leonardcohenforum.com

Posted: **Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:54 am**

OCCUPY BULLSH*T

.. alright.. let me just make a mental note of something since, if I write it here, I'll remember to think about this more. Okay.. so.. you have this governmental agency known as the S.E.C.. [that's the Securities and Exchange Commission].. whose job it is to oversee the financial sector, which moves around.. oh.. I guess trillions of ducats at this point. Oh, but--guess what?.. the operating budget over at the S.E.C.. [that's the Securities and Exchange Commission].. is something like.. hmm.. five cents, I think it was. [something close to that] So--guess what??.. they are actually doing us a favor by settling anything "untoward" that may come up with all those financial services.. [you know, from basic insider trading stuff.. to, well, basically ripping off the entire nation to the tune of billions and billions of dollars in, oh, whatever: [inexcusable] [fraudulent] mortgage backed securities--oh, and those real crafty swap thingys. [which is like when your best friend from childhood--oh, never mind] [but it wasn't fair, and she never gave it back] Oh, so: the SEC guys are saying, yeah.. of course they settle out of court, and it's always a "no fault" type of settlement to boot [and no one's the wiser, it seems].. but, anyway, that's okay, since they.. [the SEC guys, I mean].. are saving us all the bucks it would take to REALLY go after these criminals. [and score the really BIG dough] [?????????????????????????????????????????????]

[stay tuned for next week's: Violet Tries to Make Sense of Credit Default Swaps] [the first of a ninety-three part series]

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

.. it's been miserable weather up here for two days now.. so.. no lake, I'm afraid.. and I guess I'm still feeling a bit "blah."

.. having said that.. I STILL had something of a eureka moment today.. [yes, I'm talking about the writing again].. but, I mean, even if you have one of those in a week--or month, even--that's probably pretty good.. so.. I guess I'm pleased with that. And I guess I'm feeling I'm getting ever closer to calling this segment "a wrap."

[sigh]

.. oh, and I've been listening more to Show Me the Place.. and.. I don't know, it seems to break my heart in new ways each time I listen to it. Actually, it doesn't only break my heart.. it happens to make me smile, too.. but..

.. actually, I wish I could hone in on something with that song. I mean, it's deceptively simple.. and somehow exactly "you".. but what do I mean by "you," though?.. As a writer, I feel I should be able to articulate that with some degree of specificity.. so..

[let me listen to it again] [need to make some more tea, too]

.. okay, there's the layering of meanings.. that of speaking to your God.. as well, your lover.. although that's not all I was looking to talk about. Maybe there's something to why it makes me smile, as well as feel sorrowful. I feel it's something in you.. it's to do with an awareness of just how humble we all are in love, and life--given how little we can truly know of such things.. if we're to be honest, that is. But, in your acknowledgement of this.. well, it pulls on all my heart strings somehow.

.. but, you see.. I've failed in this description.. because.. well, I mean a Kleenex ad might have one feel like crying, maybe, in some sort of sappy way. What was that line of yours?.. something about your "inner feelings".. oh.. "I don't trust my inner feelings.. inner feelings come and go".. and in that they may not arrive at a "truth" of something.. rather, "a passing feeling."

.. but, in your finding a truth through the lyrics and melodies you write, there is something that carries over.. and it starts to circle around you, yourself, I feel. And that's what I'm trying to get to.. Sad and sorrowful, but not only sad and sorrowful.. Self knowing, but so often to do with "not knowing".. And, in a sense, humorous, even.. or, maybe it's ironic--but as a stance.. in the sense of there being nothing to do about it. Accepting.

.. and still, there's the want.. the engine driving it.. the longing.. if only to be the lover slave. Dutifully so.

.. my kiss to you.. x.. (my love)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swLa3fUZ8n8
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Wed Nov 30, 2011 9:36 am**

Violet wrote: .. and still, there's the want.. the engine driving it.. the longing.. if only to be the lover slave. Dutifully so.

.. "but there were chains, and so I hastened to behave.. there were chains, and so I loved you like a slave."

.. I was just thinking I'm not sure where the longing resides in this.

.. "the troubles came, and so I saved what I could save..

.. a thread of light.. a particle.. a wave..

.. but there were chains, and so I hastened to behave.. there chains, and so I loved you like a slave."

.. so freedom lies outside of this lover's dutifulness. It's spied perhaps in the thread of light.. the particle.. the wave.

.. still, is longing somehow inscribed in this of love's slavery?

.. I know, speaking for myself, there's something almost sublime in feeling so terribly beholden to one's love. And yes, I suppose the longing resides there too.. as we may never be without such longing, short of becoming "one with God," one could say.

.. anyway.. I thought more about the chains. The hastening to behave. And yet, it feels a love song. So moving in that.

x

Posted: **Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:34 am**

.. my love?.. is that you??

.. I've just been at youtube for like a gazillion minutes trying to find something for you. I'm a bit disappointed since there's a Sarah Vaughan number I'm just wild about, and no one else can really do it the way she does.. but her version is nowhere to be found.

One of my "pet themes," I guess you could say, is how Freudian ideas took hold of popular culture--especially in the 40's and 50's. Certainly Hitchcock comes to mind, but also songs like this one--which I'm assuming was written sometime in the 50's. Of course, this is also hip jazz talk. [which I quite like]

.. here's another version of it.. though it's a far cry from Sarah's take. Also, the lyrics I have here are slightly different, as I tried to remember what I could of Sarah's version, which I'd like to try at some point. [pretty sure] Actually, I have to set up a record player, and find my father's old Sarah Vaughan records. [gotta' get to that]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF3ZQgJW ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

Doodlin’

by Horace Silver [as sung by Sarah Vaughan]

Usin' the phone booth
Makin' a few calls
Doodlin' weird things
Usin' the booth walls

Got me a big date
Waitin' for my chap
Puttin' his fine on
So he can look dap

I enjoy procrastinatin'
'Cause I'm busy while I'm waitin'
Doodlin' away

Sittin' and dinin'
Dinner beginin'
Started designin’’
Usin' the linen

Talkin' to my man
Doodlin' my bit
Waiter got salty
Told me to please quit

Told the waiter don't be dizzy
Can't you see I'm very busy
Doodlin' away

Do you doodle all day?
Said the waiter in his way
Do you doodle all night?
Told the waiter he was right
In your doodlin’ way?
That’s the way I’ve gotta’ stay
Are you paintin’ things right?
Doodlin’ sheds a lot of light
I don’t know what to do
Ain’t nothin’ you can do
Without doodlin’ you
Doodlin’s all I wanta’ do
That’s for true

Why does every single thing I see
Look exactly like a doodle to me?
If I ever had a doubt
What life was all about
I’d take my pencil out
And then commence to doodling
And I find it so relaxing
'Specially when I feel that life
is really taxing

Those weird designs
They always show what's goin' on
in weirder minds
'Cause when you doodle
Then your noodle's flyin' by
Every little thing that you write
Just conceivably might
Be a thought that you capture
while coppin’ a wink
Doodlin’ takes you beyond what think
Then you draw what you think

I’d be so lost without my doodlin’
Doodlin’ really makes me ease my mind
I’d be tempest tossed without my doodlin’
When I’m doodlin’ there’s one thing I find
You know I really really really truly
Wanna’ figure out what my
Doo-oo-oodlin’s all about

Later the waiter
Had me arrested
Took me to Belleview
Where I was tested

Had me a doctor
Probin’ my noodle
Before he was half done
Taught him to doodle

Showed him hidden thoughts that linger
Find an outlet through your finger
Doodlin’ away

Doctor was real nice
Told me to be cool
Looked at the waiter
Called him the real fool

Looked at my baby
Told him he dug me
Got him to doodlin'
So he could feel free

When he put his arms around me
Quite to his surprise he found me
Doodlin' away
We just doodle all day

.. okay, now that's a lot of lyrics.

