‘Twas a good day, dear reader.  Got lots done, lots of new ideas. There was thunder, lightning, and a pretty decent soaking from the sky.  All in all, feeling more energetic and optimistic, which is good: there’s a lot on the schedule tomorrow.
Stay well.

N.P.: “In the House – In a Heartbeat – 28 Days Later” – Extize

My good friend The Rain stopped by briefly this morning, but then couldn’t remember if he’d locked his front door or not, so he had to go back and check.  He’s promised to swing by again sometime tonight and maybe stick around for lunch tomorrow before he leaves for 6 months for business in the east.
I’m feeling very much in the doldrums lately, dear reader, and I’m not entirely sure why.  I’m sure it’s a combination of about a dozen things, but I don’t like it.  It feels as if all I can do is wake up each morning and see if the winds of inspiration have started blowing again.  I’m sure it won’t be long.  But in the meantime, I don’t like it.

N.P.: “No Rain” – Drab Majesty

Got a bit of writing done today.  The day’s not over, but my energy level is just absurdly low.  I was sort of tinkering with a song for a while, but again, just not a lot of energy behind it.  Which, if that’s the case, it’s better just not to try.  How’s that for a boring, uninspirational update?
My friend The Rain is supposed to get into town tonight.  That will help.

N.P.: “Sugaan Essena” – The HU

There are oh so many reasons I haven’t gone (and continue not to go into) journalism.  American journalism has not really existed for decades now…the corrupt, vapid husk of what it used to be has corroded into a miasma of ignorance, hopelessly partisan, agenda-driven drivel that any legitimate freethinking writer would be disgusted by and embarrassed to be in any way associated with it.  I could (and eventually will) simply Go Off on how shitty and corrupt American journalism has become, but tonight I just have time to bitch about one thing.
The Associated Press has decided to no longer use the term “mistress,” mystifyingly, arbitrarily, and unilaterally declaring it “archaic and sexist.”
“We now say not to use the archaic and sexist term ‘mistress’ for a woman in a long-term sexual relationship with, and financially supported by, a man who is married to someone else.  Instead, use an alternative like companion or lover on first reference.”
Why don’t we just go back to good old “whore.”  But that usually isn’t too long-term.  Maybe “side-piece”?  Homewrecker?  Concubine?  Trollop?  Harem participant?  Side squeeze?  Holster for his love gun?  Alternative sexual receptacle?
Of course, we kid.  But at least my alternatives communicate the idea.  The AP’s suggested alternatives are, like all politically correct attempts to manipulate the language, moronic and ineffective.  What did they suggest?  “Companion”?  A companion could be a friend.  A companion could be a pet dog.  “Companion” is in no way an accurate replacement for ‘mistress.”  And “lover”?  Any one-night stand is a lover, but not a mistress.  Single-use prostitutes are lovers, but not mistresses.
Any of the terms I suggested are clearly disrespectful pejoratives.  By “mistress” is the feminine form of “master.”  The primary definition of “mistress” is “a woman in a position of authority or control.”  Which is quite a respectful term.  And appropriate, if you exert even a modicum of thought.
The Associated Press would do well to attempt to totally overhaul itself so that it might eventually return to some semblance of the legitimate journalistic source it once was.  But as long as their only concern is dicking around with the English language, they will remain just another easily dismissed/ignored organ of the politically correct best avoided by pursuers of actual truth.

N.P.: “Modern Love” – David Bowie

“It’s a war of all against all.  The history of humanity is a book written in blood.  We’re all just animals in a pit.” ~ Bertram Gilfoyle

Today was oddly challenging.  Unsure why.  I think the insomnia is at least partially to blame.  Worked on a few things, and I think they were probably better than I thought they were when I finished them…that was just my mood today.  It felt like nothing was going right.  I still kind of have that feeling, so I’ll be brief here.  I hope you’re doing well, dear reader.

N.P.: “White Room” – Ace Frehley

I’ve been dealing with insomnia for a very long time, dear reader, as you well know, but lately, it’s gotten quite out of control.  Last night I just gave up around 03:00 and decided to read the collected works of Poe.  I realized we are all presently living in the Fall of the House of Usher.
Anyway, I did manage to get to sleep, finally, thank Christ, but eventually I woke up and got out of bed.  Which was probably a waste.  Today was completely nondescript.  Let’s hope tomorrow is more remarkable.

N.P.: “Cut Me Down” – Ryders Creed

Another fine day.  Caught up on some sleep, re-upped on liquor, explored an abandoned mine shaft.  Didn’t write shit, really.  But that’s what tonight is for.  I have some new ideas to get down, plus work to do on the books.
I hope all is well with you, dearest reader.

N.P.: “Two Horned Crown” – Cryptex

Tied my shoes today for the first time since March 25.  Thinking back on it, I probably didn’t really have to tie my shoes today.  But it’s good to know I still can, I suppose.  It had been a while.  But yeah…still got it.

Some dude wrote an article expressing his complete bafflement at his roommate wearing jeans every day during quarantine.  It was weird.  “I’m not angry, just concerned.  Why are you wearing jeans when no one can see them?  Clearly it’s not to impress anyone, given that no one can see you below the waist.  It’s likely that pulling on your denim, even in times like these, provides you the ‘keep calm and carry on’ coping mechanism for weathering this situation as you try to cling to remaining threads of life as you  previously knew it.”
What kind of armchair psychological horseshit is this?  Okay, it seems his issue is not really with someone in quarantine wearing denim, but with anyone who would wear pants at all.  Because, his reasoning apparently goes, the only reason anyone wears pants is to…show off the pants to other people?  Doesn’t matter…where we diverge is at the fundamental reason people wear pants.  I can’t speak to this guy’s world view, but apparently to him, pants are a sort of penance one must endure if one expects to go out in public or in any way deal with other people.  But it is not that way with me.  The reason I wear pants every day has nothing to do with anyone else.  I need someplace to put my keys.  My wallet.  My phone.  Various weapons.  And you never know when you’re going to be in some fight to the death with…spiders, burglars, priests, whatever…regardless, the fight will go a lot better for you if you’re wearing pants.  And I spontaneously fry things, like bacon.  I’ve been to places like nude beaches and Burning Man, places where clothing is very much optional…ya know what I did?  Yep…one leg at a time.  If I was the last person on the planet tomorrow morning when I wake up, I’m pulling on some pants.
Maybe it’s just that for some of us introverts, nothing has really changed for us.  It sure as hell isn’t a coping mechanism.

N.P.: “Lightning Riders” – AWOLNATION

Oh man am I in a foul mood, dear reader.  Holy shit.  Everything sucks today.  As a last resort, I tried to take a nap, and that didn’t even work out.  I think I’m starting to go a bit sideways.  I spent today wearing a smoking jacket, cowboy boots, no pants, chain smoking out of a 6″ cigarette holder, sipping whiskey from a snifter, and inexplicably speaking with a southern drawl.  I have also developed romantic feelings for Marie Osmond and as well as several local newscasters.

N.P.: “Isolation” – The Tea Party