he warm afterglow of Christmas lasted exactly eight days in my house, just eight days of exultation in the fellowship and goodwill that usually lingers long after a successful multi-generational family gathering, which also means that the...

It's been a long year, this 2009 - ushered in with hope by a new president, bogged down by economic turmoil and rampant joblessness, characterized by stonewalling and bickering amongst our leaders.

The old building looks great from out on the street as twilight takes hold. It would have been difficult not to notice the surge of activity on the historic structure where, 50 years ago, four brave college students took a quiet stand - new tar on the roof, restoration of the architectural flourishes, a good wipe of the windows.

The house seems quiet on those rare occasions when all the kids are asleep and I'm home alone, awake, uncomfortable in the stillness. The wife is off to South Carolina, to run a half marathon for cancer research - a noble pursuit, to be sure, an amazing feat of discipline and focus. We are proud of her from afar and have spent the weekend cleaning the house in her honor. Her absence is keenly felt.

I don't know what's up... I haven't been getting much done lately and I'm not quite sure why. It's like when I'm on Facebook playing Bejeweled Blitz and I'm looking at the board, looking and looking at it, and I just can't seem to find a way to make three matching jewels in a row.

There are warm clothes here at the Really, Really Free Market: sweaters, sweatpants, jackets and hats awaiting the chance to once again fight off January chills. There are cases of CDs by artists you've never heard of, unless you're a fan of the band Romance's work on The Divide.

From the front row things looked larger than life. Giant youth stalked the floor, their sneakers squeaking, feet slapping as they covered the court in three wide strides. The unmistakable sound of a ball on hardwood pierced the soundscape, a din of crowd noise, pom-pom rustle and blaring horns.

I call it the Cool Guy Vest, and I'm wearing it today, made of brushed black suede, sheeny satin and sturdy steel snaps. Totally badass.

Thales took things the ancient Greeks attributed to the actions of the gods - magnetism, math and yes, even life itself - and tried to explain them in terms of the natural world, the reality in which he existed. He really blew everyone away when he accurately predicted a solar eclipse that took place during the Battle of Halys in 585 BC.

I'm trapped. A prisoner. I might as well have one foot nailed to the floor and the other stuck in a bucket. I'm not going anywhere... not for a while, anyway. But the kid seems to be doing fine right now - he's currently rummaging through the kitchen for something inoffensive to eat - so I might as well get some work done.