A disturbance in the Force: Old Roomate

I told Gye Greene I sensed a disturbance in the Force. Indeed: we received a bulk e-mail from Old Roommate, saying that his wife was calling their marriage quits. This completely stinks for three reasons. First, and most relevant, Old Roommate is possibly THE nicest guy you'd want to meet, so it's Just Plain Wrong (tm) that something wretched like this would happen to him. Second, his wife seemed like a good person when we met her (while they were still dating) -- so we were fooled.

And third, we're on separate continents -- so I can't stop in and see how he's doing. (Of course, GG would have to give me a ride...)

GG picked up a copy of "Rave," one of the local (free) music magainzes for me. Had an interview with Jack Johnson (the "bubbly toes" guy), where he mentions that one of the songs off his latest album was written for a friend who was having difficulty finding a girlfriend. Or some-such.

But, this inspired me to start writing a cathartic-yet-inspirational song for Old Roommate -- something incredibly catchy, but with witty lyrics. Jotted down some ideas last night: Star Trek metaphor with many inside jokes, as Old Roommate used to run a [very well-designed] bulletin board (in the old, pre-internet days!) called the U.S.S. Sapphire. GG also called out ideas for lines, as he types on his dissertation through the evening, and I jot 'em down. Between the two of us, we have several good lines, and a few not-so-good ones; some blatant puns, and some subtle wordplays.

No strong ideas for the verse and chorus melodies yet. Sometimes they come bundled with the first few lines of lyrics; sometimes they bubble up from between the scraps of words as they get worked and re-worked. And sometimes they never come -- or at least, haven't come YET! ;)