it doesn't go without saying.

Pitchfork says the Thumbsucker soundtrack will have some new Elliot Smith songs, which I suppose is enough of a reason for me to go see the film although the previews make it look as if, perhaps, it's trying a bit too hard.

Good news on the Sophie front - the very expensive dermatologist vet does not think she has cancer but rather a benign growth that can be treated with a topical steroid or, worse comes to worse, surgery. So, I'm definitely (albeit tentatively) relieved and overjoyed - so much so that I can generously not bitch-slap the person who commented that maybe our bleeding-cash cat "needs to be run over now." I know it was intended as a wry joke but I think it kind of goes without saying that some jokes are never close to being funny. Then again, I guess it doesn't go without saying .... If anything - after I got over being taken aback and more than a little hurt - I just felt a bit disappointed that someone could be that harsh - jokingly or otherwise. But, whatever...

On to nicer things. I have roses! Well, a few roses. What I really mean to say here is that after weeks of fitful pruning and fertilizing and a fear that I may done too much of one and not enough of the other, I am finally starting to see healthy looking flowers. I still have some yellowing leaves and I'm not sure if this is due to aphids or too much sun because really, at this point, I know nothing about roses except that they seem to like pruning and fertilization - but who doesn't, really?

Oh yeah, and Cory's going to Nashville tomorrow - courtesy of one of his labels - to see a Neil Young DVD taping at the Ryman Auditorium (a.k.a, the Grand Ol' Opry) and to meet Mr. Young backstage. And, no, I couldn't go because there were no plus-ones and yes, you're damn right he owes me big time.

Nah...I'm very happy he gets to go and meet one of his musical heroes ... And he's certainly been patient through the years whenever I've geeked out over meeting Mary Margaret O'Hara or Jim White. But still... a free trip to Nashville?! OK, he owes me medium-time....Seems fair enough.