April 29, 2004

• Questing for a Hero

  
  

  Two weeks ago we had a turning point in the Verrette saga.  Tim introduced the kids to a board game we've had since the early days of our marriage - Hero Quest.  It's a watered-down D&D game with only four possible players and a "Dungeon Master" who controls all the bad guys.  Concern was voiced that the game would be over Tucker's head, but no - it turns out that he's a natural at hack and slash mayhem and treasure seeking. 

  
  

  The amount of fun involved in playing this game has completely changed Tucker's attitude about going to Dad's apartment.  He knows that he gets to go there this weekend and he's literally counting down the hours.  This makes my heart happy on a host of levels.  I'm glad for Tim that he's found a way to connect with the wild child.  I'm glad for Tucker that he isn't fretting and fearful about being away from me.  I'm glad for me because I need the peace of mind of knowing that the guys are working it out so they have a good relationship. 

  
  

  My attitude hasn't been so great.  In fact, I can show you better than tell you where I am with this poem from one of my favorite poets.

  
  

  you have played, i think
  and broken the toys
  you were fondest of
  and now you're tired
  tired of things that break
  and just tired
  so am i

  
  

  e e cummings

  
  

  I didin't look it up, so I may have misquoted slightly.  For some reason the first time I read that poem it so resonated with me that I have only rarely revisited the printed versoin.  I felt like I already knew it.  I'm having a day when I feel tired of broken things.  I'm tired of broken marriages, tired of broken toys, and tired of broken equipment.

  
  

  My lawn is still not mowed in spite of the very optimistic blog I wrote saying that I was going to take a day off packing and get outside to work.  Instead, I've spent two more days packing while grumbling mightily about the state of ill repair my lawn mower is in.  First, the battery was dead.  That was probably my fault for not turning the key all the way back to the off position the last time I used it.  But today, after I got the battery recharged - the rear left tire came off the rim as I was backing the mower out from under the awning where it lives.  Oh, my. 

  
  

  My computer is still not fixed from the mess of last weekend - did I tell you about that?  I am suffering from a Microsoft Windows XP update that seems to have pretty well broken my Internet Explorer and my MSN connection.  I learned that the nature of the problem isn't covered under the way too expensive service contract we purchased with the machine.  And I'm doubtful of my own ability to do the necessary repair without making the situation far worse.  At this point, I'm looking at reformatting the hard drive.  I could have done it earlier this week, but I'm putting it off until I can be certain that I have disks with all the drivers and everything else that I might need if things go badly - which because I believe in Murphy - I'm certain they will.  How's that for a defeatist attitude?  You know, I don't think I could be more depressing if I tried. 

  
  

  So I won't try.  I'm going to turn off my broken computer and go to bed. 

  • 9:26 pm
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