Laid-Off Dad

Philtrum fur fights a fierce affliction

The name of the prostate gland, I've been led to believe, derives from the Greek prostates, which means "one who stands before." "Guardian." "Protector." And although almost a quarter million of these protectors are diagnosed with cancer every year, prostates can't seem to rate equal time in our tiny attention spans. So men all over the world are taking part in Movember and growing the ultimate Awareness Ribbon on their upper lips.

My teammates at Man of the House and I will spend November growing moustaches, and I'd be grateful if you'd click on my Mo page and give what you can to help fund prostate cancer research. I'll be uploading pictures periodically, including this one from Day 2 (with some gratuitous sports pandering).

I have to warn you, though, that even though there isn't much hair left on top, my Scottish blood grows it copiously just about everywhere else. My five o'clock shadow kicks in at around 1:30. And this month I'm committed to going for a full-blown Twain. Or even a Nietzsche.

Notes from the Spookeriffic Candygasm

I've always been ambivalent toward Halloween. I love the theatricality and creativity, and it warms my heart to see the freaks of the world, who dress that way all the time, enjoy their one day when they can walk among the Normals. But enduring all the entreaties for treats, especially from kids who should have stopped half their lives ago, is a real chore. In the interest of balance, then, I guess the best idea is to rattle off the events of the day as bloodlessly as possible.

The day began gloriously, with breakfast among all four of us. Then the boys and I got in some really good wheel time in the park, if you don't count when TwoBert nearly ran down Brian Lehrer on the sidewalk.

When it came down to the down-and-dirty, however, our best-laid plans got laid to rest.

My neighborhood has a fun Halloween tradition. At mid-afternoon, people gather in the park and mill around in a vortexual hive of confectional cross-pollination. It's a great opportunity to see all the costumes, and chat with parents, and exchange Candy You Like for Candy You Don't. (And, in some cases, Not-Candy You Don't. Cheddar Goldfish? Seriously?)