Seeing me naked

Well, now, that got your attention, didn't it?

Relax, gentle reader, it's metaphoric, not literal.

There are a few things that I do a lot. There are a few more things that I do probably more than I should. Like drink coffee, drive over the speed limit, and think. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Maggie, and I'm an overthinker.

So I've been thinking lately about something Bex said to me last weekend, how different I look now than I did in photos from seven years ago. That would have been 2001, the year Mike and Rae got married. And, not so coincidentally, the year Christopher and I got married. I had to get photographs out to see what she meant ... and she was right.

It's not just one thing, either. Yes, I was heavier then, but not by a whole lot. No, here I was in what should have been the happiest time of my life, and it just didn't show. It was as though I had put on an armor of ugly. My hair was cropped short in what could have been fun or funky, but instead looked almost masculine. My clothing was baggy and shapeless. My smiles, fake. Looking at those pictures, it was obvious that I wasn't taking care of myself, and no one else was, either.

How sad that it took losing my husband to regain Maggie.

As I continued to think (because that's just how I roll) I asked a few questions. I asked Kelly if she thought I looked different now, and her answer was a little surprising, and a lot Kelly. In her inimitable way, she doesn't tend to see people by the way they look. Instead, she sees people the way the are. So when she gave it some thought, she realized not that I look different, but that I seem different. Happier, more accepting, more comfortable with myself ... that's how she describes it.

So I begin to take this all in and I realize, these days I am unafraid (most of the time) to be (metaphorically, of course) unabashedly naked in front of those I love. You've seen me in times of great joy and sadness, anger and peace, wisdom (however rarely) and utter foolishness. You see the real me, the one who was hidden for years behind layers of frozen stone. It can be a scary thing, to allow people to see you for who you really are. And I won't kid you - it terrifies me to think about ever being involved in a relationship again, knowing my tendency to lose so much of myself. So if that time ever comes ... if there is ever someone Racheal approves, since she gets the final say ... please know that I'll be relying on you to remind me of who I am. Because I get the sense that you kinda like her.

And so do I.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I'm grateful. As I said to Patrick last night, I don't have much, but I have great people. My "posse" is made up of the family I was born to and the family I have hijacked, and I wouldn't trade a single person for anything. Even the ones who annoy me from time to time. And in times when I feel like I don't have enough of something - money to wash my clothes, food to nourish my belly, courage to face the day - there is always someone (and oftentimes many someones) to pick up the slack. To say that I appreciate it is a monumental understatement, but I'm not sure how else to put it into words.
2. My sister is in Philadelphia working for the law firm on a case involving secondary insurance. It doesn't sound like too much fun - 17 hour days, big rainstorms in Philly, rowdy baseball fans keeping her up at night. But I might put up with it if I got turndown service and chocolates on my pillow at night.
3. That being said, the case was supposed to be tried in Barbados, but somehow it wound up in Philly. Bummer.
4. Alice Ruth is two years old! It was awesome to spend birthday time with her and the Clan Rice Carlson Bathje. Between catching up with my CharlieDad, bonding with the girls, forgetting my knitting and annoying Ryan, it was a pretty full visit. So awesome to see Chunk, even though I did have to withstand a great deal of Big Head jokes as he provided a suitable stand-in for Mike. It's funny how being together makes me miss those who weren't there even more.
5. Speaking of which, Alice's birthday means Kaylee's is right around the corner. I can't help feeling nostalgic because last year Clan Rice Tucson was with me on her birthday. I miss that little peanut so much. Trust me, I am saving my pennies for February.
6. My Halloween costume is coming together quite nicely. Hopefully by next Ten on Tuesday I'll have pictures to post.
7. It's lunchtime and I really want beer.
8. I voted. Those who know me probably already know for whom. However, in case you don't ... it was for the NOT CHEESEDOODLE.
9. I am out of Rumpleminze. I cannot survive winter until the stash has been replenished. Right now it's 41 degrees here in Chicagoland. Overnight, we'll get down to 30. Thank heaven for the heated mattress pad.
10. I have a cape. No, not the "I think I'm a super hero" kind. I have two winter coats, but neither one of them fit. Really, I look like a refugee in them. So when my sister Jenn and I were down in the cedar closet at Dad's a few weeks back, looking to clear out anything in there that wasn't any good anymore, Jenn came across her old cape. (Now, on what planet does someone just have an old spare cape laying around?) And she says to me, "You should take this," knowing that I have nothing to keep me warm that doesn't look like I stole it off of someone three sizes larger than I. At first I thought she was joking, and then I remembered ... Jenn doesn't really joke. See, she knew a new coat wasn't in the budget. She's also a little proud of me for taking better care of myself. And she doesn't want me to be cold. The cape is kind of special, because Jenn and our mom went in on it together many years ago. Neither of them could justify the cost for just one of them. But it's been hanging in the cedar closet for years, and now, it's being worn. It's a little dramatic, a lot warm, and sort of like getting a hug from Jenn and Mom. It might be a bit much for every day, but then again, so am I.

