Last updated on March 7th, 2021 at 12:09 am
One of my day job’s benefits is the recognized value of both parents getting to spend some quality time with their newborn kid. With the quirks of my office job seemingly a world behind me, we’ve packed more in mere days than I would in most months, with many adventures due in the coming weeks!
And when I’m not lobbying for my #1 Dad award, I’m chipping away at the #BloggerLife.
Of To-Do Lists and Immense Efforts—The 2014 #BloggerLife So Far
I started 2014 ambitiously. With a son still quite immobile and without the complications of things like day care or shoving foreign objects into his mouth, I dreamt of a life where I could rock the day job, be an awesome father, and still run my #BloggerLife with content that’d change the world!
That ambition’s kept me steady on my grind, but I’m as different now from when I put The 2014 100 together as I was from posting that and its predecessor. With the #BloggerLife more serious than it’s ever been and my to-do list ever-present, I’m just doing what I can to keep pace with it all.
It’s a big world out there with countless things we want to do—here’s a look at how I’m working at putting a dent in the tale of human history.
I only finished a third of The 2013 100, learning that my goals and priorities changed massively over time. We’re halfway through October, and I haven’t fared better, finding various ways to fill my time. Some things fell to the wayside—axe throwing, paintball, shooting ranges, and travelling… TEDxToronto… Beers with the Blokes… but despite the plan wavering a bit off course, I’m not one to kick my feet up and coast.
Here’s a look at what’s been up in the life of Casey Palmer, Father Blogger:
I’ve done a lot and learned a lot in 2014. We got back on schedule with our benefits and got new glasses at Modern Optical, finding an optometrist on the Danforth equal parts quirk and great chairside manner. (#s 7, 8, 22 and 54).
Seeing a mobile baby in action will teach you that one will never truly babyproof their home—you can only try to own less stuff that’ll cause them harm.
Buying a new printer got me clearing up my desk, and while much of it migrated to my satchel, at least it’s getting dealt with! (#s 15 and 48)
I read to my son often, even if he makes it difficult by wrestling the book from my hands every time I try to turn a page (#100)
Finally visited the Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada (#97)
I would’ve sold my Intuos 3 6″ x 8″, but when talking about drawing with my Facebook friends, I found someone who could use it more than anyone I could sell it to—so I shipped it to a blogger friend for him to use, hoping he’ll make better use of it than I ever did (#80)
I submitted my work attendance, Chromecast’s in the back of my TV, I helped rock sound for a party, got my watch on my wrist where it belongs—bit by bit, it’s getting done.
I’ve moved on from a client, lowered a crib, donated a 750 GB hard drive to fix my friend’s computer, put in time scheduling Facebook posts for the Danforth East Arts Fair, and we’ll be off to Chicago near the month’s end (#58).
We’ve planned a birthday, fell out of love with Shure—while I highly doubt I’ll see my lists to completion in 2014, it still feels good to celebrate the things I’ve accomplished thus far!
Life’s never dull for me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. One day I won’t be able to do this, and rather than lament over the things my body and mind won’t let me do, I’d like to look back at what I did accomplish, hoping that I somehow made a positive mark on the world.
Making Every Day Better Than the One Before—’Cause That’s the ONLY Way to Live.
So if you wanted real, that’s as real as it gets — I look at my tripartite life, navigating through its twists and turns, but knowing I’m headed in the right direction. Maybe I’ll one day become Canada’s answer to Daddy Doin’ Work, but life is something you’re in for the long haul—not everything will be a quick win.
I once thought becoming a father marked the end of my blogging journey, taking up all my time with all I needed to do to keep the household running—but the blog, my family and my job are all parts of my life, and I think I’m finally seeing how to make it all work.
What I know is this—until you reach the point you want to hit, you scribble on notepads, draw on tablets and sound it out ’til you get it right. You explore the world, you learn about yourself—you do all you can to grow and keep growing… the only one who can hold you back from hitting your potential is yourself.
So stop making excuses and strap yourself in—life’s gonna be one helluva ride!
Catch you in the next instalment,
8 replies on “THE MONTHS OF ‘BER: On Leave”
You’re kind of inspiring, my friend! I have a dusty old blog floating around and an ENTIRE calendar YEAR off work coming up (what with my Jan 2nd due date.) I should make a list and get to it. It’s clear that it isn’t the finishing of the list that’s the accomplishment – it’s the making of and putting the effort into that bring the satisfaction.
Also, that boy gets more adorable by the day. Treasure this time, because the next thing you know you’ll be fishing socks out of the spaces between the couch cushions or stepping on LEGO, lots and lots of LEGO.
Appreciate the kind words, Louise 🙂 That’s exactly it — I used to think that I was only progressing if I checked everything off of my lists, but they’re fixed points in time — we change, and so do our priorities and paradigms. I look forward to the end-of-year wrap-up to see what I think of my lists then, and where I’ll look at taking things in 2015 🙂
He’s already changed so much in 11 months — I know another 11 months from now, he’ll be a completely different person. I try to soak in every day I can and just do my best at being attentive to my family and everything going on. I feel like I’ve grown quite a bit this year… but then, I plan to have many more years ahead of me, so I think I’ll just take it a step at a time 🙂
If you do throw your hat into the world of blogging once more, let me know! Always happy to see what my friends are up to and how they choose to express it outside of Facebook 🙂
Great post man. I had a few friends that thought marriage and having kids were the end, and a couple of them chose to stop communicating with me when I had kids. The funny thing is… I don’t miss them. Life is busy, but I always make time for this important in my life. It is great that you are keeping things in perspective, and finding healthy balance for all the important thing sin your life. Cheers my man!
* edit: “I always make time for those important in my life”
You know, man, you’re right — that’s a marked difference. Definitely seeing a change in the people around me, and now that I’m not out and about all the time, it’s easy to see who I still have in my life. It’s… a healthy change 🙂 Lets me see who I had real bonds with 🙂
It’s all a learning experience. In 2014, I learned a ton. I never expect this to change.
Thanks for dropping by! The comments are always appreciated 🙂
Sometimes you have to flush out some to appreciate the others. It sounds cold, but at the end of the day, having a family shouldn’t change the way your friends treat you (or visa-versa). If they distance themselves, they weren’t really good friends to begin with.
I hear you man. Great post.
I had friends whom the last I heard from them was when my oldest was born.
Making the list is about not only the challenge of finishing some of it but knowing what direction you’re heading with things. With the list you can see what ended up actually being important enough to finish.
Yes…another city loving family striving to maintain that pre baby lifestyle post baby. Props to you and Sarah and the little man for being awesome