Dearest Rachel – It probably goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: there’s a marked difference between a tour and just wandering about a city. With a tour, you have a guide who generally knows the territory – or at least the territory they’re taking you through. You may feel like you’reContinue reading “When A Plan Comes Together”
Tag Archives: life
I’d Hoped to Have More Time…
Dearest Rachel – Honestly, this is a phrase that could cover this entire site; I’ve said time and again that I’d assumed we’d have had decades together, where we would see the world (and show it to Daniel), and enjoy each other’s company for the rest of our lives. Especially given your family history ofContinue reading “I’d Hoped to Have More Time…”
A Chance to Catch Up
Dearest Rachel – So this trip is made up of three separate sections in all; a short week in Japan (which is what we’re truly here for, since it’s about the only way for us to make a stop in Sapporo), a second, full week of sea days up north, and finally, a week involvingContinue reading “A Chance to Catch Up”
A Long Way From Where We’re Going
Dearest Rachel – I set my alarm this morning for five o’clock, and woke up almost exactly at four, instead. That’s what comes of going to bed at only a little after eight, I suppose. It gave me a little extra time to get myself pulled together – including writing you (or rather, commenting onContinue reading “A Long Way From Where We’re Going”
Transition Accomplished
Dearest Rachel – I won’t argue it; the title smacks of that moment on the battleship with the president addressing the troops after the successful (at the time) of toppling Saddam Hussien and taking over Iraq. In fact, the banner was actually referring to a specific mission that the ship and its crew had beenContinue reading “Transition Accomplished”
Moving Back Home
Dearest Rachel – I wasn’t going to head to the rehab center yesterday, despite the fact that it was to be the day Dad moved out, presumably for the final time in his life. It might have been a reasonable idea to be on hand to bid farewell to a team of nurses that hadContinue reading “Moving Back Home”
“You Are Legends”
Dearest Rachel – For all that we’ve set plans in motion to swiftly bring Dad back home to be comfortable in his last days, there’s more that needs to be taken care of than the “comfort care” organization can or will provide. After all, they’re basically fully paid for by Medicare, but there are thingsContinue reading ““You Are Legends””
Odd Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; I didn’t know when or whether I’d actually get around to writing you this weekend. It’s why I had something mostly pre-written for Friday – and a good thing, too, as I was too busy once we arrived at the convention to really actually get much written down yesterday.Continue reading “Odd Thoughts”
Casting Off
Dearest Rachel – You would’ve been proud of the boys, honey. Maybe more Logan than Daniel, but we were up and out of the house at what you would have considered a respectable hour. Having been fed before leaving, we saw no need to stop for breakfast provisions like donuts or the like that weContinue reading “Casting Off”
Only So Much Time
Dearest Rachel – Given that I prefer to get a letter out to you early on in the day, in case I run out of time as the day wears on, today is going to be a real challenge. It’s why I’m trying to at least get it started a couple of days beforehand, soContinue reading “Only So Much Time”
The Letter of the Law
Dearest Rachel – I really thought this was long since over and done with by now, honey. Most of your parents’ estate issues seemed to have been sorted out even before the lockdown clamped down on us – although not entirely, which is part of why we were caught unprepared by the fact that youContinue reading “The Letter of the Law”
“I’ll Be Right Back”
Dearest Rachel – I promise you, this letter has nothing to do with that Black Mirror episode I keep referencing (and would still kind of like to live out, just to see for myself as to whether it’s as truly awful as the show makes it out to be). No, this is more along theContinue reading ““I’ll Be Right Back””
A Single Pillow
Dearest Rachel – When Dad’s latest health issue was at its most urgent, he was in the hospital, which is practically in our backyard (especially as compared to his and Mom’s house, where I have my ‘office’). As a result, it was no trouble – and indeed, I felt it more my responsibility than myContinue reading “A Single Pillow”
Babysitting Each Other
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a strange one, honey. Logan has headed downstate with his family, as his sister is wrapping up things at college – I forget if it’s her graduation proper, or her last turn on stage (I think she’s a theater major) – so the house is suddenly that much more quietContinue reading “Babysitting Each Other”
Mother’s Day
Dearest Rachel – You might recall that we have a traditional gift we get my mom for Mother’s Day (which, admittedly, often felt like a bit of a cop out, given how easy it was); we would head over to a local florist/garden center, and get her a gift card for the place. And whileContinue reading “Mother’s Day”
