Group Organizing Protest Against Anti-Gay and Anti-Military Church In Topeka, Kansas

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church (shown here) spread their message of intolerance at a funeral for an American Soldier.

Chris Love and others have had enough of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church. That's why Love and friends are organizing a peaceful demonstration outside of the church. The protest is scheduled in Kansas on March 30, 2008 at 11 AM CST.

The Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, KS, has gained notoriety by picketing the funerals of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to protest what the group sees as America’s acceptance of homosexuality. The group has used this and similar tactics at a variety of events nationwide.

The name of the demonstration has sparked controversy but is definitely getting attention. The organizers have dubbed the event The Million Fag March in response to the Westboro Baptist Church's use of the derogatory term. The name has stirred debate among some who object to the use of the derogatory term in the title of the protest.

“A million people may be aiming a little high, but we’re hoping for a large turnout,” said Love, one of the March’s organizers. “This isn’t a ‘gay-only’ event. Anyone who would like to express their displeasure with the Phelps family and their continuing message of intolerance and hate is welcome.”

When asked if the march will only draw more attention to the Phelps' message. Love noted, “Up until now, the only media-mentioned protests against the WBC were footnotes to stories about the Phelps’ publicity stunts. We don’t think we’re going to change the Phelps’ minds, but we hope they realize that there is an opposing voice that is equally as powerful as their own. Or at least, as powerful as they perceive it to be.” And if that doesn’t work? “Well, for one day we’ll bring homosexual and heterosexual people together for a united cause. In Kansas, no less.”

To find out more about the protest, visit www.millionfagmarch.com or contact organizer Chris Love at 785.783.4730

Special Thanks to Mark Strait and www.onanite.blogspot.com for bringing this story to our attention

Dancing With the Stars: The Preseason Picks

It's Kristi Yamaguchi's to lose this season in Dancing With the Stars. She Has Star Power, is athletic, basically already does ballroom dancing on ice, and will be teamed with a good coach.

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Let me tell you right now...I am a big fan of Dancing With The Stars and you will be seeing my running commentary once the season gets under way on ABC on March 17. So deal with it. I know, I know....I usually am writing about esoteric things like changing the world, changing the election process, changing the face of radio and televison as we know it, books from obscure authors, music from obscure and not so obscure artists, art exhibits, and the like. You have to allow me one guilty pleasure.

I guess I like the show because I love the competition and the combination of star power, athleticism, the beauty of ball room dancing, and music. It is very addictive. A good friend of mine turned me on to the show three seasons ago and I've been hooked ever since. I even stood in line to watch the show live in Hollywood...not once, but twice to see one show. I am digressing here, but if you ever decide to go see the show in person...it is an experience you will not forget. But one word of caution...if you get tickets on line don't assume you are getting in.

Here's a tip...arrive early and get in line early the first time you go. Do not, and I repeat do not, do what I did and arrive late, have a leisurely lunch at the nearby Cheesecake Factory and expect to get in. My party tried that strategy and we ended up three people short of getting in the door. For our efforts, we got a VIP pass which allowed us guaranteed access the next time we went. Also, do not wear high heals. You will be standing in line and walking quite a distance from the parking lot to the line to the theatre. Or at least take two pairs of shoes. But once you get in, be prepared for a great show. You see so much more than you can on television.

That being said, here are my preseason picks for the upcoming season. It's like preseason polls in anything...It's useless but fun. So in order of finish, this is how I expect the season to go:

1) Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas: Ice Skating is basically ballroom dancing on ice and Yamaguchi is America's sweetheart so she will have the popularity or "it" factor and get votes. She is also used to performing before judges. Her partner Mark Ballas took Sabrina Reyes beyond her capabilities and actually had her dancing the best last season but they didn't get help from the fans. Ballas will have something to prove. This combination should win.

2) Marissa Jaret Winokur and Tony Dovolani: Winokur is a Broadway performer and should know how to dance. She is teamed with Dovolani who got the best out of Jane Seymour last season.

3) Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska: I never count the NFL guys out. Good case in point was Emmett Smith and Jerry Rice. They bring a level of committment unmatched by the rest. Sliwinska has something to prove. She has been involved with all six seasons but has never coached a winner.

4) Cristian De La Fuente and Cheryl Burke: The handsome De La Fuente will get the ladie's votes and he is another South American where dancing is their birthright. Cheryl Burke also has two wins under her belt, is one of the best coaches, and should help De La Fuente compete.

5) Shannon Elizabeth and Derek Hough. Admittedly, an unknown in the dance area, but she will get the popular vote. Derek Hough proved himself a formidable coach last season, taking Jennie Garth as far as she could go.

6) Mario and Karina Smirnoff. R&B male singers usually know how to move and he will get a lot of votes from the ladies but Smirnoff, the runner up last season, is going to have her hands full pushing Mario to the next level.

7) Marlee Matlin and Fabian Sanchez: Two unknowns. Matlin looks like a Jane Seymour type and this is Sanchez's first go around even though he comes armed with great credentials.

8) Priscilla Presley and Louis Van Amstel: See notes on Number 7 and repeat.

9) Monica Seles and Jonathon Roberts. Seles will need to use her athleticism and Jonathon Roberts will need to stop making bad choices like he did with Marie Osmond last season for them to have a chance.

10) Adam Carolla and Juliane Hough. Carolla will have you in stitches and he is very amusing. The rest of America outside of California doesn't really know him so he's probably not going to get a lot of votes. The defending two time champion Hough will have her hands full with this guy. Don't expect her to be a three time champion.

11) Steve Guttenberg and Anna Trebunskaya: Bad actor, Bad Movie choices, Bad Dancer probably teamed with not the greatest coach either. Recipe for disaster.

12) Penn Gillette and Kym Johnson: Gillette will be amusing but will need to pull off the biggest magic trick of his career to even survive the first cut. And Teller will not be around to bail him out either.

Opinion: John McCain, The Lady Lobbyist, and What It Says About the Rest of Us

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog


When the story leaked out this past week that John McCain was seen frequently in the company of a lady who was not his wife and that she was a Lobbyist for a major telecommunications firm, it stirred up a debate that has several layers to it.

Before I get to my focus of this op-ed piece, let me say I have not decided who I am voting for in the 2008 Presidential elections. In other words, this is not as much about Senator McCain as about the treatment of this story.

