DaddysRus.com

Subway Records Andrew Rallo promotes NYC subway buskers (Includes interview)

2010-02-19T05:11:00.000-08:00

Subway Record's Andrew Rallo promotes NYC subway's buskers (Includes interview)

Posted using ShareThis

FLIP HD Review- 3 1/2 Stars

2010-01-27T20:07:00.000-08:00

I reached out to FLIP few weeks back, to see if there was any interest in advertising on www.DaddysRus.com. The important thing to understand is the last thing I want on my blog is advertising. However, FLIP is a product I simply can not live without and is the only advertiser I would consider having on my website. I recently received the FLIP MINO HD in the mail, an upgrade from my old flip cam. The HD quality, HD sound and how it feels in my hand is enough to make my Blackberry jealous. I love it when a product says what it does.

Having my first flip for more than a year, it never gave me one problem, even after living and banging around in my pocket for most of that time. It never even crashed and the quality on the original FLIP MINO was still better than anything my SONY handy cam produced. FLIP was a 1/4 of the price.

The MINO HD is a WOW product. Love the no nonsense one button technology. Easy one click upload to both Youtube and Facebook is very cool and makes videos easy to share. Plus, no accessories are needed so the baby can still eat! Battery life, when managed, can be as much as 3 weeks without a charge.

It's compatible. I have a MAC air, 3x HP laptops and Dell Desktop and I have plugged the MINO HD into all my computers and have had no problem recognizing the FLIP and playing videos.

I gave it 3 1/2 stars because I like to see the Flip Mino HD made even smaller. It be great to have a cool leather lanyard to pimp around my DaddyYO neck. Are those even available?? Other issues with the camera is the zoom. It's not that good and wont capture anything I cant already see with the naked eye. Also, every time I take out the FLIP cam to shoot video, LittleYO wants to hold it in his hand. It would be a great additional feature to add a LOCK button on the side, to help keep kids from recording 3 second videos of their feet. It's pretty difficult for a kid to delete anything form the cam, but it still can happen. My videos are gold to me.

Live by the FLIP, Share your Flip. For me, there is nothing better than capturing video in HD and those simple moments like your LittleYO sitting outside, playing with his golf club and just singing that we will forever look back on in FLIP HD.

Thank You FLIP!

(Really not happy with how the video was converted on Youtube. It definitely does not do HD quality justice.) I will look into this further.

"Freakonomics"

2010-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

It can get get hectic! To be true to my thoughts and posts being a DaddyYO is tough, overwhelming and down right confusing at times. It's not all smiles and cute videos. Recently, we went to the store and LittleYO freaked out. These public FREAK OUTS is what I feared most about being a parent. Honestly, when this happens I'm a fish out of water. I don't have a clue what to do, how to handle him or myself. It's a place that reminds me of college at 4:20am in the morning where I cant find my way out of the bathroom. I'm lost.

The following week at a different store, the same thing, another freak out! Seriously? What is going on!? I try and talk him down off the ledge in the middle of the store. He screaming and like the incredible hulk he's trying to stretch free out-of-his-stroller. I'm waiting for his seat belt to snap and his skin to turn green! The eye daggers of parents walking by us, stab me in the back and is not helping my mental or current situation.

I'm not lying, I was profusely sweating and like the current situation, the room was starting to spin out of control. I stood up from my "crouching baby hidden tiger" pose to catch my breath. "I think I'm going to pass out"....It was time to leave.

LittleYO now securely in his carseat has already forgotten about what happen inside the store. Looking back at him in the backseat, he's smiling and having a good ol time. I'm left still feeling angry, disappointed, confused and some other emotions I have yet to classify. Driving home in complete silence....

At what point in our lives do we start to hold onto emotions that carry over into our days and our future experiences? It's because of this "carry over" of emotions from previous experiences that the mind has a way of deteriorating moments for what they actually are, positive or negative. As an adult, this effects everything!

When was last time I experienced a situation without the interference of memories of past experiences? Depending on how the current situation aligns with my expectations, that are based on previous experiences, will then interpret the outcome of the current situation; "good" or "bad". I think I may be living in the past....

Damn, I wasn't planning on getting this deep....I'm going with it...

The point to all of this is based on my last two experiences in store "freak outs" with LittleYO I mentioned to MommyYO that "I'm not going to the store ever again with LittleYO". I was wrong. Being a DaddyYO and living through these situations for the first time is closest I will ever get to experiencing what youth was like as an adult. Like LittleYO, we are experiencing something for the very first time, together. That's what's important. It was during this trip to the store I learned more from LittleYO than he did from me.

