Ffolkes,
However many you speak,
What good will they do you
If you do not act on upon them?
~~ Buddha ~~
“fractala”
Image by europasicewolf, at https://europasicewolf.wordpress.com/2015/07/12/wolfie-chew-sticks-you-turned-the-air-blue/
Good morning…. Thanks to the machinations of the machine, which we laughingly call modern society, I’m up, even though it’s not actually anywhere near morning. Technically, I suppose, I have to call it that, as we are an hour and a half into the new day. Somehow, I find it insulting to actually think of this hour as the hour to arise from bed, theoretically, and literally full of piss & vinegar, ready and eager to face the day…. Being force to get up due to twitching, and/or hurting, doesn’t quite fit the picture I had in mind when I thought of retirement….
SIGH…. Okay, enough obscure whining. I’m up, though I don’t really want to be; I’m dealing. I’m as awake as possible at this hour, I’m typing, I’m getting pissed off….. Slow down, there, big fella…. We’ve got lots of time; no need to get worked up right out of the gate…. Breathe, sip, breathe….
I’ll say this…. By the time I get to Ireland, and back, I’m gonna be as tough as an old boot…. maybe tougher. Enough on that….
In fact, since I have been recorded as having vowed I shan’t rant in the intro, (lovely phrase, what?…. It’s almost alliteration….”shan’t rant….” Hah!….), I’ll use this opportunity to tell Luigi we can head right over to the oyster beds, without the usual side-trip for the purposes of distraction…. Ooh, I shouldn’t have said that, should I?….
Oh, well, so much for artistic license….
Shall we Pearl?….
“If the cats could figure out how to work the can opener, they would have the locks changed while we were out.” –Smart Bee
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Image from YouTube.com via Google Images
Ffolkes who grew up during the same years as I did will remember this lady’s music very well; she was one of the most popular artists of her time. I will add my own opinion, to wit: her fame was well-deserved. I give you one of the legends of Rock and Roll, from the earliest days…. Miss Brenda Lee, the four-foot, ten-inch package of dynamite….
Miss Brenda Lee
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Okay, so here’s the deal…. The last section is a rantish old-school pearl, and today’s poem is as fresh as it gets, meaning I’m experiencing a degree of temporary weakness due to blood loss. Therefore, to prevent the occurrence of untoward results, I won’t even attempt to create a fresh rant…. Instead, here is a pretty decent little politirant/indictment of our BRC, complete with an old-school pearl as an integral part of the piece…. Enjoy, such as you may, or wish….
From 8/14/2013:
Today’s format got somewhat disrupted, due to the first section’s departure from normal activity…. Well, as normal as it ever gets around here…. Any who, in this space, fashion would dictate I rant, and, I actually have the proper subject for same in hand. Actually, it’s a subject that isn’t going to go away, and will continue to remain in the forefront of the news for some time to come, as the solution is one the BRC is unwilling to permit.
I’m speaking of the current flap over the surveillance of the phone records and other data being compiled by the NSA and other clandestine spying agencies….. I would have said “intelligence agencies”, but, I’m not in the habit of using oxymorons, as a rule….
I COULD rant, as I have a lot of thoughts and feelings on the issue, but, yesterday, I read one of the most complete, perfectly written and researched articles on the subject that I’ve seen thus far. It is written by Jennifer Hoelzer, who was formerly the chief of staff for Oregon Congressman R. Wyden, the most outspoken critic in Congress of the spying by the administration. In responding to the President’s formation of an independent committee to examine the surveillance guidelines, in order to address “public concerns”, she outlines her part, and the parts played by all the participants, in a clear, effective manner, calling all the responsible parties to task for creating the issue in the first place.
It’s a great piece, and a must-read for anyone who wishes to have a thorough understanding of all the important major points, including an accurate timeline of the significant events….. I offer these two articles, one reporting on the President’s announcement, and the piece by Ms. Hoelzer herself. Please read them, and you’ll see what I am saying is truth….
http://news.yahoo.com/-obama-orders-panel-to-review-possible-spying-abuses–185415834.html
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130810/09240524136/jennifer-hoelzers-insiders-view-administrations-response-to-nsa-surveillance-leaks.shtml
As compensation, to me, for not ranting about this today, I offer these pearls, to speak to the issue in my own unique manner….
