DADDING

New Concept/Content Vessel - “Dadding”

What is it - “Dadding” will be continual segments focused on a specific topic related to being a father.  This framework will then enable a perspective to be articulated with a challenge/encouragement given to grow in this area.  

Essentially, in layman’s terms, I’ll post a topic that dads struggle with/excel in/are learning about and expand on this topic in order to encourage and spur on other dads.  Some of these segments with haves some “steps” in them and/or “tips and tricks”; while others may just be a shallow dive into the concept.  These topics will all be based on experiences and growth that I’m having, have had, or are currently growing in.  

I hope to add value to anybody and everyone that comes through this site/portal/information space in as many ways as possible.  This is just one of the many ways I hope to do this in the future.

Thanks for reading.

NF.

BLAH BLAH BLAH

So if you haven’t gathered at this point the essential point of NORMAL association is the it is a dad blog with a focus on showcasing products and services that can help elevate a fathers life and circumstances.  I’m excited for what this is to become.  It is starting so small.  And if you haven’t gathered, this project is essentially coming out of the ashes of a “failed” previous project.  I went through that in some previous blog posts (read those later if you’d like).  But I’m super stoked on where this is going and super pumped on where it could go.  Repeating myself, whatever though.

I’m essentially using these first posts as a start to get better at writing.  These are intended to be longwinded and terribly written!  You’re catching me in the learning at this point.  In most things, you don’t get to see the beginnings or the learnings; not here.  You’re going to learn along with me.  And honestly, I feel like we miss out on so much in life because we’re not “along for the ride”.  The “ride” is where life really happens.  Yes, we all want to get to the destination, but we create bonds and stories from “the ride”.  You feel connected from going through the ride.  So, I’m stoked if you have decided to come on the ride with me.  

My hope and intention is to create a rad space, during a weird time, for people to come together and go on a ride as well.  Their own ride.  Currently, we’re just coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.  This is meaning we have been fairly segregated from each other for approximately a year.  And during that year, it has seemed as our social muscles have  atrophied a bit.  We have been meeting online and on our phones, which is great, and honestly, I think has taught us to better use our technology.  But nothing will replace being with people.  Concurrently, I think we have also seen how digital platforms can actually be used for good and be used in an authentic way to continue to bolster relationship and connection.  

So, I’m crossing my fingers that this will do the same.  I’ll figure out how to put some dope stuff on here to look at and continue to write these little short blurbs to hopefully add some context as we continue.  Thanks for reading.  Who know, I’ve also toyed with the idea of just maybe making these into videos as its kind of a more fun way to do this……we’ll see.

Peace.

NF.

YOU WON'T READ THIS

I don’t even know where we/you are at now in the story arc.  In fact, I don’t even know if there really is an arc at this point.  Just kind of feels like a massive run on sentence.  You’ve figured out at this point; I’m not a writer.  And I’m not trying to be.  This early stage is simply just getting a ton of ideas/content/info/ etc out there.  It’s honestly just a space that may be forgotten as this grows.  I did, however, want to create a space on the site where, if someone digs hard enough, will get some insight as to where the hell this even came from.  A space where they could find the “why”.  

My goal is to try and marry all of my interests and skills into something that COULD work.  I tried this to pre-maturely with RV (see previous word vomit) and it didn’t work.  Now that I’ve gotten to fail, I want to try something a bit more calculated and most likely more honest.  RV was a massive disappointment, but it was also extremely necessary.  It was so necessary to get to this; this literal blog post that I’m typing.  If I wouldn’t have had that experience, I wouldn’t have had the story to tell and the hardship to learn from.  Nothing that is worth doing comes easy.  But one of the things that I’ve learned as well is that you have to have a sort of upwell and continual stream of insights that you’re intending to create from conceptually.  If you don’t get that upwelling from the idea, shelf it; not forever, just until it is more flushed out.  Am I saying NORMALassociation is flushed out?  HELL NO!   This shit is still half baked at this point.  Ha.  But half baked is better than raw; which was how and what RV was.  

I hope that NOMRALassociation is a place that can be a hub for dads.  Young dads, old dads, mid-dads, whatever.  I just love when people have a place to congregate and converse.  A place or space in which could assist in relationship building and cultivation.  People need people no matter how jaded or cold hearted you are at this moment; you could have ice in your veins, you still need people; even if those other people still have ice in their veins (at least you have something in common).   The initial ideation for NORMALassociation is that “dad narrative” is that we just become extremely normal; which we kind of do.  We sort of drift into this new land of dads and away from all the bullshit really.  But we in a weird way lose ourselves.  We had all these interests before and feel some what guilty if still like them now that we have assisted in birthing and raising humans.  

That’s natural.  It’s a process.  But you can do both.  And I hope I can initially be some sort of beacon of hope that you don’t have to lose yourself.  That is probably one of the main core pieces of NORMALassociation; just don’t lose yourself.  Make some adjustments and figure out how to persevere and preserve.  Don’t just give up and concede.  Fight.  Fight for your family first and always.  But don’t forget to fight for yourself in the process.

