Daddy's Little Princess.

[Violet]

.. my angel, how are you? How's summer camp going?

.. and actually.. [on that topic].. didn't I, uh, suggest to you that you stay out of trouble?.. [gently, I mean.. I made a gentle suggestion, as I recall]

so, then, what's this??

http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/1 ... -or-verse/

.. actually.. let me TRY and get this straight--oh, by the way, I love how this Times writer doesn't really take a stand on just how ridiculous this whole thing is. I mean, the Book of Longing part.

oh: and it's in an online section called "Bits," which is actually their "Unfinished Thoughts and/or Sentence Fragments Section".. [which, truth be told, is only a few notches lower than the usual bits they feel are "fit to print."

okay. I just read the link called "the suit Ellen Pao has filed," which fills in how it was this woman was being sexually harassed at this firm. It also mentions:

[Women] account for just 6 percent of chief executives at the top 100 technology companies, and
according to the National Center for Women and Information Technology, 22 percent of software
engineers at tech companies are women.

okay. I get that part. [if you don't read the link, though, you are really left in the dark] [since the Times must be terribly short on writing staff] [seems like]

.. anyway..

.. it seems, after her getting nowhere with her sexual harassment complaints at the firm, one of the senior partners makes this gift of your Book of Longing he says in response to her buying him a Buddha statue, given his expressed interest in Buddhism.

[actually, I just thought of a Buddha statue with one of your poems graffitied on--or, no, maybe it should be a HUGE Buddha statue with the entire book graffitied on it--I mean, that would be

sorry. [got distracted]

.. okay, so.. this senior partner person also said his wife chose the gift.. [of your Book of Longing].. [sort of a nice touch, I thought].. [and shows the wife has nice taste]

anyway, NOW this woman is suing for sexual harassment at the firm in part based on the sexual content in your Book of Longing??

.. okay, I could see if he sent her a youtube link to Anyhow, but..

[that's a joke, by the way] [in case I need to state that]

.. okay: sexual harassment. Yes, I do see that as being a very serious problem. But if receiving your Book of Longing is weighing in "heavy" in this case, then..

[??]

.. but you know, my love, since this Times piece says your book must be the most discussed book in Silicon Valley since Walter Isaacson's life of Steve Jobs.. [I assume he means Life of Steve Jobs, by the way].. oh, and I guess he means because of this lawsuit.. but then, given this is just a "Bit" that point is not all that clear.. now, what was I

[by the way, if anyone from the Times is reading this, and is looking for a no-nonsense, no holds barred sort of editor for their "Anyhow" section (or what-have-you) I'm your gal]

oh, so..

The Moral of the Story:

.. gosh, this Book of Longing must be real hot stuff.. [the, uh, "inquiring" public is now thinking].. I gotta go get me a copy--but quick!

.. actually, my love.. maybe you could charge extra for a new edition of the book where all the "dirty bits" are highlighted in Silicon Valley hot pink, or something.

oh, and it could be called:

Book of Longing.. [And Then Some]

[just a thought]

End: Times "Bit"


okay, as to other matters.. oh, and philosophically speaking.. [to try and raise the level of discourse here somewhat]:


.. if a Stroppendrager trips on his noose and falls in the woods, and no one actually heard him cussing: "that blankety blank Charles V!"

.. well, then.. uh

.. actually, the dude's lucky then, since there are city ordinances against that.. so

[yeah, I think we all know the drill by now--and I mean they're upping the number of lashes you get, too.. so, yeah.. it was GOOD no one was there to hear him]

[wouldn't I make a great philosophy teacher?]

[don't answer that]

End: Philosophy of Ghent bit


.. actually, my love.. (more personally speaking).. I've just come to realize that I really really need to chill out. [sometimes one's body tells us such things].. What's happened recently, is that I started noticing a slight pain in the back of my, well, cranium--at my lower cranium, I guess you could call it.. where the cranium meets the neck, in other words. Now, it started as just a dull pain, and my chiropractor/healer person seemed to help a great deal--just last Friday, in fact. But, then I had just the most awful day, internal stress wise, on Saturday.. [ending in my sobbing to you in that late-night post that I wound up not posting].. and by yesterday evening/into the night: I was in Total and Utter and Unbelievable PAIN. Throbbing PAIN.. and I mean well into the night. Luckily I have this herbal tincture that helped me get to sleep, finally.. but it was

.. anyway.. I'll see my chiropractor again tomorrow. He did tell me it was stress related, so..

I need to find a way to de-stress. That's all there is to it.

[sigh]

.. so, that's the latest from Woe is Me Mountain.. [yeah, I went back to that one]

OH, but on Friday I bought just the classiest dress. [which might encourage me to start doing open mics 'n such].. It was from a vintage shop not far from the Chelsea Hotel, in fact.

.. it's a 1960, fitted, textured-silk dress, in this beautiful deep coral. On Friday I'll be meeting with a dressmaker who will hopefully know how to make it fit, since it needs some "taking in" shall we say. Oh, and it has these large buttons in the same material. It's just real snazzy looking--and nostalgic. Oh, and it's not a short dress this time, but just below the knee.. but, if this woman succeeds, it should hug my slender physique quite nicely.. so.. it should be real nice.

.. so.. yeah. I guess I need to focus on deep coral dresses 'n things. [instead of the synthetic dimension of terror as per the latest "Batman" installment] [this one was actually starting to get to me, in fact.. which helped get me to the state I was in last night].. [among numerous other things that seem to be preying on me just now.. so

.. need to focus on pretty dresses, instead.. and getting my repertoire in order.. [now that I'm nearing completion with this story].. [finally]

.. so.. yeah. Need to chill, my love.

.. okay.. maybe some of this laid-back sort of bluesy stuff will help.. but first, my sweet and tender kiss to you, my angel.. x.. (I miss you, and I do hope all is well..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IZ9feKp ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx xx.. xxx..xx..

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my love.. I'll make this brief since I'm in a lot of pain. It was better earlier in the day, and I even made it out to our lake. There are wild blueberries now, just where our dock is.. [they're quite good, actually].. and the day today was just glorious. Sunny, but not humid.. and breezy, rather like fall.

.. the pain comes at night though, and it's throbbing now, and it's torture to lie there awake.

.. I'll go again to the chiropractor on Friday. If he can't help, I guess I'll have to see a specialist. Maybe I strained a muscle, I don't know. I just know that everything is changed now, since all that matters is alleviating this pain.. and I'm not one for pain killers, so I'll have to find another way out of this.

I'm sure I will. I've healed myself before, so.. it's what needs to happen now.

