It's Pole Dancin' Time!

by Cassondra Murray



Well, here we are. It's MAY! May Day. The day for dancing around the pole. I've always wanted to do that.



NO, not THAT kind of pole. Y'all get your minds out of the gutter, will ya?



I think it would be fun to participate in a Maypole dance. I've never even seen one. I don't know the history except that it is, you know, historic.



And it's pretty, isn't it? I found this cool picture of one, and it's the perfect illustration of the way all of us as individuals, Bandits and friends, weave together and make something cool.



It's a good illustration of the next month in the Lair too. Talk about your varied authors and subjects..WHEEEEEEE...let's go. The ceremonial May Pole is set up in the foyer, so everybody grab a ribbon, start the music, and let's weave something amazing!



The first week starts out with the BANG ZIP ZING of fireworks as we celebrate the Second Anniversary of the darrlin bands Blog. Yup, two years and still as loony as ever. TOMORROW, May 2nd, Aunty Cindy and Jeanne will host the anniversary celebration, including a fun title contest and prizes, and we'll follow that with a monster lineup of guests all next week.







For our first guest this month, Loucinda McGary, a.k.a. Aunty Cindy will host Kris Kennedy. On May 4th, Kris will join us in the Lair to celebrate the release of her debut novel, The Conqueror, a medieval historical set in 11th century England. That guy on the cover has a nice..um..sword, don't y'all think?




On Tuesday, 5th May, Amanda McCabe http://ammandamccabe.tripod.com/, Diane Gaston http://www.dianegaston.com/ and Deb Marlowe http://www.debmarlowe.com/ invade the lair to talk about their new anthology of linked Regency novellas, THE DIAMONDS OF WELLBOURNE MANOR.



With that lineup, it's bound to be a typical Anna-Campbell-style day in the lair, isn't it? Scandalous. Passionate.



Need I say more?




On May 6, Contemporary Romance queen and New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery will join Kate Carlisle to talk about reality TV and romance. Yes, there really is a connection!

Okay, we're smokin already, and it's only the middle of the week, but it's gonna get hotter before the week's over.....


Join us on the 7th for a Blazin' Good Time when we host 5 Fabulous Blaze authors! Our own Tawny Weber will be here along with Marie Donovan, Kira Sinclair, Jillian Burns and Jennifer LeBrecque to discuss their May Blaze releases and which of their heroes they'd want to be stranded with on a desert island.

I'll take one of each please.

WHAT?!!! (Cassondra gives a nervous look around at the evil glares of the other Banditas.)

We'll be pulling out all the stops and bringing in extra cabana boys for this one. Hey, somebody has to call the cabs for us and help us find the door when it's over, right?

Honestly I'm not sure I've ever seen this many incredible authors in the Lair all within the span of a week. And we're not done!

May 8th sees the return of Lair favorite, Virginia Kantra. Anna Sugden will welcome Virginia to celebrate the launch of the third book in her fabulous Children of the Sea series - Sea Lord.



Sheesh, what a way to start our anniversary month!

We'll give the guests a break for a week or so, but the fun won't stop. The 9th is the official release date of Trish's Harlequin American, Her Very Own Family. WOOOHOOOO TRISH! Trish will celebrate later in the week.

Then on May 19th Anna Cambell is back, this time with debut historical romance author Beverley Eikli http://www.beverleyeikli.com/Site/Welcome.html . Beverly visits us to discuss her writing journey (which is fascinating and involves residences across several continents) and her new release LADY SARAH'S REDEMPTION.



But Anna's not done. She's on a roll.......

On Thursday, May 21st, Bandita favorite Nicola Cornick http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk/ returns to talk about her new book, THE CONFESSIONS OF A DUCHESS. It's the first in a three-book series called THE BRIDES OF FORTUNE which gets back-to-back releases in June, July and August. Not only that, but for Nicola Cornick junkies, there's also an ebook prequel called THE SECRETS OF A COURTESAN.

As Anna would say, Huzzah!

(Ladies and Gentlemen, Anna Campbell will now be lying down to rest for a bit after her recent exertion with all of these guests.)

Wait. That didn't sound quite right.

May 22nd we're so pleased to welcome one of our dear friends, Esri Rose. Esri is another of the '06 Packers (she finalled in the Golden Heart the same year as all of us). Anna Sugden has lured Esri back to the Lair to celebrate the launch of the second book in her series about tall, gorgeous elves living in Boulder, Colorado, Stolen Magic.




