Conspire

I'm at one of those only-in-Berkeley cafes that is actually not in Berkeley at all: It's in Phoenix. I'm here for the Urban Land Institute conference, staying through Friday. Conspire is such a wonderful getaway from the black hole of conferences. There's an open mic, Ping-Pong table, overpriced iced coffee, people talking about books. A guy came over to me, held up a picture, and said: "Have you seen this man?" The picture was of J.D. Salinger.

Boho. Boho right off the main downtown strip of Phoenix, a place so bereft of soul, at least to the casual visitor, as to be completely depressing. But here there is no cynicism, no networking. I could stay here all night and perhaps I will.

I'm eating your face

2005: Bright Eyes, "First Day of My Life"

All the possibilities revealed themselves. It was spring of the soul, blooms growing every time I looked in the mirror. I was in love. I am still.

Philz

Saturday night

ME: I'm not with my grad student who I'm banging. I should get thrown out of Strada.

ADAM: Yes, you are!

International No Diet Day

One of my Facebook friends has proclaimed this as such, and I just remembered. It seems impossible for me at this point not to be obsessed with food: How much I eat, when I eat it, how I eat it. I am 37 pounds down and the obsession just seems like an everyday thing.

I have been heavy since I was eight years old. After I dealt with the hair, the weight was next. I shake my head when I hear the Lap-Band commercials because I know from firsthand experience that it's not as easy as one to two pounds a week, no problem. There's a lot that goes on to get there, if you get there.

I am not proud of admitting that I am obsessed around food. I am also not ashamed. It is just another challenge.

"The Last Post"

This brought tears to my eyes today. I didn't know Derek Miller, but I am so touched by his final post, written in advance before he died of cancer this week.

What got me the most was what he wrote to his kids and wife, in that order:

What is true is that I loved them. Lauren and Marina, as you mature and become yourselves over the years, know that I loved you and did my best to be a good father.
 
Airdrie, you were my best friend and my closest connection. I don't know what we'd have been like without each other, but I think the world would be a poorer place. I loved you deeply, I loved you, I loved you, I loved you.

His blog shows the power of so many things, among them deep personal love and the power of the internet. I believe in both.