Daddy's Little Princess.

[Violet]

.. so, it seems our two fast-shootin' Stroppendragers were hearing alotalota stories, given all the time they were spending in these Western saloon type places in and around the Violet Crown.

.. but then, it was this story in particular.. [told to them by some "kindred Stroppendrager" they just met] [oh--given he wore his bolo "just a little too tight"].. but, yeah.. the story he told was the one that had our two Lone Stroppendragers sniffling over their microbrews.. [as Strope the Wet’s noose once again slipped down into his beer, even as he was secretly wishing he could do what his pride wouldn’t let him do: get himself some Velcro].. [yeah].. [only, he just couldn't].. [after all, what would that make him? Strope the Dry II??]

[me no think so]

.. in any case, the following story.. [just like so many other stories these two had been hearing] [I mean, with times being what they are, after all].. but, yeah.. given all such sorry stories.. our two deject refugees from the stifling legacy of Charles V were beginning to realize that the so called "American Dream".. or even the dream that was the American West.. wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Not by a long shot..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm3B82Q5 ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. and so it was that our two Lone Stroppendragers started to silently sulk.. [just like old times]..

.. when..

Strope the Dry: .. I wonder if someone wound up eating the frozen turkey.

Strope the Wet [first throwing his wet noose over his shoulder]: .. yeah. I wondered about that too.



[End: “Can’t Stop the Chicken from Dancin’” Stroppendrager bit]



.. my love, how are you?

(a kiss.. x

.. I’ve been feeling much better today. (perhaps you arranged things for me with the gods) It was one of those crisp fall days, and I rode to our lake.. and it seemed as though just everyone was out on their bicycles.. and they were all smiling, and saying hello. And I was smiling, too.

.. the lake itself was wonderful, just as it always is when it's clear and windy. And I really felt I could be lifted to the heavens.. as once again I lay on the dock, "afloat" with the movement of the water beneath me. And truly, I just felt so relieved.

I even sang a bit today, after not having sung in a while. I'd been getting worried that I just didn’t have the strength in my voice to sing, and that maybe I was fooling myself that I could try it. But today it all seemed possible again.

.. so.. this is a much improved Violet flower.

.. actually, tonight I watched Greta Garbo in Camille.. (yes, another of those tragic heroines, I’m afraid).. and although I’ve seen the film before, I felt moved even more somehow by her terribly poignant performance.

I miss you, my angel.. and do hope all is happy, and well.

.. another tender kiss.. x.. (and thank you for sending me such a splendid day)

.. (here’s the sad end of Camille)..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mA6SKejdnA
FULL SCREEN..

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

[Violet]

.. okay, so.. Halloween was approaching.. and strange things started occurring in and amid the Violet Crown.

.. yes, our two somewhat, uh, “over beveraged” Stroppendragers were hearing some frightening tales.. although even those stories had a way of veering off into.. well.. just plain “gossip.” [for some reason]

.. for example, here you’ll note [a few takes in] that our fallen fräulein has lost the extra pounds, gotten herself a turban [for some reason], and has managed to clean up her enunciation. [oh, so she could snag a zany scientist] [??] Actually, on that topic.. it seems our fräulein continues to pick the wrong romantic partners. [yeah, for any number of reasons].. the blonde here being her new rival. [funny that now it’s her rival who’s got the German accent] [a little piece of irony not missed by our fur-endangered fräulein].. [actually, that last bit should make more sense in a little while]

[Igor, by the way, saw you.. (my love).. when you performed in Bucharest, I believe it was] [so, yes, he's decided to catch up with you in Austin, and has even had to seek employment as some manner of "lecher"] .. [in Bucharest, at least].. [here, it's just someone on the fast track in Hollywood]

[sound effect: you'll see soon enough]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn3mIu7- ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

[she’ll never learn, I don’t think] [our fräulein, I mean]

Oh, actually, the reason for the turban is that she got into some trouble a while back..

.. and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3cD7N3Mleo
FULL SCREEN..

