Is "peace out" one of those failed attempts at a masculine "I' love you"?

I raised my son from the age of four as a single father. Now, I'm happily married and proud father of a two week old baby daughter. It drives me to distraction when my wife tells someone that "Randy is watching Saralynn." I'm not babysitting and I'm not "watching" anyone. I'm fulfilling my role as a Daddy by making sure that our daughter is clean, fed, healthy and happy...along with laundry, dishes, vacuuming, preparing dinner, ...etc. Don't demean that by inferring that I'm providing Mommy with a temporary respite from her duties.

This type of grassroots movement should be celebrated by all of us. And, not that I don't like Michelle Obama, but how about "Memo to Oprah..."

Speaking of which...I'll be right back....

Different now. Those words choke me up in so many ways. It may be a way to open up the conversation, but more importantly, it's a way into his heart.

We may not be perfect, but given the chance, anything is possible. I'm so happy for you, Lisa.

Whoa, do I teach any one of you? That's daunting. I'm just a big old schmuck that may have had an insight or two during my life. I would never presume to teach or mentor anyone. If you found anything in my posts that is insightful to you or helpful in anyway, I am grateful for that. If you disagree and tell me why, I am grateful for that as well because I learn something about you, me and the rest of us.

I can relate, not to the leaving part, but to the "not knowing how to raise him" part and the alcoholism part. It is only recently that I am beginning to understand the depth of my relationship with my son, even after I was absent...perhaps not physically, but emotionally.

True words, Regie. From the time I first noticed girls until today, I have measured at least a part of my self-image through the eyes of the women in my life. I have, at times, played the fool and learned from those times.

I have had lunch a few times with a friend who is more observant than I am and he points out various tables of women at various times who sit and verbally chew up and spit out the men in their lives. I have been tempted many times to ask these women why they are still with these men if they're bunch of douchebags and tools.

And, of course, that makes me wonder if my wife talks smack like that when she's out with the girls. Is it destructive? Is it just venting? Is venting like this destructive?

I find your featured essays, currently focusing on pieces written by inmates at Sing Sing, and the fact that the winner of your essay contest could not accept his award because he's currently serving a sentence at the Logan County Detention Center, a bit disturbing. I have always been aware of the consequences of my actions and I find it hard to believe that men who were locked up because they broke the law have a better perspective on manhood than someone who does the right thing in the face of adversity.

Should we focus on responsibility and sensibility or should we focus on apologies and redemption?

Thanks for your thoughts, Jeff.

Some people I know found Randy Pausch's book and lecture to be whiney and self-serving. I was amazed that anyone would see it that way. Most men, until they reach a certain age or are faced with a terminal illness, do not understand their mortality. To know that your death is coming soon and being able to stand up and say, "This is what I loved about life and this is how you can achieve your dreams" is incredibly selfless and inspiring. I hope that if I am ever faced with George Carlin's "Two Minute Warning", that I will be able to be as selfless as Randy.

I agree with Mathew's assertion that men are bearing the brunt of quite a bit of misandry and that TV sitcoms and ads are indicative of that. Art imitates life. I also agree with some of you that most men won't be terribly affected by the programs themselves. However, I submit that they are a reflection of a deeper problem in our society. At best, they are only an annoying caricature. At worst, they are perpetuating the, prevalent but ridiculous, proposition that all of our lives would be greatly improved and more peaceful if only women ruled the world.