Two by two

By request, I am updating my blog. I'll have you know that it isn't easy. My social calendar says that I'm booked solid for various horsemen, demons, imps, etc for the next little while. I must say that I was relieved to see

Death: He actually only phoned in to say that he'd removed some woman from torpor, a 4 year long coma, and that I needn't concern myself with sending my son to Satan for a few days. Satan confirmed, and asked if some future arrangement could be made. So it is that I made a deal with the devil. Damn it.

Disease: Myself, I was ridden by Bronchitis during finals week, a lovely time to feel like you're going to constantly wretch sandpaper. I did, however, manage to pull through on at least 2 of the 4 courses, for a total of 8 hours over 5 that are certain passes (C or better). Organic Chemistry, a pox be upon it, along with several other long chain molecular structures, is the hold out.

War: I was recently touched by a bizarre tale given me by one of the frequent bus passangers. This touches me far less, but I consider the implications and what I could've responded with. Owing to the above, things would've gone poorly. At any rate, a recent veteran, someone returning from the conflict in Iraq (a minor set of scraps barely worthy of the title "war") shot his wife and himself, leaving a small child in the wake of this calamity (age:2). He was the lead singer for a band, and, owing to my spirited vocalizations on the bus, I was approached by the guitarist for an audition. I turned it down.

Famine: As you've no doubt heard, my wife lost her job in September. Well, December is the month in which the wire is laid, and we are marching across it step by painful step. I believe we'll make it through Christmas without incident, but January will be the lean times indeed.

At one point, and I must relay this to you, I was surrounded by young folk, all tattooed and pierced, dressed in black, all in that rebellious fervor that only the young can muster with such blind stupidity. Each seeking to be an individual by following people who are clearly individuals, instead of being themselves. As we stepped off the bus one evening, I lead the pack yelling, "free thinkers, follow me!"

It'll probably take years for them to get that one.