Day 69b - More Party Shots

I have posted a follow-up page on the Halloween Party to showcase more pictures of people, their friends, and companions.

Here's a shot of BumblyBee, Cindy, Jude, Steve, and Pam. They all did a great job on their costumes - don't you think?


Well - no one saw it coming - but Roggles has posted a blog entry of shots from the party. You can link to it here - if that's what you feel like doing.

Boo to George Bush.

Day 69: Gilman and Snowy At The Party

Tis the night before Halloween, and Roggles, BumblyBee, and HalfABee hosted a party at Roggles's old place on Bayswater. Notable attendees included Melanie, Jude, Cindy, Gilman, Pam, Jack Sparrow, and even Heidi Pass - Dan's high school sweetie!

I decided to come as "Samwise the Brave" and with the aid of a costume obtained from Shopper's Drug Mart, some elven rope, a bag of dirt from the Shire, and some Lembas Bread (McDonald's Fries) - I was prepared for anything.

In this picture, I battle the treacherous Shelob


Gilman joined me as well - dressed as a magic 8-ball. Various party-goers shook him and he would reveal their future - usually in the form of "All signs point to No".


Gilman and I arrived at 9:15 to find the place filled entirely with people we did not know. At 9:30, all the other partygoers (except for Greg) left for another party - leaving the place remarkably quiet.

Later on, BumblyBee, Roggles and the others arrived, but I will let Roggles and others continue the story in their blog entries (as Roggles took quality digital pictures).

Happy Halloween!

Day 68: Girl In The World

Since you all keep asking for it (Thank you Chance and Slippers!), this is another one of my songs. It's from a slightly different perspective than usual, and is actually the last one I've written (from back in July 2003 - a bit of a dry spell since then). It's the old standard C, F, G with the occasional D/C chord. Nothing fancy - but I do like this one.

"Girl In The World"

Someone let me out of here
I cannot stay another day
I've got to go; there is no choice
I have to move along

No I'm never coming back
I hate this town; I hate this life
There is a world for me to see
I'm heading there today

Now don't you cry, my darling one
I still love you - you know it's true
But I can't stay, grow old with you
I can't be settled down

You can find another girl
Who'll worship you and love you true
And share your home, your hopes and dreams
And build a perfect life

But it's not me, I can't be that
I'm not the one you really need
Can't take your hand, or be your wife
I'm not ready for the tomb

Chorus:
Cause I'm just a girl alone in this world
I'm chasing down the sun
I want to see and do everything
Fall in love with everyone

I'm only a girl, a girl in the world
Running down the night
My mind and soul will rise above
My body will take flight

Interlude

Already I am far away
Down open roads and starry skies
With just the book that's in my head
To get me through the night

But still you sit emotionless
Please understand you're not the first
The first one that I've ever loved
And you won't be the last

Cause yes I've been through this before
It is my way, you have to know
The leopard cannot change her spots
Even if she tries

So goodbye love, this is the end
But it's OK - all good things die
The only things that can endure
Are those that never change

But my love comes and my love goes
The seasons change, the world's reborn
I see new life begin again
It has to be this way

Chorus:
Cause I'm just a girl alone in this world
I'm chasing down the sun
I want to see and do everything
Fall in love with everyone

I'm only a girl, a girl in the world
Running down the night
My mind and soul will rise above
My body will take flight

Ending:
You don't understand
You don't understand
You don't understand
You don't understand - me

---

Copyright: Croftonsongs, 2003

Day 67: Chicken Experiment - Day 3

Call me stubborn - call me a fool - but I decided to continue the chicken experiment for one last day - until the tin ran out.

In this reenactment, Chance and Slippers can be seen happily munching
on their chicken breakfast.


Warning: The above photo is a forgery! Though it is true that Chance and Slippers happily ate the last of the chicken this morning - I did not take a picture and can offer no documentary evidence. This picture was actually taken this evening as they enjoyed the start of a fresh tin of Seafood Supreme.

Day 66: Chicken Experiment - Day 2

Day 65: Chance Hates Chicken!

I bought the cats a variety of Friskies flavours recently: "Seafood Supreme", "Whitefish Tuna", and "Chicken Dinner". Normally the opening of a fresh tin is a huge moment in our household - the happiest the cats get all day: a time for great rejoicing!

