My theory is that, while Gladden misses Gladys and Squeak, he is enjoying his freedom. That would explain his wish to disrupt his once orderly schedule. It used to be that breakfast was 8:30:00 pm, and that playtime lasted from 11:00 to midnight. Yesterday evening, he was awake, waiting for breakfast at 7:45. For months, playtime has started anywhere from 8 pm to 6 am, and as many times as Gladden wants - only when he wants it and never when he doesn't.

I don't know what to make of this latest development, however. The day I got back from Lopez Island, Gladden spent a lot of exclusive time with me. That was understandable - I was gone, and he missed me. But this is continuing. Gladden is practically ignoring Phillip and reserving all of his playtime for me - and me alone.

Gladden T Hart bonded to Phillip before I ever arrived. I hope that Gladden gets over whatever this is and starts spending time with Phillip.

We all have our stereotypes. That's not a very original statement, I know, but I was reminded of it this afternoon. There was something slightly jarring to hear such a gentle, friendly, helpful voice coming from a mohawked bartender in Shorty's - a Belltown bar with actual atmosphere.

Phillip and I hadn't played pinball in Shorty's in far too long. Phillip suggested it after an afternoon of geocaching on the UW campus, and a game of Scrabble™ at home. Shorty's is a great little place - rundown in a thoughtful sort of way, lots and lots of pinball machines of various vintage, and, most importantly, typically not clogged with cigarette smoke on a Sunday afternoon.