Binkomonster

Memo #13. Lucky number 13. Are We at a Recap again? Yep. 2013.

Oh Mr. Veepee. My Mr. Veepee. We keep saying the same thing, but it bears repeating given the words hold so much truth. Tempus fugit. At warp speed. It's hard to believe that 5 years ago, you were this soft, squishy little thing we had to hold and carry and rock to sleep. More incredible still that today you are an active board member with opinions (oh man, the opinions, soooo many opinions...just..erg), thoughts, observations, and never ending chatter (don't stop that by the way, we love it). You are zooming your way through Kindergarden, learning new things every day, traveling, exploring and just having a ball most of the time.  You make us remember our own early experiences, and it's a good thing. Nothing like having you as a constant reminder to stop and live in the moment for a bit.

2013 has been a long year, but a good one. We've been to NYC (twice!), to France, to Newport, to Legoland, to Tahoe. Lots of miles, and so many more adventures still to go (we marked the Statue of Liberty off your list this weekend, Canada last weekend, and yes, your desire to see the Eiffel tower is noted and recorded). Just as you are learning all manner of new things, so are we (investing, mass psychology, how to be a cranky old dodger, all the continuing advances in technology). You will grow up with so many different paradigms than we did, its almost breathtaking to stop and think about this. But where were we? Ah yes, the recap. In a nutshell: tons of travel, beaches, pools, lakes, lots of sun, an INSANE quantity of grrrreat food, and many chances to have downtime as a family and connect/interact/enjoy who we are at this juncture in time. 2013 has made us recognize our blessings, and end the year with a feeling of deep gratitude. Perfection does not come to us easily (if at all), but it is nice to know that there are a golden list of rules to work towards.

Hopeful that 2014 yields some even better changes (more self discipline, less gadgets and more focus on the human interaction) and more adventures (will we finally get to go down under and visit the most far flung outpost of Binkomonster? That's the plan anyway...)

Here's to understanding and appreciating what we have, and to looking forward to a bright new year!

Love you little guy.

 

Memo #11: The Time. It Flies.

Dearest VeePee.

I recall the last time I sat down to pen a missive to you, seemed to be only yesterday. But checking our archives it appears my memory is way faulty. Memo 10 went out to commemorate your 2 years in office. And now? We are past the three year mark. In truth, I meant to put this together earlier this summer. But the season being what it is, our calendars have been chock full. And October promises no respite. More adventures, more things to do. Before you know it, your last year in the company of only the executive staff will be winding down and you will be on your way to start your formal education. So, I'm grabbing a slice of the temporal pie today to stop and treasure just how much you've grown, and the evolution of your personality. It's amazing to me that from the little squishy, soft thing you were, we now have a little person on two feet, running around at 100mph, and chattering at the equivalent speed. You have developed into quite the train baron round these parts. There isnt a surface of the castle that hasnt been graced by a train track or one of the many Thomas the Tank engine trains. And now the fascination with cars begins. So its trains, cars, all manner of locomotive transport stuffed in every nook and cranny. In any other space available? Books. Squishy, stuffed animals or musical instruments. It has been a constant challenge to keep the chaos in check so that in walking through, one remembers that adults still live here too. But we don't mind. Your happy face, cute little cheeks and burbling voice relaying some kind of train disaster story to us is well worth it.

I continue to marvel at how quickly the time goes. And Im trying to make sure Im enjoying every piece of it I can. Every afternoon nap. Every morning slog up the stairs to get 'nai-nai' and cereal. Every time you come in to sleep with me because you are scared (and the CEO has to take the sleeping quarters upstairs). I try and memorize the contours of your precious little face, and hands/arms, feet. Keeping in mind that you won't be like this for long. Before I know it, you will be the gangly 6 year old, the sullen 12 year old, and then packing things for the college sojourn. Sigh. I love the time spent with you. Explaining things. Putting complicated lego models together only for you to destroy them. Spending time at your train table trying to figure out some order in your train yard of  disarray. Sitting on the porch and having you sit next to me in your little 'mini-me' chair. I may seem distracted at times. And I may lose my temper. But its all the small stuff. I'm working on trying 'not to sweat it'. And I still have some hills to climb there. But like you, I'm learning. So have patience with me. Just like both the CEO and I are investing a great amount back into you.