"For there is nothing either good or bad, thinking makes it so."
- William Shakespeare (1564-1616), Hamlet, II.ii

Finding their Passion for Life. Support your LittleYo's urge to drum solo to Rush Chronicles!

2010-01-04T08:57:00.000-08:00

It’s been a while since my last post. I have found myself experiencing this holiday season from a much different perspective, a DaddyYO perspective. LittleYo, now 14 months things are starting to happen, QUICK! I found myself multiple times saying out loud “Did he just say that?” “Did he just do that?” “Wait, what just happen?"

This holiday season was truly a miracle as I got to watch LittleYo grow like a leaf that once sat on my college dorm window sill. I turn my head for a second and he went from walking to running to climbing stairs and on my final days off he gave my kisses when I asked him. I really don’t know what else I could say….but for all you DaddyYO’s out there, I know you understand what I’m talking about…

The past 16 days included traveling by plane and car, a family door to door holiday tour, a stomach bug, lots of presents, laughter and love. I even had some time to relax. It was during these busy days I started to realize, during our visits with the familyYO’s, that LittleYo took to certain niece and nephew toys more than others. It made me think about my responsibility as a parent to help LittleYo explore the world and all the toys inside that makes life worth living. I'm going to help him find his passion...

For example, during our visit at Aunt & UncleYO’s house and our nephew EadinYO, now three years old, got a drum set from GrandmaYO for Xmas. The drum set was kept upstairs away from the main room downstairs. With all the gifts now open downstairs, I weaved and chased LittleYo around to be sure not another ribbon or bow was consumed. Holding him in my arms, his heads drifted up and eye contact was made with the ol mighty drum set sitting shiny upstairs. Pushing off my face with his hands, his feet off my chest, I placed him down on the ground. He ran over to the stairs and climbed them like a tiger jumping on rocks to get to the top of the mountain. The stairs twisted and turned. LittleYo was on a “mission”. I knew one thing and that was I was not about to disrupt this possible magic moment.

Following close behind, he never looked back at me. He climbed. One step, another step all the way to the top and at the final step he stood up. In front of him was the ol mighty drum set. He stood there for about a min staring at the snare and the cymbal, not moving, just staring. Wanting to say something to LittleYo, I forced my urge to talk and just watched to see what was going to happen next.

As fast as a tiger spots prey, he spotted the two drum sticks lying on the ground. He instinctively picked them up, sat down on the swivel stool and jammed out a beat that I recognized as RUSH Chronicles. That’s what I heard any way….

Could drums be a possible passion, maybe. I'm sure there will be a lot more interests that come his way. I think as long as we DaddyYO's can recognize these magical moments before we can say "NO!" all will be right in the world.

I now present LittleYO's very first Drum Solo to RUSH Chronicles:

Happy New Year DaddyYO's!

TO VLOG or BLOG....that is my question?

2009-12-01T07:44:00.000-08:00

Back from Thanksgiving break, a mini vacation an appetizer for the holiday time that is about to come with XMAS.

....so I'm really digging LaurenYO Vlogs. She has me thinking, maybe I should VLOG instead of blog. Honestly, I'm more likely to watch than read. Was wondering what you thought? Please vote.

Quizzes by Quibblo.com

Don’t hate the caveman, blame history! Relish in the patriarchal consequences..

2009-11-19T07:01:00.000-08:00

The more I write about how we DaddyYo’s need to express and “be there” as much as we can for our LittleYo’s, the more I grow concerned about jeopardizing the good thing we DaddyYO’s have; lower parenting expectations than MommyYO.

Four score and a million diapers ago our fathers brought forth the role of the “DaddyYO” conceived in low expectations, and dedicated to the proposition that all men really don’t want any responsibility, at all.

It’s kind of funny to think back to a prehistoric time of the caveman who habits and role in the family still lurks in the current patriarchal hierarchy. DaddyCaveYO leaving the cave to hunt and gather dinner while MommyCaveYO stayed behind, piercing their nipples and getting butterfly tattoos on their lower back side, teaching and caring for our LittleCaveYO’s. Even though times have changed, just a little bit, and now both parents work, those lessons still run deep in our psyche and are now firmly rooted into the DNA of our current generation. Is this why DaddyYO gets no credit or reference in parenting books and websites? However, I have learned an important lesson.

I don't want credit, give all the credit to MommyYO. More credit equals more work, higher expectations and more responsibility. Rather than complaining about not enough of DaddyYO recognition on websites, TV, and books I'm become a fan of the current societal image of low parental expectations. So let's relish in our DaddyYO images and can I get a prehistoric AMEN!

