More and more, Michael is acting like a teenager...

... which is expected, naturally, and mostly a relief, given the way I see the world, myself, and how the best and not-so-best among us navigate youth. It's a minefield and a gold mine, both. It's fucking exciting, eye-opening, full of blessings and trials, fun and discomfort. I know my opinions are just that, 'opinions' and, even more disqualifying, 'my' opinions, but I offer them nonetheless. I want M 'n' m to act exactly like teenagers when it's time. I believe a certain aloofness, and willingness to strut and defend oneself and be dismissive of certain things (peer pressure and pestering peers and pestering fears, to name a few) will serve them well. I believe I lacked any kind of real rebelliousness, and now look at me (that there was not a statement of self-flattery by the way, more like a confession of self-mediocrity). So, a little attitude can be helpful. Quite often in fact. Life takes toughness. Mental fortitude, stubbornness, attitude, okay then, just don't give ME any attitude Michael, or Megan, because I'm your father, and I don't take any shit. And if that's not laughable, I don't know what is. I'm not a stern enough father – I'm lacking 'attitude' perhaps! – but thankfully, so far, they're good kids. For that, and for everything else they are, I'm grateful.