But today I crack open a fresh can of "Chicken Dinner" to feed them, and Chance takes one sniff, huffs, and walks away! A hungry cat who won't eat! Slippers had no such problem and polished off his in no time.

Now I do understand his finickiness. But Chance loves seafood and won't touch the chicken. He's no son of mine!

In this reenactment, Slippers munches on Chance's dinner while Chance watches, bewildered.

Day 64: Bath Time for Slippers

Slippers! Slippers! It's Sunday night and time for your bath!

Day 63: The Hank and Lily Show

As an aspiring armchair amateur guitarist and songwriter, I enjoy music, musicians, making music, and listening to music. And I don't do it enough!

Anwyays - On Wednesday night, Peter and I went to The Railway Club to see Peter's sister's band: Hank Pine and Lily Fawn. Very entertaining stuff! Having known Jana -er Lily since she was quite small it is interesting to see her as a madcap entertainer. She's a drummer who specializes in the electric saw - but also plays a muted trumpet, the cowbell, and other things. In one of their songs she did a brief tap dancing interlude! Their music is unique: it seems equally inspired by The Pixies (if they had let Kim Deal sing more - Lily has an interesting ethereal voice), a vague country/western tradition, concept bands like Thrill Kill Kult, and I personally think Hank sounds a bit like Beck. All their songs are on deliberately "weird" subject matter: e.g. Laika, Janet the Angel (who was too fat to fly), Foetus Lake, The Ballad of the Dancing Bear, The Hermit in the House of God, etc.

And it is a cliche to be sure - but they are definitely best live. They have an entertaining stageshow - it's nice to see a band who care about presentation and the whole package - not just the music. They get it. Lily has a great stage presence: projecting a vaguely amateurish extrovert charm with infectious enthusiasm. A good contrast to her more professional, odd, introverted mask-wearing partner. Hank produces a graphic comic book about their character's lives - . They do a good job of "getting you on their side" - it's easy to like them if they are having fun while they perform!

So do check them out if you get the chance! Tell them Snowy sent you!

Day 62: A Strange Dream

Chance slowly awoke and looked at Slippers. They licked each others faces and talked of breakfast.



But Chance wondered... "Did I just dream about playing baseball? And why didn't I get the game winning home run?"

Slippers responded thusly - "Chance - your thoughts are not your own - they are those of a writer. We are his creations."

"How very interesting! How on earth do you know that?"

"I suppose that I was written to know that - just as you were written to ask the question."

"Really? How very interesting! But this thinking is making me tired. To bed!"



And Slippers and Chance slept soundly for hours and hours.

Day 61: Cat Baseball

It is a gloomy October evening in the Bronx. 60,000 fans stand in rapture at the unfolding spectacle. From the visitor's dugout, a slight man with a slightly French accent surveys the angry mob and smiles. He then turns to his team and turns the smile upside down. Such is a manager's way of motivating his team.

"You are pathetic! Each and every one of you! Seven innings and you can only manage 1 hit?"

The team looked sheepish - they had let their manager down - and they knew it.

"But it ends here. It ends now. You will play hard! 100% effort - no less! Now we still only trail the Yankees 3-0. Not bad for a reject team of cats and bloggers. I believe in you. All of France believes in you." The patriotic strains of "La Marseillaise" could almost be heard in the tone of his voice.

"Gilman! You're up first! Knock 'em dead."

The fishy shortstop nodded to Tin Foiled, grabbed "Old Reliable" and stepped quietly to the plate. He gazed an unblinking stare at Mariano Rivera and quickly went down on 3 straight called strikes.

"Well - I guess that's why you bat 9th. Back to the top of the order! Snowy - you're up. Do something good for a change."

The gangly right-fielder came to the plate. She was a speedy runner (and base stealer), but rarely hit for power. On the first pitch she squared to bunt - and dropped a beauty down the third base line - easily beating out Alex Rodriguez's problematic throw. The cat was safe at first and licked her paws to clean the dirt.

"Well done Snowy! Now Rojito Osito - you're next!"

Osito prided himself on his power game - and tonight would be no different. With three furious swings (each followed by a hand to the forehead as he followed the imaginary flight of the ball) he was out swinging. He grumbled under his breath and sat in the seat of shame beside the water cooler.

"Well that's as expected. Who bats 3rd? Karlsen!"

The catcher came to the plate with a gruff smile. But perhaps distracted by the shiny lights and pondering the essence of his all-too-brief existence he hit a shallow fly ball into the gaping glove of Hideki Matsui. The side was retired.

