The boy is working on a video game called "Socks and Other Unsorted Laundry" and the first level is a laugh riot. He wants to go to Vancouver Film School to learn the industry of game making and one thing I learned from my Mom and Dad was supporting your kid's dreams is a good idea no matter how unusual it may seem.
My daughter is now a rock aficionado, a complete expert in the works of the Stones, the Who and the Floyd. She attended the U2 concert a couple of weeks ago and is now a fan of their work. She's a very creative kid and a good guitar player, so you never know.
My wife and I are at a good place in our lives. Good career, good people around us and good kids (or so we think!) with good friends. I'm not going to be on a boat in the Caribbean at age 55, but that was never my dream anyway.
I'm happy with my bunch, and hope all Dad's feel the same way. My Dad passed away many years ago, but if he popped by today I think he'd say his Son did just fine. I hope to say the same things about my kids someday.
Happy Father's Day, Dads. And sons and daughters, make a fuss today. Hugs are best, presents are fine and time spent with the old man is the premium currency today. And don't bring your new boy or girl friend over today, maybe just tell Dad about them. Break things in slowly. It's better for everyone. Bring your special friend over later, maybe a couple of years from now. Yeah. 2014. That'll be fine.
It's only my fourth, but happy fathers day everyone.
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day LT, and thanks for your labour of love to this site.
ReplyDeleteAnd have a good one to all the fathers out there. Enjoy your day.
Cheers
...one thing I learned from my Mom and Dad was supporting your kid's dreams is a good idea no matter how unusual it may seem.
ReplyDeleteSo true. Happy Father's Day.
This is number seven for me and it isn't getting old. The more I can make the wife and kids the centre of my life the better I am finding things go. And they allow (and follow) me in my obsessions too. Like when the boy was the only one on his soccer team who said he was cheering for the Bruins- not bad for a six year old!
ReplyDeleteHappy day(s) to all you fathers out there.
Happy Father's Day LT and all other Dads out there!
ReplyDelete16 for me and it is a wonderful thing I have 4 sons and they are amazing indeed Moral, ethical and willing to work hard. My Father would be so proud of his grandsons. A friend a long time ago gave me the best advice on being a dad he said "You are going to spend time on your children spend time Now as children instructing them, guiding them, leading them. Or you will spend time on them when they are older bailing them out, taking them to court, talking to people in positions of authority. Advice it appears a lot of fathers in Vancouver could have used.
ReplyDeleteAlways the best reads no matter what the topic. Happy Fathers day Lowetide, and all other dads!
ReplyDeleteThanks LT... 2nd one for me...unfortunatly I'm working out of town so I'll have to celebrate next week when we're together.
ReplyDeleteThanks for fathering this site, LT
ReplyDelete4th one for me as well. appreciative of every one. took mom and the kids for a night out at the waterslides in the city we live. got away from everything, didn't tell anyone we were going and got to sleep next to my kids.... I wish it was father's day again next weekend:)
ReplyDeleteHappy father's day to all, especially my dad. the best example a son could have
proquas: I'll have to ask FPV but i think that is "how come" in french :)
Hey Lowetide, I actually looked at attending Vancouver Film School for their Game Design program a few years ago. It looked like a great program, but the cost was way, way out of my range. I ended up going in a completely different direction, enrolling in a Bachelor of Arts in Music at a completely different university. Make sure to let your kids know that there's no rush, and to take your time to learn how to do it right. Their interests may broaden in the process, and that's a good thing to have happen.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I remember someone telling me that a few years back, and I thought they were crazy. Of course, I'm still in my mid-twenties, so I imagine there are a lot of things that I've been told that I think are crazy that I find out aren't so nuts after all over the next ten or fifteen years.
PD: Yeah, he's going to either work a year or go to NAIT while his Dad collects bottles for the costs. :-)
ReplyDeleteOne thing I promised myself was that my kids weren't going to be paying off student loans in their 30's, but it might be late 20's.
:-)
Happy Father's Day Lain and to all of the other fellows who, as Ron MacLean said, planted their seed in history. ;)
ReplyDeleteI have a old friend who did a photography/film degree at Ryerson many years ago. We've had many long conversations about life and beer and film and beer and Tour de France drug cheats and French brandies.
ReplyDeleteFilm school spans the spectrum from flake to fanatic. You learn a little bit about art, a little bit about F stops, and a whole lot about people, some of whom are faculty.
