Very strange, semi-biblical flash of dream at the end of sleep.

In the desert at night, walking alone, I came across a burning bush, its stubby trunk a core of fire, molten twigs snapping and bursting brilliantly into flame, sharp cracking sound, the sound of light. And all the leaves fell like stars, shooting down with faint seared firework traces of light in the darkness, burning for a second then fading away, leaving their ghosts in ashes behind them to sink to the ground slowly, lighter than air, and disappear. The heat haze shimmers and shifts in the sand, which appears to be moving as the shadows spread in waves across it. And if I stare at these shadows, and then into the heart of the fire, my eyes start to see something almost like a face, speaking, and the crackling and hissing of the flames are a message, which I could decipher if only I could make it out..
Wait. And watch. And listen.
And then dawn comes swiftly over the desert, the horizon all around me. The whole sky is on fire, and the light is blinding, and I fall down in the sand to hide my eyes, still desperately trying – to listen – and, when I look up again, the fire has gone out. Flakes of ash settle and disappear, all burnt up to nothing. The silence is as heavy as the weight of the sand in the desert, a silence in which no sound could possibly be imagined.

Woke up wondering if there was a message. But there was only tea, and toast.

In love there is but happiness,
No frowns or tears,
Only the warm glow of another.

I wish all could feel such bliss.
I wish all could see such light.
I wish all could enjoy such warmth.

The world could truly be,
Happiness as all can see,
My love for thee.

“Love is an overwhelming concern for the well-being of another without any regard for what you receive in return.”

Life’s Rewards

Mothman.
“Scientific explanations” in old sci-fi films.
30s pulp heroes.
Carillons.
The Prisoner TV series
Old maps.
Armillary spheres.
Krispy Kreme glazed doughnuts, hot from the fryer.(Darktrain reminded me! yum!)
Typhoon’s Penang-style Char Kway Teow over rice.
Hayao Miyazaki
Hong Kong movies.
That part in The Shadow when he says “To the Sanctum!”
Boing Boing magazine.
Oingo Boingo
The word “boing”.
Outdated slang, like “jeepers” and “criminy”.
Call of the West by Wall of Voodoo.
Boiled peanuts.

I have no Idea how ODB pulled it off. how to hide from the police

Sheesh… I imagine that there’d be lots of donors…Poop Transfusion!

Smokin’ on a night train, chewin’ on a jelly roll,
Smokin’ on a night train, chewin’ on a jelly roll,
I’m runnin’ up a flag without a pole,
I’m walkin’ on a shoe without a sole,
Smokin’ on a night train, chewin’ on a jelly roll.
(OK here i’ comes, lesson one.)
You can’t cook an egg unless you got yourself a frying pan.
(You know it’s the truth.)
You can’t cook an egg unless you got yourself a frying pan.
You shouldn’t rob a bank without a plan,
You shouldn’t use your tongue to stop a fan.
Smokin’ on a night train, chewin’ on a jelly roll.

(Now here come lesson number two.)
Shouldn’t wanna do it if you don’t want to not do it right.
Eba-dabba-dooba-daba-deba-daba-do, all right.
(I ain’t makin’ this up.)
You don’t go dancin’ in the day,
You don’t golfin’ in the night.
Smokin’ on a night train, chewin’ on a jelly roll.
(Yeah.)
Smokin’ on a night train, chewin’ on a jelly roll.

I don’t quite know what to make of today… not a 100% win.

I got to see my sweet little treeflower, however briefly, online. (best part of the day!)

was supposed to hear from my brother by noon, so we could do something together, preferably to head to Dave & Cathi’s place and have a little bite to eat with the hippies. no dice. apparently, he lost his cell phone (his only phone) and so was incommunicado when I tried to reach him. ultimately, he was reached by mother, and so we all had to eat there. I met his current girl, and she’s pleasant, but has a few issues. She was very (perhaps too) open about her life and lifestyle to me, and even came on a bit. Derek seemed cool with this, apparently he’s not terribly serious about her. Creeped me out, though. I feel that she drinks too much, and is a poor influence on him. I don’t want him drinking and potentially drugging as much.

rescheduled time with Derek for Sundays again… hopefully we can get back to getting together weekly. I worry about him, and miss him.

Myths Over Miami

Folk tales of the homeless. A look into children’s minds…. I found it interesting. If you’re particularly sensitive, you may want to take it easy… the tales woven by 7 and 8-year olds can be pretty spooky.

