Caulfield has been characterized for years as a kid who can’t be bothered with a page of 2+3= , 2+5= , 3×2= , etc. Who can blame him? That might be a challenge for some of the kids … and a good exercise; but the kid needs to be challenged.
I sure hope Caulfield has a solid plan to become an entrepreneur when he grows up, because he’ll never make it working for someone else. Then again, even entrepreneurs have to settle down and sweat the mundane, boring details sometimes. If his school can’t challenge him enough, then it’s time for a new school. If that’s not possible, then he’d better get used to the way things are, and maybe his parents can find ways to challenge him away from school.
From Wikipedia: “Cat’s in the Cradle” is a 1974 folk rock song by Harry Chapin from the album Verities & Balderdash. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974. As Chapin’s only No. 1 hit song, it became the best known of his work and a staple for folk rock music. – It is about a boy that wants to grow up to be just like his dad, and he does, but that is not necessarily a good thing.
It’s said that the hardest feat in sports is to hit a major-league fastball. Part of me is skeptical of that — it’s hard to concede that something that happens hundreds of times across the country on any given summer night can be the hardest feat in sports — but the rest of me is amazed anyone can do it at all. And the most amazing aspect of it, to me, is not the ability to swing a piece of lumber both quickly and powerfully enough into the right place to hit a ball going 90 mph. Nor to recognize where the ball is going and what not-necessarily-straight path it’s going to take to get there. Nor the ability to put that rapidly swinging piece of lumber right where the ball is at the right time. No, it’s the patience to wait for the right pitch from a guy whose job it is not to give you the right pitch.
I am not a patient athlete. I like sports where it’s time to go and you go, and go and go and go, and while there is strategy and there is patience, it’s more like a lot of micro-adjustments as you go along. Better yet, ideally, decision time comes when (and this may just be me, but I bet it’s not) you’ve been out there long enough going hard enough that you’re simply too tired to think, so you rely on training, instinct and reaction. The equation for fear goes FEAR = THINKING + TIME, and if I I’m not exhausted enough to eliminate the thinking, I try to eliminate the time, which would make me a sitting duck for any decent pitcher. So would the fact that I can’t hit a Whiffle ball sitting on a tee, but that’s another issue and I think you get my point.
I would take questions, but I’m afraid that I don’t think we have time.
Caufield is bored and uninspired by age appropriate lessons. I was the same way in school. In 6th grade reading at a college level. My homework and classwork rarely got good grades. I usually aced tests though.I don’t think my teacher would have approved of Kurt Vonnegut though.
Bilan about 5 years ago
He’s a little short to be the next Babe Ruth.
JanBic Premium Member about 5 years ago
He just needed a challenge. Vonnegut is a good choice.
cabalonrye about 5 years ago
You must be American or Japanese to understand why this is funny. :(
Ceeg22 Premium Member about 5 years ago
No, he’s just acting superior again. Because you’re bored by assignments that are too easy for you is not an excuse to not do them well.
Old Girl about 5 years ago
Caulfield has been characterized for years as a kid who can’t be bothered with a page of 2+3= , 2+5= , 3×2= , etc. Who can blame him? That might be a challenge for some of the kids … and a good exercise; but the kid needs to be challenged.
OldIndy about 5 years ago
“Cat’s Cradle” for an elementary school student? Vonnegut is sometimes too dark for adults.
amaryllis2 Premium Member about 5 years ago
Vonnegut, and, “And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon, little boy blue and the man on the moon…”
JoeMartinFan Premium Member about 5 years ago
I sure hope Caulfield has a solid plan to become an entrepreneur when he grows up, because he’ll never make it working for someone else. Then again, even entrepreneurs have to settle down and sweat the mundane, boring details sometimes. If his school can’t challenge him enough, then it’s time for a new school. If that’s not possible, then he’d better get used to the way things are, and maybe his parents can find ways to challenge him away from school.
James Wilkins Premium Member about 5 years ago
I wondered where all of this was going. Nicely done.
Not the Smartest Man On the Planet -- Maybe Close Premium Member about 5 years ago
This theme has really been played out. Four strikes.
well-i-never about 5 years ago
Easy math and easy spelling? What is she doing herself – coasting?
STACEY MARSHALL Premium Member about 5 years ago
From Wikipedia: “Cat’s in the Cradle” is a 1974 folk rock song by Harry Chapin from the album Verities & Balderdash. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1974. As Chapin’s only No. 1 hit song, it became the best known of his work and a staple for folk rock music. – It is about a boy that wants to grow up to be just like his dad, and he does, but that is not necessarily a good thing.
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] about 5 years ago
Frazz Blog14 hrs ago ·
It’s said that the hardest feat in sports is to hit a major-league fastball. Part of me is skeptical of that — it’s hard to concede that something that happens hundreds of times across the country on any given summer night can be the hardest feat in sports — but the rest of me is amazed anyone can do it at all. And the most amazing aspect of it, to me, is not the ability to swing a piece of lumber both quickly and powerfully enough into the right place to hit a ball going 90 mph. Nor to recognize where the ball is going and what not-necessarily-straight path it’s going to take to get there. Nor the ability to put that rapidly swinging piece of lumber right where the ball is at the right time. No, it’s the patience to wait for the right pitch from a guy whose job it is not to give you the right pitch.
I am not a patient athlete. I like sports where it’s time to go and you go, and go and go and go, and while there is strategy and there is patience, it’s more like a lot of micro-adjustments as you go along. Better yet, ideally, decision time comes when (and this may just be me, but I bet it’s not) you’ve been out there long enough going hard enough that you’re simply too tired to think, so you rely on training, instinct and reaction. The equation for fear goes FEAR = THINKING + TIME, and if I I’m not exhausted enough to eliminate the thinking, I try to eliminate the time, which would make me a sitting duck for any decent pitcher. So would the fact that I can’t hit a Whiffle ball sitting on a tee, but that’s another issue and I think you get my point.
I would take questions, but I’m afraid that I don’t think we have time.
pjsdoghouse2003 about 5 years ago
Caufield is bored and uninspired by age appropriate lessons. I was the same way in school. In 6th grade reading at a college level. My homework and classwork rarely got good grades. I usually aced tests though.I don’t think my teacher would have approved of Kurt Vonnegut though.
asrialfeeple about 5 years ago
Maybe the umpire is blind.