.. I did work today, and I think I realized that the latter part of this thing I'm writing has to be pared way down. I may even do away with the "science" section, even though I sort of like it. But I think I'm seeing finally what the core of the story is, so a lot will have to go. But, maybe then I'll be at least finished with this thing, even though I barely know why I'm even doing this at this point. I think it's just to finish it now.

.. I realized, too, that if I tried to get it to you once it's done, I'll probably receive the usual "sorry, no unsolicited material" from your manager, so.. I'd rather spare myself that.. not even knowing if you'd even hear of my request, either.

.. anyway, maybe just think about it.. and if you'd like to see it, you can always have me contacted through this site, and let me know how to get it to you, and in what form, etc. And I'll not mention this subject again, however you decide. I understand I think both ways it could go, and I don't take it personally--as against me, I mean. In any event, hopefully I'm getting it to a place where it might be somewhat fun and hopefully meaningful to read. I'd love to know your thoughts, even if you have problems with it. From you, I'd welcome even that. And even if it took some serious time for you to get around to reading it. [I do realize you're a bit busy right now]

[just a bit]

.. I don't know, sometimes I feel I have something here, and sometimes I live in abject failure.. so, I honestly don't know anymore what I've done. Still, I think I can see now what it needs to be, whatever odd combination of things that turns out being.

.. anyway, I'm just hoping that the next time I write here, I will be a lot better. At night, when the pain is at its worst I wonder what I'll do if it never stops. It's a daunting prospect. But, I'm hoping for better than that.

.. maybe I'll play this song of yours, as it might help.

I do hope all is going well--with your tour just around the corner now. You know, I'm sorry I'm in the state I'm in, as it's the last thing I want to be "reporting" on.

.. actually, maybe I did too much today in the day time, when the pain isn't as bad.. so.. maybe tomorrow I need to do less, and just rest up. I remember when you hurt your back during your last tour. I can imagine you must have gone through something similar.

I love you, my angel.. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k_IQctxqNg
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xx..

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my angel.. how are you?

.. I have been having a real rough time of it.. [pain wise].. but have come to a serious conclusion early this morning.. [after panicking half the night in dire misery]

.. actually, I really did think God had left me entirely. I felt like one of the darker passages in your Book of Mercy, in fact.

.. but then I remembered the two DVD tapes I've been meaning to get to from a source I really do trust.

it starts with simple breathing exercises where you move your diaphragm properly, then you add to that pipe breathing--subtle and deep breathing meant to stimulate the Vagus nerve, which alleviates stress. Then there's the meditation aspect, which I haven't looked at yet.

Anyway, already I feel like I know what I have to do, and will work on this today, and see how I feel later toward night, when this pain gets more difficult.

.. it's been so unrelenting, and now, after seeing a doctor yesterday, I face taking some serious meds, which aren't supposed to be a permanent solution, and which could mess me up in other ways.. so

But I have a feeling this breathing is the way I need to go. I'd been planning this anyway, but it seems this has been made PARAMOUNT.

.. and so, for the first time in days, I feel there is some hope for me, maybe.. just some small rays, peering in on me.. [finally]


..oh, brief synopsis of last two days:

add to the pain, a severe sinus attack, which is making everything that much worse since it affects the head;

throw into the mix a massive storm that moved through two nights ago, taking down a tree, with this little cottage losing power, and a fireman informing me [through my window] not to leave the house, since there was a live wire on my car, and I'd be fried if I did!

.. the power of course went out. [of course].. [though it's back on now].. [thankfully]

.. this was preceded by my trying to locate an Urgent Care place on Thursday up the winding hills around here--this, as per the website for this Urgent Care facility..

... I was driving with a dish towel with ice in it wrapped around my neck, and I was in total throbbing agony, only to find out that this place has the WRONG address on their own website--they even had an erroneous google map for you to use to get lost with. [???]

.. I found myself driving up narrow steep roads that ended in dead ends, deep in the woods somewhere.. looking for an Urgent Care Facility????.. [again, in total and agonizing pain]

.. then I got home from this bit of futility, and was hit with this massively powerful, very brief and damaging storm. I felt like Dorothy, waiting for the house to lift.. oh, and with thunder, the incredible noise of which reminded me of that HAARP research I did.

.. and I worried about the chickens getting sucked up to God knows where. [??]

.. [they are okay]

.. so..

.. all is not well, my angel, here in the troubled land of Violet Flower.. but I just wanted you to know that I know what I need to do now, and that I believe in alleviating internal stress, I may succeed in healing this pain I'm now saddled with.

.. [just thought to tell you that]

.. I love you, my angel.. x.. (and I do hope all is well out yonder..

.. I'll report to let you know how this works out, if I think I'm making progress. I am just so relieved to have a "plan" though.. [just so relieved]..

x

p.s. my therapist and I had to laugh: I told her I was writing "Stroppendrager" jokes, when we both realized simultaneously how strange it was that my neck was now in pain. [???????].. My God.. what if I'd chosen beheadings instead as my material--what would have happened to me then???

[so, I thought I'd once again post this New Yorker cartoon] [actually, I do believe that for a fleeting instant you'd see the cream pie coming right at you]..


Oh.. [again for the more philosophically minded]:

which came first.. the Stroppendrager or the noose?

[the answer, of course, is Charles V] [he always comes first]


.. alright, my angel. [send me a little prayer, maybe.. I think that could help..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEDe_UZ1 ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xxx .. xxx.. xx..

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my love.. how are you?

.. I'm not out of the woods yet, but I believe I've turned a corner of some kind. Not only have I not taken any of the meds prescribed for me, I stopped taking aspirin as of early yesterday evening, since the persistent throbbing seems to have pretty much stopped. I mean, I'm still in pain, and I prefer having a kitchen towel with ice inside it tied around my neck [like the dutiful Stroppendrager that I am].. but, at least I was able to make it through a whole night without aspirin.. [which itself was starting to make me feel sick]

oh, also, I don't like ice packs, I discovered. Too "lumpy," and not easy to tie around one's neck. [I really have become a Stroppendrager, haven't I?]

.. of course, in my "dream" world for this sort of thing.. [??].. I wouldn't have to have this major sinus attack, which means I've had to learn how to sneeze and blow my nose while holding my neck in place. [a new skill of mine]

[sigh]

.. I will also have to get some nice tea towels if this towel thing is going to be part of my "look" for a while. I don't know, I could see there being something becoming about a woman wearing curls atop her head, with a nice wet tea towel tied around her neck.

Woman with a Wet Tea Towel Tied Around her Neck

[don't mind me, I'm just delerious]

.. anyway, tomorrow it's again to the chiropractor.. and maybe.. just maybe.. I really will find that I am crawling--oh. I am doing some breathing exercises, which is tough, considering I can barely even breathe. But, I think it may have been the thing that helped stop the throbbing.. so, I'm going to keep going with that, since I really think therein lies some hope for me, even beyond this immediate problem.

