Tooth Fairy
I never thought I would play the role of tooth fairy but I got the chance the other day. I just can’t get over how innocent and happy Aly is. When she came down the stairs clutching her three bucks, I thought she would burst. This is the norm for her. For here, there is no doubt that it’s great to be alive. And just a little of that rubs off on her dad.

Vanishing Act
I'm so impressed with people who can regale a crowd with minimum fanfare or props. To me, the one-man show is the ultimate accomplishment. Years ago, I went to see Spalding Gray perform Monster in a Box. It's hard to define what makes such a performance enjoyable. On one level it's so pedestrian and ordinary. I think it's the insights built around common experience that pull you in.

They can't find Spalding Gray. He may have jumped off the Staten Island ferry. It's sad-to-the-bone that a person can opt out of a life that includes standing solo before a crowd, entertaining them with stories of his life.

Reunion
At this age (over 50) a reunion of high school chums takes on a different character. Folks are pretty set in there ways. Whatever they've been doing works for them and who really cares if it doesn't resonate with others. Also there's this factor: At this point, how good can you look? We're ten years past sucking in our stomachs or explaining our existence.
Last night there were seven of us and a few spouses. No one really talked or asked about work. After all, I'm as bored explaining my work to you as I am trying to understand what you do. This new reality is refreshing, I think. It allows the evening to be about the shared past and the current moment. Everyone was relaxed. There were a lot of laughs. There probably some silent judgements being made but who cares? It's enough that we're all healthy enough to be here, lucky enough to be hanging out in the Presedential Suite, and old enough to share lots of stories.

Quality
I take note of quality people these days. Those with a quirky outlook or offbeat history. Maybe it's the pending election that brings up this awareness. Or the Superbowl. We are in the season where the mighty Yahoo rules.
Wait - now that was a snobby observation. After all, doesn't everyone after qualities if you look deep enough? Yeah, right!
I had two such encounters today. Kirk is a big guy who's been tuning my beast of an upright for years. We've always had nice chats during his visits but yesterday I learned that he and I are the same age and that he adopted his two girls eight years ago. A simpatico.
I arranged to meet Glenn at a Starbucks in the North End. We'll be working on the StoriedLife project. Glenn's web designer and mostly-Mac. At 25 (I'd guess) he's still laid back and taking notes

Pride (of all things)
I didn't expect a thing like pride to be taking hold so early in the game. I'm a beaming Dad at times. Those kids are unbelievable. Aly is devouring English at the same time she has turned sweet, affectionate, beautiful, and curious. Jack impresses on two fronts: Physical dexterity and mechanical intuition. In both cases I often can't believe what I'm witnessing. All of this would be wonderful enough but when I think about how much distance they have travelled, my pride makes me speechless.

It is colder than a well digger's tool today

All To Myself
These days are flat
Fogged-in rat traps
We're single sihlouettes at the end of the lane
Groping through the mailbox
Hoping for some detox
A little sunshine breaking through
This winter rain.

Doors snap closed
Making lonely echoes
Bouncing through the yards
In this neighborhood
Elbows on windows sills
Pained glass, damp chills
You know we need each other
Just to feel good