May 26th Nancy Northcott hosts Stephanie Bond. Stephanie visits the lair to celebrate three back-to-back spring releases in her sexy Body Movers mystery series, 4 Bodies and a Funeral (April), 5 Bodies to Die for (May), and 6 Killer Bodies (June). She'll discuss "When Characters Do Things That Make You Crazy."

Uh...that would be constantly.

Anna Campbell's back up on Wednesday, May 27th with Aussie historical romance author Sara Bennett http://www.sara-bennett.com/ . Sara returns to the lair to share the story behind her latest book, LED ASTRAY BY A RAKE, the first in a new series from Avon called THE HUSBAND HUNTER'S CLUB.

Good lands, Anna's busy this month. SVEN! Bring Anna a tessane would you? Isn't that what historical authors traditionally force down their overworked heroines' throats? Wait. What's that Anna? What do you mean you'd rather have a margarita? Mango flavored you say? Oh, and you're running a contest on your website too? Okay, y'all hold on for details of Anna's contest. (Anna's a good sport, isn't she, letting me abuse her like this?) (evil grin, looks nervously over shoulder)

We're ending the month as strong as we started, with two more fantastic guests. On May 28th, Suz will welcome Nancy Haddock to the Lair. Nancy will be talking about the second book in her Paranormal Vampire Series, Last Vampire Standing, in which a stand-up comic vampire is in jeopardy!



On May 29th, Christine Wells brings Double RITA nominee Sherry Thomas to the lair! Sherry will join us to talk about her upcoming historical release, NOT QUITE A HUSBAND.

WHAT???? What did Anna say? Dont' forget about the contest? I won't, I WON'T, I promise. Hang on though.

Have y'all noticed that we normally do these monthly overviews on the first day of the month? Well, we're not doing that next time because we're screaming into June without even slowing down. And because...drum roll please...JUNE 1ST IS JEANNE'S RELEASE DAY, WOOHOOOOO!!!!!

June 1st, put your dancin shoes on and leave your business manners at the door cuz the Lair will be rockin' for the release of Dark and Deadly, book number two for The Duchess herself, Jeanne Adams. That cover is just..well..HOT. Somebody fan me, will ya?

Then on June 2nd, Christine Wells takes over the blog again, along with historical author Jennifer Haymore, to talk about Jennifer's June release, A Hint of Wicked.


Whew. Sven, could I have something to drink now?

NO? Whaddaya mean, no? Oh, the contest on Anna's website!

Y'all don't have to wait until tomorrow to start winning stuff.

Anna Campbell is running a Devil, Desire and the Desert King Contest! This contest closes May 31st, and the prizes are a great reading pack of signed books:

TEMPT THE DEVIL by Anna Campbell http://www.annacampbell.info/

THE DESERT KING’S PREGNANT BRIDE by Annie West http://www.annie-west.com/

An Advance Reader Copy of DESIRE UNTAMED by Pamela Palmer ( June 30, '09) http://www.pamelapalmer.net/

In honor of Pam’s fantastic new series about shapeshifting warriors, Anna wants to know what animal you’d choose as your avatar if you were a shapeshifter. Her favorite answer wins the pack of books. Just email Anna on anna@annacampbell.info with your answers.

For more information, visit the contest page on Anna’s website: http://www.annacampbell.info/contest.html


But for NOW, here in the Lair, tell me...what do y'all know about dancin' around poles? (No, not that kind, though as long as you keep it PG, if you feel the need to self-disclose.....)

Do you know how the maypole dance got started? How old it is? Have you ever been a part of this May 1st ritual?


What's your favorite part of the month of May? School's out? Flowers? Warm weather(or cooler weather if you're in the Southern Hemisphere?) The start (or the end) of pool seasonSource URL: http://extravagancedeplumes.blogspot.com/2009/04/
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Outside Influences Inside

Directionless.

That's how I feel some days. I got a letter from my editor. I'm behind on my articles for the online magazine. I haven't been sending them forward. Neither have I been doing anything. I'm just bullshitting with people on IRC. I've got to get on the stick. I wrapped up one of my articles in twenty minutes and sent it through. Then I sent out emails to lock up another interview...which looks like there will be a problem. The hosts are having a little problem. This is not good for me. But it looks like I'll just have to either wait, come up with a new article idea, or die. I don't like the last prospect much.... so I'd better get on the stick and get another article in the pipe.