It’s My Own Fault
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s a case of my being preoccupied with one or another thing, or that you would have made it more of a priority than I have, but in either case, this would never have happened on your watch. The other day, while Daniel and I were catching upContinue reading “It’s My Own Fault”
A New Version of ‘Normal’
Dearest Rachel – Well, it would seem that the crisis has passed once again. After yet another scare, it looks like Dad is going to recover. He’s even making plans for what life will be like for him once he returns home, although he’s accepted that it won’t happen for at least three or fourContinue reading “A New Version of ‘Normal’”
If I’d Had the Time…
Dearest Rachel – Of late, I’ve begun to wonder what I would have done if your departure was anything more than the sudden shock that it was. If we’d known that it was coming – and been of the understanding that there was nothing to be done to prevent it (a combination which, to beContinue reading “If I’d Had the Time…”
The Boys Have Made Plans
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve been telling you about Dad’s latest wrestling match with mortality, there have been more than a few undercard bouts that have been on the bill that I haven’t touched on. There are a couple of which I’ve thrown in the sponge until a more opportune time, such asContinue reading “The Boys Have Made Plans”
(Un)Moving Day
Dearest Rachel – Each day at the hospital is another case of not knowing how things are going to go, and what, if anything, is going to happen. Depending on how well he’s been able to sleep the night before, Dad’s mood could be one of contentment with whatever fate has in store for him,Continue reading “(Un)Moving Day”
A Bleak Vision of the Future
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days have been spent at Dad’s bedside for the better part of eight hours; slightly less than half my waking day. It’s the least I could do, given the fact that I don’t have to be at ‘work’ these days. For what it’s worth, it seems thatContinue reading “A Bleak Vision of the Future”
The Ultimate Role Model
Dearest Rachel – I freely admit it; while I make a point of showing up at the ‘office’ on a near-daily basis during the ‘work’ week, I almost never put in a full eight hour, nine-to-five ‘work’ day anymore. Since I don’t answer to a boss, and I take no pay for services rendered, thereContinue reading “The Ultimate Role Model”
One Scare After Another
Dearest Rachel – This is going to sound familiar to you at this point, given the tumult that occupied much of the last five years of your life. The past couple of days have been just what I’ve said at the top of this letter – one scare after another – with regard to DadContinue reading “One Scare After Another”
An Empty Bottle of Time
Dearest Rachel – I can’t recall if Jan and I found it in amongst everything we had to sort through during the purge – it’s possible that I only remember seeing it during any number of our many trips down to your childhood home over the December holidays and other times – but you hadContinue reading “An Empty Bottle of Time”
Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp
Dearest Rachel – It’s a good thing that I don’t direct these letters at anyone but you, and it doesn’t matter to me as to how many others might be reading this over your shoulder. I don’t have any consistent message of uplift or progress that would appeal to a mass audience (or, on theContinue reading “Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp”
Aches and Pains
Dearest Rachel – I understand that, as we get older, certain parts of the body start to break down, and they become that much more painful to use. Which is a bit of a problem when exercise is the means by which I’m trying to get into shape. I’ve been noticing – and may haveContinue reading “Aches and Pains”
I’ve No Right To Complain
Dearest Rachel – I’d say this is hardly a typical Easter weekend, but given that I’ve been out of the country twice in the last five years over Easter weekend, I’ve no right to complain about this one. But it still feels kind of strange, regardless. Among other things, I’m accustomed to working the boothContinue reading “I’ve No Right To Complain”
Woefully Inadequate
Dearest Rachel – Considering that I’m to meet her at ten this morning, I’m up way too early. Then again, it’s not entirely my own fault; when Daniel dropped by the bedroom after Logan called it a night last night, we didn’t even get through a single video before he seemed noticeably still, and hisContinue reading “Woefully Inadequate”
Outlasting My Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – As has been the case for a while, I’m writing to you about yesterday’s events – or at least one event in particular. The trouble is, it’s sometimes hard to decide what to focus on as far as a specific topic goes; even on slow days, there are often multiple things goingContinue reading “Outlasting My Treadmill”
And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother
Dearest Rachel – Since these letters usually go out in the morning, when all I’ve been able to take care of is my morning routine before heading out to the ‘office,’ I often make reference to things that I have coming up, and then put the brakes on going into detail about them, because I’dContinue reading “And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother”
Glassing Over
Dearest Rachel – There are some moments in life which I can’t describe to you as they’re happening, just by dint of what they are. You’ll notice, for instance, that I describe many of my mornings to you – because that’s often when I have energy and inspiration, not to mention the desire to getContinue reading “Glassing Over”
Shrieking Into Traffic
Dearest Rachel – I can still remember your shriek from the night Aki-san was mortally wounded. I had come downstate to visit you while you were back home at your folks’ house over one break or another. The date escapes me at the moment, I confess; I want to say Christmas or late January, butContinue reading “Shrieking Into Traffic”
Back on the Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – The title of this letter was originally meant to only be taken literally, but after the morning I’ve had thus far (and seeing that it’s already after noon, that’s saying something), it might just be a metaphor for something a little larger than that. If I didn’t know better as to whatContinue reading “Back on the Treadmill”
Our Own Main Character
Dearest Rachel – This isn’t the first time it’s been said here, and I can guarantee that it won’t be the last, but it’s dismaying to note how much of the content of this site, these letters, are in the first person. There is far too much in here of “I,” “me,” and “my,” andContinue reading “Our Own Main Character”
What Might Otherwise Be Junk
Dearest Rachel – Well, I’ve gone and done it; we’ve gotten ourselves a new car. Only has some four thousand miles on it, bought straight from the dealership, for the first time in my life. I might even have to do this again relatively soon, albeit this time for Daniel’s sake; I’d rather he notContinue reading “What Might Otherwise Be Junk”
Once I Get This Taken Care Of…
Dearest Rachel – I’d say something to the effect that life is a series of plans that “gang aft agley,” as Robert Burns’ fieldmouse discovered, to its dismay, except that that’s not really quite accurate. Yes, we make plans, and yes, they will sometimes go awry (as Burns’ phrase translates to), but really, the ‘goingContinue reading “Once I Get This Taken Care Of…”
Three Times Too Late
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; upon returning home from our trip, I was starting to think I was going to be able to transition seamlessly from Japan time to Central time. While Daniel nodded off in his recliner next to your side of the bed, I was more hungry than sleepy; enough so asContinue reading “Three Times Too Late”
Things to Get Used to Again
Dearest Rachel – Home again, and having to get used to Central Daylight Time (yes, the clocks changed over while we were out of the country, which only means we have to turn our own internal clocks back fourteen hours rather than fifteen, as far as we’re concerned). Someone told me the other day that,Continue reading “Things to Get Used to Again”
Not Something I’d Have Considered
Dearest Rachel – It’s funny; just as the official portion of our time on tour here draws to a close, the level of activity ramps up considerably. You’ve already gotten a couple of letters about Friday’s activities, but those only got you halfway through the day itself. It’s as if there was some final push,Continue reading “Not Something I’d Have Considered”
On Familiar Ground
Dearest Rachel – This morning started off early, as they all do – although perhaps a little extra so today, thanks to yesterday’s nap, which at least had the virtue of allowing me to put together the details of Wednesday’s events. It took me the better part of two hours to get all that writtenContinue reading “On Familiar Ground”
Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It
Dearest Rachel – I’ve talked before about how, from coast to coast, American cities pride themselves on never sleeping. It’s been celebrated in song from “New York, New York” to the San Francisco that was supposedly “built… on rock and roll.” Whether they actually stay awake, going full crank for 24/7/365 is a matter ofContinue reading “Sleeping in a Town That (Sort of) Encourages It”
More Than A Mood
Dearest Rachel – There were days, back when you were still here, when we would exert ourselves to the point of overdoing it, and you in particular would pay for it later on. Raking leaves comes to mind in particular, even at this opposite point on the calendar, in part because the front lawn hasContinue reading “More Than A Mood”
After Dark, But By Choice
Dearest Rachel – At this point in the calendar, you’d think this would be less of an issue; we’re already much closer to the vernal equinox than the winter solstice. We’re not limited to a bare handful of (mostly cloudy) hours in any given day before night falls back again, and I find myself drivingContinue reading “After Dark, But By Choice”
