GTT-- Gone to Texas-- sign frequently left by CSA officers when they split the scene.

Dec 13: The next morning I beat most of the other fans down to the comp breakfast, and tanked up on some awesome SOS (sh*t on the shingle. It was not true Okie gravy) and it went down pretty good over lovely flakey buttermilk biscuits. Gobs of Orange Juice (sometimes this is the only good thing, I don�t like stale doughnuts or cereal). Back up, loaded my stuff, and down to check out and maybe snag one last glass of OJ. Ewww weren�t they out for that free brekkie? YIKE there sat ol� pbaub, right near the biscuits and gravy! A few more Moody fans were in there with him, sopping up waffles. One really needed to cut back on the Fruit Loops, she wandered past me wearing the Young-Justin-on-tie-dye shirt. Sniff no more OJ for you Christie get outta here quick! (you can�t even wedge in there past the big butts!) I dropped my card and split the scene rapidly. Other places to be, people to see.

The tour bus was still there in the Winstar parking lot when I cruised past it on the way out.

A few extra tidbits: Maggie Clarke never showed up, so I hope she�s ok wherever she is. I do honestly feel for her with the bad knee. My roomate said she had ridden the train with Maggie for one tour, and she is really nice.

I also have decided there are two types of fans in our "core fan base". One group is really really into the band and the music. The second group is really lonely and looking for friends, thus winds up seeking social liaisons and clubs, groups, eating together, friend bonding. "Groupers" as I call them, those sorts of people who join clubs. I�ll leave it up to you to decide which you are in. I�m in group One, and as one fan put it "I don�t give a shit" about the ins and outs of "who�s friends with whom". Neither group is better or worse frankly. But I think clashes arise when those two groups miss one another�s messages.

Despite my smart-ass commentary and critique, I do have to repeat what I love about the Moodies. The whole thing does bring people together, friends are made. After meeting all the nice folks at the Mexicali, I have to say I am VERY heartened by the good people who really make up the core of the Moody fan base. Our fan club is like an iceberg: most of us float below the surface, the loud ones above the surfaee (not always nice folks) aren't always indicative of the real make-up of the group. We have to keep telling ourselves, "don�t let the assholes get you down".

It�s always nice to see John�s playfulness, Gordon�s prowess, and Justin�s voice now so soft and gentle (he really can be a very scary dude at times). Julie and Norda are very cute and classy ladies. Paul is back there holding the harmonies together. And Graeme. Who could not love Graeme? It was such a kind thing for them to come to the States for Christmas, and I can�t think of a better present.

Dallas: John said something at one of the shows "I know life's a bit tough now but" thank you for keeping the faith, in other words, and wished us a Happy Christmas. It�s a funny thing, I think a lot of the nicer-looking women in our fan base are pretty well kept, or professional gals, so this wasn�t necessarily for them. But the sentiment is heart-felt. I think we will get through all this ok, and maybe be stronger for it. We have been poised for a real economic CYCLIC drop for a while (see Kondratieff waves) so all you can do is ride the waves sometimes. Yee Haw.

The band went onward to their last gig for the tour, in the Dallas area, for the family and friends of Fred Baron, they double-gigged with what�s left of the Guess Who. Fred was a lawyer, and some sort of political crony to John Edwards; Fred died on Oct 30, so I guess he knew he was going, and it was sorta nice to spend his resources on two vintage bands like this. They erected a 50,000-square-foot tent at the couple's Preston Hollow estate. The way the wind had been behaving in those parts, I hope it was nice and sturdy. The photos show Justin in a white Neru jacket, but otherwise not much word has publicly trickled out to the fan base. Stay tuned. Lisa Blue, Fred�s lady told the crowd the best way to honor Fred was to have a good time. So I guess they did, and that is wonderful.

As he said himself......... Tread softly, for you tread on my dreams (WB Yeats)

(No Moody content) Chapter Eight: Dec 13: Lawton: A Celtic Warrior at the Medicine Creek

(No Moody content) Chapter Nine: Dec 14-17: Family, Heinlein�s MO, and the trip home