Millions of pairs of animal eyes have met
the
slightest
closing

of millions of pairs of animal eyelids...

meeting...
...millions of pairs of animal eyes...

...which sent millions of
animal hearts

aflutter.

The divinity
of love
aint a new thing...

..."Birds do it, bees do it, even sentimental trees do it"

God requires just this one simple thing of us. He doesn't ask much if you think about it. It's a gift.

...I really mean "Boys" (Trust me...that boy from the third grade is still lurking in all of us, very close to the surface..and will jump out atcha in a heart-beat)...God help us. We do what we can.

I mostly work, live, and play surrounded by a bunch of 'em. And hey, I'm not leaving myself out of the equation, 'cause I'm as big a dog as the rest.

We constantly test, challenge, sniff each other, compete with, and try to trump each other. Oh it's all in good fun and good genetics, but it gets ridiculous sometimes.

Marc, my brother Gerry, and my friend Rob are the only three exceptions I can think of in my life right now. Gerry and Rob are just easy-going, cool, loving, and sorta neutral friends to me. Marc, of course, ...hung the moon.

But the rest of these boys in my life...straight or gay...just wear me out sometimes. And truth be told...it aint the gay boys that are so much high maintenance anymore. Straight guys are quickly catching up in that department.

Shit... you gotta love them though. You can't live with them, you can't live without them, and as much as you would like to sometimes...you can't run them over with your truck.

And we still manage to find some common ground and love the hell out of each other, but we always have to piss, spit, and fight our way there. Jeez.

Holy crap...I thank my lucky stars for my sisters Chanda and Tiffany and my never-dying heart-throb Shawn...for who they are and for the balance in my otherwise male-dominated world.

Is is possible to co-exist, at least at some turning points of your life, as both hero and villian?

I would answer this, but Marc is pushing me out the door for the Goo Goo Dolls/Counting Crows concert.

Later.

HML, T

I know...I know. I already posted this video not too long ago.

But it is just such a raw and beautiful and singular performance, that I had to see it again.

A really good introduction to her? "The Ultimate Nina Simone" from Verve Records. Trust me. You will thank me later.

***Nina Simone "Come Ye"

"Come ye who would have peace
Hear me what I say now
I say come ye ye who would have peace
It's time to learn how to pray

I say come ye ye who have no fear
What tomorrow brings child
Start praying for a better world
Or peace and all good things

I say come ye ye who still have hope
That we can still survive now
Let's work together as we should
And fight to stay alive

I say come ye ye who would have love
It's time to take a stand
Don't mind abuse it must be paid
For the love of your fellow man

I say come ye come ye
Who would have hope
Who would have hope
Who would have hope
Who would have hope"

Ahhh...a return to routine and normality (sic). I thought I would post a good ol' Friday Five.

My five reliable artists that I can count on to take me away when I am needy...

1) David Bowie
2) Pink Floyd
3) Nina Simone
4) Thievery Corporation
5) Billie Holiday

Five foods that make me feel better when I am needy...

1) Macaroni and cheese from Mammie's on Memorial Drive
2) Meatloaf from Ruth's Kitchen on Ponce De Leon
3) Lasagna from me (I make the best...I don't even eat anyone else's)
4) Pizza from Johhny's Pizza on Highland Ave...you could just go ahead and die...nobody makes a more delicious and gooey pizza
5) The peppercorn fried chicken at Agave in Cabbagetown. Fried chicken is good enough anyway...but they take it to the ultimate level with their recipe. You take one bite and you are hooked.

Five articles of clothing that make me feel worthy right now...

1) My "Barkology" T shirt
2) My "Seven" jeans
3) My "Tsubo" shoes
4) My white Chinese embroidered shirt from Banana Republic
5) My T shirt that says "your favorite music suckz" that is a little too tight, but makes me look like I have muscles.

Five seemingly simple, yet complex one-liners that keep me in check...

1) "It is what it is"
2) "Nobody ever died from that"
3) "You never know when you meet Jesus/Buddha on the road"
4) "Objects are closer than they appear"
5) "I love you"

Five films I could watch over and over again...

1) Monty Python and the The Holy Grail
2) The Color Purple
3) Raising Arizona
4) The Hunger
5) The Wizard of Oz

****Pink Floyd "Dogs"