“The path is one which we must all tread: why, then, mourn his death? He is not lost, but gone before. Seneca The Younger”
For those who have been following Sean's blog Same Time Tomorrow, Sean's journey with brain cancer came to an end today. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him, knew of him, or just read his wonderful words. He was a man of humor, dignity, generosity, and intelligence. The world is a little darker today, but you are all invited to the wake. Bring your own Jamesons.
Home Is the Sailor
Home is the sailor, home from sea:
Her far-borne canvas furled
The ship pours shining on the quay
The plunder of the world.
Home is the hunter from the hill:
Fast in the boundless snare
All flesh lies taken at his will
And every fowl of air.
'Tis evening on the moorland free,
The starlit wave is still:
Home is the sailor from the sea,
The hunter from the hill.
A. E. Houseman
From Sean laying upon his hospice bed: Thanks to all who have left so many encouraging messages of support on my wall during the past couple of weeks. Your support has meant the world to me as I shrivel up in a state of near nothingness each afternoon watching cooking shows and storing my bodily waste in pickle jars and waiting for these damn Mormons to finish my blood transfusion so I can watch Ice Station Zebra one more time -- (with apologies to Howard Hughes).
Supposedly this is Black Friday, but I refuse to go anywhere near a store when in recovery mode from the great American pig out. Instead I will introduce you to a musician I discovered recently totally by accident. His short life was sad, but his music was remarkable and influenced many of our most popular musicians. You can read all about him here: NICK DRAKE
To participate in this wonderful meme created by our friend Trav of Trav's Thoughts, simply sign in on his site and go forth and share your own music choices for the day.
Please give me a second grace
Please give me a second face
I've fallen far down
The first time around
Now I just sit on the ground in your way
Now if it's time to recompense for what's done
Come, come sit down on the fence in the sun
And the clouds will roll by
And we'll never deny
It's really too hard for to fly.
Please tell me your second name
Please play me your second game
I've fallen so far
For the people you are
I just need your star for a day.
So come, come ride in my my street-car by the bay
For now I must know how fine you are in your way
And the sea sure as I
But she won't need to cry
For it's really too hard for to fly.
"May your stuffing be tasty May your turkey be plump,
May your potatoes and gravy have never a lump.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize, and may your
If you have never heard a full production of "The Tender Land", you might want to check out the other arias on You Tube. For a description of this opera by composer Aaron Copeland created due to a commission from Rodgers and Hammerstein, check out the Wiki
Our buddy Travis of Trav's Thoughts has invented this delightful meme. To join in simply click on the link, sign in and go forth and share your musical selections for the week.
A mere 33 years ago, Billy Joel had his first number one album with "52nd Street" on November 18, 1978. Unfortunately, I'm not a big fan of any of the songs on the album so I had to go hunting for Billy Joel songs that I did like. As Travis would say, "My blog. I can do what I want!" :-)
Because I like history and this one is literally my life story: We Didn't Start The Fire
You want to ask me out on a date? Irresistible: A Broadway musical or a Piano bar. I love a good piano bar, and I adore men who can play a piano.
Find me a dance floor: It's still Rock and Roll
A love song for a city that I really want to see
Saving the best for last. Billy Joel's music. Twyla Tharp's choreography. The 2003 Tony's featuring the music and dancers of "Movin' Out"
Several decades ago I was a Republican. This information will startle many, but when they started losing their minds, I left that side of the aisle. They are still severely in need of white coats that buckle in the back, but I thought people might enjoy a blast from the past when I was really angry with Jerry Brown over the busing issue. As a single, working mother, I didn't want the state carting my kids all over creation at a huge cost while forcing them to breath freeway effluvia a couple of hours a day. Since I had access to an opinion column of a weekly paper in the San Fernando Valley, the following piece published in 1979 was the result and might be fun now that I am rooting for the former Governor to wallop Meg Whitman and become Governor again. While re-reading it, I realized that absolutely nothing has changed in 31 years except that Linda Ronstadt and I have gotten a lot older, but at least she can still sing and I can still write.
Jerry Brown...bringing up the rear!
The recent gubernatorial elections have placed Jerry Brown in the politically enviable position of being as liberal or conservative as he wishes by the simple expediency of leaving town which avoiding the honor of being ridden out on a rail.