We all look forward to a wonderful Fall season. Aquathon has come and passed. You earned another medal to add to your stack (along with a few more ribbons from swim class). We've done our usual pass at the Renaissance Faire. And this month? Halloweeeeeeeeeen, and all the fun it promises (the pumpkin patch, trick or treat, your new costume)......

Stay curious little one. The world is a tough place, and the most important thing is for you never to stop wondering, and never to doubt yourself. Here's hoping we can instill both of those tenets very strongly..

Love you,

CTO (better known as 'Mama')

Memo #11: Time for a Tally of Firsts

Greetings Little Tyrant-in-Charge-Dictator-MicroManager VeePee!

Now that the CTO has managed to take a month to calm down over all of the silly inconsequential lunacy going on, there has been time to reflect. And there has been much in the 'good basket' to ponder over. Though time is zipping by much more quickly than we'd like, there have been big firsts popping up all over:

1. Your first swim event (you even got a medal!)

2. Your first real swim. Unassisted by anyone. From the island, to the bench. All. On. Your. Own.

3. Your first pass through the a-b-c song. Getting each verse just perfect. 

4. Your first count to ten (you only skipped number 8). Hee hee.

5. Your first horse ride. On a sweet little pony. The rain wasn't so great, but everything else was.

6. Your first ask to use the loo. We've been hoping for more and some consistency, but progress is good!

Add that to your ever expanding repertoire of being able to login and use your computer (PBS kids of course), asking to watch one of thousand Thomas the Tank Engine episodes you currently possess, talking about nothing but choo choos (all. day. long), generally harrassing the fuzzy staff members, and occasionally driving the CTO and CEO crazy, and well, let's just say, it has been busy. But lest you get the wrong idea, as much as you cry those hot little tears in your often thrown tantrums, we love you little man. Because between the petulance, there is such sweetness. The random giving of big hugs. The kisses planted on cheeks and arms. The squeals of delight when a tired CTO comes home from a long day at the salt mines (believe me, nothing dissolves the troubles of the outside world faster than your happy dance). You are growing. You are finding your little two feet, and are so eager to get that measure of independence. We're right behind you little one. Just don't be in such a hurry, it gets much more complicated the further along you go on the roller coaster. Much more shades of grey, less black and white. Enjoy the innocence and wonder for as long as you can. We certainly are trying to do that through your eyes, and it is such a wonderful perspective.

All the love in the Galaxy Mr Veepee

xo

The CTO, and CEO

Memo #10: Make that... 2 years in office now!

To: Mr. Veepee

From: The CTO

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Where to begin? I sit here on a quiet Sunday afternoon, while you and the CEO are taking a full on power nap. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. House is clean (after my 8 hour BLITZ yesterday). The green things have all been watered and are busy stretching towards the sun for more photosynthesis. While the fuzzy staff members decided to follow your cue and do the 'nap' thing. So if you took a stroll through the castle right now, you'd find fuzzy lumps scattered all over the third floor. For me, it's a welcome bit of time to put some thoughts together as this week will be a quick one. Before you know it, we'll all be riding on the tin dragon to the Sesame Street neighborhood (NYC for those guessing). And to kick off our getaway, we celebrate you being in office for 2 whole years! Hard to believe the CEO and I brought home this teeny little man. All soft and sleepy and cuddly. And who is now a veritable powerhouse. Zipping through the castle, playing trains, torturing the felines, trying to stick hands in the fishtanks, 'building tracks'....but most of all, being the cutest VeePee known to mankind. You are the reason that the CTO counts the minutes in a week until Friday rolls around and she can be free of the chains to spend time with you on more important things. Like splashing around in a pool and figuring out the physics of a rubber duck in water. Your vocabulary is growing... and it seems like we roll from one adventure to the next with no stop for a breath in between (but I think you like it that way). Happy Birthday little man. We love you.

Social Media. And Crap. And Overload. And a Wonderful Turkey Day.

