of DC and points beyond

Heard from a friend who's hearing from someone they have no urge whatsoever to hear from today, as I sit here at a friend's computer in DC, visiting people. You know the type of hanger-on I mean: eerily tenacious; manipulative; just this side of truly loathsome. She- my friend-is far west, or I'd offer to have words with the chap myself; instead, I could only remind her of some of the best words I know for situations like these:


Through dangers untold and hardships unnumbered,
I have fought my way here,
to the castle beyond the goblin city
to take back the child that you have stolen,
for my will is as strong as yours,
and my kingdom is as great.

You have no power over me.

Edited to say: Apropos of nothing, I really, really like living in a world where the pianist at my favorite piano bar is willing to learn "Waterloo Sunset," simply because I asked him to. (Yes, I tipped him.)