I celebrated the New Year last night, in order to avoid joining all the amateurs who will be out and about tonight. The plan worked, except I forgot the price, which I am now paying. It’s a stiff price, too; I’m going back to bed, & may not get up until next year. For now, here’s a pretty good Pearl from 2013 for your reading experience for today…
Blessed Be, ffolkes, & if I don’t see ya, have a safe & happy New Year…
Ffolkes,
Unbeknownst to the rest of us, the warranty on this state of reality has expired, and I don’t think there will be any renewal, not for us, and not for the dreams we once held. Sad, but true….. A lesser man might become depressed, or fall into the state of mind where a lack of caring, about anything, becomes attractive, rather than the low-level sense of doom that is the lot of those who have any wit to spare. Instead, I think…. I’ll have a beer…..
Or maybe not…. it’s a bit early for a Budweiser, I suppose. I’m not sure exactly what the above paragraph is all about, other than as a possible lead-in to a rant, and it’s WAY too soon in this process to start that….. I haven’t even had enough coffee to be able to blink without concentrating, and I can’t be trusted to tie…
Hajime…. As noted in yesterday’s post, a battle rages at my house. There have been casualties, on both sides, with no clear victory. For the nonce, a truce has been negotiated, which we hope will last long enough to post this mess, before once again taking up our shields, to re-enter the fray. It’s a tough assignment I’ve assumed, but, nobody else can, or will do it. So, whatever happens here, and now, is what it is, & it will have to do. Hence, the title for today’s effort, which has more to do with reality than we generally allow, or prefer. As noted, it is what it is.
Further, that’s all it is. And, that’s all this is, which, as you see, is done. Well, the intro part, anyway. I’m using my temporary powers to move this along, before I give in to the temptation to try to actually write something memorable. In fact, I’m usurping all routine measures, & going straight to the executive scissors method, which is ugly, but, it’s fast, and leaves no traces. None we’ve been able to find anyway. For now, look over there, & you’ll see it working. Watch close, or you’ll miss it….
Shall we Pearl?
“Reality is a cliche from which we escape by metaphor.”
~~ Wallace Stevens ~~
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I used this collection a few days ago, and liked it so well, I’m using it again. If you listen all the way through, you’ll end up hearing music from most of the movies with which you grew up…. It’s all in there, ffolkes. Enjoy….
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Classical Music
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Platitudes for Attitudes
Platitudes shake us, attitudes break us.
Life can be a real pain, y’know?
Still, if we don’t fight where it takes us,
it’s a pretty straight row to hoe..
A lot of what we see and hear
isn’t always in the best of taste.
Life at large can be one long frisson of fear.
Making an effort often seems a huge waste.
Pundits, dogma dogs, myrmidons, oligarchs & pimps;
assholes and predators every one.
Twisted, sick, anti-humans; anomalous, ignorant wimps.
Logic says, every time, lobotomize ’em, & be done.
Illusions, delusions, confusions, a dedicated data dump,
bilious, divisive, spicy with hatred and fears.
Inflation, immigration, promises from the clownish Trump
Leaving even our basest survival heavy with tears.
Ancient sages left signs on the path to peace,
for those with wit to see.
No need for undue effort, no quest for golden fleece.
All we ever need to do, is be.
~~ gigoid ~~
8/29/2015
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Naked Pearls
A different path to the same place….
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“This is now. Later is later.”
~~ Subtle Bee ~~
*******
“Every beginning is a consequence.
Every beginning ends something.”
~~ Paul Valery, French poet ~~
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“We are all born mad. some remain so.”
~~ Samuel Beckett ~~
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“As great scientists have said
and as all children know,
it is above all by the imagination
that we achieve perception,
and compassion,
and hope.”
~~ Ursula K. LeGuin ~~
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“I’m not confused, just well mixed.”
~~ Robert Frost ~~
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“Morality is moral only if it is voluntary.”
~~ Lincoln Steffens ~~
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“To laugh often and love much,
to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
to earn the appreciation of honest critics
and endure the betrayal of false friends;
to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to give of oneself;
to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
to have played and laughed with enthusiasm and sing with exultation;
to know even one life has breathed easier:
this is to have succeeded.”