First of all, if we are to believe Senator McCain and his wife, and I personally do, this relationship he had with this lady is a pure friendship. I know a lot of people who think a friendship can never exist between a married man and another woman (not a wife) without turning romantic. That’s a fallacy and I have a lot of examples to prove that it is entirely possible that Senator McCain and this lady could have had a totally platonic relationship and great friendship without it turning intimate.

The real issue I wonder about is are we more concerned about the fact that a presidential candidate could have had an affair and not be as pristene as we imagined them to be or are we more concerned that he was pandering to special interests?

Let's just say for arguments sake that McCain actually had an affair with this lady...and again I believe until it is proven otherwise that it was just friendship. We need to get beyond the fact that our Presidents and Senators and anybody in political office has to be chaste as virgin snow...in other words, a higher standard than the rest of us. If we hold them to this, we are going to lose a lot of potentially great candidates. Look at our greatest presidents, or for that matter other leaders in the world we consider great in history and you will find they were not always perfect and moral people.

The interesting thing about this case is that John McCain has always set himself up as the guy who does not pander to special interests. And that's where the real story is. And as far as can be seen, he did not give this company that his friend worked for any special treatment and it didn't hurt the American people. So, what about all the free jet rides, trips, and meals he took with his friend? We need to realize this is how business gets done in Washington currently. Maybe McCain should be more careful because it gives the impression that he is pandering to special interests especially when you are leading the fight against this sort of thing. But we need to look at his voting record when it comes to the effect on his friend's company and then make a judgement. And, if he did vote in their favor it doesn't always mean it was the wrong deal either.

The last issue, is how our press and the public handles this. Let's stick to the issues of the campaign and vote who is the best and most qualified. Give John McCain and anybody else in the future who will be in his same postiion a break and stick to the real issues.

Bentley Little, Come Out Wherever You Are

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog
Interview from
"The Horrific World of Bentley Little" Website


This is what I know about prolific horror novelist Bentley Little. He’s the best horror novelist in America and America doesn't even know it. Other than that, I only know what I’ve experienced, heard and read.

Supposedly he lives half the time under my nose, in my home town and I can’t find him. I can’t believe I haven’t run into him someplace in town like at the Slide Bar or even at Steamers. He has an unlisted number. Nobody in town has seen him, and my attempts to go through one of his friends has been futile.

He’s kind of like Osama Bin Laden. He’s tall, has a beard, yet nobody can find him. But unlike Bin Laden he never does videos so I can’t even get a clue where he is. I have a fuzzy photograph of him…but he could have shaved his beard and dress in women’s clothing. So since, he apparently doesn’t want to talk to me, I’m just going to assume everything that I’ve read is true. But know this Bentley… I’m here in town (the Southern California town…not the Northern Arizona town) and if you want to do a real interview, call me. My number is in the book.

This wouldn’t be the first time that Bentley Little hasn’t given me props as a journalist/editor/writer. This goes back when we were on the award winning High School newspaper at Fullerton High School, the Pleiades together. I was in my senior year, I was the editor in chief and Bentley was a scrub-faced, afro-ed sophomore. Bentley and Doug Vehle thought I was the squarest thing since well the invention of said geometric pattern. So, they decided to start their own underground newspaper.

When they told me that they were going to do this I gave them the most unlikely of all answers. "That's cool. You can say stuff that the advisors won't let us put in the Pleiades. Can I write for you?" Well, they didn't want me to write for the Weed Update which was actually my first rejection letter when you think about it. Bentley and I would single-handedly write and edit an entertainment section in the school paper and we would write wonderful reviews about everything from books to albums to concerts. And we would write the best scathing editorials for the op-ed section. We had a lot of fun and he even wrote in my annual "See you at the LA Times".

What I didn't know was that Bentley was quietly working on his short stories. Wonderful tales of horror and the supernatural in the vein of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. This past year he just released his 21st novel, The Vanishing, for
Signet Books and one of his short stories, "The Washingtonians" was turned into a short film for Showtime.

There was one interview that I found. It is actually one of the few interviews done with Bentley. There is a wonderful website devoted to Bentley and his work and it is run by probably his best fan. Bentley still refuses to be on the internet so this is indeed very rare. She interviewed Bentley in 2001. http://www.geocities.com/bentley_little is where "The Horrific World of Bentley Little" can be found and it is the definitive website for the authors work.


Q: Are you an Elvis man or Beatles man? Are you a dog person or a cat person?

A: I'm a Beatles man. Elvis didn't even write his own material! And I'm a cat person. The thought of cleaning up dog crap makes me puke; cats take care of themselves.

Q: Are there any differences between the US and UK editions of the following books: The Revelation, The Mailman, Evil Deeds, The Summoning and Dark Dominion?

A: There are no differences between the UK and US versions of The Revelation, The Mailman, Evil Deeds/Death Instinct or The Summoning. All of these novels were first published in the United States, and my British publisher simply bought them and reprinted them as is. From University/Night School through The Town/Guests, the British editions were published first, and I did make changes to the later American editions. I'm embarrassed to admit that I can't remember if Dark Dominion is different from Dominion. I believe there are some minor differences, but I couldn't say for sure without going back and rereading the books (which I'm not about to do). Sorry.


Q: What are your musical tastes? Particularly what do you listen to while you write (what music puts you in the writing mood) and/or in your spare time?

A: There's no way for me to answer this question without sounding like a pretentious jackass. Inevitably, when authors are asked their musical taste, they try to be as eclectic as possible ("Oh, I like John Coltrane and the Sex Pistols and Beethoven."). The problem is, I really do have fairly eclectic tastes-so if I answer honestly, I sound like one of those poseurs I hate. It's a lose-lose situation.

But here goes. My first love is progressive rock from the 1970s. I'm a big fan of Jethro Tull, ELP, Yes, Renaissance and their ilk. It's the music I grew up with. I'm also a fanatic record collector and am constantly scouring used record stores and thrift shops for albums, so I have a lot of music in a lot of different categories. As for what I listen to while writing, it depends on the day. I don't use music to set a mood; I simply listen to what I feel like hearing at the moment. I don't know if this will help, but here's a short list of my most recent CD purchases:

something I saw or thought I saw - Bill Morrissey
time*sex*love - Mary Chapin Carpenter
Awakening - Joseph Curiale
Songbook - Gordon Lightfoot
The Honesty Room - Dar Williams
Life in the Tropics - The Rippingtons
Symphony No. 5 - Philip Glass
Volcano Songs - Meredith Monk


Q: What are your favorite authors, books and films?

