Is William your dad? No, I forgot, he's my dad. I've been trying to tell people about his symphonies. No one listens. How can they hear if they don't listen? I wore a cardigan to my last William Walton concert. Backstage the bass viol players couldn't get over my sensuality. When I opened my cardigan, there was a walkman playing in my shirt pocket. It was playing a William Walton cassette. The bass viol musicians completely lost interest in me instantly. And regained interest in themselves, their sensuality, their eros. Riette, can you tell me ahead of time whether you're gonna take this the wrong way? Uh, ok, so how much time do I have to get out of Austin? This is a good topic you came up with. It gets even better if I live. What did the good reviews say about your art exhibition? Want my cardigan? We're friends? Were? Oh. Should I see a plastic surgeon? You're gonna be my plastic surgeon? Eugh! I keep making these same mistakes over and over again!

I can't tell whether I'm going to be offended or not if you're going to keep the cardigan on. Take it off so I can see you better . . . No, William Walton is in no way related - my last name is Steyn. And no, he can't possibly your dad . . . he doesn't write half as well as you do. And you mustn't make fun if I say his music is erotic, because it's true. I'd like to play you one of his symphonies, but you might rise to the occassion, and I don't want to embarrass you like that. No, I am not going to take it the wrong way. So can we be friends again, or are you going to sulk on in that cold, wordy manner of yours for another few days? Yes? Then here, take the cardigan - at least it'll keep you warm if you won't let me.

Thanks for the cardigan back. I feel sensual again, cuz it warms the cockles of my belief in William Walton's erotic...mmmm, Riette, could you play that song again...that's a nice CD. I hear it NOW. Feel it. Whoa! How was I to know. I not sulking.... I just afraid of terror. But maybe nuttin' to be afraid of anymore. I wish I could change that cold wordy manner a-mine to warm wordy goofiness. Wanna come with me to your next exhibition? Do you like wear lipstick and stuff to those things? Have to get all dressed up? Probably I'll get my cardigan jacket out. It's pretty sensual. Have you met my bass viol friends? Oh, I forgot something. Would you let me interview you for Art in Switzerland. That magazine is just about the biggest one on art in Europe. Well, you know that. They need a cover story for next month. If I don't get it for you for July, then I'll sulk till they give it to me for August. I ask easy questions. Nuthin' to get worked up over. No symbolism around me. Actually, Autumn made up all the questions. She's pretty experienced at asking those kinda questions. She wants to do the interview, but wer wouldn't let her. I asked him if I could. I still don't know why he let me. I asked him if I could use Autumn's questions. Y'know, otherwise the questions wouldn't be any good. wer gave me his assent. I can't help it if I'm lucky. I really don't understand it.

Not sulking anymore? What a relief; thought you hated me. It IS a nice CD, isn't it - but don't sit so close to or I shall not be responsible for my actions. Told you you were going to rise to the occasion . . . my, my, and HOW! Yes, I'd love to meet your bass viol friends, and, by the way, how's your arthritis today? I'll give you a good massage on the couch tonight. Anyway, you can bring them along to the exhibition - anything to glamour it up a bit! Yes, I wear lipstick and stuff - war paint - to those things and get dressed up; but I never wear high heels, and you have to look out, because the temper is quite short in that uncomfortable state of attire. But I'll wear something pretty to make up for it, alright? And at least this time you're warned. You want an interview? Sure, but use your own questions and bring Wer as your bodyguard, o.k.? And Autumn and Stacey can be your advisors. And wear the cardigan - I'm growing used to it now. So what kind of questions were you thinking of asking? (One once asked if I was a communist! HA-HA! I was quite flattered.) So Stacey teaches, Wer is a chef, I am a picture maker - what do you do? And you, Autumn? Wait, let me guess: Autumn sounds like she could also be a lecturer or something - perhaps in sosiology or something like that? And you must be a . . . either a writer, or a literature professor. Or are my psychic (psychotic?!) powers failing me miserable once again?

