The obligatory picture with the Mountaineer

Perusing Woodburn Circle

Hanging out at the ‘Lair

Waiting for the Drunk Bus

Checking out Oglebay

Knock knock!

Everyone loves to hang their head out the car window

Click on any picture to go to my Flickr set with more adventures!

I… I have no words…

Our other hike was at Red Rocks, which I am told is a venue where music is sometimes played. I thought it was a lovely hike.

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At the beginning of November I received one of those phone calls you dread–a friend was dead. She hadn’t shown up for work, and a co-worker went to her apartment where they discovered she had died over the weekend.

As we called other friends to tell them of the loss, we heard the same question again and again, “what happened?”

We didn’t know.

Over the course of the day we learned various details. She’d not been feeling well that week, and her coworkers and family had been worried about her. The thought was maybe she had pneumonia or an asthma attack, but those were all guesses. We wouldn’t know anything until the medical examiner’s report.

We talked a lot about her in the following weeks. She’d been unemployed and underemployed for the past several years, and at one point thought she was going to lose her apartment. But in the nick of time, as she was boxing up her belongings, unsure where she was going to go, she got a job offer. It wasn’t full time with benefits, but it was enough to allow her to catch up on her rent and not have to move.

She liked her job, and was delighted after so much struggle to be working again. We’d been so happy for her. Happy because it finally looked like things were turning around for her.

Then suddenly, she’s dead, without warning.

Any death is hard, but somehow it seems so much harder when it’s unexpected.

It reminds you that life is short, and you should embrace what you have while you have it, for you never know what tomorrow will bring.

It also reminded us that if we never know what will happen tomorrow, it’s a good idea to make sure your passwords and bank accounts are available for whomever comes after you and has to put away the pieces of your life.

Somehow, two months have passed, though it hardly seems like it has been that long. But it has, and the family finally received word from the medical examiner.

It wasn’t asthma.

It wasn’t pneumonia.

It was metastatic cancer.

See, when you’re unemployed and underemployed, you don’t have health insurance. And when you don’t have health insurance, you just suck it up when you get sick.

Unfortunately, there are some things that won’t go away with time. Things that only get worse if they remain undiscovered and untreated.

Metastatic cancer.

If you’re not clear on the term, that means the untreated cancer–wherever it may have started–spread throughout her body.

Spread until it finally killed her.

We cannot know whether a diagnosis and treatment would have prolonged her life. Chances are they would have given her at least a few months if not years.

But I do know one thing for certain: If she had been diagnosed, she almost certainly would not have died alone, without the chance say goodbye to those she loved.

So when politicians and talking heads claim that health care isn’t a right, when they claim that we have no moral and ethical responsibility to provide for the medical needs of every citizen, this is what happens.

People die alone.

And those who love them never get the chance to say goodbye.

Our trip to Denali National Park was very rainy, but since we were spending most of the day in the car, we didn’t mind too much.

The next morning we walked a bit along the Nenana River, then drove into the park as far as private vehicles are allowed to drive. Next time we’ll take the bus ride all the way to the end of the road. The grey day cleared up just as we were leaving the park, and had a beautiful ride back. We stopped for dinner an Talkeetna, where we had dinner at the same place my cousin did in June before he climbed Denali Mountain. (Yeah, that’s right. My cousin goes to Alaska to climb a mountain; I go to take pictures of things.)

This was from the drive to Denali Park:

Fireweed is probably my favorite Alaskan plant.

Nenana river and canyon, on our way to Denali National Park:

The color of the water is not just from the grey day. The water is grey from glacial silt.

And now, Denali National Park:

I am very disappointed none of the pictures I took of the area(s) in the picture above look they way the area felt.

Drive back along the Parks Highway.

Now you can see the skies just beginning to clear.

Here is where we stopped for dinner. Twister Creek Restaurant at Talkeetna. Notice the second part of the sign? I went to Alaska to take pictures and see things. Michael went to drink local beers.

Michael and Tania!

Sadly, the portion of Anne‘s vacation that involved hanging out with us has ended, but we had a lot of fun.

We found employment for Nathan:

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Since it was supposed to rain, we decided to go to Blennerhasset Island instead of Blackwater Falls.

This had the added advantage of taking us to Parkersburg so we also got to spend time with Julliene. (OK, and Brian & Stacie as well.)

It didn’t rain at all, and was instead gorgeous.

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Monday we took Jeri & Vince to Cooper’s Rock. Since the weather was hazy, hot, and humid, we waited until late afternoon to go, and even so still didn’t stay long.

Despite the heat, it was gorgeous, and we had a good time. The only sad part was that because I’m still limping along, jumping and climbing (even just a teeny bit of climbing) were right out.

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Right now–AS I TYPE THIS–members of the UCF (besides myself) are sitting in my living room.

Here are some pictures from our adventures so far.

Jeri and the Very Small House
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You may remember this post from last week regarding Kit and the UPS man.

Then earlier today I posted the following on Twitter:
“Interesting. Kit will run to the door when the UPS man parks at the bottom of our driveway, but not when the postman does.”