The bottom of the 8th saw the Yankees threaten with base hits by Jeter and Rodriguez. But Sheffield went out swinging on a Nutmilk curve ball, and then Matsui hit a slow roller to shortstop. Gilman knew what to do. He quickly fired to Slippers, who relayed to Chance in time to beat out the Japanese slugger.

"OK - to the 9th inning! This is our last opportunity! Go team!"

"Hooray!" shouted Bumbly Bee, third basewoman. As the cleanup hitter, she came to the plate with a lightning smirk. From the cheap seats, Howard and Auggie cheered her on.

The first pitch was a hanging breaking-ball, and Bumbly powered it into the gap in left-center - a lead-off double. Auggie shouted "Go Bumbly Bee!" but was shouted down by the Yankee fans around him.

The left-fielder and newest member of the team, Gned the Gnome, was up next. He benefited from his microscopic strike zone and advanced to first base on 4 straight balls. He danced a jig in celebration. After a modest pause, the first basemen joined him and the fans erupted in celebration.

Slippers was next. He had not been a factor from the plate this game - but this would now change! He hit a looper single into center field - but not deep enough to score Bumbly from second base. The bases were loaded with nobody out for the first baseman.

Chance meowed in anticipation. Snowy meowed back in encouragement. On the first pich, he walloped a deep fly ball. This one is going, going, caught on the warning track. Chance threw down his helmet (and then chased it) - but the sacrifice fly was enough to score Bumbly Bee. One out.

"We're on the board! It's 3-1! Now it's Nutmilk's turn."

The lanky pitcher took her turn at bat. After two controversial low strikes, she smacked the 0-2 pitch into right field for a single. Gned's little legs prevented him from scoring - so the bases were now loaded for the number 9 hitter.

"Gilman! Let's see what you can do!"

Gilman stared the pitcher down. The first two pitches were called strikes down the middle. "Come on Gilman - you can do it! Just swing! Swing Gilman Swing!"

Gilman turned to Tin Foiled, smiled and blinked. The manager gasped - no one had ever seen Gilman blink! Then on the very next pitch, Gilman took a mighty rip at a fastball. But it was going too high. After picking up some ice in the stratosphere, it started to come down. But the umpire franticly waved his arms signalling that the infield fly rule was in effect. Gilman was out and the runners could not advance. He slinked back in disappointment. Two outs.

Snowy was next. She hit a slow roller into the hole as shortstop. Derek Jeter turned to his right, dove for it - and quickly fired to first... but not in time to catch the speedy feline! Gned scampered across the plate and it was 3-2.

Osito was next. "This calls for a home run!" he announced. Tin Foiled tried to encourage him. "I think you're due!" Truly the season was now on the line.

The first three pitches were high and outside. With one more ball, the tying run would score. The next pitch was also high and outside - but Osito somehow liked this one and took a mighty swing. Whoosh! 3 and 1.

"It's OK - I've got my bearings now."

The next pitch came down. The fans didn't need their seats as they all were standing. Somewhere in the deep bleachers, Lee and Kyla shouted "Viva Osito!" Rojito heard their cry and banged a long fly ball to dead center field. This one is going, going, gone!!! It's grand salami time!

"I knew you could do it!" Osito smugly rounded the bases to gasps of astonishment. The cats meowed him an encouraging congratulations.

Finally Karlsen anticlimatically grounded back to the mound - and the side was retired - but not before they'd taken a 6-3 lead.

"OK - it's the bottom of the 9th. Nutmilk - it depends on you."

Nutmilk looked to the heavens and called on all the strength in her arthritic frame. Williams struck out swinging. But Posada did not go down easily: he hit a bloop single to center. And when Sierra followed this hit with one of his own, the Yankee faithful breathed a sigh of relief. The World Series could still be theirs. The tying run was now at the plate in the form of Tony Clark. And there was only 1 out. But Clark hit a sharp ground ball to the fishy shortstop. Would Gilman be up to the challenge?

I'll let the New York papers tell what happened next with an immortal poem penned that very day.

"Baseball's Sad Lexicon"

These are the saddest of possible words:
"Gilman to Slippers to Chance."
Trio of fish cats, and fleeter than birds,
Gilman and Slippers and Chance.
Ruthlessly pricking our gonfalon bubble,*
Making a Yankee hit into a double--
Words that are heavy with nothing but trouble:
"Gilman to Slippers to Chance."



