Anyone that visits here knows how much of a theme whore I used to be years ago.
I would change my theme 3X in one day, maybe even more.
(will someone make anonymum stop laughing?)
Definitely more times than I change my underwear.
I have calmed down a bit but today I saw what is currently up and said,
“Yup. It’s theme time!”
So if you’re wondering what happened, let’s just say my blog got a ‘face lift’
For now . . .
Be sure to check back for Malarky Monday!
And change those clocks!
Spring ahead.

Monday rolls around way too quick these days.
Where did the week go?
Poof.
That’s where.
Welcome to Malarky Monday!
This is the day of the week that a group of us (teh blogocracy) tries
to get you to giggle, spit, put a smile on your face or all three.
After reading my post, please visit my fellow cohorts for more Monday Mayhem.
This is ‘crazy shit’ week for me.
A potpourri of oddness and funky humor.
Sorry in advance about the f-bombs

There is nothing funnier than a cat wearing red sox.
Oh, wait a minute.
There is . . .

This is pretty much self explanatory but funny nonetheless.
Illegal downloading is a problem these days.
Still trying to download an English Bull Terrier . . .

Is this cat’s name Rocky?

And in closing a footnote to our wonderful government
(currently buried in 2ft of snow. cool, huh?)
((screw ‘em, they deserve it))

Now please visit my MM blogging buds!

Moe
Morky
Dilligaf

A dear friend has asked that I please reply to my recent comments.
I looked and realized that the last comment I replied to was from Lynn on January, 3 of this year.
God, I’ve been terrible.
Can you folks ever forgive me?
I am going to answer each and every comment starting tonight.
I just won’t finish tonight, sorry to say.
I am happy that people visit and comment but lately life has had a stranglehold on me.
I do apologize.
If you have been kind enough to leave me a thought or three, check back.
All comments will be answered by this weeks end.
Promise.
I thank all of you for taking the time to send me your thoughts.
Know that every comment has been read by me.
Now for the replies . . .

[ps, the picture has nothing to do with the post, I just thought it was funny (and true)]

Nothing says congratulations quite like a picture of Borat, don’tcha think?
High Five! <– click here, please
Back in November I did a post regarding people that have left
the most comments on my blog.
I challenged people to try and up their comment count by offering prizes.
(I know, I’m a comment whore, sue me) 
As of 12.31.2009 the top three commenters were:
*Maureen (154)
*Lolly (77)
and
*Lynn (71)

*numbers are a very close approximation according to Google

I want to thank all three of you for being such an integral part of my blog over the past year.
Without interaction and comments like yours I wouldn’t be here.
Know that something will be on its way this Wednesday when I hit the post office.
*Maureen, your prize will be inside Morky’s b-day gift which we will send in February
(And it’s quite a doozy, let me say. And no, it is not a cheeseburger)
I thank all three of you for visiting me and making my comment numbers go in the right direction.
Up.
You ladies have rocked my world.
The best to all of you in the new year.
And please keep visiting . . .

Back in November I posted THIS.
Many replied and many said they wanted in.
Interest lacked and we are now heading into a new year.
Not much time left if you want to garner a prize (if that’s what you want to call it) 
Anonymum, Lolly & Lynn are the top three contenders.
(I am close to Lynn but would never give myself a prize for my own lame comments)
Comment folks!
Comment!
Troll my archives and comment!
Just a bit of kick ass inspiration is all.
Come back tomorrow morning for some fireworks!

. . .  without a comment!

I’ve added a ‘Top Comment’ widget to my sidebar to get an idea as to who
comments the most.
There were no surprises (Maureen) but I thought it was interesting at the very least.
I’m thinking about a contest though . . .
Most comments at years end for the top 3 visitors will garner you a prize.
Right now I’m thinking about something with my URL on it (a t-shirt, kitchen magnet, bumper sticker, coffee mug)
Maybe a favorite book of mine that I could ‘dedicate’ to the individual winners.
Or I do have a collection of vintage postcards which I could send hand-written messages to
the three winners. (maybe all three prizes!)
Something to shoot for?
Your call.
That said, please comment.
As much as you can.
Give yourself a winning chance.
Get yourself into the top 12 (if you’re not already there) and who knows?
Yeah, I love traffic almost as much as I like comments.
Can you tell?
And it looks like I may have New Years Eve off this year from gigging (first one in 30 years)
Could be fun to post the winners at midnight as the ball drops . . .

ps. those of you that don’t have a gravatar (image next to your name)
go to Gravatar.com and set up an account.
It’s free, painless and easier than giving blood.
And you can pick your own picture!
Once you’re done, your gravatar appears whenever you post a comment!
Very cool.

