The Portrait of Zool

I'm in an eclectic mood... I've put on the LP Esquivel - Strings Aflame!

Summer! I love the heat, love cycling and swimming in the river. Spring or fall?

"I think your situation certainly bears some investigation," said Zool in a low voice and a meaningful glance as the waiters arrived, then he straightened up and smiled broadly, his delight unmistakable. Like Brighid he was also curious to see what the 'Boaz special' was, as it was actually whatever Sven was cooking up in that fevered chef brain of his. You never knew what it might be, only that it would be original, exotic, and absolutely delicious! He looked excitedly at the spreading repast as lids began to be lifted.He was not disappointed. It was a smorgasbord of appetizers the likes of which he had never seen. There were two of each dish, and each dish was only a bite or two, but each bite certainly packed a wallop; A chupacabra tartare with white truffle oil, capers, and goat cheese. A salad of baby cabbages, pomegranite, bacon, and an ambrosia dressing, with all greens grown in a unicorn pasture. Toasted fairy bread with a tiny poached bird of paradise egg and a sauce made from Andean cave cheese. Hydra fois gras with mermaid grass and lemonThe list went on and on!

When I get in a car, it's because I have places to go. Drive. Manual transmission or automatic?

Heh - funny thing, I really like cats, but I usually wind up with a dog. For example, we currently have a 12 year old Rottweiller named Kodiak. We got her because our daughter had to move out of the place she had and couldn't find a place in her area that would take a large dog. So, the dog is now ours - and she is a really good dog, if a bit of a diva, but a very good dog. SO... large dog or small dog?

Definitely a MORNING person. That's when I do my writing, you'll notice. Ummm... Surf or turf?

LOL! Umm... Inside or outside?

Some of my favorite rainy day music: "The answer lies within your soul, 'cause no one know which side the coin will fall..."

Zool fell back in his chair, the shock of Brighid's story settling heavily upon him. A moment passed, then another, then he covered the silence with a drink from his glass before resolving to speak. "That is indeed a sombre tale... but also, rather puzzling. The whole thing smacks of intervention from beyond. Perhaps later I will visit the library and do a little reading of the goddess Brighid and the Tuatha De' Danann." Zool looked appraisingly at Brighid, his eyes narrowed in a rare look of seriousness. "So you awoke with no sign of this man you helped, but next to the lake. That does seem damning... but just how sure are you of his demise?"

Gray rain drifting down Silence stretches forever All over the world.

Very interesting! I like your explanation about the Astral plane and the separation of science Snyp. To me, the separation is that science concerns the physical, while the Astral Plane concerns the metaphysical. What does that mean, exactly - metaphysical? The dictionary gives many definitions, all boiling down to not-physical in one measure or another, which is true but not always helpful, becasue most people still assume the Astral plane is some sort of place, like any other place, just somewhere else. The thing is, all our realities are an illusion. I'm not saying Reality is an illusion - that would be a contradiction - but rather that our conceptions of what is reality are all illusions. Given our senses, we can have a great deal of correlation between Reality and our conceptions, but it is most certainly not a given, and is actually an uphill battle. Oh, gross correlations, such as a 100 ton boulder falling on us or a wall of water engulfing us are hard to miss, but those are the exceptions, IMO. The Astral plane, IMO - and yes, I have 'been there' - is another conceptual reality, but one sensed through a much different mental apparatus than the one through which we sense the physical world. It is, in fact the same Reality that eludes us all, just seen from a completely different persepctive, IMO.

This week I received a new book; 'Yma Sumac, The Art Behind the Legend', by Nicholas E. Limansky Yma Sumac was a singer in the 50's and 60's. She had an incredible 5 octave voice and a horrendous Diva complex, complicated by the fact that she was incredibly beautiful and a bona-fide Incan princess. Makes for interesting reading.

Hiya Hjolnai! A mask of transparency caked the highest pit of ineptitude.