The time. It runs away from us faster than water draining out of cheesecloth at the sink. Seriously. We just got done with Halloween. The baptism of the VeePee was right on the heels of that, and all of a sudden.... Thanksgiving? Wha? As much as the complaints about the short duration abound, it has to be said that the past weekend was a wonderful one. No email. No booberry. No computer. No connectivity of any sorts. Just us, some turkey, stuffing and side dishes, add 10 friends or so, a dash of cocktails and 3 magnums of wine and presto! Instant holiday. The cleanup was just as fun as the prep (all 2 days of it). What wasn't necessarily as fun as hoped? Christmas decorations. And the replanting of the bushes on the patio. Ugh. After 2 days still itching from phantom dirt. But in the end, it all got done. And we now have a sparkly star, twinkling lights, glowing snowflakes, and regular snowflakes dancing on our ceiling at night. Makes for a good way to relax after the medical treatments are administered to some of the feline staff. Binky is continuing in his treatment of diabetes (and sadly losing more of the mobility in his back legs, but the fact that he has the omph! to push himself up and down the stairs at least once or twice a day is a good thing). Booboo contracted an infection as a result of gum disease. Sigh. Antibiotics and insulin all around. Even the fish were in some sort of 'not feeling well funk' last week. A new (non-chipped) tank, and some serious water chemistry later...things seem to be on a more even footing.
As for the CTO. Still spending lots of thought cycles on an 'every other day' basis chewing on what I want to do. What's MY hobby. What can I grab 20 minutes or more of the day to invest in that keeps me engaged? Because truthfully? Right now it is homestead. And work. And reading up too much on all the analysis of the stupidity that is social media (which is making me consider the close of the twitter account). That's it. The only exception being the 2 or so visits to the gym when they can be worked in. If it's not applying brainpower to spreadsheets and pivot tables or lists or timelines, it's steaming the floors, or doing laundry, or scrubbing the tubs and wiping down surfaces. I can't even fathom what the upkeep for a McMansion must be like. Anything bigger than 1500sq feet? Just save the misery, please.  The bright spot in all this of course is that part in 'homestead' that involves spending time with the VeePee. Just when you think he cannot get any cuter, he does. Stubbornly independent, willfull, picky but sweet, cuddly and funny.. that's our little guy. And the hardest part of the weekend coming to a close? Was having to go back to a routine that doesn't have him in it all day.  Thankfully, there's another long holiday break coming up (and one that won't be too bogged down by organized events... so more time to just forget about chasing dustballs, and instead run after a certain little someone)....

Little Man. Big Cute.

Oh Mr. Veepee. This week now marks your 10 month anniversary in office. Yippee! Just when we think  you can't get any cuter. You do. Those teeth. That laugh. Those edible toes and feet. That killer smile that could melt rocks. Sigh. Our collective hearts ache with love. You have been 'bizzy' this past month. You zoom around in your little spaceship practicing this thing called 'walking'. And when you are let off the tether, you crawl, and pull yourself up on anything you can. You like to bang on things. And the CTO is noticing you have a disturbing tendancy to gravitate towards toys that are more like tools (i.e. hammer). You like to take those toys and use them on household items. Like the B+B glass cabinet. Um. No. And the fascination with wires? Oh please, just let it go. Its just electricity in a copper and rubber conduit. Not tasty. Not interesting. You take as much joy in the little laser toy meant for the furry staff as they do. Funny how a play session turns into an attempt to nab the small point of light and avoid being run over by you at the same time. You keep it interesting. Spring is here, and summer is slowing approaching us. Soon it will be time for you to take to the skies and visit the corporate offices on the East Coast. Some very important meetings are all lined up for you. You know it's important that you check on how things are going, and offer encouragement to the enterprise in these crazy times. Hee. In the meantime, the CTO/CEO are digging in their heels and trying to keep it all on an even keel. We do better some days than others. Always trying to keep it all in perspective and, as they say, count and savor our blessings. The castle is quiet of late. No renovations or improvements (well, except of course if you count the Laundromat disaster, but that wasn't planned for so in our books, it doesn't count). We do have a new desk on the way for your room. One that is of course, modern, Italian, fits in with your decor, and most importantly, takes LESS space. But other than that, the digs seem to be holding up pretty darn well.
Happy Saturday little guy. Stay happy. Keep curious.

OH Hai. Today? Marks 9 months + 1 day officially in office.

