Brain Freeze and Thunderstorms

T-1, tomorrow Sophie leaves for Europe. It will be hard to see her go, over the past weeks we have grown much closer and she now opens up to me in a way that before she seemed hesitant to. We talk, meaningfully, I no longer feel like an after thought in her life. I will miss her.

Tonight we had dinner and took her to see some friends, then went to Coldstone for some ice cream. While there, a thunderstorm rolled in so we sat in the car listening to the Gorillas, or more correctly listening to one song over and over and over and over. I turned the car off and we sat together in the dark watching the lightning and listening to the rain. I have always loved storms, an appreciation still lost on my seven year old. But she indulged me with only one question and an its okay daddy. So we sat there quietly with the sound of the storm and the quiet scrape of spoons against Styrafoam, getting ice cream headaches. Then she started telling stupid jokes... Hoorah! an appreciation and a talent! I may yet have an influence and a legacy!

She's getting better though I must say.

What are catapillers afraid of? Dogapillers
What do Sharks eat with peanut butter? Jellyfish!

This and she can recite several Shell Silverstein poems from memory.

So tomorrow I will bundle her off to camp, have my usual day at work, collect her, then deliver her to the ex's parents for her trip. Afterwards I have a bottle of wine and some cheese to enjoy quietly on the deck. If it rains all the better. I'll put a straw in the wine bottle and sit in the rain watching the lightning. After the heat of the past couple of days it will be welcome. I will reflect and I am sure I will find a data point.

Speaking of data points

This is the time of year when in two consecutive years, comrades and good friends of mine were killed in separate aviation accidents, it is an added layer of remorse that comes on these anniversaries. So I will toast to each of them and quietly let them know they are not forgotten. To absent friends...

So enough, August is here the concert season is gearing up and I am hot after some Stones tickets and Greenday as well, will see what My Concierge dregs up tomorrow.

Travel plans are shaping up nicely as well. I have to be in Charlotte for three days of fun in the belle of the south. In Charleston, My buddy Noz is fresh back from a successful summit of the Matterhorn. You bitch! You owe me, so we are going flying! I could use some g's and to watch the world twirl a little bit... Then much drinking in downtown Charleston. September will bring St Louis and with any luck the Cards will be playing while I'm there. That's always a good time.

England in February for a wedding. Just one question here. Who the hell gets married in England in February. Its bloody cold and dark. My buddy Bob that's who, but he's dark and his fiance is well... (Note: In fairness this is not at all substantiated as I've never me the woman, but I thought it might prompt a phone call which no matter how enraged would be better than none at all. While I could Say that his fiance is dark and he is cold.... mmmm see the last post and maybe I'm just not secure enough right now to do that.... One thing she'll have to be is Patient, compassionate, understanding, forgiving, oh wait that's a lot of things)

In other startling developments "Blitz" called out of the blue. I haven't seen him since his wife was pregnant. His daughter is now 13. 13 my god! Good to hear from you bud. It was like we never lost touch. One more guy to call should I ever need help moving a body!

Training for the marathon goes well. 5 miles in 102 heat on Wednesday and 3 in the middle of the day today. News flash folks there is a reason its called Hillsborough!

In relationship news a new one showed up yesterday. I put Sophie to bed and then went and sat on the couch, where she joined me reclined her head in my lap, looked up at me with those big blue eyes as I stroked her soft hair, she stretched luxuriantly, placing one paw on my chest and began to purr.

That's right I am boarding a cat... As cats go this one is not bad, friendly as hell, damn sharp claws though.
I guess I'll be buying mauve and salmon whatever it is next, I can already feel the testosterone fleeing my body....