Happy New Year

Happy New Year

To those of you sitting home like me
With only strangers to share with
"Happy New Year"

We will blog our cheers and hide our fears
We might even play some games
Though nothing much is in our glass
A new year might bring change

Here to finding something to base hope on.

To all of those sitting home like me
With no one to kiss at midnight
I'll care for you and hope that you
Give a half a thought to me.

db


Auld Lang Syne
by Robert Burns



Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o’ lang syne!

Chorus:
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary foot
Sin’ auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’t in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin’ auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid willie-waught
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye’ll be your pint’ stoup,
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne!
Times Long Gone
by Robert Burns

(translation)

Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten,
And days of long ago !

Chorus:
For old long ago, my dear
For old long ago,
We will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago.

We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the daisies fine,
But we have wandered many a weary foot
For old long ago.

We two have paddled (waded) in the stream
From noon until dinner time,
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long ago.

And there is a hand, my trusty friend,
And give us a hand of yours,
And we will take a goodwill draught (of ale)
For old long ago!

And surely you will pay for your pint,
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet
For old long ago!

Christmas Cowboy

A Christmas Mem'ry
"Where ya bound on Christmas mornin'?"called the blacksmith as Lou passed."Jest headin' out. I plum fergot.One day seems like the last."Lou nodded, once, then rode on off.What he'd said was partly true:a man alone on Christmas daydon't have a lot to do."Where ya bound on Christmas mornin'?"yelled the storekeep and his bride."Jest ridin' out to check the stock."Again he knew he'd lied.Them folks was well intended, seemed,but they wouldn't understandhow Christmas weren't the same fer him,a lone and lonely man."Where ya bound on Christmas mornin'?"asked the Rev'rend by his gate."I got some work that needs be done.I'll likely be out late."Again that weren't the truth a-tall,but he couldn't tell him then,how Christmas service made things worseeach time he'd ever been.Where ya bound on Christmas mornin?If they really cared to know,to an empty, cheerless cabinafter ridin' in the snow.Then the day began a- fadin',and the snow to coverin' tracks.He reined about to head on into a one-room, gloom-filled shack.But, he sensed a change about himas the wind blew bitter, strong.The snow was growin' deeper, andthe way back, now, seemed wrong.Lost in thoughts of bein' lonely,he had failed to note his path.He found himself alone, indeed,and facin' winter's wrath.Where ya bound on Christmas mornin'?Oh the truth behind his lie:to a grave, out here, a fool alone.who'd surely freeze and die.Then the sound of voices singin'Little Town Of Bethlehemnow caused ol' Lou to turn and seea glow now flick'rin' dim.Through a mile of deepened snowdriftshe had reached a cabin wall,and, there, within, a Christmas scenelike those he once recalled.There were logs a-blazin' brightlyand a tree close by the fireall decked in popcorn garland strands,and folks in dress attire.Such a vision stirred his mem'ryand he thought across the yearsof another time at Christmas.His eyes began to tear.Now he recognized the facesof the folks he saw within.There was Smitty and the storekeep,the Rev'rend, all his friends.He opened up the door a bit,"Why, it's Lou. Where did you go?Come in and have a cider mugand shake off all that snow.Ol' Lou was grinnin' ear-to-ear.While he'd been out there bummin',his friends had warmed his cabin fora Christmas Day homecomin'.That evenin' 'fore Lou closed his eyeshe'd a prayer, long overdue,"God bless my friends and neighbors, Lord,and Merry Christmas, too."© 2003, Rod Nichols
Read more of Rod Nichols' poetry here.

I want,,,I want,,,I want,,,

"There was a disturbance in my heart, a voice that spoke there and said, I want, I want, I want! It happened every afternoon, and when I tried to suppress it it got even stronger."
Saul Bellow
Canadian born American novelist, 1915-2005

Henderson the Rain King

Henderson the Rain King is a 1959 novel by Saul Bellow. Eugene Henderson is an unhappy millionaire and pig farmer who searches for meaning and purpose in his life. His desperation at home brings him on a pilgramage to Africa, where he hopes to find a new meaning to his seemingly lacking life. After his first native encounter ends in disaster, he arrives in a new village that soon declares him Rain King. With a new found friendship with the native king, Dahfu, Henderson is brought unwillingly into the king's ritualistic search of a lion thought to be the reincarnation of his predecessor. During this time, Henderson and Dahfu engage in disscussions that help to fill Henderson's spiritual void. Following another disaster and narrow escape, Henderson returns, planning on becoming a doctor.
Henderson the Rain King (1959) follows a similar theme as his previous work, the short story Seize the Day (1956). Both feature men in or approaching middle age who are plagued by acute desperation and lack meaningful social contacts. While the first ends in a breakdown, Henderson the Rain King ends on a particularly upbeat note, at least in Henderson's eyes. The philosphical disscussions and ramblings that take place between Henderson and the natives and within himself serve as a precursor to Bellow's next novel, Herzog (1964), which frequently engages in similar inquiries into life and meaning. It was said to be Bellow's own favourite amongst his books.

