I'm betting the Fiddlegirl will get her way...when she really wants to. ;-) 555

In the words of Vin Diesel from "The Pacifier": "Everything's done my way, no highway option!" That should be yours (and Fiddlegirl's) new motto. I will also look forward to your Big Project! Need a manager...didn't think so. 5's coming your way!

Too funny... I *can* relate!

"ways of turtles" vs "ways of fiddles"... It's gonna be a Sept. 30th Thrilllllllaaaa!!!

Hoping that you restore the good name of "Collaborator." It took a hell of a beating in France from 1940 to 1945. ;D

When I get permanent Internet access again (I use a friend's computer now, and he is rather persnickety about what I am allowed to do on it and what I am not, I might get access within a couple of months), you might want to collaborate with me since you expressed interest in one of your parodies. This was a great job, and I'll give you 5s.

In every satire is a teensy kernel of truth, eh? ;)

@ TJC: I'll bet you can! Lucky for TT, we're so nice, gentle, easy-going, etc. :)

@ BJ21: I have my ways... (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) ;)

Sounds like you should play second fiddle for a change

blackjack21: She has, many times, through brilliant and inspired subs and writing. Thanks for v/c.

Christie Marie M: ROFL!!! Saw the movie; forgot that line! .. We actually have a motto, but it's best I not print it here... *someone* might be unhappy, even though it was that *someone's* idea :) ... TT doing double duty during deliberations, as both business manager and co-writer, but thanks for the offer... may I offer you instead, two free tickets to Opening Night? .... thanks for v/c!

TJC: I never knew... why didn'cha say something? (cough) ... but it *was* (cough) moi's radio producer contact (cough), and moi knew the rules and did the deals... (cough) ... apologies for any toes trampled in the rush to get 'em accepted, produced, and on the air, before going on the AIR. ... New Deal (says FDR): You find the producer, you get last cut! :) :) :) (j/k with all, of cough! Thanks, TJ!)

Mark Scotti: And will dwarf both Jacko's "Thriller" and the Thrilla from Wasilla! Be there, or be square! Thanks, Mark!

Old Man Ribber: LOL! You can make even a historical note funny! ... and on 9/30, we'll let you be the judge of that. :) Thanks OMR!

Andria: Thank you so much for your generous acceptance of my offer. Unfortunately, as my mind is slipping with age, I seem to have forgotten making it... where exactly was that? (Oh, Nurse! Nurse! More pablum!) Thanks for v/c!

Fiddlegirl: "Many a truth is spoken in jest" -- Alexander Pope, if my feeble memory (cf. Andria, supra) is correct without looking. But not this one! :D ... thanks for v/c. Feel better now, Dear? ;)

Andy Primus: Fear not -- I let her be Top Fiddle as often as she likes. I rather like being on the bottom, actually -- less effort. (as FG says, wink, wink, nudge, nudge) ;) Thanks for v/c.

Lots of truth in what you say. I was reminded of the scene in "Last Call" where F.Scott Fitzgerald bluntly tells his secretary Frances, who was an aspiring writer, that her writing was horrible. There was a similar scene on the "Mary tyler Moore Show". Not that there's an exact parallel here, but the scenes demonstrate how honesty is usually the best policy when it comes to criticism, that it's better to know where you stand and move on than be coddled and fail to improve and to find your voice.

Although TT is always free to team with whomever he wishes, I'm afraid I must object to the idea. I could not in good conscience allow TT or you to bear the shame and guilt of parodultery. Imagine being sentenced to wear The Scarlet P upon your person for all of time?

"Finders, Keepers", and all that, you know. (Believe me, it's for your own good.) ;D

Well done, TT and I figured done in jest as you and FG have a good back and forth. I have those same "discussions" only with myself on a parody. FG - love the new word "parodultery" - great concept.

I can see what you are saying. You and TT are such a good combination as collaborators (not the kind made infamous during World War II), and it would be just like, say, Daryl Hall splitting up with John Oates and taking on someone with less experience. (And yes, I know I've been around a while, but the majority of my work on AIR has been submitted within the last year or so.) I might consider collaborating with Christie Marie M, DJ Blaze or AFW, though, since they aren't really as identifiable with co-writing parodies as you and TT, or Merry & Pippin, for that matter, are.

metaphorsbwithu: Every bit of the song was facetious -- I guess that saying that three times (intro, outro, and echo line at the end) wasn't enough to make that clear -- but you are absolutely right about honesty. FG is just as forthcoming with suggestions, comments, and - yes - criticism, when justified, and that is why these particular two heads are often, I think, better than one. (Otherwise, I guess I'd write them all myself, huh?) .... but as said in the intro, the parody capitalizes on my image -- which, perhaps, *does* contain ever so slight a grain of truth. :D ... Thanks for v/c!

