Meredith Vieira

I really, really like Meredith Vieira. I suppose it's one of my OGTs. I used to watch The View so I could hang out with Meredith during "Hot Topics". She's my favorite! So it wasn't that surprising when I dreamt about her a couple of nights ago.

In my dream, she and I ran into each other at the ABC Studios Christmas Party. I don't know why either one of us was there, or why the party was being held in March, or why we weren't at the NBC Christmas party, but such was the case. So I see her come into the lobby (the party was in a swanky hotel) and I immediately go over to her and start the "I'm your biggest fan...I love you on the Today show...I've been watching you for years" speech. She was so gracious and gave me a big hug and told me how kind I was and how glad she was to meet me. She also looked really fantastic, in this floor-length, dark green, long-sleeved dress. I was beaming, in my dream. I woke up excited to have met her, and can only hope that someday I will actually meet her. I think she's lovely and if she and I ever meet in person, I'll take a picture and post it here. If you're lucky.

Everett Joshua Jones

Please meet my new nephew, Everett Joshua Jones, born this morning at 3:46am. Jen is doing great, and it seems that Campbell and Warner approve of their new little brother. How proud I am to be an uncle, again, and to welcome another Jones boy into this world!!

Sign of the Times

Each week, Sports Illustrated has a little blurb called "Sign of the Apocalypse" that tells about something absurd, embarrassing, etc. that happened in sports news in the previous week, indicating that the world is, in fact, as bad as it seems. It's meant to be funny. Perhaps you've seen it.

Today, I offer you my own sign of the apocalypse or Sign of the Times. Something I read about in today's Wall Street Journal:

Remember how, when you were a kid and you lost a tooth, the tooth fairy came to visit? Perhaps she left a coin to prove that she had come to visit in the night and likewise to illustrate the point that losing a tooth isn't quite so traumatic...you can make a profit in the end. Usually, at my house, she left a quarter. And not every time, either.

According to a recent survey by eBeanstalk.com, the average per tooth payment nowadays is $2.64. One father said his son gets $5 for his first lost tooth and $3 for every lost tooth thereafter. Some kids pocket $10 or more per tooth. Inflation now affects tooth fairy money? You've got to be kidding me.

I'm not old, by any means. But I feel like saying, "Kids these days...they don't know how easy they've got it."

Two Weeks movie

Last night I went and saw this new film Two Weeks. I hadn't seen it advertised on TV, just happened to see it mentioned in a magazine this week. What a beautiful movie. It tells the story (this much you get from the trailer; I'm not giving anything away here) of a woman who is dying of ovarian cancer, and her four grown children who come home to be with her during her last two weeks of life.

I like this movie because it is not cheesy or sappy, and the dying process isn't glamorized. It isn't full of religious or spiritual hope. It is very true to life, though. The folks who made this movie did a wonderful job with their portrayal of someone actively dying of cancer. Clearly they did their research. It's not a pretty movie nor is it a feel-good movie. It is less Steel Magnolias and more Wit. It's worth seeing, but maybe when you're feeling subject to a powerful emotional response.

New house

Thanks be to God, I found a great apartment last night and was able to rent it right there on the spot. I'll be sharing the place with two other guys, so I look forward to the community. The rent is great, the area is great, and I'll have a place where I am welcome and so are those who are close to me. I'll be out of my current place next week.

Thank you for comments, prayers, and words of support. You are incredible.