I’m confident, there will be some naysayer who will oppose and deny this claim. I laugh at you, as I sit on my couch, in my cave, playing Call of Duty, Modern Warfare (Which is Awesome!)

Depending on your perspective, we'll always live in prehistoric times. Do we want to exceed DaddyYO patriarchal expectations and become more involved in areas we don't wish to become more involved in, like changing more diapers. Nope. If we did, the result on our futures roles could be catastrophic. We must fulfill the destiny of our forefathers, maintain low DaddyYO expectations in society and pass on “the good life” to our LittleYo’s .

Therefore, we MUST tell our MommyYO’s how much we love them, how much we appreciate them and how much we desperately need them!. Tell MommyYO EVERYDAY and than REPEAT. Do it for the future DaddyYO's, Do it for our forefather's and history of daddyo kind. Mommy is the center of the family, deal with it or change more diapers. Your choice?

Don’t hate the caveman, blame history! Relish in the patriarchal consequences.

Be a Man and Buy Knee Pads. - haha

2009-11-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

Getting on the ground with LittleYO and playing, is very important to both me and LittleYo. It's also been a reminder of my age and how certain parts of my body are not what they used to be; My knees.

Running on my knees chasing LittleYo, to be able to stop, go and spin like a breeze is important if I don't want him catching me on my way to my next hiding spot. It's the most exciting part of my day. However, After 10 min, I'm left coughing up a lung with bruised and busted knee caps. It sucks.

I joined the gym and started running ONCE again this past week. I'm hoping I can keep it up longer than the last time " I started" working out. However, this time, I'm not doing it for myself. This time, I'm doing it for my family, for LittleYO.

So far - so good, ran 9 miles this week. I think back to the time when I ran the NYC marathon and my finish time was 3:51 min. I have no idea how I did that, but I know I could do it. Maybe someday I'll try again.

So feeling better about myself, I was in Target and came across some knee pads. Yes, you heard me right. I picked them up thinking to myself "Please, don't buy knee pads, please!" I felt there was so many (selfish) reasons why not to buy them, more importantly, I needed to buy something else. There was no way I was going up the register with just knee pads. Long story short, came across a "ManChair" for LittleyO and there I was, buying knee pad and manchair at the register.

I ran around last night, on my knees for a good 30 min, my knees feel great. LittleYO laughed like a little elf and when we are are done- we ChillyYo'd in our man chairs.

So be a man and buy knee pads. I guess so.

DaddyYo loves you!

2009-11-11T11:12:00.000-08:00

Love is not something DaddyYo's usually talk about, not sure why. I'm going to try and figure it out.

Love is as much a DaddyYO thing as it's a MommyYO thing. Its a human thing. There's no denying it. However, more parenting sites/books speak to MommyYO if at all DaddyYO. Why is that? (Love the Dad-blog!)

Those DaddyYo’s who tell and teach their LittleYo's the meaning of Love from the start, probably went through hard times in their own lives to truly understand the word; which makes these DaddyYo’s tougher than most. However, lack of communicating this LOVE and caught up in the old ways of the world in which we were raised has put DaddYO in the back chapters of parenting books and on the 2nd string "parent team".

Love is a powerful thing, almost alien. Love overrides those less useful emotions like hate, insecurity etc. Therefore, the more we say "I Love you" to our LittleYo’s the more we're both empowered as human beings. The more human powers we can control, like our emotions, the more we control our situational outcomes. The sooner you understand this, the better you are off in this crazy world.

We DaddyYo’s need to step it up and not only be more of a teacher of this most important and powerful emotion but to communicate it more openly. Don’t worry; it won’t make your pecker any smaller.

No Dude wants to share his full range of emotions, especially love. When was the last time you’re drinking beers with your buddies, playing poker talking about love? Sounds funny, not sure why it is…I guess its how we were raised as kids, social acceptance and gender specific behavior that effects who we become as adults. We are taught this from birth like having your room painted blue for boys and pink for girls. I’m not saying for us men to sit around for hours talking about Love…C’mon!

I know, It’s a sensitive DaddyYo subject. We are all at fault. For example when I'm sad, I don't cry, I scream and yell (never at MommyYo!) at the top of my lungs because it more gender appropriate response for a man to scream rather than cry. I’m cool with it. It’s what I learned and how I was programmed growing up. Another example, reading this blog entry about “Love” (I can’t even believe some of the things I’m writing) the whole thing sounds gay. This is all a clear testament of the change that needs to take place within us, DaddyYo’s. I’m not scared.