Devoutly to be Ignored
Dearest Rachel – This should hardly come as any great surprise to you, but I really don’t like the holiday that today happens to bear within it. I’ve come to regard it much like the reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge described his former opinion toward Christmas, as “a false and commercial festival, devoutly to be ignored.” WhichContinue reading “Devoutly to be Ignored”
My Answer to Sudoku
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been told by some folks who have a habit of reading over your shoulder that doing so feels like reading someone’s diary. And I can see why; if for no other reason, the fact that there’s something said to you every day gives it that quality right there. Then there’s theContinue reading “My Answer to Sudoku”
No More Water Coolers
Dearest Rachel – You were – and you would acknowledge this, however abashedly (depending on the circumstance) – an avid consumer of, maybe not pop culture as such, but at least media in general. Be it one or another sci-fi or fantasy series, a daytime talk show, or various comedy anthologies that would air overContinue reading “No More Water Coolers”
Nightmares of Work
Dearest Rachel – I can’t believe that I still have days (well, nights, actually) when I find myself agonizing over something I need to do for work in my dreams. To call them nightmares might overstate things, but having to go in to the office and deal with Mohinder rather does border on that territory.Continue reading “Nightmares of Work”
Follow Through and Follow Up
Dearest Rachel – I promised you yesterday that I would follow through this morning with regard to working out on the treadmill after nearly a two week absence, and then follow up with you about how it worked out. So, that’s what this letter is mostly going to be about. But first, I have toContinue reading “Follow Through and Follow Up”
We Are the Shoggoth
Dearest Rachel – Last night saw me alone in the bedroom throughout most of the night. Not a complaint, just stating the way things are some evenings; the boys do their thing in the family room, and I’m left to entertain myself in my wing of the house. It’s life as I know it, andContinue reading “We Are the Shoggoth”
A Cold Atop The Cold
Dearest Rachel – I had fully intended – and had even begun – a second letter to you for yesterday, regarding the fact that I wasn’t dealing with a case of the ‘Sunday Scaries’ that some of the others were anticipating upon their return from Honduras. I think you know what I’m talking about, evenContinue reading “A Cold Atop The Cold”
Tips for Travelers Like Me
Dearest Rachel – Given the qualifier in the title, these are probably best considered reminders for myself rather than any sort of advice that anyone else could heed and benefit from. Nevertheless, it’s slowly dawning upon me that, given that I often mention my poor memory, it might be necessary for me to make theseContinue reading “Tips for Travelers Like Me”
Serious Cash
Dearest Rachel – Douglas, the local head of operations here at Just One International, tells me that they have a saying here in Honduras (and bear in mind, I’m paraphrasing here) that “when you break a L500, the pieces scatter to the winds.” The gist of it is that, once you reduce the equivalent ofContinue reading “Serious Cash”
The Hardest Part is Getting There
Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve heard this phrase about travel but, apart from leisure trip, where once you arrive, it’s nothing but rest and relaxation, I’m not sure I agree. If nothing else, flights tend to be boring and nondescript; once they’re over and done with, they almost manage to escape memory instantly (forContinue reading “The Hardest Part is Getting There”
Five Years On
Dearest Rachel – There’s a certain point at which it feels like commemorating the day of the year in which you suddenly had to go home is like picking at a longstanding, grievous wound. It’s not going to heal if I keep at it like this – although one would think that, if it’s onlyContinue reading “Five Years On”
Uninstalling the Plan
Dearest Rachel – It was a week and a half ago when Lars and I wrapped up our usual walk through the woods with lunch at our favorite gyro place (they make their own in-house – and you can really tell the difference from one of those places that use the commercial providers like KronosContinue reading “Uninstalling the Plan”
Piled High
Dearest Rachel – It’s been so long, and I’ve had to do this for myself for these past five years, that I can’t remember what, if any, system you had regarding laundry. I know you separated colors from whites – every college-bound male is warned about mixing them and winding up with pink socks fromContinue reading “Piled High”
How’d He Raise Such a Cynic?
Dearest Rachel – When I go in to the ‘office’ these days, especially on days like this when I don’t have anything pressing in terms of actual ‘work,’ half my job, if you can call it that, is to simply hang around with and chat up my folks for a while (as well as movingContinue reading “How’d He Raise Such a Cynic?”
