It's a pretty fucking sad thing when you start a website, a blog for christ's sake, and the whole idea is that a group of friends in Boston and Chicago can exchange random thoughts and insights, and then nobody posts messages except you. It's a good thing I have a healthy ego, or I might feel rejected by my friends. They're all assholes. Sure they have their reasons...we're all busy. Especially a certain, tall, occasionally bearded gentleman (who shall remain unnamed), who has time to visit websites devoted to nude asian women and their well-endowed western male overlords, but he just can't seem to find the time to write a brief entry into the conversation. Boston crew needs to pick it up too. Fuck everyone. Especially me. Especially if you're a nude asian woman.

20 Minutes ago I had a conversation by the coffee machine with one of my co-workers. He was using the microwave to heat a container of homemade mashed potatoes. We spoke briefly of the glory of tubers, and recalled our college days and the bizarre diets necessitated by poverty that we endured, and even enjoyed. I've never gotten an email from this work friend before, until today...here it is:

"And, that summer when I was eating eggs and potatoes, I was renting an empty room in a fraternity house, surrounded by horrible people and vomit."

Ahh memories...

The real question everyone is asking is where is Porteleki?

Let it be know that I am at work and am effectively stealing from the University of Chicago as I am not doing a lick of work. I fear I stayed out a bit too late last night and perhaps had a bit too much bourbon. Last night was the always thrilling Coyle's Tippling House open mic. I wrecked my throat doing a medley of Neil Diamond's "Crunchy Granola Suite" into Diamanda Galas's "Let My People Go" and finishing up with Neil Diamond's "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show." I feel I did a good job navigating that tenuous road that connects the absurd and the sublime. Maybe not. Ether anyone?

Safety In Numbers is a site designed to facilitate thoughtful, written communication among a group of friends in Boston and Chicago. As a public site, I encourage everyone who posts here to endeavor to make their postings as interesting and thought provoking as possible.

Let's start the ball rolling, shall we?

When you envision yourself at 60, what do you see? Is this what you want for yourself, or what you fear is inevitable?

I was asked this question the other night by my dear friend KT (Folz) and my answer was woefully lacking in detail (as it will remain now, for my time is short, I fear). I told her I see myself in the mountains, with a family. Perhaps I'll be teaching, perhaps writing, perhaps both…but by 60 I see the pace of my life slowed to manageable, with great views and fragrances. This is what I want for myself. I don't want to believe in inevitability.