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From Kara Berklich, Director of Communications:

I have nothing to say. What could possibly be left? I've been talking and talking, telling and re-telling the Tripod story so many times over the last few years that I think I'm just out of words.

But alas, I'm the Communicatrix, and as such, I'm never quite speechless. My latest, greatest topic for over-analysis is the very modern dilemma of long-distance romance. To paint a picture, I offer you the text of a recent Wednesday night phone call between a 26-year-old woman living in Williamstown, Massachusetts (who will go nameless here to protect the innocent), and a 26-year-old man living in the bowels of New York City:

• Woman: Hi sweetie, how was your day?
• Man: It was good. I couldn't stop thinking about you.
• Woman: Really?
• Man: Yeah, I think I left my razor in your apartment.
• Woman: Great. Well, how was the rest of your day?
• Man: Good. I saw a pair of pants I really liked.
• Woman: Where?
• Man: Banana Republic.
• Woman: What where they like?
• Man: They were nice. They looked like something I would wear.
• Woman: But you didn't get them?
• Man: No. I didn't.
• Woman: Why not?
• Man: Because. I don't know. I get in those stores and I lose all my confidence. I need you and at least two other salespeople to buy pants.
• Woman: I bought a pair of pants today that I only half-liked. I was shopping on-line. I also got some other stuff. I don't remember what though.
• Man: I could never do that.
• Woman: I think you could. Maybe we could go shopping this weekend.
• Man: Yeah. That would be cool.
• Woman: Maybe you should come up tomorrow.
• Man: Tomorrow I'm hanging out with Pete.
• Woman: Oh. Do you have specific plans with Pete?
• Man: No, we're going to play it by ear.
• Woman: Okay. Well, um, maybe we don't need to see each other this weekend. If you're worried about spending enough time with the guys and all. Get Pete to go shopping with you.
• Man: Oh.
• Woman: (No Response)
• Man: Kara?
• Woman: So what are you going to do?
• Man: Well, I don't even know if Pete was serious about getting together.
• Woman: So you're not coming up here tomorrow because of plans you don't have.
• Man: No, I guess I'll come up.
• Woman: Why is it that on the weekends we talk about smart stuff — and on the phone, dumb stuff? I miss you so much when you're not here.
• Man: I miss you too.
• Woman: I'm tired.
• Man: So I'll see you tomorrow.
• Woman: That's great. I can't wait to see you. I'm glad you decided to come tomorrow.
• Man: Me too.
• Woman: Good night. I love you.
• Man: Me too. G'night.

And so goes the scintillating mid-week conversation between two fairly rational and intelligent adults who see each other every weekend, enjoy one another's company immensely, and are in, what we certainly think is, love. My analysis? I don't know how people who live far, far away from one another do it.

But maybe I'm biased because I spend so much time on the phone all day, and don't really enjoy talking on the phone at night because of that. Maybe if we were far apart we'd really appreciate the time together. But I can't imagine appreciating the object of my LDR more than the abundant amount that I already do. I think LDR is a pretty tough road to navigate, and I'm glad my road is only a couple of hundred miles, and a few phone bill dollars, long!

So when you hear the wistful note in my e-mails on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and the song in my notes Mondays and Fridays, please understand. In the end, LDR proves to be just one version of the roller coaster of love.

Later, darlings —
Kara, Director of Communications (6/19/98)

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Read more "Letters from Tripod" in the archive.