As for IRC: The people there get more and more stranger. Further and further out there. You see those people on the Jerry Springer show? Well, that's what some...not all, mind you...but some are like. They are almost scary in fact. Some of the things that come out of their mouths...or off their fingers...will cause you pause. It's just the things that they do are out of this world, and what they actually get involved with. And it's easy to claim that they are liars, but the truth of the matter is is that they don't need to lie, and that they hook up amongst themselves often enough that they don't need you to be talking to them, much less believe them.

But goddamn if these people are not more fun than surfing the web. I'm enthralled with the characters "in channel". These people make me feel at home every time I'm on. I have grown to love them. They make my small, boring world somewhat much, much larger. I am in a wonderland of people, albeit doing strange things amongst themselves. They are a wilderness of personalities. Because of them I'm never alone. I am happy.

I get up and turn on my laptop. Today, I am off the clock, meaning no appoint- ments. I stay naked off my bed, I skip the coffee and get to my emails and get on IRC. It's my breakfast this morning. It melts my day down...until about mid afternoon, my room intercom buzzes. Yeah? "Can you come down for a meeting?" Alright, I reply tiredly. I say goodnight to my friends on IRC and get dressed. I am too tired, or lazy, for this. I wandered downstairs to the public room and tenants are already having a meeting about what's going on in the building. Stupid stuff...like don't change the locks on the door, don't throw trash out of the window, we'll be getting our mail boxes soon. But some of the dumb questions that were coming from my fellow tenants was enough for me to sneak back out and head upstairs. It was just like being in the middle of preschoolers, listening to the teacher in the class, and asking dumb questions.

I couldn't handle it anymore. I wanted snappy, funny, witty conver- sation. I wanted IRC. Text was still scrolling in the three channels that I was on...THREE mind you. I can follow the conversations in THREE chatrooms now. It's called co-channelling and some channels allow you to do it, and some don't. You can tell by putting in a simple WHOIS statement before a name and it'll tell you everything about the user. Especially what channels they're on. You can get KICKED and BANNED from some channels because of it. But these channels are cool with it. There's no jealousy, no competition. Just friends meeting.

I strip and sit. Getting back on and enjoying the company of friends. The talk? About Swine Flu and the Kentucky Derby.

Oh...and which is better for ass fucking your best friends wife...lube or no lube? All of the women of the channel say no lube. Because she's a bad girl.

Like I said. Sometimes, the Jerry Springer show.

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Upcoming Events

We have some very exciting events coming up this weekend! I think we can safely say that winter is over for the year, so why not celebrate by attending your favorite game, concert or show at the theater?! Because we carry tickets to pretty much ANY event, you can be sure to find something cool to do this weekend. Here are just a few of the things that are going on:

* Legally Blonde tickets can be found here. The show is playing tonight at 8pm, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, Sunday at 2pm & 7:30pm - at the Ordway Center in St. Paul.

* Thomas & Friends tickets are here. The shows are on Friday evening at 7pm, Saturday at 10:30am, 2pm, 5pm and Sunday at 1pm - at the Target Center.

* Minnesota Twins tickets are here. There is a game on Friday evening at 7pm and Saturday at 6pm (vs. Kansas City) at the Metrodome.

* Vince Gill tickets are here. He will be performing at the Mystic Lake Showroom both Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm.

* Queensryche tickets are here. The show is Saturday at 6pm at Myth nightclub.

* Lisa Lampanelli tickets are here. She's performing Saturday at 8pm at the Orpheum Theatre.

* The Temptations tickets are here. They will be at Treasure Island Casino Saturday at 8pm.

* Flight of the Conchords tickets are here. They will be at the Northrup Auditorium, Sunday at 8pm.

* Leonard Cohen tickets are here. He will be at the Orpheum Theatre on Sunday at 8pm.
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Kanafe Recipe

Kanafe or Knafeh originated in the Palestinian city of Nablus in the modern-day West Bank, where it is filled with Nabulsi cheese. Another name for kanafe is Konafa Nabulsiyye. It plays a central role in Palestinian cuisine and is the most famous throughout the Arab world.

Kanafe is also found in the Balkans and is a feature of Lebanese, Jordanian, Turkish, Greek, and Levantine cuisine.

