El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh

Subject: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Oct 99 - 07:44 PM

Well not really...but we have pictures going to bbc of Cleigh riding the hood of the new squad unit! Also one of him "marking" a wheel rim as 2 goofs grin at the camera.

In truth folks, it was another great day for me. As those of you involved in the postcard scheme know, Dave Swan, the Great El Swanno, was in Ohio to pick up a new Squad Unit and drive it back to California. Today we were able to get together for awhile and once again I am simply amazed at this place and the wonderful folks who inhabit it. Unfortunately Big Mick was unable to make it, but for me, it was terrific meeting Dave and finding him to be what I expected and more. I'm so often humbled by the intelligence, warmth, and humor around here that it is wonderful to know that the cyber-person I've come to know is indeed MORE than I know here at the 'Cat. I'm envious of some of the California 'Catters who have the pleasure of Dave's company on a regular basis.

Wonderful friendships are being formed here. And as Dave and I discussed, if anyone had told us 5 years ago that we'd make new, close friends in this manner, both of us would have had them locked up for insane acts. Having missed the Getaway, this was a special treat to me and the Great El Swanno lived up to his name in every respect.

I took good care of him Pam (pj) and he'll be arriving back soon....but I must warn you.........Kissing him may be a bit hazardous as the boy has now blown up the possum's ass!!!

Spaw - also anxious to hear how the postcard scheme goeas down!

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Oct 99 - 07:56 PM

That's wonderful, 'Spaw. Guess Bremen is a little more 'central" than I thought; people keep coming trhough nearby, or is it just the great allure of meeting the real, the only 'Spaw and Cleigh!?

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: catspaw49
Date: 29 Oct 99 - 10:19 PM

Actually Kat, I think its one of the few places where you can blow up a possum's ass for free and without being bitten.

Spaw

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Oct 99 - 11:14 PM

Ah...Bremen! Home of the FREE....possum-blowing! Or should it be FREE-Blowing Possum? One of these days, he's gonna turn on you 'Spaw. Be careful, be very careful, esp. on All Hallow's Eve!

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: catspaw49
Date: 30 Oct 99 - 01:30 PM

What the hell are you smokin' dear? Where does a possum fit into Halloween tradition? Trick or Possum? Possum skeletons? Bobbing for Possums? Possum on a broomstick? The Legend of Possum Hollow? The Headless Possum? Jack O'Possoms?

"Don't Bogart that joint my friend. Pass it over to me."

Spaw

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Oct 99 - 02:16 PM

Aw, 'Spaw, aintcha eveah heerd a PETA, them's the ones wot wan ta creechures ta be free. i heerd one a'them talking it oveh wid Cleigh when he's passin thu t'other night in ta fairee garden. Thay'err jist using ole Halloween as a cover fer theyr animal lib movement. I'm tellin ya, Cleigh doesn't wan the life of guest appearances and sich. he met up wid some of them free possums ta udder night and saw what them real onez git ta do and he aint niver gonna fergit it, neither. Yew all stand in his'n way and he's not gonna be 'sponsible fer wot 'e does, speshlee wid them crazys helpin out.

They's talk that if'n ya kin make it passit midnight tomorry night, yew'll be okay fer anothah yeah, so jist wotch yerself and keep a cloz eye on Cleigh, too. maybe yew should even tak him to church for the all-soles service ta nixt day, kinda git 'im pointed in ta right direcshun, ya ken?

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: bbc
Date: 30 Oct 99 - 10:09 PM

I received the photos & hope to put them up (somewhere) soon. Can't today, though. I am swamped between rehearsing for the 1st coffeehouse gig, working on Project 2 for school, & swirling leaves several inches deep in the yard. Help!!! They are cute, but I am starting (starting?) to fear for Pat. He seems to have a serious 'possum fixation. Nice to see your face, El Swanno. I put my 1st postcard in the mail today & the 2nd goes on Monday.

best,

bbc (crazed in NY)

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: Dave Swan
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 01:47 AM

Spaw,

Thanks for keeping my sweetie's chops in shape with a little 'possumizing while he's on the road. Wouldn't want him to get lonely and go consorting with unknown marsupials.

