The Last Leaf on the Tree

Looking forward, to 2010 and all the fabulous beauty it will contain.

(ps - I gave this ornament to Pax!)

Mujeres al borde de un ataque de nervios

The most swoon-worthy lines from Pedro Almodóvar's gorgeous film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

Life means nothing without you

Will you marry me?

A million nights wouldn't be enough

I can't live without you

I love you, desire you, need you

That night in the jungle was heaven

Let's get married again

You're the geisha of my life

With you by my side, I don't need success

I'm willing to accept you as you are

I'm all yours

I accept you as you are.

Second Broadcast

August 5th, 2005 brought another brilliant Dark Forest episode into my hands. It was definitely a nutty (so nutty!) broadcast with yet another extensively eclectic mixing of songs and singers. Possibly the most obscure track played was a scratchy 78 transfer of Henry Thomas' "Bulldozer Blues."
This particular broadcast is best known for having played two of DJ Rickster Rick's all time favourite songs,"Black" by Pearl Jam and "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. It should also be noted that quotes from the 1981 film "The Four Seasons" were played at random throughout the evening. Other tracks included "Hard Act to Follow" by Split Enz, The Collins Kids' "Party," Boy George "Bow Down Mister," "Clampdown" covered by The Indigo Girls, "It's a Shame" by The Spinners, and Rosemary Clooney's "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home."
In between Rickster Rick talked a lot of horse hockey, stuff, shit, blab, and whatever else came into his head. Regardless, with each Dark Forest broadcast, it draws the listener in with a taste of what they soon grow to desire of much, much more.

2

Veritas

Truth. It is something that we all seek. Truth in who we are, truth in life, in the very meaning of our existence, and the seeking of truth in all things we feel, know, and believe. It is one of the greatest desires mankind possesses and when trust is placed only to be abandoned, it leaves one in a state of betrayal and devastation that often times is beyond repair. In Roman Mythology the goddess of truth is Veritas. She is described as being so elusive that she resides in the depths of a holy well. Truth thus lies seemingly out of man's reach; but not entirely. The journey to truth is boundless and arduous, but nonetheless, a journey worth taking.

Christmas - Anne Taintor Style

Ms. Bettie Page

I can't imagine a girl as stunningly beautiful, yet as delightfully charming and appealing as Ms. Bettie Page.

Rick ♥ Ilsa

Not terribly long ago, I received this birthday card from Rick, as in Rickster Rick of The Dark Forest. He actually had it commissioned just for the occasion. The woman who was responsible for what is now the most gorgeous card to ever exist is Mary Hartz. She was a mutual acquaintance of both Rick and myself. All he said was that it was for me and that it was to be Casablanca themed. Did she outdo herself or what?

Question to Ponder

What would you write on a postcard that you could send to your younger self?

Christmas with The Marshalls

James, Davy, Mark and Susan O'Hennesshey, Janice, Deanna, & Bill Marshall; seated-Miriam Anderson, Betty, Ralph, & Elizabeth Marshall (photo by Harold O'Hennesshey)

Walking through the threshold of 1490 Fitzpatrick Street, the aroma of Janice's Casserole mixed with oak paneling and Ralph's pipe would whisk around you like leaves caught in the winds of late autumn. In that precise moment, you knew you were home and in for one spectacular meal. Betty & Ralph Marshall always hosted Christmas Day, just so long as Betty didn't have to lift a finger. Of course that always meant that Susan, their eldest, would take complete control of all things edible. Sister-in-law Janice was second in command and always seen buzzing about the kitchen, incessantly puffing away on her Pall Mall while directing daughters, Deanna & Lizbeth, on how to set the perfect table.

Betty, Ralph, and the grandchildren, Davy, James, Harold, Deanna & Lizbeth

In the den, Betty and Ralph were listening intently to their oldest grandson, Harold, tell of his recent trip to Ireland. Mark stood in the dining room with Bill as they both talked to James about his studies at the University of Pennsylvania. He just started classes in the fall and is on his way to becoming a successful architect. In the middle of this discussion, James gets dramatic and starts in on his Gary Cooper "Fountainhead" speech and has everyone howling out loud. Just as the laughter dies down, Susan decides to do her impression of Cary Grant in "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" and leaves everyone in a state of disbelief. She breaks up midway through while the men all applaud with Bill yelling, "Ladies and Gentlemen, my sister, Susan Beatrice." Mama Sue & Lil' Harold 

Dinnertime rolls around and everyone piles into the dining room. Ralph makes a toast in honor of all his many blessings: his wife of 54 years, their two children, Susan & William, their son and daughter-in-law, Mark & Janice, and their five wonderful grandchildren.