[and, I mean, that wasn’t even a very high heel she was wielding] [can you imagine with today’s fashions?].. [poor pimp] [pummeled by a pump]


[End: A Naked Kiss in the Violet Crown]

[later note: I first was introduced to this film Once Upon a Time in Art School.. and I've never forgotten this, uh, "hard hitting" opening scene] [but that's Sam Fuller, for you]


.. my angel, how are you?

You know, I’m getting more and more excited about seeing you in Austin. [I’ve got butterflies, almost]

.. actually, after checking up on the weather.. (and seeing that it hit ninety degrees in Austin yesterday).. I’m re-thinking the Anna Karenina outfit. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s a bit too “winter in Moscow” for “Austin in October”.. so

may have to switch to the Roman number. [it’s much easier to travel with, in any case]

[I’ll still have the book with me, though]

oh. Today, I made some headway with setting up my website. I mean, just preliminary stuff.. but for me, if I get anything even remotely “techie” accomplished, I feel like I should be rewarded. [I wish I had some chocolate cake, in fact.. like what I made for my birthday..

.. but no. Nothing in the house except that blasted Green and Black’s 85%.

[it's just too serious]

.. so.

.. but, yeah.. I’m beginning to make some inroads. [finally] And I'm kind of excited about getting that going too.

I can't understand it. A few days ago I felt almost a death's door.. and now, I'm feeling excited about things.

[??]

.. anyway, my love.. I’m still missing you.. (but terribly happy to be seeing you soon).. and I again send my tender kiss.. x

[actually, let me see what I can find

.. [..]..

.. okay, this is a bit more than a tender kiss.. (I do admit that).. but..

well, you know how I can get.. (although, it’s your fault, too, my angel).. (you get me all stirred up sometimes).. (xx.. x..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS0fxM7s ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

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

[Violet]

I have to say, horror is not my favorite genre. [except those times it almost is] [as with this stunning film.. as per "the making of" doc here sampled]..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FixweXs8dwM
FULL SCREEN..

.. what’s rather amusing about Herzog is that to him the hyperbolic is no exaggeration.

.. actually, a while back I went to a ten o’clock p.m. showing of one of his more recent documentaries in the city, and what’s fun about the audience at that time is that they know him well enough to break out in laughter a great deal. [the earlier hour audiences don’t realize this level of “Herzog reveling”]

.. but, as to the rather astounding sense of perfection this film arrives at.. [and I’d have to watch again its antecedent to make a comparison].. but

well, I was just listening to.. (my love.. how are you, by the way?.. there was a moment in the city today when I was “checking in” with things.. in the midst of a rather hectic day.. and I realized you were there all along)

.. in any case.. I was listening to your Recent Songs album while driving home through the fog and rain tonight. Actually, I’ve been in the city these last two days, in fact, as I’m trying to catch up on things before all the traveling I’m about to do.

.. actually, on the way down today it was Various Positions, which I’ve also not listened to in a while.

I was thinking of my therapist, as I’d just seen her yesterday, and said my “goodbye for now.” I really love her, even as she provokes me in various ways, which of course she intends on doing. But this had me re-analyzing things.

.. oh, she did admit, though, that she just loves—I don’t know how she put it.. but she loves “the whole thing” with me. [she even thanked me] Actually, we do laugh a lot, I have to say. Maybe it’s that I’ve known her for so long, and so we have a kind of “short hand.” We don’t have to do “the therapy thing.” She sort of knows it doesn’t really work with me, in any case. So, we can sort of skip all that.. even though, still, she’s “working.”

.. but.. whatever the practice is, exactly.. it can be very helpful. When I was younger it was vital, I’d say. Now it’s more useful than vital. [well, except concerning my more "dire" moments] [only, it never occurs to me to call her] [??]

.. so, in any case, Various Positions was seeming like the perfect soundtrack this morning, as I once again raced down the Palisades, which was defying the gloom with all its fall colors.. [which are almost violent now, with the season at its height]

.. and something in the music was confirming for me to keep with it, and not lose my nerve. I don’t know how else to put it. And I couldn’t say now just which song, or which lyrics were doing that, either.

