The Portrait of Zool

P.M. Dawn - To Love me More http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgFNi1cO-sY

"What was that?" asked Zool as he watched the overlarge squirrels fast retreat, "The Shadow knows!" said the Swami. Zool gave him an uncomprehending look, even as a maniacal laugh came out of nowhere and the strains of Camille Saint-Saëns' 'Le Rouet d'Omphale' came from the same place.

Summer is over Wind, rain, snow - the year has aged Winter's on it's way.

"Terra was a heady place," interjected Zool, his face momentarily overcome with a nostalgic tinge. "It was a locus of sorts, of passions and energies I had never seen before, and rarely seen since. Even in Ager we had some most compelling episodes." He stopped for a moment, as his far away look returned to the present. Something in Rydia's words almost disturbed him. Who was Boaz really? Zool had not known him well, hardly at all really. He turned to the Swami. "What do you know about Boaz?" "On the great tree of life, we are all but leaves rustling in the wind," replied the Swami enigmatically. "Uh, erm, yes, of course," answered Zool, trying to look intelligent.

MIDNITE by Daniel Waples

Yuki and Taku

Xavier Rudd - Didjeridoo Jammimg (live)

For profit - profit of the soul. Blues or.... What's the opposite of the blues?

xavier Rudd - No woman no cry

As a good friend used to say to me - "Hipne homneblah de blah blah." Seriously - he used to say that.

Currently I am reading the operation and maintenance manual for the HP 122AR Oscilloscope. Unfortunately, I have to report that it's not very exciting - best to wait for the movie.

"The story of how my present state befell me is a fascinating and tragic tale," replied Zool in a serious tone. "It all began when..." At that moment Rydia appeared. "Rydia!" he exclaimed, his face lighting back up in surprise and delight at seeing her. "My goodness, it HAS been AGES, though I find you look much more familiar than I remember...." Zool's voice trailed off at that, but then another thought struck him. He motioned for a waiting waiter who quickly stepped up. "The animals seem to have left some, erm, deposits," he whispered to the servant whose eyes widened in horror at the revelation. "See that a cleaning squad is dispatched to ensure spotlessness all the way to the stables!" The waiter ran off to take care of it. No one bothered the animals still ranging the area.Zool then looked around as if seeing the room for the first time. He thought he had seen a shadow out of the corner of his eye, but quickly forgot it "My goodness," he said, remembering himself (his favorite thing), "Where are my manners?! Introductions are in order here. Brighid, please forgive me."Before Brighid could reply he indicated the Swami. "You've heard the formal introduction of Swami Noguru. Swami Noguru, I am pleased to present Brighid of Byrness.""My pleasure, Lady Bridgid," intoned the Swami with a most charming smile and a seated bow. "Lady Brighid," said Zool, repeating the honorific because it pleased him to do so, "Please allow me to introduce Rydia; Elf, Angel, and long-time fellow Bard. Rydia, Brighid of Byrness, healer, poetess, and traveler."After the ladies had made their greetings Brighid turned to Yasmina. "So what exactly is it that you all do?"Yasmina smiled. "The Swami is a great mentalist, hypnotist, and prognosticator extraordinaire - or whatever pays the bills. We have quite a traveling show - we have been simply everywhere and played for anyone of any import. The Swami is probably one of the greatest shysters since Saint Barnum - but that said, I have seen some very strange things while in his show, and the Swami does seem to have a knack for being right in the middle of things."After this was said all eyes turned to the Swami, who had gone back to chatting with Zool. Just at that instant a trap door on the side opposite Zool of the Swami's turban opened up and a luminous blue arm reached out and grabbed some Hydra Foigras off the table, then disappeared just as quickly with it's prize, the trap door shutting behind it, the whole operation as quick as lightning and as silent as fog.The women blinked, then looked at each other."Did anyone mention that Boaz is the Demigod of madness?" asked Rydia with an innocent smile.

I have that album. I bought a few LPs on sale last night, among them Crowded House's 'Time on Earth'

Centered in the doorway was a female form, dramatically lit by the spotlight and contrasting darkness, draped in a colorful semi-sheer fabric, her arms wrapped around herself, her face hidden behind a filmy veil, gold and jewels sparkling seemingly everywhere."It can't be..." said Zool, just above a whisper.Brighid gave him an inquiring look, but before either could say more the show started.A drum from somewhere in the shadows gave a single beat, and the mysterious woman's arms began to unwind. The drum beat again, starting a slow steady rythm. As her arms opened then lifted she revealed She was wearing a belly dancing costume. The single drum was joined by a tabla with a more traditional rythm, and she began to dance.She had the full attention of the Boaz Room. Even the ever-busy waiters and waitresses momentarily froze in motion. She pirouted, spun, shimmied and otherwise danced her way around the room, dragging a gauzy veil over more than one thrilled dinner-goer, though Brighid looked more amused than thrilled as the translucent cloth trimmed with a golden thread whispered over her. Finally the woman danced up onto the small stage, and as she faced the guests everything stopped on a single beat. Then, she spoke, her warm contralto reminiscent of Marlene Dietrich but with a strange, exotic accent, projecting strong and clear in the fresh silence; "From out of the sands of time and across the sea of history, from across vast deserts and dense forests, great mountains and deep oceans, comes the all-seeing, all-knowing, all-eating, Swami Noguru!"The light on her went dark at the same time the light turned on Swami Noguru, standing in the doorway, a portly man in a white robe with a thick mustache and an ill-fitting purple turban with a jewel set in the center and a broud feather jutting up out of it. The spell was broken, the staff resuming their duties as the band struck a 'Ta-dahh!' The Swami took a bow. After an awkward pause, the room applauded politely. Escorted in by the hostess he quickly took a seat next to Zool. "Swami Noguru!" exuded Zool. "You old fakir, I thought that was you! It's been years! How in the nine hells are you?"The Swami smiled broadly. "Zool! So glad to see you. I am well, though you look a bit flatter than the last time I saw you.""Yeah I lost some dimension - but it looks like you found it!" Both men laughed uproariously."Is there anything else I could get you?" asked the hostess, who had been patiently standing by.The Swami looked up casually. "Yes, could you also please seat my entourage?"In through the door streamed dancers, musicians, acrobats, clowns, geeks, roustabouts, and finally what looked like an entire zoo of elephants, tigers, bears, ostriches, giraffes, horses, woodchucks, duck-billed platypusses, badgers, and many others. The dancer who had made the Swami's introduction had already seated herself next to Brighid. Suddenly the table shook as crowds of unique people began pulling up chairs. The collective look on the waiters and waitresses faces was priceless, that their hallowed and high-class Boaz room should be invaded so!

Meaningful indeed!

Mmmm that makes me artistically hungry!

Silver. Diamonds or pearls?

U2's Joshua Tree is a great album. Currently on my turntable a little album called 'Lili Marlene', by Marlene Dietrich http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBi5j7yPwd0

Statistically, takeoffs and landings are definitley the most appropriate time to pray. Chess. Stripes or polka dots?

Scuba. It's that water sign of mine. Train or plane?

Baked. Roses or tulips?

Truth is, I'm a home body by nature - and it doesn't help that I eat out WAYYY too much. Pink or blue?

My son is a big Amon Amarth fan. Currently on the turntable, Isaac Hayes, Hot Buttered Soul...

Can't wait to pick this up - I believe it comes out on vinyl Oct. 29:

From Youtube: