Leave for aikido, or watch the swearing-in of the first African-American president in the history of my country.

It was a close call... and many grateful thank-yous to C., who was sweeping the mats in my stead, when I finally got to the dojo.

Yeah, there's a hard road ahead... but for just one moment, it was like... someone like me was at the table again. Not getting kicked by the uncaring.