Serves: 8-10
Difficulty: Easy
Prep and Cook time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 package Kataifi (shredded phyllo/fillo dough)
• 3 sticks of sweet cream butter melted
• 1 15oz package of ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozerella
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons samolina or farina
• 1 cup Mediterranean simple syrup for serving
• Ground pistachios for garnish

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• In a large bowl, crumble the kataifi (about 3/4 of the package) with your hands and then add melted butter and mix completely. Put half of the mixture in the bottom of a non-stick pan and spread out as a crust.
• In a large bowl combine the ricotta cheese and mozerella cheese. In a small pan slightly heat the milk for 1 minute and add the samolina and cook for 30 seconds, then add the mixture to the cheese mixture and combine well. Pour cheese mixture in the pan on top of the kataifi crust and spread evenly. Place the rest of the kataifi mixture evenly on top of the cheese mixture to form another crust on top.
• Place pan in oven and cook at 350-400 degrees for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Take out and let stand for 30 minutes and then invert into a nice plate and garnish with ground pistachio nuts. Serve with simple syrup.
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Brenda Novak's in the Lair

We're thrilled to welcome back NY Times Best-selling Romantic Suspense author Brenda Novak! Drumroll please!!

Brenda's my long-time friend, mother of five, and wife to hottie Ted. And she's flat-out the nicest person I know. Oh, yeah, and the author of 32 books. She also sponsors a hugely successful Online Auction for Diabetes Research.

Brenda, I know the auction is a project near to your heart. Can you tell us a little about it?
Third Auction Coupon winner is our very own Bandita CAREN CRANE -- yay, Caren!!

Brenda: When my son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at five years old, I knew enough about the disease to realize he would require constant care, but the long list of side effects really threw me. I thought if we gave him insulin, and he suffered through the many fingertip pricks and shots, he'd be fine. Unfortunately, that isn't necessarily the case. Diabetes affects every major organ--your heart, your kidneys, your liver, your nerves, etc.

THE FIRST WINNER OF THE $25 COUPON FOR BRENDA'S ONLINE AUCTION IS . . . JANE!!! Congratulations.

Then I thought about the number of people facing the same risks and knew I had to fight back. I decided it might be smart to do an event on my web site so that my fans and publishing friends could participate--and the idea for my auction was born. This will be auction #5. Last year, we raised $252,300. This year we're shooting for $300,000.

We have over 2,000 fabulous items up for auction, many of which you can't get anywhere else. And this year we'll have something new--$1 "Buy it Now" opportunities for aspiring writers. This will enable them to get their work in front of some of the most prestigious agents and editors in publishing for only $1. I will randomly list these items throughout the auction--it could be in any category--and the first person to find such an item will be able to buy it for only $1! There will be other fun $1 "Buy it Now" auctions for those who are not writers.

Jo: Wow, Brenda! I love the new $1 “Buy It Now” opportunity! I've participated every year in the Auction since its beginning and love the excitement of bidding and the good feeling of knowing my money's going to a worthy cause. Can you tell us some of the items that are up for bid this year?

Brenda: One of my personal favorites is Anna DeStefano's Coach handbags. Who doesn't love a good handbag? LOL Or Dianne Despain's antique jewelry. I just got an antique cameo worth $600 from Kathryn Caskie. There are meet and greets with editors and agents, a fabulous painting from my all-time favorite artist Marilyn Sears Bourbon (I own three of her paintings and want more!), a whole list of fabulous offerings from Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love and Mary Buckham, a complete collection of Christine Feehan's wildly popular DARK series (all autographed), a stay in Nora Roberts' inn, opportunities for people to name a character in various authors' books (authors like legal thriller writer John Lescroart!), lunch with Barry Eisler in San Francisco, a handmade quilt from Anne Stuart, and over 100 autographed books from Booklovers Bookstore, including an autographed copy of one of the best books ever written--CLAN OF THE CAVEBEAR by Jean M. Auel.


The second winner of the $25 Auction Coupon is, ta da -- CrystalGB. Congratulations!
I could go on and on. There's SO much in this year's auction--something for everyone. And these items make unique gifts. You could immortalize your friend, sister or mother by buying the "name a character" item. How fun would it be to give that away?

Jo: You can find out more about the auction and the items for bid at Brenda's website --http://www.brendanovak.com/auction.shtml. Check it out! You don’t have to wait until May 1, when the auction officially starts to see what’s available and plan your strategy for bidding. The darrlin bands have a basket up for Auction this year and we’d love one of our readers to win it!