.. oh, she said something about “Violet.. and her violins”..

[my therapist, I mean]

.. since I’d been telling her about your adding Bublitchi to the tour, and how wonderful that was.

.. and then tonight.. in the rain and fog..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejzXh0DDe0w
FULL SCREEN..

.. you know, my angel.. it’s just that

(I really do have to sigh)

but, there’s just such depth of meaning and experience that's offered in so much of what you’ve done. [as if all one's senses are awakened] And it humbles me. And for years now, really has fed me.

I know, too, that I can be okay when surrounded by such beauty. And I hope that maybe, if I don’t give up.. [or lose my nerve].. some of this beauty might rub off on me, that I might accomplish something of at least some merit. But even if I don’t, it’s to feel in this “stream” of things.. and when I feel this way, then I do feel rather “whole.” Maybe it’s as you said, it’s to bring the two parts of the soul together.

oh, and then to hear this.. which is maybe more where I’m at with things..

.. having given up so much.. (only to escape Beauty’s notice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLfZCraw_4c
FULL SCREEN

.. alright, my love.. I guess I have to get some sleep. I have countless inane things to accomplish tomorrow, and those are the things I dread the most.

I am beside myself with—I don’t know what—just at the thought of seeing you next week. (!) My fear, however.. (given some entirely absent minded type things I’ve done of late).. but my fear is I’ll wind up on a plane to—God only knows where. [just not Austin]

.. okay, my divine. You know, I really could post that rather frantic love scene again.. [the one that ended the last post] [I really could, my angel]

.. but.. just know that that’s what this little kiss contains.. x.. (okay, I’ll add a few more, then.. xx x.. x xx.. xx. x).. (and maybe just a few more.. xx.. x..

(I miss you, my love)


.. I’ll finish here with this.. to keep us all in the stream of various types of perfection..

[but what teeth!]

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

.. [oh, our two lone [sorry] Stroppendragers are flat out hungover] [hopefully, I'll get back to them before leaving for Austin myself].. [oh—Strope the Dry just tried to send his regards, but

uh

[probably best not to describe what just happened]

[it's a shame, and it's a pity]

[it really is]

[Violet]

Hours after the National Weather Service downgraded Sandy from a hurricane
to a tropical storm, a Hurricane Hunter aircraft recorded sustained winds at
75 mph, which passes the threshold of a Category 1 hurricane.

Regardless of its official category, Sandy is expected to be a monstrous storm
that poses a serious threat for the entire Eastern Seaboard.

[as per Fox News.com]

.. uh.. my angel.. um.. I'm worried. This is due to hit up here on Monday and Tuesday--right as I try to fly out to Austin.

oh, and power outages are predicted. [especially for up here]

.. and if I try and change my flight to the next day, I'll miss most of your performance probably. [if I get there in time for that, even]

[I can't believe this is happening]

.. you know, if the storm gods are really despicable, and ruin my trip..

you need to contact me, and maybe sing me a song[ANYHOW]over the phone.

[how do you like my "subliminal" messaging?].. [yeah, I picked up a few new tricks during all that "mind control" research I did]

.. anyway, it's the least you could[I love you, my angel] do, my love. [it really is]

(sigh)


.. well, my love.. we'll just have to see what develops. [if you have any pull with the storm gods, maybe it's time to exercise your prowess].. [on behalf of your Violet flower].. [and her first trip to the "Violet Crown"]

.. in the meantime, I send all my love, and all my kisses.. xx x.. xx x.. (and that one special one.. x


.. [yeah, so.. here we go again..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyH87aQcJMI
FULL SCREEN..

[that's one way to get to Austin]

[Cate]

Violet, I hope that you're able to get to Austin even more importantly though I hope that you stay safe. I've just seen that New York has called for an evacuation along the coast and is closing down the subway - perhaps out of town living is a good thing.