The lesson learned is simple; by not communicating and sharing this intense emotion we not only dwarf our own spiritual and family growth but have passed on the "meat head" genes to our LittleYo’s. We all want the best for our LittleYo’s, our families and for Meat heads to just go away. Maybe someday parenting sites and books will reference more of the DaddyYO and give us the credit and recognition we deserve.

Remember, DaddyYO loves you!

What you can learn from UncleYO: "Be there" - so easy...so valuable!

2009-11-03T05:57:00.001-08:00

I'm not talking about some "solution", maybe I am. DaddyYO for one full year and my responsibilities, no question, have changed. From the younger years of having no responsibility to today, I guess we all change; I guess so does my purpose.

The question is do we have "A Purpose", do we have many purposes, does it even matter?

Its a question, I more often ask myself. I know five years ago, my purpose was to A) get laid B) make lots of money, so someday I can settle down and get married. Never giving "the later" much thought in my youth because it was completely out of my realm of understanding. Looking back, that thought process doesn't even make any sense, but it was my purpose.

Finally, Adulthood. The stage of life I never thought I'd reach. It's different but it also beautiful thing. It almost doesn't seem possible to be where I am now. Ask my friends and they tell you three years ago that A) no women would ever marry me because I'm crazy B) To teach a child values and a purpose according to what I know and learned thus far in my life would be very scary. I agree.

However, somewhere along the way, almost subconsciously, my purpose (values) was slowly changing, almost preparing me for what my future had in store. Looking back, of course, I see this change slowly occurring now. Today, I'm def more prepared, excited (not scared) to teach and show my son his world, to be his guide along the way. To help answer his questions that will open up more possibilities and more questions...This is my new purpose. Is it? Sort of....

During LittleYO birthday party a few weeks back, I turned to my my UncleVinYo and said "WOW, Can't believe he's 1 years old. That was quick. Now what?" UncleYo turned to me and said three words "Just Be There". I wasn't sure what he meant so I asked him. He replied "Be there when he's sick, be there when he's happy, sad, be there for his first game, his first day of school, his first date. Just be there!"

WOWWY Howie! UncleYO is right! and so no doubt I may be over thinking this whole purpose thing and maybe it is easier by "Just being there". It's the best advice I have received thus far as a DaddyYO. So no matter what my purpose is now or what it becomes later it doesn't matter because I will always be there- until he figures this out for himself - at 34 years old!

...JUST BE THERE. That was awesome. Thank you UncleYO!

Happy Halloween_ SuperYO

2009-11-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

Halloween for DaddyYO was never this much fun.

LitttleYO and BuddyYO- The simplicity of youth, the happiness of children and the sound of laughter.

2009-10-25T19:33:00.000-07:00

As you get older- some realize, more than others, when not to speak. This week is one of those times for DaddyYO.

The simplicity of youth, the happiness of children and the sound of laughter. It's these things in life that remind us who we are, where we came from and all the more reason to look forward to tomorrow.

Have great week DaddyYO's!

"Parent- Hood"- Real or Fiction - at the least, we can make this into a movie!

2009-10-20T06:00:00.001-07:00

Before posting the 1st Birthday recap which was a great one, I wanted to share with you something that happen to me this morning.

Today leaving the house and saying good bye to LittleYO is something I do everyday. Recently it's become progressively tougher for me to do. Mainly because his personality is coming out and he now realizes that I'm leaving him for the day, again. Now, this morning was no different from other mornings, until I got off the subway today in downtown Manhattan....

Everyday to get to work, I walk passed a day care center in lower Manhattan. All the mommyyo's and daddyyo's are dropping their kids off. Each day I hear the same things "I love you and I will see you later". I started to think that as adults we have become F'in retarded, my self included. Why must we miss out on the day-to-day with our kids? There is nothing more we want as parentyo's than to be with our kids. However, we have become trained to go to work and say good bye...hug and kiss your baby and tell then to have a "nice day". Seriously, this is bull sh*&! (I'm not allowed to curse anymore since Littlyo picked up on the word "Shit" last week)...

Parent-hood 1. One who begets, gives birth to, or nurtures and raises a child; a father or mother.

Now, let be honest. In order to raise a child, both parents have to work. Are we parenting? Is spending time with your child for two hours in the morning and two hours at night (if I get home on time) parenting? So I have an idea...!

