Life goes on (and on) + Mad Men thoughts

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Family adjustments

Week 2 of Emily in Day Care began yesterday. It didn't exactly start well as she was not pleased with my leaving her behind with Mommy, and then even more upset when Mommy took her to Day Care. But she is adjusting, today I was able to pass her off without any tears or crying. I don't expect to just walk in for a while yet, but if we can do it without tears I will be happy. On the same development note Daniel is done with his ear specialist appointments. He had the last appointment yesterday, had his tube removed and his hearing checked. So, with Fall soccer practice starting yesterday for Daniel, it is definitely a time of change, and adjusting to new schedules.

Here it is September 1 and we are into a regular schedule of my dropping off kids to day care & school. Boys soccer practices Monday and Thursday, games start on Saturdays next week. I am excited to be into a regular, consistent schedule full time again. And now maybe, just maybe, Connie & Tammy can work out a living arrangement that will allow them to co-exist.

Mad Men

First some quicker twitter thoughts recorded while watching this week's episode:

Don't mess with Joan, just don't. Smoking pot in the office could be interesting. Love Peggy's new 'girl'...

Yeah it's the early 60's: smoking pot at work while the boss sings in blackface at a major party #MadMen

"I am so high" this could be interesting. So Don is more of Everyman than it seems. #MadMen

Say what you want about Pete, but the little weasel can dance. Peggy never stops thinking and working. #MadMen

Why do I think Joan is going to pay for upstaging her man again? And Don is once again the man, calls out his boss with class. #MadMen

I remember an interview with Jon Hamm when he mentioned that this season was going to be about change, and this episode definitely brought that to the forefront. You have the 'creatives' turning away from the tried and true mood modifiers to new alternatives. You have the younger generation being embarrassed by the actions of the older generation. And an older generation trying to remind the young that there are consequences to these changes.

I alternately cheer for Joan and fear for her. I cheer as she exerts her power, but I fear that her possibly failing husband isn't who she thought he was. And when that comes to a head I fear that he will take it out on her in a way she has already shown a willingness to do.

Don is an excellent symbol of what that change will do. He worked hard to make himself over in one image, but I think he realizes that image is not what he wants to be, and it also isn't what he needs to be to succeed. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts, because if there is one thing we have learned about Don it is that he is not afraid of change (except changing into a completely loyal husband, there are limits).

And Peggy is the other symbol of a total willingness to embrace and accept change. Be it simple things like learning to confront her sexist colleagues to something as dramatic as smoking pot. But none of that really thwarts her mind and ambition. She will be a success because she is not afraid of any of the trappings of that success.