Neil Young | hittingthesweetspot by Bob Skelley

I’m typing with Grammarly.

I’m supposed to be scared.

crap. With a small case “c”.

I once knew a man with 12 operating systems.

He self-admittedly changed operating systems more often than he did his underwear.

Linux. Windows. Mac.

He ran them all.

Ubuntu.

Deepin

Zorin

Linux Lite

Windows 10 Home

Windows 10 Professional

Windows 10 Amateur

macos

Mac OS 9

yeah

Ubuntu Mate

Q something

Pearl

Makulu

MX-18

MX-17

Rocket fuel

whatever

Unlike the rest of the crowd online, he would cry out loud.

He was always trying to connect in a different way, even if it meant the only way he was attempting connection was via to operate…in a manner of speaking…using a different operating system.

When he felt sick, he felt really sick.

So far Grammarly hasn’t gotten me.

Nor has any ancient curse…thus far.

But, I’m playing side one of Neil Young’s “Decade.”

And anything is fair game.

“Protecting her kings from the sun rays at dawn.”

Especially with Grammarly pop-ups.

Why did I sign up?

I get it.

It’s cool if an app pops something up.

Cool.

Yeah.

I’ll click on it.

Yeah.

I might.

I mean, really.

And Neil plays on.

I think we’re going into “Ol’ Laughin’ Lady” or whatever clever measure of letter omissions the song title is.

Oh, wait!

Expecting to Fly.

I miss you, Neil.

I bemoaned your decline.

Decade was one of your understated and most underrated compilations.

…

Getting back to, “When he felt sick, he felt really sick.”

Especially when it was not bacteria-based. He could feel a virus gripping his entire body, when it was in total control.

At his advanced age, he considered his relationships and work dealings to be a rest-of-life commitment.

He thinks this is the most he’s ever struggled for just under 300 words.

But I’m over 300 words now.

This is the best ride anyone could ever hope for.

And Neil plays “Sugar Mountain.”

Ain’t Life Grand.

…

To the people that you met and it’s your first cigarette.

Now just listen.

This is the rhythm that is “Decade.”

You’re leaving there too soon.

Degenerated into something Will Ferrell-appropriate.

…

Just over 350 words and I sort of feel smarter.

When I woke up this morning I didn’t think what I would set out to write later would change the world.

In fact, I didn’t think I’d be writing at all.

Neil coughs.

People clap.

Side Two

What is the color…

You are a man.

You understand.

Wait, hold it right there.

My journey has nothing to do with what Neil is singing about.

It definitely was a good attempt at figuring out describing what life might hold out later.

Double Albums

They really add no value.

In Neil’s case, when on Side Two of Decade, I understand the criticism of Neil wrapping you in too soon into the selection of what goes into an album titled, “Decade.”