Jim is a boat maker. Not just anytype of boat. He makes boats out of soap, big huge recycled blocks of family size soap bars that are ecologically sound (as far as we know). He collects toothpicks out of others mouths and crochets them together to make those poles (masts??). The sails are stapled together out of old cardigans that he has retired but is far too fond of to give away to Goodwill. He loves going to goodwill because one man's handmedown is another man's lucky shirt. These boats Jim makes are terror free boats. When you sail on them, anywhere in the universe, you may only feel the emotions of love (if it is an emotion at all), warmth( which IS an emotion), desire, joy and desolation. Even if you are alone, you may not feel lonely for it is programmed out of the genetic makeup of the ecologically sound soap. Because of the size an complexity of his creations, Jim is only on his 4th boat. But he has been making them since his previous life where he started out as a cardigan sweater. I love Jim's boats because they are so honest and so clean (made out of soap and all). He never sells them he just wishes them to others. i love you all.

oh and I forgot to add... my favorite music to play on Jim's boat is the musack remix of Huey Lewis and the News , "Happy to be Stuck with You." That's how all this came about you know. In the previous, previous life... Jim as a dill pickle heard the song and dreamed of becoming a boat.

You too? I know - mad as hares they are! What are your favourite groups and songs, Wer? Oh, Stacey, I love Huey Lewis and the News - Happy to be Stuck with You is a fantastic song. And Jim can thank his lucky stars for sending him back as a soap boat making human, because I easily finish off about three jars of dill pickles a week . . .

i think you put an end to him in that previous life. that's why you too feel so close and communicate so well with just a hint of animosity (he's a bit sore anout being removed from the dill life too soon). i like dill pickles too... wish i could of had a taste.

Hmm. Never thought of it that way. If you like dill pickles, then try licking Jim's - well, ANY part of him. He stings at times, but that's what I love about him. But look out - he doesn't like being bitten anymore . . .

although he doesn't mind being bitten anyless, either...

(it's the getting chewed up and swallowed part that he can't stomach now-a-days...)

soapy hands don't taste as yummy/ but their slippery

depends on the soap, and why, yes they are, aren't they?

d'ya like bubbles?

(we sure can screw up a topic and lose coherence like nobody's business!!)

slippery slithery, I'm on my sliding way out . . .

bite me no more yes less good guess less stress jes caress with finesse not under duress or distress and don't acquiesce be effortless coalesce not a demoness oops, i digress hmm, nice dress the way it wafts up...its airiness i be breathless good lord, your agileness and friskiness my frothiness your many-sidedness oiliness tipsiness that wayward lurch and wonderful stagger, its despitefulness salaciousness your tenderhearted subtleness the soft glance of your kiss, yet the feeling in it, the truth, the hungriness its taste, its froward gentleness your warm nurturing embrace, plus that teasing cuddly flexibleness innocent of technique, totally fervid, and gifted with soothing generousness your sensitive sacred tunefulness your nimble unfeigned playfulness your homespun impulsive jolly joyfulness your heedful imaginative exquisite illicitness oh heck, your immunity to flattery and flippantness

beautiful (ness) Leplep!

You got some awfully nice stuff under your soapy boatmaker's hat, Jim. Who would have thought an ex-dill pickle could be so sweet.

well i been kinda rehabilitated. wer talked to me. he pointed to the west and showed me the slight ground mist hiding the bushes and the flowers at sunrise. he pointed to the east and showed me the mountains barely appearing in the dawn light, ethereal and unreal in their rosy glow. he pointed to the south and showed me the cool delightful shade of a big mango tree. he pointed to the north and showed me an open meadow surrounded by trees, a secluded spot, beautiful and far away. I got his point readily. I said to wer, "This means that all my problems are really only interrelated with a donkey, is that correct?" His enigmatic grin confirmed my wonderment at once. Then I wondered if it were at all proper to ask myself if the real question is to ask exactly which donkey....and to find that donkey. It was 11:00 a.m. at that very moment and I was on my way to the lemonade stand. Before I got there, Asha stopped me. She said, "I'll buy you a lemonade if you take my donkey." I told her I was terribly sorry that I didn't have time after all for the lemonade, then I mounted the donk and rode. And I never seen Asha look so pleased. I bet she won't hang up on me the next time she calls.

Good for you. Take a stand! (A ride?!?!) I'd love to stay and listen to some more maddening ravings, but the sun and fresh air are beckoning . . . so is my empty fridge. I really need to go shopping now, so I'll talk to you a bit later. Is it night time there? Sweet dreams, sweet pickle.

