Viva pulls a home alone.... twice ... in the same month.

So, when I humiliated the rest of the league by  shredding all y'alls brackets, my initial thought was to take Viva *EVERYWHERE*.  To the park, to the office, on all trips that I take.  Well... things got a little hairy this past year in that I plum forgot about Viva until about 2-3 hours into the two trips that I took in July.  Yeah, I did contemplate turning around.  But the stern look from my wife stopped that line of reasoning right in its tacks.

So, upon coming home from the second July trip (to the mountains), things were understandably a little awkward.  Here's how the conversation went:

Hey Viva.... How's it going?

....

Are you mad that I didn't bring you on either road trip that we took in July?

A little less conversation, baby.

Come on now.  It was an honest mistake.  And I'm sorry.

You were cruel to a heart that was true.

I was so lonely...  I could have died!

Well, I've got great news!  I got you something!

What's this now?

That's right, Viva. I got you a friend.  Straight from Lake Lure, North Carolina.  May I present to you....

Yeah, Yeah??

... my good friend..... GnomElvis!!!

!!!

What do you think?

Oh...

My....

GOD!!!

BEST GNOME EVER!!!!

.... Wait - what's this now???

No wonder Viva needed a new car!!

Looks like he was wooing a lady!

Sorry for the grainy selfie.. I just needed to be included.

Here's a better zoomed shot.

Good for you, Viva!  Redheads are awesome!

Day day at the park!

One fine Saturday in August, we decided to hit the park, and Viva was coming with!

First we went to say hi to the kindly old slumbering dragon:

The kids took turns holding Viva.

2 solid minutes of shooting and this is the best that we got.  C'est la vie!

Viva loved getting out and stretching his legs:

Man, he loves the swings!

I was hoping that the slide would tire him out... Nope!

His advanced karate training really gave him an edge on the swervy balance beam.

It was a hot day, so Viva needed to hydrate!

Not too much now, Viva!

Too late!  When you need to go potty, you need to go potty.

And we finished up the day with Bunny Ears... as is tradition!

Viva needs some new wheels.

They grow up so fast, don't they?  I mean one day, you're transporting them over state lines (arguably a bit early than is strictly correct), and the next day they need their own own transportation.  When I asked why Viva needed a car, he said "For the chicks, man.  For the chicks!"

I couldn't really argue with him in good conscience, so I dropped him off at the nearest car dealership "Pikachu's Discount Vehicle Emporium."  And here's how that went:

Pikachu: Pickachu, Pika, Pika.
Viva:  Well, hello, you creepy little thing.  What are you now?

Pikachu:  Pika, Pika.
Viva:  Uhh.. OK.  Anyway, I need a car.  Something to really wow the ladies.
Pikachu: (gesturing for Viva to follow)  Pika, Pikachuuuuuuuu.

Viva:  I'm not sure that you understand, fella.  I'm looking for a car.  You know.  4 wheels, 2 seats.
Pikachu: (slaps head)  Pikachu.  PikAchu.

Viva:  Well, this is closer... but you gottta understand.  I need something smooth.  You know, something that the ladies will really get.
Pika:  Pika, pika.
Viva:  Wait a minute... Are you a gal or a girl?  Maybe that's what the disconnect is...

Pikachu:  (Growling) PIKA...
Viva:  OK OK, Mr. Achu.  Let's see what else you've got.

Pikachu: (Proudly)  Pika.... chu.
Viva:  ...
Pikachu:  Pika?
Viva:  It just ... like... it looks kinda like half a car.  Do you have something .. maybe ... fuller?  I've got money.  I can pay.
Pikachu:  (eyes lighting up and nodding) Pika, pika.

Viva:  Well, this is nice... but not really what I'm looking for.
Pikachu:  Pikachu?
Viva:  Let's just stay out of the truck section entirely, shall we?
Pikachu:  (nods)

Viva:  Now, we're getting closer!  A little muscle under the hood, a few years older...
Pikachu:  Pickachu.
Viva:  Do you have anything slightly more classic?
Pikachu:  (scratches head.  Then, snapping fingers)  Pikachu!!

Viva:  Oh, baby... This is almost perfect... Do you have anything slightly bigger??
Pikachu:  nods excitedly.

Viva: Oh, yeah.  This is so close!!  but a little effeminate.  Anything maniler??
Pikachu:  Pika, pika!!

Viva:  Yes!  This is it, you odd little fellow.  I'll take it!
Pikachu:  Pika, pika, pikach-
Viva peels out and leaves Pikachu in a trail of dust.

And THAT dear friends is how Viva got his ride on.

Father's Day Awkwardness.

I got a good stash of stuff for Father's Day.  A T-Shirt, a subscription to Loot Box, a free lunch, love and adoration from y family.