FG: I would never even *think* of cheating on you, Dear! You know that -- there is *no* other woman for me, ever -- at least in the parody realm. (You are *so* lucky that sheep can't write parody heh heh ;) ..... LOL @ "parodultery!" Pair o' dolts, that's we, so what we write is pairodoltery, is it not? :) (ever so tactfully overlooking the parenthetical closer)

Timmy1000: Absolutely correct: done in jest. (Why team up with someone whom you thought was a drag on you?) Thanks for getting that, and for v/c.

Andria: Very gracious of you. Collaboration isn't for everyone, but if you're so inclined, I'm sure you could find one or more persons who would fit. That "fit" is what's crucial - similar sense of humor, similar writing styles (or adaptable to each other's), etc. Thanks for the follow-up comment. GL to you.

TT: You're welcome. :-)

Pairadoltery? LOL!!! And that, m'dear, is why *you* are the only paro-man for moi! And, yes, I count myself lucky that sheep can't write parody... although if they ever learn to type, that may be the end for me! :D

I was just kidding/hyperbolT'ing (ie, playing off your admitted 'image' in the intro--heh!). TT is and ever has been a generous gentleman and proportionate paragon of parody... yet there is the undeniable black holeish force of his intellect, drawing lesser bodies/minds to his way of thinking--wait... did I just admit I'm a pin head?

Some jerks in the lab got drunk, and mixed my DNA with that of an IBM Selectric™ -- and now I can do 100 wpm, with no typos.... *and* take care of the rest of his needs.... Sorry, FG. Science marches on ... but until they find a way to clone your brilliance, wit, charm, patience, understanding, tact, and above all, Mother-Teresa-like tolerance, I think ewe're safe. :)

No sleep lost on this end, and hope none on thine... of course, took yer comment as intended, and replied "staying in character", as it were. TT is a "method actor", i. e., there's method to his madness. :)

I truly don't see any self-deprecation in the "Black Hole" metaphor (sbwithu). Some Black Holes can swallow whole stars or galaxies, and you're certainly a star! :D ... thanks for taking the time to re-visit. :)

Right, TT ... like I said, " Not that there's an exactly parallel." Of course it was tongue-in-cheek. I was, as you said, pointing out that good parody has an element of truth. In the examples I pointed out, the "mentors" weren't trying to be cruel or authoritarian, but to prod their "students" into understanding what good writing is, which is complex, individual, and an ever evolving process. ;-)

Stop this or I'll slander you like what I did to Michael Jordan on his HOF speech.

metaphorsbwithu: An excellent exegesis, Sir! Agree completely! .. thanks for clarifying. :)

Adrian Wojnarowski: Thanks for your time and comment, altough the latter would be more meaningful to TT if he knew who AW was, or what HOF stands for, or what was in that speech. (He *does* know who Michael Jordan is. Isn't he the AIDS guy?) ... turtles aren't really into basketball, for reasons that might be apparent after a moment's thought ;) ... Looking forward to elucidation. Thanks for stopping by!

Buwahahaha: "They're grammar's rules, not my invention". How true, a salient lesson for all parodists!

And yet, no matter how many times TT points that out ... ;-(     Thanks for read and guffaw!

I couldn't stop laughing, Tommy, as I can relate to almost every line, and I suspect Pippin can too - heh heh... ;)

Meriadoc: While we are surely grateful for the many kind v/c from our other wonderful readers, in fact, it takes a pair to know a pair -- and wow, you should see FG's pair -- but I digress. xD
  Sorry, I get distracted easily by "pair" (cf. Friday post). As you and Pip know, doing it together is nothing at all like doing it solo. And the same holds true for parody writing. ;-D There are pros and cons, and you two and FG are real pros. I digress again -- Short version: Ewe two can empathize, as can we, and I did think you'd relate. Thanks for stopping by!

Re comment on other parody: yes, the - -'s make it easier. I do know the song (obviously) but not well enough to follow 100%.

Andy Primus: Thanks for verifying that the dashes and dots ("Morose" code, given OS subject matter? heh heh! ;) do in fact help readers. Always good to get such feedback. Cheers!