Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Live Long and Prosper


Well, this has truly been a sad month for me. Only two weeks after losing my beautiful Sabrina, my little guy, Mr.Spock, joined her in the big kitty condo in the sky (on my birthday, no less). Spock was an 18-year-old Manx, and I'd had him since he was 2 years old, when I adopted him from the Humane Society where I volunteered at the time. He and Sabrina were best buddies for 16 years, so I knew it wouldn't be long after she died that he would be joining her, especially since he'd been ill for almost 3 years. Diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, arthritis, and dementia at the end of 2004, the vet gave him maybe 2 months to live. But, Spock was quite the little fighter and just kept bouncing back after each of his crises. In the last year, he also developed some masses which most likely developed into lymphoma, which is what eventually caused his demise.

Besides the fact that he was so cute at the Humane Society, one of the reasons I fell in love with Mr.Spock was his name - I am quite the Star Trek fan. My little guy was the sweetest of my feline family - he never got into trouble and was always the most affectionate. In his later years, he was happiest when he was lying on my lap or chest, or when he was cuddled up next to his buddy, Sabrina. As with my other two cats, Stinkerbelle and Sabrina, I have made this compilation to honor him.

Most of this compilation consists of several versions of the theme from Star Trek the Original Series and some of the movies with the original cast, since those are the ones where Spock was a main character. Two vocal versions are included - and you'll understand after you listen to the lyrics why the theme was usually played as an instrumental - but the truly scary version is the one sung by Nichelle Nichols. Still, it's a must for any Star Trek collector or collector of "interesting" songs. I've also included the more sad tunes from "The Wrath of Khan", where Spock dies. Anyway, I hope you like this compilation that I dedicate to my cat, Mr.Spock. In my heart, he will always Live Long and Prosper...

Track listing for Live Long and Prosper Compilation:

1. Star Trek Main Title - from "The Cage" soundtrack
2. Theme from Star Trek - from Leonard Nimoy Presents Mr.Spock's Music from Outer Space
3. Star Trek Theme (end title) - from "The Cage" soundtrack
4. Star Trek Theme - The Secret Agents
5. Star Trek Main Title - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
6. Theme from Star Trek (vocal) - Nichelle Nichols
7. Mr.Spock - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
8. Theme from Star Trek - Van McCoy
9. Star Trek End Title - from Star Trek the Original Series soundtrack
10. Theme from Star Trek - The Galactic Force Band
11. Star Trek Theme - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
12. Theme from Star Trek (vocal) - Project:Pimento
13. Spock's Arrival - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
14. Theme from Star Trek - Jeff Wayne Space Shuttle
15. Spock Walk - from Star Trek the Motion Picture soundtrack
16. Star Trek Theme - Todd Rundgren and Utopia
17. Spock - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
18. Star Trek Main Theme - Cincinatti Pops Orchestra
19. Spock's Death - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
20. Spock's Funeral - from Star Trek II:The Wrath of Khan soundtrack
21. Prologue and Main Title - from Star Trek III:The Search for Spock
22. Star Trek TV Theme - with narration by William Shatner
23. Live Long and Prosper - Star Trek TV Quote by Mr.Spock

10 comments:

zillagord said...

Esther:
So sorry for your loss. Pets really are great friends, so giving of love when we need them. I'm sure your cats had great lives and will be sorely missed. Don't know if your Spock's soul was the most human you've ever encountered in your journeys, but I'm sure his soul was loving and wonderful. Take care. Thanks for the blog, I really appreciate all you do.

Unknown said...

Hi Esther,
I love you and your tribute to Mr.Spock and Sabrina.
I wish and pray you are doing much better. God sent you a little Angel in need, Snickers, and you took her in to share your life. It maybe that both Sabrina and Mr. Spock were happy to see you had a new pet to love so they could let go and rest with the Lord.
May peace come to you knowing how wonderful their short lives were made by you. Now Snickers will be cared and loved for by you, another Angel.
Vincent

Unknown said...

Sorry to read about the demise of Mr Spock. I adore cats too and know how hard it can be when they pass on. I find the best attitude is to embrace the fact that they can no longer feel pain. They really are free now.

Very nice blog you have here.

BTW, Deodato does a slendidly funky rendition of the 'Theme from Star Trek' on his album 'Very Together'.

Best wishes from the UK

litlgrey said...

Life w/o kitties is not life!

When you're ready, and you wil be, and you'll know when... new friends will be there for you to feed, and rub, and play with.

If you're very lucky,the new friends will know when you're ready, and they'll find you!

David Bruce-Casares said...

This is sad news indeed. I can compltely understand, as we lost a couple little ones a couple years ago (one a week before Christmas, and the other two months later -- two days before my birthday). My thoughts are with you.

Judd Lear Silverman said...

Dear Esther:

I'm sorry to hear about Sabrina and Mr. Spock. While I myself am allergic to cats (and some dogs, too), I do know what it's like to love a beloved pet. I am very active with a NYC group called Playwrights for Pets. We do benefits for city animal shelters, usually Animal Haven, where we do an evening of staged readings of new plays on various themes, with all proceeds going to the shelter. (Our next evening, IN TRANSIT, is on Oct. 22nd.)

Which leads me to write and thank you. Ironically, you helped me with not one but TWO music cues for the benefit--FLY ME TO THE MOON (Joe Harnell, which I hadn't heard since my childhood and which I adore) and THEME FROM STAR TREK, which is highly appropriate to my own odd little play being read that evening.

I would have written this as an e-mail, but I couldn't find a contact address. Mine is juddls@sprynet.com and my blog is www.judds-blog.blogspot.com.

Again, many thanks.

Best,
Judd Silverman

Unknown said...

Esther,

How are you ?

Noticed you'd not updated your blog recently.

How about a post or a sign to let us know you're OK ?

Best wishes and positive vibes from the UK

Mike Riley said...

Sorry about the loss of your two cats. My life companion and I lost three cats within an 18-month period, so we have some sense of what you went through. Hope you're beginning to remember the good times you and your cats had.

Just discovered your blog. I see you haven't written in a while. Hope you return with new entries soon.

-Mike Riley

RangeRaver said...

hELLO eSTHER,

STAY HAPPY - I CONTINUE TO LOVE YOUIR WORK - FIRST CLASS ! RR

Kes Forrester said...

Aw...wasn't expecting this from googling "Spock". You have my sympathy. I also lost a beloved b&w cat in '07. very suddenly and traumatically - and still miss him three years later, despite having acquired other cats since his demise. I'll quit now before I start blubbing. Great work on posting the Nimoy stuff by the way.