Good evening.  Not much to say today, but I want to be in the habit of writing every day, so here we are. Let's start with the good news:

1.  I got to ride my Harley to work today.  It was about 40 degrees when I left this morning, but so what?
2.  My car may not be totaled.  I hope not.  It's paid for, it's got new tires, new water pump, battery, and I just installed a Sirius/XM Satellite radio (a Christmas present to myself, than you very much).  I am hoping to get another 130,000 or so miles out of that unit.
3.  I continue to receive messages of support and love.  Lisa B. wrote: I start reading and I can't stop...u r an amazing human being, heart and soul... you are truly loved.  Yes, Lisa, I am.  I cannot deny that...  My coworker, Mo, sent such positive thoughts and well wishes (you can read her comments after my most recent posts).  My Samohi students continue to reach out and support me well beyond the classroom. The love has lifted me and carried me forward.  I have so much I want to do; thank you for pushing me, supporting me, sharing with me...

The bad news?

1.  It cost me a thousand dollars to drive a student home last night...  Now, this is in no way, shape, or form HIS fault.  It is clearly my own fault, but it did put a cherry on a particularly difficult week...  Anyway, I'm the one with the $1000 deductible on my auto insurance, but that's what broke people do; we look for ways to cut corners so that we can stretch our dollars.  (At least I have insurance! - I should have entered this under the good news column...)

That's about it for the bad news....  I talked to my brother, Danny, on the phone today about 4 times.  We are very, very close, but phone conversations have never been our thing...  We did share a mental health break over the phone, which was nice.  I also talked to my daughter, my son, and my mom and dad... So that's a good day!

I'm also delighted that my son is reading the blog.  You talk about someone who cuts through the bullshit, he is the one...  He will call you out in a heartbeat if he thinks you're being an idiot.  Thanks, Kenny.  I think you are an incredible human being - smart, outgoing, mechanically gifted, an excellent problem-solver, and a fun person to hang with...  I've had many regrets in my life regarding my relationship with you, but there are only a few moments I'd like to take back...  The one that haunts me is my comment to you when you told me that you were going to join the Marines instead of pursuing college.  If I recall, I said something to the effect of, "Good, because you are not college material..."  The unsaid part of that sentence, the part that perhaps I did say and you didn't hear, or maybe I didn't add it, was..  "... at this point in time." Let's face it - you thought you were in love, you were having second thoughts about everything - including your enlistment.  It is - and always will be - my position that 17, 18, and 19 year-old high school graduates GENERALLY SPEAKING are not well enough equipped at that age to be making decisions regarding colleges, majors, careers, etc. until they have lived life a little bit.  I believe strongly that 2 years (or so - depending again on the individual) should be spent in volunteer work, in the service, working, traveling, exploring, learning outside the classroom.  I fear that my careless words damaged our relationship in profound ways.  Let me reiterate - I think you are an awesome human being, capable of remarkable things... I can't wait to see what you're going to do next!  I love you, son, and I believe in you. Don't ever doubt that...

I think that's all I've got in me tonight.  Tomorrow will reveal it's joys and challenges in the morn; and I will write more then.  Good night.

Carpe Diem.