growing in the goo

This week has been a rough one for the greats. First, James Brown. Then, Gerald Ford. And now, Major Tom.

He hasn't been doing too well, and it was sad leaving him during the day, knowing that he might not last until my return. Upon getting in the door, I'd pour some warmer water in the jug, sprinkle in some food, and give my inspirational speech, telling him that he was a fighter fish, so he better damn well fight! I know it seems nuts, but he seemed invigorated (or possibly annoyed?) by the attention.

This morning I got up, and hurried to the sick bay (aka our dining room), and he was lying there on the marbles, pale, staring at me with a white accusing eye. Had I been a good enough owner? Did I make him happy? I'll never know. But there he was, in eternal rest next to the gently undulating plastic plant.

He was a smart, spirited one...he used to jump when I was feeding him, and he'd play around when the light filtered through his bowl. I used to wrap my scarf around his bowl at night in our old apartment, and would keep him in my closet, to protect him from the wind howling through the open window. It's fitting that I wore that scarf today, to protect me from the howling wind on my commute.

I suppose I wasn't giving him the greatest luck by naming him after a song about a dying astronaut, but such is life.

Space Oddity, by David Bowie

Ground Control to Major Tom
Ground Control to Major Tom
Take your protein pills
and put your helmet on

Ground Control to Major Tom
Commencing countdown,
engines on
Check ignition
and may God's love be with you

[spoken]
Ten, Nine, Eight, Seven, Six, Five, Four, Three, Two, One, Liftoff

This is Ground Control
to Major Tom
You've really made the grade
And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
Now it's time to leave the capsule
if you dare

This is Major Tom to Ground Control
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating
in a most peculiar way
And the stars look very different today

For here
Am I sitting in a tin can
Far above the world
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do

Though I'm past
one hundred thousand miles
I'm feeling very still
And I think my spaceship knows which way to go
Tell my wife I love her very much
she knows

Ground Control to Major Tom
Your circuit's dead,
there's something wrong
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you hear me, Major Tom?
Can you....

Here am I floating
round my tin can
Far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue
And there's nothing I can do.


Me and Major Tom bonding, during happier times


Major Tom during his experimental phase