Wall of Death

I did not turn morose, and I am not making any predictions with this title today! I have decided to share some of my favorite offbeat and other songs that could be from popular artists or unknowns. My first "should be heard for the lyrics alone" is Richard Thompson's version of Wall of Death. Nancy Griffith actually wrote the folk song, Richard and Linda recorded it in the 80's Richard and band sans Linda are seen here on the live version. REM also covered it. It's all about the lyrics to me, although Richard Thompson is known as a virtuoso guitarist.  Beware of the bearded lady as you listen or read the lyrics.  (You can expand the lyrics to read them near the top of the youtube video.)  The song is about the writer's experience riding those fun rides we rode as children. There is of course deeper meanings as you let your mind wander.

We have had an interesting week so far, we thought I would be starting radiation today ( seven days of testicular radiation in a row!) The testicular radiation is done as that is where the bad leukemia cells like to hide, and the nice doctors want to make sure everything unfriendly is killed off before the stem cell transplant. On Wednesday we learned that after losing two 100% matched donors the experts are still doing a work up on an unmatched third donor, so another week's delay was made. I still have some strange liver function tests. The ultrasound guy said it looked fine yesterday, so I am at a loss for the bad tests. Lastly, for over a month now I have had some dark skin changes just on my face that seem to be getting worse. The skin isn't causing pain or obvious discomfort and no one knows what it is.   If you see me, have some courtesy- to quote Mick Jagger... 

Being a stem cell or marrow donor is as easy as going to www.marrow.org  The nice folks at the National Marrow Donor Program will send you via US Mail a free registration kit. They ask for a donation, there is no cost unless you want to donate. There are lots of restrictions for people with serious medical reasons, donors have to be 18-60 years of age.  After some internet sign up, they send you some swabs to collect DNA which is then mailed back via a prepaid envelope.   You or a loved one could save someone's life someday.