Ghost

Ghost, n. The outward and visible sign of an inward fear.

2005 Update: An entity beyond death, rich in spirit and poor in flesh. Halloween's congressperson.

Boo, y'all! Happy Halloween!

Fauna

Fauna, n. pl. A general name for the various beasts infesting any locality exclusive of domestic animals, traveling menageries and Democratic politicians.

2005 Update: A dietary alternative to virtue.

Happy birthday to two of my favorite blogbuddies, Aral Peppermint Patty Pez and Masil Q..

Mommy The Moocher

Story #16 in which Jazz Great Cab Calloway makes and keeps time.
To hear the story, click with Cab:












Folks, here's the story 'bout Minnie The Moocher (in print.)



Today's story is cross-posted on Doug Drones On where Doo-Doo Man of The Pansi Files will tell his own story.

Tomorrow there will be a special Sunday edition to say Happy Birthday to two of my favorite people.

Intellectual

Intellectual, adj. Employed on the Bulletin, in the department of Art, Literature and Agriculture; residing in Boston; near-sighted.

2005 Update: Commited to public radio and the certainty that reason bears the force of angels.

In a perfect conicidence with today's post, Blocahalela of The Pansi Files has posted her Audiobiography on Doug Drones On.

Platonic

Platonic, adj. Pertaining to the philosophy of Socrates. Platonic Love is a fool's name for the affection between a disability and a frost.

2005 Update: In the United States, featuring bonds of affection and baseball. Robust.




Left, Doug Pascover, Platonic Lover

The Chicago White Sox are World Champions!!! Thanks to the White Sox Organization and all my friends who rooted for them to win the series!

Special Guest Wednesday

This Wednesday it is my pleasure to feature Pia Savage who offers the following definition this week:

Picaresque, n. A bitter person.
Picaresque, adj. Someone behaving in a childlike pouting manner. Like they swallowed a lemon.

About Pia: Pia writes the elegant, popular and fascinating Courting Destiny, a site that features primarily vignettes from Pia's life in prose as much a carnival as a New York City girl's existence. With emotion, image and metaphor, Pia takes routes that only someone who knew the streets and subways could follow with a surprise waiting at every corner and station. At times, Pia chooses to write about politics from a generally leftish slant or television from the perspective of whichever bloc thinks James Spader is king. When I was getting to know Courting Destiny she had written a few political pieces which led, through the magic of the internet, to unrelenting illumination from some of the dimmer quarters of the blogosphere. Rather than be distracted from the central purpose of her site, Pia got together with some of her blog friends to found a collaborative left-leaning political site, Bring It On!. Pia and her friends and those who aren't her friends can bring their political controversies there, which keeps the conversation on Courting Destiny lively, constructive, honest and engaged mostly.

Pia herself has been a mentor to me in the development of Waking Ambrose. One of the most important things I learned from Pia is how valuable comments can be in building both the community and the content of a weblog. I believe, and I bet my long-time readers will agree, that what's written in the posts on this site isn't half as much fun as the conversations that follow. I credit Pia for the insight that allowed me to take full advantage of you, good readers, to that end.

How to be a Wednesday Guest: Email me at dpascover at mac dot com. On a future Wednesday, after putting up the current week guest post I'll email you a word to define and request your definition and a graphic representing either you or your definition by the following Saturday. No profanity, please.

Fog

Fog, n. A substance remaining after the last analysis of San Franciscan atmosphere- the sewer-gas, dust, cemetary effluvium, disease germs and other ingredients having been eliminated. Of these, however, dust is the chief; and as Mr. Edmund Yates, by combining the words "smoke" and "fog, gave to the London atmosphere the graphic name of "smog," we, in humble imitation but with inferior felicity, may confer upon our grumous environment the title of "dog."

2005 Update: Nature's talking point.

Benefactor

Benefactor, n. One who makes heavy purchases of ingratitude, without, however, materially affecting the price, which is still within the means of all.

2005 Update: A former beneficiary and future target.

Star Peak

Story #15, in which Doug's gas runs out but his luck holds steady.
To hear the story, climb Star Peak.









To read the story, follow me.



Today's story is cross-posted on Doug Drones On where Daisy of The Pansi Files tells her own story.

Duty

Duty, n. That which sternly impels us in the direction of profit, along the line of desire.

Sir Lavender Portwine, in favor at court,
Was wroth at his master, who'd kissed Lady Port.
His anger provoked him to take the king's head,
But duty prevailed and he took the king's bread,
Instead.
G.J.

2005 Update: An alternative to Custom.