Procrastinators Unite Tomorrow!

All day today, I had a deadline looming. It was like pulling teeth to make it happen. I'm happy to say I did, eventually, but man ... I really wanted to be pretty much anywhere else, doing pretty much anything else.

And today I meant to write to James, but that didn't happen. I meant to clean up my desk at work, but no. I meant to go grocery shopping, clean the bathroom and check in on my downstairs neighbor who's been feeling under the weather.

None of it's going to get done today. Sorry.

Nope, today in Chicagoland, we had snow. So if all I can really bear to do is put on my jammies and cuddle a cat tonight, so be it.

I guess I'm just ... different

I was talking to my sister Jennifer on the phone last night. She's going on a business trip to Philly on Sunday, and there were a few things I needed to tell her in preparation for her trip. Like, eat a cheese steak, and bring me back hotel toiletries.

As we were talking, the subject of the gym came up. I had called her on my way home from my workout, having spent a glorious hour dancing with John (and a disastrous ten minutes in a strength class taught by a cross between Brigitte Nielsen and the Energizer bunny,) so I was high on endorphins and friendship.

Tangent number one: It was so good to have John back! He behaved and kept both feet on the floor most of the time. I've missed him horribly while he was recuperating from respiratory issues. Hard to believe, but one uses one's lungs during cardio classes.

So we danced, we sang, we got yelled at for talking ... it was just like high school! After class the high school feeling continued, with the crew hanging out and jabbing. Lena was worried I was upset because she was in "my spot" in class; Kim was confused because I said I didn't know Carter, but that was just because I call her by her first name, Jen; and Shakespeare assured me that the strength class was not an hour of torture as it seemed in the first ten minutes.

Tangent number two: Shakespeare and I are thrift shopping tonight to finish off our Halloween costumes. She's going as a slutty Christmas tree. Seriously. Should be a fun time! Oh, and by the way, I am not angry at John for suggesting I held Great America in a place of higher importance than the upcoming election. I'm just a little touchy sometimes. Just ask Kelly; she'll tell you, sometimes I'm just bananas.

So anyway, I spend the evening at the gym with all these amazing people, feeling like the luckiest girl in the world (or the happiest girl in the whole U.S. of A., with apologies to Donna Fargo) when I call my sister. And the conversation seques to the gym and my workout, which I describe to her as a blast. And she doesn't get it.

My other sister in the background says, "yeah, people who like working out are either lying or crazy." They didn't mean it nasty, I promise you ... they just don't get it. Maybe it's because we do such different things when we work out. While I treat myself to variety, they've settled into a routine. Maybe it's the people. While they have each other, I have lead characters like Shakespeare and John, plus a hysterical cast of supporting players in the movie that is my life. Well, the gym scenes, anyway. I come home from the gym not only feeling like I've had a great workout, but like I've just been out with friends.

Probably because I have.

So here we have yet another example of how I am different. How the black sheep still fits with the family, but is obviously not the same. I don't think it's a baaaaad thing, but I do think it's interesting. The best part, though, is that lately the beige sheep have been really good to the black one. Is it possible that after all this time, they've come to realize that it's okay that I'm not just like them, and maybe they can be frustrated by me and appreciate me at the same time?

I hope so. Because they're an important part of my herd.

