I hadn't laughed all day until I received an email from my mom. She took the What D&D Character Are You? quiz and learned that she is a NEUTRAL GOOD ELF BARD RANGER.

That made sense to my mom, she wrote, since I am a half-elf. It also confirmed her suspicion that my dad is human.

Brief Lives was excellent - what I read of it. I took it back to the library today because, apparently, there were pages missing from the middle. I thought it was odd that chapter 5 was so short and ended so abruptly. Then, as I read the later chapters, characters mentioned events that had happened previously in the story - events I didn't remember reading. A look at the top of the book showed me a small gap in the pages - right where chapter 5 ended.

The librarian reserved another copy for me.

Here's a story for you: One day, years ago, when I lived alone, I was feeling sad and a little lonely. This was a particular kind of loneliness - the kind where I didn't want to be with anyone, but I didn't want to be alone, either. So I bought a single ticket to the Tori Amos concert at Meany Hall, on The University of Washington campus. The thing was, I didn't know much about Tori Amos' music, I may or may not have heard one of her songs somewhere, and I didn't own her album, Little Earthquakes. I had, however, read good reviews of Little Earthquakes, and they convinced me that Tori Amos was a musician that I would enjoy hearing.

I enjoyed the concert so much that immediately after the show I walked over to Tower Records and bought Little Earthquakes. As I began to explore the lyrics (this was Tori Amos' first album, and I still had a chance of deciphering what she was writing about), I learned that Tori Amos made references to her friend Neil Gaiman, who, I learned, was the author of a series of graphic novels about The Sandman, a.k.a. Dream. For example, in the song, Tear In Your Hand, Tori Amos wrote: "If you need me / Me and Neil'll be hangin' out with The Dream King / Neil says hi, by the way."

I later learned that Neil Gaiman made references to Tori Amos in The Sandman.

I became a fan of Tori Amos right after that concert, but, for reasons that I still don't understand, it wasn't until last year that I discovered The Sandman. The seventh book in the Sandman collection, Brief Lives, arrived at the library today. I flipped through the book quickly before I started to read it and saw that this is the one where Dream's sister Delirium starts to look like Tori Amos.

Almost as fun as meditating is finding the good spots to meditate. (I write this with the knowledge that one can meditate anywhere. I'm referring to the better places for me to meditate.) This afternoon on the upper deck of Seattle Central Community College was not a good spot - too many distractions. Yesterday evening, cross-legged on our futon with a Sharper Image™ Magnetic Therapy Roll Massager, set on low, in the small of my back, was a good spot.

I Am A: Chaotic Good Half-Elf Druid Ranger


Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.


Race:
Half-Elves are a cross between a human and an elf. They are smaller, like their elven ancestors, but have a much shorter lifespan. They are sometimes looked down upon as half-breeds, but this is rare. They have both the curious drive of humans and the patience of elves.


Primary Class:
Druids are a special variety of Cleric who serves the Earth, and can call upon the power in the earth to accomplish their goals. They tend to be somewhat fanatical about defending natural settings.


Secondary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.


Deity:
Rillifane Rallathil is the Chaotic Good elven god of woodlands and nature. He is also known as the Leaflord, the Wild One, and the Great Oak. He is appears as a huge oak tree. His followers believe that everyone should be free to spend their lives doing what nature has meant them to, and they protect the forests from those who would abuse them. Their preferred weapon is the quarterstaff. Rillifane Rallathil's symbol is an oak tree.


Find out What D&D Character Are You?

This morning, I submitted Alejandro Comes And Goes to Glimmer Train.

One of the more enjoyable occurrences on a bus ride, for me, is finding a seat directly in front of two people engaged in a lively conversation in a language that I can neither understand nor identify. It's an opportunity to eavesdrop without invading anyone's privacy. It's an opportunity to listen to the rhythm and tones of voices without letting the meaning of words get in the way. It's like listening to a piece of instrumental music.

Sugar gliders love Palm Sunday. Actually, it's the Monday after, when the palm leaves we bring home from church dry up and give off an odor that activates their noses and curiosity, that they love so much.

What I posted yesterday, about meditation, wasn't meant to be a complaint - just the opposite. I've discovered a brand new, wonderful tool (yes, it is a tool) and it has opened a pathway to knowledge. I enjoy the process of learning - it's the driving force in my life - and I am thrilled that my friends are willing and eager to share their insights and opinions.