[my god]

.. okay.. [to switch things up a bit].. [sort of like doodling, I guess].. the other thing that's been on my mind--because of your new song, my love--is black spirituals. Now, this isn't exactly an authentic black spiritual, but it's something else I grew up with, given my parents loved this musical, and my father used to attempt this number, even though his voice wasn't quite what Robeson's was. [yours is a lot closer, I'd say] I know someone else here also posted a Robeson number in relation to your song.. so it's in the air, it seems. As for the songs along these lines that I, myself, am interested in having a go at.. there's Summertime, of course--though that's Porgy and Bess--and Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man--again, from Show Boat. [I hope I have my musicals straight, actually]

.. but first.. a dozen tender kisses.. (where ever you'd like them, my angel).. x xx x xx x x xxx x.. (oh, and that one special one.. x).. (I've been working hard today.. and thinking of you, my love)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh9WayN7R-s
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Fri Dec 02, 2011 2:00 am**

.. okay, I'm missing you, my love.. I just have to say that. Get it off my chest.

I finally got out to our lake, as it wasn't rainy today.. although it's cold, and so it takes a bit of muster to get out there. But I did.. and as it was already nearing dark, there was no sun.. just the palest pink sky--and the water brightly reflecting that, rather like a watery beacon in that dim light at the end of day.

.. as I was riding I had the sudden thought of losing you, and before I knew it, I was awash in tears. I'll cry now if I think about it more. Then I scolded myself, and told myself that I can't think of such things right now. I have to stay focused, and not upset myself like that just now..

.. so..

[sigh]

.. I did do some writing today, but then I needed some info. from off of some of my Strip posts on this thread.. so I went searching.. and.. before I knew it, I was reading all these letters I'd written you. And, there, too, I found myself tearing up (!).. I can be so self critical sometimes.. but.. I catch myself unawares when I look back at all I've written.. I mean, I do see a self I have some empathy for.. but I suppose it's good I don't look back there too often, since I get drawn into it all over again--and before I know it, an hour and a half has gone by (!)

.. I have to say that for someone who says she's not a copious devotee of yours, I certainly am copious in my "enamoredness" of you.

[another sigh]

.. well, I'm writing this now, as I have to get up early for Gotham tomorrow, and I've been staying on line 'til all hours these days, which is tiring me out.. so.. I need to chill out on that a bit--lest this spiritual writing warrior becomes too depleted. The writing is nearing completion, but that's all I'll say for now, since every time I try to predict just when it will be done, it seems to expand on me.. so.. I'll just say that I see it's nearing completion, and I'm feeling pretty good about it, overall.

.. okay.. so.. just thought I'd drop in to say an early good-night to you, my love. I hope all is well.. and I send you my very best thoughts and wishes..

.. oh, and just so much more in this kiss, my love.. x.. (you are perfect to me)

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

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

Posted: **Sat Dec 03, 2011 9:07 am**

.. my love.. I'm back. I was so wiped out today I actually started nodding off as I tried to work on my writing in my favorite little Gotham coffee shop this morning. I did see my brother this evening, though. We went to the lovely Tibetan place, with the soothing dim light, and the colorful rugs and brass bells, and we sat just under the large photo portrait of the Dalai Lama. Anyway, it was good to meet up finally, and my brother seemed in good spirits.

.. what else..

.. oh--while rummaging around youtube the other night, I found this rather strangely moving, if slightly depressing, yet somehow--oh, I-don't-even-know-what soliloquy-performance of Frank Sinatra's in his later career. It's an odd combination of things for me, since the song he breaks into is yet another song my father used to sing to me--well, at least the part of the song where.. well, you'll see. Oh, also: my father hated Frank Sinatra. Or maybe it was just that he loved to hate him. He said he was "just a crooner".. (which, in my father's parlance, meant he wasn't Mario Lanza).. oh, and he wasn't even a very good crooner, at that. [again, according to Dad]

.. actually, I don't entirely know what it was about Frank that rubbed my father the wrong way, but I grew up knowing that Frank was strictly "verboten." It wasn't until I was an adult that I realized that Frank Sinatra was actually pretty darn good--if not sensational, at times.. and I mean, how often does one even feel compelled to use that term?.. ["sensational," I mean].. [not very often]

.. of course, I can't say Frank moved me very much in the acting department, although he was in a number of good movies.. [the Manchurian Candidate comes to mind--oh, and I do like Pal Joey]

.. anyway, before I link to Frank.. I checked out that site someone here was recommending called "Drinkify," where you enter the performer's name, and you get the "equivalent drink" as it were. You.. (my love).. (as was already mentioned).. "drinkify" to:

“THE LEONARD COHEN”
1 bottle Red wine
Serve at room temperature.

.. now, while I think they're onto something here with the red wine.. or at least, as concerns your past drinking preferences.. couldn't they have been a bit more specific?.. I mean, at least with Frank they put a little more effort into it.. [although, just thinking about the Rat Pack, as well as the performance I'm linking to, suggests it should be a drink that's served in a tumbler, not a wine glass]:

“THE FRANK SINATRA”
1 bottle Merlot
Serve at room temperature. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

[gosh, he even got a maraschino cherry]

.. but don't feel too bad, my angel.. you "drinkify" in the exact same way as:

“THE BERTOLT BRECHT”
1 bottle Red wine
Serve at room temperature.

.. so it seems that artists with a certain manner of "style" translate to red wine.. (actually, I haven't talked about "style" in a while).. (maybe I need to make a new personal style list, lest my "fabulous initiative" may start to wane)

.. but back on this "drinkify" thing for a minute.. now, does one have to drink a whole bottle of wine? Actually, it seems like all the drinks on Drinkify encourage binge drinking.. so we can probably safely [or unsafely] assume it's a brit site.. especially since both Dionne Warwick and The Smiths "drinkify" to:

1 bottle of Buckfast, served at room temperature.

Now.. [even overlooking the "Buckfast" part].. as I recall, the brits* [foregoing the wasted time it takes to chill anything] drink massive amounts of warm beer, and warm just-about-anything-they-can-get-their-hands-on-in-that-corner-pub sort of thing.. all of which "reverse-drinkifies" to Van Halen. [although I have no idea why]

[I haven't had a go at the brits in a while] [so..

.. okay, my love.. I'll leave you with Frank, for now.. oh, and I'll try to get the [obviously inebriated] [or, not inebriated enough, actually] folks over at Drinkify to consider finessing the "drinkified" version of you. [I feel it's the least they could do] [especially considering Frank got the maraschino cherry 'n all]

.. oh, and.. once again.. I send you this tired and lingering and lovely little kiss, my love.. x.. (I miss you.. and.. well, that doesn't say enough somehow).. (x xxx x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51H0IPcI ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

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

* to those new to this thread: I stopped capitalizing "Brits" quite some time ago now. I confess it started as something of a "reverse-respect" sort of thing, although I now find the lower case version rather endearing seeming.

Posted: **Sat Dec 03, 2011 10:47 pm**

.. my beloved.. as I'm just so done-in feeling today, I thought I'd write you a little note now, so I won't be tempted to stay up too late later on.. (need to get some proper sleep finally).. (my sweet angel)

.. it's sunny today, though, so I should probably get out to our lake, as well, and have look. (I'd prefer to have your arms around me)

.. oh, so--I thought I'd add a few more names to the "drinkified Red wine list":

“THE NOËL COWARD”
1 bottle Red wine
Serve at room temperature.

“THE KURT WEILL”
1 bottle Red wine
Serve at room temperature.