Ten on Tuesday

1. Today is Ryan's birthday. The middle child of Clan Carlson turns 22 in the beautiful town of Champaign. Hope your day is full of sunshine and good friends.
2. You know that thing Bex taught me about getting rid of fruit flies? It works. Sure, the vinegar makes my bathroom smell a bit disconcertingly like a deli, but who cares as long as the pesky little bastards drown themselves.
3. I forgot my pants. Last night, I arrived at the gym ready to work out. I was so excited, because John was back after taking time off to get over a little thing we like to call "pneumonia." So I'm in the locker room, stripped down to my skivvies, when I realize the black pants I packed to wear during our workout were actually a black t-shirt. And since I like the people at the gym, I decided going without pants was not an option. Dammit all. But today's another day.
4. The hideous haircolor incident is still with us. It's not washing out nearly as quickly as I would prefer. If I loved it, it would be gone by now. But no, that's not how life works. Grr.
5. This weekend is going to be fabulous. I get to celebrate Luisa's citizenship, Alice's birthday (surrounded by the family - can't wait!) plus spend Sunday morning with my brother. There's a distinct possibility I'll be sick of family by the time Sunday night rolls around, but I'm not thinkin' so.
6. Speaking of family, I wish either A) I was independently wealthy or B) those I love lived closer. I would love to be in Tucson or Hermiston right now, loving the people I miss instead of missing the people I love. And don't even get me started on India.
7. My feet are cold. I'm going to bitch about this for about six months, so get used to it.
8. My co-worker had a baby yesterday, Ella Marie. For a newborn, she's kinda cute. I wanna squish her with love. Another of my co-workers brought her three-week-old in yesterday. I held him and squished him and cooed him to sleep. Then he puked on me. Too much squishing?
9. I'm wearing the glasses almost every day now at work. My eyes, along with the rest of me, are getting old. Shut up, Mike.
10. I really, really love my job. In the past week I've written about an exotic location for our next incentive trip, brainstormed ideas for our Conference logo, been treated to lunch by a print vendor, been thanked by the VP of Sales for simply doing my job, and been listened to when I provided feedback. They trust me to do my job, they tell me when I screw it up, and they appreciate me when I get it right (which, thankfully, is most of the time.) For a girl who was out of work just two short years ago, I feel gratified just to have a job. I feel blessed beyond measure to be enjoying it, too.

Got jewelry?

I know, I know ... I work for a jewelry company, so what the hell am I doing looking at jewelry?

It's simple: This jewelry is made by the sister of a friend of mine. You've GOTTA check it out.

Clicque vous, sil vous plait.

Don't see anything you like? Keep clicking. And buy someone you love the "Yes We Can" necklace in the Politics section. While you're at it, I'd love one of the hardware bracelets. Really, you should do your Christmas shopping here.

I swear, I have the coolest friends.

Becoming an American

I can't help but feel choked up. Today, one of my dearest friends will become a citizen of the United States.

I first met Luisa Fernanda Garcia de Rico when we worked together at Nalco. She transferred from Nalco Columbia to take a position in our Corporate Training department, and her cubicle was next to mine. Her accent captivated me, and we became friends. I taught her colloquial English. She taught about Celia Cruz and guacamole and the lush beauty of her homeland. We taught each other how to laugh.

On our lunch breaks back then, a bunch of us would sit together and oftentimes she would ask us to translate something. I will never forget the day she looked at me and said, "Maggie, what is the word for when you peel a sheep?"

She meant shear. It still cracks me up.

That was years ago. Since then, she has met and married the man of her dreams, grown into an even more beautiful woman, given birth to two beautiful boys and supported me through some of the roughest times of my life. And today she will take an oath and become an American citizen. That's not to say that she doesn't love her country of Colombia; no, I believe she will always feel the pull of her birthplace. But her life is here now. Unlike most of us, she has chosen to be an American. She has chosen us, with our flaws and confusion, our wars and our declining economy. May her belief in our country inspire us all.

Welcome, mi hermana. We're glad you're here.

Once a journalist, always a journalist

I am so proud today to call myself a journalist.

Granted, I "sold out to the man" upon graduation from college, taking a job in corporate communication. Call me what you will - spin doctor, corporate mouthpiece, hack. I have always considered myself a corporate journalist. My objectivity is often stretched and tested by my boss and our leadership, just like my colleagues in the mainstream media deal with publishers and editors. But we are all journalists, governed by ethics that run as strong and sure in us as our morning coffee.

So why am I waxing philosophical about my profession and that of so many of my near and dear friends? It's simple, folks. Today, the Chicago Tribune, the publication I have called "my paper" since high school, endorsed Barack Obama for President. This is the first time in the publication's history that it has endorsed the Democratic Party candidate for President.

