An hour-long telephone talk with an old friend tonight: one of the best things about being middle-aged is having a friend you’ve known for twenty-eight years and you’ve watched each other grow up and grow older. After a couple of decades you realize that like it or not you’re stuck with each other, because by that point you’re like family; which means you better make the best of that friendship; which is what we did. Usually after I have an exhausting twelve hour day at work I just want to go to bed, but today it was much better talking to this old friend.