Because I watched the postman pull up precisely where the UPS truck parked, and she watched the postman, but never got down from her perch in the window.

The, a little later, there was a knock on the door.

The UPS man had a package addressed to Kit. (?!)

Yup. Treats for Kit.

Gift from Eric. Gift message: Miao.

So did she like them?

Yes. Yes she did like them. In fact, she already knocked the container on the floor in hopes of getting more.

The only unfortunate thing is it was the late afternoon UPS guy who does not park in front of our house, so Kit was caught all unawares at his arrival.

When I realized I was going to need to wear skirts because of my broken ankle I was depressed–I don’t have OWN any skirts.

However, a txt conversation with Jeri made me realize an awesome pair of boots would ease the sting of the girlishness of skirts. As I was drooling over the selection at Dr Martens and deciding precisely how to tell Michel he was going to be required to go out and find a pair of boots for me (I had three pairs selected, in order of desire that it looked like he could find at a local store) the amazing, fabulous and wonderful Jeri sent me a “gift certificate” for some Dr Martens boots.

To be honest, I almost cried. Sometimes when you’re feeling your lowest, someone does something so unexpectedly wonderful–something that will remind you of that wonderfulness every time you get dressed to leave the house–it’s impossible to remain miserable.

Thank you Jeri. Your kindness and your generosity will be remembered every time I put my boot.

Was sitting here thinking how my foot was aching and how miserable I was when KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

I have the best friends EVAR! (I’ve received other loot, but as it wasn’t perishable, I haven’t yet documented its existence.)

Thank you so much Natalie & Larry and The Pink Thing! (TPT ordered the balloon.)

People must know I love flowers! Because I got flowers on Saturday!

Note: I did not take these pictures, Michael did. I’m not yet up for standing still, and I’m pretty sure taking pictures while balancing on crutches is an invitation for another trip to the ER.

From my aunt & uncle and Grandmom.

From my parents

The card from the UCF was Teh BEST!
“To the Most Graceful Member of the UCF. Heal Fast!”

Happy Birthday Eric!

You’re 47 this year, right?

For going out to counter-protest the Westboro “Baptist Church” and braving the cold to do so.

Y’all are the best!

So why all the love for Prince?

First, Purple Rain was the first album I ever purchased (second was Crowded House, third was Pet Shop Boys “Please”) I wore out that tape, listening to it again and again.

Second, although I am by no means a musician of any sort, I played guitar for about 10 years, from the age of 8 or 9 all the way through high school. I can also figure out the basis of most instruments with a little bit of noodling around. (The reason I am not a musician is because I am incapable of getting past the beginner stage on any instrument.) But my history of musical training and playing gives me a tremendous appreciate for musicianship. My friend Andy used to tease me because I’d like music and he couldn’t understand why, then I’d go, “wait, just LISTEN to this bass line!” From the very start, I was awed by Prince’s music abilities. The guitar on Purple Rain never fails to astound me.

Third, Prince has never rested on his laurels, but has always sought move forward, to change his sound with every album. Which is why I am always astounded by people who say they don’t like Prince. Period. Every album has a different sound and a different feel? With that much variety how you can dislike everything? I admit, there are some albums I like better than others, and some albums that don’t do much for me, but it’s always something different, every album.

Fourth, as much as I sometimes find rock stars mortifying in their actions and behaviors, and as much as Prince can be way way way over the top, he is always a consummate showman. And as over the top as he is on stage, one hears very little about his private life. Nothing about drugs, nothing about alcohol binging, nothing about getting picked up by the cops for who knows what. Which leads one to believe that his over-the-top showmanship is just that: showmanship. You have to be impressed by anyone who manages to be in the public eye for so many years, and not have had illegal or immoral actions repeatedly smeared across the headlines.

Which leads me to the fact that he doesn’t seem to care what you think: he does what he wants, and he seems to be very happy being himself, and living the dream of doing what he loves. Yes, that can not help but make one a little jealous, but it’s also something to be admired. Be yourself and say what you think. He does it, and I admire it.

But for me, it always comes back to the music.

Speaking of which…

(There’s no video here, just the song)

Here’s another cover, this time of “While My Guitar Gentle Weeps.” Jim & Jeri, please take note that Prince doesn’t sing a note–it’s all guitar. (Tom Petty is the main vocalist.)

Here’s something I think both Eric & I have been trying to get at with our series of posts: even those who say that “don’t like” Prince, probably like one of his songs as covered by another musician. And sometimes those songs were the launch pads for the careers of those musicians.

Chaka Kahn covered “I Feel for You”
Prince wrote “Manic Monday” for The Bangles
“Nothing Compares 2 U” launched the international career of Sinéad O’Connor
“The Glamorous Life” and “Love Bizarre” were both hits written by Prince for (and with) Sheila E
“Kiss” was covered by Tom Jones
The Goo Goo Dolls covered “I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man” *
Cyndi Lauper’s hit “When U Were Mine” is a Prince cover **
Living Colour did a rendition of “17 Days”
“The Cross” was covered by Soul Asylum
Mavis Staples has covered Prince songs, as has Tina Turner

There are plenty of other songs, but decided to limit the list to bigger hits covered by more famous artists.

