After the National's game on Sunday - which you didn't want to go to but I think enjoyed - we took you to Nordstrom at Pentagon City to get a sports coat for the High Holidays and the upcoming Bar Mitzvahpalooza season.

It took about 10 minutes and Mom's intervention to go from a simple blue sports jacket to a full blown suit, two shirts and two ties. And you were psyched.

Mom has noticed, and I cluelessly haven't, that you are starting to really care about how you look. More to the point, looking good. That's so grown up. I don't remember when I went from hating having to shop for scratchy, uncomfortable clothes to being psyched about getting a new suit. I think I was in my 20s. You have me beat.

I still don't get the hair in the eyes thing, but Mom says that when she was a girl she dug boys whose hair fell in their eyes.

You totally encountered one of my quirks when we were in the Defender. You wanted to play some music and we agreed upon the Stones. Unfortunately, you put on Satisfaction. For some reason, I can't stand Satisfaction. I think it is the same reason I don't like Born to Run.

Maybe I am a music elitist that I warned you not to be. Sorry.

This is an email that just went back and forth between us. What I love the most is your "signature line." I just called Mom to ask if she had anything to do with it. She said it is all you. And I have to say I am very impressed that you figured out how to even have a signature line.

On Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 12:55 PM, Allen Goldberg wrote:

Matt groenigs parents were Homer and Marge and his sisters are named
Maggie and Lisa.

From: Jack Goldberg
Date: Sat, Sep 13, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: Did you knoow
To: Allen Goldberg

that is written in one of my books so yes i do know
--
go green,rock & roll, and peace out

When we were going to Nana's apartment last night we were playing music from Joe's playlist. Jay-Z was on and you were trying to make a point that the song "wasn't really music."

That was definitely an opening for a "learning moment" if there ever was one, but I don't think I did the best job.

I explained to you that music isn't just hard rock and roll; that there is an incredible range of different sounds, rhythms and melodies that make up "music." I felt that you were being a bit snobish and said so.

I didn't want you to become defensive, rather I wanted you to be open to understanding that music to you might sound strange or "unmusical" to someone else.

Clearly, I need to work with you on this.

Nothing worse that a music snob. I think one of the best things about popular culture these days is that people are open about liking music that might be "uncool" because it is so popular. You can like Britney Spears and Radiohead. And this is from your Dad, a true lover of Steve Earle (who Mom went to see last night) and Kelly Clarkson.

It is pouring outside. Hurricane Hanna is on its way through Washington today. I just walked in your room. You are teaching yourself how to play harmonica. A very cool, perfect rainy day activity.

Later on Aunt Jen is going to work with you on your Torah reading. She is in for our camp reunion.

You said earlier this morning that you love it when it rains on the weekend.