A Sense of Doubt blog post #4085 - RIP - My friend, Gregg Morris, Jedi Master

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4085 - RIP - My friend, Gregg Morris, Jedi Master

I am rocked to my core to learn of the death of my friend Gregg Morris. I have one picture of my Jedi Master (he called me Padawan), seen here, from when, in the Spring of 2017, we went to Penguincon in Detroit together to meet John Scalzi, one of our favorite authors. He didn't want his picture taken, so I snapped this one when he wasn't paying attention. We had a grand time talking Star Trek, Brian Eno, all the nerdy stuff. It was amazing that we were even friends given how many times I panned his performances in the Battle Creek Enquirer. But he actually agreed with me about a lot of those stinkers, and then he hit his stride, and I praised him highly, especially in Godspell (May 2000), one of my favorites of the BC Civic: "BCC veteran Gregg Morris tackles “We Beseech Thee” in the Second Act. His science fiction, Trekker, hyper-intelligentsia makes him perfect for this song and a unique, original fit to this cast of other great talents." Kudos to Lee Krahenbuhl for casting him.

Though his Godspell success pre-dated our friendship, years later, he became my companion to the theater in the twilight years of my reviewing career. I did not know we shared so many nerdy loves, but even after Penguincon, after I moved out west, we regularly corresponded about the latest Scalzi book, a new Brian Eno album or the documentary, or lately about Star Fleet Academy because how could we not love Holly Hunter as a captain and a school director?

We often say this about the dead, but in this case, it is definitely true: Gregg Morris was taken from us too soon. Though he joked that he was ancient -- his posted Facebook age is 121 -- he was still in his prime and at the height of his considerable powers as a venerated and sage Jedi master of acting, curmudgeonship, and a wit-ster of the highest order. As surely will all of you, I will miss him greatly as his absence has carved a void in my life that no one else can fill.

bomDI' 'IwwIj qaqaw

The memory of you sings in my blood.

Rest well, my friend. 

OUR PENGUIN CON EXPERIENCE

Friday, April 28, 2017

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #661 - Penguicon 2017 - Part One

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #662 - Penguicon 2017 - Part Two

Friday, June 30, 2017

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #724 - Penguicon 2017: Part Three

ME AND SCALZI:

SOME PHOTOS

Odd Couple

Mousetrap

Maybe this?

https://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/story/news/2026/04/23/battle-creek-michigan-grenville-street-fatal-house-fire/89750616007/

 

One person found dead in Battle Creek house fire

Liz Shepard

Battle Creek Enquirer

April 23, 2026, 11:08 a.m. ET

One person was found dead in a house fire late Wednesday, April 22 in Battle Creek.

The Battle Creek Fire Department responded to the structure fire on Grenville Street at about 10:30 p.m. after a neighbor reported the fire. 

Firefighters found fire coming from a first-floor window of the two-story home upon arrival. Neighbors at the scene advised firefighters that two people may have been inside the home. 

Subscribe: Follow this story. Subscribe to the Battle Creek Enquirer

A person was able to exit an upstairs apartment and told rescue crews someone may have still been in the first-floor apartment. Firefighters searched the first floor and found the deceased person. The fire was extinguished quickly, and major damage was confined to one area of the structure. The Battle Creek Police Department assisted with scene control, and LifeCare Ambulance was also on scene.The fire remains under investigation.

"No additional information will be released at this time," the city said in a news release. "The City of Battle Creek extends its sincere condolences to the victim’s family and loved ones."

 

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2604.24 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3949 days ago & DAD = 603 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4084 - Letter to Dad #32 - Awarding my Bear Badge 3-23-1971

Dad awarding me the Bear Badge: 3-23-1971

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4084 - Letter to Dad #32 - Awarding my Bear Badge 3-23-1971

Hi Big Guy,

Seen above is a picture of you (in the suit) awarding me my Bear Badge, Not sure what that is anymore but it was your note. That's the high school and not the Intermediate where we usually held our meetings. That's a posh upgrade. Mom is there, too, holding Lori, who is not yet two years old in that photo. I have just turned nine years old.

