I have friends who were truly devastated to watch Donald Trump inaugurated as our 45th president. In fact, a number of my friends have begun counting the days until January 20, 2020. I have seen a countdown clock with the hours and minutes and seconds. People are biding their time. Or, from my perspective, killing time.

"I am lonely." These words must have been radical 60 years ago. "...I, thank God, do enjoy the love and friendship of many. I meet people, talk, preach, argue, reason; I am surrounded by comrades and acquaintances. And yet, companionship and friendship do not alleviate the passional experience of loneliness which trails me constantly." I've been thinking of Joseph B. Soloveitchik's words all day... especially today.

Before sunrise this morning, I wheeled the garbage pail to the curb and noticed I could see a lot more than I usually could in the dark. A phenomenal full moon cast its light so bright, I paused to think about it. It suddenly, um, dawned on me that today was Friday the 13th. I thought for a moment about triskaidekaphobia, the paralyzing fear of the number 13. I imagined that it would be a big deal if I believed in superstitions.

The pediatrician told us to go to the emergency room. My son's asthma attack wasn't so bad that we needed an ambulance, but the doctor didn't have the magnesium sulfate that an emergency room would. So--it was so many years ago, but still fresh in my memory!--on an icy narrow one-way seat in Queens, I buckled my toddler into his four-point harness, as a row of cars honked at me. I filled with rage. But I stayed focused. I drove ahead. When we reached the service road, the car behind me screeched, pulled alongside me, and I saw a middle finger through the foggy glass.

Every year for a decade or so, I have interviewed high school students for my alma mater. As much as I want to give back, I find myself enriched by the experience each year, too. One student years ago introduced me to the concept of "10,000 hours of purposeful practice." Others, who have excelled in research laboratories, have given me insight into the future of medical developments and biotech advancements. Still others regale me with fascinating tales of trips to Africa, Asia, Latin America. But I warn them, "This interview will likely make little difference on your likelihood of acceptance."

I used to love "American Idol." I have been on record as saying that "American Idol" was the biggest influence on music from the year 2002 to present day. And I loved predicting winners. I was almost always wrong, but I did win in an "American Idol" pool once. Part of my failure at predicting winners each year was my emotional investment in each year. I rooted too much to analyze clear-eyed.

This morning, I woke up and thought about how I try to squeeze extra value from each minute of each day, by finding easy ways to connect to my phone. Yes, people decry technology, and especially the phone, but I connect my phone immediately in my car, to initiate my "university on wheels," as Brian Tracy calls it. I even walk around with headphones in my pocket in case I get a free moment to listen to an audiobook or podcast, which I listen to at double speed. Walking around with a paperback would not yield such ROI.