[Violet]

Hi Cate. I was about to write you on another thread as concerns your mother. I do hope all goes well.. and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.

[as to this storm situation]

.. Leonard, my love..

(sigh)

.. my flight was canceled earlier today.. and nothing else seems to be lining up in my favor, as to finding another way out to you.

As for up here: the electric company is already warning residents that we could be out of power for up to a week.. [and this, the week before my End of the World trip NEXT SUNDAY]

.. so, it's looking like just everything is stacked against me in this.

.. actually, a part of me wants to break down and cry.. but then I find myself resisting, since I don't want to make those low down, stinkin’ rotten storm gods any happier than they [probably] already are.

.. anyway, I'm dragging my feet on calling and canceling the hotel, etc.. but I don't see any other option. But, I mean, I just can't believe I've been defeated in this. It's just so "un-Violet flower." And yet, it seems to be true. I have been "out done."

[actually, I’m beginning to wonder if the universe means to keep us apart, my angel].. [we must be just too potent a combination, it seems like].. [I have a feeling that's it]

.. well.. there's still the chocolate ice cream cone.. [that you STILL owe me].. [in case you forgot about that] And you really should, uh--actually, I'm not just "saying this" .. [just in case you tell yourself, "oh, she's just saying that".. "she doesn't really mean that"] But--no, I'm not just saying this. I DO really mean it.

actually, my love.. [speaking of your contacting me].. if you sang Anyhow to me over the phone, would that qualify as a dirty phone call?

or, no, "filthy," I think it would be. It would qualify as a "filthy phone call."

[long overdue, I'd say]

.. anyhow.. here's my tender kiss to you, my love.. x.. [followed by anything you'd care to add to that].. [I don't care how filthy].. [I honestly don't].. [after all, we've got to show those friggin' lousy storm gods just who's running the show here].. [so make it as filthy as it needs to be for that].. [whatever you think would be required, in that sense]

[all in the line of duty, in other words]

(you know, if I don't sigh right now, I probably will cry)

.. alright, my love.. as it looks like I will not[I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M SAYING THIS]be seeing you perform in Austin.. and I may be somewhat incommunicado for a while.. have a wonderful wonderful first performance [and second] of your North American tour.. and do say hello to the Violet Crown for me. Oh, and to those two good-for-nothin' Stroppendragers.. [who had the good sense to arrive in Austin ahead of time]

.. I will, of course, catch up with you—with the performance I SHOULD have seen especially—on youtube.. but

well, that’s really no substitute. [still, I'm hoping there will be some good footage nevertheless]

oh. This morning I awoke with this song on my mind.. and it lingered throughout the day. And I haven’t listened to it in quite a long while, too.. so, maybe it’s my[UNDYING]hope, my love, that you, too, will

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=elrkWUEJ ... el&list=UL
FULL SCREEN..

.. xx x.. xxxx..

edits: .. yes.. even though the winds are gusting out there, and all hell is about to break loose--STILL, I came back here just to poke around, and spotted a typo. [or two] [which I corrected] [since that's how conscientious a Violet flower I am].. [I love you, my angel].. [xx.. x..

[imaginary friend]

Dearest V.,

STAY SAFE. You were the first thing that jumped to my mind when I heard that NY was threatened. Damn, damn, damn re. Austin, but things have a way of happening for a reason (mysterious ways 'n' all that...) STAY SAFE

xxoo

[Violet]

Thanks, I.F.. [I hope all is well with you, too]

.. I can't believe I'm still up, but I'm trying to get anything and everything I can think of done before there's no power up here.

.. well.. these old houses are at the very least sturdy.. although if I were dropped down in Austin just like Dorothy was in Oz I can't think that would be such a bad thing. [maybe I should await the storm while lying on that dock].. [now that I think about it]

.. Leonard, my love.. another kiss for good luck.. x

I'm not sure why, but this feels like a Motown moment, for some reason.

.. (maybe to keep things on the 'up' side).. (xx.. x..

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

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

[imaginary friend]

Hey V.,

Are you OK? Please let us know.

