I’m in Vegas, attending the NAB conference. Miles and miles of convention center floors, filled with vendors of the latest tech and trends. It’s really quite overwhelming. I just sat inside Protools exhibit (sound editing) with something like 15 speakers all perfectly situated for an unbelievable audio experience. Frankly, I wish I’d never heard it, because now I know what perfect sound is like. The bar is so high now. Then Dire Straits “So Far Away” came on and I was loving the true richness of the sound. An audiogasm for the ears. Then the audio experience turned to the thought of how you once sent me that song. I’m tired of almost seeing you or just missing you somewhere. Isn’t it enough of this “almost” crap? Can we just do it?

…doesn’t come easy and doesn’t leave without kicking, fighting, and dragging its nails across the floor the whole way out.

They arrived at 3am this morning. My brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin. He had a gig in Vegas yesterday evening, so they couldn’t hit the road until 10pm. I was up until 1:30 getting the house ready for them, so I am the embodiment of a reanimated corpse. Eyes are all puffy, right lower eyelid twitching as it does when I’m this tired, hard to stay focused., keep looking at the clock, counting down to leave the office for the day. It’s my mom’s birthday next week, but we’re celebrating this Saturday with a big dinner at a lovely French restaurant. I’m paying, of course. I printed an enlarged photo of the view from the window of my mother’s favorite flat in Paris. The actual window is in the photo, so it looks like you’re about five feet inside the flat, looking out. I’m building a wooden box, which will have lights inside at the top, so when the light is on, it will (hopefully) come through the photo and simulate sunlight. It’s a little last minute (especially considering I was going to do this five years ago), but I can get it done if I work on it tonight and tomorrow night. I’m betting that it’ll be one of those gifts that will make her cry. When I’m good, I’m really good. Then I’m off to Vegas on Sunday until Wednesday for a convention of broadcasters, tech, and other industry-related events and networking. Should be fun. On the company no less, so yay me.

Your texting from Mexico had my mind and body wandering, wanting, damn the consequences. You’re home. I had been imagining you in the arms of some tanned, limber yogi, making love under a starry sky. Vomit 🤮 (still!!). I understand you have the fear and feeling of safe self-preservation, so I don’t really think this will come to pass, but you know I’m there. But you also know that I won’t be anyone’s fool, even if it breaks my heart.