tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83920426319385168202024-03-19T03:54:10.087-07:00Dense Milt presents Condensed MiltNever let the truth get in the way of a good story.dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.comBlogger238125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-74009616119828265772022-07-10T12:19:00.003-07:002022-07-10T12:19:38.605-07:00Step On A Crack…..Mother’s deserve better. <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gia6xOBRjQE" width="320" youtube-src-id="gia6xOBRjQE"></iframe></div><p></p><div class="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); font-family: medium-content-sans-serif-font, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, "Open Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif;"><h1 class="pw-post-title jh ji iz bn jj jk jl jm jn jo jp jq jr js jt ju jv jw jx jy jz ka kb kc kd ke fy" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="8fff" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #292929; font-family: sohne, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: -0.016em; line-height: 40px; margin: 0.17em 0px -0.27em;"><br /></h1><h1 class="pw-post-title jh ji iz bn jj jk jl jm jn jo jp jq jr js jt ju jv jw jx jy jz ka kb kc kd ke fy" data-selectable-paragraph="" id="8fff" style="box-sizing: inherit; color: #292929; font-family: sohne, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 32px; letter-spacing: -0.016em; line-height: 40px; margin: 0.17em 0px -0.27em;">Step on a Crack, Break Your Mother’s Back</h1></div><div class="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"><div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><br /></i></span></div></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><i><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">For </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">some, stepping on a crack also means </span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">freeing a spiritual entity that could break apart one's family</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">. Conversely, some believe stepping on a crack will break a witch's back or the devil's back. A more light-hearted take on this superstition holds fast to the notion that stepping on a crack will cause rain.</span></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">Listen up. Who’s been stepping on all the cracks? So much rain. So many broken backs. Not to discount the broken spines. I was very superstitious as a child. Very. I was terrified of anything that might cause harm to my Mother. A real Momma’s boy was I. </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;"> I would feel such intense guilt if I didn’t eat all the sandwiches she made me. I would see her up at the crack of dawn making sandwiches for everyone. There were seven kids and my Dad. That’s practically a loaf of bread every morning. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">Years later, when my dear mother was sitting in her nursing home, saying, “ You know why I am here? Because I can’t remember shit.” They call it dementia, but I blame the sandwiches. And some blame has to go to the many cracks on the sidewalks, that I so carefully tried to avoid</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">I still try to avoid them, and my poor Mother has been gone for 5 years. Actually closer to 15, as those last years, she was a shadow of her former self. Still, somewhere inside her plaqued out brain, was still my sweet Mother’s smile and laugh. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">And her not so sweet imperious judgement, often rendered with an acidic aside. Hmmph, ughh, and other non-language verbal utterances. Where did she get that from? And me, her fifth son? I have that rush to rash judgieness, that turning up of the nose at the same time as the left eyebrow raises, and the lips curl. Why, sometimes, even my toes curl!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">I have traced her lineage back to around 1630, when our ancestor was bandying about with Oliver Cromwell. Taking the piss out of the royals, perhaps in on the plot to kill King Charles 1. Brave Huegenot stock who fled France and the Catholics, hoisting their banner in Royston. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ11NaNUaXhv_k1yF_BYLF7BD7Rz4cjEKbQsNR9M2QR9cFYyJFGzIptZksLlqGMZDXruBuku3zlYx0MqyoNcPTkMSH7GM1av-WOmIgAagChjn4D71oNEuXyNzaFEaSRLQMjdn6i_Lr6Dp71CWzBVA-76nDZTl9jGnfquVJLLa4C1lz8ZDjH1-xRqtjw/s1000/4CD2D9DB-EFD5-48C5-AF27-6E5F2AAF5AD6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1000" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHZ11NaNUaXhv_k1yF_BYLF7BD7Rz4cjEKbQsNR9M2QR9cFYyJFGzIptZksLlqGMZDXruBuku3zlYx0MqyoNcPTkMSH7GM1av-WOmIgAagChjn4D71oNEuXyNzaFEaSRLQMjdn6i_Lr6Dp71CWzBVA-76nDZTl9jGnfquVJLLa4C1lz8ZDjH1-xRqtjw/w385-h232/4CD2D9DB-EFD5-48C5-AF27-6E5F2AAF5AD6.png" width="385" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From inside the Royston Caves, drawn by my Great Great Great Grandfather, the renderings, not the original cave drawings. Perhaps attributed to the Knights Templar.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">So no wonder I get upset, bored, scandalized by this cheap modern simulation that we call life. My mother would concur. “You come by it naturally”, she would often say. That and “Close the door! We aren’t heating all______(whatever town we were in at the point of comment.”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">I posted some AI generated photos including some generated from the phrase “Every Mother’s KGB”. It’s a line from my song Something in the Air. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">What does it mean? You’re barking up the wrong tree, speaking to the wrong hand. In my Mother’s words,” I don’t have a clue!”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">Blame it on Bowie, Burroughs, Brian Gysin. A cut-up. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">A friend commented, “ Sure, the mother is the villain, always.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">And who am I to argue? Me, a card carrying member of the patriarchy, that demands to be smashed. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">Smash me first I say. Bring me down. Topple me. I deserve nothing less. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">For now is the time of Mothers. Now is the time Women Will Rise Up ,and smash our sweet asses. God knows, we deserve it. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">Another friend said, “No, you are one of the good ones.” </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">No. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">I deserve to be smashed. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;">Me and my sneer and my up turned nose. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; white-space: break-spaces;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: break-spaces;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: break-spaces;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: break-spaces;"><br /></span></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-81080804532660266282022-07-10T11:19:00.002-07:002022-07-10T11:19:58.902-07:00She’s A Boy. He’s A Girl.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMehtkbp9Be9rgZ0r2PtLTQDVcxgJU7sQ23Wtps-pCHb9uGBe6TRoyVhdIlJV-lYSsBqQyBHILkhJeV_SfqSdVCgSTz0rE-tJpwAVT0AExp4oMIQw1kAWzvXig6WqobnllDw9BMgz556doaaSk3YDxngPEUVSn1fKtIuO_4HwXlESLl8ODL8bDnwRhg/s896/1C142ED5-0C4D-4BC9-AC2A-6D89C7A836BE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="896" data-original-width="682" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMehtkbp9Be9rgZ0r2PtLTQDVcxgJU7sQ23Wtps-pCHb9uGBe6TRoyVhdIlJV-lYSsBqQyBHILkhJeV_SfqSdVCgSTz0rE-tJpwAVT0AExp4oMIQw1kAWzvXig6WqobnllDw9BMgz556doaaSk3YDxngPEUVSn1fKtIuO_4HwXlESLl8ODL8bDnwRhg/s320/1C142ED5-0C4D-4BC9-AC2A-6D89C7A836BE.jpeg" width="244" /></a></div> Genda Blenda. <p></p><p>A love song. A song about the possibility of love, of change, of finding your voice, of being your true self, of acceptance of the pain of acceptance. </p><p>It’s complicated, like life. It is an attempt by a straightish guy to give support to my LGBTQ2+ friends and family. </p><p>Because love doesn’t discriminate. Love will find its way, through the myriad of pronouns, acronyms, capital letters, bars, bathrooms, schoolyard taunts, bullies, past all the false flags waved by those who love to wave flags. </p><p>“ She’s a boy. He’s a girl. And they want to change the world”. Change the world, not just change pronouns, not just change partners and dance, change the way we think about gender, and bodies, and kinds of love. This is a call to assert their right to love, life and the freedom to just be. To be boring if they want. To be whatever, whomever, forever. </p><p>“Doesn’t matter what they are. ‘Cause everybody is a star.”</p><p>“Use your inside voice. It’s an uptight world. Doctor said ‘Don’t worry, Mom. It’s a Boy. No, it’s a Girl.”</p><p>“It’s a tough crowd tonight. We’re playing chicken in the bar. You brought that damned feather boa. All I got is this goddamned guitar.</p><p>Found a hidden map. Lying in your lap. All roads lead to scars, schoolyards, and smoky bars.</p><p>She’s a Boy. He’s A girl. And they want to change the world.” </p><p><a href="https://music.apple.com/ca/album/genda-blenda/1469134715?i=1469134717" target="_blank">https://music.apple.com/ca/album/genda-blenda/1469134715?i=1469134717</a><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-29727233746929953022022-07-09T07:34:00.000-07:002022-07-09T07:34:03.674-07:00Autocorrect, my ass or Wht I mint to say<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJbAN8rXnQzxQHDtagGLYQP7F49CmnqoZX9VYFkzIIiSG0c9xuzRZBKNC0Wq2wJ57HdLubea51uUuxGn_oyfqv_xjGoFcglFguHFGp_8XZrJAL16NPs6EKkPwcfX61ZJpnngg_ZWuQbD1agvIxkMpAJB4J-dri8blu-2eAAbdLLScIjjtXkSZZURggQ/s1291/060493B0-92EE-4F55-8331-0654F306D5F0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1275" data-original-width="1291" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJbAN8rXnQzxQHDtagGLYQP7F49CmnqoZX9VYFkzIIiSG0c9xuzRZBKNC0Wq2wJ57HdLubea51uUuxGn_oyfqv_xjGoFcglFguHFGp_8XZrJAL16NPs6EKkPwcfX61ZJpnngg_ZWuQbD1agvIxkMpAJB4J-dri8blu-2eAAbdLLScIjjtXkSZZURggQ/s320/060493B0-92EE-4F55-8331-0654F306D5F0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>Writing is a gift and a challenge. A gift when you put the words together in a way that makes your meaning memorable, a challenge when your ability to construct sentences is hampered by your inability to construct sentences. What I meant to say was, sometimes the words get in the way of expressing the thoughts in your head. Or rather, the thoughts in your head are interrupted by the voices in your ear, or the foot that keeps placing itself in your mouth, or the new meaning of formerly acceptable words, or how typing with a finger on a tablet, can be autocorrected into complete gibberish. <p></p><p>Autocorrect, my ass. I typed that though into the A.I. Image generator, and got the image to my right. I mean left. Or today, as I typed a comment on a thread, and was autocorrected five the first time to a misspelling. I lij that. Fuve minutes of fame. No wonde we are becoming non- verbal. No wonder you have to add emojis to confirm meaning. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0AVTJxV9BVWKq8brHoQNkM8QqXEoLg6dwl4bpg52AuGPzqVRcoCIlSFJYNnT3-4b_IuPSNTk9eiM0C0z_bXke6IBKdE_9Tqdhv2JKZg-0sG0CQqO0P7-hefj2VkoFGMn4z8PMXWo9-1ltdxwAMhybdpoGahg6avzYddaFYeI4otP8NsHD42GxHfcSg/s1536/AC62160E-4665-4FDA-B9DF-A3FE4C435517.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1536" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0AVTJxV9BVWKq8brHoQNkM8QqXEoLg6dwl4bpg52AuGPzqVRcoCIlSFJYNnT3-4b_IuPSNTk9eiM0C0z_bXke6IBKdE_9Tqdhv2JKZg-0sG0CQqO0P7-hefj2VkoFGMn4z8PMXWo9-1ltdxwAMhybdpoGahg6avzYddaFYeI4otP8NsHD42GxHfcSg/s320/AC62160E-4665-4FDA-B9DF-A3FE4C435517.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Scratch my head. The ponder sign. Hmmmm. Couldn’t find a gif. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p8cHMbcOQ6nnWNFuQ1z9Ozlr9USvdDIqC2vA_h3lugoWOGCzv11xKpawU0KDbZtGEkq0S4dBIdUbX6wECc_QfbU8tjwep2GGug7a0m20u3YQdFDwUbyslngqT_dgmpvOswz-aFoFIOsEGef7AQEPafbbjFchrjZ_2_vMTvuzKM3ReMzDcVk9wKsz9w/s1454/12F15C16-B03A-4F0C-BA7A-E09E2665AC65.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="1454" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4p8cHMbcOQ6nnWNFuQ1z9Ozlr9USvdDIqC2vA_h3lugoWOGCzv11xKpawU0KDbZtGEkq0S4dBIdUbX6wECc_QfbU8tjwep2GGug7a0m20u3YQdFDwUbyslngqT_dgmpvOswz-aFoFIOsEGef7AQEPafbbjFchrjZ_2_vMTvuzKM3ReMzDcVk9wKsz9w/s320/12F15C16-B03A-4F0C-BA7A-E09E2665AC65.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="ad-inserter--targeted" data-element-has-ending-title="true" data-element-index="0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Source Serif Pro"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; font-family: Paralucent; font-size: 27px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Head-Rub Girl</h2></div><p data-element-index="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Source Serif Pro"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When your BFF's got drama to discuss, or wants you to confirm if her Instagram caption is good, or brings you into a group chat to help formulate her text messages, Head-Rub Girl's like: "I'm going to pretend to listen to your idiocy because I'm your friend, but I literally can't with this." In fact, Head-Rub Girl "literally couldn't" so many times that it gave her an aneurysm and now she spends 100% of her time at home having the blood massaged out of her brain.”</p><p data-element-index="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Source Serif Pro"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Have you had the blood massaged out of YOUR brain? Would that be pleasurable? Massaging blood out of your brain? </p><div class="ad-inserter--targeted" data-element-has-ending-title="true" data-element-index="0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Source Serif Pro"; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><h2 style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; color: black; font-family: Paralucent; font-size: 27px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: 32px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 20px; vertical-align: baseline;">Head-Rub Gurl</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEcO0m23gsaNHlFlkhG3V71dKlicWSqIs4eMaUyaG7N98N_jvcxan8oOGm_rW2gNLaTX-bynqTboVEJ5mGZJ8NTegf_UvRZT30IDKzeslRRZOChRmwPrt4nto3M8_gGrG6FS3ZZRZrS5rMX2OKcQWykPTeVUyzgsni-XBFjDtECELYR5mQA-VdJIr2w/s1795/2CFCC930-8A69-42A6-A51C-85C7E9ABAB96.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1506" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEcO0m23gsaNHlFlkhG3V71dKlicWSqIs4eMaUyaG7N98N_jvcxan8oOGm_rW2gNLaTX-bynqTboVEJ5mGZJ8NTegf_UvRZT30IDKzeslRRZOChRmwPrt4nto3M8_gGrG6FS3ZZRZrS5rMX2OKcQWykPTeVUyzgsni-XBFjDtECELYR5mQA-VdJIr2w/s320/2CFCC930-8A69-42A6-A51C-85C7E9ABAB96.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RBDHlhWpijVoF7vT856ndw8sVDJpcjyAo8hsnMpwESYEeBpnUxbUcLsFhAu5dLzK9TzyMkgYQDuyQ6OA2Vh4hMuKx9L5m8nmF621opzjISA8bJHw7zMFKAdnRwBTnUNC6_Gz-htAff7LxEKfYzAntW1r355ZGqkqJ0lAitFj7m9z1phKvoXNz-YCSA/s1748/786BB33B-3D6E-492E-A6E1-5E5968C61768.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1748" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4RBDHlhWpijVoF7vT856ndw8sVDJpcjyAo8hsnMpwESYEeBpnUxbUcLsFhAu5dLzK9TzyMkgYQDuyQ6OA2Vh4hMuKx9L5m8nmF621opzjISA8bJHw7zMFKAdnRwBTnUNC6_Gz-htAff7LxEKfYzAntW1r355ZGqkqJ0lAitFj7m9z1phKvoXNz-YCSA/s320/786BB33B-3D6E-492E-A6E1-5E5968C61768.jpeg" width="281" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhS5w_ndFA1ikF2-5jTAZT652wG39DsmvF2w2ctayDxctJrRQ3YorfKQd2UQcux6YQ-80ss6XvpxoyLOefzN7J7rZCiFLkrD1j1EsmbuPWrZ2CB0B5FSIvqJYHzYL2YKxyyaGxeMvNDfBwdWhEEOsVAxOB0xOP5I7GREoJ4WYdnBvygQYUbcjNjEZMg/s1316/6739D6D8-C56A-4E8C-9B84-F9B52F3CD96B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1316" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJhS5w_ndFA1ikF2-5jTAZT652wG39DsmvF2w2ctayDxctJrRQ3YorfKQd2UQcux6YQ-80ss6XvpxoyLOefzN7J7rZCiFLkrD1j1EsmbuPWrZ2CB0B5FSIvqJYHzYL2YKxyyaGxeMvNDfBwdWhEEOsVAxOB0xOP5I7GREoJ4WYdnBvygQYUbcjNjEZMg/s320/6739D6D8-C56A-4E8C-9B84-F9B52F3CD96B.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I am trying to say is words no longer matter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Except when they do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The wrong words can end a fight, a relationship, a bad day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The right words can make all the difference.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(Is that even a complete sentence?)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-67885715010599429532022-07-03T11:12:00.000-07:002022-07-03T11:12:04.507-07:00 My Soul Mate - Happy Anniversary <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkz8fU53iWaekgjXAq3dSZtPlMoZmq7_vXTj-v4nWA8_8gpQHS-mkyeVXA0LN4c_ux-UiWJP0iBVEuBa2Qz8tIcN5JHaGTmapcBc0PjBqWqYpE8YZIYQipA9WFwb7MjMrTR6b7R0qSdk4HUogSAIGAN7K67LlD4TRc6SQroEirCcvqH1XbEwIJBzwsQ/s960/6780C5B4-150E-403F-8184-048C1A0F6FEB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkz8fU53iWaekgjXAq3dSZtPlMoZmq7_vXTj-v4nWA8_8gpQHS-mkyeVXA0LN4c_ux-UiWJP0iBVEuBa2Qz8tIcN5JHaGTmapcBc0PjBqWqYpE8YZIYQipA9WFwb7MjMrTR6b7R0qSdk4HUogSAIGAN7K67LlD4TRc6SQroEirCcvqH1XbEwIJBzwsQ/s320/6780C5B4-150E-403F-8184-048C1A0F6FEB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>What to say that hasn’t already said? </p><p>We met 47 years ago. </p><p>I was still in high school. </p><p>You were a year and a half older. </p><p>Wiser. </p><p>We have been together for 43 years now.</p><p>We were kids. We made a child.</p><p>We are child owners. </p><p>No one makes me laugh like you,</p><p> Only you can melt my bitch face.</p><p>You challenge me. You push me. You refuse to take my crap. You always call my bullshit. </p><p>You never canceled me. You forgave me. </p><p>It hasn’t been all roses. But way more roses than not. You have a ton of patience, waiting for me to grow up. But I treasure all the thorns along with the way as you make me a better person. I am a better person because of you. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qvdl4dj35vEqmK60fYRlljmHEDDEXoj4YzSX4x_uwNQAZ4X3mwGmXAbmUehvLyqcLNwJYSj5HIdffqwXEKkWYOKwGdkqJ6Q1ZQtuUYu9sc0pwlCKEYMTwZsCe5ZpObUxJ2xZygSH-VKexbZM8m5ylOtSOBMdg3UFlj_qRUkkGolbyaLxXpR3NIWfeQ/s507/F0E030BE-8012-425C-A6A6-CCA68D89DA1D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qvdl4dj35vEqmK60fYRlljmHEDDEXoj4YzSX4x_uwNQAZ4X3mwGmXAbmUehvLyqcLNwJYSj5HIdffqwXEKkWYOKwGdkqJ6Q1ZQtuUYu9sc0pwlCKEYMTwZsCe5ZpObUxJ2xZygSH-VKexbZM8m5ylOtSOBMdg3UFlj_qRUkkGolbyaLxXpR3NIWfeQ/s320/F0E030BE-8012-425C-A6A6-CCA68D89DA1D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>This picture was taken on the night before we legally married, if I remember correctly, which is about a 50/50 proposition these days. Our anniversary is July 4. Independence Day south of the border. Fireworks. Bombs bursting in air. Makes it easier to remember. As if I could ever forget. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I have always been such a lucky guy. So much lucky. Winning at the horse races. Bingo! Say it louder. BINGO! We have a winner. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8B2BihTB8QXZP3dcM1FxSkCM5SyQgd3sPc_qjwQF9iX43NQlTGpUt9nUOsX4d9ZjZI1rzgbVUTy95OzjlRac17EJ5T-UjK8qmq5h6qmbXr4iXRs5LgceF_uGmUAbhGj6Io0cJLAR1chiGCjRx8PWGqI5os0m9PVhQGkjDRnyuk8tNRUBZwzp6YQOw/s2048/240122B8-E61F-421E-B4F3-D2E28B68D679.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9N8B2BihTB8QXZP3dcM1FxSkCM5SyQgd3sPc_qjwQF9iX43NQlTGpUt9nUOsX4d9ZjZI1rzgbVUTy95OzjlRac17EJ5T-UjK8qmq5h6qmbXr4iXRs5LgceF_uGmUAbhGj6Io0cJLAR1chiGCjRx8PWGqI5os0m9PVhQGkjDRnyuk8tNRUBZwzp6YQOw/s320/240122B8-E61F-421E-B4F3-D2E28B68D679.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1wxA2lfWWeR2PRtZAMNMXztmgjWMAREZ1NSjsrM2YmDRs-n8S_fMVt_bAEhZWr3n1S4znbKKCc_Dd4zabvOAsS5nD5ioXc34ra7ieL2_j5559J_Arr-YUGKrqD_cZMGgP2xsTwuRFfdgaoaKr7FNy8uMoR8c-0OaUbj0uvYGkSFuSMAmID0iQMmybg/s4032/A6D568BE-1429-42C2-8A56-74AB86087C64.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT1wxA2lfWWeR2PRtZAMNMXztmgjWMAREZ1NSjsrM2YmDRs-n8S_fMVt_bAEhZWr3n1S4znbKKCc_Dd4zabvOAsS5nD5ioXc34ra7ieL2_j5559J_Arr-YUGKrqD_cZMGgP2xsTwuRFfdgaoaKr7FNy8uMoR8c-0OaUbj0uvYGkSFuSMAmID0iQMmybg/s320/A6D568BE-1429-42C2-8A56-74AB86087C64.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>Through the years, the seasons, the snow, the heat domes, the atmospheric rivers, earthquakes, the art, the bands, the friends we have made together, the losses we shared, living with me is not always easy. I would be the first to acknowledge that. </div><div><br /></div><div>But we always have a full glass to raise, to cheer, to toast our good fortune finding each other. Again. </div><div><br /></div><div>I remember the night you told me that we had been lovers before in another life. I was the woman that time. We have been together for lifetimes, and there will be more lifetimes to come. </div><div><br /></div><div>Michelle, my belle.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-18105539723908812172022-06-25T07:42:00.001-07:002022-06-25T07:42:56.491-07:00I AM WOMAN - Let the roaring begin<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg23SbyWfGMAzzsbO49Z2RqUirfrgKvE2MdtdCRF23Tw0i_DMhdzeYGfbNsNClPmp9oYCroTQaAf7XNSIhqQMIJYXkQwGTwZNvashhLxPuDbL2Yy0d8lJmda70-pfAs9jJaWTBreE3V37lA8Z1-yArjcLkDrjvxwOJZNsa46J5F6KW8Ze5td8Oa58APg/s1500/8D1F898C-468D-4369-98E5-523D046B81BB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1476" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg23SbyWfGMAzzsbO49Z2RqUirfrgKvE2MdtdCRF23Tw0i_DMhdzeYGfbNsNClPmp9oYCroTQaAf7XNSIhqQMIJYXkQwGTwZNvashhLxPuDbL2Yy0d8lJmda70-pfAs9jJaWTBreE3V37lA8Z1-yArjcLkDrjvxwOJZNsa46J5F6KW8Ze5td8Oa58APg/s320/8D1F898C-468D-4369-98E5-523D046B81BB.jpeg" width="315" /></a></div><br />I love hearing new songs, finding new tunes, new favourites, new obsessions and ear worms. One thing leads to another. This week we have a group of young ladies who love the ladies. They call themselves Hyaenas, and their song is Little Trophy. It is gorgeous little pop confection with an “Oh-oh” hook. The lyrics are driven by desire to be desired, but not too much. An exercise in control. <p></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Hyaenas are </span></span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Sophie Heppell</strong><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (guitar, vocals), </span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Jessie Robertson</strong><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (bass), </span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Jen Foster</strong><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (drums) and </span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Luvia Petersen</strong><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> (synth). Jen plays drums in Rong, another favourite. </span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;">Lyrics are by Sophie. </span></span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>LITTLE TROPHY</b></span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Take me to the forest, I'm knocking on wood</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Just because you want to doesn't mean that you should</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You think you've got my whole world but nothing gold can stay</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Lose your grip and all the stars will fade to grey</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm going away</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your little trophy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your prize to be won</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All my work for all your fun</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your little trophy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your prize to be won</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All my work for all your fun</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">You lured me in with fish hooks - they're ripping my mouth</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Jump this ship before it all starts heading south</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">That was touch and go there - that was a close call</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Another venture in exchange for nothing at all</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Nothing at all</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your little trophy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your prize to be won</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All my work for all your fun</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your little trophy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your prize to be won</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All my work for all your fun</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your badge of honour</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your accolade</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Not a soul for you to save</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your badge of honour</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your accolade</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Not a soul for you to save</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Don't touch don't look give back what you took</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Don't look don't touch you take up too much</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Don't touch don't look give back what you took</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Don't look don't touch you take up too much</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your little trophy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your prize to be won</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All my work for all your fun</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your badge of honour</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your accolade</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Not a soul for you to save</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your badge of honour</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your accolade</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Not a soul for you to save</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your little trophy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I'm not your prize to be won</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">All my work for all your fun</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Oh, oh, oh no</span></p><p><em style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">“Little Trophy</em><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">is a call-out against the sexual objectification of women,” the all-female Vancouver band explain. “The song was partially inspired by a previous long-distance relationship Sophie had (she was doing all the heavy lifting to make everything happen while the other was sitting back and reaping the benefits (fun trips and getting laid)), and partially inspired by unwanted sexual advances, judgments or discriminations that almost every single woman has experienced.”