Now, let's hear something about your new series, Brenda. I know the books are The Perfect Couple, The Perfect Liar, and The Perfect Murder. The titles are so intriguing. Tell us more about them.

Brenda: I'm excited about these books! They're all part of my Last Stand series that began last year with TRUST ME, STOP ME & WATCH ME, but they're only loosely connected, both to the series and to each other, so they also stand on their own.

In THE PERFECT COUPLE, Zoe Duncan’s thirteen-year-old daughter goes missing from her own backyard while home sick from school and private investigator Jonathan Stivers is called on to help find her. But he's never had fewer leads to work with--and is sure of only one thing: Sam was taken by someone close to the family. He has no idea how close until he realizes that the “perfect” couple next door is anything but...

Jo: Ooooh, I love the premise of that story! Additionally, anyone who buys a copy of THE PERFECT COUPLE in the first week it comes out and sends Brenda the receipt will have the opportunity to join her fan club and receive a Brenda Novak tote with goodies. See details at http://www.brendanovak.com/ THE PERFECT COUPLE comes out Tuesday, July 28 so you'll need to buy it between July 28 and August 5 to be eligible.

Brenda: THE PERFECT LIAR is about obsession. After air force captain Luke Trussell goes home with the wrong kind of woman, he's falsely accused of rape, putting his career and his reputation at stake. He didn't force his attentions on the woman who's been coming on to him for months, but she has the bruises--and the DNA evidence--to make her claim convincing. And Karina Harter is determined to have him, or make him pay.…

In THE PERFECT MURDER, investment banker Sebastian Costas is trying to unravel the truth behind the murder of his ex-wife and son. The evidence suggests a murder-suicide, but something he heard the week before the killings won't allow him to accept that. He believes her second husband, a cop, killed her and the boy, then faked his own death. But proving it isn't easy--or safe.

Jo: These books sound wonderful. Look for THE PERFECT COUPLE's release on July 28.

Okay, now for a quick personality test. Will the REAL Brenda Novak please weigh in with her answers?

1. Favorite food? Thai food--Yellow curry (spicy ) I also love pizza, but I know that would make me sound like too much of a kid, sort of like picking a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

2. Preferred sleeping wear? Comfortable underwear

Jo: No need to elaborate!

3. Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig?

Hugh. I think he’s gorgeous, but I’m sort of mad at him right now. LOL I was planning on offering a day on the set and lunch with him as part of a promotion for my next book, and his publicist got involved AFTER I had it all lined up and screwed it all up. So sad…

Jo: Ah, now, that just breaks my heart. Hugh's quite popular in the Lair and as you can see, we're on a first name basis with him.

4. Favorite non-romance writer?

Wow--too many to pick just one. Margaret Mitchell is probably my all-time favorite. I think she’s as good as Charles Dickens at characterization. Someone who's still alive and writing? Philippa Gregory would be one. I read THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL while on a three-day drive to Cabo San Lucas with my entire family (yes, we drove!) and couldn’t put it down. Janet Evanovich is considered mystery, so I guess I can name her, too. :-)

5. Most romantic place in the world?

Prague. I visited the city last year and was captivated by its beauty. More than any other European city I’d seen on this particular trip (we drove through Germany, France, Italy, Monoco, and Austria, too) it felt we were stepping back to a far more romantic time and place. The famous Charles Bridge, which connects Old Town to Mala Strana was simply magnificent. And there seemed to be such an upbeat air to it all (whereas Venice had the feel of decay and ruin that made me depressed).

Thanks for joining us today in the Lair, Brenda.

Our final winner for a $25 Auction coupon goes to . . . wahooo!! RUTH C. Congrats, Ruth.

Brenda and I have some special prizes for our Bandita readers and friends.

First, throughout the day we’ll choose 4 random posters to win a $25 off coupon for Brenda’s Online Diabetes Auction. Check back often to see if you've won. Meanwhile check out the auction items at Brenda's website.

Second, at the end of the day one lucky poster will receive a free autographed copy of STOP ME, the book that was just nominated for a Rita.

Okay, readers, it’s your turn to weigh in. Ask Brenda anything you want to know about her career path, writing process, the auction, or her books.

Or, if you’d like to play the game, what are YOUR answers to the five questions above?

