Barry is doing well in Colorado. His teaching files are incredible. I remember being absorbed for hours each day as I learned algebra in high school, but I really can't imagine spending all the time that is reflected in his filing cabinet of lesson plans, notes, exercises and tests, formally organizing the teaching of it. I have to respect it in Barry; talking to him about his teaching, I believe that he is good at it.

While I was visiting we went on a great circle car tour of the mountains and National Parks around Denver and at one place that we stopped to snack we ran across one of Barry's students from about three years ago. I was a little jealous then. Not that they seemed to have the kind of personal bond that I remember with some of my teachers; but because here was a living mark of Barry's passage in life.

I also got to meet Barry's ex-lover, Hank. Hank had three houseguests (Steve, Tony and John) from Chicago, and we went out to Boulder with them one afternoon. I suppose that I could blame them for being a bad influence on me and encouraging me in a very pleasant, very decadent Monday night. But that's too easy...

Jim met me at the airport when I flew into San Francisco. He said he would, so I wore my plain, brown, 100% polyester tie to let him know that I was still the styleless nerd I've always been. I had just gotten my luggage and was walking away from the carrousel when he came through the automatic doors. It's been five years, but I knew him instantly. His head still tilts at the same angle, and he has the same smile and the same dimples. He still ambles instead of walking when he wants you to like him. His eyes still go wide when he smiles.

He knew me too.

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