You sound like the perfect canadate for symphonic black metal, Rocketeer. Yes, it is very brutal sounding, but it has a lot of melody to it. Hm... Should link you to a few bands, eh?

Not sure I'm up to anything louder than a sonatina or lullabye these days...lately I've developed ' selective hearing' when it comes to 'chores'..according to the missus..

Since I work in a cave hunched over a keyboard and glowing monitor most of the time I just keep the thingumgoogy tuned to the nearest radio station online or wind up the old Victrola and spin an LP from my collection of 'classic vinyl '


yup, I'm travelling 33rpm in an iPod world.

back to the research mines... later...[ Rocketeer blows the dust off another ancient tome and hits 'search' on the google thingy..]

*LOL* You are a funny man, Rocketeer! Should you change your mind let me know. I will say that I do like classical music. I think that Bach and Beethoven had some great minds musically. Vogner(sp?) as well. Very powerful stuff, indeed!

I got to hear from my good friend Chuck (the soldier in the sandbox) and it made my am. It did suck as I was in a meeting and could not really talk to him. Still knowing he is still breathing makes me a little more at ease.

Well I just have the pre-interview butterflies! I am interviewing Hail The Night tonight at 7, and it looks like it is going to be an interesting one. WHEW! I am glad to simply be the messenger!

Hi, gang... I'm home from the war...while it was supposed to be a naval battle, I wasn't expecting to have to fight it under water...rained for 4 frickin' days!!.. Still pouring water from my boots and the tentage is stinking up the neighbourhood as it 'airs out' on the porch...

the fun never ends...

Oh boy, Rocketeer! The missus is not going to be happy when she gets home. Will the Good Padre save you?

Actually, My Dear Miss Devilwoman, the Good Padre is quite accepting of the scent of wet canvas, as she has had experience herself in living under such accommodation in her professional capacity...

She is tolerant of the aroma of 'damp' wool and even manages not to wrinkle her nose too obviously at the distinct fragrance of soaking bear fur headgear..

She does, however, draw the line at cuddling a certain person who smells of damp rot, wood smoke, beans and bacon, hardtack and 'medicinal brandy' and self-administered snake oil preservatives, not to mention four days on the Fields [ or in this case, the swamps ] of Glory re-creating a Past which was not as enlightened as today in the benefits of personal hygiene.

After a liberal application of pumice, loofahs and industrial strength cleansers I am now allowed to sleep with the dog, and will , no doubt, share the marital bed come Saturday, as long as I stay to the lee of the ceiling fan...

Ah… Rocketeer let not the woes due to lack of comfort in thy wife’s arms get you down until the day you share marital bliss in the throes of passion… should you still engage in such things. Alas, whether or not you still ravish your wife I am sure that simple joy of being in her arms is enough to soothe your soul. I cannot deny that when a man smells cleansed and taken care of that it doth not make me feel in want of him more. My soldier has the scent of a god, and as he is my satyr I am weak to deny him should his finger begin to explore. I shall now not say more for children might be present.

An elegant elegy, my girl.. but, I was able to discern the 'diss' in the text..

I will have you know that, while I may be pigeonholed by society as a 'senior', I am in no need for medicaments to enhance the -erm - ardour and the Good Padre continues to indicate through word and action that I am, as they say in the equine world, a 'stud' [ though she has appended the suffix ' muffin' to the term, of which I am uncertain is a good or bad thing ]

Though I may revel in the muck and mire and consume copious quantities of suspect liquids with a coterie of comrades, I am in no way incapacitated in the ways of pleasuring females [ though, to be accurate, I am under strict orders to limit my pleasuring to one particular female or face certain 'repercussions' reminiscent of the better Hollywood horror films ].

Despite many internet pleas from offshore pharmaceutical concerns to assist me in areas of a personal/intimate nature, I am 'drug-free' in that regard and have planned my eventual demise at well past 100 years of age in the arms of twin 19 year old nympho Swedish bikini babes.. The Good Padre, bless her, has offered to help me with that wish, having stated that should she find me in such a situation, she will personally make sure I die.

Aha, Rocketeer! I am sure thy wife knows you follow orders very well and thus needs not monitor you. Affixing the ‘muffin’ to ‘stud’ is certainly a good thing I assure you. My soldier has begot the same honor upon many names in which I call unto him. I am also elated to hear of your drug-free way of life as you are right, it will make thy life span grow longer, and much more at ease. I myself am for the most part free from drugs though I do enjoy the lovely elixir of alcoholic beverages, and give my lungs plenty of tobacco smoke. Alas I shall die around 80 years old as the women in my family are not known to die young even though we know the a party is always grand to have. While you maybe a “senior citizen” to the rest of the world I shall not think of you as such. To me you are an elder as you have shown me that you are far beyond that, and if I might be so pre-mature in saying that you so far are in high respects with me.

An " Elder", eh?

Does that mean I can walk around in old jeans and torn T- with a gap between showing off my advancing - ahem - years? I have the shirt that says " Contents packed by weight, some settling may occur ".

Or, maybe, I need to wear the pink slacks with the white belt that rides high over the 'battle of the bulge', the Hawaiian shirt and the matching white loafers.

Not one to lecture the younger generation or spout ' back in my day ' tall tales, but I am taken aback that , in this day and age, young women still indulge in 'tabaccky'..Satan protecting you from the potential outfall of lung cancer?? [ though, to be fair, I do enjoy an occasional ceegar or pinch of snuff with a long pour of Port after a Mess Dinner, or regimental function ]. Still, the scene of heroin chic, Kate Moss/Paris Hilton/Amy Winehouse wannabees lounging at the mall puffing on candy flavoured cheroots while nattering on cellphones, texting the girl sitting next to them and bopping to iPod downloads, buds in their ears, is a bit offputting to these ancient eyes.

UGH! I don't want to go to work today! Thought I would get that out in the open.

Rocketeer, how about a robe with a beard, and a wizard staff? I bet the Good Padre would love that! *nods and laughs*

As far as smoking goes I do believe firmly that without its calming effects on me I could quite very well be in jail by now. I get angry a bit easy and unfortunately (and I am sure you can agree) there are a lot of stupid people in this world that should be shot.

Not sure I'm the Gandolf/Dumbeldore type...certainly I've never heard the good Padre express any interest in that type of a fantasy [though, Dungeons and Dragons - whips and chains....]

anyway. I've always considered myself more the Sean Connery, Wind and the Lion -type, or aging with a certain nobility and going out with a bang al a John Wayne in the Shootist...

yeah, that's it, John Wayne/Sean Connery...

[Rocketeer shuffles off, mumbling; " Listen up, Pilgrim " in a Scottish accent.]

Gunny:

semi-old fart, indeed.. love the patch...nice grouping three taps to the brainpan...

hmmm..

self inflicted?

I still have all my teeth, BTW..