h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Others on the Guide are doing it. Why shouldn't I? After all, humans do have the herd mentality. I'm not immune. My life in the past few months has had its moments. Seen some good movies: Quills, O Brother, Where Art Thou--speaking of which, the Coen brothers have been delivered the shaft yet again at the Academy Awards. They are the most original filmmakers in the business today. As usual Hollywood continues to ignore them. Maybe that's a good thing.
Made some good friends, had some good times out on the town, and saw some excellent live music when the Mothership landed in Missoula. Yes, George Clinton and the P-Funk All Stars came to town, and the contact high made me one happy little Fraulein. That's right. Officially I began the sober life July 29, 2000, but temptation came knocking and I flung the door wide open on more than one occasion in the last few months. I could blame stress, lack of willpower, or peer pressure, but the fact is I don't want to give up an altered state of consciousness just yet.

One image of the last month lingers in my mind. My father's health has gone steadily downhill since a stroke left him paralyzed several years ago. The combined effects of diabetes and arterialsclerosis led to his legs being amputated at Christmastime. I went to visit him and noticed something in the corner of his room at the nursing home. Shoes. A dozen pairs, lying in the corner. His hiking boots, tennis shoes, wingtips, and loafers. The nurses hadn't thought to throw them out. And neither could I.