</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #222222; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Like I said, the song is a celebration of someone taking control of their own love and desire. </span></p><p>It pairs well with a new song by one of favourites, Metric, All Comes Crashing. </p><p>Metric is all about hooks, little barbs that grab you, and won’t let you go. Emily Haines is the the enchantress extraordinaire.</p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>ALL COMES CRASHING</b></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Starting over won't be easy, broken, divided</span></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Split tomorrow from today</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Knowing what you know just makes it harder to think straight</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Starting over after it breaks</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Starting over when the story's got an astounding twist</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You better turn that page</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When push it comes to shove</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We do not fall out of love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We double down, we do not fade</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">For all I know</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">This might be my last night</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If that's how it goes, there's no one</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I would rather be lying beside</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Starting over won't be easy</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Damage be damned</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Please say you love me just as I am</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Starting over won't be easy</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Misunderstand that pattern</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Fear is forcing your hand</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Knowing what you know just makes it harder to think straight</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Starting over after it all breaks</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When push it comes to shove</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We do not fall out of love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We double down, we do not fade</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">For all I know</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">This might be my last night</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If that's how it goes, there's no one</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I would rather be lying beside</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">If all we knew</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Came crashing down tonight</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'd be with you, and there's no one</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I would rather be dying beside</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">All comes crashing down</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">All comes crashing down</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">We'll come crashing down together</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Don't expect to live forever</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We'll come crashing down together</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If it all comes crashing down tonight</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We'll come crashing down together</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Don't expect to live forever</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We'll come crashing down together</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing, crashing, crashing</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">For all I know</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">This might be my last night</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If that's how it goes, there's no one</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I would rather be lying beside</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">If all we knew</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Came crashing down tonight</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'd be with you, and there's no one</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I would rather be dying beside</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When it all comes crashing</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">More girl on top, taking the reins of the relationship. Someone has to know what they are doing here.</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Which then leads us to Angel Olsen and her song All The Good Times. It has a slow boil, layering detail on detail until it finally. At the very end of the song, gets to the title sentiment. </span></div><div class="xaAUmb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 8px 16px;"><div jsname="WbKHeb"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><b>ALL THE GOOD TIMES</b></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I can't say that I'm sorry</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When I don't feel so wrong anymore</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I can't tell you I'm trying</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When there's nothing left here to try for</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">And I don't know how it happened</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We've both abandoned the reason we used to believe</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Was it love that we shared when we easily cared?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Now it's impossible to conceive</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I don't know who can see you</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If you've ever learned how to let someone in</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Well, I've tried to comе find you</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">But I just don't know where to begin</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">If you'vе ever been open, there's no way of knowing</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">With the way that knowing you has been</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Was it always so broken? If these thoughts were spoken</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Would it bring us together again?</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I can't say that I'm sorry</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When I don't feel so wrong anymore</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I can't tell you I'm trying</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When there's nothing left here to try for</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Well, I can't be the one to keep holding you back</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If there's something you're missing, then go right ahead</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'll be long gone, thanks for the songs</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Guess it's time to wake up from the trip we've been on</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">So long, farewell, this is the end</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And I'll always remember you just like a friend</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And the way that you said, as heavy as lead</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">"You've always known how to get straight to my head"</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Thanks for the free ride</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And all of the good times</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Thanks for the free ride</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And all of the good times</span></div></div></div><div><br /></div>The end and title is of course <div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">“You've always known how to get straight to my head"</span><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Thanks for the free ride</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And all of the good times</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Thanks for the free ride</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And all of the good times”</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;">Are we back in Little Trophy land? When the end finally comes, did it “all come crashing down”?</div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;">As a 64 year old male (him/he) in a 43 year relationship, I’m not sure why I am drawn to the joyful angst pop of young lesbians. I admit that there is a crush on Emily Haines, so there is that. </div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Then a trolling of my daughter’s playlist ( She has very cool taste in music- completely her own take. I am sensing some slight influences from her pops, but I give her all the credit. </span></div></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">She had been listening to a band calledOver The Rhine, a duo of guy and girl, going back a few years. This song is from 2007, so a blast from the past.</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><b>LET’S SPEND THE DAY IN BED</b></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Let's spend the day in bed, yeah, that's what I said</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Let's lie down, draw the shades</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Ditch the plans we made</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Rest your lovely bones and just stay home</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Turn off the telephone, picnic on the sheets</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Toss the dogs some treats, rub each other?s feet</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We're not ashamed of a little lazy love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Till we're through, I'm gonna spend the day in bed with you</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">let's spend the day in bed on our very own bed spread</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">A pajama holiday</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Catch a black and white matinée</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Spoon feed these new daydreams and just stay home</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll read Shel Silverstein, 'Where The Sidewalk Ends'</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Smile about old friends, try to comprehend</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">One single day, no work and only play</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Kick off your shoes, I'm gonna spend the day in bed with you</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Life’s a drag, we’ll get stoned on love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Stoned on love, just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll get stoned on love, stoned on love</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">We need a groove that's all our own and we?ll get stoned</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll get stoned on love, stoned on love</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Till we're through, I'm gonna spend the day in bed with you</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">let's spend the day in bed, forget all that I said</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll eat your favorite pie, ice cream on the side</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Lie here a la mode and just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just stay home, just stay home</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">When life’s a drag, we’ll get stoned on love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Stoned on love, just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll get stoned on love, stoned on love</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">We need a groove that's all our own and we?ll get stoned</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll get stoned on love, stoned on love</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">When life’s a drag, we’ll get stoned on love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Stoned on love, just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll get stoned on love, stoned on love</span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">We need a groove that's all our own and we’llget stoned</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just stay home</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">We’ll get stoned on love, stoned on love</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Just stay home</span></div></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">So all female voices. And then the theocratic Supremely Stupid Court, SCOTUS, which sounds like a rash that one gets when playing too much with your scrotum, wipes out 50 year’s of progress, by killing Roe v. Wade. </span>My mother is rolling in her grave, which is the rolling sea, so all comes crashing. </div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><br /></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;">“ I am woman hear me roar.” Let the roaring begin. </div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-16658063156185524632022-06-06T15:17:00.002-07:002022-06-06T15:17:39.286-07:00Consider the Oyster<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEFE-MDT101W2b7YeE_j_YjnsAbbcEnEFBqWKpqegpMjHGt9NzMY6qGRkd5lZuU576Z_XjdrAHRXqEN7JykltGj442pwTWfUc5l_oH7HngYMTsHqvMKYIFNmnQZ7VqrigqkqgCCgwQzspz1w6ETbVjY-jUClBjD0T9nZqA1LQl8DkvWnVn_yVBl-c4g/s1282/106206CE-C59E-40E3-BCE1-7B232907D6DE.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1282" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEFE-MDT101W2b7YeE_j_YjnsAbbcEnEFBqWKpqegpMjHGt9NzMY6qGRkd5lZuU576Z_XjdrAHRXqEN7JykltGj442pwTWfUc5l_oH7HngYMTsHqvMKYIFNmnQZ7VqrigqkqgCCgwQzspz1w6ETbVjY-jUClBjD0T9nZqA1LQl8DkvWnVn_yVBl-c4g/s320/106206CE-C59E-40E3-BCE1-7B232907D6DE.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />The oyster may be the most sublime food. They are definitely one of most sensual. More than food, they are passion and metaphor. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">On the outside, we feel sharp, craggy </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">calcium carbonate l</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ayers of oyster shell, self created by secreting proteins and minerals from their mantle extracellularly, the oyster constantly growing new layers of shell, their physical presence enlarging as they grow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">This hard and dangerous exterior holds its secrets tightly, as opening an oyster, ah shucks, is an art form itself. There are specific tools needed, the oyster knife, wielded by the expert shucker, old Shucky, careful, you may want to wear a glove made of metal mesh, otherwise risking cuts from the shell or a slip of the knife. But once the vise-like grip of the muscles, holding its inner secrets intact is broken, a salty brine weeps. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inside we feel a shell so smooth and porcelain. You may even find a pearl! And then there is the oyster itself. Shimmery, moist, so many layers of feminine deliciousness. This oyster object of desire, slurp worthy, your tongue wants to explore the folds and lips dare I say of the smooth little button of muscle at its centre.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Or you might just want to slurp it dow, drawing it into your receiving mouth, letting it slide down your throat, the oyster and the brine, accented with the tang of lemon or perhaps a bit of vinegar, </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: verdana; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">a splash of hot sauce</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> or a mignonette, which </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: verdana; letter-spacing: 0.2px; text-size-adjust: auto;">translates roughly into "cute, small, and tasty”. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.2px; text-size-adjust: auto;">I was reading a Substack post today from Alicia Kennedy, about her vegan relationship with the oyster- she makes an exception for this bivalve. And I wanted to comment on her page with my most memorable experience with oysters, but I was shut down by her Subscriber paywall- no money, no comments welcome. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; letter-spacing: 0.2px; text-size-adjust: auto;">So here we are, i</span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: verdana; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">nside my own non- paywall. Here, my friends, is my memory of the night of Oysters and Stout where I met the infamous Oysterman, Brent Petkau. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(34, 34, 34); color: #222222; font-family: verdana; letter-spacing: 0.2px;">Brent is a mountain of a man, big beard, big laugh, and a generous knowledge of all things oyster. He is the Oysterman. <a href="https://vimeo.com/32602676?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=3637760" rel="nofollow">https://vimeo.com/32602676?embedded=true&source=vimeo_logo&owner=3637760</a></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was a special evening of oysters and sampling of Stouts, with Brent supplying the oysters, and the liquor store and my friend Craig Noble supplying the stout and information on how to pair with oysters. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I think I ate about 25 oysters, most were smallish, and the stouts were delicious, and at the end, I had sort of shocked myself with how many I had consumed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But it was more than eating lots of oysters, it was an ingestion of knowledge of oysters and stout, most of which is forgotten.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Growing up, I remember some of my family having oysters, normally cooked, breaded and pan fried, how an old brother disparagingly compared the oyster to another bodily fluid, and how that aversion to oysters later became a desire to devour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Which brings us to the oyster loaf, which is a Mills family tradition of hollowing out a loaf of french bread and adding back in pan fried breaded oysters, bacon, tomato and hopefully something green but I'm not totally sure. Sort of our Pacific Northwest take on the Po' Boy. It is then cut into slices, and consumed with much alcohol. Whether it was the oysters or the alcohol that later lead to laughter then tears, is unclear. Most likely the alcohol. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDB8drI7I4C5zEeRU3JJVUNJVV3jIjYCBsF1N91L_FWxW91vE_KwG9JpekLI4XKe5GeimY3kHLE0c68f95408VNqzGfmDrvKvAkBJUROzFcc2IpVCvMSWDiGiIZrCINar1Vi_B-XqunmPPj_iePOjVcX5seKltmWGwqnqi7FEh9vy5JbzzwGeb_KPkZA/s1125/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2018__11__20181115-how-to-serve-oysters-vicky-wasik-19-819e095c315341be87508d656650322b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDB8drI7I4C5zEeRU3JJVUNJVV3jIjYCBsF1N91L_FWxW91vE_KwG9JpekLI4XKe5GeimY3kHLE0c68f95408VNqzGfmDrvKvAkBJUROzFcc2IpVCvMSWDiGiIZrCINar1Vi_B-XqunmPPj_iePOjVcX5seKltmWGwqnqi7FEh9vy5JbzzwGeb_KPkZA/s320/__opt__aboutcom__coeus__resources__content_migration__serious_eats__seriouseats.com__2018__11__20181115-how-to-serve-oysters-vicky-wasik-19-819e095c315341be87508d656650322b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><p></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-42517778715761891892022-05-24T22:45:00.001-07:002022-05-24T22:45:37.576-07:00Downtown!<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreEX4thf1gIffEqMAz6yEbsLRtToeQlXBbpn4YXuASYpRDRLnx4RmKizy-ZEOEqUiUWoe0MQ4fUSbT-0Q2dons2eAUsnJylLldFnxYQcevqv3NWGmRVIQqlz_8Mgw2nEC4_Hn41zWEQzYFlVSkvQXO3VuqfY5gAXoeTmlD_jlLtQBDB7RqzkFb6Q1-A/s400/531EDB1D-1DBC-40AC-BBEA-73990185B051.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="298" data-original-width="400" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreEX4thf1gIffEqMAz6yEbsLRtToeQlXBbpn4YXuASYpRDRLnx4RmKizy-ZEOEqUiUWoe0MQ4fUSbT-0Q2dons2eAUsnJylLldFnxYQcevqv3NWGmRVIQqlz_8Mgw2nEC4_Hn41zWEQzYFlVSkvQXO3VuqfY5gAXoeTmlD_jlLtQBDB7RqzkFb6Q1-A/s320/531EDB1D-1DBC-40AC-BBEA-73990185B051.jpeg" width="320" /></a> </p><p>I remember the first time I saw Active Dog at the Windmill. I was Transfixed by the mesmerizing Bill Shirt- my birthday brother, one of my favorite front men of the day. LOVED the camp slam classic Downtown cover, where tongue firmly in cheeks, Active Dog extolled the virtues of exodus.</p><p>We all escaped our suburban hells and went downtown</p><p>Where all the lights are bright</p><p>Downtown </p><p>Everyone’s waiting for you. </p><p>My heartfelt thanks to Bill Shirt (Scherk) - Patron saint of the suburban rats.</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/fQ25uqjSb8M"></a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://youtu.be/fQ25uqjSb8M"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fQ25uqjSb8M" width="320" youtube-src-id="fQ25uqjSb8M"></iframe></a></div><a href="https://youtu.be/fQ25uqjSb8M"><br /></a><p></p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/fQ25uqjSb8M">O</a>ut on the Frontier by Los Popularos (I can’t make out all the words, but these jump out:)</p><p>Out on the frontier</p><p>Machines are screaming in my ear</p><p>I’ve come to lend a hand </p><p>To save this wretched land</p><p>It’s easy being happy these days</p><p>Life’s like that</p><p>Everyday the scene is the same</p><p>As we work we look up </p><p>Nothings clear</p><p>A message comes and but you can’t hear</p><p>The hopes alive</p><p>A promise dies</p><p>And you smile </p><p><br /></p><p>If this link works, you can hear </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m5qakqRVwAw" width="320" youtube-src-id="m5qakqRVwAw"></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://soundcloud.com/bill-scherk/out-on-the-frontier-los-popularos?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing">https://soundcloud.com/bill-scherk/out-on-the-frontier-los-popularos?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing</a></p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-84356198068891185622022-05-23T10:59:00.000-07:002022-05-23T10:59:47.148-07:00DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLgHynD8ZRuNvKX3GCfk9VZITE5v5yZO_7Pl5ZmE9gTSl46-V3n0jaB3iNpwA6b-M25HTLa67GhT4szDWdii_Zh3m-HAekSTlELQ8skXZdpzfw74jmWrqC0iaCPNR_zmHTCsbw2l1LvOZbVQhY7HEoC8-2jchu6cjmdrfm5w_sZKNkE22f45EpAdPbg/s206/21D65A43-A113-4047-BC66-F4C05FEAE015.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="206" data-original-width="200" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCLgHynD8ZRuNvKX3GCfk9VZITE5v5yZO_7Pl5ZmE9gTSl46-V3n0jaB3iNpwA6b-M25HTLa67GhT4szDWdii_Zh3m-HAekSTlELQ8skXZdpzfw74jmWrqC0iaCPNR_zmHTCsbw2l1LvOZbVQhY7HEoC8-2jchu6cjmdrfm5w_sZKNkE22f45EpAdPbg/s1600/21D65A43-A113-4047-BC66-F4C05FEAE015.jpeg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">All the young girls love Alice.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Old men too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Even old men named Alice. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Last night I went down a rabbit hole, a genealogical rabbit hole. I know friends who have researched their history and families and genealogy, and I have always had a vague interest in learning more about my family. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My family, my direct family, i.e. Mother, Father, siblings, always seemed to NOT want to know about family. We rarely discussed relatives, except to hear my parents speak of brother or sisters who they did not get along with, or infrequent remembrances of their upbringing, stories about my grandparents, cousins. It’s not that we didn’t talk about them, we just didn’t really talk about them much.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a child I was not allowed to go to funerals, as funerals were not for children, so said my Mother.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">She would sometimes speak of her father, who died four years before I was born. He was a customs agent, which was handy as they lived close to the US - Canada border in White Rock. Years later, I would move to White Rock with my wife and daughter, living in my wife’s father’s white house, buying half the house from his ex-wife, and taking care of my father-in-law who was dying of cancer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When my Mother was a child, the Peace Arch was built, with the names of the school children in White Rock and Blaine inscribed inside the arch. My Mother’s name is in there. I have always wanted to stop and see this, but in my 64 years, so far I have yet to stop and actually get out of the car. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Her father had been in the War, First World War I assume, and he lost an eye, so he had a wooden eye, which he would sometimes take out at the dinner table to charm or scare the children. These are the stories I grew up with. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">My Nana Pete, who’s real name was Helena, why they called her Pete I am not sure, lived with us for a time. She was a tall and regal woman, not unlike the Queen, I imagined. Before she came to live with us, we would visit her in her apartment in New Westminster, in the Royal Towers. She would serve us canned strawberries on cottage cheese, and crab or shrimp sandwiches on white bread, and would bring out from her freezer her lemon loaf, which had the densest crumb, and a sweet lemony glaze. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I was speaking with my second oldest brother the other day, and his wife came on the phone, and she asked a few questions about our family, as she had been doing research into her family. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">When my parents were alive, they gave each of their children a photo album, which had a family tree. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">This was the first real acknowledgement of our genealogy. There are names but not so many dates, but probably enough to begin a search, if one was so inclined. My sister- in- law was curious why the tree was a bare as it was of details.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I said, did you know our grandfather on my Dad’s side had a a first wife, before our Grandma Bea? She died about a year after they were married, around the time of the Spanish Flu. This comment raised more questions about my Grandpa Russ, and his life and brothers and sisters, how his parents died when he was a teenager, and he had to work to support his family as a teenager. I remember stories of him being called up in the army, and asked to fire upon striking workers, and he refused as one of the striking workers was his brother, and how he was then kicked out of the army. Since my father was born on Vancouver Island, my assumption is that this incident was probably the Cumberland strike. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So here I was on Sunday night, just before I went to bed, looking up my grandparents on the internet. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I found my Grandpa Russ and his headstone, along with my Grandma Bea. I found my Grandfather Joseph, and my Nana and noted he was buried in Victoria. Most of these accounts did not mention my own parents, just the grandparents. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">And here is the rabbit hole part…my great-grandparents including my Great grandfather Joseph, same name as his son. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I have deleted last names here. </span></p><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-foo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Joseph was born in Royston, Hertfordshire, in 1795. He studied at St. Peter’s College, Cambridge, and upon leaving University became a student at the Middle Temple, London, where he began his legal studies.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-9jpla" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e0drh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He started his career providing legal advice throughout Norfolk, but was soon forced to retire due to fatigue and ill health. He then established a stationary practice at Palace Court, London, but resigned following a dispute with the court.</span></span><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-bifsh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was a descendant of a Huguenot family. Huguenots were French Protestants persecuted by their Catholic government in the 16th and 17th centuries. Most, like his ancestors, were forced to flee France. As such, in 1827, He published <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Laws affecting Protestant Dissenters.</span> The book was very well received.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block7" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ch7ld" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block8" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-65q86" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">It was around this time that He addressed a letter to Lord Dacre, MP for Hertfordshire, regarding the freedom of slaves. While The Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, passed by Parliament in 1807, banned trading slaves it did not ban the act of slavery itself. His letter was published and met with general approval, receiving praise in a speech made by the Prime Minister, George Canning, in Parliament. </span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block9" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-eb06m" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block10" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4kp39" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The publication of this letter, importantly, led to him meeting Zachary Macaulay, a leading figure in the campaign against slavery. Macaulay was the founder and editor of a monthly publication called The Anti-Slavery Reporter and helped establish The Society for the Mitigation and Gradual Abolition of Slavery in 1823. This became the Anti-Slavery Society in 1839 and still operates today as Anti-Slavery International. It is the oldest international human rights organisation in the world. Meeting Macaulay was his first step into the anti-slavery movement.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block11" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-5v3jq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block12" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1g3fu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In 1827, He joined the Anti-Slavery Society in London and for many years devoted his time and attention to obtaining freedom for slaves throughout the British Empire. He wrote or edited most of the Society’s publications and papers, sat on numerous committees and later became their official legal advisor.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block13" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1s78l" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block14" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-79dd3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The Slave Emancipation Act was passed in 1833. This legally gave all slaves across the British Colonies their freedom, but it was not immediate or automatic. Instead, there was an interim period of apprenticeships, during which time enslaved people were made to work as unpaid apprentices for their masters. The apprentice was entitled to maintenance and food allowances or, if food was not provided, to sufficient land and time to grow their own. </span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block15" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-8ccq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block16" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fuonb" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">However, it soon became apparent that the Act was violated and open to exploitation. In fact, claims were made that the treatment and working conditions of apprentices were even worse than those of slaves. He was at the centre of the legal battle to address this and was tasked with collecting and analysing evidence from all sides. He wrote a report called <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Negro Apprenticeship in the British Colonies</span>.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block17" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-3jkfu" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block18" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e32to" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">The subject of black apprenticeship caused strong conflict of public opinion but the Anti-Slavery Society thought the system worked badly and should be abolished. He visited Macaulay to consult his views on what steps should be taken. Macaulay advised Him to take the matter ‘professionally and perseveringly’. </span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block19" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-euett" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block20" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c1pvo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">From that time until the final abolition of slavery, He dedicated his life to the subject, collecting and examining documents in an effort to prove the existence of violations of the law. His findings were presented to the House of Commons in 1835 and a Committee was established by Parliament to investigate. He was appointed as a representative of the Society, as was Sir John Jeremie who, unlike Him, had a thorough knowledge of the practical workings of slavery in the colonies. Together they provided sufficient proof of both legal and practical abuses. The investigation was conclusive and Parliament was forced to abolish apprenticeships in 1838, three years before the date set by the Emancipation Act.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7i89b" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">After this final liberation of slaves in the British Colonies, he turned his attention to supporting efforts to end slavery internationally. He joined The Society for the Extinction of the Slave Trade and for the Civilisation of Africa, founded by Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton. Prince Albert was its president. This was the first time royal approval had been given to the anti-slavery cause. He was responsible for writing the proceedings of the Society’s first public meeting in 1840. </span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block23" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-jl4g" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block24" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-afbf2" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">By 1841, the Society had organised the Niger Expedition to establish farms, encourage legitimate trade and commerce, and set up Christian missions in Africa. The expedition ended in disaster; the farms failed, many lives were lost from disease and the Society disbanded.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block25" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-e9ce5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block26" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-47oro" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He maintained good friendships with leading members of the Anti-Slavery Society and took an active role in preparing for a second expedition, the civilisation of Central Africa. Following the Niger Expedition, most were unwilling to show support for another. He was one of the few who strongly recommended it and he supplemented the Government grant for shipbuilding, contributed to the expenses of the Society and volunteered to prepare the report. The second expedition was considered a success and its example, aided by subsequent expeditions, was actively applied in various parts of the African continent.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block27" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ea5pl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block28" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cs6pl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Despite his best efforts, He was not without fault. In his quest to abolish slavery and bring peace to Africa, he believed, like most of western society at the time, that the only complete cure was the introduction of Christianity into Africa. He said in a speech to the Society that <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">‘the substitution of our pure and holy faith for the false religion, idolatry and superstitions of Africa is, in [the Society’s] firm conviction, the true ultimate remedy for the calamities that afflict [Africa].’ </span>Unfortunately, the Society’s missions led to the eradication of many ancient African beliefs and a forced teaching and acceptance of Christianity.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block29" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-48esj" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block30" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-7c0qq" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Since the initial aim of the Anti-Slavery Society had now been obtained they began the examination of colonial law, with a view to prevent further oppression. For this, He was appointed the senior official. He published a pamphlet about the principles on which future free men of the colonies should be governed. These ideas were received with praise by the House of Lords and, with some alterations, successfully passed. Despite opposition in the Commons, which blocked some of its stricter regulations, the Slave Trade Act of 1839 added a lot of security against the inhumane trafficking of slaves.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block31" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-c0noo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block32" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ced8i" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Following the success of the anti-slavery cause, He was advised to retire from professional life on medical grounds. In 1845, he accompanied members of his family to Italy and from there went on to Egypt and Syria, visiting many of the iconic landmarks in the East. He wrote about his trip in <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Recollections of Travels in Italy and the East</span>, published in 1850. It was on his return from this tour that He brought to England the water from the River Jordan which, at Queen Victoria’s request, was used at the baptism of her daughter, Princess Helena.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block33" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-ek7ds" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block34" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-6peeo" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">His other interests included antiquities and he contributed various research papers and reports to the Royal Society of Antiquaries and the Archeological Institute. He returned to Royston, taking permanent residence in his hometown again, and made investigations of Royston’s heritage.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block35" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-fkifl" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block36" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-4omj5" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In 1852, He made a careful examination of Royston Cave, assisted by his friend, Edward Nunn, who was the curator of Royston Museum at the time. They also partially excavated it. His report was initially presented to the Royal Society of Antiquaries and was later published in his book <span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Origin and Use of The Royston Cave</span>, for which He is now most famously remembered.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block37" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-flga3" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block38" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-cpglm" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In his book, He concluded that Royston Cave was a Roman construction, built towards the beginning of Christianity, and, at a later period, was used as a Roman tomb. He suggested that most of the carvings and decorations were made later, perhaps around the time of the Crusades, and that it was then converted into a private chapel to which a hermitage was probably attached. </span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block39" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-chjrh" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block40" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-1kdsp" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">He was subsequently elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London for his historical and archaeological research.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block41" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-et76c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block42" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-72trt" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a character, He never tended to engage in politics directly and generally preferred to maintain a low profile, only entering debate on subjects he felt strongly about. He often refused payment for his work, rarely signed his name to publications and refused two positions offered to him by the Government in recognition of his services to the liberation of slaves. In fact, it was not until the mid 1900s, when his papers were presented to the National Library of Jamaica, that his anti-slavery efforts became known.</span></span></p><div data-hook="rcv-block43" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="paragraph"></div><div class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-d52lv" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br role="presentation" style="box-sizing: inherit;" /></span></span></div><div data-hook="rcv-block44" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;" type="empty-line"></div><p class="mm8Nw _1j-51 iWv3d _1FoOD _3M0Fe aujbK iWv3d public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr" id="viewer-20n9c" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decoration: var(--ricos-custom-p-text-decoration,unset); border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; caret-color: rgb(65, 65, 65); color: #414141; direction: ltr; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.5; margin: 0px; min-height: var(--ricos-custom-p-min-height,unset); outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">With the exception of visits to Europe, He continued to live in Royston until his death. Although he suffered with his physical health, he remained mentally active. After a short battle with bronchitis, He died at The Banyers House on Melbourn Street on 6 June 1866, at the age of 71. He is buried in his family vault at Royston Parish Church.</span></span><span class="_2PHJq public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; direction: ltr; display: block; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">A rabbit hole is defined as a metaphor for </span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">something that transports someone into a wonderfully (or troublingly) surreal state or situation</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">.</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(41, 41, 41); color: #292929; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: -0.06300000101327896px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">As a metaphor for our online behavior, the rabbit hole has an advantage those other fictional portals lack: it conveys a sense of time spent in transit. In the original story, Alice falls for quite a while — long enough to scout out the environment, grab some food off a passing shelf, speculate erroneously about other parts of the world, drift into a reverie about cats, and nearly fall asleep. Sounds like us on the Internet, all right. In the current use of “rabbit hole,” we are no longer necessarily bound for a wonderland. We’re just in a long attentional free fall, with no clear destination and all manner of strange things flashing past. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span id="name" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap;">Kathryn Schulz</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); text-align: center;"> the New Yorker</span></span></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-47021444467889500512022-05-13T05:56:00.001-07:002022-05-13T05:56:58.367-07:00Trending higher prior to melting in the rain<p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ynPaNItnmwwF48SxC8wfrAszf86IbrUx1GkAF41_bM-s3eUf5-7QKl8aN_i7lXQwRB5ZcIPCsN7wcJIp3hVBgSl4zwqFfcHhC_FjSHNFqbnTWix_bMAaq2DLMvsOeMt9qBX1C4veLpLDu9kMu92tK9mHCZcnF0BjURetO5Ifadrn0R_fG83LIDwK1g/s1792/4D7D45E2-E7E9-4FFC-A7D1-D8A045064343.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ynPaNItnmwwF48SxC8wfrAszf86IbrUx1GkAF41_bM-s3eUf5-7QKl8aN_i7lXQwRB5ZcIPCsN7wcJIp3hVBgSl4zwqFfcHhC_FjSHNFqbnTWix_bMAaq2DLMvsOeMt9qBX1C4veLpLDu9kMu92tK9mHCZcnF0BjURetO5Ifadrn0R_fG83LIDwK1g/s320/4D7D45E2-E7E9-4FFC-A7D1-D8A045064343.jpeg" width="148" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>“SOMEONE LEFT A CAKE OUT IN THE RAIN, AND I DONT THINK THAT I CAN TAKE IT BECAUSE IT TOOK SO LONG TO BAKE IT, AND ILL NEVER HAVE THAT RECIPE AGAIN….OH NO.”</b></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Trending higher prior to melting in the rain</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAnvG08ZTN1OJTvLZzWMEPr8nusifnF66k2prpesxtgCj0xOqMCaDu1T8_ls3h8UH2AH9ISwbdOTUy2nvnGOBG-T2e0Abu8iBbhd3EhCYNasGCE-cZgJI4AIYYlQVFBZnoS_Wv4Wb0yU1hHT2FToog0xN2NtmMwZ-GfCo8JkOik2IYENZluDV-gTQnA/s310/1E0D7FDF-B83C-48CD-8338-C3A2053C4CC7.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="310" data-original-width="300" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAnvG08ZTN1OJTvLZzWMEPr8nusifnF66k2prpesxtgCj0xOqMCaDu1T8_ls3h8UH2AH9ISwbdOTUy2nvnGOBG-T2e0Abu8iBbhd3EhCYNasGCE-cZgJI4AIYYlQVFBZnoS_Wv4Wb0yU1hHT2FToog0xN2NtmMwZ-GfCo8JkOik2IYENZluDV-gTQnA/s1600/1E0D7FDF-B83C-48CD-8338-C3A2053C4CC7.gif" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /> “And the rain came down like a river from the sky</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And the ground opened up and swallowed me inside</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I went down down down to the river of Hades</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">There I met the Devil</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And he made his way into my heart”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>So began a song I wrote many years ago. I recycled part of it in The Judys song A Town Called Hell.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><i>I am reminded of this lyric as I wake at 4:30 to the ringtone of duh-dum, the Law and Order segue, and I look at the weather app, and I see rain in our forecast for the next 14 days, and I am reminded of the “Summer” we had a few years back where it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, and some guy built an ark and we gathered up all the animals, one by one, two by two, from anteater to zebra, and the feeling of endless rain and my girls have gone on vacation, leaving me with the snoring dog and my own thoughts , which truth be told could drown me if I let them</i>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“ The world of right is black and white</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">So says the blonde known as Miss Grey</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Remembering a rendezvous</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">She had that day a déjà vu</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">What a way to live.</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">She would stare into the air</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Looking into some internal mirror</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Trying to adjust her hair</span></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">For someone who wasn’t even there</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">She would look into her lap </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">At some kind I’d hidden map</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">All roads lead to scars, schoolyards and Smokey bars…</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And everyone they talk about her</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And everyone just walks around her</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And thoughts, her thoughts </span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">her thoughts surround her</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">And yesterday they tried to drown her…</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">What a way to live.”</span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“He struggled to keep his head above water. When I say water, I don’t mean the vast liquids that cover the planet, or the intimate moisture that is the body. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">When I say water, I really mean time, and memory. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">He has these moments, where putting one foot in front of another is simply not enough. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>He is haunted by remnants, shrapnel, shards of song that bubble up from the morass that is his mind. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Like the smother of mother, farther and father, stretching the lie. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Or this one: it was overcast. They led them in, the shadowmen, one by one by one, get two, get too blasted in the past. Blast them, blast them, cast them in plastic. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">The math morticians are smiling.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Dead to the world. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Gulls screaming.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Rats the size of cats scurry, on the hunt for leftovers. </span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">He pulls over to the side of the road.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">It was overcast. “</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Endless lyrics run through my mind, my pre-dawn mind.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">I need to start my exercises, start my day, Friday, end of the week, that last squeeze before one wipes and flushes. Hours fly by in the dawn, in the time before light fills the sky.</span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Not like the hours between 8 and 4:30, which grind, bone against bone, metal on metal, there is a danger of sparks leading to combustion, in flames, inflaming just by naming the clock watching, by giving it a name and letting it breathe, we call it depression, because as the fingers press into the yielding flesh they leave a mark, an impression. It will bounce back, it is not scarring, but flexible, human, a celebration really of plasticity, of the opportunity to remake, remodel, a lump of clay.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Are we ready for my closeup, Mr. D. Mills?</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-63910568811422330882022-05-11T06:34:00.004-07:002022-05-11T07:15:56.739-07:00The Land of Likes <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pCvRWaDODoT6SwiXWmzq22RPdXvSfeibHmSTnE8H5pnkJggBKuxnsyeqU33F6NUhlRmxpMtN-8awCz2O59h5z0yzN1pBbog2jzIY17SMNP2h6y_oi8OVc_nMslc8u8ub5wNdF6a5Xzu7F4imaMp5H-U3_eFCKWgDFK8kJoicIzBDLnhDdDvdTnj-7w/s1024/7D9D999C-EF05-4477-9CB5-5616D291E6D9.