And at long last we reach the conclusion my friends. When we left off the story of the tumultuous weekend that Q and I shared as our alter egos (Rod Ecstasy and Skip McBoner) the sound of approaching sirens could be heard outside of the blood spattered warehouse where we found ourselves. Skip was kneeling over the headless corpse of Barbara Bush sobbing uncontrollably, and apparently under the mistaken impression that she was Lady Bird Johnson. So I give you the thrilling and heart wrenching conclusion.

Part 24

The Big Send Off

We'd been set up and I knew it. The events of the past 36 hours swam through my head in a dizzying blur. Possibly it was the after effects of the mickey that I was still feeling. Regardless the feds were closing in and it was a perfect trap. We were done for. I tried to get Skip to help me figure something out, but all he could do was whimper and keep repeating, "I'm so sorry Ladybird. You're a hero to me."

I steeled myself for what I knew I must do. I could hear the brakes squealing outside and the cars coming to a stop. Any minute they would be storming inside. I walked around the room and slowly pulled the police issued Beretta M9-92FS pistol from my waist band. I placed the barrel to the back of Skip's skull and thought momentarily about Of Mice and Men. "Don't worry Skip. We'll raise bunnies, and there won't ever be any trouble," I whispered. The gun recoiled sharply as I unloaded 5 quick shots into my friend. Then quicker than a greased panther I placed the gun into what was left of his burned and mangled hand.

As the federal agents burst through the door I threw up my hands and yelled, "Don't shoot. Don't shoot!!! He was crazy. Murder suicide!!! Murder suicide!!!! It's real popular now a days!! So that's what he did! Blame video games not me!!!" Unfortunately as I raised my hands the tattered remains of my Kevlar vest lifted far enough for the feds to see the plastic explosive that I still had strapped to my torso. My last few moments on earth were spent thinking how Butch and Sundance went out better than George and Lennie and how I wish that had occurred to me earlier. The bullets riddled my body at that moment and my meticulously chiseled physique was torn asunder. It actually might have been torn some other way, but I don't any other way in which things are torn, except asunder.

We Apologize for The Interruption

Life has gotten hectic. You will be returned to your regularly scheduled program shortly.

I will now continue the telling of the epic travels that Q and I underwent this weekend past. We traveled into the wee hours of the night finally arriving in our destination, Shreveport by cover of darkness. As we did so we shed our normal lives to travel as our alternate persona's Ecstasy and McBoner. I was successfully laying my game down when I saw my compatriot in obvious distress. Thus I give you:


Confessions Part II

The Travails of Rod and Skip. Two Men. One Mission.

I hurried across the packed club to Skip's side. The crowd parted before me like the Red Sea for Moses, such is the respect that Rod Ecstasy commands. As I approached I saw where his glazed over gaze was looking. Standing on the other side of the club beyond the sea of writhing bodies was a woman unlike any other. She had an exotic look, as if every nation of the world had sacrificed their most beautiful women to a mad experiment that would combine them all. Who ever the Dr. Frankenstein was that concocted this woman in his lab was surely a genius.


"What's wrong Skip?" I asked. "It's time to make your move". Skip couldn't answer me though, all he could do was give that "deer in headlights" look and shake his head. I tried to break through, "This isn't a question of should you. You have to". He merely looked pleadingly at me at and said he couldn't. He had met his match. I assumed that meant he was out of money or that she was too expensive. "That's loser talk man!!! Skip McBoner and Rod Ecstasy are not losers! Do you think I could have accumulated such a vast fortune and become an industrialist magnate if I was scared to take chances? No. And you....you couldn't have traveled the world rescuing invaluable treasures from the booby trapped tombs where they lie if you were scared to make a move! This is going to happen."


Skip looked at me and as our eyes met they turned to steely resolve. He knew what had to come next. We had learned long ago from Maverick in Top Gun that to get a woman as foxy as Kelly McGillis all you had to do was sing. It was an undeniable truth. It is an aphrodisiac so strong that it cannot be resisted. Much like Funky Cold Medina.


We took the microphone and the lights dimmed across the room except where we stood. The DJ spoke over the awed crowd, "Tonight we have a special group that is going to perform for you. First I'd like to introduce Rod Ecstasy". There was a smattering of applause. They couldn't believe that it was really me. I knew they would tell their kids and grand kids about this one day. The DJ continued, "Performing with him is Rod McEcstasy." What the fuck? Skip just walked on up as if nothing had happened.


