Negative Space

Decorators refer to it as negative space – the absence of something, often clutter, which in its void makes apparent the more sublime elements of the arrangement. The point is that the deficiency of distraction allows one to focus on the essential elements of our environs with greatest clarity.

Such is the case with the emerging understanding of my eldest. Now participating in a program through his school that arranges and chaperones an annual exchange program with its sister school in Japan, he finds himself 16 years-old and now residing with a host family half way around the globe. Yet thanks to the wonders of internet communication and ubiquitous WiFi, we are able to solicit a daily update on his travails. Food is first on his list of daily observations – for anyone who has experience with teenage boys this comes as no surprise.

Change and Hope

Perhaps, it is simple human nature. We dislike and disparage those who disagree with our take on a particular issue and tend to admire and regard those who seem to take our side in an argument. So, it has been particularly entertaining to watch as pundits and just-plain-old opinionated folk have reacted to the surprising outcome of the recent Supreme Court deliberation on the constitutionality of some provisions of the largely yet-to-be-implemented heath care reform act widely known as Obamacare. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the liberal Justices in supporting Obamacare, holding that it is a tax allowed under the Constitution.

Cooler Heat

Election years tend to make water-cooler talk more interesting. We become experts on national finance, welfare and program; then fight to the death armed only with the info we garnered from the news during the morning drive. It is good that folks take a position. It is even better when we become knowledgeable and then take a position. Understanding and even empathizing with both sides of an issue makes our conversations more informed and less belligerent.

The List

What was the best year of Saturday Night Live? Over its three decades long run, this late-night comedy television show has become a cultural touchstone with each ensuing group claiming our own cast and memorable catchphrases and skits at the heart of their a shared self-definition. Like the question of whether the Tonight Show belongs to Carson or Leno, these public figures have come to frame our shared community.

Ultimately these common memories are devices used to enhance communication with our peers. Recently, I made reference to a Dana Carvey moment on SNL. Carvey's character, upon his death, found himself the gate to heaven with the angel of God. Like a fine hotel’s busboy, the angel outlined each of the amenities one could expect as a new resident of heaven. “The buffet is open 24 hours and the pool, just down the path, is always warm and filled with beautiful girls. Moreover, in heaven we have omnipotence – the answer to all of our human life’s unanswered questions.”

St. Elmo’s Fire

Never a big drinker, my Dad liked to celebrate with copious amounts of dry-aged beef if not necessarily malted hops. So it only made sense that, when facing what would ultimately prove to be terminal esophageal cancer in his early 50’s, he asked to mark the last days before aggressive surgery with a perfect steak. While the request was simple, it was a tough order to fill. Certainly, this was a guy that had seen his share of prime beef. Like most farm-bred kids of his generation, he knew the best way to age and cut meat. Luckily, Indianapolis is a steakhouse town. And in the best-steak-of-your-lives category, we are blessed with one of the top dogs.