decade, 10, dix, and yet, missing the beginning, a whole gap, and I don't even think there were written records, and so can't remember the beginning, but knowing how it ends, and the days, the markers in between, the space in between, the filler, the filling, the creamy center, the chewy center, how many licks, but the good stuff, the real meat of the operation, and the highs and lows, from 22 to 32, almost entirely post college, and did I ever think I'd be here? did i think of the future, the year we make contact, to finally be here and now, without a flying car, a jet pack, or laser guns?