Hey.

I'm tired and lethargic. I feel like I'm on the verge of going into a small trough, so I guess that's why I'm writing.

My kids called this week and *asked* to come up this weekend. This will be the third weekend in a row that they're here. There are a few reasons behind this, I suspect.

First and foremost, I think Eldest wants to help Poli go through the rest of the gifts from her crazy family's (God love 'em) baby shower.

Second, it's Father's Day this weekend (I think). I'm not a big fan of Mother's/Father's Day -- I think it's a load of commercial crap that should be ignored -- but maybe they've got some sort of school project they want to give me. Or not. :-) Who knows. And as much as I don't like Father's Day and really don't expect anything, you can be damned sure I'll be touched if they do make some sort of gesture. :-)

Third -- and this is of some concern -- I'm wondering if the kids, particularly Eldest, are feeling uncomfortable at their mother's. Their mother's boyfriend (apparently quite young, like early 20's to her 38), seems to stay at their place a lot -- like, every day -- and they all have to share a bedroom. Granted, it's a big bedroom, with areas curtained off, but for a 10-year-old girl who's, um, starting to develop, that might feel a bit awkward.

Politika is convinced she heard some negativity in Eldest's voice recently in reference to said boyfriend. Anyway, who knows.

I'd love to just say to the kids, "Would you like to come and live with us?" but I think that's impossible to do without putting undue pressure on them. The only way they could ever come and live with us with Ex's blessing is if they expressly wanted it, and asked for it. My attempt at gaining custody through court failed miserably, as you know if you've read this diary in the past.

I can always dream, I guess.

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I've posted some wedding pictures online, btw. If you're interesting in seeing them, and if I at least sorta know who you are, I'll send you the link if you drop me a line.

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I've taken a couple of banjo lessons this summer. This has got me a lot further than sitting down with tablature. I leave the banjo out all the time now, and play it whenever I can.

I'm sure I'm driving Poli and the neighbours crazy playing the same rolls over and over. But right now I'm trying to focus on getting down the fundamentals before I start into full songs, something I didn't do with guitar and paid the price.

My teacher is amazing – his lessons are 1.5 hours at a time at a reasonable rate, and he lends me books and metronomes and can probably teach me any style I ask. I figure the next lesson will be more advanced fundamentals, then subsequently I'll move on to full songs. I'd really like to be able to use the instrument onstage before the year is out.

Anyone know of any good recordings of banjo jigs and reels? :-)

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