The Budget of Paradox

Sophia,
I wish I knew you better. I wish I knew, for example, if you like sushi. I suspect you haven’t been exposed to sushi in Lynchburg. At least not at a proper venue. Morey, Percy, whatever, she liked salmon sushi when she was younger. But I have no idea if her palate ever expanded. I would love to introduce you to sushi — proper sushi. Nowadays, seemingly any rolled food can be called sushi, which is absurd. And all these crazy rolls, with cream cheese and vegetables, are just imposters.

I’d love to show you.

Anyway, I’m reminded because last night I had toro. It’s a rare treat. It’s the fatty part of the bluefish tuna belly. Tuna sushi is easy to find. But the bluefin fatty belly is very rare and expensive. I’ve only seen it on the menu a few times. I know the expression, “melts in your mouth” is overused. But toro really does melt. It’s wonderful.

I’m still working in Africa. But I got a small break and I’m spending a few nights in nice hotel with a proper sushi restaurant.

I wonder what you’re doing this summer. I’d love to see you.

Thinking of you always,
Dad

Sophia, It’s a short video, just four minutes.

Dad

Sophia,
I’m thinking about you today. I hope the day goes well for you. I wish I was there to celebrate it with you.
Dad

Sophia,

I’m thinking of you always, but especially during your last week of school. I hope it goes well. When I was about your age, my father would take me out to a late lunch on the last day of school. It was a brief tradition. I’m sorry I won’t be taking you out for lunch next Friday.

I wish I knew what you were doing this summer.

More than a year ago, I wrote this post about a summer camp. But I suppose maybe you’re now too old to consider going to summer camp.

I’m working in Africa, but I can be in Athens or Rome at a moment’s notice. Get a passport. I’ll meet you in Rome. I recently posted some photos from Rome on IG. I hiked through the city about ten years ago. Seriously, if you have some free time this summer, get a passport and I’ll fly you to Rome for a long weekend. We’ll have fun. And if your mom says I’ll kidnap you, tell her, “Yes, and he’ll make me happy.”

And then I’ll send you back home.

God, I really hope you’re not sitting at home this summer, bored out of your mind, taking anti-depressants. We could connect and do crazy shit and eat sushi and see cool stuff. What a waste.

Dad

Sophia,
You’re taking French, right? How do you pronounce Ouagadougou? I’m not sure of the proper way to say it. My version sounds like “wag-a-DOO-goo”. Or how about Djibouti? I just say, “ja-BOOTY”.

Shitholes with interesting French names.

Did you know that more people speak French in Africa than in Europe? But from what I understand, African French sounds rough and dirty to the French. I wouldn’t doubt it.

I’m in Africa now, still getting used to it.

Dad