I just noticed that the guys my daughters are dating — two of whom are about to become my sons-in-law if I can afford the weddings — have that gruff facial stubble you see in men’s magazines, where the fellows look like Navy SEALS on commando raids or linebackers for the New York Giants.

Don’t get me wrong. I’d join the Navy SEALS tomorrow if I didn’t have those weddings to pay for, and I even fancied myself a macho man years ago when I belonged to a gang that had the Shelton public library as its home turf. You’ve heard of the Hell’s Angels? We were the Book Worms.

I should be more observant about the fellows my daughters bring home, and I probably need more father-in-law/son-in-law bonding opportunities, so maybe we can go to the barbershop together.

In its 185th year, GA graduation has picked up many traditions through its history, creating a busy few days leading up to the big day. The last day of classes for seniors is today, a week before graduation. During the next week, while upperclassmen are studying hard for final exams, the seniors are treated to various programs set up by the administration. From lunch with alumni in the area to a self-defense class taught by a martial arts master, the week is filled with fun, and useful, activities to take our minds off the impending “Big Day.”

To keep the mood light until graduation, we have two rehearsals: One with just the Upper School students and the second with the entire school. These rehearsals are used not only to make sure everyone knows where they are supposed to be, but to also take advantage of the opportunity to have some fun before the seriousness of graduation. During the rehearsals, the senior class dances down the aisle running the length of the tent, wearing old components of plaid uniforms and plenty of red. One of last year’s seniors salsa danced down the aisle on which she would solemnly walk to receive her diploma less than 24 hours later. Poking a little bit of fun at the very structured, yet special, program of events on Graduation Day, the senior class is able to celebrate with their fellow students one more time before the entire tent fills with adoring parents and extended family.

Sellers having properties in preferred neighborhoods, new, updated and/or well maintained and appropriately priced are receiving multiple offers. Some offers are close to ask, less than ask and others can be 25% or less of the list price (aka “low-ball” offers). Regardless where the multiple bidders fall on this spectrum, there have been a rise in complaints about the bidding processes.

The listing agent, the listing managing broker or the seller’s attorney can handle the bidding process. Should the Realtor manage the process: The Realtor Code of Ethics (Standard of Practice 1-15) of the code requires the listing agent to obtain the written consent of the seller before disclosing to buyers there are multiple offers on the property. It is the seller who determines how the multiple offer situation will be handled.

Dear Larry,

I am a heavy user of Outlook but after years of use, my Inbox is out of control, and the program as a whole is getting very slow. Is there anything I can do to tame it? —F.O.

Dear F.O.,

In my last column, I discussed the use of Outlook folders to unburden the Inbox. This week, I’ll talk about using mail rules to redirect messages to folders.

Those of you who read my last column have by now created folders to bring some organization to your Outlook mess ... er, messages. You then dragged messages from your Outlook Inbox into the folders, thereby better organizing your messages as a whole.

"The task of a writer consists of being able to make something out of an idea"

said Thomas Mann. A book has to take up residence in the writer's mind before it can exist in the material world. Writers travel between the world of imagination and the world which we like to call the "real" one. Woven through the tapestry of their stories they transmit messages which we, as cynical readers, have long forgotten...

You think rush hour traffic is bad in Fairfield County on I-95 and the Merritt? Try driving on I-84 or I-91 into Hartford. That’s why the planned busway from New Britain to downtown Hartford makes such sense.

Yet, the project has been widely scorned and almost scuttled by rail advocates and lawmakers who would rather see rail service than buses. Even though I’m all about trains, this busway project makes sense.

But first, what is a “busway,” you ask? Let me explain:

A busway is a dedicated highway just for buses. In this case, it would run 9.4 miles from downtown Hartford to New Britain on an old railroad right-of-way. There would be 11 stations, each with plenty of parking like at a Metro-North station. So rather than be stuck in rush hour traffic on the interstates, you’d drive to a busway station and hop aboard for a high-speed ride to downtown.