Long time we no have no nice time,
Doo-yoo-dee-dun-doo-yea.
Think about that.

This is my heart to rock you steady.
I’ll give you love the time you’re ready.
This little heart in me
Just won’t let me be.
I’m just to rock you, now.
Won’t you rock with me?
Long time we no have no nice time,
Doo-yoo-dee-dun-doo-yeah.
Think about that.

SURVEY TIME!

about me
1. Your Name: scotto
2. Your Nickname: scooter, yeti, mongo, boog, revscotto, bear
3. Your Birthday: 02/02/69
4. Your Age Now: 31
5. Your Location: Pompano Beach, Florida
6. School Grade: I graduated! 🙂
7. Sex: Male
8. Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

about me
1. Real Hair Color: dark brown with little grey and reddish-blond bits here and there.
2. Eye color: blue
3. Skin color: white, close to a pinky-peach.
4. Height: 6’6″ (if I don’t slouch.)
5. Shoe size: 15
6. Do you care about the way you look?:I try to be comfortable, but presentable.
7. Do you get tanned?: yes, but I do burn if out too long
8. Do you have big ears?: not really
9. Do you have contacts or glasses?: nope

am i a…
1. Wuss: no, I don’t think so.
2. Class Clown: no… I’m goofy at times, though.
3. Goodie 2 Shoes: nope
4. Daydreamer: on occasion
5. Drunk:no
6. Freak: man, depends on who you ask. I don’t think so. 🙂
7. Bitch: at times
8. Angel: I’d say more often than not.

have i ever…
1. Eaten an entire box of Oreo’s?: yup!
2. Gotten in a car accident?: been in enough to be leery of cars for life. 🙂
3. Watched “Punky Brewster”?: you bet!
4. Hiked a mountain?: yes
5. Death Valley on horseback?: No
6. Stayed home on a Saturday night just because?:yup.

this or that
1. Paper or Plastic:recyclable plastic
2. Deaf or Blind:deaf
3.Truth or Dare: truth
4. Night or Day: Night
5. Beavis or Butthead: ?! I butthead, beavis was a bigger dolt.
6. Ocean or Pool: Ocean
7. Cake or Pie: pie
8. Chocolate or Vanilla: chocolate
9. Cats or Dogs: cats, but I love dogs, too.
10. Love or Lust: love, but lust is keen too.
11. Pancakes or French toast?: french toast
12. Bitter or Sweet: sweet
13. Silver or Gold: Silver
14. Smoker or Nonsmoker: i don’t smoke, but I smokings not something I sweat.
15. Diamonds or Pearls: Pearls, diamonds are cruelty-based
16. Hugs or Kisses: hugs, but kisses are great
17. Bacon Bits or Croutons: Croutons
18. Shaken or Stirred: shaken
19. Taco or Burrito: burrito
20. Complex or Simple: simple
21. Armageddon or Independence Day: ID4
22. Batman or Superman?: Superman!
23. Nacho Cheese or Cool Ranch: Nacho Cheese
24. Sun or Moon: Moon
25. X’s or O’s: O’s
26. Ice crushed or cubed: crushed
27. Showers or Baths: baths, showers are good for quick cleans, though.
28. Ketchup or Mustard: mustard

in the past week have i…?
1. Cried?: Yes
2. Not known the answer in class?: worse, not known the answer at work! but no.
3. Cut your hair?: No
4. Worn a skirt?: no
5. Worn a tie?: No
6. Been mean?:I don’t think so.
7. Been sarcastic?: yes, in a friendly way.
8. Gone for a walk?: daily, if I can help it.
9. Gone out for dinner?: no, delivered or picked up on the way home…
10. Met someone new?: yes
11. Taken a test?: yes
12. Talked to an ex: no
13. Missed an ex?: no
14. Hugged someone?: Yes
15. Kissed someone?: no (um well, does newton count?)
16. Danced with someone?: no (um well, does newton count?)
17. Had a nightmare?: yes
18. Fought with your parents?: no

Argh… the net went down as I was talking to the apple of my eye. I hope she’s around sometime tomorrow… I was cut off in mid sentence.

it’s thanksgiving, though. tough call. I hope so. I haven’t gone a day without her for over a month now. (I carry her with me wherever I go, anyhow, I suppose. )

while on the topic of food… apples and thanksgiving and all…

Golden Rice in a Grenade-Proof Greenhouse

Wow. A story from the Times today (that’s the New York Times — I’m American) was a great plot hook.

