Breaking the camel's back.

Okay, I'll admit I like to think of myself as a bit of eccentric personality. If you know me, then you'll agree. If you don't, then take as that, yeah I'm a bit of a weirdo. Now with that said, let's move on......

It has been a bit since I've posted. A couple of years have passed. Let's not dwell on it, it's not good for you. To dwell. To sit and wonder. To fume and fester on a subject. Any subject. Especially when it comes to family. Be careful of what you wish for, because you might get it.

I wanted my son to find a girlfriend. I thought it would do his self-esteem a good turn. Wish granted. To a point. It's a pen pal. 1100 miles away. Wish granted - sort of. She's a bit of a psycho and has family problems. It didn't last because, well, I might have interfered in that. I just had to put him on the right path.

Right.

Girlfriend #2. Cool, she's real. In a here at school kind of way. FABULOUS! Bring her over... in fact why don't you guys spend time together whenever it's convenient for us. Super. You go over there, she comes over here. Sounds good. Perfecto! Honey, she seems really nice. Kind of pseudo-goth / emo, but a good girl. Parents are divorced. Bummer.

Right.

I talk to my son. Parents should talk to their children. A lot. Well, he tells me that during our last outing to the State Fair, that I offended her. Really? Hmm, what was it I said? (For the sake of explaining, let's suffice it to say it was all petty B.S. from an immature little girl who has misconstrued my sense of humor) Now, that could be that, but then he says that I make her "uncomfortable." Ooops. My wife has heard enough. She decrees that due to the my "offensive nature" and the girlfriend's feelings of un-comfortability, that the girlfriend is no longer allowed to come over to our house AND we will no longer be transporting her anywhere. That will be that. My son sulks off. He knows that will definitely impact his time with his girlfriend. Based on some other things he's said to me I have decided that I don't care the girlfriend anymore. Apparently this 16 year old girl does not care for my parenting style and the way I treat my son.

Wow.

As a parent of a 17 year old, some (including my wife) would say I'm a bit strict. I'm not a spanker. I've always been able to discipline using stern words and then occasional firm grip. Here in the recent, that method no longer works, so we result to the grounding from things. It works to a point, like all punishment does. My strictness includes monitoring of his computer use, including his myspace page. Yeah, I read his blog. I check his comments. I make the rules. You follow them or else.

Uh-huh.

It has now become a running gun battle. I want to let my son have fun with his girlfriend but I don't like her. I know, she's not my girlfriend, but I know in a way that parents know, that she is messing with his head. My wife says I'm overreacting. It's like a cold war kind of thing with his girlfriend. My wife is smarting then me. She is a Henry Kissinger when it comes to me. I relent. I decide to LET IT GO. I'll feel better, she just a little girl, he'll move on and we'll laugh about this when he has kids. Trust me. Okay honey, I'll do it.

See, all better?

No. Growing up, I attending Sunday school, church at least 2 days a week. I know my religion, but I just don't worship the way I used to. I'm not a pious man, but I'm not evil. I've done some bad things, and I know that it's me that has to live with them. Now, with that said, I know that people think that some things are evil. When I was a kid, it was Dungeons and Dragons, Ozzy, Black Sabbath and Motley Crue. All exploited the "devil" side of things with the images and what not. My parents did not care for it. I understood and did not bring them into their house. Now, I never forced religion on my son as I felt it was forced on me (sometimes - more on that later). He understands morals, good and evil. Enter a rock band. One of many he listens to. This one is called "H.I.M."

Hey.. wait a minute!

Yeah, if you have any religious upbringing, you know that when you refer to HIM, it is the man upstairs. Upon closer inspections, it is not HIM it is an abbreviation. His infernal majesty, of course referring to Satan. Hmm, nice hook for a band, it's been done before, but whatever sells records. No Son, sorry I won't download that album for you. Why Dad? Explanation ensues. None of that in my house. Ohh.. again, I understand my parents. End of story.

No.

Birthday. Presents, cake, small party - with no girlfriend. A couple of days after party I ask son about other gifts. Lo and behold, his girlfriend has bought him the album I would not download for him. Anger. Threats. I almost take the CD and destroy it. I'm a reasonable fellow. You can keep the CD, it has sentimental value. You cannot play it around me. Or while anyone is home. I know he tells girlfriend how Dad freaked out, but finally relented. All better now.

Cool. Things are fine.

Valentines day. Our weather causes a snow day. No school. Son is bummed out. He bought her roses and now they will get all wilted if more time passes. I'm a nice guy. We have to go to the doctor, I'll run you over afterwards so you can give them to her. Super Dad to the rescue.

Hooray!!

We get to her house. Presents are exchanged, kiss - kiss. Cool, whatever, let's go. Driving home he shows me his gifts. A nice band t-shirt and some shoe-laces. The shoe laces are covered with the HIM logo's all over them. Hmmm..... That's kind of odd. What could make it stranger? She says this to him: "I hope your Dad doesn't get to upset over these...."

Fuck.