FROM A GARDEN STATE STARBUCKS: More randomness from the road, maybe this time on men and male friends and such. Because when it's time for a husband to fall apart a little bit, to be uncertain or stressed, to seem less than powerful, to spend a moment outside the bounds of traditional masculinity -- and let's say the husband is just tired, has spent too much time on the road, has spent too little time sleeping, and is finding his brain so fully occupied by work so as to squeeze out the other more important stuff -- who is he to turn to? I'd argue he shouldn't turn to his pregnant wife. I'd argue she has enough on her mind, that she looks to her husband for power and certitude and will be uncomfortable seeing him a mess.

And thus the need for strong male friendships, for having guy friends who will listen to and allow your gripes and doubts, and who will reveal their own.

But who has time for friends?

Something's not entirely right with this equation. Love the job, hate the lifestyle. Something's gotta give, and rather than writing about it here I need to be talking about it in a concrete building in Northbrook, Illinois.

Read this post now and fast, 'cause it's probably coming down sometime soon.