.. and, silly me, I thought Cole Porter would be yet another Red wine candidate [funny how 'R' is capitalized over at Drinkify, by the way--lest we dare heedlessly venture into.... White wine, for such as these candidates??].. anyway, silly me thought Cole would also fall in your category, my love.. but.. no.. [apparently not]:

“THE COLE PORTER”
12 oz. Heroin
12 oz. Monster Energy Drink
Combine in shaker and strain into cocktail glass. Serve. Stir quickly.

I never knew one could drink herion, actually, but given Drinkify's considerable acumen concerning such things, I'll defer to them. [??]

.. speaking of.. my first thought [as per one of the later qualifiers I added to that last post] was correct: the folks over at Drinkify were boozing it up when putting this site together, as per their fine print.. [oh, also, they hail from Boston, not Britland] [which means I was right about the 'B,' at any rate]:

Created in twenty-four boozy hours by @leyink, @han, and @flaneur at Music Hack Day Boston 2011.  Powered by The Echo Nest, Last.fm, and what’s left of our livers.

.. I rather like that the last thing it's powered by is "what's left of our livers."

[I think I'd like to drink, if not "drinkify" with these people] [although, as to the latter, I'd ask that they raise the bar a bit--actually, is that a pun?.. or

.. anyway, my love.. I will send you my kiss good-bye for now, as I hope to get some work done too today, if possible. I just took a very long, soothing mineral bath, which seemed to be essential, given how I'm feeling.. so.. maybe now I'll get some work done.

.. this longest.. and most tender kiss to you, my love.. x.. (my dearest dearest angel)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcr8duXc ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Mon Dec 05, 2011 3:42 am**

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

.. I've been good today, working away. The thing grows, and then I have to cut it down. Just now, I'm working on those two areas I initially said I needed some new material for.. then I have to fact search portions of the entire thing, where I couldn't recall certain details.. and then I'm done. I wish this weren't so tedious though.

.. speaking of slavery.. [oh, given your song, I mean].. I feel to be a slave to this segment of writing especially. It's really got me. I almost haven't a life until I get the damn thing finished--is what it feels like. [the part of me that feels a slave to you I much prefer]

[sigh]

.. I didn't even make it out to our lake today, given it gets dark so darn early.. but yesterday I did, my love. It's always so peaceful there.. with the last of the dying sun peering out from behind the winter-grey clouds.. and as I ride, I'll see it at times blazing out from behind the dark and delicate entanglements of barren trees.

People here at the forum are talking about your voice, given your new song.. and your deep voice is with me too, my love.. as I ride sometimes.. and sometimes I feel enveloped by it.. and it's just so soothing feeling.

.. oh. I just remembered something. Something I only just found out about a few days ago, but I keep putting it out of my mind, I guess. So, it seems I may be meeting up with a, uh, “film” person after the holidays. Someone producing films, in other words.. and I almost wish this hadn’t happened, as I sort of shut the chapter on all of that for now. But, no, now I have to try not to hope again.. and yet, I probably will start hoping.. and

[yes, another sigh]

.. so, that’s the update. I’m feeling to have a blindfold on as concerns most things, I guess.. even as I ache for you, my love. [which seems to be a constant]

.. actually, before wrapping things up here.. (which suddenly sounds appropriately festive, given the holidays are upon us).. but anyway, I would note that being something of a party girl, Sarah drinkifies to:

“THE SARAH VAUGHAN”
10 oz. Gin
Serve on rocks. Stir slowly. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

[gosh, even if she was a party girl, that’s an awful lot of gin, ain’t it??]

.. okay, my love... oh, and speaking again of love’s slavery.. Sarah is also very eloquent on the subject.. and so, this is just for you, my angel.. to go with my yearning kiss.. x.. (I'm missing you)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMu8dHdT ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:48 am**

.. my love.. I miss you.

.. actually, I had Agent Longing put some ideas together today in what I thought was a fairly interesting way, and I was quite pleased with that. Of course, I have to check in on that tomorrow to see if it still holds.. but.. today, at least, it seemed promising. [my angel]

.. what else..

.. you know, I'm thinking that this Drinkify thing came along just in time for the holidays, and so that's another thing I'm grateful for. Oh, actually.. [you britsters].. it seems my brit radar was working properly after all as two of the three Drinkifiers are from britland, specifically London [don't you know].. with the third from San Fran. [a little American town which features in my story, in fact] I guess I was thrown off by the "Music Hack Day Boston 2011".. which I actually checked out, and was quite impressed with all the techiness. [something I surely lack, I'm afraid]

.. what else..

.. actually.. (my love).. I thought you might be amused by this particular "drinkification":

“THE RICHARD WAGNER”
1 Pilsner
Serve cold.

[I guess they showed him, huh?]

.. meanwhile.. it seems I found yet another member of the Red wine club.. well, except for that little additional ingredient, which I guess the Drinkifiers felt added just a little.. uhhh.. spice, I guess.. only why is Mahler in particular deserving of such spice?.. [actually, should I really be giving such things my due consideration when the Drinkifiers themselves claimed to be soused when slapping together this entire site in just twenty-four hours time??].. [my conclusion: not sure. Maybe.] [i.e., wishy-washy]

“THE GUSTAV MAHLER”
1 bottle Red wine
Serve at room temperature. Garnish with nutmeg.

.. my love, I'm actually thinking you should have some sort of garnish, too.. only.. well, what might that be?.. my God, I thought coming up with words to describe you was hard--how about a garnish?

[geesh]

.. alright, my love. Oh--I did sing a bit today, and really am feeling that my voice is improving, which is making me think I'll have more confidence once I finally bite the bullet, and actually do the open mic. I'm doubtful I'll do that before the holidays, though. Then again, people will be in more of a festive mood during the holidays.. so.. I guess that's something to consider. [I'll see]

.. anyway, as I've mentioned, there are definitely songs that I feel to be singing just to you when I sing them, my love.. (perhaps I'll put together a list).. and when I sing one of those songs in particular it has a way of making me smile, I guess because I'm imagining you there.. (at that little jazz supper club I've yet to go to).. sitting at a little round table up front near the stage.. (and hopefully looking quite pleased).

.. okay, my angel.. I do miss you, but I don't always know how to express that feeling. I did make it to our lake today, and as always, when I look out over the water, I think of you.. and try to think of ways I might describe to you what I'm feeling.. as I gaze upon yet another blazing sunset that's seemingly igniting the water in its fiery reflection.. (I'm pretty sure that's how I feel).. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8h5o9Sw ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

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

oh, and [as part of my new Music Ed section]:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PnF2W7LmIE
FULL SCREEN..

Posted: **Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:20 am**

.. you know, my love.. you made out very very well, it turns out, over at Drinkify, all told. Yes, they might have provided you with a garnish, and that might have made you feel a bit more special.. but when you consider what befell our poor Julie Andrews—whose biggest crime was what?.. The Sound of Music??.. Mary Poppins???.. not getting the lead in My Fair Lady when it was made into a movie????.. just what was her crime, then?????

[my god]

.. oh, and I’m not sure she even ranks “the Red wine club,” given I don't think one ounce qualifies. But, I mean, any amount in combination with coconut milk?????.. and a caffeinated, carbonated mate-extract??????.. [actually, I had to look up "mate"] [I'll tell you what it is the next time I have three hours to kill]

.. okay, so

“THE JULIE ANDREWS”
1 oz. Red Wine
1 oz. Coco López
10 oz. Club-Mate
Combine in highball glass and serve. Garnish with pickled carrot sticks.

[really, the pickled carrot sticks are the very last straw]

.. at the very least, my angel, they didn’t give you the same garnish. I mean, how special would you have felt then? I’m sure you would have felt slighted, and that’s not even including the other ingredients here.

