It seems to me that happy and sad news must be bundled together like yin and yang in order to buffer us against extremes. I wish I was this eloquent extemporaneously, but if you were around Tuesday or know me at all then you know I'm not. (That's one of the reasons I write rather than free-styling.) I'm known more for a tourettes-style wry wit that is just as apt to hurt someone's feelings as it is to be funny at all.

So the good news: My wife is having our baby. We have been trying for a really long time and the doctors said we probably wouldn't be able to have a child without surgery or adoption. It's a boy; and mother and child are healthy and wonderful. As it is our first and something of a miracle I have decided to take full advantage of this experience. That means thinning my obligations to almost nothing so that I can spend the last trimester taking care of Etta and then every day after that in wonder of my little boy. This is all leading up to –

The sad news: I won't be hosting Ruta Maya with Maslow anymore on Tuesday nights. You can say it a couple of different and impressive ways but I chose this one – after hosting together for a fourth of our lives the duo is done. I have spoken with Maslow about my replacements and I have to say that even I am excited about the prospects, the energy, the expertise, and the passion that will soon be descending upon you all. I'm going to leave that announcement to them to make, but rest assured you are in good hands.

There is plenty to muse about. I could reminisce all day about almost everyone on our e-mail/friends list. We have watched each other progress and regress. We have been there for the breakdowns and the accomplishments. We have seen so many come and go. I have learned so much. I want to thank Ruta Maya and Maslow for all that this opportunity has given me. Lastly I want to thank you all for your words. Your poetry has kept my soul young and my heart full of hope. That is an incredible accomplishment in this day and age. If you ever think to your self – If I can reach just one person and change there lives then the struggle is worthy. – Know this, I have been changed and the struggle is worthy. Keep it going. I love you guys.

Aaron