i love my ipod, but........part III

How does the ipod affect the work enviroment or traveling with friends?

Again, the postive is that I no longer have to lug around my CD's in jewel cases or the 20 lb book that holds 200 cds back and forth from office to home. The same thing goes with trips.

But I have noticed a new shift in the office enviroment: no one talks or shares music anymore. In the mid to late '90's when I entered the work force, people would have 15-30 cd's on their top shelf of their work space. We would always bring in a new batch of CD's every week and would be at each others desks borrowing each others albums. Now, I have no idea what Steve or Ridgley is listening to. They will let me browse through their menu, but I can't borrow an album from them unless we swap ipod's.

The same thing is true with bus trips to colorado for skiing. Everyone use to bring a cd walkman and some CD's and we would share and recommend albums. I love to explore different tastes in music. Now if every kid has an ipod, you can't lend out the latest Sufjan Stevens album. Those were some fun times, those trips with the youth group as a teenager.

But now, I wouldn't want it any other way and would not give up my ipod for a second. I just miss the sharing aspect that we used to do with CD's and tapes.

...to be continued

i love my ipod, but........part II

How does the ipod impact 20+ years of being a music fan and the way I used to listen to music compared to now?

Today I will take the angle of the mixtape. As I said in an earlier post – the mixtape is a term from my high school days that is now not so much a literal function but an idea and therefore the idea behind the name will be eternal. In other words, instead of compiling songs on a cassette tape, most of us know do it through a computer onto a compact disc.

The whole idea behind a mixtape was one of sharing your music with a friend. In most cases it is a gift, a letter of care if you will. The maker carefully selects songs that have particular memories, words, feelings, that they wish to pass on to someone who they are in love with, or a friend moving away, or just a person that you like to share music with. It was also created for special occasion: weekend roadtrip, party jams, Christmas cheer, the ultimate Johnny Cash, etc. It was a singular effort; you could only make one copy without degrading the sound quality.

With computer cd burning, you are still able to do all of the above with greater ease and the ability to mass produce. With this greater ease of making mixtape, I was able to create my own radio for the car. I really don’t care too much or the music on the radio and their annoying DJ’s that aim their intellect and humor at teenage boys. Since I am constantly buying new music, it is a way for me to enjoy a mix of new songs when I am not in the mood to listen to a whole album.

Now we have entered into the ipod era. People have been asking me when I will have a new mixtape CD? It has been a while, they will say. What happened? The ipod is great. I am able to load all my music on this tiny machine that fits in my pocket and take it with me anywhere. I can hook it up to my stereo, and it will play over my car’s radio. There is a shuffle button that is the ultimate “jukebox” playing a random mix of thousands of songs. I am rediscovering some of my older albums. And you can create “playlist” which is the digital version of a mixtape. All of those functions are great, but has the ipod killed the mixtape idea? I can’t give a “playlist” to a friend. I have missed the whole process of sitting down and carefully selecting a group of songs and then debating the song order and still being left unsure of the order.

I have fought the battle and I have won…more mixtapes coming up.

…to be continued.

i love my ipod, but........part I

I love my ipod, but I sometimes miss the old days.

I will try to explain.

I call myself a romantic. I am always falling in love with ideas and memories and the way things should be or once were. I am in love with the process more so than the end result. I would rather be on the front porch than the back yard, receive a letter instead of an email, a real Christmas tree versus a fake, carry a sketchbook instead of a PDA, and burn real wood in the fire place instead of a fake log with gas (the kind you turn on with a flip of the switch.)

I sometimes feel like I am in a different world than other people. A few weeks ago I was in a conversation with this guy who was telling me how he loves his gas fire place…”nothing to clean up, you don’t have to go out in the cold and snow to get your firewood. It’s easy.” I told him that he described everything I love about a real fireplace and I added that he doesn’t get the smell of burning wood either. Something about the extra effort it takes to make a fire makes it more enjoyable. He looked at me like I was strange, so I threw coffee on his crotch and stained his Khakis. (I didn’t really, but that would have been funny.)

I haven’t figured out what to do with technology. I like parts of it. It is a necessary evil. I still pride myself for not having a mobile phone, but I realize that its use and function is genius. How do I hold on to myself without yielding my passions over to technology? How does the ipod impact 20+ years of being a music fan and the way I used to listen to music compared to now?