"No! No! He's not Rod McEcstasy! He's Skip McBoner! I'm Rod Ecstasy."

The DJ wanted to be a dick, "The card says McEcstasy. let's give it up for them".

"Well the card's wrong. I'm Rod Ecstasy!! Me!!" I protested as the crowd looked on clearly getting confused. I tried to straighten it out for everyone but the music began. What I had requested was You Lost That Lovin Feelin' by the Righteous Brothers. What I got was Make it Rain by Fat Joe. This DJ obviously was confused. No matter. I hit the ground running and Skip joined in on the chorus:

Yeah, I'm in this bitch for terror
Got a handful of stacks
Better grab an umbrella
I make it rain, I make it rain


Then in a moment of serendipity Skip and the DJ instinctively changed tunes the second time through the chorus. As soon as we reached the word umbrella, Skip immediately twice echoed the last two syllables and took it into Rihanna's Umbrella. This left me singing Chris Brown's part. Not exactly the partner I would have chosen for this song but as we closed out the song we were met with a calamitous round of applause. I knew it was a success even as Skip and I made our way towards his exotic prize and my waiting bronzed goddess. We weren't past all of the hurdles yet though and the next one was making a beeline towards us with heart full of hate.

So, I've gotten about 239 e-mails asking me about the weekend trip with Q. Most of them were from Q's mom who doesn't trust his version of events. Some of them were from Federal Agents trying to get me to admit too much. Still others were from you the concerned and loving Blog United Nations. I received e-mails from as near as fellow North Texans to as far away as South Texas. So wait no longer, sit back and I will tell you of a journey so harrowing and momentous it could only be called...

The Opus of Ecstasy and McBoner

It began on Friday evening as I met Q at his fortress on the corner. I don't know if he has ever mentioned this, but the Q family are reputed land barons in North Texas and so there was plenty of room for me to leave my Mustang dripping oil while we were away. Q was antsy to get going. I had almost made it to the door with my bag in hand when he came bursting out the other way pointing to his fleet of vehicles. He chose a shiny SUV. Nice but subdued so as not to garner too much attention. Good choice.

We set a course for Shreveport, Louisiana aka Cajun Vegas. It was a few hours of driving before we approached the state line and darkness had already fallen. As we entered Waskom we pulled into the Dairy Queen parking lot. Just a few scant miles from the state border. We pulled out our wallets and slid the I.D.s from their protective sleeves. They went into the glove compartment along with my wedding ring and Q's "Wham #1 Fan" button that he almost always wears. We changed clothes. Me into my silk shirt and pinstripe suit. Q into his tweed jacket, tie, and corduroy pants. As he placed his worn leather hat upon his head the transformation was complete. We were no longer Dagromm and Q. We had assumed the identities that we always do when we cross state lines. I became Rod Ecstasy, playboy billionaire, and industrialist magnate. Q as always was Skip McBoner, archaeologist adventurer and world traveler.

Before anyone could see what we had done we slipped from the shadows and proceeded across the border to the state with no remorse, Louisiana. It was about 11:00 as we approached the riverfront where all of the happening clubs are. We passed the Casinos, that could wait, and went to a club called Kokopellis. It was full to the brim, but there's always room when Rod and Skip are at the door.

As we entered I quickly spotted a bronzed beauty eyeballing me from the bar. Normally I would shun such advances, but Rod Ecstasy doesn't let opportunities pass him by. Rod Ecstasy lives every moment to the fullest. I sat next to her and ordered a drink and one for the lady. While the buxom barmaid filled our orders I introduced myself.

"Hi there, I'm Rod Ecstasy, playboy billionaire and industrialist magnate. You've probably heard of me. I just happen to be in town for a few days before I fly out to the Orient to close a big business deal. I live for the moment. How about you?" Smooth. She was gobbling up what I was setting down.

The barmaid returned with our drinks and a bill for $17.50. I pulled my wallet out and looked at the expectant server with the eyes of my gorgeous target on me, "You do take Diner's Club right? No?????? Well, I guess I'll have to pay with my check card from my untraceable Swiss Bank account. What, you don't take that either?" I quickly empty my glass. " You see I just arrived into the country and don't have much American money on me. If you take Russian rubles then I've got enough on me to pay for the drinks and the rest of the club on top of that." The saucy bartender shoots something back at me about not accepting rubles and some nonsense about a currency called "Euros". I just shrug and turn to my ardent admirer. "If you can cover this, I guarantee I'll make it up to you on my private jet". She looks at me in disbelief. Obviously she can't believe her own good luck. She's a smart girl though and pays for the drinks. An investment in her future if you will.

