"Now fill the world with music, love and pride"

For my money, these are the two most cogent responses to the horror in Orlando.

Thoughts and Prayers, by John Scalzi

“I offer my thoughts and prayers.”

Thank you.

It’s not enough.

It never was.

What more do you have to offer?

Recipe for a Shooting, by Chuck Wendig

You’re special.

Those people aren’t like you.

They’re your enemy.

You get to have what you want.

You get to do what you want, take what you want.

(Nobody will do anything to stop you anyway.)

Just don’t cry. Don’t feel. Bottle it all up.

God says it’s okay.

The law says it’s okay.

Long as you’re a man, a manly man, not a pussy, not a queer.

Here, now. Have your gun. Go on, take it.

Don’t use it, of course.

Wink, wink.

Don’t use it.

Don’t stray.

Those are your enemies.

Here is your gun.

And there is this.

The World Stands With Orlando

(Title: From Lin-Manuel Miranda's sonnet, read Sunday night at the Tony Awards.)

The Butterfly Has Flown

What can I say that hasn't already been said?

Except: damn. Eff you, 2016, and we're not even halfway through. 

"Die Like a Hero Going Home"

Today's cartoon in the Arizona Republic.

Oh my effing God, 2016. You need to stop this right now.

David Bowie. Glenn Frey. Merle Haggard. Malik Taylor. Vanity. Maurice White. Paul Kantner.

And now, of course, Prince Rogers Nelson, at the age of 57. Only *cough*mumbledy*cough* years older than me.

I've been watching a few videos, including the ubiquitous clip of his scorching guitar solo in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame rendition of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." If you fast-forward to the end of the clip, Prince tosses the guitar into the air after his solo--and it never comes down.

Obviously someone in the rafters caught it, but talk about symbolism.

Then I stumbled across this clip, with Lenny Kravitz.

That blue jumpsuit is a work of art all unto itself, but the incredible musicianship and guitar chops are on full display.

I only hope whoever manages his estate will release the rumored hundreds of songs in the vaults, so we can see the full extent of his genius.

"When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home."   ~Tecumseh