However, the most worrisome gift is that the family got together and bought me a trophy for being the Most Valuable Dad.  See here:

That's right other dads.  *I* am the MOST valuable.
I might not be #1, but the most valuable.

So, now, I'm in the awkward position of having to decide which is my favorite trophy.  On one hand, I had to *really* work for the MVP father trophy, and Viva was won without even a full understanding of the rules.  On the other hand, Viva is movable and he's featured on a Webby-nominated blog.

Man, this is a harder choice than having to pick a favorite child.  (If you're wondering, my favorite child is Gunter, hands down.  The dude saved my life 3 times already.  And not like "Oh, he made me re-think my life decisions" saved my life situation.  I'm talking taking down a Russian assassin who had me in his cross-hairs.  Gunter does NOT mess around.)

Oh, who am I kidding?  I love them both equally and they will be with me forever.

FOR.

EVER.

Viva is a bigger nerd than you think!

Last year, my son and I had this conversation, completely unprompted:

Sam: Daddy, is May the 4th called Star Wars Day?
Phil:  Well... *some* people call it that, yes.
Sam:  You mean nerds?
Phil:  Well.. uh.. that is to say... OK, yeah.

Happy Star Wars Day!!

Also, please note that I am currently in talks to develop a show for Fox called "Viva and Vader".  Kind of like The Odd Couple meets The Big Bang Theory meets my need for public validation.

Viva the handyman? Who knew??

Well, it wasn't long after Viva got here, that he decided that we needed to gussy the place up a bit.  Did he say Gussy?  Yes, he said gussy.  His words, not mine!

The first project?  It's the mailbox.  Oddly, Viva wasn't around so much for the demo or construction parts, but he was there for the finished product.

Thanks for the motivation, big guy!!

A little after hours party, maybe?

Over the next few weeks, I kept hearing sounds coming from downstairs after everyone had gone to bed.  I never thought much of it until one of our neighbors called the cops.  So, I had to go in and break up the merriment.  Before that, I did manage to capture a few pictures of the party:

I think that Viva is going to be getting along just fine here....

Welcome home!

Well, it was a long trip.  But successful.  Viva was brought home to his true home, and all was well.  My dear wife, Joy, fainted at the very sight of Viva, such is his power.  Moving on, we were greeted by the youngins.  Just look how happy Viva made them.

Shown above:  Completely candid shot of the Viva worship.

It wasn't long until they could no longer contain themselves.  Soon, they spontaneously started in on a "hip-hip-horray" cheer.  Who was I to stop them?

Fun fact:  The Rau clan has stilted and awkward faces naturally.
So, our candid shots just *look* really, really posed.

Once the pomp and circumstance were finished, it was time to award Viva his place of honor.  So say we all.

SO SAY WE ALL!!!

The family missed us so much that they made us a welcome home sign.  See?

OK, maybe I was just the Viva conduit, but I still played a role.

Next week?  Does Viva make some friends?

Road Trippin'...

Well, all good things must come to an end.  But each new end gives way to a beginning.  We got up bright and early to bid fare ye well to all things Westminster and prepared to go.

Silly Viva!  You can't drive!

After a vigorous debate about who gets to drive home, we settled on me driving (since I had a license) and Viva literally taking a back seat.

Safety First!!

With that we headed out.  It was a long trip and truth be told, I got a little sleepy after dinner.  I have no memory of the last half of the trip home.  But don't worry.  Viva took care of things.

See, Baby? I have a much better view from up here!

But how was Viva pressing the pedals??

Don't think about that, baby.  Just be happy that we're home!

But what was awaiting us when we got home??  Stay tuned for the next blog entry!

First Meeting: The Magic of The Viva.

Just over a week later, I made the trek to the Great White North (that is to say Casa Delgrave - it was spring and it was snowing; it counts as the Great White North) to retrieve the trophy for which I had fought so hard.  Sure, the NCAA tourney was still going strong, but I was bullet proof at that point.  I gathered the best men that I knew around me to safeguard this most precious of trophies to its new home in the Land of the Pines.  Here is our noble troop:

The noble gentleman guards.  Also pictured.  Scott.

It was a grand weekend.  We laughed, we played games, we bonded.  Viva and I felt like old friends who had not seen each other in a long time.  And here's the thing... Viva is funny!!  We were playing a game called "King of New York."  What does he do?  He jumps up on the board and yells "I'm the King... of New York, baby!"

Look at that smile!!  Who could be mad a that? (Ruined game not withstanding.)

After it had started snowing, he insisted that we go out to play in the snow.

That's a little snow on the table and it's still snowing... I swear it.

But like all things, the weekend had to end.  Viva said his teary goodbyes to Scott and we parted ways.

It should be noted that Viva was sad to go, while Scott... not so much.

Up Next:  The road trip home.