As I chat to the lady of the night my gaze wanders across the room and something is dreadfully wrong. Where is my companion? I finally spotted him standing in a corner looking thunderstruck. I let my lady know that I have to check on my friend and that I'll be right back...

This is Why, This is Why, This is Why I'm Hot

Hot excited? Hot sexy? Hot happening? Hell yeah!


I've continued to keep up the momentum from Susan's ten pound challenge and have exceeded my target. That's how I do. I've now lost over thirteen pounds and the jeans that had gotten too uncomfortably tight now fit very comfortably again. My diet on a normal workday goes something like this.

Breakfast - Fruit (banana, pear, plum, whatever I have on hand at the time)
Mid-morning snack - Dry cereal and cranberries. Right now the cereal is Special K, but it varies with what's on sale.
Lunch-some sort of protein drink. I've gotten used to the Myoplex Light.
Afternoon snack - Snickers Energy Bar or crackers or raisins.
Dinner - Grilled meat, veggies.


I don't kill myself with the diet. It does vary and I don't deny myself something I want. When people at the office bring in stuff (donuts, kolaches, etc.) I'll still help myself, but I monitor how much I take. I also am a less disciplined on weekends and really whenever I feel like it, but so far I haven't had much trouble sticking to this.


Anyway, I've gotten leaner and am feeling pretty good about it.


Shifting gears roughly, soccer practices have geared back up this week. We've got three new girls on the team, all with previous experience and from what I've seen so far we're going to be a tough team to beat. I'm upset with the league about not placing one of our returning players back with us that registered during late registration saying that they had alreaady filled her spot. We were willing as a team to play up a year to have more roster spots, but in the end the league pulled the rug out from us on that one too. So we will have to wait a season or two to get her back. I'm so excited about getting this season going and finally getting to see the girls in action and figuring out what they need to work on. My daughter is also excited, because she loves to compete and recognizes that the team is getting better.


Hear that? That's the transmission trying to handle me very poorly dropping the clutch and shifting gears again. The boy got his football jersey last night. My wife says that he was looking anxious when they were handing them out and was possibly afraid he wasn't going to get one. He was proud of his jersey with the Dagromm name on the back. I admit they look nice. I'm sorely disappointed that they've scheduled a "preseason game" this weekend that I will miss. I am excited however about my weekend plans. Q and I have our annual trip to Shreveport scheduled already and we can't disappoint the bookies! Cyber D used to come with us every year, but he has submitted to the dominating authority of his wife and doesn't come any more. I on the other hand retain my manhood and go where I please when I please!


Dagromm Out!!!!!

Some Decisions

I've made a few decisions that I thought I'd share. First of all Lasic surgery is for losers. I like contacts and glasses. I get to change up my look. Sometimes I look like the professor with the smokin' hot bod. Other times I'm the sporty looking guy with the smokin' hot bod. So, you can keep your stupid Lasic surgery. I don't need it.

Next, big screen hi-def plasma T.V.'s suck. It totally ruins the look of your room when you can't have that massive space consuming entertainment center. Where are you gonna store all of those old VHS tapes??? Sure you could still put the T.V. on an entertainment center, but then you're just being stupid. So they suck.

Third, new luxury cars BLOW. Why would you want to drive some comfy shiny piece of crap when you could be like a real American and drive a shitty old Mustang? I believe that every trip should be an adventure and there's no bigger adventure then not knowing if you're going to make it to your destination every time you strap the seat belt on. So you can keep your Cadillacs, Mercedes, BMW's, etc. I'm not interested.

Lobster dinners at fancy restaraunts are awful. Who would want that? Not me, I tell you.

Playstation 3's? Garbage.

Stays at resorts and spas? Crap.

Having people cook, clean, do your lawn? Stupid. Really really stupid. Just so stupid!!!

A Bunny Pic

I took this shot a while back on with the Mint Chocolate by LG phone that I carry. I know how the group likes their bunny pictures and thought of my blog friends when I was at the costume shop and saw this.





Why was I at the costume shop? Don't judge me!

Dyn-o-mite!!!

