“She was a long cool woman in a black dress”

I was riding home the other night and this story came barreling into my consciousness without warning. I’ve got no idea where it came from or why, but days later this woman refuses to leave my brain and no, we’re not talking Kubla Khan meets the Penthouse Forum. This is a bit stranger than my usual thoughts on a trip home.

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I don’t know when or how I met her, exactly. I mean, one moment she wasn’t there and then she was – right there on the barstool beside me. A freshly poured pint had been the focus of my attention. It was that kind of day. I never even saw her enter the bar and suddenly this beautiful woman was bumping hip-first into me. The bar wasn’t even all that crowded. She could easily have found a seat with the hipster crowd impressing the hell out each other down toward the back room. Before I could think about it, her hand was in front of me. “Jaleeza – nice to meet you.” Just like that, “Jaleeza.” Seriously? Wow! Nice hand, too.

I couldn’t peg the accent, but man, what a great voice. I don’t know why but it made me think of my first girlfriend’s voice and y’know, that first time - when I was young enough to think it would be forever and I kind of wished her name was “Wendy” or “Terry” or “Sandy” or any of a hundred other of those girls with “y” names who always end up in Springsteen songs. I quickly apologized to my Guinness and put my attention where it belonged. Someone I’d just met but known forever…you know what I mean? Barely a “hello” and I’m gasping for air like a total goon.

Don't know where this one is going,
Otto

Tunes of the Day: Jeff Bridges - "Crazy Heart" (soundtrack)

"Stay, Little Valentine, stay. Each day is Valentine's Day..."

She’s someone else’s valentine.
I guess I should have known.
No way would she be single.
No way she’d be alone -
not with those dimples, smile, face,
those eyes that sparkle, shine.
Though she’s someone else’s valentine.
I still wish that she was mine.

Happy Valentine's Day,
Otto

Tunes of the day: Bruce Springsteen - "Tunnel of Love"

“I ain’t blind, but I don’t like what I think I see”

You know, some people just can’t leave it alone. I'm amazed by those who continue to believe that they can somehow elevate themselves by diminishing others. To those folks, I can only offer the following:

“Be careful leaving your burrow. See your shadow and you may end up stuck with six more weeks of yourself!”

Undiminished,
Otto

Tunes of the Day: Counting Crows – “August and Everything After”

“Instant karma’s gonna get you. Gonna look you right in the face. Better get yourself together, darlin’…Join the human race.”

For several reasons, I admit to feeling far less than charitable right now (though the reality is that I remain far more resilient than some may believe). I will NOT wish the worst on anyone but when even my local priest offers the old aphorism “what goes around, comes around” it's fair to be a little concerned as to how the “comes around” will be visited upon those steering the "goes around" part of the equation.

Karma is seldom as “instant” as we’d probably like it to be - but I'll leave it to others to be the "agent" of its arrival. Vengeance and vindictiveness have NEVER been part of my make-up and I'm not about to embrace them now. In the meantime, I’ll continue to pray that a “darlin’" or two (re)joins the human race and lets their darker impulses become a thing of the past. Life is way too brief to allow those character traits to drive your existence.

History has proven many times that the pain you inflict upon others has a tendency to rain back onto you and usually to a far greater degree. When it does so, you have to hope you’re not found without an umbrella-ella-ella-ella. (Thanks, Rihanna!)

Hey, Sisyphus – you’d best make sure you’re keeping a steady hand on that boulder. I think it’s got your number…Just sayin’…

Love, Peace, and Soul,
Otto

Tunes of the Day: Robert Palmer - “Double Fun"

"Good Morning, Mr. Sunshine..."

I've called my son "Sunshine" for years. More comments to come later...

You brighten up my day,
Otto

Tunes of the day: The BoDeans: Indigo Dreams...

I never get tired of this band and was saddened to hear that they'd broken up recently...To Sam and Kurt, I hope you guys work it out!