It’s a ridiculous idea. However, the more thought I gave it; the more I wanted to feed it. Everything is situational. Humans have the innate ability to adapt. Looking back at the economy over the last few years, it's been hard, we adapted to new life styles and survived one the toughest economic collapses in history. So why not adapt to a lifestyle that benefits you, your family and friends. I call it PARENT- HOOD!
.
"Parent-Hood" - Call it a "town", call it "Religion", call it a "CULT", call it "Alternative Living", and call it anything you want. A town for families to spend the first 2 years of your kids life together, as a family among other families. A town that takes care of you and your family, as long as you take care of it back. A town that allows you to live, laugh, love as a family and allows you to spend the time, we can only dream with our kids. A town with no work, no nannies and no weekly paychecks. A town, a parent-HOOD, that redefines and grows the relationship with our family and "LittleYo's". Ya see, all children are born with the potential to be great! By simply being there, as parents, for our kids, they have a better chance of reaching a whole new level of achievement.

After two years families, from all over the world, who lived in "Parent-Hood" return back to their lives in the "old world". We return to our old lifestyles of work and nannies and weekly paychecks. However, because of the last two years we have spent with our families, we are changed people. We have a better and stronger sense of family values and community. An idea that starts with the family, effects the community and potentially the future of the world.

Granted this is nonsense post that borders on the line of delusional. However, if this thought could become something more by writing it down and somehow change the way we all are programmed to live our lives; maybe as parents, we can become less delusional to the current role we have lead to believe is "Ok" or the Norm".

We don't need to say "I love you and I will see you later".

Happy 1st Birthday LittleYO!

2009-10-11T16:59:00.000-07:00

I can't believe this week, last year, LittleYO arrived. My boy turns one and the old folks telling me to "enjoy it, it goes by quick" weren't kidding. Looking back, I shake my head and think how lucky I am to have this super kid in my life. It was a good year and the 8 months off of work ( not by choice) in the beginning of the year, actually ended up being a good thing. To be able to spend his first 8 months of life together was priceless. I'm thankful.

Preparing for his birthday has been more exciting than I thought. A lot of preparation...including LittleYO's first haircut. It never ends, new DaddyYO experiences everyday. New words and he even took his first steps today! Its awesome and I can not wait for tomorrow, to spend more time with him. It's what I live and work for, my family.

My first year as a DaddyYO, I've learned life is ordinary, family makes it extraordinary and experiences that you share together is what makes life so great! I will treasure every moment and will forever Live, Laugh and Love with my HERO~!

AT&T Sucks

2009-09-29T18:38:00.001-07:00

I got 3G 5 bar reception
Still can't make a call...
Because of AT&T congestion

Spend a buck fifty a month
minutes, still not enough
I spend 3 hours on the phone with support
What I'd like to do is take AT&T to federal court.
Its one thing to spend 400 dollars for a blackberry bold,
its another after 30 min, that I'm still on hold.

Its just plain cold to treat a customer like this
my thoughts of canceling start to bring me happiness.
I can't take the hold music for one more note,
Support comes back and they finally spoke
"your On the line with tech support"
Waitng for them to finish
"...Btw they don't speak any English."

Eyes blurry my mind races
I like to punch Att in their faces.
Robbing me of my dignity
and my time...
this is nothing short of a Telecrime.

AT&T sucks.

So now my device is LittleYo's toy phone
to never be turned on again to forever remain at home
its the happiest my bold has made me in a long long time
and now that I look at him play, worth every dime.

DaddyYO rapp re-cap

2009-09-21T18:39:00.000-07:00

...his words connect like a chain necklace knotted-
waving to the dog that is spotted,
smiling when daddyyo fart-ed.
Singing in the morning to a tune not playing thorough the speakers
while trying on daddyo sneakers
This is certain -ly is a gift,
a twist on the top of my list,
to replace a single life with pure happiness.

Playing on the floor and bangging together two cars
Replacing single dollar bills and late nights at tittty bars.
It never felt so good, teaching littleyo what is right!
keep two hands up, protect your face in a fight.
Not walking yet, but he thinks he is....this guy is already for showbiz.
Pop Quiz ...
A square has four sides minus a diamond that has three, equals mommyyo will always be the ONE for him and me.

From carry to hold to walk with me daddy.
His hair is so long,
his laugh is LOUD and the one hug he gives me before bedtime, is what makes me so proud.
To hold his little head on on my shoulder,
I wish this time was never over.

Moving at the SPEED of Time!

2009-08-23T17:47:00.000-07:00

Talking, laughing, almost walking and two months away my LittleYO turns 1 years old. Amazing how time flies...

One of the things that I remember most when I was younger was having to sit in the corner of the classroom when I couldn't prevent myself from expressing myself, mostly at in appropriate times! "Go sit in the corner for 10 min and be quite!" teacher after teacher, classroom after classroom. 10 min used to seem like forever and if you add them all up, I'm sure it was. Grounded for a day seemed like eternity. Not any more....

