Living proof: Steelers' Tomlin tells college graduates to 'dream wildly'

"I cannot let you know where I am yet because the whole unit is not here. But it seems like we are in for the same thing again, some days I just feel so tired of all this. I am missing out on so much, just like every other soldier is. Plus this tour is for 15 months, even longer. But it is what we do, and my brothers are over here every day risking their lives for something that seems so blurry. Sorry for complaining.

"Saw your show [on NFL Network, about the Afghanistan USO trip] and your trip. Seems like you had a great time. Did you get to fire any weapons? The Cardinals have started off hot, last time I was deployed they won the World Series. Maybe again? Anyway, I am planning my R&R (18 days) from here in late August or early September. I'll catch a baseball game and football hopefully. How healthy is Steven Jackson looking? And Marc Bulger? Fresh start, you never know. Is Kurt Warner staying for another year? Hope you are doing well.''

b. Kurt's back, Mike. He'll battle Matt Leinart for the starting job, and though Leinart's the favorite, don't underestimate your hero. Orlando Pace is not practicing yet because of his bum shoulder, but he hopes to practice by August. He worries me. Jackson and Bulger will be fine.

c. The Office is disappointing me. The writers have changed Michael into a more mean-spirited guy than he was in the first couple of years of the show. The other night, at a high school job fair, trying to recruit a kid for a summer internship, Michael turns to Pam and says, "She'll do you.'' Disgusting. Not in keeping with the doltish Michael. Not at all. What's worse, Pam, looking insulted, doesn't slug Michael or quit on the spot, which any self-respecting woman would have done. I'll be watching the hour-long season finale Thursday, but I'm worrying I'll cringe more than I'll laugh.

d. Great story Sunday on NPR about Zingerman's, the best deli in America, in Ann Arbor, Mich. I can vouch for the food and the service, both of which are unsurpassed in deli-dom. I didn't know about the conscience and the community service the owners have.

e. Coffeenerdness: Good for The Coffee Bean, which battles Starbucks throughout the Los Angeles area and has a distinctive, smoky, earthy kind of espresso that I always look forward to on trips west.

f. Sharon Hernandez, you are a saint.

g. Visited the Nationals' new park in Washington the other night. Loved it. Absolutely loved it. For $55, I got a great mezzanine seat, a pass to the club with good food behind it, and some really friendly service people and ushers. Easy access to and from our hotel by the Metro. I highly recommend it.

h. By the way, sightseeing in Washington is one of the underrated treats of life. The Vietnam Memorial is still emotional for me, even though I only knew one person who served in that war. I could stand and stare at the Lincoln Memorial for a long time. How lucky we are in this country to have had a forefather as insightful and forward-thinking as Lincoln.

i. A belated Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. All you sons and daughters, if you haven't yet, please read Thomas Friedman's column in Sunday's New York Times. Great lessons in there for us all.