I think I’m going to post 5-10 of these words vomits so hopefully you get a decent understanding of what the overall intention is.  We’re on number 4 currently (as you’re reading).  So, after that 5th or 10th one, or whenever I feel like shutting up, you’ll get more product stuff going.  That is the main reason for this just this vibe and culture of dads that love dope shit; dope shit that makes sense.  It could be physically practical, financially practical, structurally practical, whatever.  And as it moves on, I hope to figure out how to create some relationships and community around this platform.  I hope to do interviews, podcasts, youtube, hell maybe even a conferences!  I can dream!  

Thanks for following along………til next time…….

NF.

LOWER YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Look just to be upfront, if you’re coming here expecting to get some “well crafted” literature or copy or whatever; you’re in the WRONG place.  This is not that.  Essentially, this is just a dude with a dream.  I’m not the best writer.  Hell, I’m not even a decent writer.  But I got stuff to talk about for sure!.  Ha.

As a follow on to the post before, over the past 10 years or so, while RV was going on, I had gotten married and my wife and I expanded our imprint and produced 3 children.  Having kids by far is the most life giving experience.  It has changed me for the better and I’m so thankful.  Of course, like anything worth doing, it is hard.  Raising kiddos doesn’t come easy, but again, if it doesn’t stretch you, it is even worth it?  I say this to say……..this (see below).

Don’t let yourself go.  Yes, as a dad, you will have a myriad of new responsibilities and new ways to act, respond, speak etc.  But don’t feel like you have to give up who you are.  You may have to adapt who you are or just tuck a few interests, guilty pleasures, or obsessions away for a while, but don’t feel like you have to give up.  

Maybe you’re a sneaker head, yes, the shoes need to wait.  Maybe you’re a denim nerd, yes, the new jawnz need to wait.  Fashion guy?  Yeah, should definitely not cop the new Rick this season.  But don’t just burn it or throw it in the trash.  It still you and it still means something.  Don’t let anybody tell you different.  You can still dream, look, and be fan.  And maybe you’re much farther along in life and you still can afford these things.  Thats rad!  Either way though, you’ll still probably need to pull back.  And that is good.  It is honestly for the better; probably doesn’t feel like it, but it is.  

I say all this stuff since it has been part of my life.  At a certain, point you feel like you can still be the person you were before kids.  Then you slowly get worn down and go through another jr. high stage of what it looks like to try and be that person, but with baby puke all over you.  On the low, it honestly adds to your swagger!  Ha.  So there is some more insights as to why this blog/site exists.  It is intended to be a place for dads similar to be to congregate.  Dads that like these shoes, fits, gadgets, skateboards, golf clubs, etc.  I hope to as time moves on to really get even more gear and Dad-centric stuff up on here.

The hope is to have a little bit of a lot on this site.  I would love to see tons of swaggy d’s on here sharing, learning, and loving.  Time will tell what it turns into.  I hope to also have some sort of podcast and/or interview component talking about being a dad, business, industry, kids, marriage, etc.  The hope is just a general drip daddy support group.  Ha.  We shall see………I’m sure it will evolve, but that is the general intention.  Come along on the journey.

***Hopefully my writing will improve too***

DON'T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB

Ok so last time I told you that my name is Neil.  That is still currently still the case.  Ha.  Well, my full name is Stephen Neil Fox.  Find me on IG at @stephenneilfox.  I’m writing this post because I was feeling like maybe I should continue to share some insights on myself that would attribute to the “why” behind the existence of this blog.  

I’ll continue to unfold some insights along the way, as well as some product features and such over time, but as I said earlier I love product.  For, man, as long as I could remember, I had wanted to start a brand.  I didn’t know what the brand would be, but I knew that I wanted it to be in apparel.  Fortunately, I was able to grow up in one of the best, maybe the best, era of skateboarding.  At that time, all the dudes I loved skated in denim.  So denim has always been a huge influence and just tactile love in my life.  This textile has always had a serious value to me.  It has always stood for something tough, something that stands the test of time.  

So after years of dreaming and wanting, I was fortunate enough to start this “brand”.  Now, just to prepare this story doesn’t end with some great wow you’re so talented or creative type of ending.  In fact, it is just the opposite.  Now we continue…….

Started this brand.  It was called Reynard Vixen.  Decent name….maybe….maybe not.  Who knows; really who cares.  Anyways I was lucky enough to do this for about 8 years or so.  Along the way, I leaned so much.  I learned design, I learned budgeting, I learned photography, videography, and so many other things.  I’m not an expert in any of these things, but I love learning so now I can say that I’ve at least learned new stuff.  As an aside, skateboarders inherently are just jack of all trades.  We just like doing stuff.  We end up become a sort of multidisciplinary beings.  

