It was a big weekend in Knoxville as the tax free weekend and the Graham Festival both hit the town.
I spent my Friday night with KJW and RAW. As usual, KJW was watching SpongeBob SquarePants when I arrived. Soon after I got there, the show ended and iCarly began. To say KJW was not pleased would be an understatement. A crisis was averted when her father switched the channel, remembering that the show is always on. Always. I am pretty sure it rivals Law & Order in air time.
KJW’s SpongeBob intake is now being closely monitored after she saw an episode which referenced “kicking butt” (“The Bully/Just One Bite” - 10/5/2001). She quickly added the expression to her vocabulary. Though this is cute, it is not something you want her saying regularly. Why do children always picked up the one thing you would least like them to?
We then went to Sunchase Apartments where KL (aka "Sunshine") resides and joined she and MPW for swimming at their exquisite pool. KJW debuted her new lime green swimsuit which she selected herself. I bummed mine off RAW as I did not know we were going. KJW loves the water and is a bit too fearless for her own good. It was fun. The only negative was that KJW continually switched from the hot tub to the comparatively chilling pool. I actually think my body was brittle after the experience.
The night ended as many of my Fridays do - with a meal from Applebees. This time, we ordered take out and ate with RAW and a returning KLTW.
The highlight of the night was learning that “Chan’s Car” (pronounced as one word) has made the list of things KJW lists when she wants to take with her when she leaves the house. Mine is the only automobile which made the list. I am so honored.
On Saturday, JTH and I checked out the Franklin Graham Festival at Thompson-Boling Arena. Unfortunately, the only session we could attend was youth night as a previous engagement forced us to miss Graham’s message. Even so, we could see that this was quite an event. The Knoxville happening is one of only five festivals this year.
JTH and I saw many people we knew. We were greeted at the door by the lovely OMM. Yes, I held up the event to take a picture with an usher. We got to talk with JTH’s brother’s in-laws (is there a word for that?) WDS & CDS. ALC worked the souvenir stand. In the spirit of the event, I refrained from informing the customers that they could purchase virtually any book on the table at McKay’s for a mere 75¢. I was quite proud of myself.
The place was packed when we got there so we created our own seats. The choir section was cordoned off, so we pulled out chairs and sat directly behind the center stage. One usher complimented us on our ingenuity. She saw that we had one of the best views in the house. We had a television monitor directly in front of us and a unique glimpse backstage enabling us to see how the show was run. What the usher did not notice was that acoustically, our seats were horrid. It is just a shame not every seat can be located in 315A.
The event featured musical performances by Christian hip hop artists Group 1 Crew and Toby Mac followed by a message from Graham. Based upon the audience response when all three were announced, Toby Mac (also a member of D.C. Talk) was the draw on this night.
We got to see Group 1 Crew's entire set and a good portion of Toby Mac’s before leaving. Both performances were frenetic inspiring mosh-like activity on the floor. I had a really good time envisioning OMM in a mosh pit. (See above photo of OMM to establish visual.)
Though I wish we could have heard the message, I was glad to experience even a portion of the event. I had only two complaints: 1. Many of the people emceeing the event used Christianianese (which the target audience would not grasp) and an attitude that I always interpret as disingenuous whether it is or not. (One of my biggest pet peeves is Christianese.) 2. Though the huge arena was packed, the congregation was virtually all Caucasian. The church is the last bastion of segregation in this country and I find this abominable.
JTH and I then made our way to the posh The Butcher Shop Steakhouse, a restaurant created in 1983 during renovations to the World’s Far Site. Though the restaurant is well-known I had never eaten there before. The restaurant has great atmosphere and it’s gimmick is that it allows you to select your own meat and either cook it yourself or have the restaurant prepare it for you. I do not know why I would go somewhere to cook myself, but I suppose it was nice to have the option.
I originally ordered the prime rib but I was informed that they ran out. How does a butcher shop run out of prime rib?
