Yes, I finally made some headway yesterday with my novel-in-progress, The Curse of Our Profound Disorder.

And without my knowing it beforehand, all 3 of the main plot points that I needed to address/resolve, decided to come together all at the same time. Same night, same place.

I absolutely didn’t see that coming, so now I really have some weaving to do, to make sure they all get the right amount of attention — at the same time. Jesus.

So far, I’m happy with it but I’m only 5 pages in to the new chapter (Chapter 12). We will see how it unfolds. I’m 225 pages in, and I’m thinking it will be about 275-280 pages, total. So we’re getting there.

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Here are a couple of beautiful things! From Instagram.

Methinks this was taken while they were having their brief affair. They sure LOOK like they’re in love, don’t they??

And, as always, if he’s not smoking, we can’t be absolutely 100% positive it’s Johnny….

But wow. Great photo. I guess it’s another Dior ad, shot in Spain, I think:

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And here’s this!

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That theater in Bulgaria looks so cool, gang! And luckily, there were quite a few great photos to choose from this time.

From last night’s show, Nick Cave and Colin Greenwood:

And someone uploaded a video of Nick talking to the audience when he got onstage, and he indicated he was getting ready to sing the first song of the night, “Higgs Boson Blues,” so I’m not sure how accurate this setlist is, but it seems like yet ANOTHER great encore!

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And now I have to get ready to go to town and see my favorite nearly-95-year-old Japanese man. I’m not sure if we’re going to get sashimi and sake today or not. His 95th birthday is on Sunday, so I want to go out with him when I’m there on Saturday, to celebrate. I don’t know if I should take him out twice in one week. (He pays for everything so, even though he’s happy to go out for lunch every single day, I don’t feel comfortable doing that.)

I guess I will play it by ear and see what happens when I get there.

Other than that, I’m really tired. Again. Ennui, I think. Even though I slept great. I have a very full week ahead of me. Again. But I’m glad that I at least got some writing done yesterday.

And on Monday, I’m having lunch with Steve — that guy I’ve known since we were 11 years old. It’s our annual “Remembering Kent” lunch. Our mutual friend who passed away on July 26th, 3 years ago — Steve was away in Florida during the end of July, so we’re just now getting a chance to go out.

Anyway.

We’re going here!! And I can’t wait!! It’s been a few years since I’ve been there. Plus, I’ve heard that one of my very favorite people on Earth is the chef there now! It will be great to say hi, if he is, indeed, working there:

Three Tigers Brewing Co., in Granville. They serve Thai, Vietnamese, and pub food:

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And I think that’s it. I gotta scoot.

Have a wonder-filled Wednesday, wherever you are in the world.

Thanks for visiting.

I love you guys. See ya.

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I leave you with this.

I played this song over and over yesterday, as the new pages for The Curse of Our Profound Disorder began to arrive.

From his great album, Oh Mercy, 1989, Bob Dylan’s “Man in the Long Black Coat.” Enjoy, gang.

"Man in the Long Black Coat"

Crickets are chirpin' the water is high
There's a soft cotton dress on the line hangin' dry
Window wide open African trees
Bent over backwards from a hurricane breeze
Not a word of goodbye not even a note
She gone with the man in the long black coat

Somebody seen him hangin' around
At the old dance hall on the outskirts of town
He looked into her eyes when she stopped him to ask
If he wanted to dance he had a face like a mask
Somebody said from the bible he'd quote
There was dust on the man in the long black coat

Preacher was talking there's a sermon he gave
He said every man's conscience is vile and depraved
You cannot depend on it to be your guide
When it's you who must keep it satisfied
It ain't easy to swallow it sticks in the throat
She gave her heart to the man in the long black coat

There are no mistakes in life some people say
It is true sometimes you can see it that way
But people don't live or die people just float
She went with the man in the long black coat

There's smoke on the water it's been there since June
Tree trunks uprooted beneath the high crescent moon
With a pulse and vibration and a rumbling force
Somebody is out there beating on a dead horse

She never said nothing there was nothing she wrote
She gone with the man in the long black coat

c - 1989 - Bob Dylan