Archive for the 'Reflections' Category

• 7.7.07 "What happened to personal letters?" is posted in Friendship, Reflections, Relationships

I was deciding between my blog and my (paper) journal tonight–where to capture the emotion I’m feeling right now? And then it occurred to me that I hadn’t written one of those long, serious, personal letters I used to write all the time. And that just seemed like the right way to let it out.

I’m fairly outspoken and have friends who listen–so normally I’d just grab the phone and reach out. For how many years has this been possible? I mean, it was always possible, but there was a time when people were generally away from a personal line most of the day, when long distance was expensive, when people had to share phones. That was a time when I would write to my friends to seek out advice, to share a thought, to let out an emotion. No matter whether it was email or paper, it was a very different process.

It’s not that we can’t write seriously anymore; arguably, it’s easier than ever. (more…)

• 7.1.07 "Growing slowly" is posted in Reflections

I’ve spent more weekend evenings at Glen Echo Park than anywhere else in the last 7.5 years. There are the special events where lots of old friends come out. There are the slower nights where you get to meet new people. There are the chilly winter nights and steamy summer evenings…but I pretty much know what to expect. It’s always been that way.

Driving back, though, has been quite different. For the first few years we would always go to a diner (and talk about the merits of Hollywood vs. Savoy styling until the wee hours while slurping down Silver Diner ice cream “health shakes”). There were the times I had to drive people back to Catholic, to Georgetown, to Arlington… but more often in recent years I would just hop on the phone. For a time there were people I wanted to wish goodnight. Then there was the friend on the west coast who I wouldn’t worry about calling at midnight. But tonight was quiet.

I got to thinking about past summers and what my ride back was like last year. It was very different. I had just bought the new car but not much else was the same. Or was it?

There was an obvious difference. (more…)

• 6.11.07 "DC and Identity" is posted in Reflections

Walking around DC with khakis and a blue shirt is so anonymous. Some of us want to save the world, and some want to take it over. But we’re special, right? To who, though?

Oh great star! What would your happiness be if you did not have us to shine for?
Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra  (thx, Andrew, for the reference)

Studies say something like 85% of us think we’re better looking than average. (Well that might be the case for the girls around Adams Morgan, but that doesn’t really help my mood.) We all have followed our paths, some have lived up to their dreams…but when you’re stuck behind two dozen tourists on the incredibly long Dupont Center escalator…none of us are really special.

I don’t know, it’s just one of those nights. Part of me knows my work is changing people’s lives. And I’m happy with the path I’ve traveled. But it’s hard to feel unique sometimes. I don’t know that a change in wardrobe would help any, either.