SHOPTALK

SHOPTALK

Users, losers.
Intentional abusers.

Why are you here?

Hating, abating.
Obviously waiting.

Why are you here?

To feed off the rest.
Ridicule - make jest.

I would like to send you out for repair.
Your tainted.

db
original post 12-08-2001

RICHARD PRYOR

RICHARD PRYOR

December 1, 1940 - December 10, 2005

Hollywood has suffered a tremendous loss with the passing of award-winning and groundbreaking comedian, writer, producer, and director RICHARD PRYOR, who died Saturday morning, reportedly from a heart attack, at the age of 65. Pryor had been battling multiple sclerosis since 1986, and had struggled with drug addiction and heart problems throughout his life.

The legendary entertainer was reportedly said to be doing well yesterday, smiling, laughing and in general good spirits.
Born December 1, 1940, in Peoria, IL, Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor endured a nightmarish childhood (which he said included living in a brothel with his mother). By 10, he was on his own, abandoned by his mother, at 14, he had already dropped out of high school and by 17 he was already a father.
Like many others, comedy would become his refuge from the angst of a difficult personal life, as Pryor, who idolized BILL COSBY, first performed a standup act in his local town. In 1963 he ventured into New York nightclubs and established himself with an, at that point, fairly clean, stand-up act.
Apparently it was while doing a show in Vegas in 1969 that Pryor suffered a "breakdown" onstage and left in the middle of his act. He then traveled to Berkeley, where he met and hung out with writers CECIL BROWN and ISHMAEL REED. After getting real with himself, Pryor returned to comedy with his infamous, no-holds-barred routine.

Exposure on TV shows like "The Tonight Show Starring JOHNNY CARSON" and "Kraft Summer Music Hall" led to a job as writer and performer for LILY TOMLIN's comedy/variety series "Lily" (1973), for which he would win his first Emmy (for writing).
Movies came calling as well: In 1967, Pryor made his feature debut in 'The Busy Body,' and continued with memorable roles in 'Wild in the Streets' (1968), 'Lady Sings the Blues' (1972), 'Uptown Saturday Night' (1974), 'Blazing Saddles' (1974), which he co-wrote with MEL BROOKS, and 'Car Wash' (1976).
In 1977, Pryor created his own TV mark with "The Richard Pryor Special," which would turn into the short-lived "The Richard Pryor Show" TV series. By this point America was exposed -- but maybe not quite ready -- for the controversial performer, known for his profanity, self-effacing humor and mimicry of a certain element of the African American community (spoofed in his many drunk and druggie impersonations), which he would use to spout his infamous social commentary.

Most of that material would be seen in his ingenious, outrageous and award-winning standup concert movie specials, like "Richard Pryor: Live and In Concert" (1979) and "Richard Pryor Live on the Sunset Strip" (1982). He scored five Grammy awards for his comedy recordings.
Back on the film front, Pryor was also well known for his partnership on-screen with friend GENE WILDER in films such as 'Silver Streak' (1976), 'Stir Crazy' (1980), 'See No Evil, Hear No Evil' (1989) and 'Another You' (1991). He also starred with JACKIE GLEASON in 'The Toy' (1982), opposite CHRISTOPHER REEVE in 'Superman 3' (1983), and in the 1985 comedy 'Brewster's Millions.

During the '80s, Pryor's struggle with drugs escalated. In 1980 he burned himself severely while attempting to freebase cocaine. In 1986 he was diagnosed with MS, although he wouldn't publicly admit his disease until 1991. He also had heart problems, undergoing a triple bypass operation in 1991.
Despite Pryor's increasingly fragile health, he still worked. His last memorable movie role was opposite EDDIE MURPHY in 1989's 'Harlem Nights.' He also managed to write an autobiography on his roller-coaster ride of a life, called Pryor Convictions and Other Life Sentences.
In 1996, he returned to the small screen and was nominated for an Emmy for his endearing performance as a man with multiple sclerosis in the TV series "Chicago Hope."
Pryor leaves behind a legacy of history-making comedy, which influenced and will live on in celebs impacted by his work, like MARTIN LAWRENCE and Eddie Murphy.
http://et.tv.yahoo.com/celebrities/13335/

STRANGER ON THIS EARTH - Sing Along

A Stranger On Earth
Faithfull Marianne
http://search.music.yahoo.com/search/?m=all&p=Stranger+on+this+Earth
Some fools don't know what's right from wrong,
But somehow those folks belong.
Me, I try for all I'm worth,
But I still remain a stranger on this earth.
Some people gloom, other folk cry.
Me, I have to struggle to keep alive.
Ever since the day of my birth
I've been a stranger, stranger on this earth.
I try to be what all folks should,
Forgetting the bad and doing good.
But no matter how I try,
My troubles always multiply.
Now I've been doing the best I can
Ever since life began.
Some day when I prove my worth
I won't be a stranger on earth.
Now I've been living the best I can
Ever since my life began.
The day's gonna come when I prove my worth
And I won't be no stranger,
No, I won't be a stranger
On this earth.