Thanks for the spider explanation. I am in Michigan at the moment so I think we are facing the same beast.
Additionally, you are still too old to be my brother, Shane MacGowan or otherwise.
I feel like explaining the meds comment I made. I am the only member of my ENTIRE family that is not seriously disturbed. Seeeing family deal with that stuff left me as a sympathizer for those who have to take them. However, I take it too far and won't even take aspirin. Eh

First of all, I'm sure you'll be happy to learn that we are including about five songs from Spider's solo career.. in the middle of the set, with a stripped down band. Should be cool.. AND it may be the only opportunity to see him play these songs live, judging by the luck he has with maintaining a band. Also, it should be a good opportunity to meet him too, if you're interested.

I saw the re-united Pogues last year at the London Fleadh Festival (Joe Strummer was on the bill too). I had the opportunity to watch from the side of the stage and drink with Shane afterwards... one of the more interesting experiences of my life thus far. Although I was sitting at a small table with him and four other people all evening, I didn't have much a conversation with him, partially because he was so out of his mind from the various substances pummeling through his veins, and partially because I didn't have much else to say besides, "wow.. you're the best songwriter ever.." He knows that and doesn't need to hear it from another fan. Nonetheless, it was cool just being there.

As far as my attack goes.. yeah, I agree with you that we are constantly pumped full of fear and this irrational fear serves a purpose. Speaking personally, I was a bit frightened to be outside of my house these past few nights but this fear has quickly subsided. I'm glad for that. I have too many other issues on my mind to worry if I'll be a victim of some random thug in the future..

What else?? oh yeah.. my opinion on the Cincinnatti riots. First of all, it's my opinion that violence of any kind is unjustified except in cases of pure self-defense and unless all other means of resolving a particular issue have been spent.. With that said, I still *understand* why a black guy in the middle of a race riot would shoot a gun at a white guy. It's not an effective or justified way to resolve a problem, but I realize that "humans are humans" and, as such, they have breaking points. And, if you treat a group of people like complete shit for long enough, it's a reasonable prediction that violence will erupt. I don't care what some people may say, violence is a part of our nature as humans and we need to understand that chronically bad social conditions will inevitably bring out that violent side of our nature.

Geez... wasting way too much time here at work. I'll send you a few MP3s of "The Boys.."

Later,
"robinbanks"

[Edited on Aug 27, 2003]

They were were written by a 'beat writer' known as Richard Brautigan. His most well known work was the novel In Watermelon Sugar. They book they're from is called The Pill vs The Springhill Mine Disaster and they were parts one and three of The Galilee Hitch-hiker.