So I was at a downtown Italian restaurant with my friend, Leeann, giving her a long-winded complaint about a friend.

"I just keep telling him, if you're going to do this music thing - stop TALKING about it, and do it. Or give up and enjoy the life you do have. Don't talk about how you're going to handle fame, when you haven't played in a band for years."

She just nodded, chewing, with no expression. I sensed she was holding something back.

"I mean, I just don't want to be hearing this same stuff when he's forty, you know? If he would just take a first step."

More nodding.

"I guess I kind of do the same thing. Maybe it pisses me off because I see the same behavior in myself."

Then her face broke out into a smile. "At least you recognize that."