Many of you dedicated readers may remember my favorite fish, JoJo.

Bryan mentioned last week that JoJo hadn’t come out for feeding in a few days.

And today, there was indisputable evidence (that he would not elaborate on) that JoJo is no longer with us.

Godspeed, little JoJo.  You were the only fish I ever liked.

Perfect example: “Once on This Island”.  Or “Romeo and Juliet”.  Both of this shows were the penultimate of romance when I was younger.  I bawled at the end of both of them, desperately hoping that ONE DAY, I would know love as true as was written in these stories.

Years later, I look at them and think, “That’s the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard of.  You killed yourself?  OVER A MAN?!”

We’re shaped by many things: society, family, growth-hormones in the chicken and beef, and occasionally, mood-altering drugs.  As we grow older, our ideas of what defines “love” are bound to change.

Sometimes, our ideas are actually molded by experiences in our own lives, with our own loves.  Things that seemed vital to “love” when we were 17 don’t seem so important when we’re 20.  And when we’re 25, we laugh at what we held as standard in our tender 20 year old hearts.

We’re often this way with food, too.  Same thing.  You couldn’t even pop a bag of popcorn around me when I was younger, but now the movie theatre doesn’t seem complete without a jumbo tub between us, extra salt and extra butter.  Our tastebuds change.  They refine themselves.  So do our hearts.

I think it’s incredibly important to never say “never” when it comes to judging others’ relationships.  Because you don’t know what shape you’ll be in ten years.  You may have been a staunch square, but years of wind and rain could have rounded you out into an oval.  And with even more time, you may be changed more.  In fact, I’ve come to hope for change, for growth.

Just think: what was your favorite color ten years ago?  How did you wear your hair?  When you went to the vending machine, what did you choose?  Are any of those the same now?

(A very vague vent, by Sarah Brown)

On Wednesday night, you’re attending:

Lee High School’s Magnet Program Benefit performance!  Beginning at 7 p.m. at Lee High, you can preview all of the SUPERIOR talent in this magnet program before they pack up and head to State Competition.  Free to enter, any and all donations MUCH APPRECIATED.  These kids have worked hard to put together mind-blowing individual dramatic events, musical selections, and a top-notch one-act.. so stop by and show support for your local high school!!

Next two Tuesday nights, (if you have ovaries) you’re attending:

The Vagina Monologues auditions, to be held at Renaissance Theatre on Dec. 6th and 13th at 7 p.m.  Directed by Lezlie Lanza and assisted by The One and Only Sarah Brown, with proceeds to benefit local women’s charities.  All walks of women are needed for this diverse and inspirational production.  The shows will run two nights in March, so even if you don’t audition.. be sure to come out and support the effort to protect women from violence!

Okay, so the tag line of that last press release sucked.  I should fix that.

This Sunday afternoon, you’re attending:

The grand moving party!  Yes, you read it correctly.. this Sunday afternoon, all able men, women, and children are cordially invited to work your ass off to help Bryan move in with Sarah!  You will be richly rewarded (in karma) and most definitely compensated (in spirit), so contact Sarah L Brown to offer your hands!  Bryan has an ass-load of stuff, so hopefully, a community of do-gooders will make this effort as quick and painless as possible (as Sarah HATES moving).  So come on, ye TLS ilk, ye WildeChick chicas, ye HuntsVegas crowds.. spend a little time, get a LOT of love!

Coming soon:

Moving the Shickles-Lewallens to their new abode, just in time for baby’s first Christmas!!