16 responses

• todd Jun 16, 2008
   

  I'll be a grouch, but I actually boycott what are sometimes referred to as "the Hallmark Holidays"--Mothers/Fathers/Grandfathers/Secretaries/etc days. It takes fortitude to stand up to the pressure, especially when you have kids in school, but I think it's worth it if I can train my kids to have more genuine relationships with me (and their secretaries, in the future)

   
• thejuice Jun 16, 2008
   

  your an ass

   
• jhota Jun 16, 2008
   

  i got dad a card. and juice, it's "you're." contraction of "you are," not the second person possessive adjective. and yes, i'm an ass.

   
• abigail Jun 16, 2008
   

  I went to watch Fresno State bop Rice at the CWS with my dad.

   
• Chuck Jun 16, 2008
   

  heh... My kids got me a new gril, and I'm not going to complain

   
• Chuck Jun 16, 2008
   

  Oh and I know that I still have a genuine relationship with my kids

   
• todd Jun 16, 2008
   

  i just don't believe in manufactured holidays instantiated primarily by commercial interests. there is no long history of fathers' day celebrations throughout any of the cultural histories that i'm familiar with. so it feels inauthentic and obnoxious. i don't like being manipulated like that.

   
• todd Jun 16, 2008
   

  chuck: so, unless your kids have their own income, you just bought yourself a new grill, eh?

   
• Jim Cowie Jun 16, 2008
   

  I got a really cool pair of shorts with a big pocket for my blackberry. My kids all donated blood plasma for six months to save up to buy them, so it counts as a thoughtful gesture. (No, they didn't. I'm joking.)

   
• Chuck Jun 16, 2008
   

  todd: While true, it is more about the time I spent with my son searching for the grill, teaching him the virtues of gas vs. fire, having him help me build the grill, and in the future teaching him how to grill the perfect hamburger.

   
• todd Jun 16, 2008
   

  chuck: all that is good and useful. but none of it needed "fathers' day" for you to do it. in fact, i would guess that you can name dozens of similar experiences with your kids that had nothing to do with you being manipulated into buying a card you didn't want or need by some stupid corporation in kansas city.

   
• jessica Jun 16, 2008
   

  "Son, let me tell you about the virtues of propane and propane accessories."

   
• David S. Jun 16, 2008
   

  i almost agree with todd, except there is no reason not to celebrate at all, just don't spend money.

   
• todd Jun 16, 2008
   

  david, i could almost agree with that. but i'm just not a fan of manufactured holidays, i guess.

   
• David S. Jun 16, 2008
   

  I would rather celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day than, say, Easter. The "manufactured" criteria is just as arbitrary as anything else.

   
• David S. Jun 16, 2008
   

  By the way, happy Todd Appreciation Day.