~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~
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Our introductory section today ended rather abruptly, for which I will not apologize. I shouldn’t need to, as, look where it got us. We are here, at the end, where we intended to be, without losing any passengers, or any essential pieces. That is good enough for me; it will have to be for the rest of y’all, for, that’s it. That’s all. We’re done, so, you can leave now, with our standard caveat, to watch out in the morning, so none of the usual splash heralding our arrival gets on your clothing. It’s been known to cause holes in the very fabric of reality….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
I’m involved in battling demons today (well, that’s every day, but, today it’s taking precedence. Plus, I’m going to Twitter a while. Maybe. In any case, I’ll be back to relative normal by tomorrow, or, thereabouts, if all goes as planned. (Shut it, Murphy!) This one gives a bit of the flavor of my day today, and, might even stimulate a thought here & there… One may hope…. See ya, ffolkes…. blessed be…
“I’m confused – more than usual, that is.” — Smart Bee
I am considering using this as the opening line for this blog every day, much like the sig file I use at the end (“Sometimes I sits and….”)…. It certainly fits my usual state of mind when I sit down to write in the mornings. In fact, it occurs so often, it could be considered a ritualistic behavior, designed to mitigate the overall impact of having to wake up and get moving. I have learned enough in my years to make sure that I own a programmable coffee maker, that has my coffee ready for me when I get up. But, I still have to get up, stir in the condiments I use, then go stare at the computer while it boots up…. by the time I’ve sipped a few ounces down, and I’m beginning to be able…
“True merit, like a river, the deeper it is, the less noise it makes.”
~~ Lord Halifax (1633-1695) ~~
Willamette River, Oregon
Scenes from a train….
Hajime…. Living in today’s complex world requires some rather refined coping skills. Such a statement might generally call for a bit of explanation, but, I don’t think there’s much there to argue with; the evidence is pretty clear, for anyone with the wit to perceive it. If one pays much attention to all the crap flying at our heads, they take the chance they’ll miss something important, amongst all the unreliable information, spread so blatantly by those who find the need to lie and cheat their way through life, in order to feel they have some sort of control over others. This neurotic fear is one shared by all humans; some find rather more rational methods to deal with that fear, instead of giving in to its irrational demand for security, a condition unnatural in reality.
The above paragraph summarizes the current world fairly accurately, I’d say. You’ll note the absence of anything in the way of definite solution; that’s deliberate. I can’t honestly say I’ve found the only honorable path to follow; I only know it is one I can live with, according to the understanding of reality I’ve come to hold as the most true. Each of us must decide for ourselves how we will react to our fears, whether they are based on rational information, or not. Each must decide for themselves how to face that fear, or, for that matter, whether we will face it, at all, or allow it to determine our acts according to only that which others have told us is true, by their own standards and beliefs. To choose our way, our own path, is what makes us human; to remove that choice is to deny our humanity.
So be it. I can’t say it much clearer than that; how you take it is up to you; what you do with it is also your choice. If nothing else, here in ECR, that choice will always be yours. May it always be so…. which is also your responsibility. It’s a tough world out there, but, it’s well worth making every effort to make it the one you can live with, honorably, free from the fear that comes with ignorance…
I guess that was a rantish sort of introduction, wasn’t it? Oh, well, such is life. I can’t really say what prompted all the above, but, then, I don’t really care. It’s what it is, and that’s all it is. Just like me. And, of course, Popeye, who taught us all about standing up to fear…. Ya only have to find what your spinach looks, and tastes like….
Shall we Pearl?
“Human language is like a cracked kettle
on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to,
when all the time we are longing to move the stars to pity.”
~~ Gustave Flaubert ~~
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I’ve included this young man’s music previously, & consider him one of the finest guitarists alive. He’s getting quite a bit of publicity now, which is well-deserved…. By following the links in the video to You Tube, you’ll find a great deal of his work, with some of the best music you’ll ever hear…. Enjoy!….
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Mariousz Goli While My Guitar Gently Weeps
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Dreaming, I wait….
In the most patient moments of rationality
kindness flows smoothly in a special milieu,
fallow thoughts speed first from equality
to give no anxious fever, anger to eschew.
Indignant mothers and step-sons in-law
shall fade simply from brilliant to grey,
intoning ritual dogma, fresh, avid, and raw,
falling, falling, in massive pastoral disarray.
Safety lives not, save brightly in ignorant bliss,
it follows us all, silent and infinitely frail,
foremost too often, soft as a virgin kiss,
alive, always eager, willing, and pale.