[sigh]

.. I guess that’s what you get for singing lyrics such as “raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens”..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uocxb2OD ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

.. now.. I don't see Bjork being punished for her involvement in all of this. [by the folks over at Drinkify, I mean]:

“THE BJÖRK”
1 Blue Paddle
Serve cold. Garnish with fire.

.. quite the opposite, it seems.

[poor poor Julie]

.. anyway, my love, as you can see, this is going to be a long, hard holiday just packed with extremely unnecessary drinkification. [believe me, if I could come up with something else, I would]

.. oh, as I was working today I was looking at some of the different angles there are on ye 'ol internet as regards the same time period/subject matter I'm working with. I will say, though, it seems my one source—my main source, I mean, for the particular take I’m utilizing—well, he seems to be the only one putting things together in quite this way. That's not the only reason I was drawn to this material, as it's relevant to ideas I’ve already had, and in a sense has only deepened them. In any case, what I find I've been doing is couching it all in a larger context, and in such a way that.. I don't know, it all seems fairly.. actually, I don't know what word I'm looking for. Maybe I'm afraid to try and characterize it, lest it will vanish on me.

.. anyway, I just wish it were done.. though, soon, it will be.

.. okay, my angel. I also wish I could really and truly kiss you good-night.. but this will have to do, my love.. x.. (I miss you)

oh!.. now, I thought this was rather cute to post for you. Of course, I do somehow feel to be on more intimate terms with you at this point (even though we've never met).. on the other hand, I sort of know just how this young girl feels.. oh, and I like it since.. well, I tend to blame myself for just about everything under the sun.. I'm very hard on myself in that sense, and it can get wearying.. but, at least here you see that.. well, that whatever feelings I have for you, that it's not entirely my fault.. I mean, I know I've told you this before, but maybe here you'll see more what I mean..

.. (good-night, my angel.. xx x)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFSczLif0q4
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Thu Dec 08, 2011 4:00 am**

.. Leonard, my love.. (suddenly I missed writing your name).. (my angel).. how are you?.. I do hope all is well.. (and, even when I don't mention it, I'm always sending you my well-wishes, my love)

.. actually, this is the second day in a row of nothing but rain up here. I mean, I can sort of handle these back-woods environs when the weather is passable.. but..

[sigh]

.. anyway, I'm managing to put my malcontent aside, and just keep forging ahead. But, you know, the more I read on this stuff--the stuff I've been writing about--the more I

.. well, let's just say I'm going to need a bit of a break once I'm done with this, as my very sanity is at issue (!)

[Sanity Clause] [just in time for Christmas]

[sound effect: ??????]

.. oh--I just thought I'd make note that some of our Forum Founding Fathers have made their "presences" more known back here in ye ol' back room. It's nice that this has happened now--in time for the holidays. It feels a bit "reunion like." G. you have quite a nice singing voice. [oh, and your strumming doesn't seem bad neither] Now, I couldn't find you yet at Drinkify, but.. you seem to have a Celtic thing going on (I think).. so.. some manner of seriously good scotch or bourbon or something??

"THE GEOFFREY"
4 oz. Glenmorangie
Single Highland
Malt Scotch Whisky
10 years old

Serve neat. [no garnish necessary]

.. oh, also.. here's a helpful poem I just came upon [for those of us that need this, that is].. [actually, as per the site "The Art of Manliness".. this poem is "to help you remember how to spell the word and what to look for when shopping for an authentic bottle of scotch."]

Whisky or Whiskey

A Scotsman who spells
Whisky with an ‘e’,
should be hand cuffed
and thrown head first in the Dee,

In the USA and Ireland,
it’s spelt with an ‘e’
but in Scotland
it’s real ‘Whisky’.

So if you see Whisky
and it has an ‘e’,
only take it,
if you get it for free!

For the name is not the same
and it never will be,
a dram is only a real dram,
from a bottle of ‘Scotch Whisky’.:

by the Bard of Banff, Stanley Bruce

[wow.. I had no idea, and half my family hails from there, too].. [oy]

.. oh, and.. uh.. Mr. Wolkind.. [I'm still trying to figure out what kind of drink you would be] [I'll have to get back to you on that].. anyway, as disclosed, you have a lovely family, which I'm sure is wonderful for you.. [and that pro bono case seems to fit right in with everything I've been researching lately] [??]

.. okay, well.. early Season's Greetings to All Here.

.. Leonard, my love.. [sigh].. actually, I'm going to order a bio on you, like, now. [after I'm done with this post] There are all these little tasks that I have in mind to do, but I get sucked into oblivion with what I've been doing, and then I'm just plain spent after that.. oh, and I've been staying up too late on youtube 'n stuff, too.. so..

[bleh]

.. what else..

.. oh, I can't help but mention that.. [yes, this is Drinkify again].. but I found yet another Red wine club member, which I think should please you:

“THE WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART”
1 bottle Red wine
Serve at room temperature. Garnish with maraschino cherry.

.. yes, I'm noticing that too, my love--he has the maraschino cherry, as did Frank.. [who, more specifically, was Merlot]

.. on the other hand, my love.. I mean, did you ever ever even remotely feel tempted [EVER] to plop a yucky [artificially-colored] maraschino cherry into your no doubt very good quality Red wine???.. No. Most certainly not. So.. yes.. it seems like Wofgang is getting away with something here--some additional little pleasantry, shall we say--but I think, upon further reflection, we might all agree that the folks down at Drinkify are probably [at least passive-aggressively] putting him [and Frank] down--Frank, because he's, well, departed, and so doesn't have a great deal to say abou--actually, what am I saying??.. I'd say they were both departed.. [now that I'm using those few extra brain cells I believe I have on hand].. but, well, with Frank they might have thought twice about ruffling his feathers, as it were--if he were still with us, I mean.. [if only because he was friends with

oh, never mind. [oh, I know.. you probably thought I was going to say something about Frank's ties to the mob, but no, I was actually going to mention his friendship with Sammy Davis Jr., who I found out wasn't just a Rat Pack member, but a--actually, let's just leave it at that] [believe me, I think it's best that I do]

oh, whereas with Wolfgang.. [are you all still following me here?].. actually, to tell you the truth.. [after looking at that Drinkify bunch].. I'd say they just find Wolfgang annoying given the rotten casting on the film Amadeus. I mean, honestly, to have The Mozart [whose music is tippy top shelf by any and all standards] played by........... just who was that guy, anyway?..

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

[I refuse to believe Mozart laughed like that, I don't care what the story line is]

[Hollywood]

.. okay, well.. I guess that about wraps things up here at High Hopes Mountain. [home of THE Violet Flower] [whose own drink is pending].. [believe me, I've been giving it some thought]

.. okay, my love.. my angel.. my kiss to you, and all my love.. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QllY_0VFYI8
FULL SCREEN..

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

oh, and as part of my new Music Ed section [and no, I'm sorry, we'll have to do Mozart some other time]:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyEf1Lp7Byk
FULL SCREEN..

Posted: **Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:34 am**

.. my beloved, how are you?.. I'm off to Gotham tomorrow, and so I have this post on a timer. I really can't stay here too long. Need to try to get some sleep tonight.. (my angel).. (I've been missing you, by the way) (more than missing you)

.. anyway, my love.. I'm actually even more impressed that you made out as well as you did over at Drinkify. [yeah, sorry, it's Drinkify Time] [again]

.. but, I mean, check this out:

“THE BOB DYLAN”
8 oz. Sipsmith Gin
8 oz. Cough syrup
Combine in highball glass and serve.