.. so.. yeah. That's my "wellness report." [or "unwellness," as the case may be] Not too bad, considering what it could be, I guess. But, I do hope I'll be out of the woods soon. Right now, I'm so tired from not sleeping well.. [I have to sleep nearly sitting up on the couch with a bunch of pillows piled up behind me, which doesn't afford one a lot of real sleep, it seems].. but, yeah, for now, I'm couch bound, and am catching up on cooking shows. [today, at least] [I now know how to make an old fashioned New Orleans biscuit, in fact] [it's all about cutting the butter into the flour properly]

[sound effect: I honestly had no idea]

[I'm delirious, remember]


okay, well.. I do hope all is well with you, my love. You're always with me somehow, even through all this.. (just around the corner of my despair, let's say)

.. oh, so.. I guess it's only two weeks now, and you're in, uh.. Ghent.

[she says while coughing and holding her noose in place]



.. oh--one more thing.

.. [let me see if I've got this straight].. now, if I simply just read your Book of Longing I'm being sexually harrassed??.. do I have that right?.. or..

[I may as well wait and see if there's a ruling or something that comes from this trial--before I even go near that book again, I mean]

[just to be on the safe side]


.. anyway, my angel, I do miss going out to our lake. Maybe I'll give it a few more days. And I miss just "being" in the world.. without thinking about physical pain. My chiropractor said I was going through one of those Dark Night of the Soul situations, and I can't say I disagree. I awoke in the middle of the night on Friday, and not only was there the relentless pain, but because of the sinus situation my ears were all off, pressure wise.. and so I was hearing this very loud room tone, to where I felt I would simply go mad having to just exist under such conditions. (!)

.. I'm amazed at what people go through. I've been fairly lucky, physical pain wise, I think. For the most part. But.. yeah.. it really does test you. It really and truly does.

..okay, so.. all my love, I send you.. x.. (and yes, I'm going pull through pretty well, I think).. (as best I can tell..


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbEojd0x ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. xxx x.. xx..

[Violet]

.. my angel, how are you?.. [I like the pic of you and Arlene on your road blog, by the way]

.. as for my "wellness report".. yesterday I really did feel a great deal better. It was like a miracle almost. I didn't even have to wear the tea towel. Of course, my chiropractor has been helping me in all this. I was actually doubting him, too, at one point. [that's what pain does to you]

.. he noted how my body was doing this "clearing" thing. He also told me my eyes had all this light in them on Monday. [???]

I don't know what that means.. [about my eyes, I mean].. but I did feel much much clearer.

.. I'm at the point, my angel, where it really does feel to be a miracle just to be able to walk.. oh, and ride my bike.. [which I did today].. and move around freely. It is just like a miracle.

.. the tricky part is to not let things slip back--internally speaking, I mean--to where I was when things were leading up to this, since it really does seem it's emotional stress that's the culprit. My chiropractor feels that I may have put a strain on my neck in some way, but this whole thing was already set to happen.. and somehow I feel he's probably right. I mean, there have been times recently when I really have felt to have hit a dead end, and that everything is just over for me, etc.

.. the mind is tricky, is the thing. It's like your song Darkness--when the darkness gets you.. all at once it can be upon you.

.. anyway, I really really CAN'T have this happen again.

.. so.. for now.. I'm not too sure how to keep from going back to where I just was, mentally speaking.. but I feel a bit "blank" just now, so I'm trying to stay with that. It's at least neutral. If I could just maintain this sense of blankness, and get on with my plans, etc.. [which includes this breathing/meditation thing].. then hopefully I'll be okay.



.. anyway, this little note is just to say that it looks like I'm making a full recovery.. and I may even have "cleared" some bad stuff it seems like.. so, it seems I'm now the new, clearer Violet Flower.

.. I'm not going to put any more pressure on myself about the writing either. I'll probably be finishing the editing in the next couple of weeks, but I think taking this break is probably going to help--Oh. When I was half awake all these nights, the little I did sleep had me dreaming that I was still working on that damn thing (!)

I mean, here I am in debilitating pain, and my brain is still busy trying to finish the editing!

[my God]


.. anyway, it was lovely to get out to our lake again today.. and the sky was lovely too to once again be looking up at. Since the sun was still quite high over the tree line, I didn't see a sunset this evening.. but just being out there was like breathing a sigh of relief.. and this time I did feel close to you, as if you weren't so very far away.

I guess I feel a bit delicate, still. Actually, this whole thing had me re-realizing that. I mean, I know I have my strengths, but..

.. anyway, my love.. I'm much much better. I also know I can't fret too much over what to say to you, at this point.. so.. I'll just once again send my love in this tender kiss.. x.. (of course, it's true that I miss you)

(oh, I thought this J.J. song to be a nod to some down and dirty blueness).. (just to keep them blues in the mix..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghZgduW9hzI
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xx..x..xx..

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my love.. how are you?

.. [I'm looking forward to seeing you do Anyhow, actually].. [in case you might not realize]..

.. okay, so.. the good news is that, even though I was a bit sore today, and rather weepy for some reason.. still, I started feeling much better as the evening came on.. and I took my bike ride.. and all was well with that. To look at the sky, and think of you.. and to be by the water.. and to feel soothed by that.. well, all is well with the world, then. [and I always send my well wishes to that far off horizon where I imagine you to be]

.. I've actually been watching the women's Olympic gymnastics competition tonight. [go London, by the way] I did some gymnastics myself once upon a time.. and I know first hand how difficult it is. And that's to do just about anything in that sport--let alone what these women are doing. [just incredible]

.. unfortunately, I missed the team competition, given I was a little "tied up," as they say. [or as Stroppendragers like to say, at least]

.. speaking of.. I did go to my chiropractor again yesterday, and will see him again tomorrow.

.. actually, he told me I was able to turn this thing around as quickly as I did because I have the "foundation" for it, he said. He said someone else might have been pulled into months of this. [perish the thought] But when I was in the thick of it that's what I was most panicked by--the thought that maybe the pain would never end.. that maybe I'd have to be in some manner "managing" such pain for the foreseeable future. [quite a terrifying prospect]

.. anyway, I do hope this will all be behind me soon.

oh, and I worked on the writing some today, which felt good.

.. so.. just like in that J.J. number, it seems I'm keeping one step ahead of the blues. Oh, and there's the blues, too, I need to get more serious about. I sang the other day all the way into the city as I drove, and that felt good, too.

.. so, you see, my divine.. I'm coming along.

