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Oh, John - how little you know...

It's worse than you think. But then, it usually is. (But in a good way - honest.)

John B posted the following comment on IKEA Assembly

Keep reciting the prayer for the parents of exceptional children:

Thank you Lord for the Blessing You have given me. Now what the hell do I do?

Amen.

Posted by: jbouler at October 7, 2005 05:14 PM

Well, John, tonight Aaron assembled the second chair. I helped him when things were a bit beyond the strength a 7-year old body could provide - but he unpacked the thing, got the screws together, got the frame together, and tightened down all the bolts.

This evening as we were headed home, he also told me about an idea he had - having planes fly themselves. In broad concept it was about the same as some of the UAV systems that have been developed which are using GPS and radar for guidance and collision avoidance. Details were naturally sparse because he doesn't know what's out there already, (he knows about GPS already, since I've got a GPS receiver) but he told me his ideas and they fit up with a lot of proposals and development from NASA.

I was surprised, to put it mildly.

I'm starting to get the feeling I'm trying to feed a 20 GPM pump with a garden hose. I'm able to answer his questions for now - but cripes, he's only in second grade! When he starts going after details big-time, I'll be using Google a lot and trying to get him to figure out how to filter stuff properly.

I suppose I should have expected this - we've been encouraging an interest in aviation - but it's always a surprise when your child shows you just WHAT is going on in that quart of gray pudding between their ears...

J.

Comments (3)

John C.:

Jerry, I have a very comprehensive Erector set that I hardly ever use. You know anyone who might benefit from it?

JLawson:

Yes, but not yet. The problem with an Erector set would be that there's too many choices, too many small parts. A couple of years, and that wouldn't be a problem - but right now it'd be too much. We put together a forklift kit - again, specialized parts and not that many of them, each part with a purpose.

I hate to think about limiting him, but for now focus is possibly more important. (What the heck - I'm making this all up as I go along.)

J.

jbouler:

Jerry:

You knew you'd be running with the Red Queen when you and Sue decided to enter the race. Now you're complaining because the other runner has a Olympic sprinter's speed and a marathoner's endurance?

You knew the job was going to be hellishly difficult when you took it so quit your bitchin'.

Anyway, I bet you'll be grinning and telling me it was all worth it when they present him with his Nobel prize.

John

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