NOTEBOOK
Commentary, experiments, failures (more often than not) and experiences in the field.
5 Superhero Powers of Fatherhood
After having kids, I noticed I had some strange, unique abilities that never made themselves known while I was child-free. Maybe it’s because I spent last week at Comic-Con or maybe I just haven’t slept in about 7 years but I’m starting to wonder if all this parenting hasn’t mutated me or unlocked superpowers. It’s […]
What I Worry About
Occasionally, a parent-to-be will come and ask me for advice about parenting. Crazy, right? They’re so focused on what could happen or what to do, they miss one of the most important elements of the whole process. It’s not for lack of trying or thoughtfulness, but most of us start off with a mindset that […]
Pokémon NO – The Game App for Non-Players
Some of us don’t have even half a percent of a clue how to play, but the online/real-life game Pokémon GO is a wildfire sensation! Eyes glued to their smartphones, people are swarming the streets and alleyways and random corners of parks and all kinds of normally-boring places to “catch ’em all.” Sadly, not everyone […]
The Conceit of Clark Kent
We’ve all donned, at one time or another, a costume made from something pretend. A hero, a princess, a warrior, an artist — we found our identity through this play. Imaginations have always been part and parcel to the fabric of childhood but we grew up, forced to focus on the road ahead, and we […]
19 Times You Realized You Were A Parent
Talking to a parents before you have kids is a surreal experience. Some of them hold back and don’t want to scare you from the weight of responsibility they face, while others use scare tactics to shock you into wondering whether you’ll be up to the task. No matter how you felt before kids, you […]
Walking Amongst Giants
Our childhoods are littered with moments when we felt small and everything else felt so big. The movies we watched. The stories we read. The people we met. The relativity of size, distance and depth was always on display, being a little kid person, and it seems many of us have forgotten what it means […]
Forest of Memories
A photo posted by Charlie Capen (@charliecapen) on Jun 11, 2016 at 9:42pm PDT Around five years ago, I got my son Finn’s name inscribed on my arm by this man, Dr. Woo. Last weekend, I got myself an early Father’s Day present and etched Arden’s name on my other arm. It felt like things […]
Why Do People Think This Is Okay?
Before I had kids, I certainly experienced moments lamenting sitting next to upset, crazy or scream-o-crying children. I would glance over and hope, nay pray, they’d quiet down. Screaming kids and babies can feel grating to your soul. Hell, I would huff under my breath or roll my eyes, judgmentally. It’s frustrating to be near […]
Should We Tell Our Kids To Follow Their Dreams?
I came to Los Angeles to follow a dream. My dream led me to my wife, my kids and creating this site. But there’s something intangible and unknowable about dreams. They’re elusive. It’s a tough thing to pursue a passion. Though I would argue there’s something important and character-building in the journey of it, I […]
Dads Carry The Weight Of Their Worlds
I was talking with a friend yesterday, and we happened on the subject of the dumb dad stereotype. For some reason, advertisers and a substantial number of uninformed people around the world continue to think dads are simply non-committal buffoons one breath away from maiming or ruining their children. Which I get, because I can […]
