The idea was preposterous.  Everyone in the room knew it, which wasn’t saying much, since it was only him.  So he knew it was preposterous.  So what?  He’d pulled off preposterous his whole life.  What was going to stop him now?, he almost asked himself, but stopped short.  Close call.  No need to push his luck.  No, certainly no need for that.  One thing was sure: you don’t get away with preposterous without luck on your side.  A guy needs all the luck he can get.  Everyone knew that.

While my dog has never done any commercials, he is active in local theater.  For several years now, he spends nearly his entire day practicing for the role of Rip Van Winkle, which he predicts will be the launching point of his career.

“I was born for the role,” he tells me, when he’s not rehearsing.

I’m not kidding myself.  I’m not expecting it to be easy.  Silent now here for three or four years, I don’t expect the words to come spilling out of my head like so much water over a spillway.  But I have felt that need beginning to stir inside of me.  Something is sloshing around up there.  Maybe something will spill out given half a chance.

I started something this morning, hoping it would find its way to the end before the day was through.  I made a good dent, and there’s always tomorrow to finish waking up old friends.  I can’t say I’ve actually missed Imaginary Keith, but I have from time to time found myself wondering what he’s been up to.  Is he okay?  Should I have been worried?

I suspect it’ll feel good to write about the time I spend with my friends.  Old friends and new friends. 

Our newest friend is a robot.  I like saying that we have a robot friend.  Some might think this sounds strange, but I find it very comforting.  His name is Robot.