Current location:	The desk, natch
Current mood:	grateful
Current music:	Josette's Music Box

Serendipity on Overdrive
 It's just been one of those weird days, but first let me pause for a moment to acknowledge the passing of fellow former Texan and icon Cyd Charisse. A co-worker had seen her at a UCLA function just about 3 weeks back and she appeared to be very much in failing health. 

I slept in after an exhausting Monday, had a waffle at Yukon, got my hair buzzed off, came home, showered and walked down to 12:05 mass at BS. Afterwards, I did my meditations and prayers (on a hot day like today, the church was a welcoming cool inside so I hung around) and again asked to be led to do what God calls me to do. I made my rounds and noticed again the wad of  scapulars at St. Therese's altar. However, unlike last time, a green one was laying atop the wad, so I took it (I guess that's why they were there, huh?)
A green scapular does not have to be worn, according to the web, and is a tool for 'cure and conversion'. That seemed quite in keeping with my thoughts today, so I've had it around my neck, covering my back so to speak. It only requires a simple 'Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death' recitation once a day, and of course a hell of a lot of faith. So far so good.

Tonight, serendipity butted in again: I went onto CLASSIC IMAGES website, as I haven't heard anything back and don't really feel like calling them when I get absolutely zilch out of placing stories, other than the smug feeling of being in print. What a drug that is! Anyway, I love the Book reviewers column and after scrolling past the review of the new Vernon and Irene Castle and Mamie Van Doren bios, I found a review of a new LUCY A to Z reference book by Michael Karol. I went to Michael's website and  snooped around, having forgotten he was best pals with an old flame of mine, Craig Hamrick. I dedicated SEACLIFF to Craig, but he never lived to see the final book. After a long, strong, courageous fight, Craig died of colon cancer in 2006, about 3 weeks short of turning 40. But in the 13 years I knew Craig, he'd accomplished about 19 lives worth of things. He traded Manhattan Kansas for the real Manhattan, got dialed in to the DARK SHADOWS star machine, living with Nancy Barrett for a time, written numerous books, and had found love at least twice. His life would make a good book-but no one would ever believe it wasn't fiction.
I met Craig back in the Ye Olden Days of the Internet, on the delightful PRODIGY bulletin boards for DARK SHADOWS. We met up at the 1993 DS Convention at the Marriott Marquis, had a fantastic time both out of and in the room, and he was very much up for the idea of having a long distance affair, even though I was honest about being in a relationship. It was too complicated for me, and Craig didn't take that well (nor was I very gallant about it). Luckily, once he got out of the cornfields and to Coney Island, he moved fast, and how. We continued an e-mail and phone relationship until a few months before passed, for I grew very weary of the whole DS politics and expected Craig to always be my vicarious link to the looney DS world. Craig did introduce me to Nancy Barrett at the Festival here, and she was lovely, as was David Selby. In fact, of all the many personalities I've met over the years, they were two who did not disappoint. 
 
I still can't believe Craig's gone, and this is partially due to the fact that his websites continue to run, which I think is a bit odd. I only met his last partner when I'd emailed Craig's address to tell him the book had been printed. The partner was very nice...until he put my name with the lovely tribute Craig posted about our NYC adventure....of course that might just be my oversized ego's interpretation of it. 
So on this moonlit night, with a warm breeze outside, I feel Craig is very near and trying to get me to hear his whispers: "get off the stick and write, Pierce! You did it before and  you can do it again, and again."
I don't know that I want a spirit who has an encyclopedic knowledge of Dark Shadows plots at his supernatural disposal, so I think I better get back swinging my inkpen very soon. God bless you Craig and thanks again for believing in me.