*record scratches*

Oh hey there.

Remember me? It's been a long while since I wrote. Almost a full year (or at least a year that was full). Underneath all this rust there remains an overabundance of parentheses, misspelled words and questionable grammar. I'm here to share them with you. 
 
Summer is upon us in Seattle and it starts in the best way. With the opening of the beach next to my house. The first swim is always a bit of a shock, but refreshing. The dock which I swim out to has not quite been claimed by the birds (they will come and it will be a war - you will not win my feathered foes). Laying on the warm cement, basking in the June sun, I can't help but feel that this summer will be one full of only good possibilities.

I have begun my evening meanderings to watch the sunsets here. There are so many superb spots, but to see the sky change colors with the Olympics in the background in the background is a special treat. 
 
I spend a surprising amount of my daily time on my bicycle. The time it takes me to get to work is not embarrassing, but let's just say that I savor the trip (things in life should be savored don't you think?). Poor Bertrand (I named him after Bertram Wooster and misspelling his name) wants to give up the ghost, but I refuse to let him go down. Dearly needed replacement parts lay neglected as I ride on the belief that my love for him will keep his chain from letting me down. Old, dirty and squeak - we make quite a pair. 

Bicycling was something that I stumbled on rather late, the suggestion by a friend has ended up being such a dear gift. Instead of sitting on a bus, I'm outside, exercising and unable to use my phone or distract myself in any way. For an hour I am put in a place where I can settle my thoughts and let them carry me where they will. I get to step back, look at my thoughts uninterrupted for an hour, while blood is pumping. It's incredible.

Plus each night before I get home it finishes with descending a hill. I bomb down it trying to reach escape velocity. When I reach a good speed I spread my arms wide like Christ the Redeemer above Rio and let out my biggest "WOOOOOOO-HOOOO". It's the perfect way to end the day and I am very popular in my neighborhood (or at least the lack of thrown rocks makes me believe this).
 
It's almost nonsensical to try to do a Gaël update for a year. He's a very normal 3-year-old, at his parent-teacher conference he was right at the normal mark on everything, there were not many outstanding marks. I could not have been more proud. The conversations have shifted into "why" and "what is this". His cognitive ability is changing so quickly in front of me. His emotions are deepening and starting to take new shapes, I find they mold me with him. Our relationship has become one of wonderment, his toward the world and mine toward him. I'll try to share stories soon.

Ok, I think that's a good start to get back into these things. Feels good, looking forward to checking in again soon. Because I think it's important and I haven't written in a while I want you to know that I love you. Or at te very least like you a lot. If I haven't seen you in a while, let's change that. Sending good vibes,

Cowabunga dude,

DJ

For those new to the newsletter that have been shanghaied - feel free to unsubscribe it's down at the bottom. To see what I have written in the past here is an archive of the old letters.

I know it's silly, but I have taken another crack at the Proust questionnaire for this year. 

Here's a song for slow sunny days.