“Nationalism is an infantile sickness. It is the measles of the human race.” — Albert Einstein
“A state which seeks to subordinate the citizen wholly to itself and merges the person into an impersonal mass, commits a collective murder.” — C. C. Martindale, _The Catholic Bedside Book_, 1953
“A Sept 13 1987 Boston Globe story indicated polls show almost half of Americans think the phrase ‘From each according to his ability, to each according to his need’ comes from the US Constitution.” — Chomsky’s Necessary Illusions
“Say what will convince, not what you believe.” — Bureaucrat’s Law #2
DIPLOMACY, n. The patriotic art of lying for one’s country. — Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary”
“Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarcely in that; for it is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct. Remember this: They that will not be counseled cannot be helped. If you do not hear reason she will rap you over the knuckles.” — Benjamin Franklin(1706-1790)– Maxims prefixed to Poor Richard’s Almanac, 1757
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.” — Rom 3:10
Yes, the last one was used recently in another pearl, but, I do that sometimes, when it is a perfect fit…. If all this doesn’t convince you of how serious the situation here on Earth is becoming, well, all I can say is, either you didn’t read it all, or you have more resistance to the truth than is good for you…. Any comments are welcome, even encouraged, and will be answered ASAP, back pain permitting….
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This poem is the result of the last three of four days of no sleep…. Gee, do ya think it could be any darker?…. Go figure…. Try to enjoy it anyway, okay?…. Thanks; it bled a lot….
Wicked, angry red scenes of imminent demise
haunt my dreams each night.
Fearful visions of destructive surprise
leave me sweating in terror, as well they might.
Small, mean, ugly, with beady little eyes,
pundits gather like maggots, bloated and vile,
grunting, snuffling, mumbling outlandish lies,
enslaving the ignorant with patience and guile.
Society’s denizens exist as volunteer slaves.
Living and dying by script, completely blind.
Never allowing any resentment, no making waves.
Never knowing joy, nor any peace of mind.
Free men will not be controlled, ’tis said;
No coercion, no illusion can cloud their sight.
No threats, no pain, no fear they dread;
their only duty to keep to the right.
Dreams are mere reflections of our inner fears,
whispering, close against doors shut fast.
Mocking our mostly irrelevant tears,
clearly marking the future as our sordid past.
~~ gigoid ~~
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No, the logo is correct; today’s final old-school pearl is a seven star series of comments about a subject of current interest to all of us, to wit: the ever-widening wealth gap in the world at large…. Here is what I found that seemed to make some sort of sense about it all…. It’s a bit abstruse in spots, but, it gives one a feeling for the reality of the issue…. Well, I think so, and that’s what counts around here, right?….
~~ Thomas Jefferson ~~
“The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their right names.” — Chinese Proverb
“It did not matter, after all. He was only one man. One man’s fate is not important. If it is not, what is? He could not endure those remembered words.” — Ursula K. Le Guin, spoken by Gaverel Rocannon, Rocannon’s World
“If you wish a life of trouble, fill your house with treasures.” — Chinese Proverb
“A monied aristocracy in our country … has already set the government at defiance.” — Thomas Jefferson
RICHES, n.
*** ” A gift from Heaven signifying, “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” — John D. Rockefeller
*** “The reward of toil and virtue.” — J.P. Morgan
*** “The savings of many in the hands of one.” — Eugene Debs
To these excellent definitions the inspired lexicographer feels that he can add nothing of value. — Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary….
Without it you cannot be really rich.”
~~ Chinese Proverb ~~
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Oh. My. Golly. (Sorry…. My lawyer told me to stop using the word ‘God’….) It’s done. I’m, well, not flabbergasted, because. hey, who would be at 3:33 am on a Wednesday in July? No matter who one might, or, might not be, it’s too frigging early for flabber, or gasting, anyway, I don’t care what anybody says. Moreover, I think it’s probably illegal in this state. What state? The state of Confusion, naturally…. I’m afraid it must be time to go roast that chicken. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, provided I can find a small piece of my sanity somewhere; I had it right here when I went to bed….
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…
When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.
Which is Why….
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.
gigoid, the dubious
The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.
PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.
“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch
À bientôt, mon cherí….
gigoid 
Whatever you do, on your Irish visit/hols, leave the poem behind! 😦
Same applies to Brenda…
Blimey..old or wot?
Move on…..
How old are you anyway?
