“What Chinese prophet did we annoy?  Interesting times, my ass.” Boy, if that doesn’t describe my exact feelings right now, nothing would. Smart Bee gave me that yesterday afternoon, and I recognized it immediately as the proper opening for a Pearl such as today’s effort. It really was an effort, as I continue to occupy the initial acute phase of withdrawal from a medication, for up to another two weeks, should my body chemistry decide to be slow in readjusting its balance. I confess, the prospect of another 14 days on top of the 7 straight nights I’ve been up, as of this morning, is more than just a little daunting. But, there’s no choice, if I want my life back, so I can spend my remaining time by the dictates of my own will.

There. That has to be pompous enough for one morning. Besides, all this is going to take is will power, and, if I have developed anything in my life, it is that. Learning how to apply it has been a long, strange road, but, that’s Life, right? Or, so I’ve been told, Not having one of my own for some time now, I couldn’t say….

Still, it could be worse. I could be old. Oh, wait. Right, I am old. Officially old, as the saying goes. But, since age is just another illusion of our own perception of time, what the hell does it matter? We all live the exact same amount of time, until we die. Harsh, but, real. So, as I am compelled to tell myself innumerable times each night, deal with it.

Oh, shoot, look at the time! We’d best be on our way; I’ve dallied and dithered long enough. Luigi, take it away, pardner; time’s a wastin’….

Shall we Pearl?….

“The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.” — Marcus Aurelius Antoninus — Meditations, ix, 16

At last…. I’ve found the perfect opening pearl for the short but sweet rant, which has been percolating on a back burner in my brain for some time. In seven words, Mssr. de la Fontaine strikes a chord of harmony with my own thoughts about what has gone wrong with our society, to wit: everything is turning to shit. Now, some may not fully agree with this assessment of our current status, but, I would suggest those folks are NOT paying attention to what is going on out there in the Big Room, but, rather, are continuing to operate on the same delusional assumptions they’ve always held, and which prevents them from even seeing how tightly closed are their minds.

“In much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” — Old Testament — Ecclesiastes i, 18

This short line from the manual of slavery for the Christians tells us the Christian (or Jewish, since it’s from the Old Testament….) attitude toward learning, other than learning how to be a slave for the church and state, is one of avoidance, of horror. You see, they KNOW that if people ever learned to think for themselves, they would realize what a scam they’ve been falling for all their lives, and tear them limb from limb. There wouldn’t be anywhere to hid for them, for they have consistently, whether out of ignorance or cruelty matters not, fostered a delusional system designed to manipulate the ignorant for the benefit of those in power, for thousands of years…..

Politicians have the same problem, in a sense; if the people knew how badly they were being fooled, their lives wouldn’t be worth the paper their money is printed upon. These predatory members use their own species as a source of slaves, to obtain and hoard power and resources, relying on lies and obfuscation, with the full cooperation of the religious sects, who all preach obedience to temporal authority; if those being taken advantage of ever find out, they, too, could count the days of their remaining life on one finger.

Both sides of this equation, i.e. those in power and their supporters, and the people whom they manipulate, both are caught in a situation as a result of our first pearl’s accuracy in describing human nature….. None of them are able, or, perhaps, willing, to look at the logical consequences of their actions, some because they don’t want to think that hard, others because they don’t care a thing about others; this failure on both their parts can only mean their joint efforts, as a species, will also come to a bad end…. for those who do not see upcoming consequences deserve whatever befalls them, in my book….

It’s a part of our fatal flaw, which has to do with our desires, and, our egos, both of which most folks never seem to quite be able to get a handle on, thus allowing their lives to go out of control, into corruption, delusion, and, ultimately, as for all of us, a death we can only hope shows some dignity. It’s not the prettiest picture, but, it’s real.

As I mentioned, short. As I thought about it over the last few days, it seemed bigger. Oh, well, it’s enough. It made its point, and that’s what matters to me…. I’ll leave y’all with one pearl to round out today’s thoughts….

“Never before have I encountered such corrupt and foul-minded perversity!   Have you ever considered a career in the Church?” —  Black Adder II

(Sorry, couldn’t help myself….)

“Even if you’re on the right track, if you stand still you’ll get run over by the next train.” — Will Rogers

“If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” — Chinese Proverb

“But the only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to venture a little way past them into the impossible.” — Arthur C. Clarke (1917-) — Profiles of the Future (1962; rev. 1973) — “Hazards of Prophecy: The Failure of Imagination”

“The want of goods is easily repaired, but the poverty of the soul is irreparable.” — Montaigne

“Truth never hurts the teller.” — Robert Browning

“One man with courage is a majority.” — Thomas Jefferson

“Integrity has no need for rules.” — Albert Camus

“I do not distinguish by the eye, but by the mind, which is the proper judge of the man.” — Seneca (8 BC) — On a Happy Life, 2, (L’Estrange’s Abstract, Chap, i.)

“To be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is rightly to apply it.” — Descartes

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If I tried to describe to y’all how I got this done, you’d probably toss your cookies; don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll merely say, it’s amazing what a bit of insanity can do, when used creatively. Moreover, it’s bloody done. Early, too, relatively speaking, which it always is. Relative, that is…. I think I’d best go now; I’m starting to feel a bit weird. Considering where I start at, ending up at weird isn’t unusual, just inconveniently premature. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, if I have to…. well, perhaps I shouldn’t say…. Nevertheless, I’ll be back….