I’m having an admittedly tough day.

some of it has to do with the recent cyber-bullying Haley Anne recently endured (that’s the right word, endured). I had to question my prowess as a Dad to even let that sort of thing happen in her life. I still remember her, at three years old, stomping in a rain puddle, and exclaiming, “Daddy! That’s My Daddy! Hi Daddy!”, waiting outside the garage for me to pull-in, and home from work. She’s banned from Facebook and Twitter, and we’ve taken steps to block the evil from reaching her via iPhone.

and, of course, I’m taking heat from my Lacrosse Club for being over-the-top. but, I’ve formed a covenant with my players; I always do. and, they trust me. my job is to make them better, and then, great Lacrosse players. The Board of Directors can’t keep up with me. but, where is my responsibility? my heart is on my sleeve, all the time, and it’s taking a beating.

Joanne is displeased with me. all I want to do is make my girls happy. it doesn’t always work, so not often enough. so, I act like a Rhodesian Ridgeback. that’s an overly sensitive lot that has an unusually keen sense of fairness.

I had a young entrepreneur practically in tears this morning because he could not articulate a valid Return on Investment (ROI) for his business idea. it was so hard to show him the truth. big dreams break hard and painfully so. I see more of my own daughters in everyone every day and pray someone like me will be there ego guide them, in turn.

but, it’s me that happens to be the common denominator. I acknowledge that. my struggles are hardly Biblical. but, certainly the stuff of a parable, or two, eh.

it’s always the Kobayashi Maru. but, I do find a measure of solace in understanding that character and faith (including in myself) are best when tested.

just give me time, everyone. I promise to pull it all together, for good effect.

today I’m listening to Fall At Your Feet, by Crowded House.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

so…

I’ve been on a covert mission, that won’t be so secret later today.

the Feds are going after Bank of America, and that is for good cause.

with that effort more behind me, and less before me, I’ll be on the boat most of the weekend other than Lacrosse practice Sunday.

more about that later. but, I am having a blast with my Young Lions Pride.

meanwhile, I’ll trust all of you to have a great Labor Day weekend. Although we must rue the end of seersucker for the year, I’ll leave you with this low-technology visual tip (great opportunity realizes itself in the oddest forms).

we have a lot to celebrate. do it!

Model Especial for me.

peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

brian patrick cork

Husky throated Patricia Neal took her last breath on Martha’s Vineyard.

But, long before she did that she managed to live life akin to a Greek tragedy. This included a series of strokes beginning at age thirty nine and the loss of a seven year old daughter to measles. However, she also inspired many with her courage and keen sense of community.

But, she also had the female lead, opposite Gary Cooper, in the 1949 film version of Ayn Rand’s novel “The Fountainhead,” and was the original Mother on the Waltons.

As many readers of this blog are well aware, Ayn Rand shaped my early life both in business and outside of it. And, I spent many an hour between college classes at Radford University and varsity sports watching The Waltons. So, that help reinforce some of my views as well. In fact, many of my fellows within the Prudent Society of Optimistic Gentlemen share that same foundation.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

I understand that a reference to the “prodigal Son” involves the restoration of a believer into fellowship with the Father.

However, I’m feeling controversial today. And, I know this post’s heading will grab attention and set a good stage.

And, it started with something I witnessed on Fathers Day, at the pool, as I was finishing up a work-out. Earlier in the week, as we made our way onto a local pitch (soccer field) for practice, we observed a group involved with a (pointless) youth football mini-camp. The Mom’s, in particular, were almost rabid with their earnestness (I used that word because it’s different than enthusiasm). The Dad’s were just awkward and tense.

SIDE NOTE: There was a little girl with one of the Mom’s at the football mini-camp wearing a t-shirt that read: “One Day I’ll Get Trashed at Prom”. This is likely a girl being raised by her Mom to be a cheerleader one day.

To wit…

I’ve realized – and, it’s not a simple opinion, that the best form of a son is that of a daughter.

Little boys whine a lot. Especially in sports.

We all know the family with the young lad raised by sisters (treated like live-in servants). He’ll make like a princess whose lost her pea and wail like a siren at the smallest slight. You Georgia Mom’s, in particular, and pee-wee football (“you doan’t understand… This is ah liiiife!”), know just who you are.

Lacrosse and Soccer just seem to bring out better qualities in people.

So… Circling back to the prodigal son angle… I observe the hapless earthly fathers of these girly-boys stand back in uncertain horror, and denial, at what they observe. But, in all fairness this is likely a reflection of their own young lives as well.

NOTE: My own Mother was a high-diver and brooked no weakness in her sons. We learned to swim, and well, before we could walk. And, taught us to value her. And, you’ll see that reflected in how I treat my own daughters (of Zion, or not).

By the way… I’m only picking on the sissies and the Mom’s who fit the above descriptions. So if it’s not you, described here; or, you can’t see yourself reflected in these words, don’t feel like you need to get all heated-up. Please… Feel free to prove me wrong, by all means.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork