THIS TIME TOMORROW

Recently, I finished the new novel by Emma Straub entitled, "This Time Tomorrow." The story is one of time travel and shuttles back and forth between New York City in the present day and in 1996 when the main character turns 16. 

The time travel element might make you think this is a science fiction story, but you would be wrong. Rather, this book is a love story to earlier times in our lives - before the internet, cell phones, and disinformation - when things were simpler. 

At its core, the story asks, "if you could go back in time, what would you change and why?" After several trips back, the main character comes to realize what matters most to her and the changes she wishes to see in her life and in the lives of those whom she loves.

Life is short, and our decisions can sometimes seem irrevocable. However, we all have the ability to try to change our destiny and make up for mistakes. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

A FALL TO REMEMBER

We have had an absolutely amazing autumn this year - more breathtaking than any I remember since our move and beyond. 

I  love trees with leaves of various colors, especially red, and the fading autumn light really brings out these amazing hues. 

Who knows how much longer we will have these brilliant colors for, but until the gray skies descend on us and the leaves all fall to the ground, I will soak them up.

14!

It is hard to believe Cate turned 14 this past week! She has grown into an independent and capable young woman who knows what she wants.

She has made a seamless transition to life in Ann Arbor and has so many friends at school or through sports. I envy her adaptability!

In the coming years, I hope to see Cate continue to grow and learn more soft skills like taking the pulse of the room, walking in others' shoes, and leading by example on and off the field. I know she is capable of becoming an even more complete person - someone whom we all look up to and view as a role model.

Love you Cate!

THE LAST WHITE MAN

I recently finished Mohsin Hamid's, "The Last White Man." The novel takes places in an undisclosed location, where the main character, a white man, wakes up one day brown. At first, he cannot believe it, but soon he comes to accept that he is a member of this second class group of citizens.

Soon, much of the country undergoes the same conversion. Hysteria about being overtaken and having their society transformed against their will becomes a common sentiment. In the end, the entire country comes to terms with the fact that it has been irrevocably changed. While some characters have greater empathy for the natrual born browned skin among them, many people are horrified by what has become of them.

I could not help but think about the west and its response to immigration and how our societies have become more multi-cultural or mixed. My children and my marriage are emblematic of this change. 

I hope that we can come to accept each other for who we are without regard to color one day. I won't hold my breath.

STATE CHAMPIONS

This past weekend, the Michigan Tigers U15 Elite Girls Team won the Michigan State Youth Soccer Association State Cup, the first time a Michigan Tigers girls' team to do so.

It was a tight affair against our regional rivals, the Legends. After regulation it was 0-0, and three of our players had already received yellow cards in a very physical game. The referee - needless to say - was not great.

In extra time, we had several chances, but we did not break through. That meant penalties...

Cate was the first to take a penalty, and she cooly slotted to the keeper's left. Their player skied their penalty. We missed the next one, but then our keeper made a save. We nailed our next one, and Legends again missed theirs. It is noteworthy that Legends' semifinal match - that we watched - also ended in a shootout, and our goalie took notes on how their players took their penalties. She had notes written on her water bottle during our penalty shootout, and these notes turned out to be huge.

When our next player stepped up to take her penalty, we all knew that a successful kick would end it. She slotted her penalty in clinically, and players and families alike rushed the field.

What a great achievement. On this day, Tigers were legends!

MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS

Last week, Cate and I traveled to St. Louis for her soccer. The last time I was there was over 25 years ago when I visited a former high school friend who was then a student in the WashU Business School.

Friday night, we explored an area near WashU Medical Center called the Central West End. My friend Asim, who is a St. Louis native, had recommended a local pizza spot called Pi, which we decided to check out. As you can tell from the pics below, it was yummy!

Saturday morning, I drove back into town from the suburb we were staying in for a run in Forest Park, one of the largest and most public public parks in the country. It was beautiful!

Later that day, we had breakfast with Asim, whom I had not seen in over three years. It was wonderful catching up and reminiscing about old times. Hard to believe we have known each other for 28
years! 

After that, there were two games - both of which Cate's team won. In the second, Cate scored two goals, including a peach of a penalty! 

St Louis, we'll be back!

EMERALD CLUB

In the past few years, I have become a member of a number of frequent traveler clubs. There are several reasons I joined. First, these clubs provide their members with special perks like early boarding on airlines or skipping the counter at car rentals. Second, it is also possible to rack up miles or days for free flights/rentals.

Cate more than anyone loves these perks, and she always wants to hit up the Delta Sky Club when we travel together!

One week ago we visited St. Louis for her soccer. We landed and headed to the rental car area. At National, our preferred vendor, they have the Emerald aisle, where one can pick out any midsize car. We found a nice SUV that I was pretty sure was located in the Emerald aisle (as opposed to the aisle across the way), and so we hopped in.

When we stopped at the exit on our way out, the gentleman reviewed my license and rental agreement. Just as we were about to leave, he pointed out that the Lincoln SUV we were in was actually from the Executive aisle and not the Emerald aisle. I apologized, but he waved us on. Membership, I suppose, has its privileges!