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pCvRWaDODoT6SwiXWmzq22RPdXvSfeibHmSTnE8H5pnkJggBKuxnsyeqU33F6NUhlRmxpMtN-8awCz2O59h5z0yzN1pBbog2jzIY17SMNP2h6y_oi8OVc_nMslc8u8ub5wNdF6a5Xzu7F4imaMp5H-U3_eFCKWgDFK8kJoicIzBDLnhDdDvdTnj-7w/s320/7D9D999C-EF05-4477-9CB5-5616D291E6D9.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /> “ I wonder sometimes if I’ve become too strange. I wear the same shirt for days. I’ve forgotten how to speak aloud. I mutter and mumble and forget that words have consonants. I forget where the sentences start. I forget they can’t hear my thoughts. ”<p></p><p>Lauren Hough - Bad Reads Substack </p><p><br /></p><p>I have been back to work for over three months. When I was off for three months of work, it felt restorative, as in restorative justice. Three months back in feels like a relapse. My office, which I chose, is right at the front of the building. I see all who come into the office first. Not directly, as I don’t face the door, I can see the front desk from the window in the wall that closes in on me. I can see reflections of people as the come into the lobby. I can hear their voices before I see them. Hello? Is there anybody there? </p><p>We have had receptionists, and we have lost receptionists over the years. I forget all their names. I half remember a skit from a comedy show, perhaps Kids in the Hall, where the new receptionist is called Jane 2. They are always Jane, names interchangeable, it doesn’t matter, you won’t really get to know them. Young women on the road to another job, shifting like the sands in an hourglass, so are The Days of Our Lives. </p><p>Like that daytime soap opera from days gone by, everything is falling into place. Or is it? Is it just falling? Did he jump or was he pushed? Honestly, I’ve never met someone like them before- one of kind- is that what they say when I’m gone, or it is more of you must be Dennis Two. We are all replaceable. Interchangeable parts, cogs in the wheel, sounds like …….</p><p>Everything is broken is more like it. Broken English, fractured fairy tales, shards of dignity, how low can you go? Lower than you think. </p><p>I’ve been reading lots of Substack lately. If you are not in the loop, Substack is the new self publishing platform for writers. Readers can read content for free, except some content is for subscribers only. You can subscribe for as low as $5 a month. But that $5 can add up pretty quick if you follow lots of authors. Who should I be a patron for, who gets to read only the free stuff? From the writer’s perspective, the many people who subscribe can add up to an independent wage. It’s simple math. It’s a relationship, simple. It’s simply computing, compiling, consensual, and full of content and contempt. </p><p>We live in the land of likes, in a world of followers, in the time of subscriptions. Hits and misses. Thumbs up and Thumbs down. Two thumbs up. Ricky and Pete! </p><p>That’s a private joke as we watched what I recall was a horrible movie from Australia called Ricky and Pete, which had garnered the coveted Two Thumbs Up ( Siskel and Ebert). Whenever we would watch a clunker it was Two Thumbs Up- Ricky and Pete. </p><p>Give me a break. You deserve a break. Gimme five. Get down and give me ten. Gimme gimme gimme. </p><p> It seems quaint to actually own something, or someone. We are just rentals. Overdue rentals. </p><p>I introduced loyalty cards to the bakery that I managed almost 22 years ago. I was far from the first to do so, it was common practice, a gimmick but effective. It worked. People like free stuff. They like recognition. They love likes. </p><p>In those days, it was early enough. People’s wallets were not full of the things. Wallets got so full of loyalty cards, that some swapped the cards out for phone numbers. “ I can’t possibly have room in my wallet for all those cards.” Phone numbers are far easier to manage. Who can’t remember their phone number?</p><p>In the old days, we remembered lots of phone numbers. Today we can remember only our own. And don’t get me started on passwords. And pockets. It’s a senior’s life of pockets and passé words. </p><p>Scan my forehead. Read my lips. Just look in my iris and know me. Really know me. Like Sally Field’s famous acceptance speech. </p><p>You like me. You really like me. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rl_NpdAy3WY" width="320" youtube-src-id="rl_NpdAy3WY"></iframe></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-64850452904454322622022-05-07T08:45:00.006-07:002022-05-07T08:53:57.834-07:00I’m Wide Awoke, Wake up Sleeple! <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlTe846ppuFNG19KounIyt2jS3Q_mtcCCoYM4pQ8Hs9e5worUk1KWrbp6xJmLRrZUBRY0sp-t3yCqaA_lecsXKjkF4Cw7fPQ-pBE-KaCn-X_qQOb7kf6zeu6a1pa4iJfdCWK3EbOOmX-J8e6_DwLKDm1fI0v4C8SjtmtwoN2Ko_TnbAJlBWxFbUaP2A/s800/EFF85DB5-BCC0-43C0-8F89-0855E8D4BC1F.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlTe846ppuFNG19KounIyt2jS3Q_mtcCCoYM4pQ8Hs9e5worUk1KWrbp6xJmLRrZUBRY0sp-t3yCqaA_lecsXKjkF4Cw7fPQ-pBE-KaCn-X_qQOb7kf6zeu6a1pa4iJfdCWK3EbOOmX-J8e6_DwLKDm1fI0v4C8SjtmtwoN2Ko_TnbAJlBWxFbUaP2A/s320/EFF85DB5-BCC0-43C0-8F89-0855E8D4BC1F.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Woke up at 1:20 after going to bed at 11:00, a full 140 minutes of slumber, as I heard my 14 year old terrier “ getting busy” in the other room, trying to get out of the glass door to the balcony. My wife gets up and I assume she is letting her out, and she confirms such, but I continue to hear the terrier’s frantic scratching at the glass and fake wood floor, accented with a moan that either means she had to poop, or that there is an animal outside, and she is intoxicated by the pheromones. <p></p><p>So I get out of bed, put on pants and shoes and take her out for a walk. I remember to put on my glasses,which coincidentally I had forgotten that previous morning, getting into the car and realizing I had no spectacles on, when I am required by law to have said spectacles on. I had walked out of the apartment without them. </p><p>But for this early morning walk, I had my vision and my mask for the elevator ride, and walked out the front door with the frantic pooch. The air smelled like wood burning somewhere close, a humid and warm spring air, redolent with that after smell of char. Maisy, the terrier in question, as opposed to questionable terrier, is losing her sight, but has an intense sense of smell. She is after all a ratter, by nature, and her nose is rarely far from the ground, She is teaching me at age 64 to be patient, a quality quite foreign to me, as she is increasingly more tentative in her movements, unless SQUIRREL! Squirrel trumps all other smells. A month ago my wife, Michelle, let’s give her a name as well, was walking Maisy when SQUIRREL! And Maisy took off running, poor Michelle barely keeping up with her, and all the while the leash choking her a bit, as she goes about half a block, and collapses near the side of the road, her eyes stunned, her tongue hanging out, as still as if she were dead. Michelle proceeded to give her mouth to mouth ( how that exactly works I can only imagine) until she comes back to the living, and Michelle carries her 25 lb dog all the way home in her arms. Awhile later Maisy is fine, having survived her excitement and blackout with the reset only dogs can approximate. </p><p>This evening or morning rather, at 1 something it is hard to know or care what exact time it is, Maisy is sniffing and walking slowly, getting deep into the taller grass that is so fashionable these days. I keep following her with the leash, ducking under branches around trees, along the distorted sidewalks of my neighbourhood, until somewhere mid- block she stops. It is so dark I cannot see what she is doing. Pooping, perhaps, but I realize I am without cell phone, which has the flashlight feature, so I cannot even pick up whatever she is leaving, if she is leaving anything at all. No, I will have to come back again the daylight and survey the scene. </p><p>We finished our truncated journey, and return to the apartment, Maisy is calmer, so I assume she did in fact have to poop, and hence the rationale for the moaning. I fall back to sleep until 4:30, when a dream or my cold feet or my dear Michelle’s snoring wakes me again. I normally am up in the late “4’s” or early 5’s, so I get up, and put my headphones on and begin my cardio exercises. I finish about 5:30, so let’s take the little stinker out for a proper morning walk. I am listening to the new Sharon Van Etten, which is kind of dreary to be honest, and Maisy is stopping suddenly and jerking the leash and giving me the stink eye, so I keep resorting to lessons learned in a few Akido lessons, which is when meeting resistance, to go with the resistance as opposed to engaging in further resistance. It works to some degree, and the walk ends up being a strange mixture of tall grass and concrete steep hills, Maisy keeping to the edges, where she feels safer, and truth be told, rewards her with more “ street food”. </p><p>We try to discourage street food, as Kleenex, and coyote poop and pork bone shards are not really the best diet for a small senior dog, one with more will that sense. My daughter once made me a t-shirt of a drawing of Maisy and the slogan 60% Poop, 40% Anger. Pretty much sums up my terrier. What kind of terrier you may well ask? My standard line is part Scottie, perhaps a dash of dachshund, and part Al Qaeda. </p><p>I return home with dog and make my usual breakfast of two thin slices of toast, one small 7 minute egg, and decaf coffee, and begin the reading of the various writers that I follow on Substack. My latest favourites are Bill Richardson, who has one called Grief, Memory, Three O’Clock in the Morning: My Mavis Gallant Centennial Diary. Today was the 21st post. Bill is a distinguished author, celebrity, radio personality who is also a dear old friend, having purchased at one point a chaise longue from him, and he singing The Look of Love with my band Jazzmanian Devils. </p><p>Chaise Longue reminds me of the hilarious song by Wet Leg: </p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Mommy, daddy, look at me</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I went to school and I got a degree</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">All my friends call it "the big D"</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I went to school and I got the big D</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I got the big D</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I got the big D</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I got the big D</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I went to school and I got the big D</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Is your muffin buttered?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Would you like us to assign someone to butter your muffin?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Excuse me (what?)</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Excuse me (what?)</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Hey you, over there</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">On the chaise longue in your underwear</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">What are you doing sitting down?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You should be horizontal now</span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">Yesterday was Friday, which is the fifth day of the work week, and my favourite day, in that I get to leave early, and go home to do my Zoom call exercise. This is part of the hospital rehab program. There is about 30 minutes of exercise, then 15 minutes or so of lessons. Today’s lesson was heart failure,a condition I wrote about before in this blog , called <a href="http://www.densemilt.com/2009/09/like-drowning-in-your-own-body.html">http://www.densemilt.com/2009/09/like-drowning-in-your-own-body.html</a></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">It is about my father, who died from heart failure. So I know a bit about that. I was listening to the instructor inform us all about heart failure, then found myself waking up and hour later, only to discover the zoom call had ended about an hour previous, and I had fallen asleep in a folding chair staring at an IPad. I apologized to the teacher because I get up very early. Kind of like what happened today. I had maybe 4 1/2 hours sleep, and not uninterrupted at that. </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">So no worry here of being called “woke”, an epithet used by the right and the left to describe the supposed left leaning soft gooey centre. The Cancel Culture Police. As we called it in the Eighties, the Politically Correct. Everyone loves labels. And no one likes being told what to think or say. But I find it strange that the Right and the Harder Left use the same language to disparage people who are trying to be a better version of themselves. </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">Is it right to call out racism and sexism and homophobia, or is it wrong to make people feel bad when they tell bad jokes, at the expense of others? But isn’t all comedy time and tragedy? Isn’t all humour based on ridicule and putting other people down? Are we all getting too thin skinned or is the issue that people are too thick to see that some words can be hurtful? </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">I am not one to lecture anyone of what to say or what not to say, as I have been guilty of putting my foot in my mouth too many times to count. And I despise sanctimony and piety as well as fundamentalists. But I also believe in the ability of people to change, and the need for the possibility of redemption, and reinvention.</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">But this labeling cuts across all labels. Everyone is guilty of being judgey. There are forces that want only to further the divide. And if we have any hope of survival, it is only to find commonality not division. There are good people and bad people, and good in bad people and bad in good people. It is my belief that everyone needs respect and value and humour. But I also recognize the value of a common enemy, the enemy that brings us together. </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">The challenge is:</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">Who do we hate this week? </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">And why do we always have to go to hate? </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">Why do we seek peace by declaring war? </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">Why did the Sominex people use an Indian man on a flying carpet to advertise sleeping pills. </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;">And most importantly, why do some people hate raisins so much? </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-60272047335329566722022-04-27T06:05:00.001-07:002022-04-27T06:05:07.852-07:00Taking The Fifth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aBrZNlGCAdaxd8VptCE43YjmN9nDOkLiKX-C9mUEyqlbBrDNDQ2FucZnDSzhtsHSKWI8-t6qvSR41mnbfRCgzQaKxghSyG4QXZOgQxGqRGVhFj-TywGbkHtpq4Qe09NWHbJ15C-V9B6BIwUul2wnigjNuTdKt-QpOZ6FVNq2ZRQQy7Z20yPYEY1Gqg/s256/0C4D8C65-6942-4941-A079-FD98BCF78F69.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="256" data-original-width="197" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aBrZNlGCAdaxd8VptCE43YjmN9nDOkLiKX-C9mUEyqlbBrDNDQ2FucZnDSzhtsHSKWI8-t6qvSR41mnbfRCgzQaKxghSyG4QXZOgQxGqRGVhFj-TywGbkHtpq4Qe09NWHbJ15C-V9B6BIwUul2wnigjNuTdKt-QpOZ6FVNq2ZRQQy7Z20yPYEY1Gqg/s1600/0C4D8C65-6942-4941-A079-FD98BCF78F69.png" width="197" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /> It is 5am on the 27th of April in the year 2022. The temperature outside is 5 degrees. I am the fifth son of a family of seven children, all grown now, one gone, so six now. As I am up and awake at this ungodly hour, I am reflecting, not in a shiny thing in the sun, but more of a perusal of the many meanings of “ the fifth”. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">In law, when they speak of the “fifth degree”, it is understood that “<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">The fifth degree means any person by blood, adoption, or marriage as follows: a spouse, or a surviving spouse, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, parent, grandparent, great- grandparent, great-great grandparent, sibling, nephew or niece, grand nephew or grand niece, great-grand nephew or great-grand niece, uncle or ...” essentially, the fifth degree is just about anybody you are related to by blood, adoption or marriage. It appears to be a fairly broad designation.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">In medical terms, “ the fifth degree” is a classification of a burn that is so severe, that “</span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"> results in all the skin and most of the muscle layer and ligaments in the area burned away</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">. It is not uncommon to see charred bone in a fifth-degree burn. Char results when the oxygen and hydrogen in the skin burns. When char is present, the wound requires a graft and will leave a permanent scar.” A permanent scar? Do you think? “ </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">As a result, </span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">fifth-degree burns are often fatal</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">.“ </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">In music, the fifth degree is named as “</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">Each note of a scale has a special name,” and is “called a scale degree. The first (and last) note is called the tonic. The fifth note is called </span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">the dominant</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">. “</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">In modern slang, the fifth degree is “</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;">Used to describe the </span><a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=punishment" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">punishment</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"> someone is going to or already has gotten. Usually the punishment is </span><a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=disproportionate" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">disproportionate</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"> to the </span><a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=crime" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">crime</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;">.”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP_M8YilLDEKEXpS3IqLXi1lxzQ_14C60GEDjsNnlczs8Zcw_9CFPf0rB4tzHZlDGWeys4p1nBRT1UF_32Iso6uw-LYwE2QBh40F8tsaCWy6UjMAG5rIgOtR0vKusukD_73CdKv9GL8EP_bkG06hYSHYAdXprPOEtzWy9iWG7p8Gui2idiF6MvWqHsQ/s345/A11448EB-46CB-4954-A270-E08E1A9361FB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="231" data-original-width="345" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAP_M8YilLDEKEXpS3IqLXi1lxzQ_14C60GEDjsNnlczs8Zcw_9CFPf0rB4tzHZlDGWeys4p1nBRT1UF_32Iso6uw-LYwE2QBh40F8tsaCWy6UjMAG5rIgOtR0vKusukD_73CdKv9GL8EP_bkG06hYSHYAdXprPOEtzWy9iWG7p8Gui2idiF6MvWqHsQ/s320/A11448EB-46CB-4954-A270-E08E1A9361FB.jpeg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br />These definitions sum up giving or being designated. But taking is different than giving. When one “takes the fifth”, it means that one is taking advantage of the fifth amendment to the US Constitution, when one can “<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">plead the fifth, meaning to refuse to answer a question, especially in a criminal trial, on the grounds that you might incriminate yourself.”</span></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">A fifth is also a bottle of liquor. “ </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">For instance, a standard 750-milliliter bottle (also called a "fifth") is </span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">25.4 ounces</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">. That results in about 16 shots of liquor, and if it's the base spirit (such as vodka, tequila, or whiskey), you can generally expect to make 16 cocktails from one bottle.“ </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;">This </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">term fifth, however, “comes from when bottles were 4/5 of a quart, which is the same as 1/5 of a gallon.”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"> Why Do We Still Use the Term Fifth?</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"> </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"> If you take this type of fifth, you most likely are a teenager raiding your father’s liquor cabinet. If you actually take it, not as in straight thieving, but as in consumption, you would be well on the way to alcohol poisoning. Take it from me, as I have been there, once consuming on a birthday, my 30th if I remember correctly, 16 bourbon Manhatans. Now that is a lot of cherries. Especially considering that a Manhattan contains more than a single shot from a fifth, be it bourbon or rye. </span></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU9qEOJqpfsZ7iePSuECZSpEWWKp1A604RrRFIQHBTljgym5tOj2lDi73yv1ThbO7rk4LvDujo1Wo3s1FleVeHH7U4dXwT-2W10AP7wfoyksYO4DIlaIzhwAeeH7uiag1_Na-zz5j4nPxw1xS65Ock35CZFr_xLW43oV6qIM1_wuAjx4Q473kPuMBGw/s3332/AFD26367-1E53-4225-9D9C-0C5A760B0CE8.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3332" data-original-width="2221" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdU9qEOJqpfsZ7iePSuECZSpEWWKp1A604RrRFIQHBTljgym5tOj2lDi73yv1ThbO7rk4LvDujo1Wo3s1FleVeHH7U4dXwT-2W10AP7wfoyksYO4DIlaIzhwAeeH7uiag1_Na-zz5j4nPxw1xS65Ock35CZFr_xLW43oV6qIM1_wuAjx4Q473kPuMBGw/s320/AFD26367-1E53-4225-9D9C-0C5A760B0CE8.jpeg" width="213" /></span></a></div><p></p><header class="section__header " style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 1.875rem 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 1rem; position: relative;"><h2 class="section__title section__title--bold-underline" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(170, 170, 170) 0px, rgb(170, 170, 170) 33.33%, transparent 33.33%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 5.25px 1.75px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></h2><h2 class="section__title section__title--bold-underline" style="background-image: repeating-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(170, 170, 170) 0px, rgb(170, 170, 170) 33.33%, transparent 33.33%, transparent 100%); background-position: left bottom; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat; background-size: 5.25px 1.75px; box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ingredients</span></h2></header><div class="loc section-content section__content " style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="comp structured-ingredients" id="structured-ingredients_1-0" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><ul class="structured-ingredients__list text-passage" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 30px; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 1.25rem; padding: 0px;"><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2.1rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ounces</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">rye whiskey</span></span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2.1rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">ounce</span> <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">sweet vermouth</span></span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2.1rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">dashes</span> Angostura <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">bitters</span></span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2.1rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span data-ingredient-quantity="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1</span> <span data-ingredient-unit="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">dash</span> orange <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">bitters</span></span></p></li><li class="structured-ingredients__list-item is-optional" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: table; line-height: 30px; margin: 0px 0px 0.25rem; padding: 0px 0px 0px 2.1rem; position: relative;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Garnish: brandied <span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;">cherry or lemon twist<br /><br />I remember back in the 90’s at The Gate, long gone club that was the hotspot for the Swing revival, I met a woman DJ from Seattle, who drank only Manhattans, and only with 5 cherries. In this incarnation of my band The Jazzmanian Devils, we had been persuaded to rebrand ourselves as The Blue Devils, and present our eclectic musical offerings to the retro Swing crowd as swing. To say we sold our soul for 5 pieces of gold is no understatement, as the Swing Kids, the dancers, they were not fooled. Our exclusive drinking club did not offer enough consistent beats for extended swing dancing, i.e. our songs were too short, we were too long in the tooth, and long past our fifth Manhattan on most nights. If my memory is a bit harsh, I plead the fifth, being the fifth child, having consumed many a fifth, scarring my liver, not the fifth degree, as that would imply more than a burning stomach or headache the next day, but an actual charring. As jarring as the morning after was, it was rarely charring. <br /><br />Another fifth is the fifth wheel. </span></span></p><div class="mb-8 flex" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 2rem;"><h1 class="flex-1" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 0%; font-size: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px;"><a class="word text-denim font-bold font-serif dark:text-fluorescent break-words text-3xl md:text-[2.75rem] md:leading-10" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fifth+wheel" name="421740" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(19 79 230/var(--tw-text-opacity)); font-size: 2.75rem; font-weight: 700; line-height: 2.5rem; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-decoration: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">fifth wheel</span></a></h1><div style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="flex items-center justify-end" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; align-items: center; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end;"><a aria-label="Share on Twitter" class="flex ml-4 text-black dark:text-white hover:text-limon-lime" data-action="share" data-network="twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=http%3A%2F%2Ffifth-wheel.urbanup.com%2F421740" rel="noopener" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0 0 0/var(--tw-text-opacity)); display: flex; margin-left: 1rem; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank"><svg class="fill-current" height="16" viewbox="0 0 34 34" width="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: verdana;"><path d="M7 8c6 3 10 3 10 3s-2-7 4-9 9 2 9 2l1-1 2-1-1 3h2l-1 1-2 2s1 7-3 13-9 9-16 10-12-2-12-2l5-1c2 0 5-3 5-3l-5-3-2-2h4l-6-4c-2-1-1-4-1-4l3 1-3-6c-1-3 1-4 1-4l6 5z"></path></span></a><a aria-label="Share on Facebook" class="flex ml-4 text-black dark:text-white hover:text-limon-lime" data-action="share" data-network="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Ffifth-wheel.urbanup.com%2F421740" rel="noopener" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(0 0 0/var(--tw-text-opacity)); display: flex; margin-left: 1rem; text-decoration: inherit;" target="_blank"><svg class="fill-current" height="16" viewbox="0 0 34 34" width="16" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"></svg><span style="font-family: verdana;"><path d="m19 0-3 1c-2 1-3 3-3 7v3H9v6h4v17h6V17h5v-6h-5V8l1-1 1-1h3V0h-5z"></path></span></a></div></div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; letter-spacing: -0.1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span data-ingredient-name="true" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></p><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“n. Person who accompanies two (or more) couples in a social situation, who does not have a partner of his or her own. Often the <a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fifth%20person%27s" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(19 79 230/var(--tw-text-opacity)); font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">fifth person's</a> attendance is encouraged by one of the <a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=well-meaning" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(19 79 230/var(--tw-text-opacity)); font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">well-meaning</a> but ignorant female partners, who may feel sorry for the lonely person, but will inevitably ignore them once the <a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=lovemaking" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(19 79 230/var(--tw-text-opacity)); font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">lovemaking</a> starts. It carries the connotation that the <a class="autolink" href="https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fifth%20person" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-text-opacity: 1; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(19 79 230/var(--tw-text-opacity)); font-weight: 700; text-decoration-line: underline; text-decoration: inherit;">fifth person</a> is often an unneccesary and unwelcome addition to the scene in these conditions. Derived from "the fifth wheel of a car", which needing only four wheels to run, has no need of a fifth.”