Time is a funny thing, now a days, weeks and years go by at the speed of light. I think as DaddyYO's we can not forgot that our LittleYO's wrist watch moves slower (relative time and space) then ours and we can not forgot to put our words into their perspective; in a way consistent with their understanding of the world. Talk like them, get on the ground and play... be 10 months again with your littleYO's! grow with them...they will tell you what they know and what we can do to help.

I admit I was always selfish, it was great! Loved every minute of it! However, I'm learning quickly that its not about us DaddyYO's, never was. Its about our kids, our family the importance of close friends and enemies. Something I knew nothing about being young and probably, on more than one occasion, reasons why many parents and littleyo's argue while growing up. We learn through life that these are things that become most important in life.

We daddyYO's can not forgot to keep things in perspective for our littleYO's. It's up to us to "keep it real" and consistent with their understanding. Nothing is more important than the present. How we choose to speak to our LittleYO's will determine the level of trust, respect and type of relationship in the later years, which for me, in light speed, is tomorrow.

Live, Laugh and Love!

Its been a while....patience.

2009-08-01T18:01:00.000-07:00

I clearly was mistaken thinking I could blog about being a DaddyYO everyday. I will make a better attempt at a weekly blog. It would probably be more interesting than a daily blog.

LittleYO, now is 9 months. That was fast...too fast. What can I say, I enjoy every min being a DaddyYO. It has changed me, for the best. Thank god! I made a promise to LittleYO that I was going to try and give him something I never had, patience. It was only recently, since his birth, that my patience has finally developed (dare a man say blossom) to a level high enough to know and recognize that I'm not the same person I was 9 months ago. Patience, who would of thought that it made life easier...except when it comes to the NY Met's. That I still have no patience for...

I landed a job, a good one at that with a lot of promise and good people. What more could I ask for. I'm thankful - You see? I didn't talk like that 9 months ago! Anyway, my first paycheck, we went to ToysRUs and bought a swing set. The construction of this wooden mind puzzle that came in two separate boxes was nothing a single guy going out every night, getting drunk and/or laid could have constructed on his own. You know what I mean? At first, I went at it with no regard, shirt off, bare foot, no instructions, I didn't even check materials. After about 3 min of opening up the instruction manual and looking over the pictures that reminded me of the "Faces of death" video, I needed to take a breath, a long one. My reality was that I have 500 friends on facebook and at the start of this "journey" I realized I was trippin alone.

I literally walked around the block in a panic, realizing that it's very possible that I just bought some really expensive firewood. How in the world am I going to do this? I broke out into sweats, my heart was pumping and the adrenaline kicked in....Ahhhhhhh there you go!!!

I ran back from my walk excited to get started. I had a plan...buy a 12 -pack. From there, it was smooth sailing. For all you DaddyYO's and soon-to-be planning on buying a swing set for your littleyo someday, place one ear on this screen and listen:

That page that says "STOP" in the instruction booklet...LISTEN to them!!!

Separate all your hardware and materials. It takes time and patience. The entire project took a long time and I still can not believe after 15 hours, I didn't get mad, angry, curse, throw a hammer or break something totally unrelated to this project. I had two good friends stop by to lend me helping hand and for that, they will always be allowed to play on the swing set at any time.

Now, when LittleYo, standing on MommyYO's feet, "walked out" and saw the swing set for the first time, he screamed in happiness. That smile with two lower teeth poking through. That experience, that feeling I have never felt before is something no words or pictures can describe. I will never forget.

It is this moment, I understood what/why/how much my DaddyYO loved me and its moments like this that makes us men and DaddyYO's.

DaddyYO_Great 1st DaddyYO day!

2009-06-23T15:40:00.001-07:00

8 months and counting. Getting back into the work is getting easier, because it has too. Spending QT in the evening and early morning hours. I miss LittleYO every sec. A very new, and another, feeling I have as a father that I never felt before.

My first fathers day was one I will never forget! I spent the day with the familyYO and thinking of my dad and if he experienced similar feelings that I am having now for myself. I'll never know. I just hope that LittleYO has half the love and respect I have for my daddyYO.

Run 1 = 30 min - 586 calories- keep it going!

2009-06-14T17:34:00.000-07:00

I did it. I got my fat ass to the beach and ran for 30 min. WifeyYO and LittleYO also went with me, so it turned out to be more enjoyable night than I thought. I do feel little better, but I know there are many more nights ahead of me that I will need to find the time to run.