…to be continued

Why do you love me? Why do you need me? Always and forever... We met in a chatroom, now our love can fully bloom... Sure the world wide web is great, but you, you make my salivate... I love technology, but not as much as you, you see... But I STILL love technology... Always and forever. Our love is like a flock of doves, flying up to heaven above... always and forever, always and forever... Why do you need me? Why do you love me? Always and forever...

(Kip singing to Lafawnduh)

September2005

My latest mix of music is not one of my seasonal CD's. Since I have taken a year off, I have to catch up a bit over the last year. I am calling it September2005. It is a mix of big songs, maybe some of my favorites from the last year. It may not flow as well as my other mixes because every song is grand. There is not much change in mood - it is a constant high. Don't worry, I'll put out a proper Fall2005 in a month that will put you in the mood for walking through haunted woods, rainy days, and sweaters.

September2005 tracklisting:
(I hold the right to make any last minute additions and deletions...)

1. Coco Rosie - Noah's Ark
...two sisters with voices from the '40's on top of minimal electronics.

2. M83 - run into flowers
...french, electronic, wall of sound, uah uh...I wanna run into.

3. Starflyer 59 - good sons
...and its take such long time, long time...another perfect song...right, right, right?

4. Stars - ageless beauty
...canadian, female voice, noisey guitars, pop at its best...you will always be around.

5. Coldplay - talk
...a timeless guitar melody...and I wanna talk to you...dreamy, lush, and soaring...so you take a picture of something you see.

6. U2 - city of blinding lights
...ring those bells, edge...everything I love about u2...and I miss you when you're not...oh you look so beautiful tonight.

7. New Order - waiting for the sirens call
...what does this ship bring to me...synth, guitar, lead bass, desperate vocals = new order.

8. Gwen Stefani - the real thing
...synth, guitar, lead bass, Gwen Stefani = new order...i still love to have you around...electronic pop.

9. Moby - where you end
...i love you and your beautiful, you write your own songs...electronic pop.

10. the Lassie Foundation - money money
...everything is done right with the guitar, bass, drums, synth and voice...the money's gonna clean you out.

11. Death Cab for Cutie - your heart is an empty room
...repetitive acoustic, smooth voice, dreamy...burn it down till the ember smoke on the ground.

12. Arcade Fire - rebellion (lies)
...I love songs that build, drums and bass, the one note pounded on the piano...everytime you close your eye.

13. Joy Electric - rickety trickery
...old moog synth's...I have to make you realize...electronic pop at it's most bizarre and original.

14. Billy Corgan - mina loy
...noisy, repetitive, electronic, fuzzy guitar...can I give my old heart to you?

15. Interpol - not even jail
...driving beat, a wash of guitars and electronics...I promise to commit no acts of violence.

16. Pedro the Lion - a simple plan
...minimal guitar, bass, with happy drums over a depressing voice...people are working as hard as they should be.

17. Eisley - brightly wound
...i shall never grow up...sister voices, dual melodies, big chorus.

18. Sufjan Stevens - Chicago
...chamber folk, choir, bells, keys, trumpet, etc., lush, big, loud, quiet...you came to take us, all things go all things go, to recreate us.

is it time for a new mixtape?

The first thing you should know about me is that I am a big music fan.

The second thing you should know is that I love mixtapes. (or the more modern version of the CD Mix or the most modern of the Playlist on an ipod.)

My first creation of a mixtape must have been in 7^th grade when I was discovering music on the radio. I would stay up late at night when they would have their “modern” show with one hand on the record button of the tapeplayer. Those early tapes were classic with the dj’s voice over the intro to most songs.

Later when I finally had a tape collection, I discovered the joy of being my own dj and putting songs together that I wanted. This really became fun when I was in college now with a CD collection. I would make mixtape’s for Vernal of new music recently purchased or love songs or songs that I thought she would like. The downfall of the mixtape was that it was a singular mix, only good to give to one person. Sure you could then dub the finish product, but I thought the sound was never as good the second time around.

Finally, with the CD burner on computers, this was the perfect solution to have a high quality mix tape. It’s all on my computer and I can make multiple copies for many people to enjoy or hate.

The third thing you should know is that it gives me a great joy to share my love of music by giving these mixes to my friends. I make these mixes for me. The music is what I am into at the moment and I share that with friends. They may hate it, but that’s okay. I am not try to cater to their taste.