</span></div><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This definition does take into consideration that every car has four wheels, but also a spare, in case of flats. In basketball, the spare off the bench is called the 6th man, not the fifth, as the fifth player is normally “</span><b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">The center (C), also known as the five, pivot or big man, usually plays near the baseline or close to the basket (the "low post")</b><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">. “</span></div><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;">And now it is 5:59. I have spent an hour after only 5 hours sleep reflecting on the meanings of Fifth, and 5. But now we are 6, which brings to mind A.E. Milne. </span></div><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">NOW WE ARE SIX</span></span></div><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When I was One, </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I had just begun. </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When I was Two, </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I was nearly new. </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When I was Three </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I was hardly me. </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When I was Four, </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I was not much more. </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">When I was Five, </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I was just alive. </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">But now I am Six, </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">I'm as clever as clever, </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;">So I think I'll be six now for ever and ever. </span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;" /></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #dddd88; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><br /></div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><br /></span><div class="meaning mb-4" style="--tw-ring-color: rgb(59 130 246 / 0.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 #0000; --tw-shadow: 0 0 #0000; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px solid rgb(229, 231, 235); box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 1rem;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div></li></ul></div></div><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-5772607201831198662022-04-15T08:22:00.011-07:002022-04-15T09:08:54.177-07:00Good Friday is no Happy Monday<div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWPv7bjsKl4TKf31Jkh4S_ORnPixkpzgEta3pIagVpoLyjX844Ekg-OjYSZSKpSHGRoRVYZNgPdRR9igvpMg8IRIt1Fg-U37YI_c0jpjdsdqxm02eVEpBkbsYQ2HsOsFG9qIR1O8iBvSpCdqAbpbVYgaaoqNjPuZ8PJvdHrGo8U5B8gPut54j39JrEw/s251/56B5E391-AE1A-4213-A99E-2A8531040ED1.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="251" data-original-width="201" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWPv7bjsKl4TKf31Jkh4S_ORnPixkpzgEta3pIagVpoLyjX844Ekg-OjYSZSKpSHGRoRVYZNgPdRR9igvpMg8IRIt1Fg-U37YI_c0jpjdsdqxm02eVEpBkbsYQ2HsOsFG9qIR1O8iBvSpCdqAbpbVYgaaoqNjPuZ8PJvdHrGo8U5B8gPut54j39JrEw/s1600/56B5E391-AE1A-4213-A99E-2A8531040ED1.png" width="201" /></a></div><p>I <span style="font-family: verdana;">wonder if Jesus ever said, “if you call this “Good” Friday, I can only hope that I never live to see “Bad Friday.” </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For how could any day be worse for Jesus than Good Friday, the day he was nailed to a cross for “our sins”. The day he realized his only purpose was to teach us undeserving people the lessons of sacrifice. To teach us lowly creatures that even if your Dad is God, not just any god, but the God, well….fathers and sons are always a complicated relationship. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Especially when your Dad is God. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Growing up, Good Friday’s always seemed to be dark cloudy dismal days. It was a holiday, but such a dark somber holiday, how could we celebrate? Conversely, Easter was always a sunny morning, blue skies, nary a cloud to be seen, so many colours, white and yellow, green and blue, my mother making new matching dresses with Easter bonnets (yes bonnets) for my sisters. I don’t recall receiving any new Easter tie or hat bought or made for me, but there were baskets with painted eggs and chocolate bunnies. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Alas, the poor chocolate bunny, whose ears and then entire heads, were eaten first. This is my body, eat me. This is my blood, drink me. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And there was always a man in white robes who said, “</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">May we who share Christ's body live his risen life; we who drink his cup bring life to others; we whom the Spirit lights give light to the world. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us so we and all your children shall be free and the whole earth live to praise your name, through Christ our Lord. Amen.”</span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); white-space: break-spaces;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">But where in the Bible do the bunnies come in? Memories start to melt into each other, paint running into blood, turning into chocolate, melts in your mouth not in your hands, blood on our hands turning into chocolate, as Jesus himself is transfigured into a rabbit, and we are all Alice, and the Holy Land is paved over, and becomes Disneyland. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under the table: she opened</span></span><span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"> it, and found in it a very small cake, on which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants</span><span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">.”</span></p><p><span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); font-size: 18px;">Of course, the story of Good Friday is also a story of betrayal. The kiss of Judas, betraying his Lord for a pocketful of coins. Gold coins in our Easter baskets, opening up only to reveal more milk chocolate</span><span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-size: 18px;">.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I grew up in the sixties, in the days of the folk mass, when acoustic guitars were introduced into the weekly service. A time when Jesus was a patch sewn on your ratty jeans. A time when Jesus became a Superstar. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">“ </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">I don't know how to take this</span></span></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I don't see why he moves me</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">He's a man, he's just a man</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">And I've had so many men before</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">In very many ways</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">He's just one more</span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Should I bring him down?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Should I scream and shout?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Should I speak of love?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Let my feelings out” </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Of course, this is the song from Jesus Christ Superstar, as sung by Mary Magdalene, the beautiful sex worker who loved Jesus. She was one of the two Mary’s. A regular Jenny from the block. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">There was also something about a cave and a bunny who saw his shadow. It’s all a blur, these memories. Have mercy on my soul if somehow I have forgotten any details. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Have yourself a Good Friday. Remember, for this is no Happy Monday, and for poor Jesus, there was no happy ending. </span></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 16px;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">On this weekend of pomp and circumstantial evidence, of baked </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">ham and scalloped potatoes, I have a guilty craving for bacon. </span></div><br />dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-69107342772637590362022-04-02T10:43:00.081-07:002022-04-10T07:58:27.742-07:00New and Improved<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNudF9bFH3aBkP-KIfqj5aDDnzY9prBcr7P3GO0wQcxqxwjCJPOk0sWK79h6Us1L8Ft1b8OKHD7e5ORvUhbHok2qVNcLOIY0D25TX9ivKfQRdxXZpscUT-Fa7rPLLA1-Ur4mhX5-mGapWSDV9JP1Iqmy2VW5W9RAmECYDXZyP_5p29svaBQ9Jw4qNxQ/s1968/97C6D530-015F-4669-B4D5-202EF3583684.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1968" data-original-width="1597" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNudF9bFH3aBkP-KIfqj5aDDnzY9prBcr7P3GO0wQcxqxwjCJPOk0sWK79h6Us1L8Ft1b8OKHD7e5ORvUhbHok2qVNcLOIY0D25TX9ivKfQRdxXZpscUT-Fa7rPLLA1-Ur4mhX5-mGapWSDV9JP1Iqmy2VW5W9RAmECYDXZyP_5p29svaBQ9Jw4qNxQ/s320/97C6D530-015F-4669-B4D5-202EF3583684.jpeg" width="260" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Five months after the triple bypass.</span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I start my day doing cardio exercises for 30 minutes. This is my new routine everyday since the end of January. I </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">am down 26 lbs from pre-bypass weight. I feel sharper and stronger with more energy. I am limiting alcohol to 1-2 nights, 1-2 drinks, usually 1. I have been drinking only decaf coffee since last year.</span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">After 43 years of marriage, I feel more in love than ever before. In my twenties, love was a drug. In my sixties, love is hard work but worth every minute. I am in love with love. I know that am an extremely fortunate guy. So much lucky.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now I take joy in simple pleasures, like being able to get up and exercise everyday. And you can see the difference this bypass and change in diets and exercise has done for me. I feel so much better than pre-bypass. Before, I was tired all the time, short of breath, challenged in the afternoon with brain fog. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had blockages of 70-90%, which means I was running on only 10-30% of proper blood flow. For </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">years I was told to exercise, that it would help with my depression. I didn’t listen. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now I listen. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">About a year ago I was complaining to my wife about having to crouch and bend down to dry our little dog after walks in the rain. It hurt my knees to crouch. She said “So you’re happy with living like that? You want to accept less and less mobility for the rest of your life? </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Think about that. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">How do feel when you get up in the morning? </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I won’t lie, I still feel stiff when I wake up. My muscles need waking up. But mid way through my daily routine, I start to come alive again. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Guess what? Feeling good makes you…..</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">wait for it….</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">feel good. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I feel alive. This is why I strongly believe it is essential to take control of what goes into your body.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take control in the way of fuel but making better food and drink choices. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Take control of exercising your body every day. It helps to keep all the parts in working order. I had a car once that just died on the highway. The engine had gone dry, not having the needed oil to keep it running. That is what your body will do if fuel it with bad choices. It will go dry and die. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Back in the 70’s we would go out for liquid lunches. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now I am in my sixties, and I am learning to love throwing punches, ( in exercise not at people!) I am learning that sometimes the best drink is a thing we call water.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Yes, I said water. I have the recipe. I can send it to you if you want it. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxEnndoC5M5pWHwTLDfiMyQqqkxlv4ZhBCaTN1sNKRIT-kA0EQtb3254DfM_9cucsm3v4vqPwMHOrISLkZE2w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-32287352558556005682022-03-27T07:36:00.092-07:002022-03-27T08:21:30.085-07:00Shrimp, sharing, socialist pizza, family style, rules, and Columbia House<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MQP2yRhD3VG573r0bk3eljhhI9DQ-tbjT_eCzPIHIWv-cLWFbK_mKT-Tr8jjJVHiU4e85rStVnJjAQp1Sh86XCcVZtQCkhDfVnx21s-QOtH3_lV0FFMhRumcYNf36WwYVgDImv7bc0L9-eIvxgumiABqqWxNLVF2TSgiI5NFMG6y_E2opJISTi2ugg/s549/3DED35C7-FE50-4046-AD0C-2D63E81A7F91.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="366" data-original-width="549" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0MQP2yRhD3VG573r0bk3eljhhI9DQ-tbjT_eCzPIHIWv-cLWFbK_mKT-Tr8jjJVHiU4e85rStVnJjAQp1Sh86XCcVZtQCkhDfVnx21s-QOtH3_lV0FFMhRumcYNf36WwYVgDImv7bc0L9-eIvxgumiABqqWxNLVF2TSgiI5NFMG6y_E2opJISTi2ugg/s320/3DED35C7-FE50-4046-AD0C-2D63E81A7F91.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> I come from a family of seven kids. This was not uncommon when I was growing up. My first three brothers were born in the space of three years. Their names were Bada Bing, Bada Boom, and Brent. Five years later, my next brother was born, then another five years and I was born. After me was two sisters, and they split the five year gaps into two years and three years respectively. This is known as Family Style in our family. Famously, my father was once asked at a party if he was Catholic or Careless. He did not see the humour. <p></p><p>Family style when dining out means everyone shares the many dishes ordered. In my family we learned early to clean our plates, so we could be the first to ask for seconds. In my wife’s family, this practice was unheard of; they were not encouraged to clean their plates, and as such my wife often leaves food on her plate. This is great news for our dog. Rarely do I attempt to clean my wife’s plate. It is just not done. </p><p>My late aunt Doris on my mother’s side ( not to be confused with my late aunt Doris on my father’s side, is actually my mother’s cousin) made a rum chiffon pie and divided it into four pieces. Given all the booze in the pie, this split was over generous. Please see pie chart, consult eye chart or review the Rules of Privilege.</p><p>This is not Sharia Law, but Share Law, a decidedly Canadian curio. I was prompted to write this post after waking at six on a Sunday. My dream took place on Robson Street, where my wife and I lived from 1982 to 1994. In the dream, Robson was in a state of renewal and urban decay. In some ways that is a small dream distortion of the present real estate reality. </p><p>My wife and we’re eating in an Earls, although in the dream this was in a strip mall. We had both ordered Shrimp Salads. I had just about finished my salad, which sported a very generous portion of shrimp. In the dream my wife complains that her salad has hardly any shrimp, but a profusion of bacon. We call over the waiter, who calls over his supervisor, who calls over the chef, who calls over the Manager, and we proceed to argue over why two servings came on one plate, and why the “ split” was so unequal. </p><p>In real life that would not have happened. In my married family, we have Prawn Law, where the prawns or shrimps ( is it shrimps when plural or shrimp?) are divided equally PRIOR to eating. In my birth family, this practice would never have happened, would not only have been frowned upon, but would have been vigorously poo-poohed. But my wife and daughter form an alliance ( the Prawn Blockade) and this Rule of Splitting is religiously followed. </p><p>The history of the Prawn Law is a response to my habit of thinking only of myself, a tactic of survival in my large family. That’s my explanation and I’m sticking with it. </p><p>Other Share Laws I have grown up with include The Napoleonic Code, The Socialist Pizza Rule, and The Van Essen Split. </p><p>Napoleonic Code is the law cited in A Streetcar Named Desire, as to how property is divided among a husband and wife. What’s hers is his, and what’s his is his. <b style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: break-spaces;">In order to prove his own victimization</b><span face="Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-size: 14px; white-space: break-spaces;">, Stanley refers to the Napoleonic code, a code of law recognized in New Orleans from the days of French rule that places women's property in the hands of their husbands. </span>Truly it is an unfair split with advantage and privilege for the male class- see Patrimony.</p><p>The invoking of Napoleonic Code never worked my house. What was encouraged was mocking of height, of habits, and of placing hands in pockets. </p><p>The Socialist Pizza Rule is a rule of house parties, that every pizza is divided equally among all house members. Please note the exception is the Socialist friend - the one who is NOT paying for the pizza, and the one who most likely will eat the majority of the slices. This rule can be shown on a Pie Chart. </p><p>This brings us finally to Columbia House, or how I built a collection of albums, and then cds, only to get rid of them later in life. My Collection was supposed to be my daughter’s inheritance or my retirement, but the onset of sharing files rendered my collection days obsolete. At some point in the 2000’s, I downloaded all my cds to a hard drive, and learned to embrace the inferior sound quality of streaming. Coincidentally the sound of am radio when growing up was not dissimilar. </p><p>Back in the Columbia House days, collections were built with the 10 free records for a dollar deals. I joined and quit many times. It was great to get all these free records, and then, even more when referring friends to join. </p><p>The Van Essen Split is named after a friend who personalized the rules of the” refer a friend and four free records offer”. In the Van Essen split, the new member takes two of the four free records for themselves, for the privilege of letting the referring friend get two free records for the act of doing nothing but referring. </p><p>Confused? I refer you as a new member. The new member gets 10 free records for a dollar or some low number, and I get four free records as a reward for my referral. In the Van Essen Split, the new member claims a fifty/ fifty split of the commission. Clearly unfair, but two free records is still better than none, right? What you would have had without referring is nothing. This Split is an early example of bargaining. It is to be mocked and appreciated equally. </p><p>We close with Dr. Steve Brule, who is a character played by John C. Reilly. Very funny. He has an episode where he is enjoying the seafood found in the dumpster behind the seafood restaurant. He relishes the finding of “Scrimps” - a hilarious mispronunciation of the word shrimp, which is already one of the funniest words in English. Please enjoy on the link below:</p><p><a href="https://youtu.be/4i2eE9X-YSg">https://youtu.be/4i2eE9X-YSg</a></p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-17002424714989678122022-03-19T11:29:00.003-07:002022-03-19T11:29:57.778-07:00Say Hello to my little friend<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpGz01VMVjVYwCTZVHT612JR3tMz4T7KL6lLI-hGEnO3ZxTrStUsBBMiusQ_3gWT2AkwWghGRkrLQzv6kTVfuwqOhe0fBE_mTqYPgi9R-qX4OjWY9CYG7GXrftbXsaYjsg_xN3E7EyDaaJQjU_JP_oR8YUPUIlDVrh54HZU8jYfirFtzxDfQkV1jR30A=s237" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="213" data-original-width="237" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgpGz01VMVjVYwCTZVHT612JR3tMz4T7KL6lLI-hGEnO3ZxTrStUsBBMiusQ_3gWT2AkwWghGRkrLQzv6kTVfuwqOhe0fBE_mTqYPgi9R-qX4OjWY9CYG7GXrftbXsaYjsg_xN3E7EyDaaJQjU_JP_oR8YUPUIlDVrh54HZU8jYfirFtzxDfQkV1jR30A" width="237" /></a></div>One of the benefits of losing 25 lbs has been a reunion of sorts. My refurbished heart is pumping way more blood than before, so after the jettison of my spare tire, you can say my oil is changed, my tires rotated, and I am road worthy. <p></p><p>Or should I say ride worthy?</p><p>No need for love handles, just grab the hair if you must. It’s the end of my girth and I feel fine. In fact, I feel better than ever. Everything works better than ever. </p><p>Everything. </p><p>So as I gaze toward my feet, I can actually see what all the commotion was about. As my heart fills with excitement, so follows the wagging tail, so to speak. Speaking of puppies, my little terrier weighs about 22 lbs. Consider how prior to this weight loss, my genuflection of affection was hampered by the extra weight. It was like I was lifting a small dog, plus three pounds of butter, all while trying my very best just to do my duty, as I saluted God and Country. </p><p>Indeed, it is so nice to see you again, to really see you as you are, my oldest friend. For all my days, I’ve felt your presence, I’ve known your secrets, I’ve been shocked and humbled by your indiscretions, (for which I must share the blame.) </p><p>Is it fair to curse the little brain for the big man’s descent to folly? How do you spell decent?</p><p>Truly, you are a gift that keeps giving. So now, here in the “prime of my life”, once again, I am reunited with this obscure object for my desire. </p><p>Some things never change, even with greater transparency. </p><p>You are still an early riser. </p><p>The lumberjack knows the sharpness of his axe, and the falling of the wood of the morn can make a grown man cry, “Timber!”</p><p><b>WORDS FOR THE WISE GUY</b></p><p>Below my belly, seize the prize</p><p>A little modest, you surmise </p><p>On your knees to best inspect</p><p>A valiant rise to full effect</p><p> A final gasp….and then …..Surprise!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-66672484558518905102022-02-12T14:50:00.116-08:002022-02-13T00:05:13.176-08:00The Enemy Inside vs The Better Me<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZcvLhgczEsmThgefzl_-M1bQcZKklrh9bqdaw7okjkJoC6FUshJ1hg06lgXs9_W1NMquZS_pig8m0HZX7zGFBFtnNql3azRfGn8lA7YRtLO4ovmfKn-xFZOoqR-6C4VoLqXqFw0ODWUz6MdEDMj4HBGgTxVB2enD2J3zENmrSdhApqX8OXNb7M2ys3Q=s752" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZcvLhgczEsmThgefzl_-M1bQcZKklrh9bqdaw7okjkJoC6FUshJ1hg06lgXs9_W1NMquZS_pig8m0HZX7zGFBFtnNql3azRfGn8lA7YRtLO4ovmfKn-xFZOoqR-6C4VoLqXqFw0ODWUz6MdEDMj4HBGgTxVB2enD2J3zENmrSdhApqX8OXNb7M2ys3Q=s320" width="228" /></a></div>The enemy inside<p></p><p>The “you” that you want to hide</p><p>The me you want to be</p><p>The fears you need to free to be free. </p><p><br /></p><p>It has been four months since my open heart surgery. </p><p>I weighed in today at 177lbs., down from 195 -200 lbs that I weighed prior to the big day. </p><p>I’m doing 30 minutes of cardio exercises every day.</p><p>I am back to work.</p><p> But I’m not back to normal.