Topless in the Snow
Dearest Rachel – I’ve discovered something curious about the treadmill I’ve bought to use here at home on days when it’s too cold or I’m otherwise unmotivated to make my way to the gym in the morning: the thing is apparently an energy vampire. Over the course of the last week, I’ve blown a fuseContinue reading “Topless in the Snow”
Before Common Days Become Legend
Dearest Rachel – There are times when I’ve been told that things will eventually work out in life; and to be fair, I’ve little to complain about, when compared to the general human condition. As discussed so many times before with you, I’ve got what I would consider to be “enough” in terms of theContinue reading “Before Common Days Become Legend”
AC-DC and the Beach Boys
Dearest Rachel – No, I didn’t wake up with either of these groups’ (and doesn’t the combination sound like an interesting band name in and of itself?) music in my head this morning, like a proper earworm. But I realized that I’d started off the day – ended last night, in fact – by givingContinue reading “AC-DC and the Beach Boys”
Double Header
Dearest Rachel – To address the question you wouldn’t have to ask if you were actually present – since conversation with a live person doesn’t require adding titles to one’s topics – yes, this is about sports in general, but no, this doesn’t have to do with baseball, from whence the term itself hails. You’dContinue reading “Double Header”
What Makes Us Tick
Dearest Rachel – You might think that, by waking up with such a title for this morning’s letter, I’d be announcing some great theory of existence to you. A grand purpose for humanity or, on an individual basis, an explanation for what keeps each of us going, day after day. But no. I’d like toContinue reading “What Makes Us Tick”
Just Not My Scene
Dearest Rachel – You probably know what’s coming here. Back in the day I always used to believe that I wasn’t a picky eater; given a situation where it was called on to be polite, I’m able to eat anything… and yet, somehow I wind up balking when confronted with some of your mom’s cooking.Continue reading “Just Not My Scene”
Sitting On the Pain Scale
Dearest Rachel – The problem with emotions and feelings is that it’s difficult to explain what one is feeling in a way that another person would understand exactly. Oh, we might be able to give a general idea to an audience what something feels like – and usually, that’s the best we can hope forContinue reading “Sitting On the Pain Scale”
Screwing Up the Schedule
Dearest Rachel – No sooner did I hit ‘publish’ on yesterday‘s letter when two things happened to upend my day. First of all, “Riri” wrote back, right after I got through telling you all the reasons why she wouldn’t. I still promise to tell you more about that, but on top of her explanations (someContinue reading “Screwing Up the Schedule”
Keep Your Head Down, Keep Your Mouth Shut
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know why – I never do, because no one can understand dream logic once they’re awake – but last night saw me hitchhiking across Canada, of all places. It was during their football season (which ended several weeks ago in real life, so the timing of this dream is aContinue reading “Keep Your Head Down, Keep Your Mouth Shut”
The Lists We Still Need to Deal With
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s just how things work in the American holiday calendar, I suppose. We no sooner get through with one that, by name and nature, reminds us to be both content and grateful for what we have, than we begin on the one whose whole purpose seems to be the diametric oppositeContinue reading “The Lists We Still Need to Deal With”
The Irony of Weekend Snow
Dearest Rachel – They tell us that we’re in for a real dose of winter starting today, and going well on into tomorrow, honey – somewhere in the neighborhood of six inches to a foot, depending on who you listen to. It’s that time of year, after all, and for all that I make anContinue reading “The Irony of Weekend Snow”
Dreams of Alter Egos
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a while since I’ve had a dream worth telling you about (and had both the time to write it down before it dissipated and no real topic to discuss with you that might supersede it). The problem is, while it may have answered a long-known problem of science fiction whileContinue reading “Dreams of Alter Egos”
Half the Holiday
Dearest Rachel – I was getting serious flashbacks from 2020 yesterday morning, honey. You remember that year; we’d all been tested for Covid before Thanksgiving, for the sake of the folks (and, I think, at the recommendation, if not requirement, of the government when it came to such gatherings at the time). Yours and Daniel’sContinue reading “Half the Holiday”
The List We All Need To Make
Dearest Rachel – I don’t really need to tell you about all this, since I already did at the time (and basically in the moment – which means that the story I related over the course of several letters may have been clouded by my emotions at the time, for obvious reasons), but during thatContinue reading “The List We All Need To Make”
Still Not There Yet
