Sunday, August 17, 2008

332 miles in 4:48

Just did the long drive back from Gainesville. It was a new personal time record of four hours and forty eight minutes. Thats one stop for gas with relatively light Sunday afternoon traffic.
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I am always sad when I drop my kids off at their mother's apartment. I think about all I am missing, and everything they are missing. Then I get in the car and just go. I watch Florida zoom by the windows and remember the miles and miles of Orange Groves that used to populate the Orlando area when I was a kid. Those groves are mostly gone now, just like my old married life. Both the groves and our marriage were a victim of cold snaps and economics.
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The snapshots of their lives are full color prints, loaded with fun, but they are still just snapshots. Having them down here in Miami was awesome. They loved riding around on the Metro Mover, and we mixed in some Chucky Cheese, the pool, the beach, a Dolphins and Marlins game and some movies, along with some boredom as they watched T.V. and I worked. They also witnessed the drubbing we took in Softball.
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Today as we woke up in the hotel room in Gainesville and I knew I would be dropping them off and doing the 332 to the 305, I was grumpy about it. I always am a little grumpy on the Sundays when I am leaving them to come back to my new life here in Miami.
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I think you take a beating in softball the same way you take it in life. You keep playing, you play your position as best you can, when you get your at bat, you try to hit it hard and also where the other guys aren't. Thats me, driving my car past the old Orange Groves, fielding my position and trying to hit it where they aint. Occasionally mixing in a little Chucky Cheese and riding the Metro mover.

8 comments:

Native Minnow said...

I know exactly how you feel. Hang in there. As long as your kids know you love them, they'll end up alright.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there dude. You are a good guy.


Peace.

Anonymous said...

Your also a Saint for going to Chucky Cheese. I took the Niece and Nephew there onetime and thought I would go nuts. Your top notch brother.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you guys had an eventful week! Good thing the pool isn't a topless one anymore...that would have made it a tad too colorful!

PhoenixHearse said...

I'm so sorry. I can even imagine what that must feel like.

Bill From Gainesville said...

Minnow-- I know they know, and on top of that, they are with me when they are with me. and I KNOW THAT. they love me. I can tell that by the way they act and truthfully it is the most important thing in the world to me.. also So far, anyway I dont think my ex- wife is working against me.
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Ntf- I can tell you that Chucky Cheese has ok pizza so that was good, also I can tell you that my daughter is quite the capitalist. she was working other kids, my son included for tickets
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LDY GATOR -- it is not AS topless I have witnessed the ocassional defiance of the rule but truthfully, the time my kids were there they did not break them out..... (now see the sadness in my voice)
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Phoenix - You are a feeling person, and I know that from talking with you via blogposts - honestly you are probably correct but I will say this: "Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes." Ok, maybe I didn't say it like Billy Joel said it, but he is speaking the truth and these Hellos and goodbyes are clearly quite the perpetual thing.

Bill From Gainesville said...

Minnow-- I know they know, and on top of that, they are with me when they are with me. and I KNOW THAT. they love me. I can tell that by the way they act and truthfully it is the most important thing in the world to me.. also So far, anyway I dont think my ex- wife is working against me.
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Ntf- I can tell you that Chucky Cheese has ok pizza so that was good, also I can tell you that my daughter is quite the capitalist. she was working other kids, my son included for tickets
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LDY GATOR -- it is not AS topless I have witnessed the ocassional defiance of the rule but truthfully, the time my kids were there they did not break them out..... (now see the sadness in my voice)
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Phoenix - You are a feeling person, and I know that from talking with you via blogposts - honestly you are probably correct but I will say this: "Life is a series of hellos and goodbyes." Ok, maybe I didn't say it like Billy Joel said it, but he is speaking the truth and these Hellos and goodbyes are clearly quite the perpetual thing.

Bill From Gainesville said...

SCG -- thanks and I am truly hanging in there ...