I believe in love. I guess if asked, that is one of the primary ways I would define myself, as someone who believes in love. I would like to think that people who know me and read this or hear this are not surprised by it, that, if they know nothing else about me, they know this.

Is it superstitious to believe in wishes? Rationally, I know that it is but somehow I can’t help myself. Oh, I am not one of those who wish on just anything but I find myself wishing on stars and trains and, well a few other things. This site is interesting, all about what people wish for. As for me, my wishes remain fairly constant but you will never know what they are, at least not from me.

I am almost finished reading A Multitude of Sins by Richard Ford and highly recommend it. It is a great read and perfect for this late winter/early spring although I must admit that it is completely at odds with my world view of love. Still and all, it is like walking down the street at night when the windows are lit and the curtains open; it gives you a brief but intimate glimpse into other lives. I always say that I am not a fan of short stories but this is an example of what the best short stories can provide.

I feel like I should have a macro on my computer “I love Buffalo but” although it would only last a day or two and then expire from overuse. The most recent cause for my, shall we say, enthusiastic use of the macro is the Buffalo News response to a new hotel proposed in our neighborhood. Last night’s public meeting conflicted with a rugby meeting so I was unable to attend. Having seen the plans and being very familiar with the corner in question, however, I anticipated a response that was more enthusiastic than what was reported in the News. Let’s review the premise…take a corner with dilapidated buildings and build a new hotel in an area without any hotels but located right next to the museum district and Buffalo State College. It would provide an opportunity to have visitors come to the neighborhood from out of town to attend the fabulous exhibits, multiple events such as Shakespeare in the Park, Jazz at the Albright in its many magnificent offerings, to shop in the stores and eat at the restaurants. The scale is reasonable, the operator is excellent, the parking will be underground. C’mon guys, either the News has again chosen to take the most negative approach possible or the community has neither imagination nor vision. My money is on the first.

On Friday, I saw the Ben Allison New Quartet at the Albright. I almost didn’t go but was awfully glad I did. Ben Allison is one of those performers who, in addition to making some amazing music, is a delight to watch. His music is thoughtful, witty and engaging. Maybe it was just me but I thought I heard bebop undertones. The Quartet has a new CD coming out in April and, believe me, you want to have it.

Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave.

I have been thinking about that line for a long time. Actually, I have been thinking about it on and off at odd moments since 1975, when I first read it on a card in a shop on Beacon Hill. I bought the card and put it over my dorm room desk. I still have it in a drawer somewhere. Mona Lisa said that February makes her want to knock people’s hats off for no reason. It’s true, of course, this time of year is usually very unsettling. It makes us yearn for …something. It makes us vaguely uneasy, uncomfortable in our own skin and yes, sometimes cruel or at least indifferent which may be worse. It seems, though that this year February is more difficult than usual; more challenging but hopefully ultimately more rewarding. For the time being, however, not even the red tulips on the kitchen window are enough to shake February loose. A change is in the air or will be soon and that is always scary. Maybe at its heart, February inspires fear. Fear of change, fear of a lack of change, fear of being alone, the fear that is intricately tied to involving our lives with those of others. Thanks to Fey Accompli for saying it so well.