Paying an early tribute to my dad on father's day

My dad (Tim), on left, with his dad, and twin brother (Tom)


Um, this looks like my dad jumped or is planning on jumping out of a plane?? The dad I know, though, has a pretty severe fear of heights (wouldn't even ride the roller coaster at Disneyland). What's up with this dad?

My dad and I (I think that's me? or is it Alan? Don't you love my intense research?)

Me, on the left, with my dad and Alan on the right, and my little sister, Jess, on my dad's lap

My dad and Lucy

My dad in training for his next career as a donut maker. Time to make the donuts!!!

My dad and Lucy (Lucy was the first kid we had with a digital camera, sorry boys)

I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my dad for all the things I have learned from him growing up. Thanks dad for providing endless entertainment with your knowledge of diy skills. Whenever my dad tries to fix something it is bound to either end up with him in the emergency room or something broken. Much like Tim Allen. I remember the time he was trying to install or fix a light on a ceiling fan. All I remember is that one moment I believe he had a screwdriver inserted into the electrical part of the fan and the next thing I knew he was screaming like a little girl and laying on the floor. Don't worry, after the brief paralysis and the intense tingling sensation wore off he was just fine. Thanks dad.

I would also like to thank him for my knowledge of old movies, all things Elvis, and my love of classic music (not classic-al music, that wasn't played much in our house, I'm talking Dean Martin, the Big Bopper, Doris Day, the Beatles...) I remember the many times he and I would spend an afternoon watching Elvis movie marathons (I think I've seen most of them. They all are basically the same plot, but, hey, it's Elvis!). He also encouraged my viewing of most of the Dean Martin/Jerry Lewis collaberations. To this day I can't listen to the song, "The day the music died" without recalling the first time I heard it pulling into our house in California with just my dad and I in the car. He told me it was one of his favorites and we sat in the driveway until it was over and then it quickly became one of my favorites too.

However the love of classic movies does not extend to the time when he tried to get me to watch "Children of the Corn" with him. I made it through the opening credits and decided the music was freaking me out. To this day I still have not watched it and stay way clear of horror flicks. Did I mention I was like nine years old? I also remember watching the tv miniseries and subsequent drama series "V" with him. I think he thought it was a bonding moment to watch tv with his daughter. To refresh your memory "V" was all about this alien race that secretly lived on earth among humans and were planning on taking over. This spawned a secret fantasy that I was really an alien and everyone else on earth knew I was an alien but they weren't telling me...or something like that. (Don't laugh, Kaleb) Yes, as a child I was a bit paranoid with a very vivid imagination. Although that might be the consequence of letting a seven year old watch a tv series like that.

Anywho...my dad also gave me a love of all things weather. I remember being glued to the tv whenever a storm cloud would come into view. I've already recounted the great times we had whenever the tornado sirens would go off. We would huddle in the basement with a mattress over our heads and the tv would be blaring the weather report while my dad would be "SSSSHHHHHH!!!!"ing us whenever we tried to talk. Those are actually fond memories. To this day I still get a jolt of adrenaline whenever I see lightning and swirling clouds. Pretty exciting stuff!!!

I would also like to thank my dad for my love of learning. He retired from the Air Force after twenty years of service and went back to school at the ripe old age of 40. I know a lot of other people would have thought they were too old to start a new career but he was brave enough to do it. His senior year I was a freshman at the same college. Kind of weird to see your dad carrying around his backpack in the Student Union. He always encouraged us kids to become interested in the world around us. He's a history buff and also loves to learn about science. He is also about the only other person who can totally smoke me at random facts and especially at Trivial Pursuit. (Although not to brag or anything, but I have been known to kick his butt a time or two at Trivial Pursuit.)

So thanks dad for not only providing me with great stories that make me laugh at your expense, kick-butt trivia skills, and a love of learning, but for being my dad and letting me know that you love me. Happy Father's Day!!