Hooray!
We win the World Series!

Day 60: Born on the Water

As my readers are tired of being reminded, I am the Uplands Club Championship - a position that carries considerable rights, perks, and responsibilities.

One perk is that I get to travel to the RCGA Club Champions Tournament for 2005 (paid for by Uplands no less). This event is being held in Sault Ste. Marie from June 20 to June 25 at the Crimson Ridge Golf Club. It will be exciting! Apart from the high-level golf competition, it will be fun to visit a part of the country that I have never been to. I was hoping to get a chance to finally see Toronto, Montreal, or Ottawa - but I will have to manage with the metropolis of Sault Ste. Marie. I will turn this into a key part of my 2005 vacation plans. Who needs Paris when you have Sault Ste. Marie?

As for my game itself? It's only October - but I am playing great! I had a good weekend (despite the rain on Sunday) shooting 70 at McCleery and 72 at Fraserview.I narrowed Peter's 2004 lead on Golfer of the Year to 19-16-7. Peter was hampered by his decision to drink until 4:30AM and then get up at 7AM to play golf. Pundits are unsure which half of his decision was the worse: but they are leaning towards declaring "getting up" as the truly bad decision.

Work is busy, busy, busy these days - but I am enjoying it! Who'd have ever guessed that. Tis truly topsy-tervy times to travel through.

Day 59: Chance Ponders His Mortality

"Slippers?" Chance lay at the end of the bed staring at the ghostly image of another cat in the mirror.

"Mmmm-mmmmm-mmmm-eee-wwww," dreamed Slippers as he roamed the great outdoors. The sky was blue, the mice were fat and playful, and there were fresh tins of Friskies at every corner. His legs twitched.

"What happens when we die?" Chance continued - cocking his head slightly to one side as he eyed his reflection. Was he still in the prime of health?

Slippers did not answer his brother as he remained lost in dream.

"It's just not fair that a cat's life is so short," continued Chance, "I may well be the cutest cat in grade number three - but I am already middle aged. If I was Geoffrey's age - I'd have lived twice already! And what's he done with his time? Nothing!"

Chance stopped his speech and now eyed the window. There was something out there - some thing loping about in a most irregular and unorthodox manner. Or was there? Just as he started to suspect that the night was playing tricks on him - he drew back and shuddered.

"Gilman!"

Gilman appeared at the window, put his finger over his mouth, as if urging the cats to quiet. Through a small crack in the window, he left behind a small bag of cat treats.

"Slippers! Slippers!" Chance jostled his brother, "Wake up! We've been visited!"

Slippers rubbed his eyes as he slowly awoke. Gilman was gone, but the gift remained.

"What is it?"

"It's beautiful. It's from Gilman. He's a friend. Let us feast on the treats."

So Slippers and Chance enjoyed the offering from their fishy admirer.

"We were wrong to be afraid of him simply because of his strange manner and difficult odor. But the past is past - and let us now rejoice in our new friendship!"

Day 58: Once More With Feeling

I finally got around to watching the much hyped "Once More With Feeling" episode of Buffy yesterday - and have to say that it more than lived up to its considerable reputation! I won't need to borrow Tin Foiled's CD because I downloaded the music onto my computer - which I don't feel bad about doing as I own the DVD itself. I also watched the extra features - which includes a "Hey This Is My Verse" Karaoke feature.

I was surprised that it wasn't a departure from the plot - if anything more of the plot was advanced in this episode than usual. And they even explained why everyone was singing and dancing - which you have to confess that in the Sunnydale universe was not a big deviation from the norm.

The songs were good, emotionally direct - and relevant to the characters and their struggles. I loved the counterpoint in the reprises (especially "I'm Under Your Spell"). It's been said before - but Joss Whedon is a genius: I laughed, I cried, I did a little dance - and felt a growing appreciation for the genius of Stephen Sondheim.

The episode and CD get a perfect review of 4 out of 4 Slippers.

Day 57: Slippers And Chance Wish You A Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!
- slippers and chance

Day 56: Thankful for Thanksgiving

This past weekend was Canadian Thanksgiving, so I went home to Victoria and ate turkey and ham with my family. Highlights of Thanksgiving included:

1) Uncle Jono and Auntie Daphne having an argument over the benefits of Residential Schools to the BC First Nations. Daphne thought they horrible, while Jono thought they were unfairly maligned.

