Watertown, MA. June, 2014

My friend and neighbor Donna reminds me that we have only one month to go before the Greek Festival thrown by the church mere blocks from our neighborhood serves up the best gyros to be found. I've had gyros (or doner at the Turks call it, or shawarma as the Arabs do) in many places from Istanbul, to Athens, to Newton Highlands, MA...and this church festival offers up the best. Unfortunately, word has gotten out, and last year the line at one point was one and a half hours long. People knew enough to wait.

Boston. July, 1996

I have no idea who took this picture. Did I? I only know that the gentleman front and center is security guard François, on duty during my years at WGBH-TV. François, a standout character even in this workplace of many unusual characters, had a habit of talking in sound effects. It was not uncommon for him to answer a question (such as, "What time does the building open in the morning?") by saying, "Boing!" or "Ding dong!" One day, after I had been chewed out by Phil, another security guard, for leaving a package to be picked up at the front desk instead of at the mailroom, François took me aside, and in his Québecois accent tried to comfort me by remarking, "She's such a bitch!"

Framingham, MA. November, 2002

Another "employee photo," this one taken when I worked at Bose, "the most respected name in sound." Ten years later than the one I posted yesterday. As you can tell from each, I was not the jacket-and-tie type. Fortunately I've always worked in creative jobs where a certain amount of sartorial leeway was allowed. Sunglasses indoors. I had already realized that the eyes age first. I still look like this, right? Ha ha ha. I wish.

Boston. Summer, 1992

I recently came across this "employee photo" from back when I was working at Boston's public television station. I still look like this, don't I? Ha ha ha. I wish.

Paris. December, 2005

According to old-school conventional wisdom, oysters R not in season in this R-free month of May. But they sure were when I was at the Bastille market way back then. So many varieties, too.

Newark, NJ. Summer, 1976

One last entry to bring SLS Friends Week to a close. My best friend Nick and I in what seems like a past life. Did we really look like that? The note that I have on this photo says "Before our lunch at Lutece, 1976." Nick was on his way to Monte Carlo to work at the Sporting Club and never to return, so I splurged and took him to lunch at the famous NYC restaurant. I can't believe I went to Lutece looking like that! Anyway, Lutece is gone now, and Nick did return.

Chicago. Summer, 2012

I'm stretching the idea of Friends Week here by posting a photo by a Facebook friend of his young son. I just love this photo. Not only because his son is so cute, but because he's so unaware of the message his shirt conveys. And because it reminds me of how we gently exploit others in our pursuit of amusement. I don't, but others seem to.