Being able to include littleYO in the run was not something I even thought about. Like music, it pushed me. I found myself driven by just having him there, so bring your kid throw them in a sled, carry them on your shoulders, you can do it. Make it a family affair. I felt so good, we went out for seafood salada...beer was tempting but I resisted.

Drinking as much water as I can tonight and tomorrow before my run, to see if it helps.

Its in you. If you feel it and can think it you can make it happen. I'm dropping 30lbs in 3 months...so could you! Be a doer.

DaddyYO's 3 month - training program- join me if you want.

2009-06-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

After 2 weeks back at work, I'm trying to find my energy to begin working out again. One way or another, it will be done. Any free time I have goes to Littleyo. Its easy to forget about yourself and the last thing I want to do is use LittleYo as an excuse foe, lets face it, F-A-T. Its not a good feeling as we all know...and dont ask wifeyyo, she is lying when she says your not fat.

I invite all daddyYO's to join me on this 3 month "TRIP" - it's not easy and I know we all work hard, we all have families and any excuse as to why you can't do this, is the difference between you and me. Your choice...I'm running...with or without..

I'm gathering my itunes library at this moment. I will even make efforts to go running tonight, while the feeling is still right. I have ran marathon's before and the hardest part is getting started. I honestly never thought in a million years Id be able to run a marathon. I also never thought I weigh 210lbs. Very upsetting. First thing, I'm going to make a daily goal ( not weekly), a schedule for the next day and honestly I don't eat bad so hopefully that makes things easier.

Step One:
I. Prepare
1. Music
2. sneakers
3. start thinking about the next run before the first one is done.
4. try not to feel bad about going for a run, leavin the LittleYO at home.
5. enough talk fat ass...go run! starting 20-30 min runs...

Good luck, hope to have you join me.

Goal weight: 195lbs currently 210 - total weight loss is 15 lbs - 2- 3 months.

Week 1 - Back to the GRIND!~

2009-06-10T05:48:00.000-07:00

So as promised, I started writing today on the train with an application on my BB call cellspin.net. However, just as I hit submit, I went into a tunnel and my well thought out post was lost in cyberspace forever. That sucks.

Week 1 has taken some adjustment from being home after 7 months. Seven months ago, two weeks after LittleYO arrived, I was laid off. At first, I was really angry and upset for the timing and the absence of corporate compassion. I know, I know....what was I thinking and expecting from a corporation. Stupid. However, having a son was an important time in my life and everyone around me knew, I wasn't even given a heads up. This experience has changed me forever....

Now back at work and 8 months later, I take with me a bag full of memories of being so present in LittleYO's first 8 months of life. An experience, as a first time dad, I had no idea was about. I'm extremely thankful for this experience that many DaddyYO's miss out on...no matter the costs of not working for 8 months there is no price or job I would of taken, if I wasn't running out of money.

Work has been an adjustment, however my focus will never stray from what is most important to me, family and happiness. Forever, its always been about my job, coming in early, leaving late and even working from home. I look back and think, when did that become the norm? Why in a million years would I compensate my free time for some company, at the end of the day, REALLY does not care about you. Trust me, your company does not care about you. I don't care if you worked for the same company for 50 years...they-don't-care. A realization that has empowered me to focus my work and everything I do on something bigger than me and life, Family. I had no idea how important family is despite my Dad's mantra "Family (...and your mind) is all you have" I come to learn that this is in fact, the truth and now exists in my world.

Gone are the days of wanting to go out after work. Darting home to spend an hour with LittleYO before he falls asleep and wifeyYO, is the highlight of my day! Nothing else matters and nothing else ever will. Prior to where I am now I was distracted, like many, from the gravitational pull of the corporation. Which we all know, wherever we get pulled, its never in the direction of our own benefit. Yet, people still work overtime and on the weekends...STOP! I would of never of seen the light should it not have been forced on me 8 months ago, when I was let go from my job. I thought it was the end of my world, it was just the beginning.

DaddyYO - Back to work we GO!

2009-05-30T16:59:00.000-07:00

Apoloigies for not posting in a while...all for good reason!

Things were getting hairy for a while with no job after 7 months. However, as of May 28th I returned to work for a really good company. Another reason for not posting is a family vacation/wedding in Aruba! The first family vacation filled with NEW experiences and learning how to travel as a daddyYO for the first time.

After being home for so long...it has been a psychological shift back to work. A whole new focus and routine none of which includes sneeking away for walks with LittleYO or hugs and mid-day 'power hour" of play time. I see these past 7 months as a godsend and grateful to be able to be there for LittleYO for his first months on this planet. I will never forget it! LittleYO now says "Da DA" all day-everyday and he's my number one fan, as I am his...