Awww Mr. Veepee. Lookit that cookie-encrusted smile. Complete with drool. And that radical shirt. You mean business! Especially with lace and skulls. Today officially marks 9 months and 1 day in your capacity as VeePee here at Binkomonster. You seem to be hitting your stride and getting the hang of this executive thing. You want amusement. Eats. Cuddles and Hugs, and Sleep. All on demand. Let's just say that you keep all of us (even the furry staff) on our toes. And speaking of furry tribe members... you continue to take more than a loving shine to Booboo. And he continues to seek you out for snuggles. If he makes it to your next anniversary in office without being squished by you, we'll count ourselves lucky. We know how you feel though. He is so soft and snuggly. It's very hard to control the urge to snuggle with him as hard as you possibly can. And we've been in office much MUCH longer than you have. The happiness you bring the CEO and I cannot be put into words. There simply isn't enough language to encapsulate how we feel. But we'll try:
1. Getting up in the morning? Even though its 5:30am? Tough, but so worth it. Just to see you raise those arms up in expectation of early morning cuddles.
2. Mealtimes? Awesome. The breadth of what you are willing to try is astounding. And the fact that you have such a voracious appetite for veggies is inspiring us to eat better too.
3. Bathtimes? Double super cool. Getting you scrubbed up and into fresh pjs is the highlight of the CEOs day.
4. All the time? So incredibly fantastic. Doesn't matter if you are just herding the tribe around in your little walker, climbing all over the couch, or riding on our collective hips as we take care of mundane castle tasks... every, single, minute... is a joy.
We love you little guy. Happy 9 months.

Memo #7: The Imminent Shift Approaches

From: The Binkomonster CTO
To:   The Binkomonster VeePee (awright, awright, CUTIE PIE)
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Ahh Mr. VeePee. April quickly approaches. The lazy fox jumps over the brown dog (er, sorry, been focused on fonts lately..) Hee. Ahem. Let's begin again. April does quickly approach, and with it, another milestone. 9 months of you being firmly in office. That's the same amount of time spent preparing for your arrival last year. And my what a journey this continues to be! You are taking to everything with such zeal and enthusiasm. You have bonded quite nicely with at least one member of the the 'fuzzy' staff with four legs (well, let's be honest, he seems to have taken a shine to you). You are on the culinary warpath. With an appetite that knows no bounds, and a searing curiousity to sample every texture available to mankind, it's no wonder that we can offer you half of a lime, only to see you bite into it gleefully, and then attempt to contemplate the 'taste' as you are so wonderful at doing. (and by the way? it's so CUTE, please, keep it up). Your preferences have gone beyond the initial rice cereal with dairy to include every vegetable, every fruit, turkey, chicken, and bread. Oh goodness the bread. You are keeping the bakeries busy little man. And that's not a bad thing. While the economy and financial craziness roils around us, your biggest challenge has been getting past this thing called 'crawling'. Your impatience at not yet being mobile is very visible. You are busy yanking yourself up on anything you can grab hold of every chance you get. You. Just. Want. To. WALK. And we know that is coming, sooner than we'd like. Once you get to the point where you can use those little legs of yours to motor around, well, let's just say the CTO is going to be on the world's best diet plan. We're terrified, but ecstatic at the same time. More places to explore. New things to do and see with you. You continue to be such an accommodating little fellow. Your ability to be patient with us when we have to do things that don't encompass the fun spectrum is truly first rate. Waking up each morning to see your smiling face, and coming home to those totally squeezable and smiling cheeks for our evening meeting are the highlights of our day. The joy is undescribable. We know that it isn't always going to be this massive exuberance. There will be temper tantrums, there will be fits, and there will be crying (there is already). But little man? Just know that we, the CEO and CTO, have nothing but love and support to offer you. As much as you possibly may need. And hopefully? That's enough to get you through any 'cloudy' patches.
The CEO and CTO are also celebrating another new development, that being the acquisition of your new transportation. Whee! It was sad to have to turn in the Mini mobile. We have grown to love it so... but with you getting cramped in the back, and our backs starting to very loudly complain, it was time to remedy the problem. Comfort and safety for all. So you now have a shiny new wagon, with your little chair permanently affixed in the back (until you grow into a new one). With space for the CTO to stretch her legs, get good lumbar and hamstring support. With every whiz-bang technology doo-hickey for the CEO. We are very keen to do a roadtrip. To Mars.