I have been getting quite a few requests from friends asking when I will have another one ready. With the computer, I have been making on my mixes on disc with simple artwork since 2001. I would make 4 a year, one for each season. I have gone a whole year with out making one. The last one released was Summer2004. There are a couple reasons for this break. One is that last fall I was finishing up my last few tests before Turkey was born. It was a really busy season. The second reason is that I got an ipod for Christmas, so a lot of my interest where on filling that thing up with music. (There are a lot of pro’s and con’s to the ipod. I’ll explain sometime.) Each season will evoke a different mood or feeling for me as far as what I want to listen to at that time of year.

Generally it is something like this:

Spring (coming to life, more organic, acoustical, more happy)
Summer (more carefree, brainless rock or pop, up beat type of songs)
Fall (dead, very sad melancholy, slow, depressing) I think this is my favorite season for music.
Winter (cold, electronic, big sound, still sad, yet beautiful)

Anyway, I have been “in the mood” to create a mix and I finished up a new one last week.

images from coldplay........21sept2005

(crazy coldplay fan below)

Houston, we have a problem!

I bet you thought I’d be writing about Coldplay today. Maybe tomorrow, I am still soaking it in.

My mom told me last night that my Aunt (her sister), Uncle and their two boys packed as much as they could in 3 cars to evacuate Houston. Their oldest boy just got his license. They live on the south side of Houston in Clear Lake and fear that they won’t have a house to come back to.

I am curious to know what was packed in those cars. With the thought of losing everything, what could you not part with? Hmmm!

They didn’t leave yesterday, because there were reports that it took 4 hours just to get to downtown Houston. They are on the road now and many people fear running out of gas. Many people have already.

If you are the praying kind, please remember my family and all the other people trying to get to safety.

too much television

A few weeks ago, several of my co-workers and I were sitting outside in our back courtyard under a few trees in the shade of the surrounding brick buildings. The conversation turned toward television. I know it is very unfashionable to admit that you watch or enjoy watching TV. (Like I just read in the book Blue Like Jazz last night, people usually throw out that they don’t watch television just to sound more intellectual.) But as with any group of people, once you begin to talk about TV you soon find that you are not alone and everyone has their shows they watch.

I had a friend in college admit to me the he loved television. He said that to me as we were bumming in his room after we finished a big project for one of our design classes. We were probably watching the Real World, Saved by the Bell, or re-runs of the Dukes of Hazard. With all the work we did, it felt great to totally vegg. He said his proclamation with the tone of “I know its uncool, but who are we kidding? Television is great.”

I was surprised just how much TV our small group of 10 people covered. We covered sit-coms, dramas, action, Medical, the different CSI’s and spin-offs, the reality shows. I think the collective group covered just about all the shows that I can think of, not to mention the cable shows that I know nothing about. We even got talking about the new shows this season that look good.

What is in the hatch?
What is Vaughn’s real name?

Those are some of the cliffhangers from Lost and Alias that I am looking forward to.

You have to admit it is a fun way to kick back and relax after a long day. We usually tape our shows and watch them when the kids are in bed.

sad news for molly

Molly is our beagle and has been our pet now for seven years.

Last Friday night she came in from outside hobbling on three legs, favoring one of her back legs. She has done this from time to time, like when a thorn gets caught in her paw. I checked for thorns. None. I felt her leg and it was really limp. I had a bad feeling about this. She didn’t seem to be in any pain, but was napping a lot and was slow and sluggish.

The next morning, Vernal took her to the vet and learned that she had a pretty serious, yet common injury. She tore a ligament in her knee that allows the leg to expand or contract. I guess you can’t repair the ligament.

We have to make a decision, not about death but quality of life.

1. Leave her as is and be a 3 legged dog, which could develop into serious arthritis problems later in life.
2. Spend a butt-load of money for surgery, which could make leg usable again. I don’t like the idea of spending that much money on a dog, for something that could happen in her other leg. I am leaving this option open as vernal looks into payment plans.

Yesterday, she did catch a rabbit trail in our backyard and ran along crazily following the scent. She really hasn’t missed a beat. But it was sad to see her hobble over to her favorite spot on the couch to take a nap and look up at it knowing that she couldn’t jump.