I like that you and Mom are dressed up for this ceremony.

Mainly, that's what I want to share this week.

I am hammered with homework, grading, and applications.

Because I am a day behind and this is Friday, I just learned that a dear friend of mine has died, and so that's tomorrow's post.

Given all that, I think I will end it all here.

Love you,

more next week

~ christopher


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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2604.23 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3948 days ago & DAD = 602 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4083 - What to Do When Not Writing

https://journeytokidlit.com/how-to-find-time-to-write-not-feel-guilty/

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4083 - What to Do When Not Writing

It's not that I can't write. It's that I am setting my priorities to other work with deadlines.

My problem is that when I do that, when I take a break from writing to work on other things for my job ($$$), to get jobs ($$$), or to do homework (someday more $$$), then I lose momentum.

Writing is about momentum.

If you are writing, then you also have things to think about that are for that writing project, mulling over some moment in a scene, having a realization of how one thing you created connects to something else, realizing a name change is needed, and so on.

I have never believed in writer's block.

Writers write.

Those who are not really writers do not write.

I feel like I am not really a writer when I am not writing.

Partly that's why I have this blog. Sure, it takes time that I could be writing fiction. But it forces me to do something even remotely creative every day, though, yes, I do fall behind sometimes, but I have systems in place now to avoid falling behind by my record (13 days) as described here:

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

A Sense of Doubt blog post #3612 - Crash Dive: Go Deep, Run Silent, Get it Done

This blog serves many purposes. It's my study. It's also my exercise, especially when I take the time to write something as I am doing right now rather than sharing other people's writing with almost nothing by me in the post.

I have anxiety.

So, when I have a lot of things to do (actually, as I do right now), I prioritize those things that feel important, and let writing slide out of the work schedule.

When that happens, I lose the momentum and even stop thinking about it, or stall out, thinking about it less.

I like to write first thing in the morning. But when something is due, I put it off, and then, often, do not get to it.

Lately, I have been trying to make writing a reward.

So, yesterday, after several days of no writing activity, I decided to just set a small goal. I had made a to do lists of some edits to make to chapters, added material. I chose one and just got started. I didn't write much. It may not have even hit my fifteen minute minimum goal. But it was a start; it was progress. And I could feel the momentum build up again. My brain started to turn the idea around, like a wooden block puzzle, as I had not finished the addition. And so, I am ready to add a little more today. But later, after I get work done for $$$ and SCHOOL. Then, I can reward myself.

Maybe this mindset will work for you, too.

If you did a search and landed on this page to check out what I had to say on this topic, or even if you didn't, and came here from social media, please leave me a comment. I love to hear from you.

Now, get writing!!

Thanks for tuning in.

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2604.22 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3947 days ago & DAD = 601 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4082 - Do You Drink 92 oz of Water Daily?

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4082 - Do You Drink 92 oz of Water Daily?

This article caught my eye, so I am sharing.

92 ounces a day is  A LOT of water. Essentially, the 32 and 64 ounce bottles below.

It's about three-quarters of a gallon.

That's A LOT of water.

I drink water every day. Usually from a pint glass. That's nearly SIX pint glasses of water a day.

Wow.

I am going to try.


MILESTONE: Also, 600 days since Dad died. I am spending it with friends playing D&D, which is also what I did the day before he died.


Thanks for tuning in.

‘I’m a Dietitian, and I Tried Drinking 92 Ounces of Water Every Day’

DRINKING ENOUGH WATER

https://health.yahoo.com/wellness/nutrition/healthy-eating/articles/m-dietitian-tried-drinking-92-130000751.html

Lauren Manaker, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.

Sat, April 18, 2026 at 6:00 AM PDT

As a registered dietitian, I should be the poster child for perfect hydration. I spend my days advising clients on how to fuel their bodies, yet I have a confession to make: I have always struggled to drink enough water. Sure, I will fill my trendy water bottle, but at the end of the day, it is far from empty.