Intimate knowledge finds only the bold few
with courage and virtue to gift, unbidden.
No solemn royal version may pass in review,
true love for man, never to remain unhidden.
Sweet feathers of Emily’s hope uplift,
calm, drowsy episodes bursting with light,
With final glad cries we set ourselves adrift,
swimming in the oceans of natural delight.
When sorrow is banished, in ages yet to come,
roots solidly anchored, cold and remote,
Ample supplies of kindness sit silent and dumb,
and the old stranger shrugs on his faded coat.
Dreaming, then, I wait with shadows in the night
aspiring to inspire, a message from the muse’s heart
Never forgotten images, framed in color bright,
tempt me only, grieving, steeped in serenity’s arcane art….
~~ gigoid ~~
8/18/2013
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Naked Pearls
Start to End….
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“Doing it the hard way is always easier.”
~~ Murphy’s Paradox ~~
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“I am as a weed
Flung from the rock, on Ocean’s foam to sail
Where’er the surge may sweep, the tempest’s breath prevail.
~~ Lord Byron — Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Canto iii, Stanza 2 ~~
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“What is a weed?
A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”
~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~
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“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be,
and you help them to become what they are capable of being.”
~~ Johann Wolfgan von Goethe ~~
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“For when I was a babe and wept and slept, Time crept.
When I was a boy and laughed and talked, Time walked.
Then when the years saw me a man, Time run.
But as I older grew, Time flew.”
~~ Guy Pentreath ~~
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“And in the end
the love you take
is equal to the love you make.”
~~ The Beatles, The last lyric of their last song ~~
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Homer: “Marge, is this a happy ending or a sad ending?”
Marge: “It’s an ending. That’s enough.”
~~ The Simpsons ~~
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Hmm… In looking back over this morning’s mess, it’s less messy than it felt. Not too shabby for off-the-proverbial-cuff, eh? It’s okay if you don’t agree; it won’t hurt my feelings. In fact, I liked this one so much, I’ll try to do it again tomorrow, just to see if I can. What the hell, I’ve got nothin’ better to do, right? See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; by now, it’s considered de rigeur….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
“When we try to pick out anything by itself,
we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe.”
~~ Muir’s Law ~~
~~ John Muir, “My First Summer in the Sierra”, 1911, page 110 ~~
Small Beauty, on city streets….
Hajime…. It is probably a bit early for introspection; like any area of thought, it’s a good thing to wait until one is fully awake, or, at least, invested in becoming so, before making any serious attempts at coherence, or, even more important, decision-making. To suppose I can figure out an inner demon’s moves well enough to defend myself from them is, perhaps, the height of arrogance. Oh, well; if I get hurt, so be it. Nobody else will lose any hit points, & will have nothing to worry about….
One may well ask one’s self at this point, “What’s the point?” To answer, naturally, would only encourage one, so, we’ll pass on that, preferring, instead, to address the aforementioned introspection, which, you may have noted, hasn’t materialized as yet. Damn good thing, too, since it is/was rather embarrassing. What was I thinking? Oh, right…. I wasn’t. In fact, at this point, I’ve managed to thoroughly confuse myself, to the point I no longer remember what I was going to say on that subject. Oh, goodie. I love when I get all introspective, then lose track of the whole thing in the press of the process. Just makes me tingly all over, to know my unconscious defense systems are working well….
The only part of that to worry over is what sort of direction to take from here; it’s clearly not in the direction we were heading, wherever that might have been. Hell, now I think of it, it’s even more confusing. In fact, I’m pretty well lost, ffolkes. I don’t know if I was actually going to be introspective, or just spent about 13 minutes creating a complete bubble of conflicting intentions, imbalanced by indecision and sheer fuzziness, until, now, I’m making up new ways to avoid talking about any of it, or, anything, at all. What a waste of electrons!
Fuck it. I’m done with the intro, which may just be the weirdest damn thing I’ve ever seen, much less created. If y’all have any further issues from having to read it, well, you’re on your own. I’m leaving now, before this becomes legally actionable….
Shall we Pearl?
“A wishbone ain’t no substitute for a backbone.”
~~ Old Western saying ~~
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As is my habit, when I can’t decide on any other type of music, we go to default…. I hope you enjoy today’s collection, put together by somebody else, & chosen simply for the picture that drew my eye on the page I found it…. *grin*…. Good luck!….
