FIRE....Got Me Burnin' Got Me Burnin'

Yesterday, I went into a furniture store downtown with my boyfriend. The store had the most amazing photographs lining the walls. They were of our downtown area 40 years ago. Seeing them all, it took me back to my early childhood, the stores, the restaruants, theaters and banks. It was such a thriving district then, and now it really isn't. Last week, there was a terrible fire that destroyed a building which once housed a fine department store. I vaguely remember shopping there as a very young child. It's been empty for almost thirty years (Jesus now I feel old!) but since it burnt down, that block has been closed down and probably will be for a long time. There is a lot to clean up. The cause of the fire is still a mystery, as well as a young man's dissapearance, who was last seen standing outside of the pool hall directly across the street just thirteen minutes before the first 911 call went out for the fire. I suspect foul play. I think he saw something he shouldn't have seen, such as an arsonist, and that's why he's nowhere to be found now. I HOPE that I am wrong, but it chills me to the bone to think that there is someone around here who would commit such an act. I prefer to think that I live in a town full of nothing but "good people". This kid's family has contacted America's Most Wanted, and I hope that this show can provide them with answers.

Last night we went to visit my son in the Nursing Home. He seemed like he was in a good mood. He was very alert and responsive and when I see him like that it makes me feel so much better. It's sad to see his two roomates, they aren't alert and responsive, and it reminds me of how grateful I need to be that I have a child that can at least reciprocate the affection and attention that I give him.

Best Movie I Saw This Week: The Aristocrats. I was actually bit dissapointed with this film. The premise is simple. It's a bunch of comedians that tell their own personal version of a filthy joke that's been around for years. What I didn't like was the jumpiness of the editing. It was a few comments by George Carlin, cut to a small bit by Drew Carey, then it's a few seconds with John Stewart (my own personal hero, I love John Stewart!)then cut back to George Carlin again. I think it would have been a more cohesive unit had they shown each comedian telling the joke in their own way, punchline included ("So... what do you call yourselves?" "THE ARISTOCRATS!"). But what do I know? I don't make movies!

Best Album I Listened To This Week: I didn't listen to any album per se, but I probably got the most enjoyment out of the thirty or so George Michael songs I downloaded into my Ipod. The gem? Kissing A Fool. That's my pick. The hidden gem that I hadn't heard before? His version of Roxanne.

Best Book I Read This Week: I haven't read any books this week. I did finish (finally) the latest issue of Vanity Fair. The last article seemed pretty interesting. It was about a new movie made by the makers of the Matrix called V Is For Vendetta. It's supposedly an anti-war subversive film. Cool. I'll be seeing it, and that's not usually the type of movie I go for.

Top News Story: See the first paragraph for what's been happening locally. But nationally, Bob Woodruff and his cameraman were seriously injured in Iraq this week by a roadside bomb. Poor guy. He just got the nightly news anchor job with ABC replacing Peter Jennings just a few months ago. The job of a lifetime. Now this. If he can recover well enough to go back to it, it will be a great triumph and ABC will see their ratings skyrocket for sure that day!

I have decided to add one more new feature to my journal entries. It's called Current Sewing Project. I got a fabulous new sewing machine for my birthday and I have been having a lot of fun. This week I am working on my first quilt. I got to go. I think my boyfriend's chomping at the bit to get on Ebay!