.. anyway, I guess I'll let you know once I'm done with the editing of this thing, since that's when I'll be looking for a publisher in earnest. Maybe you'll already be on tour by then, I don't know. I'll see how things go. I just know I can't afford to stress myself out about these things, given all I've just been through.

.. you know, I can see now that if you ever do buy me that chocolate ice cream cone it probably won't be 'til next spring some time, or whenever you're done with your tour, and I'm back from the end of the world where I'll have become a world renowned blues singer. [humor me on this, I need something to aim for]

.. actually, I'm thinking of shooting my little music video in Goa. It's SO much cheaper there. And I'm taking my editing stuff with me.. so.. yeah. That's the plan. Along with starting my film website, which I guess I'll announce here at some point. Oh, and I guess I'll post the trailers I shot at the site as well..

.. so.. yeah. That's the plan, my angel. That, and the chocolate ice cream cone.

[I still adore you, you know].. [in case you've forgotten that part].. [I'm just trying not to pine too much] [which is actually part of my "stress management" program].. [so.. yeah.. try not to take it too personally].. [I mean, I'd pine if I could pine].. [you should realize that]

[sigh]

.. alright. Tomorrow I look for a birthday gift for my niece.. and I get "chiropractored" once more..

.. oh.

NOTE ON J.J. CALE:

.. okay, as many of you may have noticed, I do like to post J.J. Cale numbers from time to time. That's because I sometimes think he's playing a gosh darn Stratavarius instead of an electric guitar.

.. I do think he's under appreciated, and has a unique sound. Oh, and I did go to see him once, and there's something just so smooth about his playing.. it's like melted chocolate, or something.

.. I do think, too, that when he gets his down-to-earth, street-talkin bluesy talk right.. [and, yeah, he doesn't always].. but when he does.. and it's combined with some wonderful melodies, and, once again, those gilded guitar strings of his.. well, it just about makes a perfect package in my book. [of course, it's not quite you, my love.. but, still.. it's terribly good]

.. okay, so.. here's my sweetest, and most tender kiss.. x.. (and I don't even have to hold my neck this time to bestow it..

oh, and.. (xx x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LtArwlkIXk
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx.. xx x.. xx..

[Violet]

.. my angel.. my love.. how are you?

.. I've been plugging away at things today, and I do think I'm probably right about cutting out much of the end of this thing. [concerning the writing, I mean] It seems to be how it's "supposed" to be.. so

this is good. It really means I'm close to finishing this, then.


.. well.. everyone here is curious now about what you and your band will sound like at Ghent. I feel quite excited about it myself.. even as I can understand, too, the disappointment, given you'll be doing without Dino.. or at least for now. Still, I think the overall sentiment is excitement about what's to come.

[a little kiss for that.. x].. [oh, and maybe a few more.. xx x..




.. well.. [on the "wellness report" front].. today is the first day I haven't felt any neck pain at all.. so

this is especially good news. I guess I'm left with a new understanding that I can't keep beating up on myself and think I'm not going to in some manner pay for that.

.. so.. no more noose. And no more self flagellation, I guess. [and I was getting so good at that, too]

.. so, nope. Just..

[actually this just popped into my head.. so..

[you know the rules].. [have to just go with it, in other words]

[I love how expressive her hand and body gestures are..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMORAZCog5A
FULL SCREEN..

.. yeah, so.. it's time for some "happy talk."



.. I don't know, though, my angel. I mean, I do still pine for you, even though it's not part of my anti-stress program. But, you know, the more you tell yourself "not" to do something, the more

[well, you know]

.. so..

yeah.

[it's hard]

.. anyway, I guess it's back to work. [if I could only just stay focused and not fret too much] Actually, when I drove to the store today I was playing your Lullaby, especially since I find it so very soothing and relaxing.

.. so, you see?.. I really am trying.

.. oh. [to shift gears here a bit]..

.. [let me see if I can get this straight, just one more time]..

[I guess I should change the font color] [you know, to something more Silicon Valley]

.. okay, so..

if I send you your own Book of Longing.. is that sexual harassment?

.. and if so.. then just who's harassing whom, then?

[I am so confused now]



alright, my angel. I guess I should go. Of course, I'd rather not go. I'd rather stay right here, and just gush all over you.. but

.. well, instead, I'll just send you my tender little kiss.. x.. (it's an especially tender one this time)..

(oh, and this one's quite pretty, I think..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7d19_z84cI&feature
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xx.. xxx..

[Violet]

.. how are you, my love?.. [my perfect perfect]

.. so.. maybe you're already in Ghent?.. or close to going, at any rate.

.. [safe travels].. [xx x..


.. I'm feeling much better this evening. I was in the city today, but all day long I'd been fighting the blues. [I keep telling myself that it's just a case of the blues, and that it's not that I miss you, etc.].. [that's what I keep telling myself, at least].. Anyway, I got home.. and wrapped the presents I bought for my niece's 9th birthday--oh, and I did get out to our lake, and once again saw just the loveliest sunset. [it feels like forever since I'd last seen one] And I lay on the dock again, and once again listened to the lapping water all around me, while looking up at the sky, and thinking of you. I was musing on just how many times I must have done this these past months.. yet, still, it's the best place I know of on earth just now. Or in my little world, at least.

.. you know, I do I have a little lecture I give myself. The one I don't listen to--about you. I tell myself I need to "be strong." That I need to "bite the bullet." That sort of thing. But, still, there's this stubborn part of me that doesn't want to listen.. that wants only to hold on--I'm not even sure to what. But if I let go, it feels tragic.. and all is lost.

oh. I'll tell you a funny little bed time story.

So.. [now that I'm no longer in agonizing pain] [and I thank heaven that this is so].. but now that that's past me, I thought to have my pretty, deep coral, silk dress altered. And while that sounds simple enough, it really became something of a tale of two cities: the downtown "vintage" sort of city, where they charge you a pretty penny for something "authentic".. [even if it's a bit worn out here and there].. and the Upper East Side sort of city, where such things are really considered, well, "trash."

.. anyway, this tailor/dry cleaning place on the Upper East Side is run by this Asian couple. They re-did the botch job that was done on my deep purple Roman dress.. [yes: the one I had shortened]. The dress is the type of knit where you don't put a hem in it, you simply cut the dress at whatever length. Only, the last place botched the job, and cut it very crooked (!)

[sigh]

.. but not this place. They were exact. They were precise. [and so, the dress looks great now]

.. so, anyway.. I was wearing my deep coral dress in front of their mirror, as the man.. [the husband, that is].. was pinning it all over to fit. Then the wife comes in, and then they start arguing, I guess in Korean. [pretty sure]

.. well, a worn-out spot on the shoulder is pointed out to me.. then the man decides how to deal with it. Still, I'm seeing that the wife's brow is more and more furrowed as he goes about his business. She does not like the look of this "job" at all. [she says] At one point I say to her.. uh.. what about taking in the sides of the dress more?.. [down by the hem, I meant]

and she points out that the dress is "crooked," she says, and so one side is to be taken in, but the other no.