What to do?

blinded by joy

Last night, I stepped out onto the the street to walk to my car. The work day was over and I was heading home. With the grey skies and the slight drizzle of rain, I was wondering if this was the day. The day that marked the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Does the coolness of the weather warrant me to put on a jacket for when I go out later tonight? Or would I be jumping the gun to soon (as if a heat wave could hit next week.)

As I am driving through a maze of one-way streets downtown, I stop at a red light next to the big outdoor bus station at 10th and Main. This stop is alway full of interesting people-walking around or sitting on fountains, waiting, going or doing whatever. It was here that I had one of those laugh outloud moments.

I look across the street a the Osco Drug on the corner and I see a man standing and waiting all by himself. He had a look of concern on his face. With a tattered green army jacket and some old jeans, his tall and slender frame made him look a little shaggy. I then understood what his concerned look was about. Under his beanie, were a pair of dark glasses and in his hand was a long white cane with a rounded ball at the bottom. He was blind.

After his senses gave him the go ahead, he crossed the street swinging his cane back and forth until it hit the slight lip of the curb. Once on the sidewalk, he took a long drag from the cigarette in his free hand as he kept walking. Moments later, right when my light turned green, the blind man breaks out into dance routine. His arms are flapping like the chicken and his legs are doing the cabbage patch and he even threw in a spin move. I busted out laughing as I turned in the opposite direction and drove home.

New Music

Somebody stop me quick. I picked up a few ablums in the last two weeks and I better curtail my spending before I face the wrath of Vernum Tempus. I need a break anyway because I have a lot of new music for my ears to enjoy.

Fall is just around the corner and these albums below will provide a great soundtrack to the upcoming season. The music is melancholy yet hopeful, dark but also beautiful.

Sigur Ros - Takk...

Rosie Thomas - If songs could be held

Coco Rosie - Noah's Ark

Denison Witmer - Are you a dreamer?

Joy Electric - The ministry of archers

Death Cab for Cutie - Plans

Urban Outfitters vs. the thrift store outfitters

Last week when Vernal and I were on the Plaza doing some window shopping, we stopped in at the new Urban Outfitters. It is always a fun store to visit. We have been to the one in Lawrence many times and also Chicago and Seattle. Needless to say they have the new trendy clothes and hip t-shirts, but I have always been put off by the price of their clothes.

Their clothing is not really business attire, but more of a street attire and when more than half my week needs to be spent in business attire it is hard to justify spending big bucks on clothes. Forget that!! In general, business or casual, I don't like to spend money on clothes. I go for deals. I think my sister is the Queen of looking good for under ten dollars. She knows how to get the deals.

It is no secret that sports jackets are kinda cool for guys right now. They are a classic look and have been a mainstay for a long time, but all the stores are hoping to capitalize on the jacket. UO's being the hip place that it is had their share of old looking retro jackets. I looked at the price tag - $69.00!! NO WAY! These aren't nice jackets and no two were the same.

I decided to go to the place that I picked up a few jackets last year - the Thrift Store. The smelley one next to the pet store. I picked out four jackets that I liked (I hope to paint some graphics on them.) I asked the lady working "how much?" And she told me $6.48 each. I went on to find a rare un-released in the states live cd of Damien Rice ($3.00) and a mini trampoline ($10.00) for Goose, who likes to jump on everything with a bounce.

I was debating about the trampoline. Ten dollars seemed a little steep. I decided to take it up front to see if I could get a deal since I was buying a lot.

Hello.

Are you ready to check out?

Yes! (placing 4 jackets and cd on the counter and holding up the trampoline) Is there anyway that I can a discount on this trampoline?

Um, I'd have to check with my manager. (looks around...song with a dance beat playing in the background...see's good friend and fellow co-worker shaking to the music together...doesn't see her manager...looks back to me) Ohh, How about $4.98?

That's great! (you would have had me at 5)

How many jackets do you have? (in an overall good mood and moving to the music)

Four.

I'll just charge you for two of them. (throwing in a spin move)

That's great, thank you! (now, I'm dancing to the music - score!)

After getting the jackets drycleaned, I sported one to my Architectural Reunion Banquet Friday night (with jeans of course and an untucked button down shirt.)

A few things that happened over the last few days

Here is a quick rundown of this last weekend, with maybe some stories to follow.

Thursday

• Vernal and I headed over the Westport to my old office for a gallery opening. It was great to meet up with some of my old work friends and meet some new people. And Vernal also got to hang with her good friend who runs the gallery openings. We munched on some of the food they had their – cheese and crackers, that is one of my all time favorite snacks.
  