The pictures of the two of you are great! I should act like a big girl now and stop kissing my computer screen, but after all he's been away for 4 WHOLE DAYS.

Got any other ideas how I should fill my time until the rig comes squealin' up in front of our house?

PJ

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 09:37 AM

Hi Pam....

Gee, are you giving me a few of those to Peej?

Really was a great time and I'm looking forward to the next. Longer this time and with some good music too.

Now what can you do????? How about listening to some reels and fiddle tunes...and some melodious, haunting ballads? I guess I oughta' explain that, but I'll do it later......or Dave can.

You could also help Mario with a name for Cleigh's new sister on the "Possum Arrives" thread.

I sent a hug for you too......Make sure you get it!LOL

Spaw

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: Micca
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 05:05 PM

Query. Why would someone want to fit an explosive device to a possum and blow up its ass? Is this another of these strange North American pastimes? or is it blowing up as in "inflating" I did not know Didephyls were inflatable. I knew they have pouches, I assumed this was to keep Beer Tokens in (ours have pictures of the Queen on and come in various values, yours have Presidents on I understand), But I ask you when was the last time a possum bought you a Beer. So maybe you mean "blow up" as in "telling off" Micca

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: catspaw49
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 05:32 PM

No Micca....you see, Cleigh O'Possum is a Mudcat Icon, an Ocarina made by Barbara Blessings for me after I made a crack about holding out for one where I could "blow up a possum's ass." He has his own picture page which you can access above at "bbc's Mudcat Resources" (pull down menu)....If you're new and confused, don't worry about it....you'll figure it out....It's a nutty place, but a good one. I'm one of the resident loonies and I apologize if this all sounds crazed, but I spend a lot of time at the "Neil Young Center for the Terminally Screwed." We operate it in conjunction with the CIA that trains crazed tiple bands there for government overthrow.

Spaw

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 05:59 PM

And if all that doesn't drive you screaming for the exit, Micca, then I guess you belong here. 'Spaw calls himself one of the resident loonies: he's much too modest--he's the bull goose loony, to borrow a title from Randall Patrick McMurphy (Ken Kesey's One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest). Before he came, most members took their vacations at the Burl Ives Center for the Mildly Befuddled.

Hey, Patsclaw--how's Marie O'Supial as a name for Cleigh's little sister? I guess I'd better tell Mario before he picks something dumb.

--seed

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: Micca
Date: 31 Oct 99 - 06:42 PM

I KNOW he is a Mudcat icon. and I'd seen his picture, I was just indulging my Celtic Druidic taste for wordplay and the way the same word/phrase means different things.Its like the old remarsrk here about Guy Fawkes going to blow up the Houses of Parliament and a listener saying "I didn't they were inflatable" I would be honoured, if the chance arises, to "blow up his ass" if Cleigh is amenable but since I'm an "arrow badge wearer" maybe I should wait for the Female version.

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 02:55 AM

Hey, Micca, a possum's ass is a possum's ass. It don't make no fockin' difference which ya blow up. And don't forget the martini before and the smoke after.

--seed

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: Micca
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 12:19 PM

Hey Seed, I still reckon I'd only get bum notes out of it anyway. BTW do these possums have a family tree? are they by any chance descended from the legendary Ma Supial of Kentucky (circa 1800) who married Pre Hensile Tail in about 1825 May be direct descendants of the Kerry O'Possums and related to the Sporran Mac Possums of Clonakilty.