The meal is an absolute triumph and the conversation flows easily and lasts hours after all the food has been devoured. Each holiday season brings this tight knit family together for fabulous food, lots of laughter, and of course, unending amounts of love and thankfulness.

(A handful of years ago I was thrift shopping in Philly and bought an old mini photo album that contained these pictures. I instantly named them all and created a story about their family holiday together.)

Anthony Kiedis

In my younger years, I was quite the Chili Peppers fan. However, my gentleman of choice was bass player extraordinaire, Flea. Anthony seemed too much the pretty boy and I always seem to dig the underdog. Anyhow, I was watching the documentary "America the Beautiful" with Fr. Michael on Thursday night and Kiedis said something I found so endearing that days later, I was still captured by it. He was asked for his idea of what beautiful is and without hesitation he told director Darryl Roberts, who was off camera, that he was beautiful. You could hear the shock from Roberts as he inquired as to why. Anthony Kiedis told him that it was his gentle handshake. What a unique and sincere compliment. I was not expecting this response and have a new found respect for Mr. Kiedis. I deem him, delightful.

The Old House

Hanging at my grandparents place in the city, I noticed the lovely door knobs that I can only assume are original to the house. Here are the two best.

Defunct

The number of television series that I've loved and lost are legion.

Freaks and Geeks

Sledge Hammer

Firefly

Carnivale

Bosom Buddies

Veronica Mars

Arrested Development

Wednesday

"how overwhelmingly happy i instantly become when bishop is in a good mood (he's contagious)"
Wednesday nights with one of my favourite fellas is something I look forward to every week, and have for going on four years straight. Sometimes he's down about work and the daily stresses of life and I know it as soon as he opens the door. "heyyy..." means that he won't be chatty and he won't be laughing and he will be falling asleep on the sofa before the night is through. Yet the days where he whips open the front door with a gi-wombus grin on his beautiful face and shouts, "Hiya sweetie!" always tell me that I am in for lots of laughs, great conversation, and delicious snacks. Last week (sick of me donating candles to the family) he stopped me at the threshold, held his hand out in front of him and said, "Candle Patrol. Do you have anything to declare before crossing the border?" Then he burst out laughing at his own whimsical jokie. I knew in that moment that we would have a fabulous evening. And we did. Oh, and I did have candles. Sorry, brother.

The City of Brotherly Love

On this cold, early December morning, I was fortunate enough to spend it in my hometown. Center City is without a doubt one of my favourite places and today with my dear friend, Karen, I took a handful of snapshots. The buildings and architecture have always caught my eye and held my interest. Philadelphia is such a beautiful city and here are a couple pix from today's jaunt across the bridge.

Empty Bottles

This morning's recycling bin carried in it three empty wine bottles. White Zinfandel, Cranberry Merlot from the Shamong winery, and a White Bordeaux that were all consumed last evening with three of my favourite gals (Kat holding the number one slot, of course). Six hours, four women, several burning candles, three bottles of wine, chips, guac, brie, a baguette and homemade cran sauce made for a delightful evening. Oh, and some bad, vintage pornography from the 60s and early 70s that had us in complete hysterics. Especially The Secret Sex Lives of Romeo and Juliet. It's not every day that you see a mass orgy where one of the gals is clinging to a full breast of chicken, during the actual act. There is never a dull moment in my life.

The Women

The Countess in George Cukor's The Women had one of my fave lines: "Have you noticed the play of his muscles? Musical. Musical!" I think I like it mostly because, well aside from Miss Magnolia Thunderpussy of Pax Romano's Ramblings, no one talks like that anymore. It's a lost art form.

Sound

A single sound can trigger a memory in an instant. Right this very moment I hear a train in the distance and I am transported back ten years. I'm sitting on the curb around the back of the shop out on Lancaster Ave with Carla. We are on a smoke break together and looking up at the night sky, at the twisted branches of the trees against the moonlight as the 9:10 roars past.
All these years later, that shop is gone. I've no idea whats become of Carla and I've given up smoking those Fantasia lights. But I still love the sound of a passing train.

Back to the Box

Today I looked into the heart shaped box that is filled with notes to remind me of all the things that make me extremely happy. I pulled out and read "When someone hugs me first." Isn't that the best feeling? Especially because I seem to forever be the one that initiates all the hugs.