Now playing in iTunes: Last Night, The Mar-Keys
Well, I’m posting this from a different location than usual: I’m spending part of today at my wife’s company, which is closed today, because I’m helping out while a consultant works on the computer system here. But he only needs me sporadically (so far), so I’m getting a chance to catch up on my e-mail and other mundane stuff like that. (Oh yeah, and watch the online webcams of New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina approaches!)
So after my last pained posting when my podcast, ThemeLounge, was crippled due to a problem at my Web hosting company, things are now back up and running. I’m still not seeing a lot of traffic there, but I wasn’t counting on much at this early phase. There’s only one episode posted, though episode 2 should go up there tomorrow, and we’re not appearing on iTunes yet. We are showing up on other podcast directories, however, so I’m definitely figuring on a slow build.
Worked on episode 2 yesterday, particularly the segment with Alex, which went very well. It’s a kick to do that with him. This episode also features a request by Ian, so it’s turning into a big ol’ family affair.
Last night we went to a party at the home of a guy who was my high school English teacher. This is one of the smartest and coolest people I know. I stayed in touch with him after high school and college, and he actually hired me to teach English and Speech at my alma mater at one point during my brilliant [not] teaching career. Even after I bailed on that, the friendship has continued and I just feel flattered that he continues to include me in his life. Now things have come full circle, as my son Alex will now be attending my old high school starting Tuesday, and he’ll have my old pal Dick for freshman English. It remains to be seen if he’ll end up feeling as fortunate as I do about having had Dick for a teacher, but I have no doubt it’ll be good for him.
Anyway, the party last night was a lot of fun. Many familiar faces from older days, and just plain elation at seeing some people I hadn’t seen in years. Why do we let incredibly valuable friendships just molder away over long stretches of time? I don’t understand it. The one sad note was learning of the death of the wonderful priest who co-officiated at my wedding some 17 years ago. I’d not been in touch with him for some time (are we seeing a trend here?), and so I didn’t hear the news when he passed away almost a year ago. He was a teacher and counselor of mine in high school, and then I felt incredibly honored when he agreed to participate in my wedding. He made it remarkably meaningful, just like he did any event, big or small, that I ever saw him involved in. It’s bothering me that I didn’t re-connect with him sometime before he passed….but when I mentioned this to the person who told me the news last night, he said, “You will, Pat.” I got his point, but of course it’s small comfort right now.
Aw, geez….ending on a bit of a low note. Sorry about that. But this is how we learn to relish the high notes, right?