Homecoming

The Missoula kids arrive at SFO!

A Double Latte is a Good Thing

When you get to my age and stage of life, sometimes it is the little things you notice that seem to make the most difference as to how you feel. The big picture is just that -- the big picture -- and it often feels there is not much you can do to alter it.

But in your daily life, here and there a detail matters.

This week my youngest discovered coffee. She's 16 and growing up fast. This morning, after picking her up from the SPCA, where she walks dogs, she asked to go by Starbuck's, which is right next to KQED (where I work) and she ordered a double latte and a croissant.

I don't know why but I felt proud of her. When she orders in restaurants and cafes, she now speaks clearly and smiles. The barista could hear her. She seems to have a new confidence lately.

Back home, she asked to borrow my laptop to look at some tennis shoes from DSW.com. As she did that she noticed that my Firefox browser defaults to Ask.com, which is a worthless service, instead of my preference, Google.

She tried to fix it.

I think that is the first time in along time she offered to do something that would make my life easier. I felt very grateful to her.

After dropping her off at her Mom's in late morning (so she can go with a friend to an art class this afternoon), I got a call from her 20-year-old brother in Missoula. He and his 19-year-old brother and his 20-year-old girlfriend are about to begin their flights home for the summer after their freshman years at University of Montana.

They needed a bit of money, since the airlines now charge for bags. Not a problem, since we have linked bank accounts.

Anticipation -- the most powerful emotional state. We are all anticipating having the boys back home.

-30-

Raising Butterflies

By Luca and Sophia.

Success Looks Like This

After picking up my youngest from the SPCA at 10 a.m., after her two-hour shift walking dogs, we went shoe shopping again. This time, we were seeking a nice pair of shoes, so we went first to Nordstrom Rack, then downtown to Nordstrom's, and finally to DSW on Union Square.

It is a part of the city we rarely visit together, filled with tourists and people speaking languages other than English. She noticed people exchanging foreign currencies and making expensive purchases.

On the fourth floor of DSW, she pronounced herself to be in "shoe heaven." There were several rows of shoes in Women's 10-11, her size, and within moments she had four favorties, which she eventualy narrowed down to two.

One is a pair of low brown boots with a short, broad heel; the other a similar shoe but in black. We bought them and the receipt proclaimed that I had saved $146 and change. She was chatty as we made our back to the car's garage and back home.

Later we will shop for flowers that she can give her Mom tomorrow -- Mother's Day.

-30-

Shoe Shopping With Daughter and Deli Lunch With Friends

Last night I left work early, drove to Bernal, picked up my 16-year-old, drove to Daly City and we went shoe shopping. After that (successful) outing we grabbed food at one of her favorites, Whizburger, near my house.

Today seven of my colleagues and I walked to a cafe called Salumeria for lunch. It is one of the places I used to hang out at back in my blogging days -- often meeting entrepreneurs there for lunch or coffee. As a team, we've been going out together more often, which adds a pleasant new dimension to work.

Tonight, at home, I'm pleased to report that of my two fantasy baseball teams, which collectively represent a major focus for me, one is in first place (out of 12 teams) and one is in 4th (out of 14). Since I love stats and I love baseball, pretty much equally, this is as close to mathematical nirvana as I am likely to achieve, unless, of course, both teams could achieve first.

I'm trying to strike a balance between my real life and my virtual life, which means slightly more blogging these days. I'm also watching old movies some nights -- last night I viewed a bit of Rollover, my one Hollywood success. I've kept it out and will watch some more some night soon.

(It is a long movie.)

-30-

Better Blogger

I'm trying to post updates more frequently these days; otherwise what's the point of a blog? My problem is I am working full-time so my energy at night doesn't allow much more than a token attempt.

This morning very early my daughter texted me, asking for a drive to school. Yes, I can do that.

Tonight after work I picked her and a friend up at soccer practice. They were in that light-hearted mood teenaged girls can sometimes achieve, and it was such a pleasure driving them back to Bernal. They were chatty about boys, school, shoes and so on.

Given how hard it is to be a sixteen-year-old girl at times, it is especially nice at those other times when it isn't...

Now I am settling in to watch the Giants on TV.

Trees Waving Good-Bye

As I look out my back window this lonely weekend, I see the mighty Monterey Pine, the modest Meyer Lemon, the apple tree, the plum tree, the jasmine plant and the bamboo all waving at me in the wind. This is not the last time they will speak to me in this manner.

But some fine day it will be the last time. I guess I am just appreciating their permanence and my lack of permanence. The beauty of living amid nature is how inter-connected we all are.

This weekend I have spent entirely alone. I am watching sports and movies on TV.  Plus texting my kids. They are watching some of the games too.