But, yes, the full moon last night was breathtakingly gorgeous. Had she been here, Sox might've been tempted to retrieve the ball by sight for once.

I wish I could have opportunity, if only for one day, to experience the world as a dog does. Can you even begin to imagine what it's like to perceive the world primarily via olfactory senses 1000 times stronger than we're capable of??

My apologies; went off-topic. Back to the kennel with my mangy ass now. ;-)

And for the Cafe, which played vital role in altering my future in manner beyond belief. ;-)

My uber-rightwing older bro used to drive an old Bronco with a license plate frame which read, "Cats flattened while you wait". This from a man (and his wife) who had half a dozen of the damn things; all loved and well cared-for.

I love animals. I also am fond of pretty women (hence my objection to those who wish to censor the t-shirt ads featuring nubile models). More importantly, I've got a whole helluva lot better things to worry and kvetch about than this silliness.

For example: as Josh posted up front, that reichwing congresscritter in GA warning of Obama's plans to create a new Gestapo.

On the 70th anniversary of Kristallnacht, no less.

Grazi, my friend.

She's just pissed cuz it wouldn't look quite the same on her..

Goodnight.

Kudos to your friend. I've been a vocal opponent of Prop Hate since its inception. Am so goddamn sick and tired of the rapture crowd trying to cram their bullshit down our collective throats.

I've attended far too many funerals over the decades - and not nearly enough weddings. And I strongly opt for more of the latter.

And point my finger at the jebus freaks for too many of the former.

Ok, now you've truly piqued my interest, Grouch. 13 times seeing the Dead? Tres' cool. If it's of any interest, I took my kin to Jerry's memorial concert in Golden Gate Park; the last breath of true Dead.

Agree with you, for the most part, re shelling out sums of dollars to see others play. Twas huge part of my youth (as was case with most of us). On the other hand, I truly enjoyed revisiting many of my rockers of old (even when on their Old Farts Tours) later in life as I utilized their shows as conduit to introduce my (then-child) progeny both to world her old man inhabited, as well as music as it could/should be.

For what it's worth, it took. To this day my daughter is huge fan of 60's & 80's rock - in addition to the vital classics (Beethoven and Mozart - as well as Beatles and Moody's). In turn, she's turned me onto many contemporary sounds I'd likely otherwise have missed. So.. it's all good.

By the by... her first ever concert was The Beach Boys. But everything came together (read: she got it) upon seeing CSNY. Having viewed "Woodstock" dvd a few weeks prior, she actually had tears in her eyes during the concert that night. As she so eloquently put it: "Dad, why did they (the regressives) choose to screw things up? That generation was SO on the right path!"

Wisdom from the mouths of babes..

As for daughter... well, she's 19. I'm still pretty much relegated to the "utterly clueless & useless" partition of her worldview. Life, at least in this narrow regard, was certainly easier 8 years ago..

Yo, Grouch.... I left a reply to you in last night's thread. Did you catch it?

Followed by a lobotomy.

Please - step into my procedure room, LieSeeker. I'll even promise to sterilize my scalpel first.

Daughter and I were talking tonight - reminiscing over our experiences exercising our 1st amendment rights every single weekend during the War of the Chads. Compared to the murder-in-broad-daylight we all witnessed 8 years ago, this aint shit.

The rovian repukes are on the ropes; ding dong the witch is dead.

Vote.
GOTV.
Purchase California wine - open same. Toast then imbibe.
Repeat.

I've seen them in concert more times than any other group: 7, at last count. They always put on such a spectacular performance - even now, as relatively old farts.

Incidently, the most recent concert was without Ray Thomas. He apparently opted for retirement due to health considerations. What the hell... the dude is nearing 70 by now, I believe.

Wendy, in 1983 I made a world cruise aboard my ship (the Coral Sea, naturally). Can honestly say that the Moody's were with me every step of the way. They also provide superlative soundtrack in one's ears when alpine skiing; between the symphonic arrangements and exquisite harmonies they make me feel as if I could literally fly down the mountain...

Given the way I ski, I also attribute their music with imbuing me with mystical tree-dodging capabilities previously untapped.

The Moody Blues probably came closest to properly labeling that day. Either way, a beautiful song - off a positively stellar album.