That brands goes on.  It has some ups and had many downs.  And ultimately was shut down.  Don’t feel sad.  It needed to die; really the big take away is this……

I had always heard don’t worry about your “first thing.”  In fact, really don’t put too much stock in it.  There is a high probability that it will die.  I thought I was the exception.  I was not.  You can shit all over me if you want, it’s fine.  But any young person always, whether they say it or not, thinks they’re the exception.  The cool part, and the follow on to what I had always heard, is that it will usually birth something more, something better, and maybe even various other things.  And starting, running, and shutting down Reynard Vixen has done just that.  And I’m super thankful.  

This is a lot of backstory and maybe even just lame boring stuff, but I love context.  It really helps gain a great understanding as to why someone does or doesn’t do something.  Honestly, feels like context is lacking in the world in general.  Another story for another day……

Anyways, the death of RV (Reynard Vixen) has ultimately spawns 2 new things:  1.)  This silly blog idea  2.)  A Design Practice

From doing RV, I really found that I like doing what can be called brand strategy and development.  Ok, in design world, this is such a broad brush stroke term.  It is like say someone is creative; it can mean so many things.  But just overall helping others develop their brand from visual and strategic level.  And secondly, having a brand fail the first go around, really helps you flush out what you would do differently and or better next time.  And that is where NORMAL association fits in.  AKA this blog.  Thats probably enough for now as I’m sure this is super long and poorly written.  But at least some more of the why as to why this exists.  Maybe I’ll just start doing videos where I talk about it; because as I’m sure you’ve gathered I’m a shit written…….HMMMMMMM.  

So there you go kids.  Some more babble as to why you may be here.  Thank you a ton, seriously, if you’ve gotten this far.  

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t have a life lesson I could leave you with.  A piece of value so to speak.  So here it is, don’t put too much stock in the first things you try and get off the ground.  Don’t NOT do it, but just remember it is a means to an end.

HERE WE GO

Yo.  My name is Neil and I wanted to start this blog.  That was such a ridiculous sentence.  Ha.  

Anyways, I have always had an oddly obsessive fascination with stuff.  I know it comes from my childhood, but it has been so strange as to how it has continued.  I’m sure there is an insane rabbit trail to go down to find out why, but fuck it; we’ll save that for later.

I love clothes and I love rad gear.  Gear that is intended for a purpose.  From clothing to coffee makers, I just dig new stuff that could improved your quality of life.  I have been a pseudo outdoors guys for a long while.  I say “pseudo” because my outdoorsiness consists of skateboarding and surfing.  I’m not an avid backpacker or something so don’t get the wrong impression.  However, I do enjoy being out in nature.  But just to be frank, I’m more along the lines of a glamper (you can cancel me if you want at this point).

From a gear perspective, I love super objective product. Topo Design, The North Face, or Arcteryx these some of the dopest brands! They are tech gear intended for the elements. So sick! But on the other hand, I love peoples perspectives and when people develop a brand to try and articulate a certain narrative or perspective. Look at shoe companies, one of the biggest (you can figure that one out), didn’t need to come about. There was no objective necessity. There were plenty of other footwear brands that would have, in time, most likely, come up with some insanely designed and functional footwear. But there was no brand that was looking towards how to encourage the performance and enhancement of athletes like the “big dawg” has. Look at the end of the day, the brand makes you feel better! And if you feel better, there is a high probability that you’ll execute better. So, additionally, I love brands that do something intuitively that can psychologically enhance your life. That is just as equal as in value! And supporting those that have a dream and perspective is awesome. So, equally, I love brands and product from a lot of spheres.

As we continue, you’ll catch the vibe.

From this fascination, I had always had this want to create a place where this kind of stuff lived.  And now being a dad, I feel like there is seemingly a strange need for this.  Speaking to dads at this point; when you become a dad there is something of a metamorphosis you go through.  You switch up your life for the better, but are equally as conflicted in that you may feel like you lost yourself.  Like as if you’re no longer aloud to have taste or care about anything other than money, house, cars, soccer practice, etc.  

As any good dad does and is doing, of course those things matter!  Duh!  Those come first!   But equally so, you don’t have to feel like you’ve lost yourself or have to, in a way, give up.  This blog is for those that don’t want to give up.  You can be a dad, family man, grandpa and still care about how you look and feel.  And damn it, you should!

Because just as much as you having a happy life is based on your happy wife, if you’re not happy, it will be hard to make wifey just has happy.  

So this is for you dad.  Whoever you may be.  Don’t give up.  Be cool with what you like.  Prioritize your family, but don’t just leave that drip in the dust.  It’s cool to be a dad and turn your swag on.

So this blog is intended to try and showcase rad brands, rad dads, and rad product that can upgrade your life to upgrade your routine.

I’m excited to start this journey. And a massive thank you to anybody that has chosen to follow along.

Oh yeah and tell your friends.

NF