In other new, hell froze over.

See what I mean?

Reading their endorsement gave me the chills. Here's just a tiny bit of what the paper has to say:

On Dec. 6, 2006, this page encouraged Obama to join the presidential campaign. We wrote that he would celebrate our common values instead of exaggerate our differences. We said he would raise the tone of the campaign. We said his intellectual depth would sharpen the policy debate. In the ensuing 22 months he has done just that.

Many Americans say they're uneasy about Obama. He's pretty new to them.

We can provide some assurance. We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready.

The change that Obama talks about so much is not simply a change in this policy or that one. It is not fundamentally about lobbyists or Washington insiders. Obama envisions a change in the way we deal with one another in politics and government. His opponents may say this is empty, abstract rhetoric. In fact, it is hard to imagine how we are going to deal with the grave domestic and foreign crises we face without an end to the savagery and a return to civility in politics.

But don't just take my word for it. Read the whole damned editorial. See if it gives you the chills, too.

Yet another great Shakespeare quote

So I'm at the gym with Shakespeare (otherwise known as Jessica) tonight, and we're whooping it up on the elliptical. We're talking about tonight's debate and whether or not we'll watch it, (we will) whether or not we'll enjoy it, (we might) and how excited we are to head to the polls. And who says something that cracks me up? Not me, THAT GIRL.

She says, "Have you ever seen Jesus Christ Superstar?" she asked. No, that's not what was funny. What was funny came after I answered in the affirmative. "During the first debate, I could not stop singing ...

Obama, hey-Bama
Bama Bama, hoBama
HeyBama, hoBama
Hey Barack Barack,
can you save Iraq?
Bama hoBama hey, Superstar"

In poor taste? Perhaps. But no more so than the opposition's "The One" ad campaign. So if you're gonna compare the Democratic candidate to a savior of any religion, well ... we will too.

Sing along if ya want; it's a good time.

Ten on Tuesday

1. I miss Josie Lou, but I think Benld misses her more. He wants to be held all the time, and when he's not in my lap, he's crying and pacing around the apartment. It's like he's having a conversation with himself. "Meow? Merrrrow. Meow meow, MEEEOW!" I have no idea what it's about, but at 3 a.m. it's a little annoying.
2. The Hideous Hair Incident of 2008 has occurred on my head. I covered the gray last night. The strand test worked perfectly, but apparently didn't really show any indication of what it would look like on my whole head. I now have Deep Brown Hair of Death. Thank goodness it's only semi-permanent, otherwise I would have to dress as Elvira for Halloween.
3. I started working on my Halloween costume last night. No, not as Elvira. I'm not telling you what it is, because if I can't pull it off I'm just going to go as an aging divorcee. I will post pictures after Halloween if all goes well.
4. I saw gas for $3.05 a gallon in Lyons, WI over the weekend. Where I live, it's still $3.50-ish. It felt like such a great deal to fill up the tank for $3.18! I guess bargains, like everything else, are relative.
5. I've been craving creamy mashed potatoes, yet I have no potatoes. This is my quandary.
6. One of my assignments at work over the last few weeks has been to write the text for our incentive trip brochure. Have you any idea how hard it is to write about Cancun when you've never been to Cancun? Yeah, not as much fun as it sounds. And it's starting to really bug me. dammit. But I'm not bitter. Nope, not me.
7. I have got to learn to grocery shop more effectively. I find myself going on this marathon trip once a month, and then having to trudge the packages up to the third floor, cursing all the way. Why not weekly, when I know what I want to eat and can pick it up fresh?
8. I'll tell you why: I am the worst budgeter (and yes, it's a word, as far as I'm concerned) in the world. If I only buy groceries for the week, there will not be any money for groceries the following week. I am that bad. Yes, I know that needs to change. No, I'm not sure how long it'll take me to learn the lesson. But when cat euthanasia throws your "budget" into a tailspin, you know you've got to get real about the finances.
9. I am really good at procrastinating. It's a special gift.
10. There's lots of fun stuff coming up in the next couple of weeks! I have chili night next week, then Alice's birthday, where I'll get to see most of Clan Rice/Carlson. The next day is Bonnie's birthday, which will bring together a bunch of folks who used to be involved in theater to sing a little, dance even less and celebrate the woman who can make anyone sound great. Cap the month off with Halloween and a trip to Fright Fest at Great America, and I'm golden!