With the weather warming up and the threat of summer dehydration looming, my editor issued a timely challenge. The assignment was simple but daunting: drink the officially recommended amount of water every day for two solid weeks and document the results. I figured there was no better time than now to practice exactly what I preach.

I went into this experiment expecting a few minor changes, but the results surprised me.

What Happened When I Drank Enough Water for Two Weeks

Trying to drink the recommended 11.5 cups (92 ounces) of total fluids per day (the official guideline for women) felt harder to do than expected, likely because it isn't built into my routine. Also, early on, I found myself making more restroom trips than usual—a gentle, if frequent and a bit annoying—reminder of how much more hydrated I suddenly was.

Soon, other unexpected benefits started to appear. My usual afternoon brain fog was nowhere near as noticeable. Could it be that when my brain felt fuzzy, I was actually dehydrated and not in need of more caffeine? Turns out, that is a strong possibility.

Another unexpected outcome? By the end of the two weeks, my husband remarked that my skin looked more refreshed and vibrant, and I also noticed that my physical workouts felt easier. My muscles did not fatigue quite as quickly during my evening walks, and recovery felt smoother. While remembering to carry my water bottle everywhere was a logistical challenge, the physical and mental shifts I experienced over those fourteen days provided all the motivation I needed to keep going.

Benefits of drinking enough water

Here are some things people may notice if they too actually drink enough water and don't simply carry around their gigantic water bottle for the aesthetics of it all.

Healthy skin

Your skin is an organ, and just like any other part of the body, it requires adequate hydration to function at its best. When you do not drink enough fluids, your skin can become dry, tight, and prone to flaking. While drinking water will not magically erase deep wrinkles, it absolutely helps maintain skin elasticity and turgor. Proper hydration may plumps up your skin cells, giving you that supple, healthy appearance my husband noticed.

Additionally, water helps flush out cellular waste and improves blood flow to the skin's surface. This increased circulation delivers essential nutrients to your skin cells, supporting a natural, healthy glow. When you are adequately hydrated, your skin is simply better equipped to protect itself against environmental stressors.

Smooth digestion

Water acts as the great facilitator for your digestive tract. When you consume dietary fiber, it needs fluid to do its job effectively. Soluble fiber absorbs water, turning into a gel-like substance that slows digestion and helps you absorb nutrients. Insoluble fiber uses water to add bulk to your stool, making it much easier to pass.

Without enough water, your colon pulls fluid from your stool to maintain hydration in the rest of your body. This leads to hard, difficult-to-pass stools and uncomfortable constipation. By keeping your fluid intake high, you help make sure that food moves smoothly and efficiently through your gastrointestinal tract, potentially reducing bloating and digestive discomfort.

Steady, sustained energy levels

Even mild dehydration can drag your energy levels down. When you lack sufficient fluids, your blood volume actually decreases. This drop in volume means your heart has to work much harder to pump oxygen and vital nutrients to your brain, skin, and muscles. That extra cardiovascular strain leaves you feeling physically exhausted and sluggish, even if you slept well the night before.

By maintaining proper hydration, you keep your blood volume stable and your cardiovascular system functioning efficiently. This translates to steady, sustained energy throughout the day. Your muscles receive the oxygen they need to perform, which prevents that heavy, tired feeling that often hits in the middle of the afternoon.

Sharper focus and cognitive clarity

Your brain is composed of roughly 75% water, making it incredibly sensitive to shifts in your hydration status. Research consistently shows that losing just a relatively small amount of the body's water content can impair cognitive performance.

Providing your system with adequate water ensures your brain cells have the fluid they need to maintain proper structure and function. During my two-week challenge, I experienced a noticeable improvement in my mental clarity. Tasks that usually felt tedious required less mental strain, and I felt much more patient and emotionally balanced throughout my workday.