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: MMario
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 01:05 PM

Nope sorry. I have it on good authority that both Cleigh and baby sister are descended from indigenous pre-columbian ancestors

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: bseed(charleskratz)
Date: 01 Nov 99 - 05:19 PM

Their ancestors' skins were highly favored by indigenous craftsmen for the heads of drums used for the Western Hemisphere version of the ubiquitous Hokey Pokey, known among the Navaho as the "H'oqui-p'huukii" and the Cree as the "Hock-ptui-phlegm-bah," also called the "Maple Leaf Stomp."

--seed

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From:
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 04:35 AM

It just occured to me that our American cousins (Trans-ponders) may not know the "arrow badge wearer" expression. Apparently it comes from a bunch of guys who visited night clubs in Brighton here in England, Brighton is almost the gay capital of the UK and to indicate their Sexual orientation they took to wearing an arrow badge in silver to ward off unwelcome propositions from gay men and to save embarrassment on both sides. (Arrow as in straight as an arrow)

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: Micca
Date: 02 Nov 99 - 04:35 AM

It just occured to me that our American cousins (Trans-ponders) may not know the "arrow badge wearer" expression. Apparently it comes from a bunch of guys who visited night clubs in Brighton here in England, Brighton is almost the gay capital of the UK and to indicate their Sexual orientation they took to wearing an arrow badge in silver to ward off unwelcome propositions from gay men and to save embarrassment on both sides. (Arrow as in straight as an arrow)

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: Dave Swan
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 06:55 PM

It was a great day meeting catspaw. He is as kind, warm, quick(damn, he is quick), comfortable, funny, smart and perceptive in person as he is here. It felt like picking up a recent conversation with a favorite relative. Just great.

However....Cletus, Reg&Reg&Reg sneaked into catspaw's van along with Cleigh, who did indeed provide our rescue.

We met for lunch at a nice Chinese restaurant in Columbus. The kind of place with a fountain in the reception area, cloth napkins, and a staff to guest ratio of about three to one.

Once we were seated, Cleigh skittered off to snarf goodies off the floor and never bothered a soul.

The boys were another matter. Cletus couldn't get the hang of chopsticks, then spent half an hour trying to clean his ears with one covered in plum sauce. Reg&Reg&Reg got bent out of shape because they couldn't get maple syrup to go with their won-shih pancakes.

Catspaw banished the boys to the parking lot about half way through the meal, and we got down to some serious story telling and joking which was soon interrupted by a distraught restaurant manager screaming something which was barely understandable but included LEDGE,LEDGE,LEDGE and CRETUS. Well, Cletus had found the fountain in the lobby, left his clothes in a pile and entered the water in his new long johns, splashing around like Fernando Llamas in search of Esther Williams. Reg&Reg&Reg had one fortune cookie left among them and were trying to determine its ownership through a game of paper-scissors-stones which included a fair amount of ass-kicking and head butting. It was hard to tell which happened when.

Catspaw and I were trying to placate the manager and do the mental math for the damages when Cleigh waddled into the action. You don't see an opossum in a Chinese restaurant every day, and his entrance brought everthing to a halt. Cleigh made a whistling sound, sat up and smiled, revealing the biggest cockroach I have ever seen. With a satisfied little grunt, Cleigh crunched the cockroach and spent a few moments masticating it while 'spaw and I enjoyed the horrified silence.

As Cleigh washed his face Catspaw suggested that if the restaurant forgot about Cleutus and the Reg boys,we would forget about the cockroach.

Clever little guy, that Cleigh. During the commotion he had run into the garden, found a grasshopper, dipped it in soy sauce and scampered back into the restaurant in time for his big moment.

Saved by a clay opossum and his counterfeit cockroach? I'd rather be lucky than good.

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: WyoWoman
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 07:24 PM

I *love" Marie O'Supial...

Does she have a name yet? Is it that one?

ww

Subject: RE: El Swanno & Spaw Rescued by Cleigh
From: MMario
Date: 04 Nov 99 - 09:53 PM

sorry, wyo...she's named Didelphyia O'Carina (Dido for short). And I suspect she is going to be MUCH quieter and sedate then her brother.

MMario