Being on TV.

Ok. So I had my TEN seconds of fame this week on nationally-broadcast television. Who knows how many hundreds of people watched, but that's more than normally see me on a good day. How did it feel? You know that place inside your soul that cries out that there's just gotta be more to this life than just the day to day, more than just the getting by? That place felt rubbed and nurtured. Like a big hug from arms unseen.

Just kidding. It didn't feel like much at all, actually. The best part of it all was how my friends and family responded to it. Everyone was so supportive and loving, it's been amazing.

But, no worries. No chance for big heads or arrogance here. My TV appearance Monday night was bookmarked by large packages of dog poo on the living room carpet both Monday and Tuesday mornings. And I've had the flu all week, myself. Not much room for feeling amazing.

Kirby Puckett was the Twins.

I lost one of my heroes yesterday. He was only days away from his 46th birthday...and just a couple of months away from being re-married. I loved that Kirby represented the Underdog in appearance and Superstar in reality, both with such a huge smile. I will never forget the '87 & '91 World Series the Twins won, and I'll never forget the spark that Kirby brought to the team, to the Metrodome, to the whole state and to the whole country. Heck, I named my dog after him...because of the spark that he brought to me. The spark that says "You can do it, you can make it! You can be a champion! But more important than winning, it's the joy and love in your heart and compassion for other people that really matter in life." A message so similar in nature to what my amazing Grandma Bob used to shower me with.

Ironically, during the '91 Series Grandma Bob was in the hospital for some heart problems. She was a big Kirby fan. She had a heart-attack during the Series' day off, only to recover in time to cheer for Kirby and the Twins. She'd watch the games from her hospital bed, Homer-Hanky in hand. Yes, she did get to watch his team pull it out in the end. But, immediately after the Twins won the title, she hung up her Hanky, and said good-bye to us.

I hope this means that Grandma Bob and Kirby Puckett, two of my heroes, finally get a chance to meet.

Let's not have sex.

(scene takes place in bed)

1: This is crazy, but can we not have sex?
2: What do you mean?
1: I mean, can we just lie here and not have to get all animal, just to feel like we really amount to something?
2: You mean, just lie here?
1: That sounds awesome.
2: You're kidding me. You bought me all those drinks tonight so you can cuddle?
1: I actually just want to find someone who won't leave. If we have sex, you'll leave. And then the next time I see you, you'll have told all your friends (secretly, of course!) that we had sex and you'll be all weird to me. Either you'll ignore me, or you'll be all nice and want to come over, and you'll expect sex again. It's setting a precedent.
2: A what?
(silence)
2: So you just want me to like you? As a person?
1: I'd love it if you could just listen to me when I talk, but without needing me to say anything. That you could see that you have great value in this relationship. That I need you to be strong and interesting and engaging and proactive. I need you to have a life that's awesome without me...something that I can find joy in while I'm pursuing you. That it's not all about you being captured and playing dead like every other person I've dated.
(pause)
1: I need you in ways you've never imagined. But you've got to find out in yourself what value you bring to this relationship. That's the part of you that I need the most.