2) My nephew Jack (Age 3) has a long established love of ghosts and has recently "twinned" this interest with the Olsen Twins: Mary-Kate and Ashley. Before dinner, he and Amanda(5) did a series of doodles: all 3 of his were titled "Mary-Kate and Ashley with Ghost". Much like Picasso during his Blue period, Jack is going through his "Mary-Kate and Ashley with Ghost" period: who knows how long it will last?

3) As for my nieces Jade(6) and Paige(4) - they are no vegetarians and I think that Jade ate as much turkey as I did! Jade's only 6 - but is well over 4-feet. We are projecting that she will end up as tall as me: 6'2" - and probably by age 14. Hopefully the world of tomorrow is ready to embrace tall women - and she won't be shuffled into a ghetto of glamorous supermodels and WNBA superstars.

Meanwhile back in Victoria, I competed in the Uplands Thanksgiving Tournament. I saw this a good occasion to put an exclamation point on my Club Championship Win - and to win a turkey and ham (the prize for overall low gross). Could I do it?

It was a shotgun start - and I would begin on the par 3 9th hole. I was playing with former Club Champion (and my arch-nemesis) Wally Vogelsang - and though it wasn't technically a match (This was a stroke play event, and I had to beat the whole field - not just Wally) - I decided to pretend it was a match against Wally. Let's see how we did!

Uplands Thanksgiving Day Tournament:
(remember - we're starting on 9, so we'll finish on 8).
9. 182(3): I hit a 4-iron to 30 feet and two-putted for par. A solid start. Wally hits the green and pars too. GC:0, WV:0
10. 351(4): I hit a 3-iron into the left rough, then hit an 8-iron 60 feet to the back of the green! I calmly 2-putt for par, as does Wally. GC:0, WV:0
11. 160(3): I hit an 8-iron to 30 feet left of the pin, and leave the putt in the jaws and settle for a third straight par. Wally pars as well. GC:0, WV:0
12. 425(4): I hit a good drive down the fairway, while Wally is very short and slightly right. Advantage Crofton! Wally leaves his second short of the green - but so do I. He chips to 4 feet above the hole (a dangerous leave) - while I almost chip in. He makes the par save. GC:0, WV:0
13. 280(4): Wally and I both hit solid mid-irons to the 100 yard mark. Wally almost shanks it in the water and misses the green right. I hit a LW to only 3 feet! He gets up and down for par, but I make the birdie. GC:-1, WV:0
14. 400(4): Normally I hit a 3-iron here, but the ground was wet and it was in to the wind - so I hit a driver - and I hit it beautifully - right by the 150 in the left rough. Wally split the fairway but was 30 yards shorter (his usual spot). I miss the green left, while Wally hits it safely on and makes par. I chip it to 4-feet and make the putt. GC:-1, WV:0
15. 454(5): I hit a safe 5-iron layup, while Wally hits a more agressive 3-wood. Both safe. I then hit a 6-iron down the fairway leaving 95 yards. Wally lays up as well. Wally then hits a decent wedge to 20 feet - but I hit a wedge to 12 feet and make the putt. Wally misses. GC:-2, WV:0
16. 324(4): I hit a thin 3-iron short down the middle, while Wally hits a good iron as well. I hit a PW to 30 feet, but Wally chunks his second and leaves it short of the green. He chips to 6 feet and misses the par save. I 2-putt for par. GC:-2, WV:+1
17. 163(3): My 7-iron goes to 15 feet, while Wally hits a shot to 30 feet. He leaves his first putt 5 feet short and misses the par save. I leave the birdie putt way short too but make the par. GC:-2, WV:+2
18. 388(4): We both split the fairway and are at the 150. The difference? I hit a 3-iron and he hits 3-wood. I hit it to 20 feet and he hits it to 15 feet. We both miss. GC:-2, WV:+2
1. 419(4): My best drive of the day is 280 down the pipe. I let out a "Whoo-Hoo". Wally is very short but down the middle. He hits his wood second shot to the left. I hit a 9-iron to 20 feet - but miss the putt. He doesn't get it up and down and now I have an insurmountable lead. GC:-2, WV:+3
2. 398(4): I decide to start hooking it, and put it behind a tree in the left rough. Wally is down the middle again (he hits 12 of 14 fairways on the day!). I hit a punch-hook 6-iron from 130 onto the green and make a safe par. Wally misses the green right but 2-putts from the fringe. GC:-2, WV+3
3. 362(4): I duck-hook a 3-iron into a tree. Wally is where else? Down the middle. I hit a good sweeping 5-iron hook from 150 within a tree with a restricted backswing to beside the green, while Wally puts it to 15 feet. I chunk the chip and leave it 15 feet short - and miss the putt. But Wally can't buy a putt today. GC:-1,WV:+3
4. 177(3): I hit a 5-iron over the back, while Wally hits it 30 feet short. This was our KP hole (Handicap 0-8) - and Wally now has the KP and will win the ham if it holds up! But it doesn't hold up because Paul Lecomte beats him and Wally goes home hamless. I get up and down for par, while Wally two-putts. GC:-1,WV:+3
5. 386(4): I hook it again - almost in the left bunker. Wally hits it... down the middle. I hit a good 8-iron to the center of the green - right beside Wally's 5-iron. We both miss the birdie putts. GC:-1,WV:+3
6. 434(4): Time for another snap hook - this time deep into the trees left. Wally hits it down the middle but short. I hit an amazing 70-yard hook from 190 with a 4-iron (I even had to take an outside/in swing to avoid a tree) and leave it only 40 yards from the green. I chip it to 6-feet and make the par save. Wally chips it to 12 feet and misses the par try. Wally must be really shaking his head now! At this point I realize that Wally is beat - and that I should win the tournament. The 7th and 8th holes at Uplands are probably the two easiest holes on the course! GC:-1,WV:+4
7. 493(5): I absolutely smash it right down the middle, while Wally misses a rare fairway and is in a tree left. He hits a great recovery almost to the 150s. I have 232 in, and decide to hit a 3-iron and not a 5-wood as I don't want to risk too much. I stripe it right at the flag and it takes a big hop and kicks onto the front edge leaving me 50 feet for eagle. Wally hits the green and makes a boring par. I hit a great eagle putt and it lips out. Easy birdie - but I have never eagled the 7th hole - and this one was close. GC:-2, WV:+4
8. 315(4): This is my last hole. A birdie gets me a 67 and would break my all-time record. This would be cool. Wally is no longer a factor, but I can record that he hit the fairway, then the green, and made a boring par. OK - back to my tee shot - I hit an uncharacteristic miss - a slight fade into the right rough - and now my shot is blocked out by a tree! Am I feeling the pressure? Hmm - I'm not left with much - about 100 yards - but I have to play a punch cut 7-iron to avoid the branches. I hit it - and it's perfect - it rolls up to only 6-feet. 6-feet to separate me from destiny. It's a simple right-to-left putt - the preferred putt for a right handed golfer. Feeling the pull of this special moment, I step up and... miss it left. It's only a par.