[it doesn't look crooked, but I take her word for it] [this woman SCARES me]

.. ANYWAY.. the man finishes pinning it. Oh, and the back looks great already, just with the pins.. it sort of hugs my, uh

[never mind]

.. but it looks quite sexy, I think. OH, but meanwhile the woman keeps saying:

"it's pay-puh".. "it's pay-puh"

meaning the silk is just too delicate with age, she feels--so, it's thin, just like paper.

I explain to her that this very nice vintage shop felt it was good enough to sell. [for a pretty penny, I might add]

[this does not impress her]

FINALLY.. [after giving me the price, which is ANOTHER pretty penny].. she says they WON'T do the alteration. It's like "pay-puh," she keeps saying.

.. well.. the husband comes back, has another look.. and he sees how disappointed I'm looking, and he says he WILL do the job. Only, the wife makes me understand that if it tears when I wear it, etc., they will NOT do any more work on it. THAT'S IT. She says. [it's pay-puh].. she even started pulling apart that little frayed section on the shoulder, and I found myself yelping for her to please stop. (!)

[the man assured me it would be alright]

.. but.. yeah. It's "pay-puh." No good.

[I really love this dress, though.. I think it's going to look great].. [I may wear it to sing in at the End of the World, too.. (my love).. I mean, it really does seem like the kind of dress one should sing in at the End of the World--it's got that End of the World coral "sheen" to it]

.. so.. yeah. Gosh, I wonder how she'll take it if I bring my antique silk kimono in. [it needs some serious needlework] [she'll probably spit at me]

[it's a beautiful silk robe, though].. [the one I mention in my story, in fact--in the "Eternuhstan" sections]

[sigh]

.. so, that's the latest from Violet Flower World. I'm making my way through the writing, which is much shorter now, given the sections I took out. But, I'm liking it.. and I think it's coming together. Tomorrow is the city once more, then back to work on it. I think it should go fairly quickly now.


.. anyway, I'm excited about Ghent, my angel.. and I hope there's some good stuff posted on youtube. [I'm sure there will be]

.. alright, my divine.. x.. (try not to let those Stroppendragers get you down) (or "tie" you down, I should probably say).. (and, yes, my angel.. I miss you).. (more than I'm willing to say)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bsoxL6XkYI
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xxx. xxx..

[Violet]

.. my love, how are you?.. [you must be in Ghent by now]

.. I thought.. well.. even when you perform, there might be a time in your hotel room.. either late at night, or in the early morning.. when it might be nice to find a little love note here.. (waiting for you).. (.. x..


I felt so much better yesterday.. and so, it was just a pleasure just to think of you.. (and to feel you all through me, as I sometimes do)

I don't know, one day all can seem lost. I can feel like just the biggest failure. Then yesterday, suddenly I felt excited by everything I was doing, even though nothing had changed.

.. and when I was telling my therapist all I've been up to, and all my plans.. and of course, I tell her about my feelings about you, as well.. but, suddenly, it seemed I was maybe more objectively hearing myself.. and I didn't seem a failure at all. I seemed like a rather intriguing person, in fact. I seemed like someone I myself would like to know.

.. so.. I don't know why I can't hold on to this sense of things. It would really be a help if I could.

[maybe it's time I remove for once and for all this burdensome noose that's around my neck].. [which I guess was always there, even before I learned about "Stroppendragers"]



well today, my angel, I'll go to our lake again. I'll send you my loveliest thoughts, though now you'll be in the opposite direction, and will have already witnessed the sunset over Ghent by the time I get around to seeing it here.. (so perhaps I'll be sending you some sweetness for your dreams, then)


.. so.. yes.. I'm closing in on finishing the editing. Oh, and I have an in at a good agency--I'm praying I'll get an agent for this. But, as I said, I'll let you know, in any case, once this is done done, and I'm sending it around. And then it's up to you.

.. oh. I thought this rather funny and telling. It was in the New York Times magazine on Sunday.. [as you no doubt already know].. but, I mean, that this musician felt he had to "square" things with you is rather amusing. [Old Ideas must be doing THAT well, then]

so, from "Shrillex".. [a rather darkish "techno" dude]

he says:

"Leonard Cohen writes lyrics, but musically it's not, like, the most challenging in the world."

[whereas pure techno/over processed "movie" sound is, like, the most challenging].. [he means]

.. now, I don't know this person's music, although I just listened to some of it on youtube. And maybe I'd have to enter that whole techno dimension to know what's new and "challenging" in that area of artistic endeavor. But, from the little I've heard so far [with this person] I'm not being terribly "challenged" either by its newness, or the implied meaningfulness of that.

actually, this "melody" is rather ho-hum conventional, in spite of its "effects" aspect.

[sample]:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSeNSzJ2-Jw
FULL SCREEN..

.. it's not that I'm against newness either. In fact, I have a feeling the writing I'm doing is in some manner a new form I've arrived at. Not that I intended that, either. It's just what evolved given a very specific set of circumstances under which I was writing it. But, I mean, I don't see innovation as the reason to be doing something. If innovation comes out of something, it's far more meaningful when that is the byproduct, and not the intention, which in itself is rather vacuous. [the art world, for example, is just loaded with redundancies like that]


.. I would, as my last word on this for now, make a case for Beauty. Yes, Beauty.. which has been held suspect--on the "cutting edge" of art, that is--for a long time now, in fact.

.. and yet Beauty contains within it the potential for all manner of expression.

For those who think Mozart may have been touched by the Divine..

.. or think that the highest in artistic achievement may be beholden to a grace and beauty that would seem to be beyond us, individually speaking..

[The Guests just came to mind, as it seems a kind of heaven almost, that exists here on this lowly earth that we might still partake of it]

.. and Old Ideas, too, exists in this flow of things.. this river that's fed from the sometimes jagged Mountaintop of Beauty.. even in its simple humility.. its reedy guitar.. [in Crazy to Love You].. [although I won't go through it all again just now].. but, yes, even from the depths of this now broken sounding voice, which itself has become a kind of Rock of Gibraltar. [for many of us, I feel]

Yes, I could very well make in this an argument for Beauty, and its challenge is always the same:

that we be a breath away from all that is Divinely Unknown to us..

that we be troubled, and soothed, and moved again.. (as with each breath we take)..

that nothing be taken for granted;

that all is being arrived at.