A: I'm afraid this question's impossible for me to answer. I'm a voracious reader and movie watcher, and I can't really narrow down my preferences. I'm not exactly an indiscriminate reader/viewer...but I do like an awful lot of books and movies. I will say that of non-horror authors, the ones I always buy in hardcover the instant they're released are John Irving, Anne Tyler, Jim Harrison and Richard Ford.


Q: What is your favorite Richard Laymon (may he rest in peace) novel?

A: That's a tough one. I have a soft spot in my heart for The Cellar because it was the first Laymon book I read and it just blew me away at the time with its graphic sex and violence. His most recent novel, Night in the Lonesome October, is probably the one that scared me the most. But I would have to say that my favorite is Savage. I like its epic scope, its Little Big Man allusions and the fact that it was set primarily in Arizona. I also admired the narrative voice Richard developed for the work. I think it was his most ambitious and best novel.


Q: What are your favorite and least favorite short stories written by yourself?

A: Boy, that's even tougher! My least favorite story is probably one of the dozen or so that I've taken out of circulation and that have never been published. Of the ones that have been published, my least favorite is probably "One Night Stand, " a completely pointless porno story I wrote for Cavalier in the mid-1980s (although "A Pirate's Life For Me," which was published in The Horror Show around the same time is pretty cringe-inducing. It's not very well-written, and despite the fact that it's based on a dream I had as a child, it also bears a strong resemblance to the Michael Crichton movie Westworld-something I didn't notice until after publication). I don't really have a favorite short story. As other writers have said before me, they're all my children and I love them all in different ways for different reasons.

Q: How/where do you find the inspiration to write and what influences and/or guides you through the creation/writing process?

A: I'm not a writer who sits and waits for inspiration to strike. I just sit down and write. That said, inspiration can come from anywhere. The Revelation was based on a dream and a series of randomly chosen Bible verses, The Mailman was based on my own dependence on the mail and a bizarre story I heard while working as a reporter, Death Instinct came from a 60 Minutes report on idiot savants, The Summoning emerged from a discussion I had with my wife about Chinese vampires, University was inspired by several suicides/killings that occurred at Cal State Fullerton while I was a student there, etc. Every day, ideas come to me, and I write them down on scraps of paper and shove them in my desk. Even if I suddenly get writer's block, I probably have enough ideas for short stories and novels to last me the rest of my life.

Q: Do you have any special rituals you go through (and any special places you go to) while writing, or are you able to write off the cuff whenever and wherever an idea arises? Do you need a special environment in which to be creative?

A: No rituals. No special environment. I can pretty much write anywhere at any time.

Q: What do you use to generate your work- computer, word processor, typewriter, pen and paper, chisel and stone, or a little of each?

A: The Revelation and most of my 1980s stories were written on manual typewriter. Everything from The Mailman through The Town was written on a Commodore word processor with an incredibly slow daisy wheel printer. Since 1998, I've been using a cheapo Packard Bell computer with a bubble jet printer. Ideas I write on paper by hand.

Q: Are you ever going to write another novel under the pseudonym of Phillip Emmons?

A: I have no plans to do so.

Q: You have used recurring characters and places in your novels such as "Hobie Beechman," "The Store," and "Automated Interface". Do these characters and places have any special significance to you (similar to Phillip Emmons)?

A: Like Stephen King, I'm a big fan of William Faulkner, whose entire body of work takes place in a single fictional Mississippi county. I always admired that ability to depict the complexity of life through a career-long mosaic. When I started writing short fiction, I slavishly followed Faulkner's example, and quite a few of my early stories take place in the same Southern town, which I called Randall. When I wrote The Revelation, I decided to place my fictional world in the Southwest. I moved Randall to Arizona with the intention of one day rewriting those old stories and moving their settings (as an in-joke for my really hardcore readers, Hobie's lawyer in The Mailman is a character from those early stories who retired and moved to Arizona).

I won't bore you with the minutae of this pointless exercise. But all of my novels save Death Instinct take place in the same fictional universe. Hence the recurring characters/places. Death Instinct is a piece of fiction within that world.

Q: What were you doing in the period after you wrote Guests and before you wrote The Walking?

A: Any perceived gaps are the result of publishing practices. I'm always working on a new novel. It generally takes me between nine months and a year to write a novel, although since the birth of my son in 1999, that time period has been stretched by a few months. Real life takes precedence over fiction.

Q: What more can you tell us about the short story collection or novella you are working on with Leisure Books titled Four Dark Knights?

A: Christopher Golden approached me about this project several months ago, and I agreed to participate, but I have not written anything yet and to be honest don't know what I will write. I said I would contribute three interconnected short stories, but for "marketing purposes," Leisure is going to call my contribution a novella. It's not.

Q: What other projects are you currently working on? What can you tell us about your next project(s)?

A: I'm currently finishing up a new novel and am thinking about the next one. I have three good ideas, and I'm trying to decide which one to do first.

Q: Do you have any plans to issue another compilation of short stories (from hard-to-find magazines and anthologies) similar to Murmurous Haunts?

A: Signet has agreed to put out a short story collection, and it should be published sometime in 2002. I put together 36 stories that I thought would appeal to my fans. My editor wants to cut four of them-"See Marilyn Monroe' s Panties" from one of the "Hot Blood" books, "The Pounding Room" from the first Borderlands anthology, and two unpublished pieces-and we' re still working out the order of the stories and trying to come up with a title, but the work's almost done. There will be four new stories and the rest reprints-mostly from obscure small press magazines. As for putting out another chapbook like Murmurous Haunts, I had such a bad experience with that publication that I have no plans to do so again.

Q: There are very few horror writers who actually make a living at their craft. Most end up writing mysteries or westerns under various pen names or writing pulp fiction novels or teaching creative writing. Mr. Little, do you teach or hack novels to support your 'real' books or are you able to make a living at it?

A: I've been very lucky. Even during the horror downturn of the 1990s, my novels sold. I worked as a technical writer until the release of University. By that time, I was doing very well, and I quit my day job. After a bad experience with Death Instinct, I vowed never to compromise and to write only what I wanted to write. As a result, I did not quit my job until I had enough savings to survive five years of no income. I still have that "mad money," which enables me to do what I want. If a publisher doesn't like one of my novels (as was the case with The Ignored), I can shelve it and go on to the next novel without having to grovel and sell out and write Buffy or Crow novels. If my work falls completely out of favor sometime in the future and no one ever wants to publish my fiction again, that's okay. I'll just get another job and keep writing for myself. The truth is, I've gotten a lot farther than I ever thought I would and have done much better than I expected. I've had a chance to speak my piece, to say what I wanted to say. I can't complain.