</p><p> I’m actually better than normal. </p><p>My biggest challenge was getting over myself. Challenging the enemy inside, which for me was self doubt, lack of self worth, and fears. </p><p>Fear of missing out. Anger at others. Anger at myself. Regrets- hell yeah. </p><p>The things and patterns that have held me back from becoming “the better me.” </p><p>At the beginning of this journey, I was often asked how I was doing. I received countless encouragements to get better, fast. I instinctively knew that getting better fast was not what I needed or wanted. </p><p>I wanted to create a new me, a better me. I would say to those who asked me how I was doing, I am doing ” a bit better everyday, ”which is true because change is incremental, not sudden. Change takes dedication and effort. Part of my journey has been to identify the many obstacles that I placed in front of myself, the fears I fell prey to. To know better the enemy inside who keeps me from being the better me. </p><p>It has always been a challenge for me to exercise. I have tried for years, and usually give up. </p><p>Why? </p><p>Boredom, lack of effort, a perception of little benefit. Distraction, excuses. Now I am consciously making changes in my physical life. I am developing new habits that will help me live a longer life, or more importantly, a better life for me to enjoy while I’m here.</p><p>Don’t get me wrong. I have had a great life so far. But I’m not finished. Far from it, I am just beginning. Again. </p><p>Here are a few of the specific actions and strategies that I am using to facilitate these changes: </p><p>1. Exercise. </p><p>Everyday, I start with 30 minutes of cardio exercise. My cardio rehab group turned me on to some videos at <a href="https://teambodyproject.com/">https://teambodyproject.com/</a>. It is 100% low impact for beginners. Daniel, the guy with the beard in the videos, leads the exercises. It is free on YouTube. There are no excuses not to do this. </p><p>Here are a few of his words of encouragement: </p><p>“If you are moving, you are winning.</p><p>The most important thing with exercise is consistency. </p><p>Breathe. </p><p>We are lucky to move, lucky to be here.</p><p>First, you have to finish, enjoy yourself, and comeback tomorrow. </p><p>We are looking for progress, not perfection. </p><p>Be strong, be focused. </p><p>Breathe. </p><p>You can. You will. You are. You won this. Believe. </p><p>First Half is the winner, second half is the warrior. </p><p>Come on!</p><p>Smile. You’re working. Feel good about it. </p><p>Punches- I love punches! </p><p>Luxuriate in your own brilliance.</p><p>The only thing that matters is one you don’t fall over, and that you finish together.”</p><p>When I first started these exercises, my coordination was lousy. It still is, but I’m getting better. Creating body memory, which if you play an instrument, you understand the concept of body memory. </p><p>2. Hydrate. </p><p>Sounds simple, but this has always been a challenge for me. Like many men, I resist drinking water. I am getting better at it though. Often when you get a craving to eat something, it is really your body saying it needs water. Guess what, coffee and alcohol, while using water and ice, are not hydrating. Your body needs the hydration to lubricate itself, function better, and clean away the poisons that can accumulate, creating inflammation and leading to disfunction, disease, and those blockages in arteries and other parts of our body. </p><p>3. Conscious eating. </p><p>It takes a lot of focus here, because most of us have a history of bad choices, bad judgement. </p><p>You know what I say? Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement. </p><p>We are surrounded by bad choices. Unconscious diets, binge eating, and my old friend -alcohol, which exaggerates bad judgements into really bad judgements. Trust me. </p><p>So start simple. Start by eating less. Smaller portions. Get a smaller plate, bowl, spoon. After you finish, pause 5 minutes. Are you still hungry. Probably not. Are you thirsty? Hydrate.</p><p>Be considerate of what you eat, because you are being considerate to yourself. </p><p>I love sweets. Saturday I let myself have something small, but good. Sort of a reward system. So much of eating for me is/was motivated by boredom. </p><p>Set yourself small goals that you can achieve. My goal this week was to eat less bread. I almost cut it out. </p><p>Don’t buy or make a cake or pie or cookies that sit there tempting you. </p><p>Go out. Walk some and buy yourself a small treat. Infrequently. Just because you are an adult, and you don’t have to listen to anybody tell you what to do, doesn’t give license to satisfy every urge. Yes it takes discipline. So I set myself small goals. </p><p>This week I am back at work. I set an alarm to go off every hour. I gave myself a message, like hydrate, get up and walk around, have a small healthy snack, go for a walk etc. Every hour I give myself a new message, so I don’t become lost in the computer world and forget to take care of myself. The day seems to go by faster. I get more done. </p><p>In the modern world of multi tasking, just pick one thing each hour and get it done. Keep asking yourself, is this important? This questioning can even extend to why you are even doing what you are doing. </p><p>Life is short. It can and does end. Death is something we cannot escape. Try to make life special while you are here.</p><p>4. Be as positive as possible. </p><p>We live in a world that is fuelled by fear, run by bots, stupid algorithms that reinforce fear, a social media that divides us turning society into antisocial trolls and armchair experts. </p><p>Ask yourself, is Joe Rogan or Neil Young really important? To you, to your life? </p><p>Or is this a distraction to rile you up? Forget that kind of nonsense. Is that really important to you? </p><p>I have had depression for the past 14 years, since my first heart attack, probably longer if I am being honest. My wife has always said “exercise.” Unfortunately with m selective male hearing, all I heard was…..was….I forget. Were you saying something? Did you want a drink? I do. </p><p>And back on the wheel spinning like a white rat in a cage. </p><p>I take an antidepressant, but with exercise, I am in a better head space than ever. </p><p>Getting off antidepressants is murder. I know. Trust me. I’m not sure if I am ready yet for that battle. </p><p>But who knows? Miracles do happen. </p><p>5. Miracles happen. </p><p>We are surrounded by angels. The person who loves you most, might be standing right next to you. If you can identify the enemy inside, you can defeat it. When the enemy inside is you, you have to know that enemy to defeat it. </p><p>If you are your own worst enemy, you deserve better. You deserve to call out that enemy, and overcome it. </p><p>You overcome it by being the best “you” that “you” can be. </p><p>Sometimes that is a process, a journey, it can take a lifetime. If you are lucky.</p><p>I am so much lucky. </p><p>Are you happy with your life? If you are, spread that love around. </p><p>If you are not happy, please know that you can become happier by being better to yourself.</p><p>Perfection is not the goal. Just gradual improvement. </p><p>At the end of the cardio classes that I took 14 years ago, after that first heart attack, they would say hug yourself. Cross your arms and hug yourself. Because you survived, because you have another chance. </p><p>I guess I didn’t learn that lesson 14 years ago. I thought I did at the time, but I fell back into bad choices.</p><p>This cat has nine lives. </p><p>I’m not sure how many lives I have gone through so far, but this one seems to be working out. </p><p>And part of the reason it is working out, is that I am working out. </p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-30345028012322152062022-01-26T17:25:00.002-08:002022-01-26T17:25:43.569-08:00No Rush To Judgement<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJTjDtiHD8NH-CB6YzJvmZtKDqlotgcO8MwJlGmfwioasXNyz-3Kzc9zh6jFZ_U0dFL402x9DWX7hzQKzof74cKSAubQzPr-3XoZ4E9fb-zuD0WyWBE__R71KDXJ0YF87TWiN4GwRr5Zxnp6hrKNmmeaJiICMqof8F4oy_mvVz1_4TTaovS_x84_Kcwg=s2560" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJTjDtiHD8NH-CB6YzJvmZtKDqlotgcO8MwJlGmfwioasXNyz-3Kzc9zh6jFZ_U0dFL402x9DWX7hzQKzof74cKSAubQzPr-3XoZ4E9fb-zuD0WyWBE__R71KDXJ0YF87TWiN4GwRr5Zxnp6hrKNmmeaJiICMqof8F4oy_mvVz1_4TTaovS_x84_Kcwg=s320" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We were sitting in the car listening to the CBC, as all good Canadians do, when the guy being interviewed was talking about the audio version of his new book, and how he was able to get Geddy Lee of Rush to voice a lyric from the band’s song</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To which I said , If I had to reconsider Rush, I would still say no. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To which my wife said,” I loved Rush. I remember seeing them live. “</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To which I said, “Sometimes 47 years is not long enough to reallt get to know a person.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">To which she said, “Well you like Steely Dan- same thing.”</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Same thing? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Not the same thing at all. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Steely Dan had great songs and lyrics that are hilarious. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Rush is…..Rush. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">So here are two songs which have been mated, just as we have been mated. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Words interspersed. Hands held. Bodies come together as one.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">One is by Rush, and one is by Steely Dan. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">No rush to judgement, but can you pick out who wrote what?</span></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">There are those who think that life has nothing left to chance</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">A host of holy horrors to direct our aimless dance, A </span>planet of playthings, we dance on the strings of powers we cannot perceive The stars aren't aligned or the Gods are malign, </span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">blame is better to give than receive</span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">This is the day of the expanding man </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">That shape is my shade. </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">There where I used to stand </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">It seems like only yesterday I </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">gazed through the glass </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">At ramblers, wild gamblers </span></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">That's all in the past</span></span></b></div></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">I will choose a path that's clear</span></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I will choose Freewill</span></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">Learn to work the saxophone I play just what I feel Drink Scotch whiskey all night long, and <span jsname="YS01Ge"> die behind the wheel </span><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">They got a name for the winners in the world I </span>want a name when I lose. </div></span></b>They call Alabama the Crimson Tide Call me Deacon Blues. <b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 16px;">You call me a fool You say it's a crazy scheme This one's for real I already bought the dream <b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">So useless to ask me why </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">Throw a kiss and say goodbye </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'll make it this time </span></div></span></b></div></span></b></div></span></b></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I’m</span><span jsname="YS01Ge"> ready to cross that fine line</span></div></span></b></div></span></b></span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">There are those who think that they were dealt a losing hand</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">The cards were stacked against them they weren't born in Lotus Land </span>All preordained, a prisoner in chains, a victim of venomous fate. Kicked in the face, you can pray for a place, in heaven's unearthly estate. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choiceYou can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill. will choose a path that's clear, </span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I will choose Freewill</span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">My back to the wall a </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">victim of laughing chance. </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">This is for me </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">The essence of true romance </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">Sharing the things we know and love with those of my kind </span></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Libations, </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">sensations </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">That stagger the mind</span></span></b></div></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 16px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Each of us, a cell of awareness, imperfect and incomplete</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">Genetic blends with uncertain ends on a fortune hunt that's far too fleet</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">You can choose a ready guide in some celestial voice. </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice. </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">You can choose from phantom fears and kindness that can kill</span></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I will choose a path that's clear, I will choose Freewill</span></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">I crawl like a viper Through these suburban streets Make love to these women Languid and bittersweet. <b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'll rise when the sun goes down </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">Cover every game in town a </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">world of my own </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'll make it my home sweet home. </span>This is the night of the expanding man. I take one last drag as I approach the stand. </div></span></b><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">I cried when I wrote this song </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">Sue me if I play too long</span></div></span></b></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">This brother is free. </span><span jsname="YS01Ge">I'll be what I want to be. </span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">I said,” I guess you would call Rush Prog Rock. I never cared much for Prog Rock.”</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">“ You didn’t like Yes?”</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">“ I liked roundabout. I also really like Emerson, Lake and Palmer, until punk rock killed that. “</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">“ Oh, I loved Uriah Heap.”</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">“ I bought Demons and Wizards and The Magician’s Birthday from Columbia House. “</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">“ I had those.”</div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;">To think, it was the music of Pere Ubu which brought us together. </div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><br /></div></span></b></span></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-77062493717798961112022-01-18T18:31:00.000-08:002022-01-18T18:31:07.846-08:00When I’m 64……<p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></b></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIUO9iNSVntVr8xISTruqKGxokpI3z9mH7TZNX8MXWBlFno91F1Apf0zlYVp7ZO_XJLkMD3VQxofOnyCW3iRJwByyqbOsjgCQXQOWRxnvlG5fzc-EiDJMkUsrpGfwehEGMOW6gzQtpm7GW5hrUvV-S1qbjXbrxaOk2aOxSSbZTKNvEZ70t3T6Kk1pfQw=s3227" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3227" data-original-width="2333" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIUO9iNSVntVr8xISTruqKGxokpI3z9mH7TZNX8MXWBlFno91F1Apf0zlYVp7ZO_XJLkMD3VQxofOnyCW3iRJwByyqbOsjgCQXQOWRxnvlG5fzc-EiDJMkUsrpGfwehEGMOW6gzQtpm7GW5hrUvV-S1qbjXbrxaOk2aOxSSbZTKNvEZ70t3T6Kk1pfQw=s320" width="231" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br />“But it had been awhile since his last redhead, since he’d been flattered by any beautiful woman. These days were different days. There was something technical about them, undistinctive. You couldn’t tell the scientists from the vandals. You could order viruses through the mail- pathogens, toxins, what have you. A clever schoolchild could wipe out all the bees in a meadow during recess. They were breeding rhinos with no horns to make them less desirable. “</span></b></i><p></p><p><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Joy Williams The Quick And The Dead. 2000</span></b></i></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>LARGE PRINT INTENDED:</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>When I was born, I was a redhead. So said my mother, who should know, as she was there. More colours came later. A veritable rainbow. I’ve always had good hair, joking that my ancestors traded good hair for a lousy cardiovascular system. Can I prove this claim? At my age, we are allowed to exaggerate. Do your own research, bud. </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Lately, in the Canadian fashion, I am going for the silver, mind you, not all over, just enough to be distinguished, as in “<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">When we say someone is distinguished, we're expressing respect for them, as in</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);"> "that hairstyle makes you look quite distinguished"</span></b></span></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Usually, someone distinguished is older. And I can identify with older. Of course anything past being born is older. It’s just a question of degree. But good things come to those who wait. Apparently, </span></span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;">somebody wrote me a song. You may have heard it before. </span></span></b></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">I’ve been listening to that damned song for the last 54 years, as it came out in 1968, and I came out in 1958. </span></b></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>You know which song I speak of goes like this: </b></span></span></p><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>“Will you still need me?</b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><span jsname="YS01Ge">Will you still feed me?</span><br /><span jsname="YS01Ge">When I'm sixty-four”</span></b></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>She still needs me. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>She still feeds me. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>She still loves me. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>And I need her.</b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>I occasionally feed her.</b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>And I will always love her. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>This past year was a doozy, as the scientists say. I got a refurbished heart, good for a few more miles at least. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>There has been countless times I could have been totalled, a write off. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>But for the love of a good woman….</b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Anywho, I’m still standing. Except for now. I am sitting. Pondering, ruminating, letting the mind wander, off leash. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Hopefully I have more songs in the tank. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>What is it with the car metaphors? </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Regrets, I’ve had a few. A few too many, too many times. That legend is history. Respect your elders. Get off my lawn! </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Note to self: you don’t have a lawn. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Take everything I say with a grain of salt, and when I say a grain, I mean a grain, as I need to be mindful of what fuel I feed my refurbishment. </b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Phil Ochs wrote a song called rehearsals for retirement. </b></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Sounds better every day. </b></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wondering how I’m doing? </b></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><b><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Send me a postcard, drop me a line! </span></p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Stating point of view.</span></p><p style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.3); caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Indicate precisely what you mean to say.</span></p><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Yours sincerely, </span></div><div class="ujudUb" jsname="U8S5sf" style="margin-bottom: 16px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge">Wasting Away</span></div></b></span></span></div><div class="ujudUb WRZytc" jsname="U8S5sf" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span jsname="YS01Ge"><br /></span></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-89038866476893336032022-01-12T13:49:00.000-08:002022-01-12T13:49:08.132-08:00Hate is a Lousy Drug<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyc4H5hyP9D-Dcbi8p6jtHMjTREY5KN0W6ZjlvJ7QzMc2fcxw2sSwarIhKmVkFa8MsCLbdyu6Ox0-wCyZe2O9-SO9BGJQy58gzCREKiJ93AEcn0vHy14NQ72-_KF6NlBjTGdBIkE70dnQwPG1HVHs46m7b50q65lcC5U5xBJpN382nRh9jvpcljIqq0A=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyc4H5hyP9D-Dcbi8p6jtHMjTREY5KN0W6ZjlvJ7QzMc2fcxw2sSwarIhKmVkFa8MsCLbdyu6Ox0-wCyZe2O9-SO9BGJQy58gzCREKiJ93AEcn0vHy14NQ72-_KF6NlBjTGdBIkE70dnQwPG1HVHs46m7b50q65lcC5U5xBJpN382nRh9jvpcljIqq0A=s320" width="273" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">“So let's leave it alone 'cause we can't see eye to eye</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">There's only you and me and we just disagree” - Dave Mason </span></span><p></p><div class="teaser-content" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><section><div class=""><div data-qa="drop-cap-letter"><p class="font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md" data-el="text" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>“You had some very bad people in that group, but you also had people that were very fine people, on both sides. You had people in that group … There were people in that rally — and I looked the night before — if you look, there were people protesting very quietly the taking down of the statue of Robert E. Lee. I’m sure in that group there were some bad ones. The following day it looked like they had some rough, bad people — neo-Nazis, white nationalists, whatever you want to call them. But you had a lot of people in that group that were there to innocently protest, and very legally protest.” </i><b>— President Trump, </b><b style="border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1955a5;"><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-infrastructure/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(213, 213, 213); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #1955a5; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Aug. 15, 2017</a></b></span></p></div></div></section></div><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Conservatives vs Liberals</span></span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Liberals vs Leftists</span></span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Leftists vs Neo nazis</span></span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Neo nazis vs everyone </span></span></p><p><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Everyone vs everyone </span></span></p><div class="teaser-content" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><section><div class=""><div data-qa="drop-cap-letter"><p class="font-copy font--article-body gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md" data-el="text" style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 1.6; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 24px;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana;">Ever get the feeling we are sliding down a slippery slope of Hate? From two thumbs up to middle fingers, the digital world has its finger on the pulse, and the pulse is quickening. People quarantined in their hovels, looking at tiny screens, their only </span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana;">connection to the world, getting angry. We shout out to our echo chamber of friends, and our opinions are echoed back, reinforcing original bias, original sin, and replications of nothing too original. </span></span></p></div></div></section></div><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Ads pop up for anything you have recently googled, and yet people are worried about Bill Gates wanting to implant chips to know your inner most thoughts. We are already fairly controlled, no need for implants. We debate the truth about just about everything. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Read about the latest shooting, and get redirected to deniers talking about crisis actors. And little by little, after all the buttons are pushed, our world becomes darker, more narrow. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">We “see” the people we disagree with as </span></span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“others”. We have become inured to the humanity of those whom we differ from. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Some people are angry at those who reject vaccines- the anti-vaxxers. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I’ve felt that anger, even shared it. Then some people say we need to separate these people for OUR safety. </span></span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Then some people think we need to deny healthcare to those people, these anti vaxxers. Close the doors to the hospitals, make them pay because the hospitals are filling up with those without vaccines, using precious resources. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Flash forward two months, and the latest variants are affecting a greater percentage of people who have had their vaccines. How does that figure into the vaccines “good/ not good vaccine debate and dichotomy? </span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Well, simple math. Vaccines don’t make us immune, they don’t makes us invincible or invisible. They simply reduce the virility of the virus. And since we have more people who are vaccinated in our region, it makes sense that more people who have contracted the virus variant, are likely to have been vaccinated. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Other by-products of the pandemic include loss of employment, loss of business, isolation and factionalism. The new math is Fractions of factions. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Within the vaccinated faction, we have those who listen to the government and Public Health officials with complete confidence. This faction can get defensive when another faction of the vaccinated criticize the instructions or public health orders, </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Some feel the PHO goes too far. They wan to dance have fun have freedom. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Some feel the PHO do not go far enough. We need lockdowns, less freedom for our protection, more enforcement. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Some feel the PHO responses are so wrong that they constitute eugenics. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Lately there is so much diversity of opinions among the vaccinated, that the government is trying hard to get us to remember the unvaccinated. Oh yeah, we forgot about them. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">The non vaxxed ( hesitant, resistant, and the vociferously anti-vaxx to the max - conspiracy lovers) within in our region, and within Canada, are a small minority of the population. In the US this faction is considerably higher, and their decisions more motivated ( and manipulated) by politics and religion. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Don’t forget the urban and the rural divide, also racial, economic and cultural differences. Further complicating all the divisions in the US are the profusion of guns, which like another virus, have been replicating. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">This replication of guns and virus and divisions are accelerated by the Fox “news” virus, countered by the Fake news virus. Compound these divisions with the Big Lie, and the Russian Republicans, hell bent on limiting voting. Of course any vote that disagrees with The Donald, be it black, Hispanic, socialist, liberal, or Lynn Cheney, is wrong, fake, or fraudulent. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">America is sliding toward autocracy, Russia is controlled by oligarchs, and Canada is divided by geography, identity and economy. The fans of Hate are blowing out lots of air lately, further demonizing those who disagree.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Can’t we all just get along and love the Raptors? </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">All of these divisions just help us to be better conquered. Hate is a lousy drug, worse than cocaine. Yet Hate is becoming the drug of choice. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">And as angry as I get with certain factions, and make no mistake, (as a cranky guy over 60, I am not immune,) I see the danger of this problem as it is manifesting and being manipulated. The more we make those we disagree with into the enemy, the more we make it easier to hate that enemy, to see them not just as disagreeable, but less deserving, and ultimately less than human.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">I remember being at a trade show, when the President of a company that our company did business with came by our booth. He started talking angrily about the situation in the Middle East. This man was a Zionist, who said the Palestinians were lower than dogs, subhumans who deserved whatever death could be given them. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">I also remember picking up a Japanese customer who spoke about the various countries and their people in his part of the world. There was a natural order he said. On top was Japan, then Korea, which should really be part of a Japan, then China ( did not speak of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, etc, but did not hesitate to mention that the lowest were the Filipinos, who were thieves and dogs and not to be trusted. They were dogs as well. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Funny how the worst epithet of both of these bigoted business owners was to call their enemies a dog. And then to advise that they needed to be </span></span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">“put down”. Do you think they were dog owners? </span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">The natural progression of Hate leads to “death to my enemies.” </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Divisions become a sliding scale where walk outs are welcome and death is negotiable. Hate always becomes a black hole. It is a negative space. It is hopefully not the final frontier. It is a mindset leads to a lowering of the threshold for holocausts and eugenics. </span></span></p><p><span style="color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86);">Limbo lower now. Limbo lower now. </span></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156; font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">Hate is a lousy drug. Get the t-shirt. Stay for the punch.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">“So let's leave it alone 'cause we can't see eye to eye</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">There ain't no good guy, there ain't no bad guy</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;" /><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">There's only you and me and we just disagree”</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><span jsname="YS01Ge" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(77, 81, 86); color: #4d5156;">Dave Mason</span></span></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-5329003378742216482022-01-09T12:32:00.000-08:002022-01-09T12:32:26.860-08:00Sacrifice Does Not Require Burning<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOR6jeF9-6iHToIjw6Lf8V0mlmgzJsLSdYL96u9hNXKbkxB6BSQ1vh2YR69mTxGrG760YH1bzZCRA1axa7Nmrr734nsTNFfYDUBaAA1jNUsIryD8xQ-ICRB0sk4_EXzoWFL0iwIVlavgPVky-w9QcA46Z3fz51mo3aB9oo3Xg9bhSvR1mPB2XlIFedqw=s269" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="269" data-original-width="187" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOR6jeF9-6iHToIjw6Lf8V0mlmgzJsLSdYL96u9hNXKbkxB6BSQ1vh2YR69mTxGrG760YH1bzZCRA1axa7Nmrr734nsTNFfYDUBaAA1jNUsIryD8xQ-ICRB0sk4_EXzoWFL0iwIVlavgPVky-w9QcA46Z3fz51mo3aB9oo3Xg9bhSvR1mPB2XlIFedqw" width="187" /></a></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 31.7px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 31.74px; font-weight: bold;">The harvest leg </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Is having second thoughts</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Feels they may have given up</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">more than was required</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Was this simple graft or graveyard robbery?</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">The harvest leg</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">had no say </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">in this matter of </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Gravity vs gravitas vs gravy</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;"><br /></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">The harvest leg </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Still standing upright offers up </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">More the a pirate’s booty</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">And kicks out the jams</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Nails jelly to the walls</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Requests a new melody </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">for dancing the broken night</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">The harvest leg</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Throbs with jealousy</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">For the Devil’s arthritis</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Built on borrowed pins and needles</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Hangs itself out of spite</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Then recalculates as </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Piss runs past vinegar</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Rubbing salt in </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">the wound so </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">beautifully drawn.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 24.6px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;"></span><br /></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">A thrum comes down</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.459999084472656px;">without warning or pity</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">chews through sinew</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Bores with repetition</span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;"> </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">An incremental collection </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Of steps adding up to </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">A cup of bones. </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">A minor migration of saphenous veins,</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Now the Ralph Lauren cardiac pillow </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Rests in the nest between </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">The harvest leg</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">And the insensitive good leg, </span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">oblivious of their fraternal twin’s</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 19.5px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 19.46px;">Phantom pain.</span></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-71955089202699993812022-01-04T07:23:00.010-08:002022-01-04T07:23:50.412-08:00Sitting in the dark waiting for the dawn to arrive<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgsbOASkODQsfOMoyRPyrJwVy3x-FHfwMFi0XYasydPtFpMyW8M_jbSsUdiWEd3za7MCifdQAeCiqtC4Fgw6jbVSvLePpiefjTsRAVT1EJUW6lM-Lhx0oRHFV_s6Mp8Z0m6zscRd60oA-3U-ZeN68jt-BXqE5DTuv_AUqd5CQeOoofuSfR2fziewma0nw=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI-X_KqKAaPg-RxngpGtMQTVlOQP8W6cMjv-KgNPLbuhnSBEYNFr4WUrnkTha9CRmWF0LtnHQGAjAd-KD-AlgPbP5evKrTSzDYi_McurOLME30CtOtjCVycztolpqUcHsbM-tePxJkvv7Q8DOLUsoS95xW3zma6nXqZqnXIywmOYRc3owmuekUxjM0Pw=s1751" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1745" data-original-width="1751" height="399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiI-X_KqKAaPg-RxngpGtMQTVlOQP8W6cMjv-KgNPLbuhnSBEYNFr4WUrnkTha9CRmWF0LtnHQGAjAd-KD-AlgPbP5evKrTSzDYi_McurOLME30CtOtjCVycztolpqUcHsbM-tePxJkvv7Q8DOLUsoS95xW3zma6nXqZqnXIywmOYRc3owmuekUxjM0Pw=w400-h399" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: x-large;">Sitting in the dark waiting for the dawn to arrive</span><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR2oMLa8XgPaw3089Fg5zprBjKKle5YpmzfJXzZh5gFS89rJIpBJHscU1AUj_TQ6Trey7iZ2hjEmv7L4vD7GM6fYL3jWqbBKk4tHnMW7irWNhVm5o-Y-ZKIvEltHHanYPDorievO6bZx-bFs9aloNCHSpuNE5jBeruA42zZEYaa1Flq1rdN7WEnxYeCg=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgR2oMLa8XgPaw3089Fg5zprBjKKle5YpmzfJXzZh5gFS89rJIpBJHscU1AUj_TQ6Trey7iZ2hjEmv7L4vD7GM6fYL3jWqbBKk4tHnMW7irWNhVm5o-Y-ZKIvEltHHanYPDorievO6bZx-bFs9aloNCHSpuNE5jBeruA42zZEYaa1Flq1rdN7WEnxYeCg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /> It is 7 am. The year has barely started. A Tuesday/ Wednesdayish feel. Some snow from last night remains, but the traffic sounds like rain. Lately, I sleep for 4 hours or so, then try to relax in bed until morning breaks. Sometimes I get out of bed. This morning I am waiting out the dawn, which like the end of this pandemic, is coming. <p></p><p>I am blessed to have so many artists and musicians and creative people in my life. They have a hard road, as they say, because they see it all. And sometimes that is not a pretty sight. </p><p>Not a pretty sight. But sometimes it is a glorious and beautiful sight. And those are the moments we live for. </p><p>Love. That is what we call this divine moment. </p><p><br /></p><p>We are blessed with such vision and beauty and power, We must strive to shut out the noise that diverts us from this discovery. </p><p>“The war is over, if you want it.” </p><p>“ I declare the war is over.” </p><p>“Some of them were dreamers, and some of them were fools, and for some of them it was only the moment that mattered. “</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-89396386338439228642022-01-03T09:31:00.004-08:002022-01-03T10:26:35.227-08:00The Harvest Leg<p><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhApPsOj03CkW_q-LU3VHSFkKZZOaXQuqUnu5RmdBCMbH26K9qsqzrGbDoDLfEGMwpI2-B6FcUJQDPnXu_PLsrirSShLazUSpIYodb9V0gdRhUNgpiSOjBsVTdJu0fv8-LjU8SgqiT0kX0yFkRUHXXDDfdtPOzV0thvEzVdamqGxlagLbBuUQ3GXqCwTg=s720" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="720" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhApPsOj03CkW_q-LU3VHSFkKZZOaXQuqUnu5RmdBCMbH26K9qsqzrGbDoDLfEGMwpI2-B6FcUJQDPnXu_PLsrirSShLazUSpIYodb9V0gdRhUNgpiSOjBsVTdJu0fv8-LjU8SgqiT0kX0yFkRUHXXDDfdtPOzV0thvEzVdamqGxlagLbBuUQ3GXqCwTg=s320" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />People ask me how I am doing. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The official answer is that I am doing a bit better every day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Which is true, but raises a question:</span></p><p><b><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;">How do we measure the progress of healing?</span></b></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">( TRIGGER WARNING! The following descriptions are of a medical nature, and may be disturbing to anyone with an idealized impression of the author. Even though he barely hides behind a flimsy pseudonym, he is far from the sensitive soul you imagine him to be. He is, in fact, much more sensitive.) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Recently I went to the doctor, as the leg with the scar had an infection. He said that is a common situation with <i><b>the harvest leg</b>. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">His words, my italics. The harvest leg is the leg which the surgeon designates to harvest the veins from, to graft onto your heart in a coronary artery bypass graft, aka what they call the Cabbage procedure, aka bypass surgery. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I had not heard that phrase prior to that visit, more than two months after my surgery. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The following abstract used without permission is from <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85);"></span></span></p><blockquote><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">Mohammad Salman Siddiqi, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">Cardiothoracic Surgery Division, Department of Surgery, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85);" /><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; border: 0px; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85); margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Abstract: </strong><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85);">Coronary artery bypass grafting is a commonly performed surgery worldwide that gives good results. Great saphenous vein is used as a conduit for bypass in over 95% cases. The harvesting technique has remained unchanged over the years. However, wound complications from harvesting the great saphenous vein by open method can be a major source of postoperative morbidity. With the objective of preventing major complications, identification of risk factors for saphenous vein harvest site infection is important. It is imperative to develop approaches that prevent infection and to allow for early recognition of patients who are at high risk and who may need more watchful monitoring so as to prevent development of wound complications. It is desirable to assess the patient completely, delineate the anatomy of peripheral vessels particularly in a patient with associated peripheral vascular disease, identify the best site to perform the saphenous vein harvest incision, employ a meticulous surgical technique, recognize complications early, and start the recommended treatment without delay. The aim of this paper is to identify the risk factors for saphenous vein harvest site complications and their identification, prevention, and management.</span></span></blockquote><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85);"></span></span><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">The first picture was days after surgery. The incision was very clean and was not overly painful, even though it was a fairly significant scar. The subsequent photo is after 6 weeks, and the third photo was taken this morning. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">My infection was minor and healed quickly with the round of antibiotics that my doctor prescribed. </span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. <br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(85, 85, 85); color: #555555;" /></span></span><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiydK7CdOnovKc_OB4K09_Q5YT7N3xdzDoWyE04Va_hYOLSpGRZdJX_HWcODAUdAp1x8Vmv7j4cO0jIYpDw1sm6LK0OVep3-RkeFBnv2TD40_APHAfPzfXt6xqmJm3XlQfP5wLqCJUAqpiVJiFVFqYLD9E5xoHZkbyUYKWRMIudUEVtH635vEDzAgnJjg=s3387" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3387" data-original-width="2166" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiydK7CdOnovKc_OB4K09_Q5YT7N3xdzDoWyE04Va_hYOLSpGRZdJX_HWcODAUdAp1x8Vmv7j4cO0jIYpDw1sm6LK0OVep3-RkeFBnv2TD40_APHAfPzfXt6xqmJm3XlQfP5wLqCJUAqpiVJiFVFqYLD9E5xoHZkbyUYKWRMIudUEVtH635vEDzAgnJjg=s320" width="205" /></a></p><p>2. <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3nVx-YblF9bqMAzhd0ZDuyzLELIavoCWLZgqZ1Xg57Mv5lrXMLNKhr2tPf4v-wAuaTTnFwx8qmfczG3VpKaiU8IDO1fdf9ZEJcmWiLaRyN4YnCEAqgRefO0I6zHnlWp7g9oUVvN7CGaHj_ZFFrSbnXpVdxg5gQCgSTgIGGlXZcEODNl8229pb67h_KQ=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3nVx-YblF9bqMAzhd0ZDuyzLELIavoCWLZgqZ1Xg57Mv5lrXMLNKhr2tPf4v-wAuaTTnFwx8qmfczG3VpKaiU8IDO1fdf9ZEJcmWiLaRyN4YnCEAqgRefO0I6zHnlWp7g9oUVvN7CGaHj_ZFFrSbnXpVdxg5gQCgSTgIGGlXZcEODNl8229pb67h_KQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div> 3. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU1uooS6jGVYdxj-TeoKeP_bxgXr4Ca4w0BrlJTQ6lPcsgf15nHjg17AYGmXjdcPxt1eldd5sb6nYHn-PHemXyHkWBoe1V85eJZWLQNBKfpHvRFtU9oSA5_jaHu6LI-TGl0snioa-5FKtd3QSM5VR89lLwfDpfFVIR5aSbS4Ujib0Xm7IbFT7rEPdTNQ=s3264" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhU1uooS6jGVYdxj-TeoKeP_bxgXr4Ca4w0BrlJTQ6lPcsgf15nHjg17AYGmXjdcPxt1eldd5sb6nYHn-PHemXyHkWBoe1V85eJZWLQNBKfpHvRFtU9oSA5_jaHu6LI-TGl0snioa-5FKtd3QSM5VR89lLwfDpfFVIR5aSbS4Ujib0Xm7IbFT7rEPdTNQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br />. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The third picture inaccurately makes my leg, my harvest leg, appear larger than it actually is. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My chief complaint from the harvest leg is circulation issues, i.e. cold feet, popsicle toes, “ phantom pains” in my ankle and shin area. The minor discomfort I am experiencing in the designated harvest leg is insignificant compared to the service that the harvest provided to my heart, which truth be told is most appreciative of the sacrifice made by said harvest leg. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">It must be noted that my chest also sacrificed some arterial material for the greater good during the operation. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still the harvest leg would like it known that it was the”great saphenous vein” that was sacrificed, no minor feat, no matter how cold the feet would become. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Cold feet is often used as an expression of lack of nerve, as in having cold feet. The nerves in my feet would like it to be known that they do not lack nerve, which is proven by the pain experienced, exacerbated by the relative low temperature of the feet, or should we more accurately describe as a lack of temperature. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">My mouth would also like me to mention, as it lacks its own voice, that it provided the first gift of inter body transfer, back in my teens, when they transplanted one bicuspid on the left side of the mouth to the right side to balance out the shortage of teeth on that side. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">The official dental historian would also like it stated that the host was born with less teeth than “normal” people, and that even though the left bicuspid generously gave of itself to relocate to the right side, said host later lost the tooth after being punched in the face, in a late night punk rock assault, resulting in the death of said bicuspid, and it’s subsequent removal. Left Bicuspid RIP</span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">Somehow it is always the left side giving to the right. My left testicle would also like it known that they experienced great indignity ( and a skillful incision) when a hydrocele was removed after a swollen performance. The left testicle gained subsequent revenge by creating an equally swell spermatacele, thereby continuing the dominance over the relatively puny right testicle. I will refrain from including photographic evidence. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">I am pretty sure that all of this qualifies as TMI - too much information, but I am compelled by the rules of blog self confession to proceed, with caution of course, much caution, and due process, not to mention habeas corpus. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;">For some reason only the mind can answer for (good luck getting any accountability from that organ) I am reminded of the poem Eletelephony:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(30, 30, 30, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(52, 52, 52); color: #343434; font-family: "Poets Electra Roman No 2"; font-size: 2.5rem; text-align: center;"> Eletelephony</span></div><div><div class="card-body" data-v-197036e9="" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(30, 30, 30, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(52, 52, 52); flex: 1 1 auto; line-height: 1.5; padding: 1.25rem;"><div class="poem__body px-md-4 font-serif" data-v-197036e9="" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.5rem; padding-right: 0.5rem;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #343434; font-family: "Poets Electra", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;"></span></p><div class="card-body" data-v-197036e9="" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; flex: 1 1 auto; line-height: 1.5; padding: 1.25rem;"><div class="poem__actions vertical dark" data-v-197036e9="" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="-webkit-box-flex: 1; box-sizing: border-box; color: #343434; flex-grow: 1; font-family: "Poets Electra", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.25rem; left: -3rem; margin-bottom: 2.4rem; position: absolute; width: 33px;"><ul class="poem__actions__social d-flex flex-wrap" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="-webkit-box-direction: normal; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; flex-flow: column wrap; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="pr-2" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; padding-right: 0.6rem;"><a data-v-1e4a20ad="" href="https://facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fpoets.org%2Fpoem%2Feletelephony&t=Eletelephony" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007ab3; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img data-v-1e4a20ad="" src="https://poets.org/social/facebook.svg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></li><li class="pr-2" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; padding-right: 0.6rem;"><a data-v-1e4a20ad="" href="https://twitter.com/share?text=Eletelephony&url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoets.org%2Fpoem%2Feletelephony" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007ab3; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img data-v-1e4a20ad="" src="https://poets.org/social/twitter.svg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></li><li class="pr-2" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; padding-right: 0.6rem;"><a data-v-1e4a20ad="" href="https://tumblr.com/share/link?url=https%3A%2F%2Fpoets.org%2Fpoem%2Feletelephony&name=Eletelephony" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007ab3; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img data-v-1e4a20ad="" src="https://poets.org/social/tumblr.svg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></li><li class="pr-2" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; padding-right: 0.6rem;"><a data-v-1e4a20ad="" href="https://poets.org/print/poem/50a43816-a169-4ad4-b296-3ecc84e52b11" rel="noopener" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007ab3; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img data-v-1e4a20ad="" src="https://poets.org/social/print.svg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></li><li class="pr-2" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; padding-right: 0.6rem;"><a data-v-1e4a20ad="" href="https://poets.org/poem/eletelephony#" role="button" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007ab3; text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><img data-v-1e4a20ad="" src="https://poets.org/social/embed.svg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></li><li class="pr-2" data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style: none; padding-right: 0.6rem;"><a data-v-1e4a20ad="" href="https://poets.org/poem/eletelephony#" role="button" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #007ab3; text-decoration: none;" target="_self"><img data-v-1e4a20ad="" src="https://poets.org/social/collection.svg" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: border-box; margin: 6px; vertical-align: middle;" /></a></li></ul><div data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div><div data-v-1e4a20ad="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"></div></div><div class="poem__body px-md-4 font-serif" data-v-197036e9="" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding-left: 0.5rem; padding-right: 0.5rem;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #343434; font-family: "Poets Electra", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Once there was an elephant,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Who tried to use the telephant—</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">No! No! I mean an elephone</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Who tried to use the telephone—</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">(Dear me! I am not certain quite</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">That even now I've got it right.)