THIS post has been generating a serious amount of traffic lately.
I’m always curious as to why.
No comments in moderation and no emails . . .
( And I am so damn accessible)
I’ll take the traffic but I will continue to wonder as well.
It was a fairly personal, albeit cryptic post.
Going to scratch my bald noggin . . .

I StumbledUpon a short article one night that stopped me in my tracks.
It was titled, “If your blog disappeared, who would miss it?”
I thought about the question for a good long time and came to the conclusion that, yeah,
there are many people that would miss it.
I do hope I’m right.
I am no egomaniac but I do feel that some folks would, yours truly being one.
I’ve been blogging now for almost five years with no foreseeable end in sight.
It’s been the reaction to my words and thoughts that’s kept me going strong for 5, to be honest.
Some comments I’ve received are seemingly deeper than the posts I’ve written.
It would seem that I’m fishing for compliments here, but I am definitely not.
I have 5 questions for anyone kind enough to take the time to answer them.
I appreciate your honesty and feedback.

1. What is it that makes you visit me again?
2. What do you not like about Smoke and Mirrors? (be honest)
3. What would you like to see more of (or less of) in the future?
4. Would you like to see something different?
5. What is your favorite post and why? (longtime readers only)

There are more questions that I have but I don’t want to keep you here forever
(a little white lie, methinks)
I made this post relatively short to give you a few moments to comment.
I thank all of you dearly in advance.

Nothing better than starting the week out with a clip from Curly.
His bowl of oyster stew is indeed alive and well.

________________________________________________

I supposedly have an appointment with the Doc on Wednesday.
This is what he may say to me.

A few quotes to finish things up;
“Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” – Douglas Adams

Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery.

“I told the doctor I broke my leg in two places.
He told me to quit going to those places.” – Henny Youngman

Please visit my fellow Malarkers for more Monday chuckles.
Have a great week, folks!

Moe
Morky
&
Muffy

I figured out that I spend approximately one month a year riding the train back and forth to Boston.

One month.

30 days.

720 hours.

43,200 minutes.

2,592,000 seconds.

I write, read, sleep, text message, eat, drink
and look out the slightly opaque windows and think.
I’ve been doing this for over 4 years and if it weren’t for my writing stuff and my
Ipod Nano (thank you M), I think I would have thrown in the towel years ago.

I will say that it endlessly fascinates me when I look back and read some of the things
I’ve written on the train; the original thought process with my cross outs and all.
It’s the true ‘me’ that not too many people see.
Pamela and the girls have seen much of it and one other special friend
but my journals tend to get sequestered soon after they’re filled.

The journal I’m currently writing in has
‘Beginnings, mishaps & didgeridoos’, ‘Akubra’, ‘Communion’ and ‘Serenissima’.
The corrections and edits are actually quite funny in a way; silly things,
inconsequential explosions of neurons misfiring and my internal editor trying to patch it up.
It’s a literary ER of sorts going on in my mind 24/7.
Though I’m very proud of much of my work, there’s so very much more to do.
Tough pill to swallow when I look at the stacks of yellow legal pads & journals filled with my thoughts, blues and dreams.
I currently have 7-8 stories waiting to see the light of day.
It makes me sad because I just don’t have the time to devote to editing them and finishing them in the fashion they deserve.
When they’re ready, the will let me know.
I honestly think that what I’m trying to do here is keep myself sane as I think about those 2,592,000 seconds.
You know what my commute needs?
A 20 minute neck massage times 2; into the city and out.
Maybe a rub or three on the soles of the  feet on the way home.
Hey, a writer can dream, can’t he?