Tradition

Sometimes tradition is a good thing.

Last Tuesday I took Tommy to the airport. His visit accomplished a few things.

First, it preserved two traditions that we have. It is a well known fact that Tommy always comes to visit me immediately after i start a new school year. Last year i picked him up from the airport during my second week of law school. I complained to him about my new experience with pain that only a well-trained wielder of the Socratic sword can inflict on someone. This year I told him that the shine of law school had worn off and now it was just work.

The other tradition is our habit of going on questionable dates together. In previous years we have gone to fancy Italian restaurants, where we ate $80 worth of food before Tommy asked me if i could spot him a couple bucks, and participated in a Valentine's day chocolate tasting, with other couples. This year I took him to Cafe Flora, my "go-to" restaurant for when I take girls on dates. And by girls i mean pretty much just my mom... or Tara, Jessi and Chelsea all at the same time.

I guess his visit also allowed him to pawn his sweaty shirt and undies off on me. So i guess you could argue his visit actually accomplished three things...

Sometimes traditions are good. Family Dinner, Mario Kart and Man Dates, just to name a few...

Neil Cox: Big Wooden Sign

I parked and got out of my car as a man in a JC Penny's dress-shirt and slacks was exiting this building. He was a little hunched and his eye-sockets were desaturated. He watched me. "What's going on, if you don't mind me asking," he said.

"I have a couple of friends going to law school," I said pridefully, "I just wanted to show them ...." I paused because I wasn't sure what to say at this point; "I just wanted to show them your office/house/big wooden sign, it's really nice," or "I just wanted to show them what they could have someday, if they work really hard." I just said, "I just wanted to show them ... this."

"Oh, ok," he said, "I never know who's watching me," he said. "Where are they going to school?"

"One's in Seattle and the other is starting at Berkley."

"Oh, wow, that's expensive," he said. "I went to Moscow, it was cheaper."

"Oh yeah," I said. "What kind of law do you do mos..."

"...Criminal and divorce. Small town shit."

"Nice. ... Well, you got a nice office here. Thanks for letting me take a few pictures." I said the words to his face, then I waved as I walked.

"You bet."

We got into our cars and went away.

Dear Sonya...

Life is full of challenges.

The greatest of which may be accepting yourself for who you truly are. Don't be afraid to show the world your true, rainbow colors. There is no need to stay hidden in the dark. Sometimes it is important to acknowledge in public the things you enjoy in private. We would all be thrilled if you would join us here.

It's time to come out of The Tickle Closet.