Panopticon

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
panopticon - n. 1. a building, as a prison, hospital, library, or the like, so arranged that all parts of the interior are visible from a single point.
[Origin: 1760–70; pan- + Gk optikón sight, seeing (neut. of optikós; see optic)]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
\Pa*nop"ti*con\, n. [NL. See Pan-, and Optic.] 1. A prison so constructed that the inspector can see each of the prisoners at all times, without being seen.
2. A room for the exhibition of novelties

WordNet
1. an area where everything is visible
2. a circular prison with cells distributed around a central surveillance station; proposed by Jeremy Bentham in 1791


I came across this blog when I did a Google search for "Madame LaFarge" after hearing a reference to the name on the radio. (I haven't read Tale of Two Cities since high school. The reference was familiar, but I needed a little memory refresher.) Anyway, where was I?... Oh yes, The Panopticon. The blog author is Franklin. He knits. I love men who knit. Or, perhaps it would be more accurate for me to say that I love that there are men who knit. I don't knit, but I do crochet, and I love yarn. There's something rather sensual about it. I love the look of it... the colors, the textures... I even like the smell of yarn. And, coincidentally, my friend, Anna, and I had been discussing yarn earlier that day, which had led to another yarn conversation (and online shopping research) with Sylvia. So, with the topic of yarn fresh in my mind, I Googled "Madame LaFarge" and ended up following a link that led me to Franklin's blog.

The blog post I first came across begins,

"I know perfectly well what most gay men go to Amsterdam to do.
However, the most exciting thing I got from a handsome Dutchman in a dark bar was the address of a good yarn store."

How could I resist an intro like that? Not only does Franklin knit, he posts lovely photos of the fruits of his labor. If you are intrigued, as I was, click here and enjoy!

Disclaimer: I had terrible insomnia last night, which resulted in my getting just two hours of sleep. (More on the fruits of my insomnia later.) Therefore, I apologize that this post is not quite "up to snuff," so to speak. Even in my semi-comatose state I can recognize that--I just don't have the brain power to correct it. However, you do deserve better, dear readers. So, I pray you will be gentle with me today. I'll try to get a good night's sleep tonight and do better next time. Thanks for dropping by.

Cheers!

The Contessa

The Flip Side of Love

Today, as lovers are exchanging cards, gifts, flowers, candies and kisses, I offer... the flip side of Love...

Come in, I’ve been expecting you
There’s a knock on the door
And Love walks through
And lights the fire
Smiles the smile
As though Love were going to stay awhile
And the fire breathes and weaves its spell
But then, Love runs out of lies to tell
For Love is restless
Love’s a flirt
Love has places to go
And people to hurt
So here’s the shovel to smother the flame
Tomorrow you’ll barely remember my name
And I’ll try to forget you, my dearest one
As a prisoner tries to forget the sun
For life holds no purpose
Love holds no charms
Since I beheld you in another’s arms

From ‘Til There Was You

Like Pie for Your Ears

Enjoy this lovely video from Michelle Lewis...



I had the pleasure of meeting Michelle one year ago today, when she performed at Cafe Limelight with Suzanne Brewer. She is delightful. Last time she was passing through town, on tour with Suzanne, the three of us met for pancakes. Pancakes with two lovely, talented, delightful young women--what's better than that (except, maybe, pie)?! Unfortunately, Michelle lives on the other side of the country and Suzanne has re-located to Seattle. Please come back, my dears, Flip Flop misses you and your beautiful voices!

The Dead Dads Club

Because I have been missing my dad so very much lately, because it was one year ago today that I learned that Debbie's dad had died, because this morning I read Dani's blog post about missing her deceased father... For all of these reasons and more, I share with you the Dead Dads Club quote from Grey's Anatomy.

CRISTINA: "There's a club. The Dead Dads Club. And you can't be in it until you're in it. You can try to understand, you can sympathize. But until you feel that loss... My dad died when I was nine. George, I'm really sorry you had to join the club."
GEORGE: "I... I don't know how to exist in a world where my dad doesn't."
CRISTINA: "Yeah, that never really changes."


Yeah, we're coming up on the 16th anniversary of my father's death and I still think about him all the time. He was my father. That doesn't just go away. I think this feeling of loss will be with me until I die.