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Classical Music
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Unheralded Sagacity…
To many, who will not see beyond their nose
the world becomes a dangerous place,
a bullet in every gun, a thorn with every rose,
no magic comes to save us, reality leaves no trace.
Minds closed, wrapped tight in manufactured fears,
men become clay, easily molded into complacent form.
No chains needed, held in thrall for years,
lies become gospel, when dishonesty is the norm.
Shed the chains you wear in durance, in kind;
Oh, ye of little faith, and much doubt
Strength is found in an unfettered mind,
Cry “freedom” with a great shout.
No help from any gods can hinder so much
as our own lack of confidence;
finding the light within, knowing it as such
confirms us, becoming consequence.
Illumination…..
~~ gigoid ~~
4/17/2013
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Naked Pearls
Anarcho-Paladin Training Guidelines….
*******
“If at first you doubt, doubt again, and again …”
~~ gigoid Bee ~~
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“How often we recall, with regret,
that Napoleon once shot at a magazine editor
and missed him and killed a publisher.
But we remember with charity,
that his intentions were good.”
~~ Mark Twain ~~
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“Anger blows out the lamp of the mind.”
~~ Robert Green Ingersoll ~~
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“Books aren’t written to be believed in, but to be questioned.”
~~ Umberto Eco ~~
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“Man is condemned to be free.
Condemned, because he did not create himself,
yet is nevertheless at liberty,
and from the moment he is thrown into the world,
he is responsible for everything he does.”
~~ Jean Paul Sartre ~~
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“A hero is no braver than anyone else; he is only brave five minutes longer.”
~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~
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“Character is who you are in the dark.”
~~ Lord John Whorfin ~~
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To be perfectly honest, this one is a joke. Probably not too funny a joke, but, after looking at it, I can’t think of a better way to speak of it, if I have to speak of it, at all. Since I am in, perhaps, a fortunate place for such a decision, I think I’ll just do as I have all day, & avoid any mention of what just took place. Instead, I’ll say, see y’all tomorrow, and, be on my way out for a long walk… Gotta keep up the new training guidelines….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
“If it’s a despot you would dethrone,
see first that his throne erected within you is destroyed.”
~~ Kahlil Gibran, 1923 ~~
Bougainvillea blooming….
Hajime…. I made it. The holiday is past, for most of the world, and I didn’t go postal. This, naturally, can be considered a victory, mostly. Mostly, I’d just as soon forget the whole month, in many respects, though it was not without moments of exquisite irony, to be sure. But, it’s also mostly gone, so, I can tone down the intensity of my self-control a bit, knowing much of the danger is past. Oh, no danger for me; just for the mundanes. It’s nice to be able to leave off the vest, and only carry the usual number of concealed weapons, rather than the full complement. Less weight, easier on the back, y’know?….
Okay, okay, I’ll just drop the whole subject. I really don’t feel like ranting, except that I do. In this case, it’s for the best if I just note the degree of angst present today, take the necessary precautions, and get on with posting today’s mess. Really, you don’t really want to know the rest; trust me on this. To forgo any further discussion, which may prove unhelpful, I’m using my executive privilege to declare this intro complete, as is… I know it’s too early, and y’all don’t even have your orders placed. But, it can’t be helped; if we don’t go now, the ensuing explosion could throw us completely out of orbit, & it’s best we don’t test that particular potential eventuality. Instead, let’s do this….
Shall we Pearl?
“If I don’t meet you no more in this world
Then I’ll see you in the next one.
Don’t be late”
~~ Jimi Hendrix ~~
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The Lads
This morning, I wanted some music/entertainment to give the Gentle Reader two things; one, an idea of how I feel today, having survived another Xmas season of insanity. Second, I wanted something fun, or, at minimum, light-hearted, without becoming maudlin, or sappy. A light flashed on in my head at that point, and the name of this movie came scrolling across the ticker-tape in my head; hence, this most excellent blast from the past…. I hope you enjoy it; it’s a classic, you know….
Late note: None of the links on You Tube for the full movie were free; all required some sort of payment, or registration. So, here is a collection of video clips from the movie, with some extras thrown in…. It’s worth it to hear the music, if nothing else…. and, gives an idea of why I don’t much enjoy the Christmas season, due to the commercial flavor of all going on…. Enjoy anyway!….
