wrote a blog about it…. wanna hear it? here it goes!

so… here it is! my blog. i guess everybody blogs now, right? like the ipod, texting, cool “tech-ey” pda-type cellphones and Facebook, i am just now jumping on the band wagon as most are getting ready to jump off. the thing is, i never really thought i was cool or interesting enough to actually put one out there - but, ya’ know? the great thing is… you don’t have to be! i read a few while signing up for this chunk of cyberspace to put my ramblings on and i decided that i am every bit as cool and interesting as the guy who comments on what he thinks Michelle Obama should wear for the inauguration, or the storm chaser dude, or even the artsy photography or epicurean foody people!! okay… maybe not. but still, i think MY story, the quintessential “to-be-continued” epic, is a good one for those who might have even the slightest bit of interest as to what good ol’ russ is up to. not to mention it might be a fun little memoir for my kids to read someday and see what a kook their old man was..

okay… so, my story. hmm.. i guess i ought to introduce you to some of the characters. first… there’s me. a 43 year-old (44 in a couple of weeks) divorced father of two beautiful and unbelievable kids. i work for an airline and really enjoy my job. i exercise a bunch in an effort to stay “ahead of the curve” so that i can show my kids that i am still king of the hill - when i am over the hill. eccckkk… i hate the thought.. my 8 year-old son’s name is Jake, and my 5 year-old daughter is Rachel. their mom (my ex-wife) and i have agreed to ensure that these wunderkinds grow up well-adjusted, secure and have tanks that are chock full of self esteem. so far, i think we’ve done a pretty good job of hiding the resentment and contention that brews beneath from the little ones… more on that later. anyway, her name is Jeanne. my parents are Rustie and Ellie - the combination of their names make up mine: Russell. they are the absolute most wonderful, thoughtful, caring and generous parents any only-child kid could’ve asked for. if you look up "great humans" in the dictionary, you'll see a picture of my folks... really. let’s see, there’s Pete, my buddy from san diego, Larry who just got out of the navy, Medy and Mel who are my “big-sister” aunts, Elmer and Phil who are my “big-brother” uncles and role models, and a bunch of others you’ll meet along the way. still with me? good. i hope i’ve at least captured your interest for a split second and have you wanting to come back for more. why? because the next stop on this journey: crazy, unpredictable life.