Nights in white satin, never reaching the end...

Quarter to six in the a.m. and I've yet to slumber.

Could have something to do with the migraine meds I took at midnight. Caffeine in it, you know.

Whatever the case, it put me in mind of a Moody Blues tune. You know it, no doubt.

Nights in white satin, never reaching the end...

Thought about it so long that I finally dug out the vinyl. Boy, does it ever sound good, pops and cracks and all.

Actually, if you're careful and clean, vinyl holds up pretty well. And we all know it's the superior sound for any serious audiophile.

Anyhow, the song also brought back memories of the Tim Burton/Johnny Depp "Dark Shadows."

Purists hated it. Audiences went to see some big budget comic book blockbuster that opened in the same cycle. Dime a dozen, they are, and I can't keep track.

I wanted to despise the Burton/Depp "Dark Shadows" but I didn't. The reason I bring it up is because the scene that's stayed with me is the main title sequence. That haunting Moody Blues melody plays as Victoria Winters travels (by train, of course) to Collinsport.

I felt chills during that moment. Not sure why, but I knew then that I would like the movie. And I did. No, it wasn't "Dark Shadows." But it was fine, fun, visually stunning, and threw enough bones to the longtime fan to make one smile.

So now it's almost six and I guess I should get to bed, eh?

Just what I'm going through, they can't understand...

Those blasted migraines

I'm getting migraines again. Not sure what's up with that.

Once upon a time, I used to get one every three weeks. We finally figured out it was due to a methane gas leak in a pipe housed in the closet next to my office.

Since then, it's been sporadic. Seems to be worse in winter and spring. I think it's tied, at least in part, to the barometric pressure and, possibly, to MSG in foods. Nothing I can do about the first one. Gib Galyon had me clean out my cupboards with regard to the second one. Now, he says, I need to ask about it at restaurants.

Whatever the case, they're no fun. Any fellow sufferers out there can tell ya, too.

I do take medicine, but it doesn't always "catch" a migraine. Like yesterday afternoon. I slept until about 7:30 p.m. Still have the migraine "hangover."

These things bother me because they make me all but immobile. Can't do anything. Sensitive to light and noise. Must have a cool, dark room. Ugh. As soon as I get paid, I'm going to call a massage therapist. That helps, too.

But, I know. If this and kidney stones are all I ever have to deal with, I'm in pretty good shape.

Forgive the personal ramble today. Just needed to get it off my chest.

Not today

Not now. Please, God, not now.

Of all days. You go two years and then, on a week when all hell breaks loose, you get it. Could it be because of tonight's full moon?

Migraine is back. With a vengeance. Last night's lull was just that.

I'm here in the office, trying, failing miserably. Nick's mother passed away. I'm trying to keep that perspective.

I can't read without becoming nauseated. Two guys are bouncing around on the roof, cleaning gutters, making it worse. I want to go home. I want to go to bed. I want the pain to go away.

And I wish she were here. With all my being, everything in my soul, I wish she were here. I want to put my arms around her, feel her touch against my skin, drown in the warmth of her being.

But she isn't here. And I can't go home.

And the pain, hidden or otherwise, won't go away.