Sheryl Crow Returns Full Circle

Sheryl Crow
Detours
A&M Records
5 tablespoons of Bosco (Out of 5)

Reviewed by Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Sheryl Crow has packed a lot of living in the last two years. During that period she has stared down and beat breast cancer, had a much publicized breakoff with her boyfriend and on the positive side adopted a child.

So eager anticipation greeted her latest album, released last week. Would the new album Detours have Crow come out fighting? Would she acknowledge the challenges in her life over the past couple of her years? Would she choose to elaborate on her positions on environmental issues and the current administration?

The answer to all of those questions is a resounding yes.

It’s all there. This is probably her most autobiographical and introspective album of her career. She writes (well I think she does anyway) about her breakup in "Now That You’re Gone", "Diamond Ring", and Drunk With The Thought of You. She writes about her fight with cancer and the chemotherapy in “Make It Go Away (Radiation Song)”. She writes about her adopted son in “Lullaby for Wyatt”.

With all of these things going on in her life, you would think that this wouldn’t leave any room for her outspokeness against the current administration. But there is plenty of room for that in “God Bless This Mess” and “Shine Over Babylon” or her thoughts on Dependency on Foreign Oil in the in-your face and futuristic tale “Gasoline”. Or on the aftermath of Katrina in “Love is Free”. And there are the happy and feel good songs in the vein of “Soak up the Sun”. In this album those songs are the world beat influenced songs “Peace Be Upon Us” where Ahmed Al Himi co-sings beautifully in Arabic and “Love Is All There Is” which has a beautifully Israeli-inspired feel to it.

In many ways this album sounds familiar…and that’s a good thing. Bill Bottrell, Crow’s producer on her first two Grammy winning albums and longtime writing partner is back. Bottrell and Crow patched up their less than amicable split and the award-winning Bottrell who also has produced the likes of Toy Matinee, Tom Petty, Rusted Root, Traveling Wilburys, Roseanne Arquette and a host of other successful acts returns to put his distinctive stamp on this album. So some of this sounds like Tuesday Night Music Club, her first album, or the self-named album Sheryl Crow.

There’s also room for the experimental here. The almost primal-screaming in “Diamond Ring” and “Make It Go Away” is different from anything she has ever recorded. Crow is possibly at her best when she is entirely on her own and it’s just her, her guitar and her voice on “God Bless this Mess”.


This also is a lot like those wonderful albums that Joni Mitchell or Carole King used to put out in the 60’s and 70’s. It has a little fun, a little sweetness, some introspection, some heartbreak, great songwriting thrown in with some social commentary.

I saw Crow and her band in Irvine, CA in the last quarter of 2006 and she was well on the way to mending after the chemotherapy and the cancer and the breakup…she was strong and delivered a great, albeit, short set (we just wanted more that’s all…it wouldn’t be enough no matter how long she played…). This album completes the cycle. She’s back completely and better than ever.

Blog Dog: The Beagle Has Landed

By Malone The Wonder Dog
As Told To Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Editors Note: Malone, the five year old Toy Manchester terrier that rooms with me is also, as it turns out, a decent writer. He used to write for comedian Nadia Bacon’s blog. Nadia, being a part of the Writers Guild didn’t want to use a Non-union writer. I, on the other hand, don’t have any issues with a non-union writing dog contributing to this webzine. The only problem that I have is that it takes a long time for Malone to finish his column. He blames this on the fact that he does not have fingers and hands…only paws… making it hard to type. When Malone gets around to finishing columns he will deal with issues that help his pet/dog friends and owners. Write Malone at Boscotheblog@earthlink.net and he will try to answer your pet related questions.

By Malone the Wonder Dog
As Told To Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

When a Beagle won the Westminster Kennel Show last week I was shocked to learn that this was the first time this breed had ever won Best of Show in the 105 year history of the event. That’s amazing and got me to thinking....I actually could win this thing too. Sure, a Toy Manchester Terrier has never won Best of Show either but some people think I am more handsome than a Beagle. The editor of this blog is supposed to post my photo here, so you can be the judge. Email me and let me know if I have the look.

But first of all, I have issues that I need to overcome even to be considered for the most prestigious dog show of them all. There’s that whole thing about biting and barking at people. I’m going to have to suck it up and refrain from biting and barking at the judges. I heard they actually frown on that sort of thing and I may lose points. I think I’m getting better at this. I haven’t bitten anybody for about two months now. I may also need to bathe properly. You see, I think I’m a cat and I just lick myself.

I think that they should have the dogs in the show compete against each other in things their respective breeds are good at and it would certainly make for better television too. Wouldn’t you like to see the Saint Bernards racing against other to get hot coco to their owners stuck in a faux avalanche? Or how about the Collies racing against each other to save Timmy from a well? They could have Labradors fetching Frisbees, balls, newspapers, sticks or other stuff that their owners want them to pick up and bring back to them.

In my case, my breed is good at chasing rodents. Oh, what drama that would be to release a rat on the floor of Madison Square Garden and have a bunch of Rat Terriers and Manchester Terriers go after it. First one to catch it wins. It would actually be cooler if they allowed us to utilize the whole arena. I could see all those well-dressed, prim and proper people scrambling to get away from the rat by jumping on top of the seats! It would be a laugh riot.

After I win Best of Show at the Westminster Kennel Show, my next goal is to run with a team in the Iditarod Dog Sled Race. Never mind that fact that my breed has a strong aversion to the cold. We were really bred in the Victorian era when we basically basked in the sun amongst the antique roses at the feet of refined and ladies sipping on their English tea. You should probably be some husky mix to compete in the Iditarod properly. But I know I can do this.

I have some experience in going long distances. My knuckle head human room mate likes to go on 10-15 mile walks with me at a time. I think I've built the stamina. As far as the cold is concerned, I'll just wear layers of thermal underwear and full-face stockings for my grill. I'm going to start training as soon as I stop typing this. But first I need to chase this cat that has wandered on to my property. Malone-Out

This Album Needs To Be Renamed T Bone Burnett and Friends

The Musicians and Vocalists of the Robert Plant/Alison Krauss collaboration Raising Sand. Left to Right: T Bone Burnett, Gregory Liesz, Norman Blake, Alison Krause, Robert Plant, Dennis Crouch, Marc Ribet, Riley Baugus.

