Best or most memorable fatherly advice?
#26
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,765
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1384 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
819 Posts
I grew up watching my Dad come home every night completely fearful he would be laid off from his engineering job (this was the late 60s and early 70s and engineers were being laid off in droves). I promised myself that whatever and engineer was, I would never have it for my profession.
We lived the Bohemian starving grad student life for the next few years, while the employment situation gradually improved and my own career started to take shape.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#27
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,617
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 938 Post(s)
Liked 1,967 Times
in
562 Posts
True story -- my maternal grandparents were raised in the small mining town of New Castle, CO. Her father, John Ritter, co-owned the Ritter-MacRae General Store. newcastlecolorado.org/museum-on-the-street
Wanting to show his kids the evils of slot machines, he took them to a local casino and said, "This is a bad machine -- it takes your money. See? ..." Unfortunately, he hit a modest jackpot, which reduced the value of his sermon.
Wanting to show his kids the evils of slot machines, he took them to a local casino and said, "This is a bad machine -- it takes your money. See? ..." Unfortunately, he hit a modest jackpot, which reduced the value of his sermon.
I explained that kind of gambling to my own son as a game of flipping a coin, with him giving me $1.05 if it came up heads and me giving him $0.95 if it came up tails.
"That's not fair!"
And who said gambling was fair? How do you think they pay for all the crap in this casino?
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Yamaguchi City, Japan
Posts: 1,086
Bikes: Trek Madone 5.2 SL 2007, Look KG386, R022 Re-framed Azzurri Primo, Felt Z5, Trek F7.3 FX
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 398 Post(s)
Liked 85 Times
in
73 Posts
"When you leave a place, look back to check that you have not left anything behind." (Yeah)
"Try to avoid touching public toilet door knobs with your hands" (elbows are better)
"If something is unavoidable, then accept it, cheerfully." (I had occasion to remind him of the same advice.)
"Happiness is not stuffable-on-top-wise." (Ups and downs are essential)
"It is all a pile of matchsticks" (All achievements are pretty much as insignificant as each other, the important thing is that you enjoy piling them up)
"There is nothing in experience to say that when we walk, we aren't pulling the universe towards us. Indeed, cats may believe this to be the case." (I am not sure if this is true, but it got me thinking about sliding, at about age 10.)
"We'll be [feel like we are] the same age one day son" (he is now 76, and I am catching up. I hope he lasts long enough to make this true)
"Try to avoid touching public toilet door knobs with your hands" (elbows are better)
"If something is unavoidable, then accept it, cheerfully." (I had occasion to remind him of the same advice.)
"Happiness is not stuffable-on-top-wise." (Ups and downs are essential)
"It is all a pile of matchsticks" (All achievements are pretty much as insignificant as each other, the important thing is that you enjoy piling them up)
"There is nothing in experience to say that when we walk, we aren't pulling the universe towards us. Indeed, cats may believe this to be the case." (I am not sure if this is true, but it got me thinking about sliding, at about age 10.)
"We'll be [feel like we are] the same age one day son" (he is now 76, and I am catching up. I hope he lasts long enough to make this true)
Last edited by timtak; 06-10-18 at 06:41 PM.
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 564
Bikes: 1976 Raleigh,2015 Bianchi Intenso, 2012 Specialized Secteur.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 48 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
After you get married, don't have children for 2 years. Turned out to be incredibly sage advice.
#31
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 1,395
Bikes: GT Transeo & a half dozen ebike conversions.
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 339 Post(s)
Liked 268 Times
in
189 Posts
Regarding bikes, my dad said little, except for this. "If a punk chases you on a bike, throw a stick thru his spokes,"
#32
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,365 Times
in
1,382 Posts
My father told me not to marry my first wife. Perhaps I should have listened to him. It was a very difficult marriage, but I have two beautiful kids from it.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#34
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,811
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,732 Times
in
3,262 Posts
"Do as I say, not as I do". My wife has a problem with me telling the kids that. It makes perfect sense to me.