I will start blooging on mobile and keep my expereinces and thoughts flowing like a leaky faucet. I wanted to give a quick DaddyYOoooo to all my friends....

Stay tuned!

LittleYO "Why" question is coming...

2009-05-06T07:15:00.000-07:00

When I was younger I asked a lot of questions mainly because I knew there were reasons behind what I was seeing. Birds flying, waves crashing, a loud dishwasher and fire sirens...all of these things simply did not happen on their own. Something happen to make the birds fly, something happen to make the waves crash and fire engines roar. I took it upon myself at the age of three to take the dishwasher apart and figure it out for myself. I still don’t get it. My mom and dad were not happy and they gave me a watch to play with instead. Shortly after I started collecting watches and taking them apart to see how they worked. There are so many pieces all working together, perfectly. Each piece, small or big, is just as important to the end result, accurate time. It’s truly amazing how it all works…

Now a DaddyYO, I know these types of questions will be asked of me from my son and I look forward to them. Like my parents, I will reinforce free thinking, wonder, ideas and the endless possibilities of what he can achieve and accomplish in his lifetime. It’s what makes youth so exciting for him and everyone around him.

However, it is through my time and my experience in life that I’ve learned words like routine, conformity and 401K match. I think it’s a fair statement to say there are more followers than leaders. Corporations love followers and reinforce conformity and words like corporate culture. We get caught up in our day-to-day routine and we forget about our innate ability to be free thinkers. We spend the little time at night with our family and our children are a product of our 9-5 schedules. A cycle that is learned and reinforced all through life, starting at the early stages of our development.

Honestly, what happen to the Michelangelo’s, Locke, Berkeley, Sartre , Aristotle’s and Galileo’s of our time? WHERE DID THESE PEOPLE GO? My guess is extinction and I miss them. No one can be a freethinker who demands conformity and we all demand it because it pays our bills. We all accept it because we have too.

How many times have you sat in a meeting and someone asked “does anyone have any questions?” and Crickets…nobody speaks up. People are afraid. It’s really sad. We need to reinforce our littleYO’s to be a free thinker’s and to not be afraid TO SPEAK UP! The future depends on it.

We all work and live under one sky. Each of us, despite our title and status, is just as important to the end result. Their is an answer and explanation to everything and I always hoped the answers came easier with age. I guess like a watch, life is sometimes more like fixing than admiring.

To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;

To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;

To appreciate beauty;

To find the best in others;

To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;

To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived;

This is to have succeeded.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mother's Day $20 Gift Idea - Dont be LAME! Be Creative.

2009-05-04T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hey DaddyY0's, are you buggin out about a gift idea for MommyYO. Mothers day is this week! Send my any picture and I will convert it into a free sketch. Same day turn around. PayPal me $20- will send back print ready 8.5 x 11' to fit frame.

Tell MommyYO you hired Picasso to draw this....this is a legit gift. She'll dig it. Direct message me and I'll hook it up.

Example below:

Internal thoughts of a DaddyYO

2009-04-27T05:35:00.000-07:00

As a first time dad, I often question what I'm doing as a father when being a DaddyYO to littleYO. Am I being a good father? Am I doing the right things? It's my job to make his initial understanding of a place that is not so kind or forgiving a positive one. This will give LittleYO hope, hope gives rise to dreams and dreams is what life is all about.

This past weekend we went to the park, the beach and took hourly walks. When people see LittleYO they smile, wave and even sometimes stop to talk. I think this is the strangest thing in the world! Why? Because at some point in our lives we start walking by people and stop acknowledging anyone outside of work, friends and family. I'm guilty of this myself and long ago I stopped saying "hello" to anyone I didn't know, except a cute baby or old person.

Youth and old age are the ages that bookmark of our years on this planet. The years in between we spend caught up striving, hustling to make a living and providing for ourselves and families. The younger generations are caught up defining themselves, more than ever , in a world that that is much bigger and non comparable to earlier generations because of web and social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and blogs.

Than at some point again, as we get older, we stop caring about image and work and all other distracting things we spend years trying to understand. Maybe its something people can sense and its inviting and welcoming and people and are not afraid to say "hello" because their is no judgment or "threat" when speaking to a baby or someone that is old.

I only know this because I'm an observer constantly trying to make sense of everything around me, quietly in my mind. Now, I don't look like the "type" but who does? A degree in Psychology, I can not help but believe that there is always an answer for the way people are behaving and acting. The fun part is figuring out situations and why things are the way they are...right now.

This time at home has changed me forever and for the better. I look forward, more now than ever, to the present and the future; because of LittleYO.