A Little Father's Day Shoutout!

Happy Father's Day Dad! I just wanted to write down a couple of my favorite things about my Dad, and for the record I don't care what Tangie Alsop says, I don't think you are a strange man. For those that didn't grow up in my house or in Northridge 4th let me quickly explain that the Alsop's were probably the WEIRDEST people I have ever met and one day the little 3 year old girl walked up and said, "Brother Gildea, my mom says you are a strange man, but I think you are nice." Yeah Sister Alsop my dad is surely the weird one.... Anyways, for those that don't know my Dad, you are really missing out. He is not one in a million, he is one in a trillion. Honestly, I love him and I feel so lucky to have him as my Dad.
This picture was recently taken when one of the Visalia Firemen found out he had a brain tumor, to honor him all the fireman shaved their heads. My Dad has such a love and dedication to the people he works with. He really would do anything for them, and I always loved telling people growing up that my Dad was a fireman. Everyone always thought that was so cool and he would always let us bring people to tour the fire station when we were younger. We went there every Sunday that my Dad worked and he would let us climb on the engines, wear his boots and helmets and slide down the poles!

I love this picture of my Dad and I because he really is that hip (those aren't really is sunglasses but use your imagination) He loves to wear, much to our dismay, items like FUBU, PHAT FARM, and let's not forget WUWEAR (just imagine him saying, woo woo and raising the roof). But really he is with the times, he is always up to date on Hollywood life (he is the one that told me that Nick and Jessica were getting a divorce mind you). He always knows the latest bands and music. Seriously, he introduced me to bands like The White Stripes and The Strokes
He's also really good at improvising (sorry Gabe). Last year while we were home visiting the girls went shopping and Grandpa was left with the kids. He couldn't find the wipes....so he took Gabe out and hosed him off. We were laughing SO hard, but hey it worked. My Mom said that he used to do that to us growing up as well, so I guess some good things never change....

My Dad is probably one of the youngest 52 year olds you will probably ever meet. This was him going down the giant slide at the bounce part this last year. My Dad has always lived on the edge, especially with his toys...which we had in abundance growing up. It was not unusual to see my Dad in his 40's doing pop a wheelies up and down our street or buying a leather riding outfit equiped with the professional rollers one the knees (yes the one's that professionals use)

And last but not least, my Dad is a jokester above all jokesters. I am not sure when this started but he started buying us shirts from places like GENX clothing. It has become one of our favorite parts of Christmas, but the joking doesn't end there. My friend Jason Sanders was over at our house when I was in High School and he put dog biscuits on a plate and served them to him. It was hilarious!

But probably one of my favorite jokes was 6 years ago, it was my niece Hallie's first Christmas and my Dad bought her some Santa Jammies and as a joke. My Mom, don't kill me for telling this, was all about this Grandma thing and so my dad was hanging out the jammies and it got to her. He handed her a box and she looked inside and they were matching to Hallies....almost.....she got so excited and yanked it out of the box and much to her dismay they were not matching. It was the nastiest, most disgusting Mrs. Santa lingerie. I would show a picture, but I am pretty sure my mom has destroyed all the evidence....

I could go on and on, but I will end it at that. I hope you have a very Happy Father's Day. To my one in a trillion Dad, Love you!