</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Howe'er it was, he got his trunk</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Entangled in the telephunk;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">The more he tried to get it free,</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">The louder buzzed the telephee—</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #343434; font-family: "Poets Electra", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 1.1rem; text-indent: -32px;">I fear I better drop the song </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #343434; font-family: "Poets Electra", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Of elephop and telephong. </span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #343434; font-family: "Poets Electra", Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 1.1rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="long-line" style="box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; margin-left: 32px; text-indent: -32px;">Laura Elizabeth Richards</span></p></div></div></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-27496300548093542532022-01-01T10:32:00.137-08:002022-01-02T00:21:46.583-08:00Is it soup yet? When does words become writing? When it’s actually read? <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh-VNDp27XJYCjuqQVpyJJGccKx8V9SrPw_CdxSsqILpzxf6cy04BNQQZ5_FoPK8l99NG59FWnnnu_SYhj36w9vtdOSsvfiuqfuBayefKZQkxJZn665iWGD73bRsCqGWLBJa8G3SctN7InSyx-DfO0Z3vXQjts5yW_fHPvSHLLXkvgCof7LdyJfQbDWQ=s617" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhh-VNDp27XJYCjuqQVpyJJGccKx8V9SrPw_CdxSsqILpzxf6cy04BNQQZ5_FoPK8l99NG59FWnnnu_SYhj36w9vtdOSsvfiuqfuBayefKZQkxJZn665iWGD73bRsCqGWLBJa8G3SctN7InSyx-DfO0Z3vXQjts5yW_fHPvSHLLXkvgCof7LdyJfQbDWQ=s320" width="316" /></a></div>Welcome to </span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">our first post of 2022. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">2021 was a bumper year and perhaps a personal record. It was certainly a banner year for change. For all of you following this at home, here is a quick recap of what might have missed in 2021. </span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Craps on a global stage</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Fear of quicksand</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>The radical search for the gooey centre</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>When looking for angels, start with the mirror</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>The Judys More</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Now we return to our regularly scheduled program</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Aging Out</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Smells Like Rainbow Sounds like Velvet </b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Overheard</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Lacuna</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>I love you I am no more - Late to the party</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Nancy Smith</b></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><b>Rust Never Sleeps, and feels anxious all the time</b></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>It’s about time</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>My heart is full of love pt 2</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>My heart is full of love- The Cardio Diaries</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>I wake up sneezing</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>The wink of a hummingbird </b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>In the beginning was desire</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>Building a new monster- by popular demand </b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>Does anybody really know what time it is?</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>Oops! No internet- Try Again</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>At the crumbling edge</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>Code white</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>My New armed Hunter Boots</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>The Big Stupid</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>Pandoras Box Wine</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b>I Began Walking at Six</b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">28 posts. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Views ranged from 7 to 411. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">There were 10 comments. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">When asked for comment on the sparse engagement, Dense Milt had no comment. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">However, my dog Maisy, intrepid Terrier did in fact have comments. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">In fact her piercing bark was incessant, only relieved with the tossing of her favourite treat- Brussels sprouts. Hey if you can cake in the morning and call it a muffins, no judgement here that she likes a good round cruciferous vegetable. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">At this point, I yield the floor, which to be honest, she already owns. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBSimfi-GW7zQ4xvDou7TRsQy1dFPxYCxbREaVf1XmJj6UI2v8fKhE-6Lmbq-qulpPFiebiK3piwtNDw1Ybexk35NbflaplxI9ts4_g-ehF5hRFFRoJVZOJdMEPkwef48lHIW6KuY3Sfk_9kxPGAzPMoE9nVhizQX0giMHvpWgEFo2N8F9IWRNEsVtnw=s640" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBSimfi-GW7zQ4xvDou7TRsQy1dFPxYCxbREaVf1XmJj6UI2v8fKhE-6Lmbq-qulpPFiebiK3piwtNDw1Ybexk35NbflaplxI9ts4_g-ehF5hRFFRoJVZOJdMEPkwef48lHIW6KuY3Sfk_9kxPGAzPMoE9nVhizQX0giMHvpWgEFo2N8F9IWRNEsVtnw=s320" width="320" /></a></div></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Maisy says charge your glasses. Because 2022 is not going to write itself. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b><i>“I have noticed a few things this past year. Squirrels are getting fatter. So many Kleenex to chew upon. Even the crows are obese. Still I am maintaining my girlish figure. Not bad for a bitch over 14. </i></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b><i>They say 14 is the new 9. They also promised me treats, which I do not recall getting. </i></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b><i>Lots of shows with horses this year, although I am only seeing about half of them, as the cataract in my right eye is a milky pearl. </i></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b><i>And how about those fat cats? The 1%? I think not. The real numbers are a fraction of the reality. </i></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b><i>Also I learned a new trick- who says an old dog can’t go to college? After a walk in the snow, I lie down, and they carry me home !!! </i></b></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><b><i>This year, lots of snow. Also lots of rain and a heat dome, which got name a night in an air conditioned hotel suite. That was cool! “</i></b></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">As Maisy gets older and a little slower, the squirrels are getting even slower. Apparently their diet is full of fatty foods ( nuts, acorns). While squirrels are officially a varmint, the big news is variants. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Everyone’s favourite virus keeps mutating and spreading, becoming more contagious, more virulent but having less impact. Will 2022 be the year it finally burns itself out? </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Will it be the year that anti-vaxxers and boosted boomers meet in the middle, brought together by their mutual distrust of politicians disguised as public health officials and public health officials who have learned to speak like politicians? </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Does anybody even care anymore? </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"> This virus has replaced Donald Trump as the reigning dinner conversation, is it even possible to talk about something different for even one evening? </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Like the weather. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Lots of weather. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIOMI0nQGitMBHitQNEcFFNEpO_a9HSjLNbIkmPgwnembxglj10FSWxpXr3Sf2k5p6gwDL5OrA_y_0dUwHkvTT_p3iPpECIQxy4p5H0t1W7Q1Spyka11RTUXOfNFNR5dHnR3NUNYiGjFOpfusDeNzCMukYQd7GgY3LoMr3NCkedAoIAaRnWRlZAhZsQg=s617" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="609" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgIOMI0nQGitMBHitQNEcFFNEpO_a9HSjLNbIkmPgwnembxglj10FSWxpXr3Sf2k5p6gwDL5OrA_y_0dUwHkvTT_p3iPpECIQxy4p5H0t1W7Q1Spyka11RTUXOfNFNR5dHnR3NUNYiGjFOpfusDeNzCMukYQd7GgY3LoMr3NCkedAoIAaRnWRlZAhZsQg=s320" width="316" /> </a></span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">We got rivers coming down from the sky. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Atmospheric rivers, heat domes, tornados, even locusts. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Remember singing in the rain? </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Nobody can even be bothered to sing. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Everybody is talking, not rapping, but talking. </span></span></div><div><span face="Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 15px;">Sleaford Mods, Billy Nomates, Audiotapes, Wet leg, Porridge Radio. </span></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white;">Fat White Man in a Fat White Car </span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;">by Billy Nomates:<p></p><p><br /></p><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Soft rage from old age</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Full wallet thin hair mostly bald</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Smokin his way outta town stoppin at the garage</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Me Iʼm working the day shift</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Where he bumps into Lisa</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">She was looking good in a tight black dress</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Standing by the crisps and the sandwiches</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">He walks over he was looking fat mostly bald</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Seriously, buy the most expensive car you want:</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">You're going bald</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">[Chorus]</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Gently Bentley, you're a heavy load</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Gently Bentley</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Fat white man on the road</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">[Verse 2]</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Eyes on the prize he asks "where you headed to, a party?"</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">"I just put Diesel in my unleaded"</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Oh no</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">That could really wreck your car</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">What are you gunna do?</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">She looked at him, he looked at her, I looked at you</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">"Well your a damsel in that dress Lisa and neither of us are getting any younger"</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Iʼm an executive and your games hunger."</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">[Chorus]</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Gently Bentley, you're a heavy load</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Gently Bentley</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Fat white man on the road</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">[Verse 3]</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">The next week I was working the night shift</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Fat white man in a fat white car with a fat white wallet</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Red face thin hair, mostly bald</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Slid through the automated doors and out from the fridge</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Lisa appeared this time by the wines and beers</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">"Well fancy seeing you here my battery died yeh I thought it was best I come looking for some help inside"</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">He bought a toffee crisp and a bottle of sprite</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">"The passenger seatʼs yours"</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">[Chorus]</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Gently Bentley, you're a heavy load</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Gently Bentley</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Fat white man on the road</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /></div></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">Outro]</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">Oh yeah</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">There he goes, look at him go</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">Fat white man on the road</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">Honestly I can't (?)</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">Fat white man on the road</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">(?) the rainbow, but it's not me, haha!</span><br style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;" /><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: #333333;">Fat white man on the road</span><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><br /></span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black;"><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;">Lyrics by Billy Nomates</span></div></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div></div>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8392042631938516820.post-88314659765071216162021-12-09T13:36:00.001-08:002021-12-09T13:36:28.414-08:00I Began Walking At Age Six<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9_dRhtHeZqltCvo4mbw2JcKtf11hWlshMJdLc7nyeraJki98Skp8L_5EHoe1SzAZqDIjn1R1aVV9lWeiV1ab6XHy3TttI6bROtekSIwJOWkfvsSl1GpNAk3SI5KS9Qmud8cl2eBGs9LZ/s2048/2C4EAA19-21A0-4C96-8766-9291F764F8EE.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9_dRhtHeZqltCvo4mbw2JcKtf11hWlshMJdLc7nyeraJki98Skp8L_5EHoe1SzAZqDIjn1R1aVV9lWeiV1ab6XHy3TttI6bROtekSIwJOWkfvsSl1GpNAk3SI5KS9Qmud8cl2eBGs9LZ/s320/2C4EAA19-21A0-4C96-8766-9291F764F8EE.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br />After years of standing upright and moving my legs, I began walking at the age of six. Of course I could crawl with the best of them. My pratfalls were legendary, once falling down a concrete stairwell and losing my front baby tooth. Later at age eight, I zigged when I should have zagged, and Brie off half of the same adult front tooth, resulting with a silver cap. This led to much teasing from older brothers, who when I go braces, nicknamed me Metal Mouth. Careful! Don’t go out in the lightning storm. Lightning will surely strike you in the metal mouth electrocuting you. But I digress, as we were speaking of walking. <p></p><p>But when I say I began walking, I mean this in much more than a physical sense. I embraced the full meaning of walking, where a walk is not just an exercise of the legs and feet, but an escape, offering a directionless expansion of the mind. When we walk, truly walk, we are open to the senses around us. But we also open to the senses within. </p><p>I have always thought that I was ruminating, which I thought meant luxuriating in thought. Lost in that room of my own, my own mind. In reality, the meaning of the word ruminate is to obsess or brood on repetitive negative thoughts. I had walks like that too, but more often, the walking was a process of letting my thoughts wash over me. Kinda like raining on your own parade. </p><p>I remember at age six, trudging down a steep snowy hill, the snow as high as half my body. I was bundled up and pushed out the door, alone, in the general direction of the school. As I walked, my mind wandered. Ideas came to me, and I made up songs in my head. I have no memory today of any of these songs or what they were about. I would think about home, about my older brothers, my younger sisters, the horrible black cat we had inherited from family friends who moved away. They had left him with us for safekeeping. I never asked for a cat, in fact like my mother and her intense dislike of all things melon, cats were anathema to me. </p><p>Besides walking, I would visit friends, go to birthday parties, and compete for playground popularity by bringing Miss May, from a Playboy calendar belonging to one of older brothers. I got into much trouble for disseminating this blonde beauty, bringing shame to my mother from my third grade battle axe teacher. Somehow that fact that so had stolen this from my older brother was never a consideration. </p><p>I had a friend name Kevin, whose family was Catholic. They had more kids that even our family, as we had seven, and they had over ten. Due to all the kids, their house which was next door, smelled like urine and honey. </p><p>I also had a friend named Alan, a weird kid who chewed pencils, and ate the paste that the janitors supposedly made from horses. Alan had a collection of giant gallon glass jars under his bed filled with, you guessed it, more urine. There were over 10 large jars under his bed, which was one of the earliest examples of bizarre collector mentality. </p><p>I remember one birthday party that resulted in a fire in the kitchen, flames rising up the walls, before my friends parents managed to put it out. Another birthday party was my friend Johnny Mercer, who sported a jacket and turtle neck, and was the first boy/ girl birthday party. He played The Beatles Rubber Soul, and kids danced. </p><p>Montana was a strange place of snow, blue skies, a trip in a land rover that resulted in turning around on a mountain road that had ended somewhere up the mountain. I remember looking out the window at the cliff below us, thinking that today ai would die. </p><p>I also remember great violence, as one brother joined the Air Force to avoid the draft, one brother was assaulted in a parking lot at the mill he worked at, his back slashed with a razor requiring hundreds of stitches, my Father assaulted in the same parking by a guy he had fired, who holding a piece of metal in his fist proceeded to break my Father’s jaw, causing his to earth from a straw for months with his jaw wired shut. Another brother had bought a beautiful sky blue Chevy Malibu SS, and drove off a cliff, totalling the car. He was banged up but thankfully survived. </p><p>From the snowy hills of Montana, one day I learned we were moving to the wet, grey and always dying small town of Aberdeen in Washington, or Warshington as we called it. Aberdeen was the future home of Kurt Cobain, and at one time in the 1920's was a logging boom town with 5 times the population that lived there when we arrived. Aberdeen is also famous as the home of the Grays Harbor Ghoul, Billy Gohl, aka Billy Montana, who supposedly killed between 2 and 100 people. I say supposedly as he was a Union official, who may have been framed by influential local businessmen in the docks and timber industry. </p><p>How small was the town? If I walked from our house to the right, it would take me across a bridge, and through a section of town where there were large houses. My friend Jeffrey lived there. His dad was a DJ on the radio, which meant that even though the house was large, they were relatively poor. Another friend named Guy Morton lived there. Guy was an overweight kid, who was bullied by other kids, who would grab his boy tits, and twist them for laughs and humiliation. This maneuver became known in this town as a Purple Morton. </p><p>At some point in an easterly direction, you would come to a Chinese owned grocery store, where my next younger sister spent my prized buffalo Indian head nickel. I had not given it to her to spend, as it was part of my paltry collection of coins of little distinction. Then one came to another hill with an easy grade that went to the downtown area of shops and the theatre. In the summer, young boys would race their family made creations in the Boy Scouts Soapbox Derby. </p><p>I remember one summer, my mother bought me a pass of ten movies. I could lie and say it was all about my early film education, but really, she probably owanted some time to herself. I walked to movies like The Seven Faces of Dr. Lao, That Darn Cat, Herbie the Love Bug, The Parent Trap, and every movie ever made by Hayley Mills. As Mills was also my last name, I dreamed that she was my distant cousin, but I don’t think we were related in any way. </p><p>I remember one day crossing the bridge and an older kid stopped me. He pulled a knife and told me to give him my money. "My money" in those days was usually just some coins I had in my pocket to buy candy, and was definitely less than a couple dollars. I was terrified, but could also see that the older kid was scared as well. Even though he was the one who was threatening me. Somehow I felt both pity, sympathy and fear. </p><p>My daily walk to school was down Scammel Street, a very steep hill. Unlike Montana, it was paved, and had a sidewalk. But it was incredibly steep. The school was at the bottom of the hill. For most of the year, it would rain, massive amounts of rain, and the rain would flow down and often flood the Flats where the school was. Houses down there were little smaller, and more rundown than our neighbourhood, which was higher up on the hill. </p><p>In Aberdeen, wealth was distributed according to the altitude of where your house was. The higher on the hill, the richer the family. Down lower on the flats, the houses were more rundown. Up near the top of the hill was where the streets ended and the forest began. We spent many a day in those woods, coming home only as dusk approached. My mother would send us out saying only to be home for dinner. With seven kids, just getting a few out of the house was probably essential for her sanity. </p><p>As I grew up, walking became more than a solitary endeavour. It became something I would do with my best friends. In junior high school, we moved to Portland, and my friend Doug and I would walk all over the suburb, past the boundaries of our subdivision to the very edges of civilization and on to the big pond.</p><p>Doug would say Wanna go down to the pond? Wanna? </p><p>There were ducks, and giant bullfrogs, snakes and mud. Lots of mud. Doug had guns. His Dad was military. My mother never allowed us to have guns, although my older brothers did have a rusty air pumped BB gun rifle. My mother hated it, and forbid me to play with it, which only made it more attractive. </p><p>But Doug had real guns, and we would take his gun to the Pond, and shoot the bullfrogs. That probably sounds horrible in the context of today, but as teens growing up in the suburbs, we had very few rules, other than don’t get caught. </p><p>And we would set off with his shaggy dog, Harry for our walks. Harry was a great dog, always getting into things. We would see a garter snake on Doug’s front lawn, and go Harry! Snake! Harry! Snake! Get the snake. </p><p>And he would grab the snake in his mouth and shake it until the poor snake became two halves, each crawling in opposite directions, until it died. </p><p>Later, a few years later, we would take girls with us down to the pond. When I say we, I mainly meant my friend Mark, whose Italian mother warned him to be careful with that “thing”. You could hurt someone with that, she said. That “ thing” had porn star potential, and Mark knew it, and used it religiously. The rest of us were in awe, but were content to live vicariously through Mark’s “Big” adventures. </p><p>In grade ten, we moved back to Canada, and I spent a year as an outcast in the conservative town of West Vancouver. My self-esteem was so low, that when a kid called me Derek all year long, I never corrected him. After all, at least he was talking to me! </p><p>One of my favourite stories came from this year. I was in an English class, taught by a German lady. She was writing on the blackboard the intricacies of grammar, and the boys next to me picked up a small desk, and were able to throw it out the window, where it crashed 5 stories below in a courtyard. The teacher didn’t even notice it. </p><p>But the teacher in the room below ours noticed. He was not so affectionately called Mr. Bonehead. He burst into our classroom and demanded that the teacher explain to him what had just happened and who was responsible. </p><p>The teacher turned to the class and said to me, Dennis, did you see a desk go out the window? </p><p>I was not going to snitch on my classmates, because if I had, the ostracism would have been unbearable.</p><p>I said to her, No, I didn’t see a desk go out the window.</p><p>Well, there you have it, she said to Mr. Bonehead. Obviously no desk went out the window. </p><p>You could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears. </p><p>He turned and furiously slammed the door behind him. </p><p>I always loved the simplicity of the argument. Desk? Did you see a desk fly out the window? No! </p><p>Well then, since he did not see this desk fly out the window, obviously there was no desk that flew out the window. </p><p>I have to give Mr. Bonehead credit for teaching us that the story of history is told by those with the money. Follow the money, he wisely instructed. Years later he was fired for incompetence. I kind of felt bad about that. </p><p><br /></p>dense milthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15100032340493991873noreply@blogger.com0