Fatherless America by David Blankenhorn

Found this for a couple of bucks while browsing in the used bookstore. A classic from the 1990's, Blankenhorn uses the characters of the Old Father, New Father, Deadbeat Dad, Visiting Father and others to explain the crisis in fatherhood (which has only become much worse since then). He does an excellent job showing how all the various "new" fathers fail to provide the family what only real fathers can.

Soccer Tour New Years 08

Here are pictures from our trip with XL Travel to the U.K. to watch English Premier football (soccer) games. The pictures, in order, are from the bottom up. I don't know how to get blogger to add them top to bottom. 

Ethan and I with Martha, a real soccer fan who has taken 10 of the XL tours

over the last two years!

Aaron and Ethan at New Year's Eve celebration at the hotel.

Our view of the game during Hull City - Aston Villa fixture. That's Brad Friedel, an American, in the goal for Aston Villa on the right. I wish I had the Stars and Stripes with me!

Aston Villa supporters singing to Hull City supporters at KC Stadium in Hull City. Many of the songs are not, ahem, "family friendly."

In the stands at KC Stadium in Hull City. We had great seats about five rows back from the goal. Again, we sat with the away fans (Aston Villa), who were very friendly to us.

Strolling around Manchester city. The downtown area is not all that big and is walkable, a lot like Boston.

Ethan in dressing room at City of Manchester stadium.

Aaron in the dressing room at City of Manchester stadium.

Sitting in the pressroom at City of Manchester Stadium.

Wayne Rooney taking a corner kick at Old Trafford.

Pregame festivities at Old Trafford.

Inside Old Trafford prior to the Manchester United - Middlesbrough game. We sat with the Middlesbrough supporters. The railing draped in green is the marker that separates the home (Man United) and away (Middlesbrough) supporters. At game time, there are a lot of police and stewards patrolling the border to keep everyone in line.

Outside Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United (not to be confused with

the Manchester City team.) This is a giant stadium that holds about 70,000 spectators.

Outside of City of Manchester Stadium, home of Manchester City football club.

We didn't get to see a Man City game, but we did tour the stadium.

Bolton supporters passing banner across the stands. It reads "We are the one and only Wanderers."

In the stands prior to the Bolton Wanderers - Wigan Athletic game. We sat with the Bolton supporters right next to the Wigan section.

The boys outside the Reebok Stadium in Bolton.