Genetics

My kid, 14, just sneezed for the first time in the stye recognizable as that of my paternal family. Phenotypes are so whacky!

Morning Commute

(in keeping with this publication's primary themes of infrequent updating and dream logging, this is a dream post, almost a year without updating)

I'm performing my usual morning commute, biking on the big dummy with my son on the back. This morning's commute differs from the usual in that my boss is also on the back of the bike, because she needs a ride to work. We roll along, and I'm able to manage a decent pace in spite of the increased weight. Part of the commute involves carrying the bike up several flights of stairs in a high rise, and leaping from one internal fire escape landing to another. This is considerably more difficult with an extra passenger (I am, apparently, not allowed to ask them to get off the bike for this). We get to the last leap before making the descent out of the building, and I have to hurl the bike across the open space before making the jump myself, and even though the destination is lower than where I jump from, i almost don't make it, meaning that return is impossible.

As I prepare to exit the window to descend, two young construction workers appear in the window (male and female, this seems relevant somehow) to y that the way down is closed, and they are seemingly very amused at my predicament. Amidst the complaints of the commuters backed up behind me (on the last landing), I realize that I could get the bike back across the gap if I ditched my boss (or my son, but that choice seems obvious)... But the dream ends with me standing frustrated at an apparent dead end, with the construction workers giggling in amusement.

Full Moon Missing

I sit in the darkness of the missing moonlight, which some might call unnatural, because it is unusual, and i think it might be good to light some candles. I light the candles and sit between them, as they are on either end of my room. As i sit thinking of the light that is missing, and the lights that burn, i see them all as symbols. I see constellations of lights of various kinds, floating around us all. Some we give life to and once we have done that, they provide us with their own heat and light. Some mysteriously vanish from our sight by no action or inaction of our own. Sometimes they return, and sometimes they do not.

We are, all of us, candles, stars, and moons for someone. Keep this in mind when you feel overshadowed or distant. The shadow can pass, the distance can shrink, and the light can return.

I guess i don't know my own strength

I didn't think i could possibly shear a bolt without some serious leverage. Apparently, all it takes is the misguided notion that if the seat tube is still not tightened, you should crank on the seat post collar bolt a little more.

The family bike is out of commission for at least a day, probably more. So much for sparkly new handlebars for the boy.

California to Queers: "Drop dead"

If there's one thing i'll walk away from Novemeber 4th, 2008 with, it's that homophobia is more powerful than racism.

EDIT:
I have to check myself; there's really no comparison between various bigotries. Let's just say i'm happy California didn't prove both racist and homophobic.

Happy birthday, Paul

Wherever you are.

the travails of parentood

I had this awesome blog post all ready to go in my head, and just when i sit down to write it, wouldn't you know my son needs help staying in bed. Ninety minutes later, and i've completely forgotten what i was going to write, and i'm somehow up past my bedtime (the very thing i just spent time trying to avoid having my progeny do).