If you like your westerns with a Muy Thai twist then this movie is for you. Loads of action scenes, the likes of which seem to make perfect sense in foreign movies. As opposed to other westerns in which the hero rides in on a huge white stallion, this hero rides in standing on a rocket! He then commits to kicking so much ass that this movie can't help but be a winner.

Mix in a villainous tractor dealer, mystics with magical powers, and the threat of a cannibalistic evil henchman and this movie has all of the ingredients for a recurring franchise. I know what you're thinking, "This sounds exactly like Unforgiven", but trust me it's different.

So, when you get the chance add Dynamite Warrior to your online movie que, get your curry noodles ready, sit back and enjoy. This movie earns a solid A-.

If Your Actions Inspire Others

Well blog folk, I have to admit that I am impressed and somewhat concerned that I have inspired so many of you to take up the dangerous pastime of storm chasing. I have received numerous e-mails from around the world with your own pictures of Mother Nature dressed in her most wicked of clubbing clothes bringing her wrath down upon the world. I just urge you all to consider your own safety first and don't feel that you have to live up to my example of daring. It's too much to attempt.

The first picture comes from the D.C. area. It appears that the photographer has taken to higher ground to get this pic which of course has it's pros and cons. I myself prefer to stay at "ground zero" for my pictures, but I don't fault anyone for looking for protective cover.

The next picture comes courtesy of Eslocura. I know that Cyber D protested this picture saying that the American government had put a stop to Puerto Rico getting rainbows anymore. As soon as he saw it he was on the phone calling Congressman and Senators to try and get this idea enacted.

Struggling

The boy has completed 1 1/2 weeks of practice for football now. The first week was all conditioning and basics. This week has been in full gear with hitting. Practice #1 was fine. The second practice was fine as well. The third practice he lost his helmet at the field somewhere. Not a good night for the boy as he had to endure some Dagrommian fury at it's worst. The fourth practice his coach brought the helmet which he had found, and the boy had to run more laps than any football player, ever. Punishment for losing his helmet and for not paying enough attention to the drills. The fifth practice was full contact and had some tackling/hitting drills. The boy got lit up. Repeatedly. He made one tackle to which everyone really cheered him. Otherwise he was blown up by the other kids. Everything you could do wrong in trying to tackle someone he did. Poor form, too high, tentative, lack of power. It looked painful. Repeatedly. Yesterday he made two tackles at practice and felt that he did better. He still got blown up a lot. The team gave him an ovation at the end of practice for his effort. The coach told him that if he didn't quit before the first game then he would buy him dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Now he's motivated. Hell, if I'd thought of it I'd have told the kid to attack the others like they were made of mole sauce. He loves himself some Mexican food.

Two more practices to go this week. Here's hoping he figures it out before he gets himself killed.

If I Ever Go To Prison (again)...

let it please be in the Philipines.

Ahhhh Yes. The Old Make a Movie Out of a Syndicated TV Show Trick!

I was all set to blog about any number of different ideas and notes that I've been meaning to get to for a while when I stumbled across this news last night and had to look for more information.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425061/

This has potential to be really good or really terrible. I like the cast so far, I'm just worried about the writing/directing.

Night Time Thoughts

I've stated before that I believe that we all have moments of clarity when the great morass of daily life clears and we suddenly can see things for what they truly are. The mist parts and in seeing the truth we become strong. These moments are sometimes accompanied with great surges of thought, feeling, or determination.

I had one of those moments last night as a I lay in bed. Something about laying in the darkness, with the sheets only partially covering me, and the overhead fan sending waves of air to brush my skin put my mind and heart traveling down the path to clarity. As I said, these moments are accompanied by different thoughts and feelings that have probably been bottled up or obscured for any length of time. I find at these times that the things that are truly important to me come to the forefront of my thought. I realize how grateful I should be for these things and people.

As I lay there many of thoughts took the form of a poem in my head. This happens frome time to time, and I almost never share them. Poems are a very personal form of art and expression. People get very judgemental with things like that and I tend not to want to expose my emotions to these criticisms. I have the utmost respect for those that are brave enough to do this. I find that I am just as judgemental as those I fear, but I credit the individual for being strong enough to put it out there. So it with hesitancy and trepidation that I share with you the poem that flooded my thoughts as I lay in bed last night. If you feel that you will not be able to read it without caustic sentiment or simply don't want to see this side of me then by all means do not proceed.

Epiphany

I know that you are not good for me.

You are a desire

And yet you flood my mind.

I dream of embracing you.

That moment when my lips make contact

and the universe explodes.

