Today, and the Next One

(My oldest son and youngest grandson.)

Back in the "real world" the past couple of days, I've been reeling. When was the last time you checked out of the world for four weeks? No news programs, no TV at all, no meetings or lectures; no driving a car, or shopping for groceries; none of the regular things.

It is invariably a shock to rejoin the normal routines after such a hiatus. I suddenly sympathize with the prisoner who is released, or the astronaut who returns.

It was not such a long time, but long enough for me to have forgotten how many decisions, large and small, have to be made in the average day. Maybe that explains my profound tiredness; that, and a sense that I'd like to change my life going forward.

For health reasons, I must change certain things about my diet and lifestyle, and I shall do so, easily. My restrictions are minor compared to those who have much more serious problems, and common-sense in any event.

But for emotional and spiritual reasons, I need to live in a new manner.

More about that in the posts to come.

-30-

The Elusive Hunt

There's not all that much you can say to a teenager about the journey he is on that will get through right away, but using your own life as an example -- both positive and negative -- will probably trump any lectures.

In that regard, I can't remember enough of my own teen years to be useful, but I have both succeeded and F***ed up my adult life so royally that there is plenty of ammunition for us both to draw upon.

Then again, getting well enough to do the simplest of fatherly tasks -- playing frisbee in the park -- is a new experience for me. Sometimes he tracks down my throws, sometimes they soar beyond his reach.

Either way, I know he's happy I'm "back."

-30-

High on a hill in drizzly San Francisco today, the kids and I ran around chasing a frisbee in the warm humid air of New Year's Day.

It didn't feel particularly momentous, this first day of a decade. Just another day in a park.

But it is at times like this that I've come to most value my time on earth. It is a finite visit for all of us.

I commend the movie, "An Education."

It is the kind of film, based on the kind of memoir, that makes me want to write my own life story, and to return to my Hollywood writing days, as well.

Maybe this will be the year? First things first. I'm told I will be going home finally in a few more days...

-30-