Dear Famous Whitewater

I (think?) Your name is Josh.

If not, sorry, I am sure that you have a first name besides Famous Whitewater, that it was given to you after much thought, consideration, by those who loved you, and that it's a good name...
(I just may not know this name.)

This morning, upon checking the updates on Fresno Famous I read comments by a fellow poster (He's a bit of a dark soul sometimes, but actually is a swell and good natured guy, I know him,)

To which your comment, in return was a simple, 'I think I've found the problem and fixed it, let me know, and I'm off to work on the other stuff, thanks.'

As you know, I can talk, er, write... (Some like this, some do not,) but it could be considered 'fact.'

What impresses me? In fact?
Just like a great black and white still, when a person posts a note, it's direct, it shows not only the communication intended, -but also reveals a bit about the person writing.

I remember contacting Oz about something or other, there had been a posting that had sparked various comments, and it was a deeply held subject...
-What got me the most about what he said on the phone?
'...It's no problem, I just really feel the need to try to steer my own comments back over to being non-partisan, because as a writer it's my responsibility to not put my views in, nor my opinions and influence anything, I need to keep to that.'
(Of course, he said it more briefly and to the point, -but this most basic journalistic creed, coming from a very tired voice on the other end of the phone really struck me.
(It forever cemented my respect, actually.)
-He had no idea that such a thing had occurred, maybe some day I'll tell him, maybe not, We'll keep it as our secret...

But still, a person simply doing their job and answering the pissing and moaning of others with a weary
'...I think I fixed it, I hope this helps, thanks.' has always, to me one of the most beautiful aspects of this life, as it is, in it's most elemental and eloquent sense, ministering.

I realize that Jarah has gone, (though she's probably due back for the holidays, I'll try to stick my tongue out at her as our planes cross somewhere over Illinois or something,)
I realize that Suzi has gone on too.
Bryan, ditto.

And though I'm sure all of these people are just a mouse-click away, it has become more and more obvious that there may just be one lonely soul left in the great house, dedicated to their desk and chair, who occasionally wanders about listening to the Ramones on their headphones, who dusts off the mantle and various 'articles,' where 'the greats once were,' and 'where it all began.' (Kinda like being Elvis' butler and housekeeper or something.)
Still keeping Graceland alive and churning out hits.

This is, often a greatly missunderstood and thankless role, and, by the looks of it, you've been under some pretty heavy attack, (this twit who insists on advertising Manheim Steamroller ad infinitum, being just one.)

Knowing all that, knowing that you're up against 'history and legend,' (to which no person CAN fight, compare, nor should they have to duel with such ghosts, I found your letter back to the naysayer
'...I think I got it, let me know, thanks.' Quite humble, quite humbling, and very much a quieting example.)

All you were doing was writing a curteous respons, and getting on with stuff.
What we all saw, however, was one guy, responsibly guiding, and repairing something huge (all at once,) ---with a lot of people sitting around critiquing the site, predicting it's doom, saying how
'it was so much better back in the good old days,'
-who, if this thing did crash and burn?,
(or succumb to Manheim Steamroller (which actually sounds like a type of terminal illness...

'..I'm sorry sir, you have Manheim Steamroller.'
'...oh my god, are you sure?'

'...yes, that's why we ordered the extra tests, we have a specialist lined up, but really, it's quite advanced,'

'...how do I tell my wife.'
'...well, we have counsellors, I myself will stand by you, we can tell her together if you'd like.'

'...how long do I have?'
'...well, actually the main event of it took place on the Eigth, and it's been a week, so it's quite thoroughly entrenched, who knows, their touring schedule is a bit erratic, but at the very least it'll be back in a year, -could occur sooner if they choose to start celebrating other holidays.'

'So, you mean, I could be looking at as soon as, Groundhogs Day or Valentines day.'
'I'm afraid so, there just is no way to be sure, but we do have some prescriptions and counsellors to help you through this difficult time.
If you have children, they're going to have to be innoculated immediately, but if GreenDay does a Holiday Single, it could become more widespread...
We're sending a team to your house with your approval, and they're in the Suburban outside.'

'Manheim Steamroller, jeez,
I don't even have any of their albums,
-how did I catch it?'

'-Do you have any crossover holiday music in the house whatsoever? Any,,, Bing Crosby and David Bowie? Any,,, Beach Boys 'Christmas,' albums.

Oh God, no... I mean, I've heard them and been around when they've been on in a store, -but...
Oh wait,
my mother in law gave us a 'Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Hymns' album years ago,
--and I think somebody at the office slipped a copy of 'TransSiberan Orchestra's first CD in my briefcase at the office...
...And I used to do a little Windham Hill back in school.'

'By Windham Hill, do you mean George Winston?'

'Actually it was a few years of their 'Sampler, but there were a few cuts by Winston, yes.'

'That's probably it...
It's been dormant,
it often does that,
we've found with the recent lack of Elmo and Patsy's 'Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer,' on the radio in recent days, it can trigger.
-We have been playing Adam Sandlers Hanaukkah Song(s) with mixed results, but, it's hard to get here in Fresno...'

'Jeesh.'
'I know sir, I'm sorry.'

Josh, this is serious.
You're fighting a battle singlehandedly, and probably fending off the inevitable avalanche and attack of o-so-many aliens, while we just sit calmly munching popcorn muttering, '...this poor guy's done for, but he's got half a clip of ammo, a few grenades and moderatly fast typing speed... This ought to be good.'
-Totally disconnected by your struggle and undoubtable lower GI upset over keeping this thing up and flying.

All's I'm saying is:
I'm talking to the Vatican, and seeing if we can get a plastic dashboard figure made up in your likensss, (not sure if we can get the glow-in-the-dark plastic, ---but I'm trying.)

All's I'm saying is:
Thanks.

That's alls I'm saying.

OotV -out