Raising Sand
Allison Krauss and Robert Plant
Rounder Records
4 teaspoons of Bosco
By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

I love Robert Plant when he is raring back and letting his powerful and unique voice belt out songs like “Trampled Underfoot” and “Dye’r Maker”.

I enjoy Allison Krauss with Union Station, playing bluegrass fiddle and singing with that sweet angelic voice especially when they are on Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor and friends Saturday evenings on National Public Radio.

Robert Plant and Allison Krauss together? I would never have put those two together. That would be like Grease and Water getting together. Right? Apparently T Bone Burnett didn’t think so. For the uninformed, Burnett is one of the most influential producers and musicians in history. He has been responsible for producing the likes of the great Roy Orbison and wonderful movie soundtracks like Where Brother, Art Thou? and "Walk The Line". Burnett's latest project is the Krauss/Plant collaboration, Raising Sand.

First of all, before I go any further, this is an album you can listen to in it’s entirety on their website www.robertplantalisonkrauss.com . They are also the featured artists on both Bosco TV: Music Channel and Bosco Radio: Music Channel. (Links in the Bosco Sidebar).

Many times when great distinct and divergent styles get together it is a good thing. The sum of the whole is better than each of the parts. A case in point is Crosby, Stills, and Nash. David Crosby is good. Steven Stills is good. Graham Nash is a little better than good. Put them all together though you have greatness. I can’t say this about this collaboration.

An understated Robert Plant is not great here. It’s like having a high performance V-8 engine and being told you can only run it in second gear. I want Robert Plant hitting on all cylinders and in fifth gear.

An overstated Allison Krauss is not that great either. Ok, kudos for trying to stretch her horizons but Krauss without her usual people around her is like a fish out of water.

The only reason why I listened to this album a second time really was due to T Bone Burnett and his music sensibilities. After a 14 year absence from recording, Burnett is back and that is a good thing. My four favorite tunes, “Rich Woman”, the 1950’s La Bostrie and Millet composition, has Burnett’s stamp on it as he teams with Marc Ribot. His signature style is also prevalent on Naomi Neville’s “Fortune Teller”, the Everly Brother’s “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On)” and “Let Your Loss Be A Lesson”. And you know why I like these four songs?…They’re all up tempo and T Bone Burnett-ish!

Krauss exhibits her fiddle-playing abilities on this album in songs like “Nothin’”. While being an extremely talented fiddle player, she’s never quite been a Papa John Creech or even a Charlie Daniels. But again, who is?

Some of the choices on who takes the lead on some tracks is puzzling to me. And I guess that's producer Burnetts fault and that would be his only flaw on the production of this album. Why, for instance, is Krauss singing lead on songs obviously written to be sung by a man on “Through the Morning, Through The Night” and “Let Your Loss Be A Lesson”. It’s not like they didn’t have a decent male singer standing around. Or at least modify the lyrics.

The other by-product of this is that Robert Plant is going to be touring most of the year with Krauss through America and Europe which means that any ideas of a Led Zeppelin reunion tour anytime soon after the big show in London is going to be on hold for a while. And that's not a good sign for LZ fans.

Coffee Wars: The Bigs Do The Right Thing

Three National Chains including It's A Grind (shown here) refused to force out the single owner Bagel Bistro in Southern California

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Something that many thought would never happen, occured recently in Fullerton, CA. The landlords of a strip mall in an affluent section of the city tried to push out a long time "mom and pop" coffee shop to entice a national brand coffee shop to take over. But all three national brand coffee companies turned down the offer allowing the local shop to continue.

The result was a backlash from the community spurred on my the local community newspaper, The Fullerton Observer.

Muy Kung and Linda Chhan, owners of the Bagel Bistro were originally refused a lease renewal from Regency Centers Inc. a few years ago despite verbal promises by the center's longtime manager. At that time the Regency had invited Coffee Bean and then Starbucks to take over the choice corner location that Kung's and Chhan's coffee shop and banished the Bistro to a small spot at the end of the shopping center....A place that was very hard to get to and see from the street.

Customers drew up a petition which was singed in days by over 1200 in protest of the forced move. After hearing the Bistro's story, to their credit, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Starbucks, and It's A Grind all refused to sign on.

The new regional management at Regency reviewed the lease situation and offered a reasonable increase to stay at their longtime corner location.

Many times you hear the flip side with the ugly stories on how the big chains push out the small operators. A case in point was the time when Starbucks tried to push out my friends Alan and Kelly Jeffrey's coffee shops, Miss Kelly's, in Orange, CA. This was met with stiff opposition by their customer base who in turn signed a petition to not allow the Seattle company to take over their operation. In the case of the Bagel Bistro however, these three companies exhibited a conscience and did the right thing.

Television Review: The Bungle in the Jungle

Lipstick Jungle
NBC Television
Thursdays 10 PM EST/PST
2 teaspoons of Bosco (Out of 5)

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Despite all the hype as being the second coming of Sex and the City, the new dramatic series, Lipstick Jungle (NBC Thursday’s at 10 PM) at least initially, falls far short of it’s extremely successful cable cousin. In fact the only thing that the two series have in common is authorship. Candace Bushnell is the writer responsible for the books that spawned both series.

In the initial offering, the pilot, the show is in search of an identity. It starts out as a re-tread of another successful show, thirtysomething even down to the Snuffy Waldren musical score. We see our three heroines in their late 30’s (played by Brooke Shields, Lindsey Price, and Kim Raver ) going through the paces of their homelife, professional careers and friendship between the three. In the Shield's character who plays movie executive Wendy Healy, we even see a thirtysomethingish scene where as she starts to get intimate with her partner the kids wander aimlessly through the bedroom and then she’s off to change diapers or some other domestic chore.

Then to perpetuate the identity crisis, the show seems like it wants to be Ugly Betty as it traverses it’s way through the world of Fashion and Fashion publications. Fifteen minutes in, the show then morphs into a cross between a dramatic version of Sex and the City (with the three women discussing their problems and fashion tips while enjoying cocktails) and Dynasty on it’s worst night.