Things that happened along the way

Friday night, I drove to Wisconsin to see Kevin perform in "A Funny Thing Happend on the Way to the Forum." I love Sondheim. I think he is a genius. I think he is everything people thought (think?) Andrew Lloyed Weber was (is?) and more. Sondheim is a genius. I'll even forgive him for that damn clown song.

So imagine my distinct pleasure when, on my way to Elkhorn, WI, I took a curve along northbound Route 12 to see a sunset that made me almost pull over just to appreciate it.I'll apologize now for not bothering to PhotoShop my windows clean.

It was breathtaking in person; it made a long stretch of highway beautiful. But I did not choose to pull over to appreciate it because I was running late for Chinese food.

We ate delicious crab Rangoon and headed to the theater to see the show. Kevin was a hoot. The guy who played Hilarium was hilarious. How fitting. The show itself was ... well, it was a community theater production of one of my favorite shows. There were some shining moments, most of which featured Kevin.

Of course after the show we went for a little karaoke, which was weird beyond words. There were lots of people, many of whom I didn't know, and a little more eighth-grade drama of the "do you think he likes me?" sort than I generally enjoy at the ripe old age of not 30. Really, I don't care whether he likes you or not. I wish you cared a little more about all the other people here to have fun with you, and a little less about one guy who isn't showering you with attention.

Which I suppose brings me back to the sunset and what it came to symbolize for me. There are two kinds of people in this world, as far as I'm concerned: People who choose to be happy, and people who aren't happy. None of us have a perfect lot in life. In fact, for some, the day to day has the potential to really suck. We all go through rough patches, but those of us who decide to be happy generally succeed in feeling that way. I've long been surrounded by people who help me make that decision, and I hope I've helped them do the same. Because along the most boring stretches of straight, flat land, sometimes you round a curve and you're treated to a sunset that is like no other. Sure, it can't balance my household budget or provide me with a shoulder to cry on when the nights get lonely, but most of the time, it's enough.

A hard day

She never grasped how to do the laundry, but she sure liked to get in the thick of it. She loved any soft, comfy spot.

From the first moment she came into our lives, Ms. Josie was a prima donna. Why jump up when she could be lifted? Why eat dry food when the canned is so much more tasty? Why be quiet when her meow was so pleasing to the ears?

Really, she could be more demanding than some people I know. And I know a lot of people.

She was Christopher's cat, his little girl. Given any lap that happened to be at home, she wanted to be on his. So I am sure it was hard on both him and her when he moved out and she stayed behind. See, part of the reason we took her in was because Benld wasn't coping all that well on his own, so Christopher elected not to separate "the boys," as I call them. I think I am at least as grateful as Benld and Josie for that decision.

So today was her final day with me. Dr. Judy and I agreed that, given the events of the last few days, Josie was showing signs that the bad was outweighing the good. Her quality of life was diminishing quickly, and it was time to say goodbye.

I may never be able to explain the way our animals seem to master unconditional love so much better than we humans are able to do it. Up until two nights ago, every time I was home, all she wanted was to curl up in someone's lap - anyone's lap, really - and soak up some love. It didn't matter whether I was particularly charming or cranky or if I shaved my legs or swore or burned the roast or made bad choices or sang off key. No, to this petite princess, all that mattered was food, water and love.

But mostly love.

I'll miss you, Josie Lou. Thank you for the years you gave us.

My obstructed view out the front window. She was always ready for her close-up.