XO

[Violet]

Thank you I.F. and those who contacted me privately. I am okay, but only just got service to my blackberry. Otherwise no power or cable, phone, etc. Just a loud generator, one lousy lamp, and a dream. Oh, and power to the water pump.
(thank God) And while my blackberry provider failed me, my neighbor's cell seemed to work, but only by some rocks in the woods(??)...so I was able to make a few phone calls. But large trees are down everywhere, taking down tons of cable and telephone wires, and crushing cars and houses. Thankfully, I made out alright in that respect.

Anyway, thanks again to those who asked after me, it helps a lot.

Leonard, my love.. I hope all went well your first night in Austin. I was with you, my angel, the whole time.

.. have another great night.. x.. (and I'll hopefully be hooked up again soon)

(I miss you, my angel)

[imaginary friend]

Hooray – you're safe!

That's a relief V. Hope power and other connectedness return very soon. Take care.

XO

[Cate]

Thankfully, I made out alright in that respect.

Thank goodness Violet. I hope everything returns to near normal as quickly as possible for you, I'm so sorry you didn't make it to Austin. xx

[Violet]

.. thanks again, I.F. It looks like the power is back just down the road a spell.. so maybe I'm next up. I do hope so.

Meantime, I dug up this wireless laptop, since my Blackberry is working, and so I figured it might work as well. So, I at least have this laptop. Although.. now that I'm recalling the last time I used it, it didn't allow me to post on this thread, since it was during "Cumalot" days, and considered "porn" by its censor software (!!)

.. so.. I guess we'll see.

Leonard, my angel.. I saw the youtube tape of your Anyhow rendition of last night. You look in such good form, I am so happy to see that.

.. actually, I thought I'd report on something rather strange. Your first night in Austin, I was very aware of the time you were starting. I had plugged my television into the cable for the generator, and I was watching one of the only DVD's I have.. but just as the time came for you to start, I noticed this "pain" I was having. I wasn't even sure what the pain was. A "soul pain," I thought.. since I wasn't with you in Austin.

.. I didn't want to mention it before, when I said I was with you the whole time for your concert. But then someone on the Austin concert thread said they thought you seemed to be in pain at the beginning of that concert. [????????????????]

.. I do hope it was just a passing thing. But.. still, it stopped me in my tracks when I read that. Oh, and you seemed to do better as the night progressed, just as I did.. I did feel better as the night progressed.. and I was sending you my well wishes.

.. anyway, my angel.. I do hope you're fine. It seems you are, given the Anyhow tape from last night. You do look just wonderful. And so, I'm relieved.

.. I've got to get a few last things out of the way before Sunday, when I depart for India. And then, I'll be reporting here from that strange land, although it might take a bit of time to set things up for that, computer wise. Still, I hear they have "high speed" internet.. and here we don't. [pretty pathetic of us, I have to say]

.. anyway, my love.. I was sad earlier in the day, but now I'm feeling more hopeful. I keep thinking our paths will meet at some point.. just not now.

[still, I could just kiss you all over]

.. anyway, maybe the balmy Goan weather will do my spirits some good, as it's gotten so cold and damp here. Still, I road around our lake the other day, and saw all the damage from the storm. I lay again on our dock.. and looked up at a sky filled with clouds that were illumined slightly from within.

.. (you have all my love, my angel.. x

.. (and I hope you continue to enjoy the tour).. (xx.. x..

[Violet]

Thankfully, I made out alright in that respect.

Thank goodness Violet. I hope everything returns to near normal as quickly as possible for you, I'm so sorry you didn't make it to Austin. xx

Hi Cate. I didn't see your post as I wrote mine. Thanks for the sentiment. I really should thank my lucky stars that one of these trees looming all around.. [as lovely as they are].. didn't come down upon me.

.. I hope things are alright with your mom.

.. take care,

v. x

[Cate]

Thanks Violet, I've been feeling a bit anxious. Her surgery went well on Tuesday (so fingers crossed)