The problem with Lipstick Jungle is that it’s none of the shows mentioned. The foursome of SATC becomes a threesome of all Miranda Hobbs on this show and you know how boring that is going to get. Where’s the Carrie?. Where’s the Samantha here? I would even settle for a Sabrina.

The great thing about SATC is that it never took itself too seriously. It was also well written, only 30 minutes long and had great understated acting. Lipstick Jungle has none of this going for it. The lines are so painful to listen to. I can't believe anybody talks like this in the real world. And on top of that, there is not one single likeable male character in this show. Where’s Big? Where’s Adrian? I missed the great guys in the women’s life. Maybe they will show up in later episodes.

Ok...Don't panic yet. It was the pilot afterall, and many pilots fall short of the potential as the actors, directors and writers get used to each other. But this show is going to need to make some dramatic changes in order to stay on the air. After all it is a Jungle out there in the television wasteland.

Stage Preview: Get "Out" To See This Play

Fullerton College Theatre Under the Direction of Gary Krinke Reprises The Award Winning "Take Me Out".


Take Me Out
Written by Richard Greenberg
Directed By Gary Krinke
Fullerton College Theatre Group
Limited Engagement
Bronwyn Dodson Theatre
321 E. Chapman, Fullerton, CA
8 PM Feb 7-9 and 2 PM Feb 9-10
5 Scoops of Bosco (Out of 5)

Preview By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Sometime in the near future, I hope we will be able to truly look beyond people's race, gender, and sexual orientation. Those three things should be a non-issue. Period. Those three things should not have to be mentioned at all. In other words, I don't care if I ever see these phrases in print again..."John, a black man...", "Jill, a woman...", or "Donald, a gay male...". If those types of descriptions are eliminated from our vernacular, then we may be able to say that we have arrived as human beings.

In the meantime, we need reminders of how far we need to travel to get to that point. One of those reminders is an excellent Tony Award winning and Pulitzer Prize nominated play written by Richard Greenberg entitled "Take Me Out".

I am very fortunate to live in a area that has great theatre, and when this play was presented by the award-winning Fullerton College Theatre Group under the direction of Gary Krinke, last November, it totally blew everybody away. The execution of this play was so good that now the FC Theatre Group has been selected to perform for the Kennedy Center Selection Committee.

"Take Me Out" is a comedy and a story of a self-absorbed baseball icon who announces to the press, and to his teammates, that he is gay. Because of his athletic ability, good looks, and multi-million dollar salary, the player thinks life will go on as before.

This is all put to the test when the baseball team goes on a losing skid and brings up a minor league player from North Carolina who throws around racial and gay-bashing epithets as fast as he pitches...pushing the lead character. Will he give in to the temptation to retaliate? That's only part of the story and you need to be there to see the rest. Note of caution: If this was a movie it would be rated R due to on stage nudity and frank sexual discussion.

The play is making a limited comeback starting tonight at 8 PM. "Take Me Out" runs only until Sunday. See above for showtimes or call 714.992.7433 or 714.992.7425

My Afternoon With Walter, Arky, Willard, Del and A 1960 Fender Stratocaster

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

Photo: Eric Clapton, plays his signature Fender Stratocaster. The Bosco Editor closed his eyes and pretended to be EC at the Fullerton Museum

When you grow up in Fullerton California they give you an Orange, a baseball, a baseball mitt and a Fender Guitar or Bass (your choice...I got a Fender F-65 acoustic) and they slap you on the butt when you are born. It is your birthright. They also tried to give out Toyo tires but that never quite caught on.

My friend and fellow Five time NCAA Champion Cal State Fullerton Baseball fan Tom Alcott (not to be confused with Tom Falvai my other good friend who has become the unofficial team mascot) and I were getting caught up over the weekend at Tom's very cool vintage sports memorabilia shop, Pastimes Collectibles in downtown Fullerton. Oh, before I go on, Pastimes Collectibles is located in an old converted hotel. It's called the Villa Del Sol now but back in the day it used to be a Hotel called the California Hotel. Since Eagles front men Glen Frey and Don Henley used to hang out in Fullerton with Jackson Browne....you see where I'm going with this? This building was the inspiration for "Hotel California".

Anyway, I'm getting more and more envious of Tom by the second because he just told me that he is heading to Texas for the opening series between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Five Time NCAA National Champion Cal State Fullerton Titans. Then he reminds me about his wonderful season tickets...the best seats in Goodwin Field. I'm on my heals now but I come back strong with a "I'm going to Palo Alto and Sunken Diamond to see Stanford against the Five Time NCAA National Champion Cal State Fullerton Titans before heading out to Arizona to catch a bunch of Preseason MLB Games."

I figure we're even and then he lays on me the fact that he just helped install a very cool exhibition about the history of Fullerton Baseball at the Fullerton Museum (which is a converted library where my Mom and my Aunt Doretta used to take me when I was preschool age...but that's another story for another day). So if you're keeping score at home it's Tom 3, Your Bosco editor 2 and Tom has won in the bottom of the ninth with a walk off homerun.

So this new baseball exhibit sounded intriguing. Because any Red-blooded Fullerton male will tell you that we have more Hall of Famers per square mile than any town. The greatest pitcher of all time....The Big Train Walter Johnson, Arky Vaughan, Gary Carter, and Willard Hershbarger all played as kids on Fullerton soil and they played for Fullerton High School (well Gary Carter went to Sunny Hills in Fullerton along with Jackson Browne...but we won't hold that against him). Then there are the guys who should be in the hall of fame. Guys like Del Crandall, Steve Busby, Keith Ginter, Jeff Robinson, Phil Nevin, Aaron Rowan, and others who all played in Fullerton.

So I went to check out all the cool stuff in the exhibit like the 1905, 1927, 1930, and 1932 team photos from the Fullerton High School Indian baseball teams. Which gave me a great idea. Those flannel uniforms were so cool with the Indian Head logo, they have to bring back this retro style to the current team this year before they have to drop the Native American symbol with that new California State law. (Which by the way makes me furious because I've talked to many Native Americans over the years that have no problem with Fullerton High School being called the Indians as long as it is tastefully done...but I digress). There was other stuff, like Walter Johnson's glove and original baseball card and much more. I was in vintage baseball heaven.

