"It's Just Like Christmas...

but it was Halloween." -- (Ryan Adams has a song for every occasion-- and I happen to be listening to this one on repeat.)

This is gonna be a brief one-- just to say that my friends are great.

Marci came up as planned on Saturday, and Vanessa showed up as well (surprise!!) with Karstin, who made the most beautiful (hideous) raccoon cake I've ever seen (or eaten). Surprises are risky with me, especially since I turned into some kind of weirdo monster last week (seasonal depression?) and poor E suffered through it. It should be noted, though, that he did lock himself in the bathroom on Fri. as we waited for them to show (unbeknownst to me-- monster that I am). Birthdays make me feel like a brat... But I'd been longing for this merging of worlds for quite some time, and it was wondertastic (those of you on your honeymoon, in England, or in Georgia are missed, of course :).

A Note

Remember not to drink
From the ceramic pitcher with
Flowers on it--
Dad put poison in it
Accidentally--
I hid it
Just in case.

(Love Mom)

Oh My

Right now I am listening to lots of bootlegged Ryan Adams sessions... This makes my day. I am wearing headphones just to spite Eliot, which is probably not necessary. But this shite is gooood.

It's been a while, and good things have happened. E ran the Columbus Marathon (he kicked its arse...and then it kicked his harder)--all in all, a job well done (and just in time for the cold cold rain of late October here in southern Ohio).

Melissa Roehm magically (*and officially) turned into Melissa Taylor last weekend. The wedding was wonderful, Melissa looked beautiful, and my mom threatened Derek (the groom) by saying that he'd better be good to Missy Chrissy (did I mention that this was the first time my mom had met Derek? hehe). Gracie and her man-friend made it up from VA. for the occasion, and, of course, I had a loverly time with Vegnessa, los twinos, y their Canadians.

My parents are coming down soon for my b-day. And since I am now the proud owner of a new (haha) record player (and some R.A. albums, all courtesy of E), I'm quite excited to steal as many old albums as possible from mi padre, Tom. Marci is also coming soon (tomorrow, in fact! yay!). Good times shall be had by all.

Butcher Loving

--it's better than haggis--

better than a newly-sharpened
reflection-bearing blade
a comfortable grip on the handle--

better than a crisp
even neck-chop

better than mutton
still breathing &
delicious--

better than licking
fresh pork chops
(better than pork &
still better than chopping)

better than a sweetly-wringing carcass

better than a smattering
of blood that looks exactly
like your seven-year-old daughter's
hand-turkey