Divorce is supposed to be negative. That's a fact. (supposedly) As I am a child of a father's second marriage and my mother's first, I'm a product of a successful divorce. I don't know how successful my sister would call it, but she seems to have turned out alright, and I certainly have. My divorcee father and my first-marriage mother have been great parents. And had he not removed himself from the institution of marriage, then I wouldn't be here.

I remember being in church as a kid and hearing the phrase, "nothing good comes out of divorce" and thinking that it couldn't be true. I am a product of a divorce (per se) and though I saw my classmates move away amidst family breakups, divorce is what brought my family together. (loosely speaking)

If there was ever a family to deserve a divorce, it is Eva's family, the Corderys. I'm not going to use this time to side with either party (mother or father) or point any fingers or divulge any sort of familial information, it's just been a long time coming (3+ years I think?) and so it's time for it to be over, and today it happened. A free man and free woman entered a world with three adult children who can all honestly say that, though it is highly unfortunate, everyone is glad it's over. And as a side-party to the last 2 years, I must admit that I'm pleased as well. Congratulations on all accounts. (once again, sort of.)

We celebrated (sort of) with a meal. Eva's father bought the three children currently in Belgium, and the honorary me, dinner. It was great wine, but 'ok' dinner. I got a vegetarian fake-meat dinner with rice (mother, you'll be happy to know that I ate most of my salad) and Eva got a organic-steak and potatoes. Mid-meal we switched.

After dinner Jasper parted ways to discuss a post-trip ski trip party, and Joris, Eva, their father, and I, headed up the street for another couple of beers and economic/political discussions. (always)

Since it was a school-night, we dropped Joris off at the apartment and the three of us headed home, Eva's father to the couch and Eva and I to the loft. Apparently things went well enough today with the divorce that he'll be able to stay in the boy's apartment next time. It's not that he's not welcome here, it's just that our space is so small. It's sort of strange to put a father on the couch, right? Apparently they parted as "friends." I have a feeling we know more to why it ended friendly, but that's more for another time.

One last thing, however, Eva heard from the scooter place and it's absolutely dead. The fuel filter broke up and was sucked all through the motor. I suppose we'll see if Rita's mechanical friend can fix it, because scootering around town is literally THE way to get into and out of town quickly. But if it doesn't work, we've still got two bicycles waiting in the wings.

I must admit, however, I am bit devestated...more along the lines of truly devastated and downright sad.

IN THE NEWS:
Elizabeth Smart was home tonight with her family, more than nine months after she was abducted from her bedroom in the middle of the night. Dressed in a wig, veil and sunglasses, Elizabeth Smart told the police officers who discovered her Wednesday in the Salt Lake City suburb of Sandy that her name was "Augustine." She said that the couple accompanying her — Brian Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee — were her parents.