You know there are museums at the Grand Canyon. But, given either/or I'd have to take a museum, as I've been to the canyon but there are SO MANY museums! Blonde or brunette?

*OOC: Zool and Brighid's entrance continued from 'What's Up' in the Cabaret* http://patrickdurham.net/themightypen/index.php?/topic/17197-whats-up/?p=133216 Brighid and Zool topped the stairs and were quite impressed with the foyer of the Boaz Room. While not ostentatious, everything was impeccably tasteful. They approached the hostess with rising excitement. "Good evening," said the elfin maiden as they arrived, Zool in the depiction of a baroque facade and Brighid beside him. "How may I help you?" "Two for dinner," said Zool brightly. "Your name?" said the lovely young lady. "Uh, Zool," said Zool, a bit put off at the sudden formality. The hostess consulted her book, look at him and smiled sweetly. "I'm sorry, your name's not on the reservation list." Zool was dumbfounded. "Wha...? How could that be? That's impossible!" Zool was turning a bright shade of red. "What is your name? You'd better let us in right now or...!" Brighid cut him off. "Grimmael invited us directly. He may have inadvertently left us off the list, but if you ask him he'd probably want to know why you didn't let us right in." The hostess' face became serious. "Oh!" she said to Brighid. "Why didn't you say the boss had sent you! Please come right in. We'll seat you immediately." Two waiters instantly arrived at some unseen signal and escorted Brighid in. Zool turned a deep shade of purple, but they were finally able to ascertain that he had a regular 'chair' already inside, which was a painting of a chair that could be set up at the table. He stepped into it and sat down, fuming. Brighid pretended not to notice, and quickly was able to alleviate Zool's mood. "This place is so NICE!" she enthused, "And have you seen the menu? My GOODNESS!" Zool looked at the menu too, and quickly forgot his irritations.

Ash trays dusted the steel eraser bush.

That is an easy one. I like coffee, but it doesn't like me. I'm currently favoring a tea from Peet's called 'Morrocan Mint'. Soup or salad?

Bebo Valdes... He does very interesting things with time signatures! Which reminds me, I just ordered an Yma Sumac LP http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIvjjXmSoNI

Haha people laugh at Tommy Garrett but believe it or not as sappy as the music is the record albums are masterworks of engineering. They sound quite impressive with a good sound system. I have a lot of 50's lounge music (Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Les Baxter, et al) because I also dabble in old 50's Hifi equipment. That siad, I have a LOT of varied stuff. I suppose you'll see the extent of it over time.

Ooh, this is nice... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjDIRDlEyCE&list=RD020HI7-4GtXKk A list of Cal Tjader songs, all very nice (so far). I have 5 of his albums, but his career spanned 40 years and over 30 albums, so I suppose I have a way to go to complete the collection.

After looking at my record collection I went with another OLD favorite... Cal Tjader, Mamblues

That's awesome! I have Tommy Garrett - perhaps I'll put him on later... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMP_3BJJkyM

Down the hall to the side of the main entrance of the Grand Cabaret is a well appointed but unassuming staircase leading up. On the landing at the top of the stairs one is presented with an aesthetic of rich but impeccably classic styling; Deep carpets in an exotic pattern, imported paneling with ornate finish work, an arched ceiling of architectural woodwork, artistic glass sconces glowing cheerily, and a pretty elfin maiden in a black dress behind a small podium at the entrance to the Boaz Room, the finest eatery at the Pen, or anywhere this side of the Alluvians, as a matter of fact. Enter here and prepare to see service like you have never seen, and cuisine that is simply out of this world. Your hostess will seat you at the single roomy table and present you with a menu for a feast of the gods, for here one can not only partake of the most scrumptious comestibles arguably to have ever graced a plate (or glass), but of the most lively and interesting conversation as well. All are invited. Enjoy!

Welcome the season Lighting the fire from within Shining who you are.

First fire? I'm jealous! Nice Haiku. Going to have to think about the next one!