I am trying to write these with a little more frequency as it seems like I am only able to keep a few weeks in my mind at a time. Things farther back than that begin to get a little fuzzy quickly. At the same time winter, especially winter in Seattle, makes time tend to slip by in a grayish blur(netflix and book season indeed).
 
We were able to get down to Oregon for Thanksgiving. It was awesome to see my family and watch Gaël run around with his uncles and grandparents. I get gravy once a year and Thanksgiving and that is almost a holiday in and of itself. My mom killed it as always and followed it up with an encore performance with her turkey pot pie(incredible incredible incredible). It was really fun to hang out with my little brother, despite him getting locked outside one night(apparently sleeping in a car is cold - Slowly I think Thanksgiving is starting to win out over Christmas in my mind. It's basically a holiday of "good vibes". On a side note, Céline and I were disappointed with the sushi we found in the area, but it made it up by discovering that there is good food between Portland and Seattle. 

Céline is doing ok. She is wrapping up teaching her first class here and trying to carve out time here and there to work on her thesis. We're trying to figure out when we can escape to some sun soon. Over Christmas we're going to make a break for it to head to the mountains. 

Gaël is a pretty cool dude. He's still doing his human pinball/destroyer of worlds thing. He almost learned how to say banana("na-na-na-na"). We like to build towers together and play hide and seek. We think he might have his first crush as he has only learned how to say the name of one other toddler "Emma". 

And for me well, in truth, writing anything hasn't been so easily lately. These last 2 months have felt especially hard for me. But with how terrible/brutal/gut-wrenching it has been, it has opened me up to feeling equally wonderful experiences on the other end of the spectrum. I have been so incredibly lucky to be showered in love and kindness by so many and in so many ways. There have been many hands that have pulled me back to the surface(I am especially grateful for you Céline, Mom, Dad, Keith and Ryan). The day after the election I went for a walk in Magnusson park. The clouds ended up breaking and I walked out on the dock and sat with my feet dangling over the lake. Surrounded by autumn leaves and looking out at Rainier, I stopped and just watched the waves move across the lake. A deep sense of calm and appreciation came over me. I am in a beautiful place and I am ok. I love you all and will see you again in January,

Cowabunga dude and Merry Christmas,

DJ

This was partially written to Albama Shakes "You Ain't Alone" and Childish Gambino's new album "Awaken My Love"