It still feels like August 19th, which marks two years since my father died from several catastrophic illnesses that afflicted him for almost a year. My day job was hectic yesterday, working to put finishing touches on organzing music at a festival in San Francisco, so there was no time for reflection. I called my mother and sister this evening, and otherwise stayed in and thought about him and life without him. He's still very much missed. He was no saint - he could be irascible and stubborn, and he was a complicated person, but he lived life with alot of passion, and had a wonderful, humorous and loving side to him that brought him many friends. I'm glad that we drew closer during the last seven years or so of his life, and had no unfinished business. I wish that everyone here is "right" with their parents. If there are problems, think about swallowing some pride and getting things straightened out with them. It could haunt you if they're not. It's bad enough missing a parent even when things were good with them. So, since he's been gone, it's hard to think about what's happening in the world today and not wonder what dad would have thought about it. He would have loved The Onion's satirical book "Our Dumb Century." I always link that book with him, but he didn't live to see it. We used to go into his computer to read the latest missives from The Onion's site, and laugh our heads off at their headlines and fictionalized news stories. Well, I could go on and on, but I don't intend this to be a completely self-indulgent thread. I really want to urge you to be careful in your relationship with your parents as you all get older. Give them a little slack in the little things they do that you find annoying, don't say things to them that you would regret deeply. Being right is not always worth the trouble in arguing your points with them, if it leads to heated arguments. With that thought, I will bid my computer and you all a good night.-chanteyranger