Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

Aidan and I started out the day with a frustrating task -- updating is FAFSA profile now he is headed back to school in January (probably at San Francisco State). But he did the work, with my assistance. That is my rule these days -- to have the kids handle their own financial aid applications, with me by their side. As opposed to the old way, when I did it all for them.

Then he drove Dylan and me over to Peter and Claire's house, where we spent a lovely afternoon and evening with the extended family. Claire prepared two turkeys, flattened and with their spines removed, in a manner I was not previously familiar with. The entire meal was delicious -- Dylan was especially expressive about how much he liked it.

It looks like he will get into U-C, Santa Cruz, in January!

We spoke to Julia by phone. She is in Connecticut with her grandmother for the weekend, having taken the train up there from Baltimore.

The grandchildren were charming as ever, shyly hugging me one by one. I must be an odd, intimidating figure to them -- sold old, with long white hair and a strange history they can be only vaguely aware of.

Must of the past week was devoted to talking to people about the HBO documentary about Rolling Stone. I am one of the featured characters in the doc. That was a long, long time ago, but I am still proud of the work we did there -- Howard, Lowell and me.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend. I hope yours is healthy and relaxing.

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The First Amendment

Yesterday Tom Burke came to KQED to speak to our news staff about libel, privacy, surveillance and the many other legal issues we face as journalists. It was the first time I'd met him in person and we got to spend some time together chatting before and after his presentation.

He is our outside counsel on the many public records act requests we make, he teaches at the J-School at Berkeley, and is a partner at one of the leading firms in SF. It turns out he started his career as an intern at the law firm that represented both Rolling Stone and CIR in the years I worked at those places, and hsi first project was to work on the Bergman-Ramirez defense team.

The legal aspects of investigative reporting have long been a passion of mine, so this was an opportunity to get to know a leading expert.

When I introduced myself, he said, "You are a legend."

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Rainy Friday (Nice)

I'm taking today off; it's a company holiday.

Last night I watched the HBO documentary on Rolling Stone. It triggered memories, including who I was 40+ years ago. I'm one of the minor characters in the film. A whole bunch of colleagues at work had seen the film before I did and told me about it.

Meanwhile I missed the SPJ awards ceremony, where Adam, Alex and I won for The Trials of Marvin Mutch, our online documentary.

It is raining! the first one of the season...

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101st

Yesterday would have been my Dad's 101st birthday. He didn't make it that far, but every year on my parents' birthdays, I think of them. Actually I think of them many other times as well. Recently they have been appearing in my dreams. They are the adults and I am one of the children.

Just as it was in the 50s and early 60s.

That makes me wonder about the essence of life -- and death. We seem to come and go, but after we are gone, our memory and our footprint remains.

Our stories are rich with memories of those who have preceded us in death. I'm not at all sure what our dreams represent.

***

This was a rough week at work. Many personnel issues to deal with -- people not getting along with other people. I've got several of these tough interpersonal relationships to manage. I took care of one yesterday. At least two others remain. One will prove to be a long-term project.

Most of us spend so much time at work that those relationships come to dominate our lives. Most of us have a partner at home, which is special. But that is not me, not my story.

My story is that I had two marriages, both of which lasted many years, and a few other relationships, none of which lasted many years at all.

Now at age 70.5+, I have been alone for a long time. And, for reasons obscure to me, my various IRAs are forcing me to withdraw money, which I suppose will be taxed as if it is income when in fact it is money I didn't spend but could have years ago.

This feels unfair and only one more sign of how America does not care for us as we age.

We are all left utterly on our own.

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The Problem and Promise of Aging

Today I woke up at 6 a.m. That is way too early for my day off from the stresses of work, but I think it happened because I am excited -- to have a day off. Now that I am 70.5 years old, my various IRAs are sending me checks, cashing out a portion of my savings, according to some rule or another. What is that about?

I'm just going to reinvest those checks in other IRAs, because I do not need the money.

Yesterday was my youngest's birthday. I thought of her all day long, living a continent away from me. When I texted her, she responded "Thanks Pops." She's never called me that before, but I kinda like it.

There is a new biography out of Jann Wenner. In that context, some have asked me about my attempt to write one and the piece in Salon that was the basis for that attempt.

Life goes on.

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Happy 19th, Julia!

Catchup

It was great to see an old friend, Van Jones, today as he came to KQED to promote his new book on Forum. I met Van when we both agreed to advise Julia Butterfly Hill years ago when she finally came down from her redwood tree.

In those years he was a community organizer in Oakland. Since becoming a major commentator for CNN he has emerged as one of the top voices in opposition to Trump.

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