Learning To Swim

This summer Nancy and I decided we would have Justin learn to swim. I know how to swim, but Nancy does not and she realizes the importance of knowing how to swim. We decided on enrolling him at the YMCA. Basically, I take Justin to the YMCA Monday through Thursday to take 30 minute lessons. I told him if he can become a proficient swimmer by the end of the summer that I would get him a really cool water gun. Originally, I thought this was very plausible, but now I realize it may not. Since a 4 year old cannot learn concepts as quickly and apply them it all comes down to practice, practice, and more practice. He is doing well though. I'm just hoping he can doggy paddle. The most important thing is his confidence in the water is growing. Here is Justin in the pool waiting for instruction.
Here is Dylan bored and resting while his brother is taking his lesson.Here is Justin with his teacher doing the numerous drills that they work on.As you can tell...Justin has a pretty good time.
One thing I like to do with the boys after swim practice is go out for a good lunch. Recently, a Round Table Pizza reopened up in South Pasadena and has a great buffet for $6.99. The best part is that the people who work there allow me to pay for only one person and let Justin and Dylan eat for free. I have come to realize that should not eat at buffet anymore. Coming from an immigrant family and an immigrant mentality I feel compelled to gorge myself to get my money's worth. This is not good...especially when I do not have the metabolism of a young 20 year old anymore. Every time a new kind pizza came out for the buffet I felt that I had to try a piece. I felt that I owed it to myself. After eating 8 slices I realized that I needed to get over it. So for the sake of my waistline I think I will defer from going there anymore.

Turning 35

On July 16th I turned the big 35. It was a day of mostly reflecting and wondering what the future had in store for me. I don't feel the itch of a mid-life crisis, but I did wonder how all these years went by so quickly. I have no idea how 35 years went by so quickly. I loathe the idea hitting 40. As far as my acting career I have a few highlights, but nothing to really brag about. My personal life I have my wife and two boys to be extremely thankful about. I just wonder what my next step will be. I have come to realize that being smart, talented, or lucky is not worth much. Persistence and working hard trumps everything. All the other things are kudos, but ultimately you have to take those gifts or tools and make something of it. Otherwise, you just have a great concept and nothing to show for it.

I think Calvin Coolidge said it best..."NOTHING IN THIS WORLD can take the place of persistence. TALENT will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. GENIUS will not: unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. EDUCATION will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. PERSISTENCE and DETERMINATION alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race."

Here a couple pics of birthday.

Sorry For Not Keeping Up

Sorry to all our loyal followers. My computer crashed and Nancy is always too busy to blog. I now have a new computer, but it is a MAC and I have to learn how to download my programs so that I can upload new pictures. As soon as I can figure it out I will start blogging again. I have new pictures and stories to tell as I as I can figure this all out. Stay tuned.