#35
your god hates me
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,580
Bikes: 2016 Richard Sachs, 2010 Carl Strong, 2006 Cannondale Synapse
Mentioned: 10 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1233 Post(s)
Liked 1,241 Times
in
689 Posts
Best advice I ever got from my Dad, no question: "You should get involved in musical theater, it's a great way to meet girls."
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 839
Bikes: Casati Laser, Colnago Tecnos, Ciöcc Exige, Black Mountain Cycles Road
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
78 Posts
You never have to look very far to find someone who would trade places with you.
#38
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,365 Times
in
1,382 Posts
"Starter marriage" sounds quaint. Mine lasted 13 years!
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#40
Senior Member
Fatherly advice from my Uncle Joe, "Proper tools give good results".
My martial arts instructor, "No pain last forever". "When life starts giving you s#*t, kick life's ass".
My martial arts instructor, "No pain last forever". "When life starts giving you s#*t, kick life's ass".
#41
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 6,016
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1814 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 923 Times
in
569 Posts
My father had a special disdain for plumbers, whom he considered grossly overpaid.
If I came home with poor grades on a report card, he would say:
"Don't worry, if you flunk out of school, you can always be a plumber."
I became a building contractor, including doing quite a bit of plumbing
so I guess I showed him.
If I came home with poor grades on a report card, he would say:
"Don't worry, if you flunk out of school, you can always be a plumber."
I became a building contractor, including doing quite a bit of plumbing
so I guess I showed him.
#42
Full Member
"Get in this house now or I'll tan your hide."
I've been pretty much on time ever since.
I've been pretty much on time ever since.
#45
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 839
Bikes: Casati Laser, Colnago Tecnos, Ciöcc Exige, Black Mountain Cycles Road
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
78 Posts
You're right. I shouldn't make light of what was actually very complicated for me, and probably for you too. Through lots of ups and downs my first marriage lasted 15 years, although we only managed to live under the same roof for nine of them. My family never warmed to her. I can't bring myself to consider it a mistake, though, since I really can't imagine life without my oldest daughter.
For what it's worth, the second marriage is going much better: sixteen years now.
For what it's worth, the second marriage is going much better: sixteen years now.
#46
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,365 Times
in
1,382 Posts
You're right. I shouldn't make light of what was actually very complicated for me, and probably for you too. Through lots of ups and downs my first marriage lasted 15 years, although we only managed to live under the same roof for nine of them. My family never warmed to her. I can't bring myself to consider it a mistake, though, since I really can't imagine life without my oldest daughter.
For what it's worth, the second marriage is going much better: sixteen years now.
For what it's worth, the second marriage is going much better: sixteen years now.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Creede CO in summer & Okeechobee, FL or TX Gulf Coast in winter
Posts: 742
Bikes: Zenetto Stealth road bike & Sundeal M7 MTN bike
Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 90 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
"Slow and steady is better than fast and furious in everything - including sex."
#48
feros ferio
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Posts: 21,765
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
Mentioned: 44 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1384 Post(s)
Liked 1,294 Times
in
819 Posts
The late Rev. Jon Olsen, who officiated at our wedding, gave us similar advice, but he said to "wait until you're 30 to have kids." We heeded that, and then some (we both were 38 when our younger son came along), and it has all worked out extremely well for us. I need to figure out a grandfatherly caption for this "guilty look" picture my daughter-in-law recently took. She and my elder son were married in 2011, fortunately while my father was still alive, and Henry and Erik were born in 2015 and 2017.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
Last edited by John E; 06-16-18 at 10:48 AM.
#49
Junior Member
"A pair of tight pants is like a country hotel - no ballroom." (obviously he never wore cycling kit in his life)
More apropos of cycling:
"You can't get strong without getting tired."
More apropos of cycling:
"You can't get strong without getting tired."
#50
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,691
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 510 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7287 Post(s)
Liked 2,365 Times
in
1,382 Posts
"I keep my money in my front pocket, loose, so if someone wants to pick my pocket, he has to tickle my balls first. That way, it won't be a total loss for me."
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.