.. well, I guess I don't have to point out the obvious. [that's correct, I tried to have the font color match the color of cough syrup] [well, except not the green kind]

[sound effect: Bob clearing his throat]

[Note to Reader: just be glad this is going to be a short one tonight] [hopefully]

.. actually, the more I think about it.. (my angel).. the more I'm realizing that the outcomes over at Drinkify probably depended on when during that twenty-four hour period--the twenty-four hours when the Drinkifiers were slapping together their website, I mean--but it probably depended on when on that time line your name happened to have come up. Now, if it was done alphabetically, then 'Cohen' really doesn't have that much of an advantage over 'Dylan'. Then again, if these three geniuses [at Drinkify, I mean] were binge drinking at the time [as they seem to imply they were] [especially the two brits, let's face it].. well, then that one letter difference might have been just the edge you needed to keep ahead of the pack, as it were. Of course, how to explain Mozart then??

[later note: I'm just re-reading this post, and that last query really cracks me up] [sorry for interrupting]

[continuing]: I mean, you'd think by the time they got to 'M' they might have gotten a little more slap happy than just the added maraschino cherry. Oh, and what about THE FRANK SINATRA??.. which was surely nearing the end hour [alphabetically speaking], and so would more likely have been--actually, I was going to suggest some sort of yucky green liqueur, but I think they already had that covered with the cough syrup--and that was only the letter 'D'. [of course, they were probably all drinking cough syrup by the time they got to Frank] [if they were doing it alphabetically, I mean]

.. actually, 'P' as in Cole Porter does come before 'S' [as in Sinatra], and yet, they were already dousing drinks with heroin at that point.. so.. no way did they do this alphabetically.

Actually, my theory now.. [and then I really have to go to beddie byes, my angel].. but my working theory on this is.. [and yes, I know, it's terribly sad that I'd have even a non-working theory on this, let alone one that I think might work].. but, anyway, my theory is that: yes, they started out doing it alphabetically.. [which is why you, my love, made out okay, since at 'C' they hadn't gotten through the hard stuff yet] [in their London flat's liquor cabinet, I mean].. THEN.. once they finished doing shots [of whatever decent stuff they happened to have on hand] [oh, and so they were just drinking cheap gin and vodka right out of the plastic bottle at that point].. anyway, that's when they started taking a more random approach.. and, yes, Julie was definitely one of the victims at such--oh, shit, she's an 'A' isn't she?

.. uhhhhhhhhh..

[this is what's known as a "when the dog bites" moment]

.. nevertheless.. Julie.. [especially if her name were Zandrews, instead of Andrews] .. and, well, Dylan.. and Cole Porter.. all were victims of this more random [saturated] approach.. along with probably countless others that I haven't even gotten to yet. [but, fear not, Dear Reader.. there's still time] [remember, Drinkify is my Holiday Theme this year]

.. so, that's about it for now.

Writing wise.. (my love).. [oh, cuz I obviously don't consider this Drinkify business writing, it seems].. anyway, my goal for finishing Part I [if you remember] is some time in January. Actually, I'd like it to be before your new album comes out. I have no idea why, that just seems like a good idea for some reason. And, with any luck, I'll get it done even sooner. January's just my outside estimate. [just to be on the safe side]

oh!.. I awoke this morning to see the grounds and the woods up here covered in just the loveliest loveliest blanket of quiet white snow. And the sun came out today, too--I was just so happy to see that. I even rode to our lake, since the sun had melted the snow on the road. I have to say that the scenery there was even more stunning in the snow.. with the branches of the evergreens weighted down rather like arms, which made the trees look somewhat dejected somehow. But it was really quite wonderful, the sense of riding through this pristine cathedral--with the scale of it just so immense seeming.. and I was thinking of you, my love.. and I wondered how I might describe it all for you.. though maybe I'm too tired now to have really done it very well.

.. okay, my angel.. I send you dozens and dozens of just the sweetest and dearest kisses.. (I'd like to blanket you in them, just like with the snow) (well, except warmer).. xx x.. oh, and that one special one.. x.. (my love)

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

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

Posted: **Sat Dec 10, 2011 9:35 am**

.. okay, I'm home now from Gotham, my love, and it's late, and I'm quite tired--oh, but.. as I sat in this cozy place to have lunch today, with a nice white porcelain pot of tea brewing on the little table before me.. well, I realized I was hearing your voice.. [in my head, that is].. singing your new song.. and especially the line.. "there were chains, so I loved you like a slave" .. and even more especially how you attenuate the 'a' in that line. For some reason that came to me just exactly the way you sing it, and it was sweet. [I must have "replayed" it to myself several times]

.. anyway, I won't stay up now, angel. And anyway, I think it's re-examination time as far as Drinkify goes. [yes, as promised, I'm sticking with Drinkify just now] But, I mean, after that last post, it's looking like my "alcohol saturation" theory alone is not enough to explain what's gone on there at that site. Of course, like most things [uh] worth examining, it's probably a combination of factors that's at play, and so I'm probably more "right" than I even realize.

.. anyway, regardless of what I just said, it's time I go to bed, my love. It was nice and sunny today, and so a great day to be walking around the city... and in that, you're always with me.

.. okay, my love.. I hope I have the sweetest dream of you tonight.. x

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KmDxzTU ... re=related
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Sun Dec 11, 2011 8:51 am**

“THE JOAN BAEZ”
10 oz. Canadian Club Whiskey
10 oz. Wheatgrass juice
Combine in shaker and strain into cocktail glass. Serve.

.. my love.. um.. (how are you, by the way?).. now, I don't know if you've ever had wheatgrass juice, but it makes the accompanying whiskey [spelled with an ‘e’, I’d note] seem like child’s play. And ten whole ounces of the stuff suggests poor Joan is yet another victim of Drinkify's obsession with, uh, green-colored drinks. [yeah, I just made that up, given Dylan's cough syrup was cherry-colored, and Frank never got the yucky green liqueur I thought maybe he should have]

.. anyway, it's nice our fine feathered Drinkifiers thought to serve this lethal concoction in a cocktail glass. [seems the least they could do]

.. actually, the reason I thought to look up Joan Baez at all is that I actually do have a theory.. [I mean, a real theory].. about

[wait, I have to look something up first.. just a sec]

.. okay, I can't find it right now, but I do know, my love, that you weren't terribly pleased with her re-write of some of your lyrics of Suzanne.. and as I recall it was this one line in partic

[wait a sec] [just thought of something]..

.. okay, I couldn't find her doing this "back in the day" over at youtube.. [though I know I've seen it there at some point].. but Ringtones seems to have her version of the lyrics. [as per below] Now, I don't know why Suzanne is spelled "Suzzane" in this version, either. [although narcolepsy could be indicated]

.. actually, some of these changes may in fact be errors on the part of Ringtones, by the way--so we mustn't hasten to give J.B. all the credit here.. but let's assume that the majority of these changes ARE those of the legendary folk singer. Now, as to the missing 'buts' and 'ands'.. [in her version, I mean].. well, I'm not normally such a stickler--I mean, given personal style, 'n all that.. but--actually, I take that back. With this song in particular, I think that maybe I am a stickler. Yes, very much so. It can't be helped. I mean, it's just too divine a song to in any way be messed with.

Oh, so, I've taken out my rigorously-red pen, and have marked the, uh, "trouble spots".. [where J.B. decided some changes were in order]..

.. (actually, my love.. it's turned out to be painful for me even to look at her version of this song. Just Plain Painful).. (my angel)..

