Ffolkes,
but you can’t teach an old dog
to make a silk purse out of a pig in a poke.”
~~ Opus ~~
Scottish Coastline near Invergordon
Hajime…. Yesterday, I took advantage of some cat nap time to complete today’s Pearl, which turned a bit epic on me. There’s a fresh discussion of human nature & society, an old poem from 2012, and a rather epic old-school pearl to finish it off. Quite the mess, I should think, which is why the music should make it all better….
Since this is done, for the most part, I’ll stick it in the Tardis, & deliver it to the WP editor in the morning, once we figure out the proper settings. This, of course, is a bonus, because now I can work a day ahead, giving me more time to play with Leelu; the older she gets the more she requires attention, it seems. But, she’s worth a bit of effort, so, no big deal. It does mean, though, this intro will be, once again, shortened more than we are accustomed to find it. C’est la fucking vie, right?
Here is how that works….
Shall we Pearl?….
~~Bertrand Russell ~~
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Today’s video isn’t a video, though watching Bonnie play is my idea of heaven. I decided to show y’all WHY she is my favorite artist in Rock & Roll/Blues/R&B/Pop/you name it. She plays guitar like BB King, and sings like anyone’s idea of an angel. Plus, hey, red hair & a gorgeous smile, y’know? What’s not to like?…. Here is a compilation from her album(s) of Best Hits…. I don’t have to tell you to enjoy; I know you will. She can rip your heart out. put it right back in, then melt it….
Bonnie Raitt
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~~ Lao Tzu ~~
Long before there was much going on in the Western World, other than a few cities in Europe, such as Athens, human thought reached a pinnacle in China, when Lao Tzu shared the Way of the Tao with the world, in the Tao Teh Ching, and in writings we have had passed down through the ages by other scholars who studied the Way. This particular aphorism is one few in today’s world would ever consider, much less use to help themselves deal with the world as it exists….
Life today has become so complicated, it is difficult for even the most competent individuals to maintain any sort of balance in life. Maintaining the basic requirements for a comfortable life takes so much mental & physical effort, very few have the wherewithal to spend more than a minimum amount of time thinking about such things as human nature, the nature of Reality, or philosophy in general. There just aren’t enough minutes in the day. Sadly, by failing to consider notions such as our opening quote, their lives are made even more difficult than it is, or, needs to be.
We, being human, tend to judge the universe, and what happens around us, according to our preconceived, or previously held, ideas of how it works; this tends to lead us to believe in what we want as good, and what we do not wish to be bad, in simplest terms. Such a tendency is reinforced by the structure of society as it is, a society which reflects the nature of its members, to wit: it is believed that humans can control reality to get what they want…. Sadly, this is an illusion, for reality will change, no matter whether we participate in those changes, or not; we have no say in any of that; to attempt to do so only leads to frustration, and conflict, for the universe is what it is, and not subject to our judgment of it.
Thus we have come to a point in history where we are “governed”; society has embraced the illusion that individuals need protection from the universe’s changes, and, government is just the one to do it. For some reason, people have come to believe A) they are incapable of understanding or dealing with life at large, and, B) they need others to help them do so. I’m not sure just how it got established in people’s minds, but, there it is, so, what can we do about it? It isn’t true, by any stretch of the imagination, yet, people still wish for government to order life so they don’t have to think, only do what they are told is right….
This foolish dependency, which has no actual basis in reality, has led to other illusions, which are commonly held to be true. For example, there is the notion of “Rights” which, according to the theory, is something all people should have…. Yet, so far, the only ‘right’ that seems to be ours is the right to live, and, in time, to die…. Beyond that, it’s all a crap shoot, ffolkes, and anyone who tells you otherwise has a hand in your pocket….
“Rights” is a fictional abstraction. No one has “Rights”, neither machines nor flesh-and-blood. Persons… have opportunities, not rights, which they use or do not use.” — Lazarus Long, from Robert A. Heinlein’s “Time Enough For Love”
The other illusion which has plagued the progress of humanity falls into the same category, to wit; humans were created by a supernatural being who cares about them, and wishes them well…. This seems, to me, to be somewhat wishful thinking, for there is no evidence whatsoever to be found which gives any such indication on the part of Reality. Everything else we perceive tells us, simply, our existence matters not at all to Reality. It went along just find before we arrived, and will do so after we have departed this plane of existence… All the available verifiable evidence is clear on this….