[for so it is that the best in art can lead us to such premise]


(I love you, my angel)

x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spObvDddISQ
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xxx..x. xx..

[Violet]

.. Leonard, my angel.. this is just a little.. hmm.. early morning note, perhaps.. on the day before your big opening night.

.. I'm very excited for you, and the band.. and I do wish I were going to be there. Ghent looks to be a beautiful place.. like a fairy tale, really.

.. I'm giving the writing another once over, but I'm close to being done at this point. It's quite funny, I think, a lot of it. [I'm hoping that will work in its favor] And I do think the, uh, erotic sections are much improved now. [those I didn't take out, that is]

.. you know, you were in and out of my dreams all night long last night, although I don't remember much of anything.. just the impression upon waking this morning that you'd been somehow all around me--or that I'd spent time with you--not in any "sensational" sort of way.. you were just there with me.. we were talking, perhaps.

.. as for now, I'm feeling rather "blank." I hoped I'd have a few more Ghent jokes for you, but no.. can't seem to summon any. [maybe this bodes well for my neck]

.. as to this youtube link, I came upon this today for some reason--not even sure how, exactly. This is such a dark movie, and yet here, when wed with Billie Holiday's classic, it's.. well, certainly it's a youtube creation, to be sure. But it works rather well, I think.. in a darkly romantic sort of way.

.. so, my tender kiss to you, my angel.. x.. (and all the very very best for the first performance of your new tour.. xx x x..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2L7esSAn09I
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xx x.. x x..

[Violet]

.. wow, my angel--I've just heard a bit of Dance Me to the End of Love on the Flemish news report that's posted, and your voice sounds so strong (!)

[you look great, too]

wait.. so.. this is posted as the set list:


Re: CONCERT REPORTS: Ghent, Aug 12, 14, 15, 17 & 18
by yoeri » Mon Aug 13, 2012 1:13 am

Dance me to the end of love
Going home
Bird on a wire
Everybody knows
Who by fire
Darkness
Amen
Come healing
I can't forget
Different Sides
Anthem

Tower of song
Suzanne
Crazy to love you
Heart with no companion
The Gypsy Wife
The Partisan
Democracy
Coming back to you (Webb Sisters)
Alexandra leaving (Sharon Robinson)
I'm your man
Hallelujah
Take this waltz

BIS
Marianne
First we take Manhattan

BIS 2
Famous blue raincoat
If it be your will (Webb Sisters)
Closing time

BIS 3
I tried to leave you
Save the last dance for me

BIS 4
Sisters of mercy
Waiting for the miracle


I especially like:

Everybody knows
Who by fire
Darkness
Amen

all lined up like that. Okay, so.. no sign of Anyhow. [I'm sure once you start in the States you'll be ready though].. [even if you do it strictly for me]

.. actually.. [speaking of]..

.. you know what's funny?.. I had MEANT to suggest that you wear a string tie--you know, as a sort of nod to Stroppendragers.. only, I neglected to do that.. [maybe because of all the pain I was in, which must have thrown me off].. but, as things turned out, I guess I didn't need to suggest that. [??]

[I really like the look, actually]

.. anyway, I think there's a line you once wrote about this phenomenon, from one of your more obscure songs I believe it was. Now, what was--

oh, yeah:

And she gets you on her wavelength.

that's it. [that's what must have happened] [I mean, I must have gotten you on my Stroppendrager wavelength].. Actually, what song is that from again?.. Peggy Sue, maybe.. [from when you were still attempting to get that 50's sound out of your system, as I recall].. [pretty sure]

oh, which explains the Drifters' number (!!)

[wouldn't I make a great musicologist?]

[don't answer that]

[I love that you did that Drifter's song, by the way] [and I will save that last dance].. .. [my angel].. [if ever I get the chance, that is]

[sigh]

.. anyway, I can't wait to hear more. Oh, and I like that you did I Can't Forget. It's something of a "road" song.

.. alright, my love.. I hope you continue to have a great time in Ghent. [just remember to throw your string tie over your shoulder when you drink your Belgium beer].. [after all, there's nothing sadder than a

[I think I'll skip that]

.. okay, so lots of excited kisses.. xx xx.. xx.. and that one very special one.. x..

(you know, I still can't believe you wrote this number).. (xx x..

[when did you stop wearing the glasses?]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku5UeUT7yIQ
FULL SCREEN..

.. xxx .xx x.xx.. xxx..

actually, my love.. this [just posted] is just lovely.. the violin exquisite..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wKdUMQyaT8
FULL SCREEN..

[Violet]

.. okay, this has to be a short one, my angel.. and I have to say, you're really messing up my, uh, "work schedule," since for two days now I can't seem to pull myself away from youtube.. been soaking up the first night's concert.. and.. well, I'm a bit overwhelmed. .. [I'd even wear my new pretty tea towel, just for the occasion]

.. [how are you, by the way, my love?]..

.. the violin is really adding a wonderful dimension to it all, I must say. I've been trying to get a sense of the line-up, as posted on some of the more comprehensive youtube postings, and the show has real "sweep" to it, it seems. Starting with "Dance Me" was a great choice, I think. Really gets you right in there.. and one gets swept along from there. It must have been an amazing first night.

.. oh, and Save the Last Dance for Me is great fun to watch.

[I think I'm falling in love].. [again]

[sigh]

.. alright, I really do have to get some work done. [and I was almost done, too, with this last "once over" I was doing on the writing].. [so, there's only you to blame]

.. oh, Amen felt very powerful, and I liked your little intro. The song does seem to capture the undercurrents of our time, even as we all wish to enjoy ourselves together, as we can.. [especially thanks to concerts such as yours].. [my divine]

.. okay, I guess I really should go.

.. I did see a lovely sunset over our lake yesterday evening. And I did stare up at the clouds. And I did wonder at things..

I kiss you, my love.. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiHTlYgo ... e=youtu.be
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xxx.. xx.. x.xx..

[Violet]

[note: my love, I wrote most of the following last night, but it got late, and I could no longer see straight.. so, I thought to wait 'til today]

so, here goes:

.. my love, how are you?

I just realized that you may have tomorrow off, it looks like. [I'm confused: did you guys perform ALL DAY TODAY???].. [my God]



.. anyway, since tomorrow it seems you have off, I thought I'd write you something tonight.


.. now, I am assuming you did not do Anyhow yet. I could be wrong, of course, since I saw very little posted from your second performance. Or did you do three already?