A scientist in Germany who had spent part of his childhood starving on the streets after his parents were killed in WWII develops a strain of rice that can solve the problem of Vitamin A deficiency in much of the developing world. But due to anti-“Frankenfood” protests, the plants are kept locked up.

Can you imagine the different groups who could come into play here? You could have a group trying to smuggle a single seed out to grow a plant and start distributing seeds to poor farmers, out of fear that government regulations would keep it locked up forever; another group trying to destroy the plant, kill the scientist and destroy his notes in order to prevent the spread of genetically engineered crops; and a third group sent by a biotech firm to steal a seed for their own R&D program. The best part, of course, is that the first two groups can both be operating out of very real altruism: while this plant would probably be a boon to millions in the third world, it is also being used as a tool by biotech firms who want world governments to open the door to unregulated bioengineering of crops, most of which would be beneficial only to agribusiness and would carry potential health risks like unexpected allergies, etc.

I just heard that sparklegirl is engaged… congratulations! 🙂

oh, and for another look at thanksgiving, eebomb reminds us what a wife-killing drug addicted pedophile, who happens to be a great writer thinks about thanksgiving….

*** GIVING THANKS ***

Thanksgiving is the best.

Thanksgiving is one last chance to dwell in an introspective, love-filled space before the rampant commercialism of Christmas turn us all into mall-dwelling spend-monkeys.

I am thankful for so much this year. I’m not sure if I have more to be thankful for, or if I’m simply learning to be more appreciative. But I’m thankful for damn near every synaptic impulse that hits my noggin through the day. From the taste of my morning coffee to the last letter of net-text, before I prepare for sleep.

I just feel so lucky to have consciousness. (A lot of the universe isn’t nearly that lucky.) When I add in the love, joy, adventure and creative outlets in my life. I just have to pinch myself.

Thank you for being a part of my blessed life.

I’ve been very blessed this last year or two. A strong case of the even stevens has hit me, which is much nicer than the constant pummeling I seemed to get in the years before that. I had a lousy decade from 1987-1997. Many foul things happened in that timespan, certainly more than is fair. I was a much more sinister person at the beginning of that time too… something I can be happy about is that I think I’m much nicer now, and suspect that in a large part it was because of those things I had to deal with. There’s still a few stinky things going on, but for the most part, life is good. I have a swell group of friends, my brother is in town, I’m self-sufficient, have recently met the most divine lady, have a swell little roommate in Newton, met some remarkably sweet and kind folks here, and the vast majority of bad influences on my life are elsewhere now. I’ve gotten more writing done, met quite a broad spectrum of people, all of whom taught me something of value… even if they might not have realised it.

Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
Proud ‘neath heated brow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
‘m younger than that now.

Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
“Rip down all hate,” I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.

Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.

A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
“Equality,” I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.

In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.

Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow.
Ah, but I was so much older then,
I’m younger than that now.

reminds me a bit of a few of you folks out here…

I dedicate this to kellie, darktrain, any other woodland or vacation needing folks… and especially to my sweetie…

The Great Outdoors Country Bear Jamboree

Alright, 1..2..3

If you’ve just been wishing ’bout going fishing and you’re still on the shore
Grab your cap and gear and meet us right here
We’ve got all kinds of fun in store
It’s time for a vacation, for some rest and relaxation.
Forget your cares, and join us bears
In the great outdoors
Ain’t nothing like the great outdoors to ease your soul.
Ain’t nothing like the great outdoors to keep you from growing old.
If your minds been hazy, and you’re feeling lazy and down on all fours
Then join us bears and suck up some air, in the great outdoors.
Us bears we do love nature and tramping through the woods
Us bears we do love fishing every hour if we could
Us bears we do love singing in country harmony
And if y’all won’t join us, we’ll chase you up a tree!

I wonder how many people use lj as a personal journal, and how many more write for folks linked to them…. I’m pretty much the former, with a tinge of the latter, when I want attention. 🙂

Something I’d like to see… those of you that actually read this, and aren’t part of a weird dead link, could you post a hello in my journal? I’m going to trim the fat off of my friends list, and I don’t want to snip anyone who actually reads this stuff. A few more things are going to be going to private soon, and I’d like to give people the opportunity to jump on, or off now, before I break out the link knife.

thanks!