Several people have asked whether I want to stop the tour because of Mike Ford's death, and I don't. He wouldn't have wanted it, and work is an excellent distraction.
I was looking at this post, http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/2003/12/lovers-dreamers-and-death.asp
and realised that there was some garble in the pre-last year incarnnation of this blog. I'll find out about ways to fix it, but for now, I thought I'd just repost Mike's "with apologies to Jim Henson" song as it should be. It's too damn appropriate.
THE FINAL CONNECTION
Why are there so many songs about hearses?
The way to the uttermost side,
Hearses go fast, and traffic parts for them,
But who's in a hurry to ride?
Wagons and roads are an eloquent metaphor,
Gentling and straightening the way,
Everyone takes that last exit to Brooklyn,
Home at the end of the day
Remember the start of Magnificent Seven?
Steve and Yul drove to Boot Hill,
Just a small fable of folks being equal,
And going to sleep where you will.
Tickets and transfers and waiting for answers
At something so common yet strange,
Someday you'll ride it, the last train to Clarksville,
All classes, all stations . . . all change.
Look out the window and wave to the strangers
What do they see in the glass?
Up ahead, can you see, we've stopped for Emily,
There will be more as we pass.
Savor the journey, however you're going,
It's been your whole life to get there,
Someday I'll travel, without reservations,
I hope I've two coins for my fare.