It would seem that with the prospect of the Presidency in the offing that the Governor has taken a cue from previous aspirants for that office and chosen to be viable without the necessity of fulfilling his present office in such a way as to draw neither praise nor criticism.
In our current society there are few who would begrudge Mr. Brown a vacation at his own expense or deny him the comfort and companionship of Miss Ronstadt, nor even accuse him of having gone from potential pontiff to peripatetic profligate all in one lifetime. But the question must arise as to how one governs a state in absentia, only returning long enough to rescind any Lieutenant Gubernatorial decisions he feels cast him in a politically ambiguous position with his party's hierarchy.
The degree of public participation in the elective process has been most noticeable recently by its absence. While apathy is not a laudable virtue, it can be understood if not condoned by the fact that we have been cozened once too often by empty slogans followed by little or no action. The citizens faith in our politicians can best be restored by those in office making their attitudes known on all issues and then making those attitudes available to the populace for acceptance or rejection.
Slogans are fine for sixty second television ads, but they have no place in the actual process of governing. It is time for hard practical decisions not double talk. When one is elected to lead, leadership is expected. Most particularly when it means choosing sides and making definite statements of position. At a time when several issues are coming to a head in our state from the curtailment of government spending and waste in the wake of Proposition 13 to one aspect of the methods by which all the children of the state may best be served by our educational system, it is improper for the Governor of that state to go from cant to recant.
The whole basis of our government is an informed and active populace. Ad campaigns do not inform. Buzz words and catch phrases coined by well paid PR men and speechwriters do not encourage the involvement of the electorate. It is a time for those elected to office and those who placed them in that position to assume their mutual responsibilities.
Jerry Brown can best demonstrate his ability to perform the duties of any elective office by having the courage to call a special election on the issues of government spending and forced busing which are now ready for the public's decision. If he feels this would tarnish his image, he could at least have the grace to leave town long enough for Mike Curb to do the job properly, and then Jerry can return and once more lead the way by bringing up the rear.
Catchy jingles may sell soap - once. They can even sell politicians - once. But unless the image is backed up by action, both the soap and the politician will go down the drain.
Today’s Rant: Would Amazon and Apple please merge or at least sinfully cohabit. Amazon has Kindle Fire. Apple has IPAD. Kindle has exclusive magazine contracts and books. Apple has I-Tunes (more than a 1000 that I have already bought). At some point if not now (I don’t know) I-Pad will make telephone calls. Both have games and videos. Does anybody talk to anybody else without standing on your head and twiddling your thumbs at the same time? … of course not. That would make people happy.
All I want is ONE thing that will let me read, write, listen, and call the few people who are still talking to me. Is that too much to ask?
Eletelephony
Once there was an elephant, Who tried to use the telephant— No! no! I mean an elephone Who tried to use the telephone— (Dear me! I am not certain quite That even now I've got it right.) Howe'er it was, he got his trunk Entangled in the telephunk; The more he tried to get it free, The louder buzzed the telephee— (I fear I'd better drop the song Of elephop and telephong!)
A Special version of Five on Friday for the meme invented by Travis of Travs Thoughts. To join in simply click on the link, sign in and go forth and share your musical selections for the week.
Last Sunday I received the sad news of the loss of a lady that I only knew from on line, but whom I considered both a friend and kindred spirit. This 5 on Friday is dedicated to Patsi Bale Cox. Her career in life was the "As Told To" writer for many celebrities, most of them the ladies of Country. So here for Patsi is a musical farewell from the ladies whose stories she told with links to the books she wrote.
As many are aware every Friday is 5 on Friday. A Chance to share music with each other started by Travis of Trav's Thoughts. This year Friday falls on the date set for the annual DONA NOBIS PACEM the Blog Blast for Peace started several years ago by Mimi Lenox also lovingly known as Queen Mimi of Bloggingham Castle.
Because of her actions, thousands of people in 55 countries now devote one day each year to these three simple words: GRANT US PEACE (Dona Nobis Pacem) and dedicate themselves to encouraging peaceful actions within and among the countries of this blue globe we all share.