Even though you are not here

I imagine your essence and

your scent seems to linger in the air.

The wait for morning is agony.

I long for the time when I can reach out and make contact.

I know that I am not the only one who has eyes for you.

Louche contemplations.

There are others who will get to you before me.

I've come to grips with that,

But I cannot deny what I know in my heart.

I need you.

And so I will stand in line if need be.

I will wait for my opportunity.

And when that time comes and

Those quizzical eyes turn to me.

My stomach will churn with anticipation and

I will proudly announce to the world

That I will wait no longer for you

Meatball Sub.

Information You Need To Know

Here at the House of Dagromm, we try to keep our readers up to date with the latest information so that they can live the most complete lives possible. According to calorie-count.com it takes two hours of vigorous sexual activity to burn off one can of coke. http://www.calorie-count.com/calories/activity/368.html

FYI, I'm about to consume a twenty four pack of coke.

Welcome to Texas Football

I'm not sure if I mentioned this before on the blog or not, but my 11 year old son has decided that he wanted to play tackle football this year. On one hand this isn't a huge surprise because he has shown interest in it previously when he was playing soccer and we shared the youth football team that was all in pads and helmets. On the other hand it is surprising, because I'm not sure that he has ever watched more than twenty minutes of football his entire life combined. I don't think he can name more than two positions or tell you how the game is scored. He did play some flag football through the YMCA a while back, and maybe he has some lingering affection from that time.

So this weekend he had try outs for youth football. This was the final weekend for tryouts. It lasts three weeks to get all of the kids in. Now don't get me wrong everybody gets put on a team, but this is Texas and we apparently take 6th grade football pretty damn seriously. Try outs lasted two hours Saturday. After registering, he was weighed in, interviewed by coaches of every team individually, ran a 40 yard dash in which his time was announced to the crowd (yes, the crowd), caught a pass, threw a pass, tackled a dummy, and then was finally sent on his way. The next day the coaches from the different teams get together and draft their teams. They only get to keep two kids from the previous year so I guess the teams change regularly.

Much to my dismay, I've also come to find out that the teams practice two hours a day four days a week. I'm having a lot of trouble with this time commitment that they are expecting. I already know my kid's going to have to miss practice every Tuesday for dance class. I guess I'll have that conversation with the coach today, as practices and conditioning are already starting. I might not actually mention the words "ballet" or "jazz dance".

More Text Pics

Since there's been such a ground swell of interest about the text messages and pictures that get shared between the Crotch Wizards I thought that I would pull back the curtain, as they say, and give the fans a glimpse at the never before seen inner workings of the group. In this House of Dagromm exclusive you the normal human mortal will get a chance to permeate some of the secret mechanisms that transpire between the Crotch Wizards. The two text message pics that you will see were sent by Dagromm himself by cell phone to one of his lieutenants in the Crotch Wizards, Q. The reason? It's hard to say, but it is suspected that Q is the only one of the group whose phone is set up to receive the pictures.



The first one was sent in June.

Big Kisses?

The second one was sent on July 12th of this year.

Thinking of you.

Much like the mystery surrounding Stone Henge and Easter Island, people will speculate for years what the ramifications of these messages truly are. Do they allude to knowledge of a higher power? Are they part of some secret language or code that can't be unlocked without the discovery of a Rosetta Stone? Does this mean there is intelligent life on other planets? Will David Faustino ever get another television show?

The world may never know.

What Season Is It?

Well summer obviously, but it is also baseball season. It's the beginning of football preseason. Very very close to soccer season. And for Q, it's stalking season. I've been hearing the adds on the radio for what I know is going to be an irrestable draw for the Q....

That's right the ever so sweet and clean former star of Trading Spaces is in NoTex singing show tunes. Two of Q's biggest obsessions; Paige Davis and show tunes. This combination will be like cocaine to an addict like Q.

To Answer Nina's Question

I finished the book last night. I'm going to be somewhat busy this morning, but anybody who wants to talk about it, we can discuss in the comments section. For those who don't want to read spoilers then please avoid the comments section. I'm talking to you Gyuss and Cyber D.

A Few Tidbits That Don't Individually Rank Needing Their Own Blog Posts

I went to a minor league ball game with my son, my dad, and Q the other day and had a great time. It's one of the perks of the new job, that I get tickets once in a while for the games with a parking pass that is right next to the stadium and free food and drinks. Minor league games attract a different crowd than major league games (read: more women) and the set up in Frisco is really top notch. The stadium is really nice and they have lots of entertainment in between innings. My favorite part was when my dad and son started slam dancing to Take Me Out To The Ball Game during the 7th inning stretch. The fireworks show afterwards was good too.

