Okay, so this dad posts a video commentary on YouTube railing against some complaining his 15-year-old daughter threw (behind his back) on Facebook for everyone else in the world to see. Then, he takes out a .45 and exacts retribution on her laptop with extreme prejudice. Some say he's insane; some say he's a dad who should be applauded for explaining to the little chick how the big bad world operates. I think I'm not posting this blog commentary on Facebook. I've only got a .380, and I do not want this guy mad at me.

If you haven't seen this yet. Watch it below. If you are still able to read when the social video essay is complete, scroll down and read some additional Eric thoughts. True wisdom is further down the page; you will want to read on. Just saying. Now, here's the video.

And now for the good part. Yes, it gets better.

I have two darling daughters. I try not to overly complicate their lives, but I want them to grow up understanding that they are, in fact, NOT entitled to whatever they want simply because they want it. I had it good growing up. I had some chores, but I had it really easy. I did get a job in high school. I learned first-hand what it was like to be responsible for school, homework, work, and housework. Social life? If there was time. So I applaud these parents for teaching their daughter that life is about effort, not entitlement.

And now the "however." Is it a good idea to publicly humiliate your kid just to get a point across? Step back a sec. Is it ever "right" for a parent to purposefully cause public humiliation for their children? It's rhetorical. I don't know the answer. I do think allowing 3 million views (as of 2/10/2012) on YouTube is a bit ridiculous though. If the point was to help your kid understand respect for her parents, allowing her childish immaturity to be broadcast to (at least) 3 million people is harsh at least and cruel at worst. 

When this went viral, dad should have taken the video down. There's no need to make a spectacle out of your kid. Did she deserve the "tough love?" Sure, no question. But is this really "tough love" anymore, or are we approaching self-stardom here? I'm leaning toward the latter. But don't you think for one second I'm telling that to this guy's face (or on my Facebook page).

Hey kids, just because your dad wears a Stetson and smokes cancer candy, that doesn't mean he is completely retarded - especially when he works in the IT sector. I'm sorry kids, dads are pretty crafty animals. Act right, do what you're told, and remember, we just want you to be able to survive once we can't take care of you anymore - at least that's what motivates the good ones.

Good night, and good luck!

How comforting to know that the police are really looking out for us....

I don't really have the words that are necessary to explain, comment on, or summarize the video below. Someone, with a whole heck of a lot of time on their hands, built the coolest miniature airport ever. When it comes to modelling, this thing takes the top prize in my book.

You must see it to believe it. Seriously, this is a great way to waste five and half minutes of your life.

Thanks to the awesomeness of infographics, now everyone can understand how that crazy multi-level dream episode in Inception actually worked. Enjoy!

Courtesy of Visual.ly.

Thank you, Fail Blog, for hours and hours of constant enjoyment. The following image may only be humorous to parents and/or people who grew up "outside the city limits," but to those of you who have ever felt like a redneck with a gun might shoot at you at any moment, I proudly present the following really oddly placed road signage.

"Destiny is for people who are too lazy to create alternate timelines."
- R. Stevens

"When a person cannot deceive himself the chances are against his being able to deceive other people."
- Mark Twain

"A failure is not always a mistake, it may simply be the best one can do under the circumstances. The real mistake is to stop trying."
- B.F. Skinner

So I went to my first school event as a parent. What a different perspective!

Harper's school did their Thanksgiving event yesterday, and it was one of the most adorable things I've seen in a while. All these kids were dressed as little pilgrims and indians. Of course, no one in Harper's class wanted to be a pilgrim, so they were all indians. The kids made their own outfits, so it was all the more adorable. 

I made a quick video slideshow of the event for those of you that I'm related to. And no, there is not supposed to be any music. (Don't email me and tell me you couldn't hear anything. Yeah, you know who you are.) Happy Thanksgiving!

How is that Harper is already four years old? I just don't understand it. I remember when she didn't exist at all. Now she's in preschool, writing her name, carrying on intelligent conversations with me, and turning four years old. I suppose this is the way of things. It happens. Parents have to come to terms with the fact that their kids grow up. We know that's what we want, but it's still tough to come to terms with the fact that you're really not as needed or important in certain ways as you used to be.

She used to be tiny. In fact she used to not walk and run and ride a bike and every other thing she can do now. She needed us to transport her from any place to another. Now she only needs us to drive her. Soon enough that will change too.

Now she's this big girl - riding her bike and talking to me like me. It's funny. It's like having a conversation with a young, female version of me. She cracks me up.

Well dear, this is a tribute to you and how great you are. It's been a pleasure being your Dad, even when it was hard. I hope I get to keep doing this for a very, very, very long time.

Happy Birthday (and PLEASE be careful on that bike)!

What's better than a 10-hour car ride with a 3-year-old and a 19-month old to visit your in-laws? Well nothing, obviously. [...] Oh, sorry. I'm back. Got hit by lightning there. No more lies, I promise. No, but really, it wasn't as bad as you might think. I actually had a good time. I ate entirely too much and was sadly reminded how much I love and miss Chattanooga, but, on the whole, we're calling it a win.

We left after Harper got out of school on a Thursday and drove to Atlanta to have dinner with a buddy. By about 9PM we made it to Chattanooga to spend the first night with my aunt and uncle. Penelope played the piano for the entirety of the next morning.

We ate well, as to be expected when you hang out with Aunt Brenda, and then we traveled to Nashville to meet Vickie the mother-in-law for some lunch.

With Harper's brithday fast approaching, we had to do some family shopping at the local Toys-R-Us ("where Eric can be a kid"). I found lots of stuff for me, but Jennilyn said we couldn't buy it. I pouted a little, but straightened up when she told me I couldn't have ice cream later if I was bad at the store.

Penelope found this little number while Harper rode around the entire store on the bike she eventually wound up with.

We spent two days in/near Jennilyn's hometown and had an awesome bonfire and weenie roast at her family farm as an early birthday party for Harper. My two kids played harder in those two days than I've seen them play in weeks at home. They had a great time playing with cousins they rarely get to see. 

Harper really enjoyed her awesome dinner. She was fascinated that Daddy managed to cook her food on a stick over a fire. Oh yeah, Daddy is a cavemen. Watch out!

Ultimately though, tiredness overtook poor Penelope, who fell asleep, yes, fell asleep, leaning over a cooler.

She had a juicebox in her hand. As she would drift off and lose her grip of the box, she would jump a bit and grab it tightly. Poor little thing was all tuckered out.

It was awesome getting to see family again that we usually only get to see about once a year. The girls had a good time, and Jennilyn was excited to walk her old stomping grounds and force me to eat at her favorite restaurants. (Are you noticing that food continues to be a major theme of the trip?)

We had a great, safe trip. That said, my head was really happy to lay down on my pillow, and my body was thrilled to sink into my bed. Gotta start ramping up for next year's trip.

Trip Totals:
Distance: 1,221 miles 
Travel Time: 20 hours 51 minutes

The wife hosted a baby shower last weekend for a good friend, and there was an obvious pumpkin theme (it being October and all). One of the shower events was a pumpkin carving contest. Two ladies, who I will not name here, produced this event winner that is now proudly displayed on my front door step. 

There was some debate as to what exactly was going on with the pumpkin, but hopefully you can plainly see that the pumpkin is giving birth to a little baby pumpkin while simultaneously, literally, blowing its guts out. 

Charming, no? 

Nothing like reminding a lady who's about to have a baby what impact it's going to have on her body. Pumpkin pie anyone? No? That's too bad...