Yet, mankind at large seems to prefer to have their thinking done for them; as long as they are reasonably comfortable, the average person will never think of such issues, or use their mind for much beyond deciding which snack to grab at the next commercial. This innate laziness, while useful when applied with rationality, is more than merely harmful when abused in such a way, for it has led us to another issue which, according to the rules of Reality we already know, cannot be ignored, or denied….
“People who take issue with control of population do not understand that if it is not done in a graceful way, nature will do it in a brutal fashion.” — H. Kendall
Yes, ffolkes, the world has become a dangerous place, not because of how we humans have used our capabilities, but, rather, because of how we have failed to take full advantage of them, by learning our own true nature, and how to use those abilities we have to create change, rather than constantly trying to maintain the status quo…. Life is change, and only the dead do not have to obey that law….
~~ Blaise Pascal ~~
See? This is what the human mind is capable of…. a far cry from dogma or kings……
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After all the dross is sent away
a celebration can begin,
time will face up to space, to stay
willing, to shine from within.
Anger and confusion come in to share
brushing reason aside,
eager to welcome all that is fair,
alert to danger, eyes wide.
Re-gift the wicked with their own pain
stand with the just;
fail to partake of the ill-gotten gain,
living in honor, the only must.
Standing fast in the face of wrong
is its own prize and reward.
Holding on to truth makes us strong,
well worth working toward.
Little is left to chance by fate
our lessons are never free of cost.
Seldom does reality make us wait
only when alone, are we lost.
~~ gigoid ~~
10/23/2012
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Today’s final, old-school pearl is an epic monster, which speaks, in a general, yet incredibly detailed way, of Life at Large, and how to approach it with dignity, serenity, reason, and virtue…. And, why not? The world needs all the virtue, and reason, it can get just now, trust me….
All nature is but art, unknown to thee;
All chance, direction, which thou canst not see;
All discord, harmony not understood;
All partial evil, universal good;
And spite of pride, in erring reason’s spite,
One truth is clear, Whatever is, is right.
~~ Alexander Pope — Essay on Man, Epistle i, Line 289 ~~
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“He would be the finer gentleman that should leave the world
without having tasted of lying
or pretense of any sort,
or of wantonness or conceit.”
~~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus — Meditations, ix, 2 ~~
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“To different minds, the same world is a hell, and a heaven.”
~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Journal”, 20 December 1822 ~~
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“A good listener is not only popular everywhere,
but after a while he gets to know something.”
~~ Wilson Mizner ~~
***********
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in
silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all
persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to
the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive
persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser
persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep
interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the
world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the
grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things
of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do
not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and
loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a
child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to
be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is
unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive
Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of
life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.”
~~ Max Ehrman, “Desiderata” (1927) ~~
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“… as sight is in the body, so is reason in the soul…”
~~ Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics ~~
~~ Bl. I, Ch. 6, 10966, lines 29-30 ~~
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“[T]he earth does not belong to man;
man belongs to the earth.
This we know.
All things are connected
like the blood which unites one family.
All things are connected.
Whatever befalls the earth
befalls the sons of the earth.
Man did not weave the web of life;
he is merely a strand in it.
Whatever he does to the web,
he does to himself.”
~~ Chief Seattle, 1854 (c.1786-1866) ~~
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“There is no wealth but life.”
~~ John Ruskin ~~
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“Because I have loved life,
I shall have no sorrow to die.”
~~ Amelia Burr ~~
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Done; not merely done, but, done a day early. Not bad for an old fart. Since I’ve probably tortured enough people for one day, I’ll take my leave without fanfare, merely a quick bow, and exit, stage right… or left, or down, which is, I guess, the proper direction to send you. See y’all tomorrow, if the plan comes together…. Looking good so far….
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 
Excellent post….Not a damn thing I could add….even the music is spot on….have a great day…..chuq
Thanks, amigo; glad you enjoyed it… I worked a long time on the ‘discussion’…
🙂
I’ll be by in a bit….
gigoid
As always a pleasure…..I’ll be here….chuq
SMiLes my
Friend.. gigoid..
Reality is only as
courageous and kind…
fearful and hateful.. as we make it..
i go to the Cinderella school for fellas
and make it courageous and kind..
it’s kinda funny.. don’t you feel it…
but in some so called God fearing places..
people rule on the basis of fearful and hateful
instead of courageous and kind.. for JusT Now..
