Frith O’Steen

It may be blasphemous to say this, but I have never enjoyed Jack London’s stories. I found them incredibly bleak and depressing (Hello? “To Build a Fire”? That’s a horrible story!), and perhaps it was because I was in 8th grade and couldn’t fully appreciate them but I feel no need to re-read them to find out if they got any better. (I actually have very similar opinions about John Steinbeck, which I think makes me a double-blasphemer, being a California native and all…I’m sorry, but I had to read “Of Mice and Men” 4 times, plus play the role of the role of Curly’s skanky wife in a scene for drama, and I always found myself really sad afterwards, which I know is the point but do you have to be sad to be a good writer? Anyway I digress…).

Despite my feelings toward the author himself, I do very much enjoy Jack London Square, and that is where I found myself yesterday, at the “First and Last Chance Saloon” (well, outside at the cafe tables), visiting with some old friends from Berkeley. It was really good to talk with some grownups again, and to catch up with folks. Well, as much as I could. Everyone there is really nice and encourages me to bring Decker with me, but I think I’ll refrain from doing that for a while. Sample conversation yesterday:

Me: Hey James! It’s been forever! How are you?

James: Good? What’s new with you?

Me: (Ow, Decker - no, don’t pull Mommy’s hair) Oh, you know, same ol’ same ol’ (Decker, do you want to get down? Ok, you have to stand though, no crawling, it’s dirty) we’re kinda boring so it’s really nice to (Decker, no sweetie, I said no crawling, ok back up you go, here’s some cheerios) see some adults and catch up and all that (Decker, do you want juice, here’s some juice, ok you’ve thrown your juice that’s a nice trick, ok no more juice) so you know…so how is Francis?

James: He’s good. We had some friends over the other night for dinner.

Me: Oh that’s nice (Decker, that’s dirty…no sweetie those aren’t your cookies they belong to Delaney…see the train?) - I hope it was fun (Decker, why are you trying to climb up mommy? let’s get back in the stroller…).

And so forth. You get the picture. I’m afraid I’ve portrayed the kid as the ADD baby from beyond. He really isn’t, but he does have a keen interest in getting around and exploring, and being held captive by mommy in a concrete plaza where he can’t roam around or even crawl was, I’m afraid, a little frustrating for the little guy. He was really sweet through the whole thing, never whined…just very very very squirmy.

On a totally different note: some good friends, Jay and Dawn, called this weekend to tell us they’re expecting in March! That makes three couples we know who are due in Feb/March 2005! Looking forward to cuddling all their little babies next spring!