After I finished that exhibit I wandered through the museum and came across another cool exhibit...The Leo Fender Exhibit. For those unaware, Leo Fender was born and raised in Fullerton, went on to start his factory in Fullerton producing electronics and guitars, bass guitars, guitar amplifiers, electronic keyboards. This exhibit had the history of the man and the factory but that wasn't the coolest thing. In the middle of one of the exhibit room...there it stood like a beautiful siren seductively calling out to me...."Play me, Play me". She was gorgeous in lacquered baby blue and chrome pickups...a 1960 Fender Stratocaster hooked up to a Black Fender amplifier. Next to it was a sign reading something to the effect that anybody could play her. You didn't have to ask me twice.

Because it was Super Bowl Sunday, I basically had the Museum to myself. And the acoustics were awesome. After tuning her up, I launched into the nastiest blues rift I could conjure up. And they say time travel is not possible. All of a sudden I am transformed back into time with my band in high school with Grant, Steve, Bobby and me and all is right with the world. I was brought back to 2008 reality real quick when my cel phone went off. I needed to be on the other side of town and quick.

I did get two thumbs up from my audience, the two museum desk people. That was good enough for me on this day. Now if I could just find where I parked my 1965 Mustang....

Super Sunday In the Rear View Mirror.

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

All I ask of my Super Bowl Game is a little drama...and I got it this year with Eli Manning's late heroics. All I ask for of my Super Bowl Halftime show is a good entertaining concert and I got it. All I ask from my Super Bowl commercials are good, inspired, and entertaining and well I got a mixed bag on that one.

Is it my imagination or does Tom Petty look like the Reverend Gene Scott now with that beard? Am I right? But I digress. This was the best halftime concert in a long time. I like the one performer concept. Petty and the Heartbreakers played four of my favorit hits flawlessly with no wardrobe malfunctions or having to share the stage with Run DMC. I wondered for a couple of weeks why Tom Petty was chosen to appear on the halftime show. Then it became apparent that Fox was using the halftime show to promote Petty's apperance on "King of the Hill"

My favorite commercial was the Rocky-themed Clydesdale bit for it's creativity and humor. Other than that, nothing stood out. The Budlight ad formula is just getting annoying and old now and they need to go in a dirrerent direction. And what exactly does Go Daddy do? No way you could tell from their ad. They wanted us to go look at their website and see Danica Patrick take off her jump suit. I'm not falling for that. She's probably going to just have a Go Daddy Tee shirt on under the suit anyway. And I still won't know what Go Daddy actually does. The Spitting Baby is like watching a train wreck. You can't believe what you just saw so you keep on watching and I can't remember what they were selling in that ad. That's not good when your company spends millions and all you can remember is a baby puking. Another funny one was the Pepsi with Ginseng in the "Night at the Roxbury" vein. Having Chris Kataan show up at the end was classic. As a side, don't advertise the fact that you have Ginseng in there. That doesn't make it more appealing.

It's actually even sadder when I think that one of the best commercials is a promo for Fox. In one segment, Hugh Laurie from House and lead guitarist for Band From Television is playing a nasty guitar rift to the theme from NFL on Fox.

Enjoyed the announcing team of Joe Buck and Troy Aikman. Not Al Michaels and John Madden (we get them next year on NBC) but since I am basically a radio guy I used to love listening to Joe's daddy Jack and Hank Stram (both of them rest in peace) on the CBS radio network back in the 70's and 80's. Troy Aikman is a breath of fresh air in the broadcast booth...he's no Tim McCarver and that's a good thing. I'm waiting for Westwood One to replace the lead announcer on the radio side. I'm not saying who it is but he used to be a pretty good Basketball announcer and he says "yes!!" a lot. I would have much preferred to hear Joel Meyers or somebody else on the radio team.

Before I forget, American Idol winner Jordin Sparks sang a great rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

The Gospel According to Ricki Lee Jones

Ricki Lee Jones
The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard
5 teaspoons of Bosco (Out of 5)

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco the Blog

The best Christian album of 2007 is not going to receive a Grammy for Christian Music or be played in rotation on Christian Rock stations. The Best Christian album of 2007 was made by Rickie Lee Jones, one of the best songwriters and singers of her generation.

"The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard", her 14th album, is Jones best and introspective work since her debut album in 1978. At the age of 54, she still personifies the cool and sophistication of the album she made as a younger woman.

This album, which places Christ in a downtown LA setting is a reworking of the gospel in a modern age and also serves as an exploration of Jones own faith.

See Rickie Lee Jones now on Bosco TV: The Music Channel

Observation: Politics: Playing James Carville on the Ides of Super Tuesday

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

The 2008 Presidential Election Primary comes to my town next week, and I don't know about you, but I am always fascinated by the process of electing the President of the United States. Right now, all over our country, we are engaged in dialogue about who should run the United States for the next four years. And that's a healthy, unique and wonderful American concept.

I honestly, at this point don't know who I will be voting for President in November. And nobody has made me the next Jim Carville (the wonderful political strategist) and asked me to consult with each of the parties...but if they did this is what I would tell them.

On the Republican side we are for all intents and purposes down to two fine men. They are flawed, to be sure, but I would not have an issue with either of these men being our President. What I admire about John McCain is his political experience, his willingness to work with his fellow senators especially across the aisle to get things done. As a former member of our Armed Services and POW, I believe he would be sensitive to the issues relating to our military and he would be careful before putting our brave men and women in harms way. My main concern is his health and age. McCain will be in his early 70's and has had health issues in the past. But if you were listening to Bosco Radio Information channel last Sunday, there was a great interview with John McCain's mother on C-Span's Road to the White House program...still vital and very alert in her mid 90's. Hopefully John McCain has her genes to get through at least one term of office.

Mitt Romney, the other Republican frontrunner is an excellent choice too. I like his track record in turning businesses and organizations like the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics around. We need somebody of his knowledge, caliber and energy in the White House. But that being said, this is what the Republicans should do, in my humble opinion. Give the nomination for president to John McCain and pick Romney as his running mate. You have a powerful ticket there, but not the other way around.

Romney with all his success is part of a religion that is not in the mainstream. This country is still primarily fundamental Christian who does not think Mormonism is the correct way to serve God. And if you don’t think the Fundamentalist Christian movement is influential, all you have to do is go back to the last two elections where it helped George W. Bush to the White House. It’s really too bad that there has not been enough said in the process, so far, about family values because there is no religion bigger on family values than the Latter Day Saints.

