Before & After: Leader Dad
Before:
I am a mass of inherent contradictions. I suppose you could call me “complex,” but I am perfectly consistent once you see all the moving parts in action. I am a non-conformist who works in management. I loathe politicians but work in government. I am a mediocre athlete who has won a few national championships, mostly through being really stubborn—or how about “goal-focused.” That sounds nicer.
I have a four-year old daughter who means the world to me. I am the prototypical doting father. A time spent reading book with her is just about my favorite activity.
While I am not afraid of change, I enjoy routines. Workout/shower/Starbucks/bookstore is a typical Saturday morning, except the days with my daughter, when the bookstore visit usually comes later in the afternoon after the zoo. And, the books have more pictures in them.
I have many sports heroes. Some are icons, but most are iconoclasts. I try to live my life like Steve Prefontaine: leading from the front, fearlessly. I certainly do not always succeed at that, but I think maybe the trying is as important as the succeeding. While I wanted Floyd Landis to carry Lance Armstrong’s legacy, instead he made me lose faith in cycling. Evander Holyfield is still The Man. Did you know that Sir Stephen Redgrave earned his fifth Olympic gold while managing diabetes? True story.
I am very sensitive. I consistently tear up even watching The Natural or You’ve Got Mail. But, we can both pretend that I have something in my eye—there is no need to make fun of me. Counter intuitively, though, I am not particularly empathic. I generally have no idea how people are feeling, and I am terrible at reading facial expressions. For me to know something, folks have to tell me. Once I know about it, I am all over it though.
I am honestly not certain of my “perfect woman” but I do know some traits that matter. Most important, she will communicate clearly and honestly. She will be sincere in her affections for friends and family, and value them. She will be intelligent and outspoken, or at least confident in her opinions even if she chooses not to announce them. She will have a healthy lifestyle, be fit, and know that manners matter. And cute is good, too.
After:
Life is best viewed from the front row
I try to live my life like famed distance runner Steve Prefontaine: leading from the front, fearlessly. I don’t always succeed, but trying is just as important. A non-conformist that works in management, I am one of the few Americans that does not consider “bureaucrat” to be a nasty word. If our society’s best and brightest work to improve government services, then we all benefit. When I’m not working, I grab a drink at Starbucks and wander the aisles of the nearest bookstore. On weekends when my daughter is home, you’ll find us in the children’s section looking at Dr. Seuss and Berenstain Bears books. For a four year old, she has great taste in literature!
The lady of my dreams might bump into me in the aisles of Barnes & Noble, while she picks out a good book… or maybe a DVD? Just to warn you – I tear up watching The Natural or You’ve Got Mail, but we can both pretend there’s something in my eye. I have been dying for an excuse to get out more. Tapping my toes to live jazz or seeing some local theater productions would make me a happy man. Would you accompany me sometime?