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The Beatles “A Hard Day’s Night”
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Lamenting Empathy, No Grace
Strange, strong, passions burn from within
Selling nothing short, nor out
Consumed, loudly, failing to mark the spin
Sad, resigned, in singular redoubt.
Fallow grounds for twisted seed
Become fated, grow, and die.
Experience never fills critical need
Save perhaps once, in ages gone by.
Shouting in severe, dulcet tone
Brittle, flaking, destiny floats away
Making noise, rattling the bone
Simply ageless fears held at bay.
We mask our illusions in faux belief
Tied to reality by matter of rote,
Send them postcards, without relief
Consecrated time, forever remote.
~~ gigoid ~~
12/19/2014
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Naked Pearls
On the path to an eternal Now….
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“My standard answer for that is, I don’t know.”
~~ Honest Bee ~~
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“Nothing exists except for atoms and space; everything else is opinion.”
~~ Democritus ~~
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“A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.”
~~ Chinese proverb ~~
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“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”
~~ Subtle Bee ~~
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“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea…if it’s the only one you’ve got.”
~~ St. Thomas Aquinas Bee ~~
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“Well, Darkness has a hunger that’s insatiable,
And Lightness has a call that’s hard to hear.”
~~ Indigo Girls ~~
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“You thought, as a boy, that a mage is one who can do anything.
So I thought, once. So did we all.
And the truth is that as a man’s real power grows and his knowledge widens,
ever the way he can follow grows narrower:
until at last he chooses nothing,
but does only and wholly what he “must” do.”
~~ Ursula K. LeGuin, _A Wizard of Earthsea_ ~~
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Now disaster has been averted, (neatly, too, I might add…), I’m going to end this here, using a little bit of that leftover executive privilege mentioned in the intro. I’m not certain it is still valid, but, it will do for our purpose today. To make sure that happens without delay, or consequence, I shall bid thee adieu, until next time. If all goes as planned, that will be tomorrow morning, same time, same bat-station. And, no, I don’t know why; it’s just the way it is….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
Hajime…. Officially, the celebration of this date among those in the world who embrace Christianity as their personal form of religion (delusion), began a bit over 9 hours ago, when it passed midnight in Greenwich, England. For me, that’s fortunate, for it means I now have only 16 hours more to remain secluded; it should be safe for me to go out and about by the time this part of the world goes dark for the day. SIGH…. I hate to be stuck indoors on what promises to be a fairly bright, if cool day here in California, but, it’s best for everyone if I avoid crowds, or the chance of too much interaction with the natives on such a day. My patience, as I found yesterday on my long walk, is just about gone; if I hear one more ‘cute’ version of Jingle Bells, the results could be catastrophic… & not just for me….
It’s a good thing I treasure, and enjoy my solitude; if I find a need to leave the house today, I’ll talk myself out of it, without the attendant guilt, which is, in the final analysis, merely a remnant of early conditioning, long thrown into the trash heap of luggage left behind. I’ve come to terms with the fact of my own difference from those I call ‘mundanes’; it’s too bad they don’t seem to be able to do the same. A bit of reciprocity is a good thing in life, for it mimics reality by it’s flexible amiability, and willingness to just ‘be’…. but, that’s okay, too. They can’t help being the way they are; they gave up thinking for themselves when they accepted the idea of having been the lab experiment of some supernatural, misogynistic bully, who generally seems to display the manners of a two-year-old….
But, that’s just me, I guess, & I don’t hold their belief against them. I also, however, try not to use it against them, by taking advantage of their gullibility any more than is necessary for personal security (which is more than can be said of their ‘preachers’ who use their belief to manipulate their minds endlessly, and shamelessly. If there is a viable candidate in reality for feeling guilt, they are the ones who deserve it….). It isn’t very hard, for they’ve been conditioned since they first learned to understand their own language, by their parents, first, who pass along their own conditioning, then by peers also under the thrall, and, by the clergy, the bureaucrats, the predators of humanity, who use these ‘mundanes’ as their own personal slaves…
Hmm… this has turned a bit rantish, hasn’t it? I really didn’t mean to get into a discussion of what I consider the futility of such religious holidays this morning; when I sat down I had the intention of going humorous. I guess, in thinking about how much religion has stolen from humanity, including much of our potential, and any hope for change unless stopped, it gets to my sense of justice, and, voilá, I rant. Oh, well. So be it. I’m a curmudgeon, and I don’t buy any of the bullshit they’re trying to sell. It’s my own thing, and, to keep from alienating anyone who feels the need for such nonsense as conflict, with attendant emotional investment, regarding ideas (the sure mark of a mundane, to my mind….), I’ll cease and desist, here, and now…. Besides… We have better stuff we can do; the Pearl for today is, if naught else, highly entertaining….