Therefor, this week's 5 on Friday are songs of peace. I hope you enjoy the music and heed the words.
By Royal Decree of Queen Mimi the return and command performance by
Julie and Russell sat one night.
Russell sparked up a Marlboro Light.
Julie’s eyes were all ablaze,
As Russell tried to shun her gaze.
He knew the look, he knew the score;
It seemed more manic than before.
Russell cringed in fear and dread
As Julie pulled him near and said:
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
I’ve had a really good idea.
We’ll re-vamp, make more camp
A sci-fi show from yester-year.
I’ve had banter with Tranter.
Your written word will be hailed in the ming mong mantra.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
But he said…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
You’re asking far too much of me.
I’m harasssed, embarassed;
I’ve watched the show since I was three.
Don’t choose me, don’t use me,
My mother sent a note to say you must excuse me.
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
So she said…
Let’s do it, let’s do it-
Make a brand new Doctor Who.
We’ve got Chris in, all’s missing
Is a sidekick and an all-Welsh crew.
It’s not silly to ask Billie.
We’ll film in every quarry from here to Caerphilly.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
Ooh, then he said…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it-
The pressure of the BBC.
I must e-mail some young male
To alleviate the stress on me.
I can’t block out, please lock out,
Images of Johnny B getting his cock out.
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
She replied…
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
Phil okayed my offer to produce.
We’ll get Trac to take flack
When he lets his raging temper loose.
My decision to use your vision
Will make the show the best thing on the television.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
And he squawked…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
Chris is giving up his role.
No Time Lord? Oh good Lord,
How we’re gonna fill this role?
It’s too complex, we’re all wrecks.
My brain is overflowing with a bloody Dalek.
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
She excitedly said…
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
We’ll get another Time Lord in.
Don’t sweat it, you can’t let it
Make you sad and maudlin.
It’s not over, and moreover,
We’ll get the lovely fellow in from Casanova.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
And he yelled…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
I really think that I can’t cope.
More re-writes, no respite-
I think I’ve given up all hope.
It’ll get canned, it’ll be panned.
Lou says there’s no costumes in the whole of England.
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
Then she proclaimed…
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
Martha Jones is Freema Agyeman.
We’ll bring back Captain Jack
To fight against the Cybermen.
We’ll cast a great Master,
He can plunge the planet into global disaster.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
And he screamed…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
You’ve cast Australia’s pop princess.
It’s madness, my sadness
Will make this episode a mess.
My panic is manic-
The uproar when I kill her off on the Titanic!
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
And she expelled…
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
The Doctor needs a brand new mate.
Don’t linger, go ginger.
I’m gonna bring back Catherine Tate.
I wanna, you’re gonna,
Reunite the Doctor with the fabulous Donna.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
He punctuated…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
I’ve got obsessed with E4’s Skins.
Writer’s block. Please don’t mock,
It takes my mind off other things.
It’s so lame, I must blame dirty thoughts I’m having about Midshipman Frame.
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
Excitedly she said…
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
To film abroad will get my vote.
I promise Ed Thomas can’t bring Ancient Rome to Upper Boat.
It’s D-Day on Pompeii;
The forums will be buzzing on Outpost Gallifrey.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
And he roared…
I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
The studio in Rome’s ablaze.
On fire, it’s dire-
How the hell are you not phased?
It’s mental. Be gentle.
They say the cause of fire was a Berkley Menthol.
I can’t do it, I can’t do it tonight.
So she roared…
Let’s do it, let’s do it.
We’ve got kids back behind settees.
Our mission, ambition,
Was a show for all the families.
we should try as our goodbye
A hassle-free excursion to sunny Dubai.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight.
But he shouted…
Oh, let’s do it. Let’s do it!
I feel like I’ve been set free.
I won’t sweat it, now Moffat
Is taking up the reins from me.
I can’t wait, it’s just great-
I’ve got a cracking way for Dave to regenerate.
Let’s do it, let’s do it tonight!
Guess what?
They did it! They did it!
They opened up the TARDIS door.
They’re terrific, prolific.
Made it better than it was before!
A ‘thank you’ from your crew.
We crown you both the King and Queen of Doctor Who.
You did it, you did it tonight!