.. anyway, I have a feeling you maybe didn't do Anyhow. [just a hunch].. So, I thought I'd analyze this situation. [if you recall, I did apply as Times editor for their new "Anyhow" section].. [as it seems to need a whole section, I feel] [and, yes, that section would include keeping tabs on that scandalous Book of Longing of yours, as well, since--as best I can make out at this point--this one lawsuit is likely to lead to a whole slew of lawsuits. I mean, when you consider just how many out there might have purchased your Book of Longing and sent it to someone, not realizing

okay, moving on. [actually, I did that once, in fact. Sent it to someone, I mean. So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed]


Now, on a somewhat similar topic as Anyhow.. it seems you did Light as the Breeze for the first time EVER in concert. [one of your more copious devotees pointed this out]

.. and, so.. I got to thinking.. hmm.. I wonder why my beloved never did Light as the Breeze in concert before?..

.. [.. hmm.. ]..

.. well, let's just set that aside for now. [keep it simmering back there]

.. now, you did just do I'm Your Man.. [and I loved your rendition this time.. actually let me look at that again--be right back

.. [..].. oh--

[interrupting myself]

I love it when you go: And if you want another kind of love, okay.. I'll wear a mask for you. I don't know why, but that "okay" just charms me. [although, I'm not sure how intentional it was, even].. [even better, then]

actually, may as well just

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ga4_DCDoa0
FULL SCREEN..

.. and actually, since this is a comparative, uh, erotica.. [for lack of a better word].. segment.. I may as well post

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-wmnXF91Xo
FULL SCREEN..

.. so, I quite liked that arrangement of Light as the Breeze, and the violin once again was wonderful, and

okay, I'm still not entirely sure why you've never done this one before, but I suspect it had to do with the subject matter, which is erotic in a way that includes ambivalence. [you know, you might be the only writer who doesn't let ambivalence get in the way of a good turn on]

[my angel]

[and yes, I had my Professor V.D. Flowers hat on for that one]

.. more seriously, though.. [although I stand by that last glib analysis].. but, I do feel brought into the song more, as per your live performance of it. The woman the song speaks of seems more disembodied, perhaps, as this erotic dream, almost.. this idea of the erotic.. as opposed to a specific woman.. [although there's that too]

the song, too, seems to be about a kind of resignation in the face of something as fleeting and intangible as one's erotic desire.. and your handling of it enhances that perception.

oh, as to the "keys" line.. given [some quite humorous] things you've said on stage thus far on this tour.. maybe you forgot what you did with them. [!!]

as to that, I'd restate my favorite [unsourced] quote on the matter:

Forgetfulness is the guardian of pure intention.

[and so the ardent, if forgetful lovers lived Happily Ever After]



anyway, here are the lyrics you sang, which are fairly close to the lyrics I found for the song, except for one line where you sing "she turns in disgust," instead of "you turn in disgust."

She stands before you naked
You can feel it, you can taste it,
And she comes to you light as a breeze.
Now you can drink it or you can nurse it,
It don't matter how you worship
As long as you're
Down on your knees.
So I knelt there at the delta,
At the alpha of the omega,
At the cradle of the river and the seas.
And like a blessing come from heaven
For something like a second
I was healed and my heart
Was at ease.

Oh baby I've waited
So long for your kiss
For something to happen,
Oh something like this.

You're weak and you're harmless
And you're sleeping in your harness
And the wind going wild
In the trees,
And it's not exactly prison
But you'll never be forgiven
For whatever you've done
With the keys.

[Oh baby I've waited]

It's dark and it's snowing
Oh my love I must be going,
The river has started to freeze.
And I'm sick of pretending
And I'm broken from bending
I've lived too long on my knees.

Then she dances so graceful
And your heart's hard and hateful
And she's naked
But that's just a tease.
And she turns in disgust
From your hatred, from your love
And she comes to you
Light as the breeze.

[Oh baby I waited]

There's blood on every bracelet
You can see it, you can taste it,
And it's please baby
Please baby please.
And she says, drink deeply, pilgrim
But don't forget there's still a woman
Beneath this
Resplendent chemise.

So I knelt there at the delta,
At the alpha of the omega,
I knelt there like one who believes.
And like a blessing come from heaven
For something like a second
I was healed and my heart
Was at ease

[Oh, baby I've waited]

.. anyway, whatever the reason was for your never doing this song, it was worth the wait. And it goes well with your deeper voice now, and again, the intonation/interpretation you bring to it. Actually, I think I prefer it over the original recording, even.

so.. what's my point?

[forgetfulness is the guardian of--

oh. Anyhow. Yeah, so I was wondering--if, in fact, you are holding off doing Anyhow.. [and maybe you already did it].. but if you didn't, and you're holding off doing it.. I wonder

well, I mean, maybe there's the fear of it seeming "unseemly" maybe. [possibly].. but.. well, as with Light as the Breeze, I do think you could pull it off. Okay, maybe it's a horse of a slightly different color, as they say. Still, 'blue'.. [as in down 'n dirty 'n bluesy].. does suit you, my love..

[my angel]

[it really does]

[sigh]

by the way, your voice is sounding really really good. Very deep and strong.

[oh, and everyone already seems enchanted by your new tour]

[oh, so.. time to dive into Anyhow that means]


alright, my love.. I imagine you must be enjoying your time in Ghent. [it does seem so from here].. As for me.. I had a terrible time two days ago, since I was too tired to be wrangling with my writing, and I just thought the whole thing was maybe a failure.. [yeah, back to that again]. But, yesterday, after some decent sleep, it seemed much better. It's just that its tone does change considerably as it gets deeper into its subject matter, and so the whole thing is quite an amalgam--one not easily steered or mastered. I mean, it's really mastering me, it seems. But, hopefully, in the end, in a compelling way.

.. okay, once again, I send you all my love, my angel, in this kiss.. x.. (speaking of waiting so long for a kiss, by the way)


oh, and speaking of erotica.. I know I've posted this before, but this photo of you.. [that I just came upon while looking for something in this thread].. but, yeah.. this pic actually does have my alpha getting all omega, or what-have-you. [it really does]


(I haven't listened to this gal in a while.. I like her simple crisp jazz piano).. (xx x..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQdjgyzJ ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

xx.. xx x.. xx..

[Violet]

I couldn't sleep this morning, and wrote you a little poem, my angel. I'm off to Gotham.. and wish you just the very best time this evening.. xx x) (oh, and I've so been enjoying all the youtube offerings..



Beneath your smile


in early morning, and

all the while

sweet morning bird

sings the moon its mournful

farewell


and day comes, and

all the while

that reticent pain, unsung,

unheard


(for gone, the sweet

mourning

bird)


and evening comes (I'm

in your arms)

and in the dying sun

I'm yours


for all that once had been

is done

and in the dying sun

begins again



x

[Violet]

.. my love, how are you?

