9 Moons Ago

R.E.M. is my favouritistist eva band, just in case you didn’t already know. In fact, they are the reason why Cam and I met online. He’s known them since ‘89. This year is my first time meeting up with them.
My third concert. The first was in Hershey, PA in ‘95, but I was “psycho” with a nervous breakdown then, so don’t remember a lot. And the second was in ‘99, and feeling great, in NJ/Philly.
Their tour has been going strong for a while now and so I know they are probably very tired, but they put on the most dazzling show. I was in my element. Got up and danced to a few of the songs..sang along to several of them. And despite being in this state of mind, it made me wildly happy to see them. So much fun! It healed me in many ways. They played “Turn You Inside Out” which struck me the most, for some reason, and also “Everybody Hurts”. I was glad to see a few people standing up to dance during most of the show, where everyone was sitting down.
Gotta thank Cameron for being ACE and making this dream come true. I love ya!

A slew of pictures from after the show:

Backstage with Mike Mills and Ken Stringfellow! I was psyched! Blaspheming all over the place (Well, only once or twice after being plied with liquor..o.k. only 3 drinks, but big for me. Ahem..Of course, NOT recommended for ppl with bi-polar disorder, but it was a special occassion and it was over the course of several hours, Dad :-D):

Two very kewel R.E.M. fans we hung out with before and afterwards. Henrik (from Sweden) and Gail (from Sydney):

Gail and Scott McCaughey, a guitarist with the band. Fun to talk to him! And her!:

Peter Buck and myself! He gently told me off for being a little rude to some guy after I drank a couple. Too funny. (Yeah, Mom I apologized…twice. :-D ):

Bob Weber, (the bass technician) and Gail! Thanks for the grapefruit cocktail, Bob! And for the laughs and photo session, both of you!:

At home, dancing:

The Gus-Meister, before a walk:

The “Wifling” and her “Ozband”:

Thanks to R.E.M. and crew for putting up with my star-struck ways. I think it’s the music in me. It will always be a little thrilling like that. Passion strikes in mysterious ways. Mike told me he understood. And Sheila, you may have Ken’s guitar pic, but I’m probably going to keep Mike’s for myself. I’m sure you understand. Love you. I’ll tell you all about it this spring/summer!

Still very low. Bipolar disorder is terrible; it is hard to describe. I have very low lows, yet I can function O.K. and I’ll be going home soon to good care and home cooking and lots of love. Should be by the end of next week.
Don’t know when I’ll be posting again, but I’ll try to send group emails to those on my list anyway..let me know if you don’t hear from me.

Here is a poem that I wrote for my friend Janine on the first of this year:

Chiaroscuro

A kindred spirit is she.
The music moved us.
Drawn closer by
Humor,
Wickedness,
Delight in the odd,
the new & beautiful,
the boldness of
Risk Takers
Dawn Breakers
Soul Makers
and Earth Shakers.
She has flown from
the dark confines of threatening corners
to the wide wonderful corners of
this world,
And home to her Heart
where the sun illuminates the horizon
in a blaze of brilliant orange
And the night closes sweetly into
a
superb
inky
blue.

A.L. Miller
1 Jan. 05

And a comedy forward from my Uncle Doug:

A first grade teacher had twenty-five students in her class and she presented each child in her class the first half of a well known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder of the proverb. It’s hard to believe these were actually done by first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading these keep in mind that these are first graders.

1. Don’t change horses……………………..until they stop running.
2. Strike while the………………………………….bug is close.
3. It’s always darkest before…………………Daylight Saving Time.
4. Never underestimate the power of …….. termites.
5. You can lead a horse to water but ……… how?
6. Don’t bite the hand that …………………. looks dirty.
7. No news is………………………………………….impossible.
8. A miss is as good as a …………………………. Mr.
9. You can’t teach an old dog new …………… math.
10. If you lie down with dogs, you’ll ……. stink in the morning.
11. Love all, trust ………………………………. me.
12. The pen is mightier than the ………………. pigs.
13. An idle mind is………………………….the best way to relax.
14. Where there’s smoke there’s …………….. pollution.
15. Happy the bride who…………………….gets all the presents.
16. A penny saved is …………………………… not much.
17. Two’s company, three’s …………………. the Musketeers.
18. Don’t put off till tomorrow what ………. you put on to go to bed.
19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and ……..you have to blow your nose.
20. There are none so blind as ……………….. Stevie Wonder.
21. Children should be seen and not ……….. spanked or grounded.
22. If at first you don’t succeed ………………… get new batteries.
23. You get out of something only what you …….. see in the picture on the box.
24. When the blind lead the blind ……………… get out of the way.

And the WINNER and last one!

25. Better late than ……………………………..pregnant.