We Had a Cool Christmas [video]

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Cool Dad

We’re pulling our traditional double duty in Florida right now, enjoying quality family time in the warm weather. Over the last few days, we doubled our caloric intake in case a freak blizzard snowed us under at home. Or maybe it was because there are 154 times as many Chick fil-As in the state of Florida (154) as there are in New York (1). Continue reading →

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Your Christmas Card from the Cool Fam

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Cool Dad

We’re committing not to stress about shopping or schedules and distractions like that. We hope that you’re enjoying the season. Thank you for hanging around our little blog!

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The Recent Google Searches on My Phone

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Cool Dad

Here are the entries on the ‘recent Google searches’ list on my phone. Each one has a little backstory behind it. I can even recall the different emotional states for each search: frustration, enthusiasm, curiosity, and so on.

  • short fiction
  • n+1
  • more weight or more reps
  • [unrecognized phone number that called me; turned out to be a business contact]
  • zelda skyward sword
  • reset acer aspire one to factory
  • wii no signal to tv
  • applu boric acid
  • kids car seat plane
  • tsa baby food
  • do kids need identification to fly
  • cvs pelham bay
  • alvin and friends menu
  • pocketbook

What does your recent search list say?

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Parents, Read More Books…To Yourself: Q&A with Molly Young

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Cool Dad

I recently realized that to become a better writer, I needed to read more. My rotation of blogs and college football forums wasn’t contributing my skill at all (though I picked up some colorful ways to denigrate the fans of universities around the Southeast). So, during long commutes and a few sleepless nights, I barreled through an assortment of sci-fi, memoirs, and popular fiction.

Reading improved not only the way I wrote, but the way I spoke. It reinforced my overall command of language. That’s when I theorized that everyone should read books, even, or dare I say, especially parents. We all know the power of our words.

To help convince you to read more, I turned to Molly Young, a talented writer who reviews books for The Economist‘s Prospero blog. Molly has written for New York magazine, n+1, Details, and GQ, to name a few. Continue reading →

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When I Did Church with Tim Tebow

Posted on December 12, 2011 by Cool Dad

photo: Julie Jacobson (AP)

Historically, I’ve followed college football more closely than I have the NFL – a natural result of having lived in my college town of Gainesville, FL for 14 years. I’m a fan of the NFL’s New England Patriots, and I want them to do well, but pro football is usually no more than a passing interest as the season rushes by.

However, this year has been different. First of all, the Florida Gators stunk. Moreso, I’m tuned in to the NFL this season because of its story of the year, the unlikely success of Denver Broncos quarterback (and Florida alum) Tim Tebow. Continue reading →

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