Ten on Tuesday

1. It's October. That means it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. (This is not to be confused with Breast Awareness Month, which to most men is every day of every month.) As I get out my pink ribbons and schedule my mammogram, I'm reminded of the strong and beautiful women in my life who have dealt with this disease. It ain't pretty, but we can win the battle. So ladies, take care of yourselves and your tatas!
2. I have a nasty crick in my neck/shoulder on the right side. Some might say that's what I get for doing three hours of cardio on a Monday night. I prefer to think it's because a fat cat chose to sleep in my face so I was trying to make room. Either way, it just plain hurts.
3. I'm wearing a sweater that I thought fit me last year. Turns out, I was wrong; it looks completely different this year, with the New and Improved Smaller Maggie inside. It really is amazing what a difference a few pounds makes.
4. I found my planner! Remember the one I thought was lost after vacation last July? Well, it turned up in a tote bag in my apartment. That tells me that A) I have too many tote bags and B) I don't need to be quite so anal-retentive about having my planner with me at all times. I survived pretty well without it!
5. Hard to believe, but I'm already trying to figure out where I'm going to be at what time over the holidays. I am so looking forward to the season, but not the weather!
6. Need. Cute. Boots.
7. Also need new curtains. The new windows are so pretty, I would like something equally so to show them off. Alas, I am poor, so for the time being I'll just enjoy the pretty windows and the pretty trim and the blinding sunlight.
8. I want to be Shakira when I grow up.
9. Yesterday, I sent out a one-word survey, asking some of my friends to describe me in just one word. I got back everything from anti-oxidizing to fierce, vivacious to old (and yes, Bex, I know you were kidding ... mostly.) But my favorite response, which came from two different people, was simply Maggie. "She's just ... Maggie!" one said, and "You're you and only you can be you, so your name says it all," said the other. I like that.
10. I love to dance. Last night, I spent an hour in Salsa Funk class, and another hour in Belly Dance, and those two hours just fill me with joy. Even though my "peeps" weren't there, (dammit, why must illness plague both My John and My Jess at the same time?) it was a grand night. And there were moments when I caught myself in the mirror and actually admired the way I was able to move. It's a great feeling to realize I'm becoming comfortable in my own body, at ease in my skin.
11. Bonus: Maverick!

Time well spent

It's an overcast Sunday afternoon in Maggie's World, and I'm really quite okay with that. It's been a weekend full of love and people who share it willingly, and I'm gonna spend the rest of this day relaxing with myself and my two furry roommates.

Friday night my friend Diane came over. We were going to knit and relax and catch up with each other, and we only got to two of those things. We talk a lot; no time to knit! We talked into the wee hours of the morning, and it was time to go to bed. I gave my room over to my guest, Di being seven months pregnant and all. I think she was much more comfortable in my nest than she would have been on the pull-out twin sleeper! Saturday dawned far too early, and we headed to IHOP for breakfast before she had to return to her husband and two little ones. I miss her already, so I guess that means I'll be going into Chicago before too long to see her again.

I spent Saturday with my dad, taking his old computer to the Geeks to see if it could be fixed (um, no) and setting up his relatively new laptop so he could surf the 'net and decide whether or not to buy a new computer. I did my laundry at Dad's house and visited with him and the rest of the family. Jenn brought me a "shitslew" of candles, so my house smells sooooo yummy, and we just had a great time visiting with each other. Sometimes I get the feeling my family doesn't "get" me, or even like me very much. Yesterday was not one of those days.

This morning, I met Cute Brian for breakfast. We were both bleary-eyed and in desperate need of coffee, and we spent a few hours just talking and relaxing and getting sufficiently caffeinated. I miss him when we're too busy to spend time with each other, especially since last week we sorta had harsh words. Well, I had harsh words, followed by some hanging up. But with real friends, the harsh words don't matter nearly as much as the apology, and the apology doesn't matter nearly as much as the genuine love for one another.

The only thing that kinda sucks right now is that John from the Gym is feeling under the weather. Like way under the weather. In a different zip code from the weather. We chat on the phone and do the IM thing, but dammit, I miss him. Being healthy isn't nearly as much fun without him.

But for today, I'm just gonna hole up here at home, cuddle with the cats, watch some movies and relax, knowing that I'm pretty damn lucky.

Here's to life

One of my favorite Roger Clyne and the Peacemaker's songs is actually an old Refreshments tune, by the name of "Mekong." You know, as in "As cliché as it may sound, I’d like to raise another round. If your bottle's empty, help yourself to mine, thank you for your time, and here's to life."

There are a lot of toasts in my life that go just like that, so as I share a few pictures from the September 24 show with you, I am actually raising a glass and offering it up to you, to me, to us.

Here's to life.

The RCPM still life, pre-show.

Jason Boots. Opening act, merchandise dude, horn player and all-around swell guy.

Roger. His shirt is only about half-soaked in sweat at this point.

Close-up of Roger's guitar. Cool, huh?

Nick, or as I call him, T.B. Player. He's just a gracious, quiet guy.

Roger. The man's antics just cannot be described.

I have to say it again ... what an amazing night. We spent the entire show this close to the guys, and just feeling the electric community created by good music and the people who enjoy it. Thanks for enjoying it with me.