March 23, 2026. A Monday. My niece Meghan’s birthday. She’s also my goddaughter, though, since I am now an atheist, I do not think that carries much weight. She was upset when I told her that years ago. 30 years ago? Maybe more, maybe less. Meghan was born on a Monday in 1981, when I was on the HBJ bowling team.

I remember in the middle of the three games of bowling that I was summoned to the courtesy counter and was handed the phone, telling me Elaine had given birth by cesarean section. and that everyone was fine and doing well.
I was called a ‘Punkle’ since I was very much enamored with Punk Rock back then.

Meghan has grown up to be a fine woman, and a good mother to Shelby and wife to Rob. She’s smart and seems to have it all together, which is weird considering how my family could be. I can’t say I was that good a godfather since my own godfather was my father’s brother, who lived out on Long Island, and I saw him maybe once a year. According to my brother Brian, he was a mean drunk and was close to my father up to a point.

Last night Bill was home. He will be off once again until next week. Mike has been suggesting coming over, but I am holding off until maybe Thursday, though Friday would be ideal. Bill and I watched ‘Prick Up Your Ears’ by Stephen Frears, screenplay by Alan Bennett, and starring Gary Oldman, Alfred Molina, Wallace Shawn, and Vanessa Redgrave. I thought I was showing it to Bill for the first time but he said I had shown it once before. We both figured it was on DVD which makes it maybe 20 years ago.

I initially saw it in a cinema on the Upper West Side with Steve Saporito, back when I was smitten by his swarthiness. It was probably the first time I had seen Gary Oldman or Alfred Molina in a movie, and now I know I am generally in for a treat when I see a movie that has one of them in it. It was good to watch again despite the brutal story and ending.

It is a dismal Monday. Rainy days and Mondays and all that. Paul Williams is still with us. Not sure about Roger Nichols. I am guessing Paul wrote the lyrics and Roger wrote the music. That seems to make the most sense. I did play the Carpenters first thing when setting up my desk. I grew up with Karen’s voice and I do get a kick from the story of how Karen Carpenter and John Lennon were passing each other at a restaurant, and John took the time to tell Karen how much he loved her voice.

Karen was surprised by this and asked her companion who might have been a mutual friend of the both of them if he meant, ‘I have to tell you Luv, I think you have a great voice’ to be true, and the mutual friend assured her that John Lennon did not dispense compliments halfheartedly,