On the South Side

Friday night, we dropped Emily off at Alex's house, chit-chatted a bit with his mom & dad, then said our good-byes. She's off on her road-trip with her good friends Alex, Max and Leah. Our emotions run up and down like a rollercoaster. Annette could go from anger towards her teenager to crying over her baby in the space of a few seconds. Saturday night we actually went out. Like, you know, out. We went to the Pageant on Delmar to see Butch Wax & the Hollywoods. Emily's former French teacher's long-time boyfriend is the trumpet player and he gave us a couple of tickets. Annette's working as their real estate agent too. Just going out as a couple was nice. After finding a couple of seats, we both had a glass of red wine and really enjoyed the show. It was the band's 20th anniversary show so they had former members and special guests coming up throughout the night. Billy Peek came out at the end and played a few songs to remind everyone how a Rock N Roll

OK, now we're really moved out of Dover Place. It's a big event. We're really moved into our new place now. Of course, there's a new pile of boxes to deal with too. Our entire 2nd bedroom is filled with boxes of stuff that we didn't take the first time. Stuff we could probably live without. But, one of the boxes contains journals of mine that date back many years. Well back into my childhood. Back when my mind was sharp. After we get things situated here, I think I'll post some of them on the blog. I was reading through a bit of it the other night before we packed it up, and I was struck with the fact that everything was, of course, written long-hand in ink. Not unusual at all for that time, but strange now to look back on. I am also struck with how, even before converting to Christianity, I was interested in the spiritual side of existence. I wrote about it all the time, using ideas and concepts that are common place for me now, but then, I had no vernacular to

Hurricane Emily struck the Caribbean in 1987; the year Emily Hudson was born. Hurricane Emily is back in 2005, the year Emily Hudson turns 18. You say it sounds like a lot of supernatural baloney? Supernatural...perhaps. Baloney...perhaps not. I'd say Emily Hudson is like a tropical storm just now. Just warming up. When she gets out into the ocean, she'll gain form and force. Will she be a catagory 1? 2? 5? We shall see.

Well, it's after 5 and I'm getting ready to leave work. I just thought I'd throw a quick entry out here to make myself feel better. I've been wrestling problems with a big printer for a while now, over a month, and no one seems to know how to fix it. I think I've learned enough to go into the printer repair/maintenance business if I feel like it. Like many other St. Louisans, I think the Baseball All-Star game should not be used to determine home-field advantage in the World Series. That's the big-time, and any competitive edge should be earned "on the "field," as Tony LaRussa says; meaning by the teams that are actually in the World Series. I expect the Cardinals to play in the Worlds Series this year, so I'm understandably disappointed not to have a chance for home-field advantage.

Well, a lot of catching up to do...The move onto Center Ct. is done, mostly. We've still got some junk back on Dover to move. Just a lot of little stuff, though. As you may understand, there's been a lot going on with the move coupled with getting Emily ready for college. But, I think it's all in place now. I can sense that there just might be a clearing up ahead. I hope to get back to writing more regularly, though I have not the slightest idea what to write about. Politics? Not unless I can find a way to get to some core that I believe could be enlightening. Family? Yes, I think this web-stuff is indeed a great way for family to stay in touch with one another. Jennifer is here in St. Louis now and I have to tell you, I really feel like I know her much better from reading her blog . I know what's important to her and what's not so important to her. I certainly don't want to argue politics with her, though we can now easily agree on some common issues. Family v

My parents moved us to Dover Place in 1968. I lived there until I left for my one and only year in college in 1977. I didn't really ever go back. Then, in 1986, Annette and I moved back to Dover Place. I can't quite put it into words what I feel when I look up and down the street; the canopy of sycamores and oaks, the quiet nights, the church around the corner. And the neighbors that you can't imagine living without. Tonight is our last night on Dover Place. We're moving to Center Court. Oh, I know it's not far from here. You'd laugh if you'd hear me describe it as "out of the neighborhood." It's not 10 minutes from here. But, it is out of my neighborhood. I don't know if I'll hear the bells of the Lutheran Church from Center Court. I hope so. But, we'll be back. That's right; one day in a couple of years, we'll move back to Dover Place or Bellerive Boulevard. There's a church in the valley by the wildwood No lovelier