjoy my job and it is very much part of me. If I didn't work at all I think I would lose a huge part of what makes me, well me. Some days I feel like I suck at my job and I suck at being a Mom. There are days when I am overwhelmed and distraught. I get torn between my values and my ambitions and my day-to-day realities. If I worked more and pushed more, I would be financially more stable. If I stayed at home maybe I would be a better Mother. I don't want to let Rowan down. Some days, I worry about the crazy balancing act that I have going. Today, I know I could do a better job at both but I look forward to trying to do better tomorrow.