We joined a group of nine (and a lot of prom night groups) to celebrate JBT’s 24th birthday. During the dinner's discussion, I was posed a question I had never encountered before. A couple was there and began discussing their future marriage plans, including finances. The man is currently making a good deal of money and while the woman is not, she has good prospects for the future. The man inquired about the possibilities of a future prenuptial in which the document would entitle him to her future earnings. While I did not know, it sounded like a bad idea. As an aside, would a future prenup just be a nup?
I spent Sunday with RAW and his family. First, we ate lunch at Captain D's with RAW's father (ROW) and grandfather (PEW). While at lunch, KJW demonstrated her knowledge of sign language (learned from Baby Einstein). I could swear the sign for refrigerator is the same sign Ross and Rachel created on “Friends” that equates with bird flipping.
While there we ran into NMB and his wife AB. They are doing well and have a beautiful daughter almost exactly KJW’s age.
RAW's immediate family and I then traveled to Dandridge, Tennessee, for a 2 o'clock baby shower for KLTW's sister (KLTK). Yes, I went to a babyshower. I am bucking for the nonexistent minister of the year award. The original plan was for me to keep RAW company. We arrived and found eight children in the house to babysit. They were all well-behaved, but it was still exhausting. Fortunately, KJW was a hit with the older kids there.
We were assisted by KLTK's husband PK. Though I have met KLTK on numerous occasions, I had never met her husband as he works out of town during the week. I was glad to know he existed. I was beginning to think he was the family Mr. Snuffleupagus.
The shower was at the next door neighbor's house and we had access to both lots. The area is a great place for kids. The two families shares a massive play set that was constructed by students at local Jefferson County High School. They paid only for the materials as the edifice was built as a class project. There was also a sizable trampoline in the yard. (Note: The child jumping in the picture is KJW's first cousin KGK who greatly resembles KJW.)
The kids recently received a new puppy chihuahua (not that they grow to be mastodons). KGK named the baby "Lily love" after Emily Osment's character on "Hannah Montana" series. KLTW was discouarged as she had envisioned naming her second girl "Lily Pearl." It sounds like she ought to be making jokes at the Grand Ole Opry. You may remember that only a well-time intervention and an epidural are all that prevented KJW from being named "Cordelia." Begin praying now for the name of KLTW's second baby.
While there I was also introduced to two new children’s fads. First, I discovered Moon Sand. It is a specially formulated sand that molds like dough, yet does not dry out making it easily reusable. KJW loved it. The second craze new to me was Webkinz. The toys are similar to many other small plush toys, however they come with a special code on their labels that allows access to the "Webkinz World" which is a website to own a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction. Evidently, Hallmark had promotion that gave one away for every $10 spent. All of the kids got theirs this weekend. This concept was lost on KJW but it made me realize that I really need to develop a children's toy.
The highlight of the day came as I supervised KJW and her two cousins. The six-year old boy, JK, suddenly and emphatically asked, "Why does someone stink in here?" Yes, KJW had soiled her diaper. We then performed our well-rehearsed "Do you want your uncle Chan to change your diaper?" bit. She has been trained to say "no" loudly and immediately. This way i can always claim I offered.
KJW naturally did not take a nap all day with so much attention and excitement. This left her a bit restless by the end of the day. We literally had to drag her off of the trampoline as we left. In the midst of her fit, I requested that she show me her sad face. Usually she is so stubborn that she calms down to spite the person who asks. (Can you say heredity?) On this day, she stopped mid-cry to show me the face shortly before continuing her tantrum. Evidently, there is always time to entertain.
Afterwards we made the obligatory stop to the Dandridge Seafood Restaurant. It would be a sin not to eat there while visiting Dandridge. I split the Captain’s Treasure with RAW. It consists of four different portions of seafood. In contrast, KJW ate amongst other things, crackers dipped in apple sauce. I must acknowledge that the concoction was her own creation. Otherwise, we might be accused of child abuse.
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