In Which I Gloat Over The Riches That Are Mine

Sunset, but which direction is true west?
It must be Saratoga, where you've stopped.
The sky aflame in all directions, best
Observed when slightly sloshed (or if you've dropped
Some ice cream down your cleavage and a lab
Awaits to lick it off -- or both; best not
To be too choosy). Even when it's drab
With just a dozen shades of fire, you've got
To let the awe take over. Such has passed
This day in my hometown, spent with a friend
From far away, who's seeing it new, a cast
Of good old pals alongside. Now I'll spend
A quiet ev'ning by the river. How
I wish you all could be with us right now.

In Which Distance Becomes Even More Meaningless

Most of my friends don't live here in Cheyenne,
But I still may pass entire days with them.
The internet is chiefly why I can,
That and a cell phone (what I have's a gem!).
In Saratoga Erin, graciously
Engaged in conversation, geeking out
And, of course, playing games with silly me
On Facebook. We are even on our bout
As these scant lines emerge, but we're mid-game
On number three, is all. How wonderful
That she has this free time, and she will spend
So much with me, in telepresence. Pull
Me from my dreary day? Well, I'll say yes!
And give all thanks that I've found Facebook chess!

In Which I Dash Off To A Greek Festival -- But Not Without Writing A Sonnet

The Greek Festival is my yearly excuse

To summon forth my Saratoga babes --

Punk Martha Stewart, and another muse

моя сузитчка. All of us are slaves

To music, food and dancing, and, yes beer.

It's one of those rare times when old Cheyenne

Is truly fun, this special time of year.

We also celebrate the growing span

Of years that PMS has lived -- you know

It was her birthday just this week -- why hold

A party when a big one's on? Hello!

With better food and music, lots of cold

Bud Light, and then the three of us, amuck.

Excuse me now -- the Greek food bug has struck!

In Which The Punk Martha Stewart Completes Another Fabulous Trip Around The Sun

Some people can make anything look good
Because they really just have that much style.
Upon a list of same one surely would
Include our Erin Easter. No worthwhile
Endeavor can't be bettered by her touch,
Be it some ramen noodles or that place
We once called Unabomber (it's too much
To detail here the magic she wrought). Face
The facts, Kate, this is one fantastic friend
Whom you can never thank enough for all
She's done to make your time pleasant to spend
While on this earth, except maybe to call
On everyone who reads this now to tell
Her happy birthday and to wish her well!

BONUS SONNET: In Which I Tsk A Slightly Neglected Friend About A Friend She May Be Neglecting

Oh Erin dear, if you are reading this,

You need to call your dear Gerry Kissell.

He's got some plans I'm sure you'd hate to miss,

And I would like to know of them as well.

I friended him on Facebook on a whim,

As I've been thinking of the things he does

Of which you've told me often. To meet him

I'd like to do someday for real. It was

His birthday also, on this very day!

So take that step and call Blade Runner Boy.

That's all for now I really have to say,

Except I miss you and I wish you joy.

Your busy summer season's starting soon.

And I won't get to Togie till mid-June.

December 22, 2012

I must confess amusement at the fuss
Regarding one partic'lar future date:
December 21st in three years. Thus,
As near as I can follow this debate,
The world may end according to one crowd,
All time itself, according to a friend
In Saratoga (though she has allowed
That measurement of time is what might end,
All notions merging, globbing to just "now" --
Which I oft think is hap'ning anyway.
The internet has made it so). But how,
The skeptics 'mong us ask, is this the day?
The Mayans' reckoning is old and fine
But is a cycle's end such cause to whine?

A Second Viewing Of Coraline, Made More Fun By Watching My Friend Watch It

"I feel like I'm on acid," said my friend,
As we put on our 3D glasses while
The previews spooled before us. "Do attend,"
I said. "The film will even more beguile
You with its lovely 3D trippiness."
The needle poked out and she jumped a yard
Above her seat with adm'rable finesse.
With that we had her absolute regard.
All softened up she watched the film enrapt,
The visuals and story held her keen
Attention. Like two kids we squealed and clapped
As wonders beyond count filled up the screen.
To say that she and I liked Coraline
Would be like saying roses like sunshine.