Now that’s ironic.. TRULY
IRONIC IN DaRK AND LIgHT..
God is the devil of fearful and hateful in hell..
in some countries.. religions and
or cultures.. or and
individuals..
And God is an Angel..
hmm.. in no countries..
no religions.. and no
cultures that
are really
big
at
least..
this tends to only happen
on an individual ‘Miley
Sirius’ Basis.. i mean
Cyrus.. the dog
star of
truth…
for now
at least..
Bonobos
are an exception
as they live all of life
in accordance
with the innate..
instinctual and
intuitive Love
of Mind and Body
Balance in regulating
emotions.. integrating
senses.. hmm.. including
SENsualiTy in the mix of
the LOVING TOUCH
BIG TIME
AS IT WERE
AND STILL IS
WITH REaLLY
ALL BODY
TOUCHY
FEELY
LOVE..
bottom line is
it works.. but oops..
Bonobos are not humans
so we have still not evolved
to their higher standard of
Animal
Love..
but more likely
we have devolved epigeneticAlly
speaking.. in just one lifetime through
the virus.. of Cultures.. religions
and Countries that are
big.. overall..
hmm…
but OMG.. Country..
Culture.. and Religions
rule humans through the
almighty force of the politics
of human tribal instinct to conserve
resources for survival.. wheRe humans
are born into a fight and flight state of
survival.. to go to school.. with no reward
but learning for 12 to 18 or who knows
even 21 years.. to gain subsistence..
for shelter.. food.. drink.. and
sure a mate.. if one is so
inclined to reproduce
some more
humans
to come into
the hell of nows..
overall.. for most
folks it seems..
at least
headed
in that
direction for now..
Anyway.. it’s quite a compliment
to suggest that we humans are related
to Bonobos.. and perhaps our ancestors
were as hairy.. and Loving as them.. and
perhaps innately instinctually and intuitively
we are too.. without the virus of Country..
Culture and Religions too.. but i do
Love Toilet Paper.. a warm
bed.. and me some
hot water to
shower at
the end of the
day.. so the human
card is filled with the potential
of a greatest Heaven now if we get
our innate instinct and intuition all
involved as our reality too.. in
mind and body balance
like the friendly
super sexy
Bonobos
too..
by the way..
Miley Cyrus is one of
my favorite modern Bonobo
humans.. she is not afraid to
swing through the air.. with
a tear in her eye all naturale
as much as YouTube will
allow for now for
Love
my friend..
meanwhile.. there
are the hater chimpanzees
among us.. who still rape
and pillage.. as sure
there is the
epigenetic
potential
for us to
be either
devil or angel..
but angels in
heaven now..
there ain’t nothing
great as that reality
my friend.. as we are the
reality that cares.. once star
dust.. now the magic of Love
incarnate
as
human being Angels..
and that is real my
friend.. in the
real heaven
that can
be now..
oh.. but the
work.. the practice..
never ending to find it
and stay here my friend
is a never ending story
of
NOW
that goes
on…for
NOW..:)
Always a treat to hear/read your take on the above mess…. You manage to find the pearls that matter, for sure….
*big smile*
Good thing you type so fast; it’s the only way to keep up with all your words, welling up from your springs….
Love
gigoid
Smiles.. Always a joy.. Thanks.. My friend..:)
So she says….
😉
“Because I have loved life,
I shall have no sorrow to die.”
~~ Amelia Burr ~~
I have sent up my gladness on wings, to be lost in the blue of the sky.
I have run and leaped with the rain, I have taken the wind to my breast.
My cheeks like a drowsy child to the face of the earth I have pressed.
Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.
grin…
not quite my style….;).
Reblogged this on gigoid and commented:
Ffolkes,
I had way too much fun yesterday, which is fine, but, it kept me from getting much done otherwise. However, I did find this Pearl to use today; it’s a rather fine specimen, I must say especially considering I was at the tail end of my descent into hell, & spent a LOT of time in a pretty crazed state. There is excellent music, possibly my best-ever rant, and an epic old-school pearl. It got some decent traffic & comments, but, is good enough to go around twice. Well, in my opinion, anyway. Y’all can decide for yourselves. Hopefully, I’ll have a fresh one done for tomorrow; that old blabbermouth, Time, will tell. It always does….
See ya
gigoid, the dubious
😎
Wow, Desiderata. Whopping pearl