It was my birthday last Friday the 22nd. It actually lasted all weekend and was totally awesome. The above picture is from that Friday. Jill came over and brought over my favorite beer, pizza and cake. In my excitement I decided to dress up like Geordi La Forge. I know, the resemblance is impeccable. About two weeks before my birthday I started a campaign among the people that I knew would get me a gift. The campaign was to only give me cash or a Best Buy Gift card so that I could get a Play Station 3. On Saturday I whined enough and talked Jill into letting me buy the PS3 before I got all my gift cards and cash. It turned out that no one had really bought my gift cards yet so I just told them to go with cash, it worked out great.

Then on Sunday I had a wonderful night eating awesome food and more cake with my Eugene family. Over all I give it a 24 out of 24, because that’s how old I am now.

As you can notice I have updated my theme. It is a long time coming that I finally design my own custom theme. Since this is such a small update I decided to post a picture I took of a dude with a ridiculous haircut :)

Teens can be hard to please – or to communicate with in general. They are typically at the age where they want to be independent but aren’t quite able to make the leap. The family vacation becomes a time of dread for most of them. But there are some suggestions that could help you get your teenage to look forward to the time together.

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1. Give them control over the plans. Set some guidelines (cost and time) and let them decide what to do. When it comes to placing reservation, you can assist in the matter. For the most part let the entire vacation be planned by the teen in the family.
2. Let him drive. If it is legal in the state or country where you are currently driving (and if you have confirmed coverage with your insurance first) then let the teen get behind the wheel.
3. Let her talk. Don’t use the time for twenty questions, but do let her open up if she wants. Be sure to listen intently to what the teen is saying instead of using the time to plan out what you are going to say. She will be able to tell the difference.
4. Take the time to share. Tell stories that he may not have heard before (like the time you almost joined the circus or how you met his mother).
5. Leave her alone. Let her listen to the MP3 player or just stare out the window. Don’t feel like you have to get her involved.
6. Give him choices. If the rest of the family is going down to the beach then give him the option of staying in the room (or going to the pool). Make sure that he does check in with you through out the day.
7. Treat her like an adult (at least during “public” appearances). That means that you let her order when you get to the restaurant and you let her make choices (even if you don’t think its something that she will like).
8. Remember this is his vacation too. Don’t leave him to babysit his younger siblings the whole time (unless you have already agreed to it AND settled on payment). Let him recharge and relax as well.

Traveling with teenagers is not always easy (just try living with one for a few days and you will understand). Give them some control and a lot of flexibility and you will make the vacation experience one that the whole family can tolerate and enjoy.

My friend recently got a cup of tea and we noticed this strange sexual overtone to the whole label of this tea bag…hehe…tea bag.