These words really intrigue me. Periodically, I have moments where I feel all alone, as if there isn’t another person on this planet who is affected by life in the ways that I am or that my actions and reactions to life are unique to me and my peculiar set of defects

It’s a kind of vanity to believe that I’m so original either in my faults or virtues. When I discover how very ordinary either my vices or virtues are, it’s both a relief and a bit of a let down.

I’m headed to Milwaukee this weekend. I don’t get back to my hometown very much since high school. I don’t know why I don’t go back more often, there are no traumatic memories associated with Milwaukee.

Matthew is going with me and we are taking the train. It should be interesting to see how well we travel together. We’ve taken a ton of car trips in the 3-5 hour range. He does great on those trips and I’m expecting the same for the train. The train has the added flexibility of getting up and walking around, which will make it a little different as I’m used to traveling with Matthew in situations where we are both securely fastened down. I’m expecting it to be fun for both of us. If it works out, maybe he and I can go to Europe together, although I suspect he has an even lower tolerance for art museums that my usual traveling companion.

I looked up an old friend from Milwaukee who has graciously agreed to meet up with me Saturday night. I am so looking forward to that. I’ve never been to a high school class reunion nor have I spent much time hanging out with friends from Milwaukee since my high school graduation. I’ve had brief email chats with a few select people, and even dropped in on one friend in 2002, but that’s about it. I love to hear people’s stories, so it should be interesting to catch up after all these years.

Everytime I go back to Milwaukee, I am struck by this very odd feeling where the streets and sights are both familiar and foreign to me at the same time. It’s a very odd sensation.