SUMMARY: GPC shoots 68, Wally shoots 74. GPC wins!

I get in to the clubhouse and have not one but three beers with Wally (and some others). He has been well beaten on this day. We trade stories of previous Club Championship matches, and he shares tales of his golf beginnings in Winnipeg. Perhaps Wally is a gracious man - and I have misjudged him? But then I remember when he threatened me when my golf cart was too squeaky. Oh well - I guess these things happen to us all.

We find out that I did win the tournament but that Wayne Little had shot 70 - so I actually only won by 2 shots. Huston Hill and Wally tied for 3rd. I get my turkey and ham which are sitting in my freezer right now. I am already looking forward to a second Thanksgiving Weekend next week.

On the ferry trip back to Vancouver, I glanced through the November Cosmo with Buffy on the cover- but the article itself was disheartening. Buffy insists on calling herself "Sarah" and at the beginning mentions how she just saw a Kid Rock show with some friends. She then gushes "Omigod, he is so talented." Oh Buffy - how could you? But then I went home and watched a couple good episodes from Season 6 - the next one is even the famous "Once More With Feeling" episode that Paul keeps rattling on and on about.

Day 55: The Boy Without a Soul

It looks like Indian Summer has ended - and we find ourselves dealing with a typical Vancouver autumn day: foreboding, gray, drizzling.

This is a melancholy song for such days - possibly my most personal.

It uses some of my usual friends: Cmaj7, Fmaj7, G, D, Am, and C.