Hey, do any of you know who sings that song, 'Good times, bad times, gimme some of that . . . etc.' on the Windows '95 companion?? You know, that really layed back video clip. Sonja and I've been trying to find out for months now, 'cos we want to buy the CD, but obscure as cookies in the orphanage they are. Don't let me down here, because if she finds out first, I owe her five CD's of her choice, and I am more broke than my arm.

That was the gal that married Paul Simon. She's from Dallas. Her name is Edie Brickell. She's like 6' tall and he's 5'. And she's disappeared from the music scene totally since they married. That's the scoop Riette.

Thank you so much, Terry!! You've just given me 5 CD's of my choice!!! It's a real shame she's dissappeared from the scene though, isn't it? I think that song is wonderful, and the video too - and she has a better voice than Paul Simon. One would think he'd dissappear having married her, what with her being a giant and him being a total short arse!! Hmmm, now what CD's will Sonja be buying me . . .

what did'ya choose Riette?

Well, I've been thinking about it all of yesterday, and for the moment I think it's going to be: M�nchener Freiheit - Greatest hits (wonderful German Pop group - they sing in English and in German, and their harmonies are just great; none of this stereotypical German yodeling volksmusik crap!) Modern Talking - Back for good (to send to Sonja, because as a teen she was probably their biggest fan, then they broke up, and have just gotten back together - which she doesn't know yet, so I want to surprise her) 10 000 Maniacs - Love among the ruins. Sovory - I adore that guy's voice! London Boys - Ten commandments of Dance But I'll think about it until the end of the week . . . Nice to have you back, Stacey.

Hello, is anyone here? I guess I'll dust off this topic. Favorite music, in no particular order, The Doors, Stones, Cars, U2, Tom Waits, Peter Gabriel, B-52s, Cream, Mozart...there must be a zillion others.

well, then, listing them all will certaintly revive the topic, no?

Oh, absolutely! I'll probably piss somebody off with my list, and that should get things moving while I think of other faves...

I have never heard of William Walton. I'll have to keep an eye out for his symphonies. My favorite symphonies are Brahms first, second, and third. He only wrote three, but they are hauntingly beautiful. Of course i also like Beethoven's fifth and ninth. I also like the 1812 overture, when it is performed as written, with large black powder cannon for the percussion section.

I always get misty-eyed for the French on that one, but I suppose Napoleon had it coming.

Well he certainly pissed off everybody else in Europe at the same time. This is historically a very bad idea.

ha-ha! I love Brahms too, but I'd still have to vote for Bach as my favourite composer. Another favourite by him for me is Arioso from Cantata No. 156. I love Stokowski's symphonic arrangements of his music.

I confess, I buy my music used, and I have not found any Bach.

Uh, when it comes to classical music, I'm more of a "Nutcracker" fan than anything.

I love the Nutcracker ballet.

My younger daughter, Lydia, acts it out almost every day. She changes into a slip or nightgown and dances around with one of my nutcrackers. She has a sling made out of a handkerchief, a slipper, a doll's bed, and a catnip mouse she uses as props. It is a riot.

That is so sweet! We are great nutcracker fans too. The kids have the video.

Anything Mannheim Steamroller puts out is what I consider great music...and I think I own most of it.

The Nutcracker is great. So is the 1812 Overture (both Tchaikovsky). Bach's "Toccata and Fugue." All nine of Beethoven's symphonies. Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," "Don Giovanni," "Idomineo, King of Crete" and "The Magic Flute." For individual pieces "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," (Mozart) "Fidelio" (Beethoven), like Marcia says, anything by Mannheim Steamroller. Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man," Vivaldi's "The Four Seasons," Wagner's "Gotterdammerung," Fidelius' "Finlandia." The beat--and the list--goes on.

That of course is Sibelius instead of Fidelius (who the hell gave a Finn a Latin name anyhow?) That damned Caesar.

ha-ha! Two of my favourite pieces is still Vaughan Williams' 'Serenade', and William Walton's 'Facade'. Do you know those?

I admit my ignorance of both. Is William Walton related to Chris?

NO! Chris is more of a genius than Walton was! Try and get hold of 'Serenade' - Shakespeare lyrics. It is one of those pieces that isn't sad, but it is so beautifully done, it gives you a lump in the throat.

Chris' uncle is the guy who did the brilliant english translation of 'The Perfumed Garden' .... ha-ha! Really!