Weekend Update

Photo by Terry Joyce

As always, there were wins and there were losses. Michigan lost its classic battle to Ohio State, 39-42. But the two teams are still ranked 1-2 in what is known as the BCS standings. Unless this changes as the season wraps up, they would face each other in a rematch for the national championship next January. Even if Michigan does not get that opportunity, they have a lock on the Rose Bowl, their traditional goal, on New Year's Day, 2007.

Cal lost to USC; otherwise they'd be going to the Rose Bowl, too.

Aidan's soccer team, CRZ Fusion, won their championship game. The teams tied 1-1 and Fusion won on shootouts 4-2. The kids are well-coached and perform as a cohesive unit, very fun to watch.

***

My friend Mary came over last night and ordered us Indian food. We looked over interviews of women she's conducted for her upcoming book. The subject was, basically, sex, but I'll wait until some future date to start promoting it for her. I'm just giving editorial advice for now. Every time I read a woman's honest version of her sexual experiences and how she has come to view her own sexuality over time, I learn new things.

It is absolutely stunning how different our worlds are -- men's and women's. Sex is the most intimate way we can connect with one another, yet we have such different impressions of what happens when we actually do. It's dangerous, for certain, a great way to wreck a perfectly good friendship, yet an inevitable element of love.

***

Dylan and Julia performed well in their piano recital. Dylan has graceful fingers and looks comfortable when he plays. Julia is self-possessed and manages to smile at the audience.

Tonight I'm cooking a pot roast. My son Peter taught me how to prepare pot roasts correctly.

Karen Armstrong's Islam: A Short History is a terrific summary of the religion that most Americans find so confusing. When in the Peace Corps, in Afghnastan, I read the Koran and other relevant books, so much of this material is familiar to me. But it is nice to refresh my memory.

Jews, Christians, Moslems. All emerged sequentially from the same place. Each built upon the former. Nothing inherently requires them to be in conflict. It is a huge tragedy that they are.

-30-