In other words, I have a hard time believe that there aren’t a number of songs liked by those who claim not to like Prince.

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* This is a great cover on the Goo Goo Dolls album Hold Me Up
** Eric discussed this cover in his Tuesday Prince post.

Here’s another cover, this time of “Thieves in the Temple”

Again, for Jim & Jeri, Prince isn’t singing, so you shouldn’t mind listening.

In contrast to yesterday’s post about sex, the other thing Prince is known for is songs about G-d.

Probably the biggest juxtaposition of sex and G-d comes on the album Around the World in a Day. Temptation goes from an almost graphic description of sexual temptation, to someone (presumably G-d of the Torah) putting the smack-down on Prince, and after lots of tortured screaming (which I admittedly do NOT like) ends thus:

I’m sorry
I’ll be good
This time I promise
Love is more important than sex
Now I understand
I have 2 go now
I don’t know when I’ll return
Goodbye

Way too Old Testament and Leviticus for me.

The other song on that album dealing with the issue of G-d is The Ladder.

Everybody’s looking 4 that ladder
Everybody wants salvation of the soul
The steps U take are no easy road
But the reward is great
4 those who want 2 go

This is done as a parable, and I’m not sure it’s the most coherent of his songs, but it’s very singable and one I enjoy listening to.

The one song I don’t particularly like and almost always skip is The Cross on Sign O’ the Times. I know some people who like it, but the lyrics are entirely too heavy-handed for my tastes.

The last song I want to mention however, is one of my favorites, and one I think that gets the tone just right.

I’m not a woman
I’m not a man
I am something that you’ll never understand

I’ll never beat u
I’ll never lie
And if you’re evil I’ll forgive u by and by

First of all, it’s got the best beat of any song on the album, and Purple Rain has a lot of strong songs.

Second, although it’s implicitly about G-d, it’s not explicitly about Christianity they way the song The Cross is. More importantly, the song is about living what is important. Unlike the lecturing tone of Temptation and The Cross, this is saying that G-d is love. That G-d is forgiveness.

Plus, like I said, it’s got a fabulous beat.

Today, Eric is talking about Prince’s musical talents, specifically his skill on the guitar.

No embedding, so you’ll have to click to see this video of Prince covering Radiohead.

The point (for Jim & Jeri) is to note the guitar. And here is Eric’s addition to day two of Prince week.

However, while I’ve got this platform, I’m going to expound a bit.

First things first, I’m hard pressed to understand why someone would despise Prince. I can understand not liking an artist’s voice–I cannot stand Bob Dylan’s voice. nails on a blackboard–but I like many of his song when they have been recorded by other artists. I can get not liking an artists style of music, except that Prince has written songs in so many musical genres that seems a rather ridiculous statement as well.

So I’m going to take a shot in the dark about what I’m guessing bothers at least some people: sex.

Prince really likes to write and sing about sex. A lot. Hell, his 3rd and 4th albums were “Dirty Mind” and “Controversy” so it’s not like he’s hiding his themes.

But here’s the thing: Rock & Roll and R&B have a history of misogyny. But here’s the thing about Prince’s music: for the most part he doesn’t write about women, he writes to women. And to be honest, I often find it disconcerting, since I tend towards prudishness. But if you listen, what he’s pretty much saying is that he loves women, and let him tell you all about what he wants to do to you (assuming you are a woman).

But there’s something else to note as well.

Consider Little Red Corvette released in 1982. Did you ever notice that he blithely throws out the use of condoms as an expected occurrence? Or Sign O’ the Times from 1987, which implicitly mentions AIDS, and male to female transmission (via needle sharing, but still). And I love I Could Never Take the Place of Your Man: “Wouldn’t be satisfied, with a one night stand, and I could never take the place of your man.”

And he has had women in his bands–not just token females there to look good or female back-up singers or female lead singers with a male band but female musicians. It’s a more common occurrence, but still far more rare than one would expect.

So despite the sex–or perhaps because of it–Prince has always given off an attitude of respecting women, which is something that certainly wasn’t common when he was starting out.

I’m going to take a slightly different tack from Eric, who is also celebrating Prince week.

For those of you who are not on Twitter, Eric and I were taken to task by Jim & Jeri for our love of Prince. And this is the song that started the whole thing off. Except, of course, that I was listening to the Prince version.

And here’s Eric addition to Prince week: Medical advice by the Purple One.

If you remember back, a couple weeks ago I received a “gift” from John the Scientist: tentacles.

Luckily, my friend MWT is a marine biologist and volunteered to take the tentacles from me, and put them to good use.

Here is the result!

Hooray!

My thoughts right now are with my friend Shawn Powers, whose house just burned down.

All his family is OK, but they lost all their pets.

If you know Shawn, please lend him your support, even if it’s only in kind thoughts and words.

ADDENDUM the First:
Linux Journal has put together a page so donations can be made to the Powers family.

Additionally, if you would prefer to make a donation through Shawn’s pastor, I can pass that information along to you as well.