Post #241

Megan loves a show called Shark Tank where entrepreneurs seek investment from a panel of zillionaire businesspeople, aka the sharks. I'm curious why Megan loves the show (more than every smashing preteen hit on the Disney Channel, for example). She's only nine years old. I recognized one of the investors, Mark Cuban, because he owns the Dallas Mavericks and attempted to buy the Cubs; I wish he would've succeeded. Another of the investors is so unfriendly, unhappy, unattractive, and unhumble that I found myself praying, for the sake of his family, that it's only schtick. And so I wonder: Does Meg prefer trainwrecks or triumphs, because the show offers both. Is she drawn to the seemingly green pitch-givers at their most eager and vulnerable? Does she like it when smart people argue? Or is it the showcasing of innovative products? The presentations are brief and informative. The deal-making gets testy, but so what; human nature is on full display in life, not just in 'reality' shows. Even so, perhaps the riddle is unfogging.... Jeanette and I never watch reality TV and so our kids don't either. Is that what Megan wants? The Bachelor? Maybe later. Or never. Survivor? Is that still on? The Real World, Amazing Race, Big Brother? The singing, dancing, and talent shows on every network? I've seen a few, and they are, indeed, less interesting than Shark Tank. (Although, there's something about Dancing with the Stars that I hope my daughter isn't sensitive to yet.) I don't know why Megan loves Shark Tank but I approve if she's absorbing an education in sales, marketing, startups, presenting, negotiating, finance, and professionalism (and sometimes its antithesis), as well as the science and industries represented by the products. Good girl, Meg.

Some other anecdotes and questions: Megan has a pink bat, and she knows how to use it. When I was a kid, tequila had a worm in the bottle. Megan has cute toes and ears and the most amazing eyelashes I've ever seen. Michael is very huggable and I love that about him. Do kids still play tug-of-war with those rough climbing ropes that burn soft hands, in gym class or during picnics or whenever it was that we enjoyed this shining example of simple, primal, team sport? I wonder what it feels like to be a grandparent. I know what it feels like to be a divorced father, but I wonder what it feels like to be a divorced mother. I am only 90% certain now that college and professional football will survive long enough for me to enjoy the Chicago Bears and Iowa State Cyclones with my grandchildren. Conversely, I am still one thousand percent certain that no one will ever succeed at being the modern breed of do-everything (with a smile) superdad. I wonder if the skyrocketing costs of a college education will stop skyrocketing. Because, if trends continue, my bankroll will only cover one book, one class, and one month in a dorm; the rest is up to you, kids, which might be a very good thing, come to think of it. After nearly 40 years, the memories I possess and recall from my youth are still my most vivid; I need to remember this in everything I do with M 'n' m and S 'n' C.