Sorry, my love. ;-)

Then again, I've been known to be cross-wired from time-to-time. Mayhaps not to extent of being the guy who cries at weddings & laughs at funerals, but, I've had my moments..

Also, hate to sound like the proverbial broken record, but that was another instance in which I preferred the book over the film.

Well, technically, I suppose it would be possible. But it would play nine kinds of hell with Mr. Still - not to mention my own beloved Melissa. Not to mention what it'd do to our own nascent friendship.
Nope, nope; sounds like a tequila nightmare all the way around. ;-)

But -oh, my!- any way I can talk my way into some of those blueberry muffins?? They're my favorite - as are all things blueberry.

But I love trick-or-treaters -- even the teenage ones trying their damndest to hang on for one more year.

And I like The Talking Heads (as in David Byrne).

And barber polls are kinda' cool. North & South Poles even cooler. And, for that matter, I've enjoyed some really terrific Polish food in Hamtrammck, Michigan. Or is that too far off the reservation to properly belong here??

Now, about that drink.... And you said something about filling that hole, too?

Lessee... friends. Early & otherwise.

My early friendships, as is common, were quite ephemeral in nature; based upon proximity more than anything of substance. (exception being girl with whom I played doctor; that was delightfully more than ephemeral). ;-)

More deeply-rooted friendships came about as result of my military service; shipmates of my halcyon days of youth proved to have surprising staying power - even more amazing in that we aren't exactly in one-another's back pockets, so to speak -- yet somehow remain quietly partnered still, as our respective journeys continue apace.
Twas from those fine gents I first learned the value inherent to withholding judgement of others; a lesson imprinted upon my very essence to depth of which a religious type could only dream of achieving. (and having nothing whatsoever to do with the commonly invoked other half of that maxim: lest ye be judged)

Later life has seen me be far more circumspect in seeking new friendships. I am courteous to all - indeed, I believe I outright enjoy the company & uniqueness of my fellow-travellers than ever before. But I am also quite content within the world of my construct; the comfortable circle of intimate souls and connectivity beyond words' ability to convey.

However, in a rare now & never-again moment awhile back, someone came alongside my pathway. Someone who possesses so many unique traits that they cannot be ignored. Someone who is beauty beyond words. Someone who -literally- takes my breath away. Someone with whom I cannot live without. Nor do I ever intend to.

Pray tell, Missy: how does one begin to quantify a friend of that calibre into this discussion??

Popped out of the shower and heard you playing that ancient 'Captain & Tenille' tune. Figured if you can play 70's one-hit-wonders, so can I.

In light of, uhm, certain events, d'ya mind if I put on my ancient 45 "Convoy"??

Anything to keep "Love Will Keep Us Together" from playing endlessly on my internal ipod for the next three days... ;-)

Then again, I was further distracted by haunting voice of Mme Leandros; optimistic woman, she - singing her heart out vis-a-vis amour.

Needless to say - not a very productive night.

Pax to you all.

The principles. Shit, Grouch... was all I could do to maintain grip on those fundamentals of thought during the varied whirlwinds. Had I been tested on the origins of the precepts... well, I'd frankly have been fucked.

Seriously... reason for mentioning title above was that I'd (impetuously - so sue me) figured you were something akin to me in this regard. And that, in my earlier incarnation as early childhood educator, rather took to passing that little nugget of wisdom on to my receptive colleagues; even my Catholic Latina colleagues really found solace in the work (which in turn caused me to go back and review - with a certain 'wtf?' sense of wonderment ).

Oh, and not that I'm getting any dinero for plugging these, but the sequel pretty much rocks as well: "The Te of Piglet".

Appropos of naught (save, perhaps, for making case for familial insanity): my college-aged daughter is in possession of my worldly goods at present, as my vocation has me on the road. Recent glance at her bookshelf, she has the two aforementioned titles squeezed in-between "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" - and "Breakfast at Tiffany's".

Go figure.

As for the size... surely you jest. Have you forgotten that, when dealing with men, we have a natural propensity to make 2 inches equate to 2 miles??? ;-)

No worries, darling; tis all good.

I'm headed off shortly to enjoy a cup of chamomile tea and tend to some snail-mail I've been putting off. Would you like me to prepare a cup for you while I'm at it?

Oh, and I've got the ideal frame in which to put that pic of the little you. Do you mind??

Apologies for my tardiness; has been another one of those days. And still not at the end. :-/