I became insane with long intervals of horrible sanity.
Edgar Allen Poe

The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all.
- H. L. Mencken

Many people would sooner die than think; In fact, they do so
-Bertrand Russell

What I have been telling you, from alpha to omega, what is the one great thing the sigil taught me — that everything in life is miraculous. For the sigil taught me that it rests within the power of each of us to awaken at will from a dragging nightmare of life made up of unimportant tasks and tedious useless little habits, to see life as it really is, and to rejoice in its exquisite wonderfulness. If the sigil were proved to be the top of a tomato-can, it would not alter that big fact, nor my fixed faith. No Harrowby, the common names we call things by do not matter — except to show how very dull we are ...
-James Branch Cabell

2003-01-15 - 12:46 a.m.

I've got a ticket to ride

First off for those of you who missed my last entry there's a new link at the top of the page, Cast. I've actually updated it a few times since I first posted it so go and see what I added. One important note. The criterion for getting on the list was not how much I like you. It is how often I mention you on the diary. The basic rule is you need at least 20 mentions to be listed. There are people I love very much who I just don't see or talk to often enough. The moral of the story is if you want to be listed, hop on a plane and visit me in New York.

On Sunday I drove into the wilds of New Jersey to see Deirdre Flint. She was playing at the Randolph Public Library. It is hard knowing when to get there for these library shows. When I saw Slaid I got there an hour early and if I hadn't I might not have gotten in. This one it would have been OK if I got there 5 minutes early. I hadn't had anything to eat before the show but I got lucky and they had free bagels and juice. Deirdre always puts on a great show. OK I've only seen her four times but every show rocked. She did songs off both the new album and the old one. I am always struck by how much she reminds me of Christine Lavin. It isn't just the funny songs either, Grandma's house could be one of Christine's touching songs. I had emailed Christine about Deirdre. I think she'd be a great opener. Christine wrote me back and said:

Hi Gordon -- I have never seen Deirdre, but Van Ronk played me an album of hers and I thought she was terrific. So if you know her, you can tell her I hope to see her someday soon -- there's good buzz on her!

I meant to show this to Deirdre but I'm a donut so I forgot. I did forward it to her the next day.

The late great Dave Van Ronk, Christine Lavin, Carey, and myself can't all be wrong. If you have a chance to see Deirdre don't miss her.

Yesterday I tutored Alma in my office. I was surprised that Julius and Klara were both there. I thought I'd have the place to myself. I spent my time before she arrived talking to Carey. It's always better when I can call her on the school's dime.

When I finished tutoring I tried to call Stacey. I couldn't. The call wouldn't go through. They have apparently blocked international calls. That was very disappointing. I'll try again but it looks like my phone bill is going to go up this semester. To help offset that I got free rides on the LIRR both ways. It is really rare to get a free ride home. Starting next week I'll get weeklies then monthly passes so this is the only time I get to get a free ride.

Tonight I went to the Knick game and the Knicks actually won. Of course the Bulls road record is now 1-17 so it isn't that great an achievement. I went through my tickets to see if there were any games I couldn't go to because of conflicts. I'm not going to see Houston on February 25th because Slaid is going to be at the Bottom Line that night. I also tried to give back the ticket for February 28th. Alan wouldn't take it. It is the night they are retiring Patrick Ewing's number. The thing is Eric Schwartz is playing that night. That's a tough call. I really am a big Patrick Ewing fan. I'm not that big on these ceremonies thought. It probably won't be a great game against the Magic. I'm going to let you, my friends decide. If some of you want to see Eric with me I'll see Eric. If not I'll go to the Knick game. Eric is at the Minstrel Coffee House in Morris Township NJ.


I signed the Pro-Truth Pledge:
please hold me accountable.





Memories: Not that Horrid Song - May 29, 2018
Wise Madness is Now In Session - May 28, 2018
The NFL and the First Amendment - May 27, 2018
On The Road Again - May 26, 2018
Oliver the Three-Eyed Crow - May 25, 2018



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Horvendile 2003-01-15
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