JOAN BAEZ ANNIHILATING [MY BELOVED'S] SUZANNE:

Suzzane takes you down
To a place by the river
You can see the boats go by
You could spend the night forever
And you know that she's half crazy
And that's why you want to be there.
And she feeds you tea and oranges
That come all the way from China
And just when you mean to tell her
That you have no love to give her
She takes you in her arms
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you think you'll maybe trust her
'Cause she's touched you
And she's moved you
And she's kind

[sorry, I just have to say: ????????????????????????????].. [my god]

[And] Jesus was a sailor
When he walked up the water
[And] He spent a long time watching
From a lonely wooden tower
And when He knew for certain
Only drowning men could see Him
He said, "All men shall be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them."
[But] He Himself was broken
Long before the sky was open
Forsaken, almost human
He sank beneath your wisdom like a star
And you want to travel with Him
And you want to travel blind
And you think you'll maybe trust Him
'Cause He's touched you
And He's moved you
And He's kind

[sound effect: Violet whimpering a bit into her lavender linen hankie]

[Now] Suzzane takes your hand
And she leads you to the river
She's wearing rags and feathers
From Salvation Army counters
And the sun shines down in full
On our lady of the harbor
And she shows you where to look
Beneath the garbage and the flowers
There are heroes in the seaweed
There are children in the morning
They are leaning out for love
And they will lean that way forever
While Suzzane holds the mirror
And you want to travel with her
And you want to travel blind
And you think you'll maybe trust her
'Cause she's touched you
And she's moved you
And she's kind

[end of travesty]

[sigh]

.. okay, first.. I just want to say..

[wait, I suddenly feel the need to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otJY2HvW3Bw
FULL SCREEN..

.. now, having just listened to this song, after not having heard it for a while.. (my love).. and after my having written you all these little love notes for quite some time now.. I don't know.. something's different, somehow. Well, but, first.. [like many many others].. I've always been incredibly moved by this song. As a matter of fact, it's my point of reference for songwriting, and maybe writing in general. So much so, that when I first hear the lyrics of a new or not-so-new songwriter, I'll find I'm saying to myself.. "well, it's not exactly Suzanne".. [as if that's even fair, really].. only, now.. I don't know.. now, to hear this song seems an even greater feeling. I mean, it's true what I've said before, that I've been with you more in the present tense with so much of what I've been doing here.. [until I start reading your bio, I guess].. but just hearing this song again after quite some time.. well, it's to be awed all over again by your past.. (my love).. I mean, I don't forget that past, not for a second, and yet..

.. so, anyway, my love.. I thought I'd make it up to you--for my placing that tainted version here, I mean--by placing your own, untainted version here, as well.

Suzanne.. [as per the Blackening Pages]..

Suzanne takes you down to her place near the river  
You can hear the boats go by  
You can spend the night beside her  
And you know that she's half crazy  
But that's why you want to be there  
And she feeds you tea and oranges  
That come all the way from China  
And just when you mean to tell her  
That you have no love to give her  
Then she gets you on her wavelength  
And she lets the river answer  
That you've always been her lover  
And you want to travel with her  
And you want to travel blind  
And you know that she will trust you  
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.   

And Jesus was a sailor  
When he walked upon the water 
And he spent a long time watching  
From his lonely wooden tower  
And when he knew for certain  
Only drowning men could see him  
He said "All men will be sailors then  
Until the sea shall free them"  
But he himself was broken  
Long before the sky would open  
Forsaken, almost human  
He sank beneath your wisdom like a stone
And you want to travel with him  
And you want to travel blind  
And you think maybe you'll trust him  
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.   

Now Suzanne takes your hand  
And she leads you to the river  
She is wearing rags and feathers  
From Salvation Army counters  
And the sun pours down like honey  
On our lady of the harbour  
And she shows you where to look  
Among the garbage and the flowers  
There are heroes in the seaweed  
There are children in the morning  
They are leaning out for love  
And they will lean that way forever  
While Suzanne holds the mirror  
And you want to travel with her  
And you want to travel blind  
And you know that you can trust her  
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind.

.. okay, so.. after all this.. just what was this "theory" of mine all about, anyway??.. [ya'll might well be wondering]..

.. well.. let's just look at some key lines that J.B. had "issues" with.. and actually, I'm contending this is not a matter of 'style' or trying to 'improve upon' the poetry, etc., even if consciously that might be what she thought she was doing. No, instead, I contend she had some rather unconscious reasons for needing to change these key lines.

.. so.. [as per below].. J.B.'s version of each stanza in question has my red pen marks all over it.. each followed by the "untainted" version of the same stanza, which is in blue-grey--well, except for the fourth stanza down, where there's a glitch in the software system, and so I wasn't able to use the correct font size or color. [??]

She takes you in her arms
And she lets the river answer
That you've always been her lover

Then she gets you on her wavelength  
And she lets the river answer  
That you've always been her lover  

And you think you'll maybe trust her
'Cause she's touched you
And she's moved you
And she's kind

And you know that she will trust you
For you've touched her perfect body with your mind.

And you think you'll maybe trust Him
'Cause He's touched you
And He's moved you
And He's kind

And you think maybe you'll trust him  
For he's touched your perfect body with his mind.   

And you think you'll maybe trust her
'Cause she's touched you
And she's moved you
And she's kind.

And you know that you can trust her  
For she's touched your perfect body with her mind.

.. okay.. now, I know this is ENTIRELY anti-climactic of me, but I don't feel I can spell out my theory just now.

[sound effect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=en ... -BzN0&NR=1
FULL SCREEN..

.. HOWEVER.. I believe such theory will be a lot more discernible to you once I post the next segment of the Agent Longing/Violet saga.. even if I don't refer to Baez specifically. I'd mention, though, that seeing these stanzas together like this--for easy comparison, I mean--may start to give you a clue as to what type of "issue" J.B. might have been wrangling with.

.. now, Baez was not part of the specific scene that I've been investigating, and yet, her own personal history is entirely relevant, and so she is also discussed by the main source I'm using for this. However, my source certainly didn't bring any of this up in reference to the song Suzanne. No, that was something I just happened to notice, and it really almost floored me to make this connection when seeing the specific lines of this song that seemingly disturbed her.. [I mean, given her feeling the need to change them] [and quite obviously not for the better]

.. of course, this sheds no new light on my beloved's song, I don't think.. (that's you, my love).. it's just to say that these lines acted something like a trigger almost, and so needed to be "gotten rid of."

[sound effect:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7g9WjcGdxuM
FULL SCREEN..

.. okay, my beloved. Oh, and look: I'm here at a rather late hour, yet again.. and I really need to catch up on sleep, too.. and not buzz my brain too much in front of ye ol' computer.

[sigh]

.. you know, my angel, I may have to come here less, so I can sleep better, and get this darn writing of mine done.. so.. just putting that out there, in case I skip a day with these posts, here and there. I really should.. so.. we'll see if I follow through on that.

.. okay.. my love.. it's nighty-night time.. and so, I send to you my hopeful.. and sweet.. and tender.. and lingering little kiss.. x.. (I miss you always)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G30__V5-q0
FULL SCREEN..

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

much later edit: fixing that last link, though it's not quite the live black and white film I had initially. [Joan Baez: We Shall Overcome]

[oh, and these lovely blackened pages, are that of my beloved, and his working out Suzanne..

Posted: **Tue Dec 13, 2011 2:10 am**

.. Leonard, my angel.. I can't stay here long, as I want to work more, but.. I was just out riding, and something rather scary happened.

.. well, first, it was another beautiful sunset on our lake. And I felt just so happy looking upon it, and thinking about.. oh, I don't know.. how simply thinking about you sometimes can make me smile. Oh--actually.. [on another topic entirely].. it's getting so cold out that even my cashmere-lined black leather gloves aren't enough. [of course, two of the fingers have holes in them, which isn't helping matters] [I've been meaning to sew them up, since purchasing new ones feels too decadent at the moment] Anyway, I feel like my fingers are getting frostbite, so I guess I need to use my ski gloves--which I can't believe I even have, given I've only been skiing maybe three times in my entire life (!).. but yes, it's that cold out. Only, ski gloves are just so big and stiff seeming, I was hoping I could get by without them.. but.. apparently not.

