Back in the US

  

Austin

    When I landed in Austin on October 30th, it certainly was a surreal moment. I think it would be that way for most people, at least somewhat. After all to be away in Europe for most of a year and then come back to The US, to Texas would make you feel that way. It was like I was a visitor or tourist in my own city. Several weeks later, I’m more or less back into the swing of things, as far as work and getting back into the grind. And also a year away, in the scheme of things isn’t that long. It certainly was profound and an exhilarating experience, and, at times, daunting.

Buffalo 86

Larry & me in his Buffalo State dorm room-there's vodka in my cup

    Recently an old friend of mine, Larry, passed away on Oct 15th. I met him when I was 8 years old and we became best friends soon after, right up through the end of high school and throughout our 20’s thru our 50’s. Of course we did different things throughout our lives and could go several months without talking, especially when I moved to Seattle in 2003 from NYC, where we grew up. After that, I visited NYC two times and he visited me in Seattle once. When we did talk, we’d be on the phone for at least 2 hours. The last time we talked was on his birthday last year, just before I left for my European adventure. The last contact with Larry was in May with other friends in a group chat about our exploits with the Brooklyn-Mobile years ago (that’s a story for another time). The last text he sent me was to wish me a Happy Birthday in September. I’m still processing he's passing, but it definitely doesn’t seem real. I’m sure it has something to do with the fact that we were thousands of miles apart and didn’t see each other a lot. In fact the last time I saw him in person was in 2008 when I visited NYC. Had I still lived in NYC, we would have gotten together on a regular basis and his absence would probably be felt much more than it is now. But as we do when our loved ones pass away, we celebrate them and remember them by telling stories. There is a story I’d like to tell about the photo at the top of this blog.