Patience is a virtue ...

... a virtue that I'm struggling to acquire.

It's early on the morning of Friday, April 29, but in Rock and Roll Grammarian time it's still Thursday, because I keep crazy hours. I fear I won't sleep tonight for a variety of reasons, but one in particular. I'll spare you the details, however. If I see you tomorrow (today, rather -- I hope it's today), I may tell you my primary reason. We shall see.

I've been experiencing a swarm of emotions tonight -- nearly all of them good. But at this moment I'm feeling sort of contemplative, and I'm a bit overwhelmed by one feeling in particular: gratitude. Here's what I'm grateful for tonight:

• My family members, who after 28 years still surprise me with their humor and acceptance.
• My friends, who also surprise and delight me. I'm grateful for those friends who will listen to me blather on about this, that and the other (and you know who you are). I'm equally grateful for those friends who are comfortable saying they can't listen at a given moment.
• Simon. This may sound silly to those of you who don't know Simon, but he really is the most fantastic and intuitive four-legged creature on the planet. Aside from being a dapper young lad, he's also a great listener. And a great talker. Right now he's talking up a blue streak about the insect that just flew in from the balcony.
• My bosses. They're supportive enough of this non-trad experiment of mine to adjust my schedule accordingly.
• The earth: It's so beautiful. Even with all of the ugly things that happen on it.
• CSI. Gil, I'm OK with your silence on the matter of my proposal. You're still a great and most entertaining crime solver, and I hope you'll ask her out already!
• The kindness of strangers. Today someone in the elevator at my apartment complex asked -- earnestly, it seemed -- how my day had been. It's so heartening when people are able to step outside themselves and inquire about the lives of others.
• My past. It's been a little rocky at times, but in general I'm grateful for it -- rocks and crags and all.
• Honesty. It's sometimes hard to tell the truth. The fact that you trust me enough to do so makes me like you even more. So, thanks, you guys.

I apologize if this post was a little too Jack Handy-esque for you to stomach, but it's my blog, and I'll muse if I want to.