Stuck in the past me finks!
grin
Not stuck; I just visit there now & then…
The poem is a perfect example of my own belief, to wit: better out than in…. I don’t keep them in my back pocket, once they’re done…. I just work on replacing the body fluids…
*small grin*
🙂
Big grin! 🙂
That statement is not true!
Not by wot ya put on ur blog…..gggrrrrr
Excuse me? The poem was written today; the final section was created today. Yes, the rant, and the music were visits to the past… and, my blog has more than 1200 posts just like that one….
*bemused smile*
Grrr, indeed…
I was up at 0130, twitching; it’s as good as it gets in that state, I’m afraid…
Tomorrow’s another day…
😉
No,I meant the music…. silly…. grin
How many visits?
grinning face with halo…..;)
Possessing the powers of a Time Lord gives me the option to go there as needed; it all evens out in the future…
😉
‘My blog has more than 1200 posts just like that one’….
Good Oh.. .No, I am not going there.
2moro is another day….
And I for one and am not sure if I need another one……sickly smile……
That which is hateful to you do not do to another … the rest (of the Torah) is all commentary, now go study.” – Rabbi Hillel
Every one has their own version of the Golden Rule, don’t they?…
And, better to practice than to study, I think, each in its time….
😉
gigoid
Each in it’s time……true…….
However,grin
I carry a stick!
Saves Time…hahaa
Hmm… synchronicity? I use a stick, too….
Stick, Tim Lord powers? A connection, perhaps?….
Ya never know.
😈
My stick ‘flies’
I sit on it ……
Aha! I guess that makes sense….
😉
Ah, well, mine just walks along beside me…. but, it’s great for discouraging bad dogs! (2 and 4 legged varieties…)
*grin*
Ha! I was wondering which pics had taken your fancy Dubious one! I see you’ve managed to keep it to a sensible size lol looks much better like that! 🙂 Was just pounding through the reader trying to save time chasing email notifications and two or three lots of open windows and landed here by virtue of the fact it was the first of yours to show up…but no rant!!! Dubious one we need a rant! Perhaps I should add one for you? lol….something along the lines of why do men have to fall for foreign women on dating sites , get into a big paddy with them for one reason or another than expect Wolfie to come up with all the answers about what they should do about it…the obvious answer – dump em they’re probably a scammer anyway and that flight ticket they emailed you probably isn’t even real, is likely to lead to the “You’re just jealous because it’s another woman” syndrome! Men need a male friend to advise them on matters of the heart in this situation! On the other paw the “only you can decide that – nobody else can do it for you” answer is considered just as bad as the dump em answer so no win….and no fee!!!! lol 😉 How about that for something new and inspirational to rant about and maybe even pearl about? 😉 I’m sure you could dream up a lovely inspirational rant on the subject if you felt so inclined! lol 😉 🙂
My dear Wolfie,
I hardly need to rant about it now; you seem to have done so just fine… 🙄
😆
Besides, another guy would just say to him, “What were you thinking!”, slap him upside the head, tell him to man up & go buy a new tool…. Simple solutions for simple problems… I don’t know about other guys, but, simple is best… You’re absolutely right about the dangers of falling for someone online, but, then, most people, I find, are too much concerned with appearances and their own desire for something to be true, than they are with using their mind for something other than sitting on.
I’m working on a rant, or three, and, actually have done a couple recently; I’m finding it harder for 2 reasons… One, I’ve been in a lot of pain, and it’s harder to concentrate on the news long enough to find stuff to rant about, other than the same old crap the assholes out there in the BBR are constantly up to in their mad rush to the grave… which I’ve ranted on a LOT… Second, I’m trying to be more physically active in spite of the pain, and it takes time, and a toll on my writing time…. So far, I’ve been able to sublimate the urge enough to stay relatively sane….
😈
Sort of… as one may see from reading any of my comments…
Good to see ya here… You’ll see more of your pix in the coming days….
See ya, Milady Lupine du Glace
gigoid, the dubious
😎
Reblogged this on gigoid and commented:
Ffolkes,
I’m still busy out in Reality, dealing with the seasonal frenzy, but, have a partial Pearl done, which I’ll post in a day or two. For now, to indicate I’m still alive, here’s a Pearl from 2015, which has some game, and a bunch of fun comments. I hope you enjoy this visit into our sordid past here on ECR…. If not, well…. oh, well. Try again later, I guess. For now, be strange and keep cool…. always good advice, right? Right. See ya soon enough, ffolkes….
gigoid, the dubious
😎