300,000 words published on the blog so far. That’s three decent-sized novels. Turns out I’m a better essayist than a novelist. But that kinda makes sense. I was an excellent sprinter and a shitty long distance runner. That’s my MO. I make my mark a few hundred words at a time.

I’m trying to capture a good shot of the fireflies in the backyard. I’m very happy to have changed lawn services – I told this guy that I wanted no chemicals, no spray for mosquitos. You kill the mosquitos and you also kill the fireflies. He did what I asked and the result is beautiful. We don’t have fireflies in Socal, so these are extra special.

I don’t know why, but that reminds me of a song I heard today. Sheep Go To Heaven, by Cake. The refrain is “…sheep go to heaven, and goats go to hell”. I won’t hate on goats, but that’s a pretty funny line. Goats are definitely more devious than sheep. It’s a really dark song masquerading as a fun little ditty:

I’m not feeling alright today
I’m not feeling that great
I’m not catching on fire today
Love has started to fade
I’m not going to smile today
I’m not gonna laugh
You’re out living it up today
I’ve got dues to pay

And the gravedigger puts on the forceps
The stonemason does all the work
The barber can give you a haircut
The carpenter can take you out to lunch

Now I just want to play on my panpipes
I just want to drink me some wine
As soon as you’re born you start dyin’ 
So you might as well have a good time, oh no

Sheep go to heaven
Goats go to hell
Sheep go to heaven
Goats go to hell

“As soon as you’re born you start dyin’, so you might as well have a good time”. Damn. That’s some nihilistic shit right there.

Finally, I don’t understand why this isn’t the headline everywhere. From some fairly reliable sources, not nut cases, we’re not alone in the universe (!!). Area 51 is real after all. I can’t be objective about this; I so want it to be true. But the evidence is piling up, and these testimonials are not from your usual conspiracy theorists.