Dear CC,

First - I'm writing this letter while listening to Neko Case's new album Middle Cyclone, which is available in stores and on iTunes March 3 - an album I strongly recommend.

As for the rest...

Well. I am happy to hear your knee is on the mend, though it equally troubles me that it is not mending to the point of content.

It pleases me that you are persuing something that you love and are good at - teaching and aikido. Not all men are as fortunate as you. That you are able to both enjoy your autonomy - this the most overlooked and least valued of all qualities - and enjoy the company of a woman is also very good news. I would hope that you are able to understand and treasure that unique position.

Any man who considers himself free, and/or an artist, requires his autonomy. Too many of my friends are currently lamenting their lack of freedom, because they at one point or another considered constant and yet unrelenting and unyielding companionship (and the responsibilities therein) being paramount to their existance.

Your physical address reveals that you are currently in a geographical (and most certainly emotional) spot that you love, and it pleases me. So am I. Which pretty much entails my apartment. It is being kept well, a slew of new plants have just this week found its place on windowsils and on shelves, forced into weathered old pots, fed tepid water from the taps and assured safety for at least a couple of months until I grow weary of them and start neglecting them. A new set of curtains are ready to be mounted. A few new throw pillows in bright and assuring colors are nesting atop the purple couch.

Spring is almost visible here; we certainly feel it seeping from our fingertips, certainly feel it stretching, arching its back, yawning behind our eyes. It snowed yesterday, but it was a snowfall met with guffaws and shrugs; we all knew the snow would perish in the Friday mid-day sunshine. All the drains are giggling with delight by the thought of this, and so am I.

Not much to tell about love. I know you had anticipated it, me being all bubbly and excited when we last met. But I lost interest. A certain amount of interest was feigned for some time, but I have very little patience when it comes to these things.

Since then, I have been mostly working and reading. Time has lapsed (as it tends to). Hairs have been lost, some have turned white, and wrinkles have settled on my brow and around my mouth (as they tend to).

Some claim there has been a shift in the world since November 4. Has there really? What is to be expected?

I cannot claim I HAVEN'T felt it. Something might very well be different.

Still, my greatest refuge is my geekery.

I think about you often.

Hugs,

//[Steelwheels]