Making a List. Checking it Twice. Checking Things Off both Naughty and Nice.

The temporal? First week of the new year. 2009 to be exact.
The location? Up in the top levels of the Binkomonster castle. In front of the fire. Warm. Cozy. Glass of wine in hand. In pajama attire.
The VeePee? Loudly burbling and flailing away happily, next to the CTO.
The foodstuffs? Chicken curry stew. Done and waiting on the Wolf-top. And apple raspberry slab with some Cherry Garcia ice cream for topping. Haven't decided whether to include a small tumbler of Bailey's to finish off the menu, but the night is young.
We'll see.
The moving picture box? News. For now. We'll be switching to a rerun of the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen in oh about, 2 minutes.
The accomplishments thus far (yesterday)? Finished organizing the crippling and mounting pile of mail and paperwork. We are current. On everything. All bills paid/accounts settled. All paperwork filed. All books put away. The house has had a thorough cleaning and dusting, and apart from running around cleaning the new urinary artwork that shows up courtesy of one of our persnickety staff members, it's tidy.
And what have you done for me lately (i.e today)? Another productive day. The Chardonnay wine label is FINALLY finished. Laundry done. VeePee has had a haircut. Email has been read and sorted. The to-do list for the man is complete and we're starting to make a slow dent. We got out of the castle to grab a nutritious lunch (yippee for the new Pho place on 9th). And we rounded out the day putting in some superhero time at a new satellite location (SF Library, how we love you!)
It feels different. But it feels good. The decks have been cleared to go and explore and find some new creative challenges without having that nagging list of mundane tasks hanging around like odors from a ripe litter-box. So we'll start by breaking with tradition and eschewing our usual spin through Macworld this year. No, we don't need anymore neon green neoprene covers for our staff Ipod collection thank you. And we're all set on the hardware front too thanks (all officers have been upgraded).  How about a Photoshop class instead? Or some time in the studio with a blank canvas and some messy paints or clay?

Oh and for those 2.4 readers who are interested, yes, the holidays were fantastic, and our trip to WD-50 was nothing short of sublime so there will be a pictorial review coming shortly. Wylie Dufresne is our new culinary hero.

Happy New Year Internets!

 

Our lovable VeePee. On the CEO's lap. At Bergdorf in NYC. Excited about something.

Memo #6: Surely, You are Joking Mr. Veepee?

From:    The Binkomonster CTO

To:        The Binkomonster VeePee (also known as Cutie, Snuggler, Pumpkin, Squeezy-Cheeks)

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A happy sigh. It continues to be a roller-coaster ride, with signposts whipping by so fast we hardly have time to read the print. Two weeks ago ushered the 4 month anniversary of our VeePee in his current office. I might have scarfed a cookie in honor (or a cocktail, I can't remember). But what I do distinctly recall is that we opened our lovely Petrus 1970 two Sundays ago. And that really was meant to mark the occasion. After all, we had to drink it this year (supposedly, it is at 'peak'), and shlepping it to the NYC satellite office was simply not an option. So hey, a little steak, a bit of potato gratin, a cake from Miette, and Presto! Add wine and get some very happy folks. The new grill that is allowing us to make lovely slabs of charred meat for supper is working just fabby. Now as for you Mr. VeePee, well, what can we say? You continue to grow like super healthy grass, and boy have you shown us glimpses of your personality! No wallflower are you. Nope. You are even more snuggly than BooBoo (and I think he knows because he seems to gravitate and want to cuddle up to you now rather than the tired old executives). And you can giggle. And you seem to be flummoxed by this 'crawling' thing, instead wanting to just get on with it and walk. And the curiosity! I have a sneaking suspicion that the books which now lie so organized in the home office aren't going to be that way forever. But it's all good if it feeds that interested nature of yours. Your smile when we get to see it is amazing. I call it the 10,000 watt special. Because it is. More accurately, it's like the power of 10,000 suns shining down and that translates into some major positive energy. You also have the 'lower lip stickout' which is usually a precursor to imminent meltdown. The silver lining here? At least we get a sign beforehand so we can try all sorts of tomfoolery to head the screaming off at the pass.  We feel so lucky to be able to be spending our time with you little guy. You have no idea how much joy you've brought to the castle. The only thing that could make it better? The ability to slow time down....