Back to School

John started high school at Lyons Township on Monday. He has been at it a couple weeks really. He is in marching band (saxophone) and on the freshman soccer team, both of which started two weeks ago. He and and Chris went to activity night tonight to see all that's available. They call activities co-curricular. Back when I was in school it was extra.

Clare started junior high school at Park. Today was her first full day. Tomorrow at 7:30 a.m. is the girls basketball team tryout.

Chris landed a substitute librarian job at Hill Middle School in Naperville a week ago. Her first day was Friday, and school started Monday.

So we're full of excitment with new stuff and new opportunities, but still homework and chores to complete so we have to stay on task. And then there's the wake-up calls. I'm the only morning person in the family. It's a burden to get the other Hogans out of bed. In fairness, it's just wrong that a teenager has to wake up at 6:15 a.m.

I spoke with Dad on the phone today. He is enjoying his new life at the Season, where he has been for a week. Next time I visit I'll take photos. He's met an old Chicago pol and judge who he enjoys reminiscing with. He's talking about going to beginner's Bridge. Loads of activities there. He likes the structure -- scheduled meals and physical therapy sessions.

Soccer Season starts for Clare

I am really glad that the soccer season is starting because that gives me something to do and it is challenging. Last week was the preseason camp. It was five days, for 2 hours and I'm very glad the club had it because it gave me a chance to get to know the team and not feel like an outsider as much when the season started, and I could get back into soccer mode. The picture is some of our team, waiting for it to start. This week was when practices started. Our team is the LTSC U13 SELECT team. We practice 2 days a week for 2 hours. Since I moved up onto this team it's a lot harder because there is a much higher leval of competion, and I need to work harder to keep up with everyone else. Yesterday at our practice we scrimaged the U14 boys team and it was really hard because they were bigger stronger and quicker. My soccer team has a tournament coming up on labor day weekend, and I need to work on my game so I am ready for the bigger competiontion. If you have and questions or comments please email me.

Packing Dad for the move

Margaret and I spent much of the weekend packing Dad up for his move to The Seasons, which is set for Tuesday morning. We're finished but for a few last minute things we'll take care of Tuesday. I've come up with a business idea. I read recently that a growth area is personal services for rich people, who will gladly spend money to get tasks taken care and have extra time. Surely there is a need for personal secretarial services. Margaret was thinking the same thing.

Margaret can test her mettle for the work by helping Dad organize himself in his new, small one-bedroom apartment. Though we filled dumpsters with trash and Margaret moved several boxes to her house, Dad will have plenty of sorting, organizing and disposing ahead of him.

Will helped. I was fishing for a commitment to move me when I'm an old man, but he wasn't biting.

Ihtaca vacation news

We've been back from Ithaca more than a week now. We enjoyed being back on Cayuga Lake after a few years away. It was fun to visit old familiar places, like Flat Rocks and Cream at the Top. I've posted pictures on Flickr.

Doug Bruno Basketball Camp

I went to my first overnight camp. It was five days long and it was all basketball. The coach of all of it was Doug Bruno, who is the coach of DePaul women's team. They are division 1. There were also a lot of college players there who helped coach and did demonstrations. I learned a lot in the camp, like how to do a baby hook shot, good shooting form, shot fakes, jab fakes, and more. I did not go with anyone so I was in a dorm with a complete stranger. I made friends with my roommate Meghan Williams. I also had 3 others in a different room, and they were nice too. The dorm was nice because it had air condiioning. The bad thing was that the shower drain didn't work and sometimes the lock on the door got stuck. One of the highlights in camp was that I won a special award. The "Kate" No retreat No surrender Never Give Up award. That is what the picture is. On the bottom it says "One cannot always control circumstances...one can and must control their attitude regarding circumstances." I am very proud of the award. I also did pretty good in the one on one. My favorite things in camp were the 5 on 5 games, one on one, and the food was very good. They even had a soft serve ice cream machine! If you have any questions about it you can email me.