Monday - At work with a full blown pre-winter cold. It’s the first one I’ve had in over a year. Luckily, as I write this early Sunday morning, it only lasted the week. I was able to beg off business travel for the week which would have taken me back to SLC on Friday. Having a cold on top of a day trip (which always wipes me out) would have been too much. I heard a bit of blow-back about it, but who cares. I’ve been out sick 0 days in the past year. I worked all week anyway because of deadlines.
Tuesday - More sniffling and medicine head due to not getting to the pharmacy in time to buy the real Sudafed. Instead, had to settle for the OTC-non-methamphetamine-precursor; the kind you can buy without showing your ID to the pharmacist. It doesn’t work. Finally got some real stuff and felt loads better.
Wednesday / Thursday - Not much different. I picked up my new glasses - a slight change in prescription and major change in frames. I haven’t got a picture made in these new frames yet, but think ‘Kieth Olberman.’ Justin, my 12-year-old-liberal-in-training, keeps calling me Kieth. :) Began getting ready to attend a birthday BBQ for my son-in-law at his parent’s home in San Leandro in the East Bay (think south of Oakland) by phoning Bethany for gift ideas. She gave me some good suggestions, but in the end, I went with my gut on this one - a book I saw at Borders in the Capitola Mall - ‘1001 Ways To Be Romantic!‘ Hey, I may not know a whole lot about successful marriages, but I do know how important romance can be in a new relationship (any stage of a relationship, actually). I inscribed the following inside:
“David -
A little bit of romance makes up for a whole lot of dirty dishes.
Barry”
Friday - Made travel arrangements for my month end week in Salt Lake City (SLC). Got a couple of non-stops to and from SLC so I can avoid the roller-coaster approach into Reno/Tahoe. When I fly Southwest Airlines I’m usually routed SLC to Reno/Tahoe to San Jose. I’ve never had any turbulence flying into San Jose. I lose my nearly lose my lunch flying into Reno. So this time I got lucky. Justin spent the night with his mom and I drove around deciding whether or not to see Oliver Stone’s new film, W. Opted not to, mainly because a little voice inside told me to go home. I’ve learned over the years to listen to this little alter-ego and I went home. I went to bed at 9 -aided by a Trazedone - a script my family physician gave me to take when I haven’t slept well the week before- and slept pretty well. A bit of a hangover the following morning from the Trazedone, but it was Saturday and some strong Italian Roast took care of it. 
Saturday - Picked up Justin and we drove to San Leandro for David’s BBQ. In the past (for at least 15 years), whenever I’ve gathered at a ‘family’ function where my ex-wife and her side of the family have hosted the event, I’ve always felt out of place. Kind of like a Liberal Democrat at a fundraiser for Conservative Republicans. There are reasons for this that extend outside (and may not have anything to do with) politics. Personal issues on both sides are at the core most likely, but I’ve tried over the years to just be myself and let the chips fall where they may. I have to say that Bethany and David’s wedding was not only a turning point in my own life, but perhaps it has something to do with the increased ease that all demonstrate when I’m in the crowd. Or it could be that I’m way too obsessed with how other perceive me. You think? 
Whatever…all I know is that it was good to see my daughter and new son-in-law, Ben, Crystal and Justin loves seeing them at any time. Wanda and Joel -David’s parents- were terrific hosts and went to a lot of trouble the day a happy one for David. I enjoyed being in their home.
Forecast for this this week…Ok, let me look into my crystal ball….channeling Carnac….ok, it’s clear now…just what I thought…..can’t see a thing.
Um, yeah. I’ll believe it when I see it, Baz.
