Having a dog is a luxury that some do not allow themselves.
I could see this in myself; I see it in others.  When "dog" came to me in December, my thought was, "Yes, why can't I have a dog?  I have never had a dog.  Other people have dogs.  Why can't I have a dog."  Somehow, self-defined cat-person that I was, I self-inquired as to why I could not for once in my life have the dog experience.  Somehow, all of us know a boy and his dog or a little girl and her doggie are pictures of the most complete way to have a childhood.  Same goes for adulthood:  a person "gets" a dog.  I realize now that when I would see a homeless person sittin' on the street with his dog and the dog canteen, feeble thoughts would flit through my mind:  How does that guy have the money for dog food?  does the dog know his master is homeless?  is the dog happy enough?  I see now that even some homeless people have the self esteem to realize that they "deserve" a dog.
Realizing you "deserve" a dog is a method, a symbol, a process of self-healing.

Elevator

I am finally ready to publish the book that has been percolating in me for 10 years:  The Four Winds of Social Life.  It comes from all four pillars in my background:  academic, corporate, the theater, and the spirit.  My audience is the creative Sociology class and the general reader too.  The model I create gives you a way to understand the many brands of social theory and to understand yourself.  It also might give us a means to steer the ship of group or self.

My Elevator Speech

I believe in the power of the word, the power of poetry.  I am finally putting the finishing touches on my book, "The Four Winds of Social Life."  In the Spring it will be ready.  I even have a marketing plan, and I'll do it all myself.  I realize now that I have had the feeling-image of this book in me since my college days.  It is yearning to get out and leave me free.

writing Feb and March

Yesterday and the day before I read 10 pages to each of my classes.  I got good grades.  I said I'd publish by April 1, but I am changing that to May Day.  By May Day, "The Four Winds of Social Life" will go live.