.. oh, and then it happened again.. the thought of losing you--and then I was in tears, just like the last time that happened. But that's not the scary part.

.. so, I was on my way back home on the main road that passes the first lake. And it was getting dark, and I passed by a house where there was this fire in the yard. I stopped riding, and looked on.. trying to decide if it was okay--as in some kind of bonfire or something--or whether it was out of control. It was far enough away that I couldn't tell exactly, although there was this machine noise, and.. I don't know, I was pretty sure the fire seemed "contained." But, I guess I didn't realize that I wasn't far enough to the side of the road--and I don't have a light on my bike, or even a reflector.. and a car suddenly came from behind me, going rather fast.. and just as I looked back to see it, it had to swerve out of the way, nearly hitting me.. and so I was almost a gonner, it seems.

I think he stopped the car to yell at me from a ways up the road. That's what it sounded like. I guess whoever it was was angry at me, since I couldn't be detected until it was almost too late.

.. so, then.. after deciding that maybe the fire was a controlled one.. and thinking that maybe I should get home before I really did get hit by a car.. I rode on.. and then I thought about something that I've thought about before. I mean, I've put a lot of myself here at this site. And, well, I know I wouldn't just vanish from here without saying good-bye.. and so, I thought I should just say that if I DO vanish from here.. without my saying I was going to take a break, or something.. I mean, if suddenly I wasn't here for.. I don't know how much time, since I've been here so consistently.. but, anyway, if that happens--if I suddenly vanish--then I'm probably hospitalized, and without a computer (!).. or.. worse.

[just thought I should put that out there, in light of recent events]

[sigh]

.. so, then I got back home, and started to cry.. and

.. anyway, here I am, safe and sound.

.. I'll try not to ride in the near dark anymore.. and I guess I need to invest in some reflectors, and a light, too. [seems like a good idea]

.. but I still feel a bit shaky, I guess.

.. so.. Oh.. on a lighter note.. I decided today what I would get my nephew for Christmas--and his birthday, as he's just turning thirteen--but he's very good at drawing, and so I thought to give him that lovely book of illustrations dedicated to you.. (my love).. "Ilustrisimo Sr. Cohen".. even though it's in Spanish.. but, I really think he'd enjoy the illustrations, which may even give him some ideas. Oh, and I wanted to get him the Essentials, as well.. see what he makes of that.

.. anyway, I'm glad I figured that out, and hope I can get these things to him in time. [this part of his Christmas may be a bit late this year] [mefears]

.. so.. that's all from Nearly Finished Mountain. [let's hope that refers just to my story]

.. I love you so much, my love.. and I send you just everything in this, my humble little kiss.. x.. (keep well, my angel) (keep safe)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPkUyPU6nw4
FULL SCREEN..

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

Posted: **Wed Dec 14, 2011 7:35 am**

“THE PHIL SPECTOR”
1 bottle Buckfast
Serve at room temperature. Garnish with nutmeg.

.. my love, you must have known this one was coming.. I mean.. how could I not check in with Phil over at Drinkify??.. [how could I not??].. [my angel]

.. actually, I'm afraid I have to race through this post, as I'm doing Gotham tomorrow, so I'll need to wrap things up early tonight, and I love you madly.

[I thought I'd sneak that last part in]

.. okay, so..

SPECTOR: DRINKIFIED

.. now, at first glance, I have to say, I was a little disappointed. I mean, I don't know--not even a Twinkie thrown in, perhaps??.. [for good measure, I mean]

.. and yes.. [ladies and gentlemen].. that's a nod to the infamous "Twinkie Defense".. [that Phil probably could have used fairly recently, actually].. [although even Twinkie consumption might not have saved him this time] [seems like]

[for those short on fun Phil facts, he's currently in the slammer doing a bunch of time for murder]

.. actually, before moving on here.. I just came upon another fun Phil fact while doing some research.. [actually, I have no idea where I read this, but it just sprung to mind].. so, yeah, it seems that.. given Manson is still in prison, and once had music ambitions [don't you know].. and Phil is in the same prison system, it turns out.. [in Corcoran, CA].. and so, yeah.. [as best I can recall].. it seems that Phil's peo--no, wait.. I think it was Manson's people who got in touch with Phil's people--yeah, that's it.. to see if maybe they could produce a record or something. I mean, it does sort of seem like a good idea, given they both have some time on their hands.

[sound effect: actually, it's just occurred to me that "Wall of Sound" might have a different connotation while doing prison time]

[sound effect [as per wiki]: "a dense, layered, reverberant sound"] [although there might be some additional noises mixed in] [given it's prison, I mean]

.. anyway, now I'm wondering what the name of Manson's Spector produced album would be..

JUST THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN?

[always nice to have Heaven mentioned]

.. or, no.. how 'bout.. [in keeping with our Drinkify theme here]:

BLAME IT ON BUCKFAST

.. yeah, it seems like the Buckfast Defense might even improve upon the Twinkies angle.

.. you see, at first, I really thought our Fab Three over at Drinkify might have "underdone" things when it came to Phil.. but once I "wikied" the drink, I realized they actually chose the perfect alcoholic beverage for P.S.. here are some highlights:

oh--first: if you're short on time, just skip to my Spector-red highlighted segments, which will fill you in, I think, on the drink-thinkification of our Fab Three over at Drinkify.. [oh, except for the Pop Culture section, which I highlighted in Spector-red, just 'cause I felt like it]..

Buckfast Tonic Wine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Buckfast Tonic Wine, commonly known as Buckfast or Buckie or Tonic, is a fortified wine licensed by Buckfast Abbey in Devon, south west England. It is distributed by J. Chandler & Company.

[Some "wiki" history]..

The wine, which is still manufactured using many of the same ingredients, is based on a traditional recipe from France.The Benedictine monks at Buckfast Abbey first made the tonic wine in the 1890s. It was originally sold in small quantities as a medicine using the slogan "Three small glasses a day, for good health and lively blood".

In 1927 the Abbey lost its license to sell wine. As a result, the Abbot allowed wine merchants to distribute on behalf of the Abbey. At the same time, the recipe was changed to increase the appeal of the product...

The wine, which comes into distinct brands depending on the market, has achieved popularity in working class, students and bohemian communities in the United Kingdom and Ireland. In the Republic of Ireland, Buckfast (packaged in a darker bottle) has a slightly lower alcoholic strength and lacks vanillin flavouring of the British version. Buckfast sold in Northern Ireland is the same as the rest of the UK.

Buckfast has become closely linked to the Scottish ned culture. Due to its notoriety, the drink has also entered the popular culture lexicon in Scotland leading to nicknames, such as "Wreck the Hoose Juice", "Commotion Lotion" and "Mrs. Brown". Other nicknames are "Bucky", "Lurgan Champagne", "Buckie Baracas", "Sauce" and "Coatbridge Table Wine".

Controversy in Scotland

... Buckfast's perception as being involved with street drinking, public intoxication and anti-social behaviour has caused controversy in Scotland.

In Scotland, Buckfast is associated with drinkers who are prone to committing anti-social behaviour when drunk, especially drinkers under 18 years old. Its high strength (15% ABV/14.8% in the Republic of Ireland), relatively low price and sweetness are characteristics that are thought to appeal to underage drinkers. The drink also has a very high caffeine content, with each 750ml bottle containing the equivalent of eight cans of cola.