"The Boy Without a Soul"

There he goes, the boy without a soul
Sitting quietly on his own, watching people go
Here he is, the boy without a soul
Never feeling anything, letting chances go

But he has a dream that he can be
In touch with every living thing
And see all that they see
And feel all that they feel

Believing there's a place under the sun
For one, such as he must be
A boy alone forever
Gazing through the window helplessly

(short instrumental break)

Still he waits, the boy without a soul
Faces come, and then they go - still he sits alone and silent
What does he want? The boy without a soul
There's a world full of wonders - all he has to do is step outside

And see people living lives
With hopes, and pain and joy
It's not hard for him to join them
If he takes a step and goes outside

But still he waits in his dark room
Perhaps it's best to go to sleep
Quietly killing time till death
He is the boy without a soul

(repeat music and fade out)

---

Copyright: Croftonsongs, 2003

Day 54: Looking Backwards

Greetings all you gentle men and gentle women!

In this golden age of plenty, the widespread poverty of the past has been mostly conquered: and though pockets of hardship and deprivation exist, for the most part the Canadian peasantry is well-fed, happy, productive, and healthy. This is a shame. For unlike most of you rabble whose ancestors crawled out of the gutter within the past century, my forebears hail from a distinguished line and were born to rule from golden thrones! Not through ability or merit - but by the way these things should be determined: accident of birth. But the meritocracy has stripped us of power and privilege in incremental steps and I now find myself considered an equal of you, gentle reader. Since a gathering indolence prevents me from escaping this humdrum life, let us instead look backwards into the happier days of lords, ladies, and eternal garden parties - and in some small way relive the glorious past. Rule Brittania!

In this first look into the chasms of history, I map out the connection to a most illustrious relative, a man recently voted "Greatest Briton" by BBC viewers: Winston Churchill.

But let's start with me!



1. Geoffrey Patrick Crofton (Jan. 2, 1973 - )
I was born in Halifax N.S., the 4th of 4 children. A graduate of the University of Victoria, I now live in Vancouver and work for a large telecommunications company. I have 2 cats: their names are Chance and Slippers.

2. Marcus Livingstone Crofton (Nov. 19, 1937 - )
m. Elizabeth Jane Churchill (Nov. 12, 1943 - )
My dad was born at Ganges, B.C. on Saltspring Island, and is the 2nd of 3 children. He served in the Canadian Navy for over 30 years and now works as BC/Yukon Director for the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. My parents live in Victoria, B.C.

3. Dermott Kenneth Crofton (May 17, 1904 - 1994)
m. Doris Livingstone Taylor (Oct 9, 1904 - May 1, 1979)
My grandfather was born at Ganges, B.C. on Saltspring Island, the eldest of 7 children. He lived his whole life on Saltspring Island, where he ran the bar at Harbour House hotel, among other pursuits. He was an avid golfer and helped build the Saltspring Island Golf Course. A gifted athlete, he loved all sports - especially field hockey and bore an uncanny resemblance to Sam Snead.

4. Alfred Gerald Crofton (Jun 18, 1882 - Oct 3, 1942)
m. Frances Nona Wilson
Fred was born in Ireland and emigrated to Saltspring Island with his two brothers (Frank and Ernest) when he was but 15 years old. Hardly a child of privilege, he worked as a farmer when the brothers acquired some land on the island (when it cost pennies an acre). He served in WWI and was gassed at Ypres! Afer the war, they built the Harbour House hotel, which became the preeminent hotel on the island. He is buried in the cemetery by the golf course with a shamrock on his grave.

5. Francis George Crofton (June 7, 1838 - Sep 30, 1900)
m. Emily Augusta Caulfield
Francis Crofton lived in Ireland and served for many distinguished years in the Royal Navy. He wrote a book on the Croftons called "The Story of Mote".

6. Edward Crofton, Second Baron Crofton (Aug 1, 1806 - Dec 17, 1869)
m. Lady Georgina Paget (1809 - 1875)
The Croftons lived at Mote Park, Roscommon, Ireland. An interesting website on their legacy can be found here. I visited Roscommon during my 1999 trip to Ireland. Mote Park is not lived in anymore and has fallen into ruin.

7. Lady Charlotte Stewart (1777-1842)
m. Edward Crofton, Third Baronet Crofton (Oct 23, 1778 - Jan 8, 1816)
Edward Crofton died at age 37, a suicide.