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been writing to you a lot this past week about our difficulties in getting ourselves acclimated to our home time zone; it’s just under a week now, and we’re still not there yet. Compare that to our trip out, where we basically fell in line with the local time after aContinue reading “Still Not There Yet”
Just the Two of Us
Dearest Rachel – Ordinarily, upon waking up to darkness, assuming (as has been the case for the last couple of days since returning home) that’s it’s just an hour or two before I would normally get up of a Saturday, only to discover that it’s actually barely two in the morning, would be cause forContinue reading “Just the Two of Us”
Oh, The Places We Didn’t See
Dearest Rachel – In some ways, I don’t know how we managed it back in the day; before you were able to let me retire, we tended to be short on time, because even though I was given five weeks of vacation time after so many years of service, it was hard to squeeze suchContinue reading “Oh, The Places We Didn’t See”
Not Ready for Central Time
Dearest Rachel – Setting aside that he’s dealing with the cold that he caught on the last day or so of the trip (which I may very well catch soon enough, and is why, despite it being Thursday, we won’t be over at the folks’ place for dinner this evening. Dad is getting more andContinue reading “Not Ready for Central Time”
So Many Random Little Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – Some days, I wake up in the wee hours of the morning with no desire for anything but to roll over and go back to sleep. I thought this morning was going to be the same – especially given that today is a Saturday; who wakes up early on a Saturday? ButContinue reading “So Many Random Little Thoughts”
Not Done Out Of Boredom
Dearest Rachel – While I’m specifically writing to you with these letters – complete with references to things only you would know from actual experience – I’m well aware that there are people reading this over your shoulder. It’s what happens when you put something out on the internet; someone else will stumble across itContinue reading “Not Done Out Of Boredom”
For Me, A Costume
Dearest Rachel – It feels like it was so long ago – and it was, a good year and a half before your departure – that dress shirts and ties were de rigueur attire for me, as a member of the white collar work farce. You might also remember that I loathed it, especially theContinue reading “For Me, A Costume”
One Twelfth of My Life
Dearest Rachel – It starts with the incongruous admonition about eating with a dignitary, and the need to control ones appetite in front of one. Which probably meant more back in the day, when a ruler’s favor (or lack thereof) toward you could mean the difference between life and death. Granted, I’ve heard stories aboutContinue reading “One Twelfth of My Life”
Putting Words in Your Mouth
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest, I’m actually falling behind the curve at this point when it comes to AI-generated material these days. Over this past year, I’ve seen some really impressive stuff in terms of videos and the like; mostly as quasi-political cartoons (which have now been democratized to the point where anybody withContinue reading “Putting Words in Your Mouth”
The Haunting I Wish For; the Haunting that Comes
Dearest Rachel – As much as it seems frivolous to do so, we did spend a lot of time together as a family in front of the television (either in its original capacity or as a computer monitor), so I suppose it’s appropriate that this letter has to do with a video Daniel and IContinue reading “The Haunting I Wish For; the Haunting that Comes”
The Latest Bit of Family Slang
Dearest Rachel – I honestly can’t remember when I last visited our village public library, despite the fact that it’s supposedly one of the largest in the state (although obviously superseded by that of Chicago itself, I don’t think there are too many others that are larger). Sometimes, if I think about it, I assumeContinue reading “The Latest Bit of Family Slang”
Text Silence
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve told you about the more-than-occasional mad rush of messages I get from folks I meet on dating websites, this story is about the opposite side of the coin. Sometimes, you want to keep things going, just to make sure, but things go silent on the other end ofContinue reading “Text Silence”
No Particular Point to the Moment
Dearest Rachel – If I’m to be honest with you – as well as myself – about this series of letters to you, that they’re as much a record of life happening in the days after your absence as anything else, I should be telling you about the events of the past evening. For someContinue reading “No Particular Point to the Moment”
An Experience Not Meant to Be Shared
Dearest Rachel – There are too many things that I do that are solitary pursuits these days that I wish were not so, but can’t be helped at this point. Back in the day, we would do these things together (and in certain times and cases, we would drag Daniel along in our wake, butContinue reading “An Experience Not Meant to Be Shared”
Less of the Same, More of the Usual
