600. 600!

It's been a very long day, but all is well. My cat no longer has a toothache (it hasn't been the greatest dental year at the alto artist household), although I might need medical care for the scratches I'll have after ten days of trying to sneak up on him from behind and force noxious-tasting antibiotics down his throat. Also good: the hole in my wall is much smaller. But the best thing about today:

this is my 600th post!

Aside from usual life activities, I can't think of anything else this much fun I've done 600 times in a row (more or less). I've read Torah perhaps 50 or 60 times and led Shaharit for the Yamim Norai'im exactly 12 (to reach 600, I'd need to stick around at least 188 more years, which I'd love, but which seems unlikely). It would probably be more appropriate to celebrate my 613th post, but I couldn't wait.

My day began with an auspicious dream. I was singing with a group of people in a classroom, a casual gathering, when someone decided we should hold services. I volunteered to lead, and someone else offered to play the piano. As we were trying to figure out if we knew the same melodies, I noticed Mick Jagger on the other side of the room! And who was sitting next to him but, of course, Keith Richards. Did Mick know I had just invoked him on my blog? Nope--he was there to listen to his brother, a taller, heavier, conventional-looking version of Mick in a plaid shirt and khakis, who was singing lovely Scottish folks songs with a little group at the front of the room. I was touched that Keith would come along to hear his friend's brother. They both paid rapt attention, and seemed to really like the music. I debated going over and saying hi, but was too intimidated. Still, just being in the same room with them was inordinately cool--and I could write about it.

So here I am, as I hope to remain for at least 600 more posts.