8. John Stewart (7th Earl of Galloway) (Mar 13, 1736 - Nov 13, 1806)
m. Anne Dashwood
The 7th Earl of Galloway was thoroughly disliked by Robert Burns, who wrote some satirical lines on him:

"What dost thou in that mansion fair?
Flit, Galloway, and find
Some narrow, dirty, dungeon cave,
The picture of thy mind !"

---

So this was me&Winston's common ancestor. Let us come back down the other side and look at Winston's side of the family.

---

1. John Stewart (7th Earl of Galloway) (Mar 13, 1736 - Nov 13, 1806)
m Anne Dashwood

2. Susan Stewart (Apr 10, 1767 - Apr 2, 1841)
m. George Spencer-Churchill (5th Duke of Marlborough) (Mar 6, 1766 - Mar 5, 1840)
So we have the two sisters Susan and Charlotte. One married the Duke of Marlborough while one married the Baronet Crofton. Tough break Charlotte!

3. George Spencer-Churchill (6th Duke of Marlborough) (Dec 27, 1793 - Jul 1, 1857)
m. Lady Jane Stewart (Mar 29, 1798 - Oct 12, 1844)
These two lovebirds were first cousins!

4. John Winston Spencer-Churchill (7th Duke of Marlborough) (Jun 2, 1822 - Jul 5, 1883)
m. Lady Frances Anne Emily Vane (Apr 15, 1822 - Apr 16, 1899)

5. Lord Randolph Henry Spencer-Churchill (Feb 13, 1849 - Jan 24, 1895)
m. Jeanette (Jenny) Jarome (1854 - Jun 29, 1921)
Lord Randolph scandalizes the world by marrying an American. After a bout of Rash 27, he dies of syphillis.

6. Rt. Hon Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill (Nov 30, 1874 - Jan 24, 1965)
m. Clementine Ogilvy Hozier (Apr 1, 1885 - 1977)
Winston was a history buff who delighted in researching his family's history - especially his favourite ancestor, John Churchill - the 1st Duke of Marlborough. He was a great friend to his cats and dogs - who he talked to regularly.

Conclusion: So Winston is my grandfather's 4th cousin - and my 4th cousin, twice removed. Pretty neat!

Sources: Internal Family Documents, The Internet


http://www.thepeerage.com
http://www.winstonchurchill.org
http://www.kentuckystewarts.com
http://www.worldroots.com

Day 53: Šta ima novo?

It is now the third day of my Richmond existence, and I have nothing to complain about. I bet you're surprised to hear that. The drive in to work is pleasant - my office seems quiet, and the pop in Two-Forward is free (though I don't drink it - as I have to watch my figure). And at the end of a long day, there are two hungry and happy cats waiting for me. Life is pretty sweet.

Anyways, the new cubicle structure at work is a square with an occupant in each corner. My area is already known as "Little Serbia" for my cellmates are Dragan, Vladan, and Jasmina - all of whom hail from Serbia and sometimes discuss matters amongst themselves in their native tongue. So I've decided to surreptiously learn the dialect so that I can eavesdrop on their discussions.

These conversations sound like this:
"Blah Blah Blah Geoffrey Blah Blah Blah Custom Build Blah Blah".

I see no reason why I can't be fluent in a fortnight? The first phrase I learned was the title of this blog: "Šta ima novo?" - and translates as "What's new?"

A good answer to this is "Ne znam srpski." - which means "I don't speak Serbian!"

But I will seek another answer: one that does not abruptly end the conversation.

Dovidjenja!

Day 52: The Birthday Party

Happy 7th Birthday to Chance and Slippers!

To honour the cats' birthdays (which is October 4th), I hosted an intimate gathering at my new Kerrisdale apartment. It was nothing too fancy (as was noted by the guests). BumblyBee, Jude, Roggles, and Gilman dropped by. All seemed impressed by the size of the apartment. BumblyBee brought the cats a couple of new catnip mice which they are enjoying as I write this. We ordered Domino's Pizza and ate a special Garfield-themed Dairy Queen ice cream cake!



We played a controversial game of 5-way tile rummy. After explaining the rules to Gilman, Roggles won.




Then we played Hearts with an hillarious Scooby Doo deck. Gilman skated to an easy victory.


But then Slippers got tired and had to go to bed, so our guests departed.


See you all next year!
- chance and slippers