More Birthday
I received a poem about me in an email. That doesn't happen every day, so I thought I'd post it. This is a couple of pics of the poet, from the late Seventies of the last century when we used to hang out with the gang.

I have a friend, his name is Dan
I've known him for too long
but truth is I have never really
known my friend at all
This guy is skinny, yet eats well
Not great-looking, but, oh well
stylish, in a funny way
He's just unique, I guess I'd say
I'm kinda' sad, don't see him much
sometimes often out-of-touch
He was one of those people who hurt a lot
but smiled when you thought he'd not
getting old, turned 49
I wonder if he still is kind?
Or got a mean-streak, along the way
would be too bad, cuz' he's okay
Tough thing, all this we share
sadness, and, oh yes, beware
I'd give that guy ten million bucks
and a fleet of pick-up trucks
to haul away the shit he's seen
kinda' like a bad-old dream
say hello, if you see him
Happy Birthday, got to free him
when you're happy, the world is too
hanging tough in the Robot Zoo!!
---MJP

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Miscellany
We had a couple of tornadoes touch down over the weekend. Apparently it is more accurate to refer to them as "land spouts" but I wouldn't know the difference. They were recounting the amount of weird weather we've had. For a while all you heard about was the lack of rain and moisture, no snow on the slopes etc. Then we were in the midst of a snowstorm, then there were floods everywhere, and now tornadoes. The explanations seemed designed to placate everyone. "Oh this is pretty normal stuff" for one reason or another that I can never follow.

I had a good birthday week. Many thanks to everyone who expressed good wishes. It's amazing how many avenues of communication there are these days.There were some emails, one e-card, one snailmail card, an Instant Message, one card given in person, a phone call, and some messages sent through MySpace. I got glasses, a dinner, a growler of fancy beer, two Word Find Puzzle books, some popcorn, and some cash. Very gratifying to be remembered by so many.

Life continues. I am still struggling with my cartoon scripts. I had a run-in of sorts with the story editor last week, which was upsetting. I went on strike for a day or so and then got back in the saddle. I haven't heard back on the latest version. I continue to do my Yoga almost every day. I am slowly getting better at the poses as my muscles stretch little by little. I can now touch my feet to the floor in plow position. It used to feel like I was going to choke to death, but now it's almost pleasant. I've got a pretty nice life going after all these years.