And don't forget to come back to see if you've won the $25 Auction Coupon!Source URL: http://extravagancedeplumes.blogspot.com/2009/04/
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Beautiful natural wallpaper

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Foolish By Appointment

"Well, the good news," Dr. Levine says, "is that you are not suffering from anemia." Dr. Levine looks at his computer screen, a graph appears. He studies it. "Yes, we have some kidney damage here but it's not serious yet. You're still okay." He scribbles in his pad. "Although your potassium levels are low," he looks up at me. "How would you like to handle this? Supplements or diet?" I shake my head...I'm not good with the diet thing, Doc. "Alright. I'll write you out a prescription for potassium tablets. I want you to come back in two weeks to take a blood test so that I can see if your levels have gone up." Sounds like a plan, Doc.

I get up. We shake hands. I head off on my merry. I was late and thought that I would miss my appointment, but no. He saw me right away. That was good. I need a break with all of these damn appointments. Thanks to WECARE I am governed by a large clock ticking on their enormous watch. I am running just steps ahead of a ponderous second hand chasing me around and around it's face. That's the purpose of WECARE I suppose. Just like the police try to wear you down by flight, WECARE tries to wear you down with appointments.

The cardiologist is next.

I walk to the Way and take it uptown to Starbucks. I get comfortable at a table and set up my laptop. I'm going to get comfortable because I intend on being here for the rest of the day. I start to log into IRC when Electra walks up to my table, standing over me. I take out my cash and peel off the money that I owe her. She also takes paperwork that I had scanned for her and had given to her through email and on he flashdrive. "Do you mind if I sit down and eat my lunch at your table, here?" She asks, pointing at the empty chair across the table from me. No problem, cop a squat. I motion to the chair. She sits and eats a lamb gyro. "My bag was stolen Friday night," she tells me. What?? To us...or to her now...the loss of your bag meant your entire life. I used to carry all that I owned in my bag. Everything. To have it stolen is to be completely robbed. Completely. So what happened? "I know how these Skeks think by now. I fell asleep in the waiting area and took my arm from around it for ten minutes...just ten minutes I nodded off and it was gone."

Consider the fact that this backpack of her's is HUGE. She must have passed out pretty solidly for someone to lift it up from beside her and run off with. I blinked. Just ten minutes. She noded ruefully. "I got up and walked around the entire Pennsylvania Station looking for it. Floor after floor, going through the garbage cans and I found it on the lower level, in a trash can, rifled through." Anything valuable taken? "My cosmetic case...what in the world would someone want with used cosmetics? And my hair curler." Pretty useless stuff. I shake my head. "But I'm fortunate," she wraps up the rest of her sandwich. "I got my clothes back. That would have been bad to have lost my wardrobe." She would be walking about in tattered, dirty clothing within weeks. I see.

She finishes her meal, puts it in her handbag, stands. "Well, it was nice catching up with you, and thanks for all of your help." Any time Electra. She walks off. I think about how we used to stay together every night. Inseparable. Watching over each other. It must be hard for her now to continue on her own without me. Or at least a little more difficult without the two of us together looking out for the other.

I remember those days, but not fondly. It was a hard life, a difficult life. There is nothing more grueling than to try to live life without sleep. Constantly worried about everything you own being stolen by tireless Skeksies that need no sleep. That wander about preying on tourists, drunken commuters and the homeless like elusive shadows that even the police are tired of chasing about. The police, whose sole purpose is not to protect the public from these thieves but to instead harass and harangue the homeless, punting them around Penn Station like misbegotten footballs.

My brother soon joins me at the establish- ment and we work until night, working on emails and the grant proposal while I would steal time to go on IRC to bullshit. Evening wore on until it was time to go, and we made our way to the Way and parted at Grand Central, where I rode home and stopped to buy some food from the grocery store before retiring home.

It was a long day. A long one. I was tired and made a quick dinner, then dove into bed. I bypassed IRC and just blogged before retiring.

You know I have to blog.

HobobobSource URL: http://extravagancedeplumes.blogspot.com/2009/04/
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Green Reflections

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Finding the Idiot Within

"So, how was your week, Hobobob?" Dr. D. asks.

