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Shit or Get Off the Pot

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A weathered wooden signpost at a misty crossroads during sunrise. One arrow points left toward "Status Quo" while the other points right toward "Pull the Trigger." A smaller wooden plaque hangs below reading "Shit or Get Off the Pot." A bold, red stylized fist emblem is prominently mounted on the center of the post. In the foreground, a baseball glove and a folded map sit on the gravel road, with a baseball stadium visible in the distance through the fog.

As WordPress continues to recycle old prompts, I pulled another prompt from The Coffee Monsterz Co to respond to today

What can you do this year to make 2027-you proud?

Right now I can think of a few things:

Go on my planned baseball road trip

You’ve been hearing about this one for a while: Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. I’ve considered dropping Philly, but these three stops are what make the trip more ambitious than anything I’ve done previously. Technically, even two stops would be a step up, but as long as I’m in that part of the country, it makes sense to hit all three.

I mention this road trip because I’ve been talking about it for years. I need to finally pull the trigger. I know that, biologically, my mind is never going to think it’s a “good time” to spend the money or take the time, so I have to just exercise the discipline and do it.

Getting a new car

Well, this one wouldn’t necessarily be a “new” car as much as a “newer-to-me” car. I’ve owned my current vehicle outright for the last few years, but it’s on its last legs. My plan is to purchase Mother’s car from her since she’s no longer driving. I’ve been approved for a loan (with a better rate than what Mother was paying herself). Beyond the reliability of the car, making consistent payments will go a long way toward improving my credit score, which is a major priority.

I’ve been trying to finalize this purchase for over two months, but it’s been a hassle getting the title from the original lender. Now that we finally have it in our possession, the process should move much more smoothly.

Help Kid 2 find balance

Kid 2 has been struggling at school this year. It’s not entirely his fault, though; he is currently on his fourth teacher of the year. I’m not sure what’s going on internally with the online school he attends to cause such turnover, but it is undoubtedly affecting him and his classmates.

Kid 2 and I have been talking, trying to figure out a different path. We’ve flirted with the idea of a traditional face-to-face school, and I’m also entertaining the idea of a hybrid co-op—a mix of at-home work and a collaborative learning environment. All I know is that the status quo is no longer working.

He’s a very smart kid. If he could get more exposure to the things he enjoys, like art and science, I think he could really excel. He needs the social interaction of a physical school, but we have to find the right dynamic.

Being a rock for Kid 1

This isn’t to say Kid 1 doesn’t need anything. He seems to be doing quite well at school, but he’s facing the unique trials and tribulations of becoming a young man. He’s going to have his ups and downs, and a lot of those are things he has to experience for himself. The best I can do for him right now is to be there—to support him whenever he needs to lean on me or his mother.

Shit or get off the pot

I don’t have any complaints about my relationship with Veronica. To be honest, I don’t. We’ve taken things very casually for the last year and a half. But recently, I’ve started to feel a little… antsy. I wouldn’t call it impatience or dissatisfaction, but I’m getting the feeling that things are becoming a bit stale between us.

The truth is, I don’t even know if I want to take things to the proverbial “next level.” I just know I’m not enjoying the status quo as much as I used to. I wouldn’t even call it a “slump”—it’s just been so casual for so long that it’s starting to feel old.

One way or another, I think I’ll have some kind of resolution by this time next year. I can’t imagine us just “dating” like middle schoolers for another twelve months. That sounds harsh, but it’s the reality of where I’m at.

The View from the Horizon

Looking at this list, I realized something while I was out tonight: the status quo is screaming for a change. Ironically, the only person in my immediate circle who seems to be undergoing a truly seismic, intentional shift right now is Kid 1. He’s out there navigating the bridge to adulthood, while the rest of us—from Kid 2’s school turnover to my own stagnant travel plans and the “middle school” dynamic of my relationship—seem to be spinning our wheels.

2027-Rob doesn’t want to look back and see another year of the same scenery. Whether it’s the car, the road trip, or the “cards on the table” talks I’ve been avoiding, the theme for this year has to be action.

It’s time to shit or get off the pot.

Today’s post is inspired by the WordPress Daily Prompt. While I’ve taken the topic in my own direction for the Road to 1,000 Days, you can find more responses to today’s prompt HERE.

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The article “Shit or Get Off the Pot” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.

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6 responses to “Shit or Get Off the Pot”

  1. MaryG Avatar
    MaryG

    I did not realize there were fully online schools for K-12.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    1. rebuilding rob Avatar
      rebuilding rob

      Yeah, I think online schooling is one the legacies of the Covid lockdown era.

      Kid 2 had been in a “regular“ school for a couple years. We went back-and-forth with his school regarding his IEP. That’s something that I’ve learned both as a teacher and as a parent: if you have a student who has special needs or is on an IEP, you cannot depend on the school district to have their best interest at heart. Obviously, as a parent, you have to be your child’s strongest, most vocal advocate. But I think I assumed that the school was going to do right by my son.

      I think for a time X2 decided to do online schooling because it was more convenient for her schedule, but get to enjoyed it for a while.

      He seemed really happy last school year. I think the fact that he’s had four different teachers this year… Or five… Has really affected him academically more than either of us realize

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. MaryG Avatar
        MaryG

        Who runs these online schools? Are they private or does the district run them? I thought the legacy of Covid was consensus that in-person learning was better for K-12, but I’m out of it now!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. rebuilding rob Avatar
        rebuilding rob

        From what I understand, they seem to be a little bit of both. Some are private. Some are run through the school districts.

        I’m kind of old-school myself. I think that face-to-face education really is the best way to do it. Not just for the academics, but for the social interaction, and things like that

        During the lockdowns, I saw some kids really thrive during online schooling. I think kids who have some real social issues – anxiety or things like that – really seem to do well with a virtual setting. But it is not for a good fit for the majority of students.

        That’s my personal and professional opinion

        Liked by 1 person

      3. MaryG Avatar
        MaryG

        I agree with you, but my youngest kid was a senior when Covid hit, so I don’t know how it worked for the younger ones. (I guess I can see how some would like it better.) Good luck getting your son into a good setting for him. Things just seem to be getting harder and harder for parents these days!

        Liked by 1 person

      4. rebuilding rob Avatar
        rebuilding rob

        It’s funny it doesn’t somebody I think the little ones adapted better to it, preschool, kindergarten, just because I didn’t know any different.

        But a few years back I did hear that some of the kids who would’ve been stirring kindergarten in 2020 were actually starting to show signs of difficulty with speech, articulation, just because they had been around enough people and hadn’t had so much exposure to verbal language

        Liked by 1 person

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