A few years back I wrote a letter of recommendation for a high school student to an animation program in Vancouver, which might have been VFS, I can't remember. He was accepted, but found the sweatshop aspect pretty harsh. This was before the EA unpaid overtime litigation. Unlike lawyers, after chaining yourself to a desk for ten years, they don't make you partner. If anyone ever makes a documentary about working for EA, the obvious title would be "Salmon Run".
Out of my friend's graduating cohort, the fashion photographers enjoyed a fair amount of economic success, but the stress level approached anesthesiologist. Client rents a red Ferrari and three bikini babes for two hours, if you don't get the shot, you never work again. Maybe that's not so bad since they eliminated the chemical stock. From the film.
There was lucrative and much less stressful work available, but you needed to be wary. You'll go to some corporate office to shoot some product, and the boss will say, "we didn't hire a model; why don't you use my receptionist, she's pretty hot". No doubt, you misogynist bastard.
Correct answer: "Does she have any modeling experience?" No? Well, you'd be better off hiring a model and taking the picture yourself.
Apparently, trying to put forward a professional attitude while surrounded by bikini babes involves it's own challenges, but I've never had that misfortune myself. Some girls can't get enough of the camera. From a careerist perspective, this is not a good thing. You start off thinking it's "Ferris Bueller", then you find out it's more like "Election".
Finally, since this is father's day, when your son or daughter comes home from film school, be prepared to have a delicate conversation about the etiquette of smoking Gauloises on the back porch. Usually it's just a phase.
Unfortunately, I've done the math, and collecting your own beer bottles does not end up turning a profit. Until you get through about your eighth, then the math starts to shift a little. :P
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day Lowetide .... I read this site everyday and rarely comment ... but I figured I'd chime in today and offer my Father's Day gft to you ... I'm an Instructor at VFS (and at their competition Vanarts to boot). I've been teaching and animating for over 13 years - if you want any input and advice just shoot me a message. I also came out from Edmonton to Van - right after high school ... so I know the ropes - both good and bad ;) (and dealing with Canucks fans pre and post G7)
ReplyDeleteCheers
Happy Father's Day, everyone.
ReplyDeleteColin: VERY cool. I'm going to take you up on that lol.
LT: Great to hear you support your kids. Nothing is tougher being an artist and having no back-up.
ReplyDeleteI've did two semesters but just gave up on it.
Seeing your hard work being paid off by incomprehension and sarcasm really isn't the greatest thing.
So cheers to you, happy fathers day to all the dads out there.
A 3 year old and a 3 week old. I am sorry, but I am too tired to write anything right now.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy and proud to say happy fathers Day to you all. This is my first Father's Day, albeit as a "volunteer" Dad. (I am a step Dad to two great boys and an older daughter.)
ReplyDeleteIt feels very humbling to hear Happy father's day and to know it applies to you...
I have read this blog for a long time and enjoy it thoroughly, but have rarely commented before, as I am still behind the curve from most of you ojn the intricacies of the CBA, but I am trying to catch up. Thanks to all for a great education!
Thanks for this LT.
ReplyDeleteMy 2.4 year old (with some help from my wife) got me:
ReplyDelete-Two books to read with her - My Daddy is Awesome, and Hop on Pop (Dr. Seuss)
-Canadian Bathroom Reader
-New Barbeque cover
The best present I got was her running up to me thing morning yelling "I love you Dad!" and jumping in my arms.
Best feeling in the world and its not close.
Happy Fathers Day LT.
ReplyDeleteI actually got to spend Fathers Day with my dad for the first time in 20 years. We went camping together with my wife and my step-mom.
My dad operated heavy equipment for over 40 years and there are very few operators who can match his skill. He still gets calls for work.
He was a shining example to me of a hard honest working man, who never made excuses, and busted his ass so I could get new Micron skates when my teenage feet needed them.
I Love him dearly and am thankful for every minute I get to spend with him.
CrazyCoach said...
ReplyDelete"Happy Fathers Day LT.
I actually got to spend Fathers Day with my dad for the first time in 20 years."
That made my Father's Day right there.
Hope it's an annual occasion...for both of you.
Had my four year old helping me build a deck today. It's a good thing that it was father's day, because I needed the patience of a saint.
ReplyDeleteStep kids were with their dad this weekend. No phone call. Oh well.
Hey LT - you can find me here:
ReplyDeletecartooncolin at gmail dot com
:)