My American Dream

I lived in Chicago for two years as a temp. When I worked in the Loop ("downtown"), I'd walk to the El ("elevated train") to go home and pass a flower shop with bouquets displayed on the sidewalk. It made me sad to think that there was no girl waiting at home whom I could surprise with flowers. More than anything I wanted to buy a bouquet of any kind of flower, carry it on the El with a big grin on my face in the sea of guarded strangers and bring it home to my sweetheart, accompanied by those magical words: "Honey, I'm home!" I know it's corny, but I think that's all I've ever really wanted. My artistic and entertainment ambitions seem like passing fancies by comparison. I know they wouldn't sustain me.

Five-Year College Reunion

I attended my five-year college reunion last weekend. I went to Beloit College, a tiny liberal arts institution in Beloit, WI, just off I-90 fifty miles SE of Madison along the Illinois border. They were the best 4 years of my life, even though some of my best friends have since let me way down by no longer returning my calls. Out of laziness or disinterest, I don't know which. But none of those people was at the reunion, which disappointed me actually. I'd really like to reconnect with them and find out what the &@*# happened. (I have some anger issues about this too. Expressing anger has never been my strong suit.)

Many of my friends and acquaintances made it back to campus, which surprised me. I wasn't expecting that many people to travel to Beloit for a weekend of 5-year-old reminiscing. Usually memories take longer to reach the peak of flavor, and Beloit is not a popular destination for a weekend getaway. It's an old factory town long past its prime with more bars than traffic lights.