It's almost soccer season again and I am getting ramped up. I received an e-mail from the parent of a former player. Her daughter has decided that she wants to play soccer again and wants to be back on my team. I was thrilled when I got the message. She was one of our weaker players, but I feel really good that she wanted to come back and especially wanted to come back to my team.

My son wants to take up pee wee football. Try outs are next weekend. I'm scared to death, but I'm proud of him for giving it a shot.

I've now settled on a title for the film about my life story. It will tentatively be titled, "Suburban Pimp". I am thinking that when the beginning credits roll they will be accompanied by the Sugar Hill Gang's "Apache".

Two more days until I go to great lengths to shut myself off from the outside world and devour the last Harry Potter book. I've been preparing for months now. Over the last three months I've re-read the entire series and watched several of the movies so that I was properly primed for the last installment.

Now, I am ready to make some predictions for the final book. If you don't like to speculate on such things then don't read any further. I wouldn't call these spoilers by any means as J.K. Rowling has a proven track record of out thinking me.

Let's start with Dumbledore is alive. At first I felt very strongly that he was dead, because if he is indeed dead then Jo has said explicitly that there is no coming back. I spoke with Pokiman about it and so I will add his input too, because I think he brought up some good points. So here is the corroborating set up. In the first Potions lessons' in book 1 & 5 numerous potions were named. One of them was named in both lessons. It is also the only one that hasn't made an appearance in the books one way or the other the entire time. That potion is the Draught of Living Death which produces a powerful sleeping potion. So the set up was complete to fake a death. If Voldemort thought he was dead then Draco would be safe and Dumbledore would want that.

The set up continued with the discussion of non-verbal spells. A decent amount of time was spent on explaining them and giving them due notice. This never came to fruition in this book either. Jo doesn't normally leave loose threads or waste time writing about something that has no consequence. I think however it did come into play. We just weren't made aware of it.

When Snape performed the killing curse, Dumbledore was blasted from the top of the tower, but that is not what the Avada Kedavra does. When the Avada Kedavra is performed then the people just fall dead where they are with no sign of anything having been done. So it would seem that Snape actually performed a different spell nonverbally and just said the words for the killing curse. This would make it appear that Dumbledore was killed and get him safely out of the way of the Death Eaters.

As far as falling to his death from the top of the tower I don't think that was the case either. We already know of about half a dozen flying things in and around Hogwarts that could have caught/saved Dumbledore. There are brooms, thestrals, the Ford Anglia, Sirius Black's motorcycle, flying carpets, Fawkes, and the Wingardium Leviosa charm.

Of course if all of this is true then I am also making the prediction that Snape is not on the side of Voldemort. For this I would point to the fact that Snape has not killed Harry or any of his friends this entire time. I think we will find out why Dumbledore trusted him when nobody else did and that he will be vindicated. Even after supposedly killing Dumbledore he didn't try to hurt Harry even thought htey were in a direct conflict.

I haven't heard any spculation on this next part, but this hit me a little while back. We know that Voldemort is a descendent of Salazar Slytherin. It has been inferred that Harry might be a descendent of Gryffindor as his parents lived in Godric's Hollow and he was able to pull the sword from the sorting hat. Is it possible then that his friends are also descendents of famous wizards? Could Hermione be from the line of Ravenclaw and Ron from Hufflepuff? They certainly display the qualities that those houses are known for. I don't have any proof to support those ideas, but I think it's an interesting thought.

R.A.B. could be Regulus, Sirius Black's brother, but could also be the missing partner from Borgin and Burkes. The owners of the dark wizard shop would be in prime position to know what Voldemort was up to. They also were the only other people we heard of that knew about the now missing locket. This could be the reason that we've only ever seen one of the owners of the shop as the other one was killed. The locket itself does seem to be in Grimmauld Place as there is mention of a heavy locket during the cleaning of the house.

As far as who lives and dies. I don't know. I expect that Voldemort must die. I don't know about anyone else. Neville and the Weasley family seem like prime targets for death. Luna and Cho have outside shots of getting killed as well. I don't know whether the final conflict will be a large scale battle or a more intimate affair, but I'm full of anticipation waiting for Friday night.