Moms, kids, and motorcycles

Where in the World is D Today?

Wondering how Sean and Tim would do on a motorbike... as kids?

I've adjusted in my brain my thoughts on children and scooters. Yeah, it's really dangerous, but it's a normal part of life in Taiwan. When I see kids on scooters now, I think its really cute, their innocence and seeming lack of fear. The smaller ones cling to their mom like baby Koala bears, with a helmet. Often kids stand in front of their mom or dad and hang on to the braces of the mirrors. They are "one" with the scooter.

A few weeks ago, the weather was warm and I went for a walk. While waiting for a cup of lemon green tea from my favorite tea stand, I noticed a mom getting her kids prepared for their ride. I'm guess the kids were maybe 6 and 9 years old. It's hard to tell, Taiwan kids are really small. Anyway.... she helped the younger get his little helmet on, backed the motorbike out of the space, steadied and the kids proceeded to get on. The younger stood in front of mom, nestled between her arms. The older child was struggling to climb on the back. And like something off of the nature channel, I see mom's arm reach back, lift the kid into place, makes sure she's settled and safe, the kid reaching around moms waist and off they go. The moment was pure and sweet.

This scene probably plays outs hundreds of times a day. Parents are parents all over the world. They want they kid safe and well. As I watched this, I reflected back to when Sean and Tim where young. Would the scene played out as normally as that one did? Would I be criticized for putting them on the motorbike with me? Would they have been as willing and trusting to get on it with me?

I think the answer to all of those questions are yes. I would probably get arrested for child endangerment in the U.S. Would the boys have trusted me, of course they would have, that's what kids do. And they would have been chatting up a storm, just like I see Taiwan kids do with their parents.

The question to really ask is, "Would the Darryl of his early mid 30's been willing to ride with his kids on a scooter?" The answer to that question is no, assuming a scooter would have been available to me. The 40 something Darryl sees more possibility now. I'm smarter now. I'm still a bit of a worry-wort at times, It's my nature.

When the day comes to go back to the U.S., and who knows when that might be, a motor scooter is definately in the plan. And if there's any way I can make sure the boys have one too, I will. It will be a gas crusin' with the boys on scooters!!

That thought makes me smile really big!

Peace

戴格智

White People are at it Again. or America, the Ugly

Where is the World is D Today?

Trying not to HATE ALL White people. But they are making it really hard.
(If you are white and are easily offended by an angry Black man, stop reading now. Or if you want some insight as to why I'm angry, proceed knowing you've been warned.)

In my blog post America the Beautiful, I referred to the uncomfortable history The United States of America has with it's people of color, more specifically, Black People.

"White People are at it again", was in the message line I got from my son Tim a week ago. He wanted to tell me he had been attacked by two white men in a truck. He was on a bike. They called him several bad names, pursued him, and eventually ran him down! OK, white people give me a reason not to hate you?! This is my son in the year 2009. This is not turn of the century or the middle of the 20th Century, Civil Rights Movement America!...... not that it should make a difference.

I hate making generalization and typically do not. And if you know me at all, you KNOW this is NOT my usual language or behavior. But it is not ME you are messing with now. This is MY SON! I am angry on a level that you really can not understand. I've tried being calm about this, but where is the area for calm with something so senseless. There is no point that reasonable people of any race can conclude. The point is clear; We're white, there is a defenfeless Black man, let's hurt him.... just because we can.

I had a white friend ask me several years ago, "why are Black people angry all the time?" Because we have to put up with shit like this All the Damn Time!!! You try living your life trying to keep YOU happy. I don't think you will be happy until you TAKE everything.

Now, as I said in the beginning, I am trying hard NOT to hate all white people. I really am. I don't think it's a normal part of my mental and emotional make up. Feeling helpless in protecting my son drives me. Feeling annoyed that even in Taiwan, white people act superior. You're a foreigner too, and learn the language dammit! If you don't like to food or culture, go home! Stop complaining.

In the meantime, I will try to cool my jets. Remembering that I have some very dear friends in Shawn, Randy, David, Craig and the other Fantasy Football guys at DESE. There are others from Hickman High School and Columbia, MO... But the number of bad, goofy in the head, the south will rise again, Obama is a Socialist and not born in America, skin head and closet racist out there overwhelming out number the good honest respectful white folk.... It just gets really hard to tell the good guys from the bad guys. And when it involves my son, it is impossible.

To the good white folk, I know you're out there, I've met lots of you. Can you please tell your hateful white brethen to leave me and my family alone.

President Obama and Me

Where in the World is D Today?

Reading the News and Being Reminded Why He Loves President Obama.

You may or may not know that I worked for the Obama Presidential campaign in Missouri last year. I walked many miles, knocked on lots of doors, and would talk to anybody in person who wanted to have a conversation about him. (I didn’t work the phones very much. I would rather walk around in the heat, cold and rain; Anything but phone banks.) Anyway…..

Every morning I check the World and U.S. news online. This morning I saw a rather silly story about the President’s smoking habit. Are you kidding me, you’re busting his chops over the occasional cigarette?! The man’s got a lot on his plate, let’s cut him some slack on the little stuff. I think Mrs. Obama will keep him inline about smoking. Then I stumbled on these two links that affirmed in me many of the reasons I love this man. Here are the links. (Sorry you have to copy and paste. I'm not tech smart enough to get the links to work.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31451371/ns/fathers_day_guide/?pg=8#tdy_Parenting_ObamaGreatDad

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/10/obama-parenting-pda-slide_n_142625.html