Tag Archives: travel

Help Me With My Scattered Brain

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Scatter brain scatter brain – where are you now?  If there was a traffic cop that gave tickets to people whose minds are zooming, my license would be suspended.

“I’m sorry sir, but you need to step out of your mind.”

“But officer..”

“You’re doing 90 thoughts a minute in a 20 thoughts per minute zone.”

My wife has been out of town on business the last couple of days. So, my mom took the 90 mile trip up Route 95 and has been staying with the children and me. She is incredibly helpful though she often doesn’t think so.  A typical conversation:

“Don’t do the dishes.”

“I got it mom. Don’t worry.”

“Just let them sit. I’ll take care of it.”

“It’s okay mom. Thanks.”

“I don’t know why you don’t let me do anything.”

Meanwhile, her day has consisted of getting the kids ready and off to school, picking up a couple of things at the store, making the beds, taking the kids off the bus, and preparing dinner. A real slacker she is.

Despite my mother’s great help, the house runs differently when my wife is not home.  She has a system for everything – “that Thomas train does not belong there.”

“Uhh sorry.”

My wife is an organizational dynamo.  Doctors appointments, school meetings, after school activities – she knows the kids schedules backwards and forwards.  I am filled in on this information on a need to know basis. Actually, I remember the information on a need to know basis.

“Don’t you remember?  I told there’s a birthday party Sunday, karate on Tuesday, a school meeting on Wednesday, and Friday is a half day.”

“Yes dear.  Of course I remember. Well, I forgot about the half day, and I thought the party was next week. But, I got it now. We’ll handle it.”

The look of exasperation on her face and frustration during these conversations is palpable. She’ll rail about how we both have to be on top of things. She’s right, and I am on top of things – somewhat.

Well, this week with her out of town, I really did have to be on top of things. Uggh.  I miss her. I want to tag her, say you’re it, and hand off these worries.  I’m good at sharing.  Anyway, maybe then I can focus, and put the pieces back together of my scattered brain.

Commercial Free, Please!

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I sometimes feel queasy in malls. It could be the stale conditioned air, or the odor from the fake plants, or the mess of smells that emanate from the food court. Or maybe it is the massive amount of commercialism and the constant thought that runs through my head when I find myself in such a place – “Why the hell does anyone need this stuff?”

I’ll get back to that. My boys and I are all off from school this week. My wife decided to take the week off as well, so we could enjoy some family time together. After some debate, we ended up going to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ. Located on the waterfront across the river from downtown Philadelphia, the aquarium had ample parking with a fish motif throughout the lot and entrance area. There was a line to get in, but it moved quickly. The entrance fee was somewhat steep – they were not open to negotiations – but I was convinced the large aquarium surely would have much to offer.

It feels good to say told you so. There were numerous displays in the aquarium including some where you could touch the fish. I actually petted a shark and a stingray. I was trying to be a good parent – definitely would not have bothered if I was there childless – and inspire my children to take chances and get out of their comfort zone. Nothing doing. Oh well. There was one room that was more like a tunnel through an aquarium with sharks all about. Another area included a spot where children could put their heads into an inverted fish bowl and look out and see the fish up close and personal. Photo op! Anyway, we also wandered outside where they have Penguin Island. My children, who are more into “hands-on” than “eyes-on” displays, enjoyed themselves at a breakneck pace, rarely slowing down to stare at the fish.

So, as you can tell from this description, a good time was had by all. However, there was something about the aquarium that bothered me. It seemed as if everywhere you turned, there was something for sale. Firstly, the food court was massive and was a throughway that we seemed to have to use perpetually. Then, there was the gift shop. It was large and filled with so many useless items. They also had face painting, an area to have your child pose on a surfboard, and other cash guzzlers located throughout the aquarium.  None of this is outrageous and is almost standard these days at attractions. Probably just my craziness. Yet, it felt as though the commercialism was everywhere. We were in the aquarium 10 minutes before we actually saw fish, though we had passed half a dozen stands selling all types of unnecessary items. Aquarium? Mall? I don’t think it was the smell of fish making me queasy!

Enthralled With Edison

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I found it enthralling.  Really, I did. These are not the typical words one uses to describe a museum, but this is not your typical museum. It even has a song about it (http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/t/they_might_be_giants/edison_museum.html). The Louvre can’t even say that. Who needs the Mona Lisa?
The Thomas Edison Museum – to be more accurate – National Historic Park (http://www.nps.gov/edis/index.htm), the subject of the above noted song, is located in West Orange, New Jersey.  My son and I joined his boy scout troop and visited the complex yesterday. After viewing a 10-minute biography about Edison, the troop was led on a tour.  Our tour guide, Ben, was great!  About 25 and clean cut, Ben led us around the park in his full ranger attire.  The boys and parents buzzed him with questions.  He had an answer for every question, smiled as he responded, and was incredibly patient.
We were led through Edison’s laboratory, library, workshop, and factory.  With the information shared by Ben, it became clear that Edison was Steve Jobs before Steve Jobs. With his insatiable curiosity, brilliance, and top-notch organizing skills, he was able to become the most patented American ever.  He accomplished all this despite just three months of education (who needs teachers – uh oh!)  While in the library, Ben directed our attention to a large picture that hung prominently in the room. He asked the children what emotions Edison seemed to have in the picture.  Responses included angry, sleepy, curious (from my son – that’s my boy!), etc.  Ben went on to explain that the picture was taken during a period where Edison worked 96 straight hours, as he was obsessed to find the answer to some problem.  Imagine the phone call (if they were around at that time) to his wife.  Yes dear, I have to work late. How late you ask?  Well, till Thursday.  I know it’s Monday. No, I haven’t lost my mind. She must have been understanding. In fact, the cot set up in his library was put there by his wife because of Edison’s penchant for long hours.  We were told he worked, on average, 95 hours per week.  He actually clocked in.
Now, I am not sure if the kids were as interested as I was, but they did have plenty of questions and were quiet while the tour guide spoke.  My son perked up when we learned that Edison was involved with movies. Movies, television – that will get him every time.
Well, as the tour ended, I came to a conclusion:  I must read up on this man.  So, thanks to Ben and the Edison Museum. If you have the chance, check out the museum.  You just may find it enthralling as well.