It was alright. I didn't leave my room but twice. Maybe three times. If memory serves. I didn't leave it much. I like being in my room. Fucking ready to grow old and die there actually. I grin...I wish I had a tooth missing in front of my mouth so that I look goofy when I smile. "That sounds serious Hobobob, we already know that you have Social Anxiety. Staying in your room will only make it worse." I know that. I nod. I know all about that. I need to get out more. I don't have to heart to tell him that tomorrow I'll be standing before a classroom filled with students. I push the thought from my mind. I don't want to think about it, it would only freak me the fuck out.

"Are you listening to the relaxation tapes, Mr. Hobobob." Naaah, I think I can do all of this stuff without 'em. "You're trapped in your room though. It doesn't sound like you are coping well without them." He sits forward. Everyone in the room sits forward with him. I have a room filled with counselors. "Remember, the tapes are for your benefit. It can get you out of the house." I nod. I know he's right, but appointments do the same thing. They get me out and about. I don't say anything further to him though. He stares at me for a minute more before moving onto the next bozo.

Afterward, I head over to a liquor store, where I pick up a portable. It's been awhile since I've had a snootfull, so I avail myself. Then I walk to the Madison Starbucks. It's a nice day out, and I'm enjoying the plumage. Plumage...that's what my friends in Boston used to call women dressed provocatively in the streets. The day can be measured by the amount of plumage out. I walk and enjoy myself. Soon I'm at Starbucks and upon stepping in, the motherfucker is hot inside. I look around...what the Hell happened? Someone turn up the heat? I instantly know what I'm buying...Iced coffee.

I settle down and get online. My brother soon joins me. We work on our grant proposal. Hopefully this will give us enough money to continue on with the grand plan of getting poetry to the masses. I give my brother some cash so that he can go and get his own portable. No sooner does he return does Electra appear. "How much does a wine cooler go for?" She asks me. Around three dollars. " I have a few of them...would you be interested in buying them from me?" Lemmesee. I and my brother get up and indeed she does have a number of wine coolers and Kalhua Mudslides in her bag I grab a few and make a deal with her to give her some of the money tonight and some tomorrow. She agrees and off my brother and I scamper with the drinks.

Now we're cooking with gas.

I make it home later, and crawl into bed, going to sleep as fast as my head hits the pillow. I drool like a maniac all night long, the LAMICTAL doing its job in fucking me up. I wake up with slob all over my face, beard and pillow. Jeeezus Dayum! I get up and wash my face. What the fuck? I make microwaved shrimp for breakfast and get online. I went shopping last night so I have a cupboard and refrigerator full of food.

It is time to move. I have an appointment with some college kids today.

I meet my brother early in the morning at Starbucks and we get our marching orders online. We are to report to the twelfth floor classroom of Professor Lake and read poetry to his class. I am both excited and terrified. When my brother said that it was a go, my heart sank in my chest. Off we went, taking the Way down to the Borough of Manhattan Community College. It was a moderately sized classroom with the chairs all pushed to the walls, creating a large semi-circle. We took up positions before a wall covered with a chalkboard.

The classroom was filled with kids. It was amazing. We had their rapt attention and Professor Lake introduced us and OBSIDIAN gestured for me to take the first leg and read some of my pieces. I read two poems both about alcohol. Then OBSIDIAN read his. They sat there, riveted, listening without a sound. Then, it was time for questions and answers. I was never so nervous. I found myself repeating many of my answers over and over again. This only made me more frustrated, so that I did it more and more often, but overall it was in fact, both satisfying and enjoyable. One young man raised his hand: "This question is to Hobobob...I would assume that you drink alot. How do balance that with your writing. What I'm trying to say is that does it make your writing better?"

Who would have guessed the perspicacity of these young minds. Yes, I drink people. Some would say that I drink a lot. When it comes to writing poetry, it allows me to get out from under the problems that root me to the Earth, to escape my own mind. It allows me to break away and find that elusive spark inside. I caution them though: I'm not saying to go out and get a six pack of beer a pad and pen and start writing poetry. I'm just saying that I use it at times to write. You don't have to.

The class goes well. We give them writing exercises and they enjoy it. Soon, it is all over, and all of my nervousness was unfounded. I am relieved and will have to run to get to my Nephology appointment. I am running out of time. I say goodbye and thanks to Professor Lake and my brother and I run. He has his medical appointments at the VA hospital, and I have mine at Beth Israel.

We part company to meet later.

HobobobSource URL: http://extravagancedeplumes.blogspot.com/2009/04/
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