Tips for maximizing hydration without overdoing it

Need some help sneaking in more water in your day? Here are some tips to consider:

1. Start your day with water
   Begin each morning by drinking a glass of water to replenish your body after hours without fluids. This sets a solid foundation for hydration throughout the day.

2. Carry a reusable water bottle
   Having water readily available makes it easier to sip consistently. Choose a bottle with measurements to help track your intake. Try filling your bottle the night before so you have it ready to grab on busy mornings.

3. Opt for hydrating foods
   Incorporate fruits and vegetables like cucumbers, watermelon, oranges, and celery into your meals, as they have high water content and contribute to overall hydration.

4. Flavor your water
   Add natural flavors like lemon, mint, or berries to your water to make drinking enjoyable without resorting to sugary alternatives.

5. Pace yourself throughout the day
   Avoid gulping down large amounts of water at once. Instead, focus on sipping water steadily over time to stay hydrated without feeling overfull. If you have a hard time remembering to drink, set an alarm on your phone that will trigger you to sip!

Our expert take

Staying hydrated is an essential part of maintaining overall health. By implementing these strategies, you can ensure your body remains balanced and equipped to perform daily tasks efficiently. Remember, hydration isn't just about drinking water; it's about creating consistent habits that fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2604.21 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = 3946 days ago & DAD = 600 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4081 - "These Days" - St. Vincent - Nico Session - DUMBO Session _ Music Monday 2604.20

A Sense of Doubt blog post #4081 - "These Days" - St. Vincent - Nico Session - DUMBO  Session - Music Monday 2604.20

I had no plan for today's post, and I am creating it a day late.

I had considered a reprint, and then I decided to do one song because that's easy enough.

I clicked open YOU TUBE and BINGO, here was this St. Vincent cover of "These Days."

I am going to confess to ignorance. I do not pay enough attention to notes on albums, and sometimes my knowledge of music, which I think of as pretty good, fails me.

Not only did I not know that Nico covered this song, among MANY, I did not know Jackson Browne wrote it.

I thought it was a 10,000 Maniacs song because that's when I first heard it.

This cover is sick.

And this song feels right for today.

Damn. I love St. Vincent!

Thanks for tuning in.

St. Vincent - These Days (DUMBO Session) (Nico Cover)

4AD

Jul 17, 2007  #StVincent #4AD #4ADRecords

Subscribe to 4AD here: http://bit.ly/2TLt1l7 

This DUMBO Session was shot and recorded live at Atlantic Sound and Union Hall in Brooklyn. It features St. Vincent performing a Nico cover, "These Days."

Check out St. Vincent's discography on 4AD: http://4ad.com/artists/stvincent

4AD on the web:

http://4ad.com/

  / fourad  

  / 4ad_official  

#StVincent #4AD #4ADRecords

 Listen to more St. Vincent's songs here http://bit.ly/39C0wwQ

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/These_Days_(Jackson_Browne_song)

Lyrics

Well, I've been out walking
I don't do that much talking these days
These days

These days I seem to think a lot
About the things that I forgot to do for you
And all the times I had the chance to

And I had a lover
But it's so hard to risk another, these days
These days

Now, if I seem to be afraid
To live the life that I have made in song
Well, it's just that I've been losin' for so long

Well, I'll keep on movin', movin' on
Things are bound to be improving these days
One of these days

These days I'll sit on corner stones
And count the time in quarter tones to ten, my friend
Don't confront me with my failures
I had not forgotten them

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Jackson Browne

These Days lyrics © Swallow Turn Music, Open Window Music, Open Window Publishing

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2604.20 - 10:10

- Days ago: MOM = ## days ago & DAD = ## days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I post Hey Mom blog entries on special occasions. I post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day, and now I have a second count for Days since my Dad died on August 28, 2024. I am now in the same time zone as Google! So, when I post at 10:10 a.m. PDT to coincide with the time of Mom's death, I am now actually posting late, so it's really 1:10 p.m. EDT. But I will continue to use the time stamp of 10:10 a.m. to remember the time of her death and sometimes 13:40 EDT for the time of Dad's death. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.