• The reason for going out was to eventually eat. I had to fit bar-b-que in sometime this week, so I choose Oklahoma Joe’s. I was stuffed, we both were. Too much snacking at the gallery opening. Oklahoma Joe’s was good, but it sat heavily in my stomach.
  
• Later that night I met up with my good friends at Homer’s for some coffee and conversations. As usual the conversation really gets good once the doors are locked and we are left standing outside. I am sure our wives are counting down the days until the cold weather arrives, knowing that Dust will not last in the cold. The odd act of the night, I was conducting a couple of interviews with people inside for a project that I am working on for my class. I asked the girl at the counter who has taken my order for 2-3 years if I could interview her. I learned that her name is Christy and she learned my name. I can’t believe that my shyness kept me for being friendly for that long. I introduced her to the rest of the group and she told us the stories that they have about us.

Friday

• Vernal, the kids, and I spent a few hours at PowerPlay. PowerPlay is a big indoor arcade, go-kart, mini-golf, and etc. area. They have huge jungle gym, moonwalk, and train ride toddler area. It is the perfect area for goose to run his little buns off. BB and his boy also happened to be there. BB and I had a good time chatting away while the boys played. He later challenged me to a game of air hockey and I am sorry to say that I whooped his butt 8-1. (I was lucky!)
  
• Later that night, Vernal and I got dressed up for a University of Kansas, School of Architecture Alumni Reunion in Lawrence, Kansas. We carpooled with two of my former classmates and their “dates” in a mini-van.
  The banquet itself was the typical “blah” kind of event. There were a few speeches and awards given out. A slideshow was being shown in the background of the school over the years.
  
• Afterwards, a group of my classmates wanted to meet up a Teller’s on Mass street for some drinks. We were there for a while before a few of the wives wanted to get some ice cream up the street. We walked up, I was in a frozen coffee mood instead. I forgot how much I love the streets of Lawrence on a warm Friday night. Vernal and I just sat on a bench and watched the people walk by.
  

Saturday

• Vernal had a good coupon for Old Navy, so just the two of us did some Fall clothes shopping for Goose. Soon the T-shirts and shorts will be put away, now he has some jeans, pants, and long sleeve shirts.
  
• Another trip to Lawrence for another KU football game with my dad and sister.
  
• Somewhere during Friday and Saturday I prepared the lesson for class on Sunday morning.

Sunday

• The whole family got up for church.
  
• I survived another trainwreck of what I call teaching a class. Maybe facilitating is the right word. The sermon was interesting with a guest missionary speaker who said a few things that made me cringe.
  
• We met up with a bunch of people from class for lunch at Planet Sub. It was a good time and I think a good setting for those of us who had kids.
  Later, I mowed the lawn after watching the Chiefs game and taking a short nap.

Sinatra in the Park and sushi on the Plaza

Last night Vernal and I packed the kids in the car and headed to Loose Park just south of the Plaza. They were hosting an event called Ballet in the Park and it was in the famous Rose Garden. As we were passing the exciting playground equipment, I had to inform Goose that we will come back but first we are going to watch some dancers. We found a spot inside the circular rose garden made of trellises with draping roses to lay our blanket down to watch the performance. The last segment featured about 6 or 7 Frank Sinatra songs which made for a festive atmosphere in the orange glow of the soon to be dusk sky.

Goose was soon up on his feet twirling in circles, imitating the dancers on the stage along with the myriad of other “little people and future ballerinas.” Later, Vernal and Goose off dancing together in an empty grass area close to the rose bushes. I let turkey loose on the lush soft pad of bright green grass. He crawled over to some roses and plucked a handful of pink petals and then tried to eat them. He looked up with eyes that echoed the words of Frank in the background, “I’ll have it my Way.”

We made good on our promise and let Goose play at the playground after the show. Other parents must have made the same promise, because that was on happening spot.

Today Vernal and I went out for lunch thanks to Grandma coming over to watch the kids. We went down to the Plaza to make and event out of it – eat, walk around, look at people, and shop or “just look.”