Dearest Rachel – The beauty of a morning flight is that, when you arrive, you still have most of the day to ‘enjoy’ the place you’ve landed in. The… dare I say ugliness?… of that same situation on the return trip means that you’re dropped right back into the responsibilities of home that you neglectedContinue reading “Less of the Same, More of the Usual”
Story Arc
Dearest Rachel – It would amuse me no end for some theorist channel to happen across this sheaf of letters, read a whole bunch of them over your shoulder, and try to make sense out of them as if they were the components of an ARG or an extended literary work. Applying the tropes ofContinue reading “Story Arc”
Ill at Ease
Dearest Rachel – Monday morning, and something just doesn’t feel right. Much as I’m planning to head to the ‘office’ for what should be an ordinary day (with a side request to help the folks deal with “a credit card situation,” which probably just involves an internet communication issue), there’s this sense that I’m forgettingContinue reading “Ill at Ease”
Primera Mañana
Dearest Rachel – I’m not sure what you would’ve thought of this place, honey. I’m still trying to get used to it myself. After yesterday’s travels (particularly the obscenely early start to the day), I retired at what might otherwise be considered a ridiculous hour of nine o’clock, but which you might have at least beenContinue reading “Primera Mañana”
I’ll Never Quite Get Used to It
Dearest Rachel – I have this goal regarding travel that, one day, I’d get to the point where it’s a perfectly normal thing to show up at the airport, get on a plane, and be on my way to wherever it is I’m wanting to go without another thought. It’ll be almost a routine thing;Continue reading “I’ll Never Quite Get Used to It”
Too Tired to be Frantic
Dearest Rachel – Early tomorrow night, I’m going to need to head off to bed by five or six, so I can wake up at three, summon myself an Uber (both Dad and Daniel offered to drive me there until I informed them both of the time I needed to be there, at which pointContinue reading “Too Tired to be Frantic”
Food at Home
Dearest Rachel – It’s so memetic that there isn’t a single iconic image to represent it; all there is to it is a basic script. Child asks for restaurant food (usually from a low-grade fast-food place – and yes, I know that’s something of a redundancy), to which the mom replies that “we have foodContinue reading “Food at Home”
His Opinion Matters
Dearest Rachel – I don’t remember who told me this, specifically, but in the immediate aftermath of your departure, I was advised not to make any major rash decisions in my life. No major purchases, no attempts at pursuing ‘Megumi’ (who hadn’t been given that name at that point, let alone had her criteria fleshedContinue reading “His Opinion Matters”
Prime Moment
Dearest Rachel – I have a couple of topics for you sitting in the wings at the moment, but I’ll reserve them for a day when I have less going on, both in terms of the lack of something happening to relate to you and the time to commit them to pixels. This one isContinue reading “Prime Moment”
The Right to My Day
Dearest Rachel – I don’t think that I’ll ever fully comprehend the ‘gym rat’ mentality – nor, as I’m sure you would expect, do I wish to; to do so would be to become one, and for all the desirable effects, there are more than enough adverse ones, primarily having to do with attitude, thatContinue reading “The Right to My Day”
Queasy
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what’s been going on the last few days, honey, but every so often – at least, when I bother to think about it – there’s been this nagging sense of unease in the pit of my stomach going on. Now, it’s entirely possible that it’s simply due to anotherContinue reading “Queasy”
To Tell About Our Days
Dearest Rachel – As humans, we have a surprising amount of difficulty explaining to others how we spend our time, and what exactly we do with it. Or maybe it’s just me, which basically illustrates my point. You see, even though we know, intellectually, that it’s not so, we find it hard to imagine thatContinue reading “To Tell About Our Days”
Returning from the Woods
Dearest Rachel – As she attempts to recover from her unplanned tryst with Prince Charming late in the second half of Into the Woods, the Baker’s Wife sings “back to life, back to home, back to child, back to husband… you can’t live in the woods.” Of course she doesn’t get back to all thoseContinue reading “Returning from the Woods”
Refreshing Inertia
Dearest Rachel – The world outside my door may be speeding by at a ridiculous pace – when I woke up for the first time a couple of hours ago, there were an insane amount of unread articles in my news feed to go through – but that doesn’t mean I have to move atContinue reading “Refreshing Inertia”
Have We Lost Our Minds (Again)? Did We Ever Have Them?
Dearest Rachel – Despite the relative tranquility of our own personal lives, we were born into a world of utter chaos. The year of my birth was a particular annus horribilis; I can – and often do – imply the date by connecting it to the assassination of Martin Luther King (I have an alibi,Continue reading “Have We Lost Our Minds (Again)? Did We Ever Have Them?”
Letters to Rachel 