.. I've been a little under the weather, nursing this sinusie thing, which has really knocked me out for some reason.. and yet, I realize [now] that as long as I'm not suffering from relentlessly throbbing neck pain, I'm actually ahead of the game.. so.. no complaints.

[sigh]

.. anyway, I've been "laying low," as it were, but I have been just so moved, my angel, by so many of the recordings from Ghent. [thank you everyone for all of your wonderful coverage]..

.. and you and the band seem to be enjoying yourselves a great deal, and so, it's just wonderful to watch.. and.. [maybe not quite in the manner of your song Darkness].. still, it is a bit "contagious".. and so, I feel an excitement about things, even from up here on Need to Get Out More Mountain. [yeah, I changed it again]

oh. I just love this recording. [below] It's not the best quality video, but your smile in this is just beaming, and

anyway, again, it's been just a pleasure to watch not just such great performances, but to see you all--and you, especially, my love--really enjoying what you're doing. It's entirely moving.

oh, before I post this, I wanted to say that the Partisan feels to have a new resonance--for me, at least--given the [in many ways] troubled times that have befallen us. And your intro to Democracy, too, adds to this impression I'm having of

well.. that, regardless of what we're all being faced with, we do have each other in this. This is especially significant given those forces that would seek to divide us.

[unfortunately Democracy gets cut off here, but I still like this particular recording, all told.. (oh, and I notice that Sharon and the Webb Sisters have gotten on the Stroppendrager wavelength, actually).. (it was "bound" to happen, I guess).. (sorry about that one)..

oh: on the Jew's Harp. Someone here took great exception to it, thought it lacked the proper dignity, maybe.. (I'd have to look up the comment again). Anyway, that got me wondering how one might characterize the effect of that rather funny, twangy sound of the Jew's Harp in this rendition of the song. Now, maybe my take on this is a bit obscure, but it might actually have something "defiant" about it. I mean, we're not exactly being faced with the specter of true democracy, at this point.. [to put it mildly].. but there is, again, the uncompromising spirit of those who are, in fact, looking to correct things.. who are, in fact, seeking justice for all, etc.. and.. I don't know.. maybe the Jew's Harp is in that sense "on the ground" with things. It is a rather "rag tag" army, after all, that commands the fight for change. [one that might just include a Jew's Harp, even]

[oh, also.. it's just sort of fun]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYkDxgvOGf8
FULL SCREEN..

.. okay, the instrumentation on Partisan, especially that of Javier Mas and Alex Bublitchi, truly is inspiring.


.. so, my angel.. it's on to Amsterdam. I'd been there only once, as a young girl of fifteen, since my friend's father was a Dutch diplomat.. and so, I stayed at their home, which was just across from the sea dunes in the Hague. [really beautiful] And we trekked to Amsterdam, and I was taken by its beauty, and sense of excitement.

.. as for joke material.. all I can tell you is that I had a friend once who called Amsterdam "the armpit of Europe." Of course.. [thanks to Beautiful Losers, in fact].. most of us here know that.. well, that armpits can be something of a turn on.. [it turns out]

[and you thought I'd burn out on Stroppendrager jokes]

[yeah]

.. then again, Copenhagen has been called the "bellybutton" of Europe.. so, we're really in for it. [I'm trying to remember just what Edith put in there. Now, I know that iPhones weren't invented yet, so..

[sound effect: F. tweeting expletives].. [no, nothing obscene, just the word].. [that's probably what he would do].. [when he wasn't excelling on youtube at the Jew's Harp, that is]

[yes, I'm getting a bit obscure, I agree]

[sound effect: me skimming over Losers one more time].. [seeing if I can find some more obscure references 'n such].. [just in case]

.. actually, aside from armpits and bellybuttons, I'm wondering which European city has been called "the porcelain thrown".. [now that could be good to know].. [although I don't know if that's my own fautly memory at work, or whether you actually used that expression] [in your book, I mean]

[oh, and do we really care?]

[I guess Geoffrey really should weigh in, at this point.. since, as usual, I'm no expert]

alright. Oh.. when I was in Holland as a kid, I was taken on a, uh, five-minute tour of the country. [not a very big tour, as it happens].. [by U.S. standards, that is].. but I remember there was some famous dike we visited, the name of which now escapes me.

.. however, this had me remembering another famous dyke.. [and I do believe she'd be okay with that terminology, actually].. [oh, and I am something of a fan of hers, in any case].. but yes Sandra Bernhard came to mind.. along with her rendition of Prince's Little Red Corvette.. [for some reason]

ONLY.. (as it happens).. there's not a good recording of her doing the song on youtube. On top of that, they're blocking out the sound to Prince's own version just now. Yes, apparently he's all tied up in legal red tape at the moment, given he sent a copy of your Book of Longing to

[etc., etc]

[poor Prince]

.. LUCKILY.. [however].. I did find this version of the song. I have no idea who this guy is, but it sort of cracks me up.. so

this I dedicate to Amsterdam.. [affectionately know as].. The Armpit of Europe:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4DsOkCc5FU
FULL SCREEN..

.. actually, my angel.. I am sort of wondering if.. [along with Save the Last Dance for Me, which I just love that you're doing].. but I'm wondering if you couldn't work in a version of Little Red Corvette. [with Bublitchi and Mass maybe adding a bit of, uh, "class" to the proceedings].. [as surely they would]

[as it is, all of you are already raising the bar somewhat--for the armpit of Europe, I mean].. [I mean, let's face it]

yeah.

so.

.. [actually, speaking of armpits.. if I see in the youtube coverage of your Amsterdam show that you're sporting what's sometimes referred to as a "Ginny T".. then I'll know you really are taking my comic bits to heart]..

[a disturbing prospect]

yeah.

so.

oh. Before leaving this topic, I probably should mention that the Stroppendrager noose in Amsterdam has a different sort of "twist," you might say, in that it's actually used for

you know what?

[never mind]

[after all, what happens in Amsterdam, stays in

uh, the red light district].. [come to think of it]

.. oh, and last here.. I just happen to have some footage of Agent Longing setting out towards Amsterdam.. [believe it or not].. [it's pretty amazing that I have this, in fact]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6fJtdin ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..


.. alright, my love. Oh, I wanted to finish with this lovely token of your stay in Ghent. It had me in tears.. it's just so rousing, and emotive.. [in spite of the long distance "shaky cam"].. [oh, and I really like your entrance]

but first, I send you all my love in this tender little kiss of mine.. x.. (safe travels, and all the very best for your next stop, my beloved).. (xx x..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yk9KeL-mDKQ
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xx x.. xxx..

later edit: I need to get my 'dikes' 'n 'dykes' straight--well, maybe not straight.. but