I wanted to try something new, so we picked the Kona Grill. Their menu had a little bit of everything, but mostly inspired by an Asian flavor. They had a sushi bar and since Vernal has never had sushi, I ordered a roll for an appetizer. It was a pretty safe selection: smoked salmon, cucumbers, cream cheese, rolled in rice with sesame seeds. It was good full of flavor. She said it wasn’t bad. I then went on to order Pad Thai Noodles. Yum! It has been a while since I have had Thai food. We then spent the rest of the afternoon walking around, popping in and out of shops living the “good life.”

The first signs of fall......COLLEGE FOOTBALL

This last Saturday was the home opener for the Kansas Jayhawks football. My Dad and I have season tickets. (Many thanks to him, because he buys the tickets every year.) This is our ninth year that we have headed over to Lawrence to soak up the college football atmosphere on a Saturday afternoon. My dad and I started going in ’97 after I graduated from the University of Kansas when they offered a special buy one season ticket get one free.

So my Dad, sister (she has been coming with us these last few seasons and is an alumni as well), and I went to the game last Saturday. These early game in September do not offer true football weather (or at least what I associate to be the perfect weather for football), but they do signal that summer is ending and fall is just around the corner.

My Dad grew up in Nebraska, so his first team is the Cornhuskers. As a kid, I remember traveling with him to different colleges to see his team. That is where I got a taste for the college atmosphere and maybe knew in my heart that I wanted to go to a big time school.

And so here I am today still savoring the college atmosphere: Wearing your school colors; the rivalries; the marching band; the mascots; the school songs and chants; the buildings on campus; the game; the cheerleaders (my sister is a coach so I have learned more about the sport); the tailgaters; and the general atmosphere of people outside of stadium.

And then there are our traditions: meeting over at my dad’s house to leave for Lawrence; parking in the neighborhood of student rental homes a few blocks away from the stadium as we try to find the closest spot; walking up the steep hill; eating at yellow sub on top of the steep hill; walking down the steep hill to the stadium; watching the pre-game warm-ups; eating homemade caramel popcorn the mom made for us; and there might be that post-game stop at Taco Johns.

There are also so many sounds associated with the college game day atmosphere. I can still here the words of an old college professor echoing through my head as he asked the question: “what is your favorite sound on campus?” On game day, my favorite sound is coming from an old dingy bar called The Crossing. It is at the top of the steep hill that we climb, right next to the Yellow Sub. You can almost hear it before you see it. The music is blaring and the conversation is that much louder as people are crowded in their front patio. The people seem to be having a good time. When the game is over and we are coming back the other way, nothing has changed – the music is still blaring and the crowd of people are still talking.

I’ll be heading back up to Lawrence this Saturday for another game, and the temperature will probably still be warm to hot, but hopefully soon I’ll be wearing sweatshirts and jackets.

THE SERMON...Let me go back a few days to Sunday

Last Sunday, the pastor at our church spoke on a theme that he has covered numerous times in various sermons over the last year or so. Maybe he is repeating it so that it’ll sink in to the congregation and maybe God wants me to act on it.

The theme was about getting involved with a ministry at church.

Let me pause real quick and look up the definition of ministry.

Here are the ones that I am interested in (Ministry):
4 : a person or thing through which something is accomplished
5 : the period of service or office of a minister or ministry

Okay, it is easy for me to agree and feel good about myself since I am doing my part by teaching/leading a Sunday School class. But, over the past year I feel like God has laid something on my heart for me to do. About a year ago, we took one of those spiritual gifts, areas of ministry tests and I think I scored off the map for where my heart was and the ministry opportunity provided to fill it.

I am not saying no to God; I am just trying to figure out the logistics. Will anybody care? How will I do it? When will we have time for it? I feel like I need to get the details worked out before I can present it. But I hate that I have been thinking about it for over a year and have done nothing about it. I have talked to one of our pastors already and he’s on board. But after hearing the sermon last week, it was a friendly reminder and open invitation to come talk to the Pastor. Like he said, “if you see a potential ministry that the church that is lacking, then fill it.”

Our pastor applauded a girl in our church who was starting a silly children’s music class that could be a potential outreach to the community. So, surely my silly little idea might has some merit.

Maybe the thing holding me back is “how do you talk to your pastor?” He’s busy. It’s not like I want to stop him in the hall and try to explain to him the complex idea that I don’t even fully understand. I thought about sending an email, but I think I will try to schedule an appointment. I am taking next week off to do some housework and maybe a road trip. I’ll schedule an appointment.

Maybe if I type these words out they’ll move me into action….