Thank you. I'm surprised I hadn't encountered his work before. I may have seen in the Journal over the years, but never attached a name to it.
How can a person be that talented and risk his reputation like that. There's an expression about such people here in Kentucky, and I suspect elsewhere: "He'd rather climb a tree and lie to you than stand on the ground and tell you the truth."

I wouldn't rule out schizophrenia -- he's about the right age for onset, and apparently was functioning pretty successfully as a student up until now.

Although, based on what his mother reportedly said when contacted, he must have been exhibiting some signs. You just have to wonder how long this was in coming about, and how many signs were missed along the way.

You're more than welcome, and thank you for taking the time to read it. I live about a five-minute drive from Heath High School, where there was a shooting in 1997, and know some of the students who were there that day. All their lives were changed forever.

And yet, there's a certain zen to it.

It's not so much that I'm burying my head as I am biting my lip.

The first smell of honeysuckle each year always calls to mind my childhood summers and the sense of freedom at not having to be in school. Waking up mid-morning, hopping on my bike and staying gone until sundown. Living in a tiny hamlet as I did, you could do that back then, and the only thing your parents gave any thought to was how nice and quiet the house was when the kids are out being kids.

Taste-wise, potato soup always brings back fond memories. It's one of those foods that I never think about eating until it happens to be placed in front of me out of sheer happenstance. And every time I eat it, I rediscover how much I enjoy it and the warm feelings of hearth and home it elicits.

I had a taste of the roadie life, too -- taking down the stage after a .38 Special show at a small venue owned by a relative. It was well beyond their days as hit-makers, I'm thinking some time in the mid-90's. All I got for my effort was cold Domino's pizza -- which was rather disappointing when you consider I had starry-eyed visions of beer when I accepted the offer.

You might try starting out with this one, Edward; it's a pretty good selection of their most popular stuff. If you like what you hear, you can always dig a little deeper into their works.

Good observation, rosegarden. When I listened to Perfect Strangers again, so many years after hearing it when it was new release, I was struck by Ian Paice's drumming. Being an inveterate and incurable Led Zeppelin fan, I couldn't help comparing it to John Bonham's. It's not quite up to Bonzo's level, but not very far from it.

Welcome, from one Ricon00b to another!

I'm ashamed to say I've never heard that album, but I'll certainly try to remedy that, soon. Strange how the metal-band-with-orchestra craze caught on in the 90's after Metallica had so much success with their effort. Deep Purple was definitely an innovative band.

I have to say, I wasn't as familiar as I should have been, myself.

I never knew how heavily influenced he was by classical music until now. It must have been a huge source of pride to know he played a key role in playing the first riff learned by every budding rock guitarist for generations.

Most of my aberrant behavior occurred to an Iron Maiden/Judas Priest soundtrack.

I hope the venting helps you get past the demoralization. We've still got a long way to go, and I suspect this won't be the last -- nor the biggest -- disappointment we'll have to face.

I've always found booze to be an efficacious treatment option. Your results my vary.

I completely agree with both of you, Edward & sawatdeeka. I wish I could remember more details surrounding what Charlie's had to endure -- but I can say that hearing about it certainly took me down a peg or two.

I figure whether or not we're serving ourselves through our feeding decisions regarding our pets is (to abuse a cliche) a horse that left the barn long ago, when man began domesticating animals. In exchange for their autonomy, they get free and permanent shelter, food and medical care. And they seem to appreciate it for the most part, as they usually find their way home shortly after making a break for it.

Undoubtedly true, flownover. Signing up for the full year is precisely the plan. That's why I'm saving tip jar quarters while I'm on the two-month trial period; it shouldn't take me long at all.

Thank you for the welcome, Caryn. I suppose the bourbon might have put off the ladies. Maybe if I'd used an image of a mint julep it wouldn't have been quite as imposing.

I've only had a chance to try a few good single malts, and they are very nice. Right now, I'm clinging like grim death to the last few ounces of a fifth of Chivas 21-year-old Royal Salute blended Scotch that sat on a shelf for 15 years. One of my regular patrons at work sold it to me for a song some time ago, and I've been nursing it for all its worth ever since.

I can hardly blame them for that.