Several Scottish politicians and social activists have singled out Buckfast Tonic Wine as being particularly responsible for crime, disorder, and general social deprivation in these communities. Although Buckfast accounts for only 0.5% of alcohol sales in Scotland, the figure is markedly higher in Lanarkshire. Helen Liddell, former Secretary of State for Scotland, called for the wine to be banned. In 2005 Scottish Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson MSP, suggested that retailers should stop selling the wine. On a subsequent visit to Auchinleck within her constituency, she was greeted by teenagers chanting, "Don't ban Buckie". Jamieson then received correspondences from lawyers acting for Buckfast distributors, J Chandler & Co., in Andover. A further consequence was that Buckfast sales increased substantially in the months following Jamieson's comments.

In September 2006, Andy Kerr, the Scottish Executive's Health Minister described the drink as "an irresponsible drink in its own right" and a contributor to anti-social behaviour. The distributors denied the claims and accused him of showing "bad manners" and a "complete lack of judgement" regarding the drink. Kerr met with J Chandler & Co. to discuss ways of lessening Buckfast's impact on west Scotland but the talks broke up without agreement. Three months later, Jack McConnell, First Minister of Scotland stated that Buckfast had become a "a badge of pride amongst those who are involved in antisocial behaviour." In response the distributors accused the Scottish Executive of trying to avoid having to deal with the consequences of failed social policy and the actual individuals involved in antisocial behaviour by blaming it all on the drinks industry.

However in January 2010 a BBC investigation revealed that Buckfast had been mentioned in 5,638 crime reports in the Strathclyde area of Scotland from 2006–2009, equating to an average of three per day. One in 10 of those offences had been violent and 114 times in that period a Buckfast bottle was used as a weapon. A survey at a Scottish young offenders’ institution showed of the 117 people who drank alcohol before committing their crimes, 43 percent said they had drunk Buckfast. In another study of litter around a typical council estate in Scotland, 35 percent of the items identified as rubbish were Buckfast bottles.

The monks of Buckfast Abbey and their distribution partners strenuously deny that their product is particularly harmful, saying that it is responsibly and legally enjoyed by the great majority of purchasers. They also point out that the areas identified with its acute misuse have been economically deprived for decades and Buckfast represents less than one percent of the total alcohol sales in these places - actual figure 0.58% of alcohol sales.

Ingredients

"Green bottle" Buckfast tonic wine, usually found in the United Kingdom
Red wine based aperitif, 15% abv.
Sodium glycerophosphate, an emulsifier.
Dipotassium phosphate, a protein stabiliser
Disodium phosphate, a stabiliser and emulsifier.
Caffeine, 37.5 mg/100ml (i.e. 0.0375 % w/v)
Vanillin

"Brown bottle" Buckfast variant, typically from Ireland
Red wine, 14.8% alcohol v/v.
Sodium and potassium glycerophosphates - both measured at 0.65% w/v.
Disodium phosphate, a stabiliser and emulsifer.
Caffeine, 55 mg/100ml (i.e. 0.055% w/v)
Sulfite preservatives.

Buckfast contains 15% alcohol in the 750 ml green-bottled UK version, and 14.8% in the brown-bottled Republic Of Ireland version. That equates to 11.25 units (UK) of ethanol.

Caffeine

The "brown bottle" Buckfast has a caffeine content about equal to brewed or percolated coffee, while the "green bottle" Buckfast has a caffeine content about equal to black tea.

However, according to Alex Riley's Britain's Really Disgusting Drinks, the "green bottle" Buckfast contains the caffeine normally contained within six cups of coffee. The series also mentions that drop for drop, Buckfast has more caffeine than Red Bull.

Glycerophosphates

Sodium and potassium glycerophosphate are salts of glycerol 3-phosphate, a biologically important sugar which has a role in cellular energy metabolism. Both glycerol-3-phosphate and its close relative 3-Phosphoglycerate are intermediaries in the glycolysis pathway, the major biochemical pathway for energy production in animals. They are downstream from glucose and therefore can be converted more quickly into energy than glucose. They therefore have a tonic property in people who are depleted of energy.

Glycerophosphate is used in intravenous drip solutions as a source of phosphate, a biologically important ion used in energy-requiring reactions.

In popular culture

An episode of Rab C. Nesbitt features Rab and Jamesie making a pilgrimage to Buckfast Abbey.
Buckfast was featured on the BBC documentary Britain's Really Disgusting Drinks.
A green bottle of Buckfast can be seen in the final scene of Trainspotting, as Renton exits the hotel room.
Ted Leo recorded a song titled "A Bottle of Buckie" on the album Living with the Living.
The cartoon character Groundskeeper Willie is seen drinking a bottle of buckfast in The Simpsons episode "Lisa Simpson, This Isn't Your Life".
The Scottish Folk Metal band Alestorm recorded a song entitled Buckfast Powersmash, for their third album.
Buckfast is regularly referred to in the Irish RTE comedy series, Hardy Bucks.
[end Wiki quote]
Oh, and Buckfast is the key ingredient at a site called Drinkify, when users enter the name "Phil Spector."
[I'll be discussing this last possible entry with the editors over at Wikipedia]

.. whew. That's A LOT of color-coding. If you've never tried to color code like this, then don't. Did you know you have to re-do the size font [if you're using a special size, that is] EVERY TIME you change the color???.. Buckfast indeed. [Buckslow, I'd say]

.. anyway, my love.. I am learning just so much about alcoholic beverages this Holiday Season, and it's all thanks to Drinkify. I didn't mention it when covering the Dylan saga, but that gin they used for him was pretty interesting in its own right. Sipsmith Gin. I read a really nice review on it too, which actually had me realizing that there's a whole lot more to alcoholic reviews than I ever imagined. [there should be a joke in here, but..] Anyway, it makes rock 'n roll jargon seem rather facile by comparison. [there should also be a joke in here.. but..].. Anyway, it's a whole new science it seems like, that drink-crit talk. [I'm going to spare us the details for now, given I see it's getting late].. [stupid time-consuming color-coding]

.. okay, my angel. Oh, I did make it to our lake again today, and I'm afraid I went even later than I did yesterday. It's not that I have a death wish or anything, it's just that it's hard for me to get out of the house any earlier than I do. In the summer it works out quite well.. but.. so.. anyway, I know I need to do better, though. Oh, and once again I saw the house with the fire in front of it, and I'm still puzzled by that--I have no idea why there would be this permanent looking fire in front of that house.. but.. I guess they know what they're doing, and so it's not worth risking my life over.. so..

.. oh, and the lake was quite beautiful again, even with the sun having already disappeared below the tree line.. but there were still these sleepy, lovely deep-pink and blue clouds keeping hold of the light 'til day's end, it seems.. with the water serenely bright in its reflection. And I was thinking of you, my love.. as I always do..

.. oh--and the ski gloves worked!.. I didn't feel the cold at all.. so..

.. and, writing wise, I got some good work done today.. and yes, little by little, I'm closing in on finishing this darn thing. [she says hopefully]

.. okay, so.. good-night, my love.. it seems not enough to say I miss you, and yet I do..

.. my little kiss to you.. x

.. and.. [I'm gone to youtube].. [let's see.. I hate to even do this, but..

you know, my love, if someone else did a song with this title, I might think it a bit, uh, rude, maybe.. but, because it's you.. I hate to say it, but it sort of turns me on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLK2buZxamo
FULL SCREEN..

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

[I still say Phil's nuts]

[which might explain the nutmeg, actually] [just realized]

later edits: of course, I should be working, but just re-read this, and improved my "color-coding" section a bit, and even got another yuk in, I think, in the Sipsmith Gin section. [I should never come back here, I guess]

.. god, I came back again. Just tweaked something that was on my mind to come back and do. [it's just how these things go sometimes]

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