The Democratic story is very different. If I was an advisor for the party I would make sure the two frontrunners, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton do not team up. The country might be ready for an African American President (Colin Powell...please) or a Woman President but not both on the same ticket. That would be a certain death for the party’s chances of going back to the White House. The so-called "Dream Team" could be a nightmare.

The Democrats are interesting, because in my heart of hearts they could easily go back to the White House….they have the right people and this is how they could do it. Two people….Al Gore and one of the Clintons (preferably Bill).

Al Gore’s stock has gone way up in the past two years. He has put some great ideas on the table in turning around this country and not just in the area of Global Warming and the Enviroment. He’s not your father’s Al Gore either. This man is strong, vital and very popular. All he has to do is jump into the race, put his differences with the Clintons behind and pick one to be his running mate. Here you have a vital team that has been there and has learned from their mistakes hopefully. Plus I believe a lot of people would vote for Gore because they believe he got gypped out of the White House in his last election. And if you don’t believe Bill Clinton is still popular, try to get into one of his public appearances or book signings. “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow – The Sequel.” Then give Obama and Hillary Clinton cabinet positions. Obama needs to age a bit and get some more experience under his belt for the next round…he is a vissionary and the man of the future but he should gain some more experience at the White House level.

Here in America we definitely need to make some changes…we need to think outside the box. Actually, my ultimate ticket would be to see John McCain and Bill Clinton. But that would never happen. But it would be cool, right? Then appoint Romney, Gore, Hillary Clinton, Obama, and Ron Paul to cabinet positions. Now that’s a team.

What are your thoughts? Let us know. We would love to hear from you. But more importantly, be part of the process and talk it up at your local coffee shop or where you have breakfast. Listen to the offerings on Bosco Radio: Information and News channel especially on Sunday. Then go to the polls and vote the best people you think that will represent us as a nation.

The Ghosts of Valentines Day Past or the Valentines Day Massacres

By Allen Bacon
Editor
Bosco: The Blog

With Valentines Day today, it reminded me of my not so successful attempts at romance and love during my life. Romance and love are like golf in some ways. You think you have it down and everything is going good and the next thing you know you are putting out of the rough or chipping out of the sand trap.

I remember my very first Valentine's Day. I was seven years old and in the second grade at Richman Elementary School. I received 14 Valentines from 14 different girls! Being unclear on the concept, I thought I was receiving 14 proposals to be these girls true love or husband. All I had to do was pick the right one or as one card, which was my favorite because it had a train on it said, "...choo choo choose" one. Well, I chose this girl, a curly brunette named Theresa based on the fact that she gave me the Train card with a box of those Candy hearts...with each heart having a saying...an expression of her love. Plus that chalky candy that later I found out tasted much like an antacid was really good. When I tried to return my affection to Theresa after school on the playground she promptly used the occasion to kick me in the groin, which when I think about it is a really good metaphor for what happens when you get rejected by the object of your desire.

Fast forward to High School where I had a huge crush on Marcie. Well actually it started back in Junior High when Marcie and her identical twin sister Michelle would say hi to me when I was walking home. To a pimply faced, uncoordinated, greasy hair kid with very low self esteem this was the highlight of my day.

With Marcie and Michelle being identical twins, and both of them being the cutest girls in school, this made me aware that what I really liked was not so much the looks, as it was the personality. Michelle was a very nice girl, but Marcie just seemed to be more warm and friendly and somebody I could trust. If it was just the looks, I would have liked them equally because I couldn't tell the difference between the two sisters physically...they were both very attractive. This was also the time where I was introduced to that feeling around your heart, kind of a pain in the middle of your chest when the person you like or love isn't there. Sometimes Marcie would take another way home from school or would be absent. That's when I felt that pain.

This obsession from afar went on into my Freshman year of High School. At High School in my Freshman year they had a flower sale for Valentines Day. They sold those fragrant carnations....Red and white ones.. and they would send them during the day to the person that you wanted. I thought this would be an excellent time to really show Marcie how much I loved her. I used all of my money from lunch and I bought her one red carnation and one white carnation. I waited with much anticipation for over 24 hours to see what kind of a reception I would get from Marcie. As the lunch hour, when I would see her eating with her friends, approached my heart started beating really hard...the proverbial "almost coming out of my chest" hard.

Something funny happened on the way to that lunch meeting though. In third period, totally out of the blue, the people handing out the carnations came into the room. All the usual suspects got flowers for sure...Hobie, Patsy, Kim, Laurie...but the next name took me by surprise. They called MY name. First of all I thought it was some type of mistake. Then I realized I wasn't the punchline of a joke. I took my flower, a single red carnation, went back to my seat and opened the attached note with much anticipation. The note was...blank. Whoever sent me the flowers did not send me a note. My mind was racing... who would have sent me the sweet smelling carnation? I came to the conclusion that there could only be one...the gorgeous young lady who had said hi to me almost everyday for the last two years...Marcie.

The lunch meeting with Marcie was one of those surreal moments when things kind of slow down to half speed. The weather was perfect and sunny. And beautiful Marcie was standing outside the school library with the two carnations I had sent her in her hand. She was by herself as if she was waiting for me although there was no prearranged meeting. I nervously approached her and managed the words, "You got my flowers?" "Yes,", she said, "You are so sweet, thank you so much" as she flashed that wonderful smile and batted those big beautiful eyes.

The next words out of her mouth, however, were not in the script, not mine anyway..."Who sent you your flowers?", she asked innocently. I stammered as if the words would not come out. "You mean you didn't send these?" "No silly...why would I do that?", was her reply. Suddenly everything changed. Motion went back to full speed, the February air felt a little more chillier and...HE walked up. A handsome sophomore who I didn't know came up and put his arm around Marcie. He had a carnation in his hand, and I could see the opened note signed by her. She politely said bye and the two went off with their arms around each other. Where was Theresa when I needed her? A quick kick in the groin would have felt ten times better than the pain I was feeling at that moment.

I never found out who actually sent me the flowers with no message or signature. I thought it was Karen, the nice young lady in my math class. But when I asked her...she said it wasn't her. I wrote a lot in my high school days with the school paper and some short stories. Marcie was my muse...in other words, somebody that in my mind I would write to, like she was my only reader, and somehow she would be impressed with what I was writing. She was my inspiration.

Later on I found out that Marcie never read the school newspaper or anything that I wrote. What happens when your muse doesn't read your writing? Even today my muse (who isn't Marcie anymore) probably doesn't read my writing either. Why should she be any different than anybody else?