We have some rather fine music, (unless you’re tone deaf, or, deluded, you’ll like it….), a decent, if somewhat metaphorically metaphysical poem, and the usual collection of wisdom from the sages of the ages. It’s kept me (relatively) sane for the past couple hours, putting it together, so, it’s all good in my book. I’ve read enough of that book now, so, why don’t we get the slow on the toad, eh?….
Shall we Pearl?
“The world has taken on a thickness of vulgarity
that raises a spiritual man’s contempt to the violence of a passion.”
~~ Charles Baudelaire ~~
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Image from mtv.com via Google Images
Don’t bother asking, because I can’t explain it. As I pondered what music to include today, all I could hear was this man’s voice. Since it’s one of the finest voices to ever lift itself in song, why not? I hope you enjoy it; I picked a collection with most, if not all, of the cuts from A Black and White Night, one of the most incredible performances ever seen by some of the best musicians alive, or dead, ever to play & sing together, with Roy’s brilliance leading the charge…. Incredible is one of the few words that can come close to describing this night’s music…. Abondanza!….
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Roy Orbison & Friends
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Stray Cats
The veils that billow and fold
between dreams and reality
may sometimes part,
showing the visions of one to the other,
blending, bleeding as one,
only to bring us up short,
closely jammed against immovable fate.
Still, we keep our watch,
seeking to find the vision
that brings with it the mark of reality’s regard,
a humble mind, and a compassionate heart.
Events of broad impact draw us away again,
distracting with shiny glitter and tinny music,
leaving our feelings raw and bruised,
the victim of universal disregard.
Now, in the twilight of years, the music is fading,
and the glitter has all gone….
yet the memory of visions remains sharp and clear,
melancholy reminders of reality’s promises,
unkept….
~~gigoid~~
4/12/2013
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Naked Pearls
All paths lead to, and, from here….
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“Confusion is the only true road to understanding.”
~~ Subtle Bee ~~
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“In matters of belief, he who is absolutely sure he is right
is almost certainly dead wrong.”
~~ Kelvin Throop ~~
*******
“If you cannot find peace within yourself,
you will never find it anywhere else.”
~~ Marvin Gaye ~~
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“In order to be, never try to seem.”
~~ Sagacious Bee ~~
*******
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”
~~ Aristotle ~~
*******
“When the ten thousand things are seen in their oneness
We return to the source to remain where we have always been.”
~~ Seng Ts’un. ~~
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“Do you know that disease and death must needs overtake us,
no matter what we are doing?
What do you wish to be doing when it overtakes you?
If you have anything better to be doing when you are so overtaken,
get to work on that.”
~~ Epictetus ~~
*******
********************************
I find myself, again, at the end, without knowing fully what I did to get here. But, the process is one I’ve learned to trust, (with qualification, of course…), which means I can bring it to a successful close, should I so choose. And, I do. So choose, that is. In fact, I’m done, and, I’m gone…. until tomorrow, naturally, when I’ll be back to torment, er, entertain y’all once again. Just try to stop me….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
“Socrates thought that if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap,
whence every one must take an equal portion,
most persons would be contented to take their own and depart.”
~~ Plutarch ~~
~~ Consolation to Apollonius ~~
The Bar at White’s Tavern, Est. 1630, Belfast, Ireland
Hajime…. Hmm… Here ’tis, early in the morning before the day our society’s most common delusion is celebrated. Those of us who don’t buy into that particular fallacy have not much reason to join in the game being played during this massive distraction from reality, but, we enjoy the simple fact that all who do are, usually, in a better mood, making it less likely we will need to employ any curmudgeonly techniques to keep them at bay; sort of a mini-vacation, as it were, from the stress of maintaining the socially amenable face so necessary during the rest of the year, negating the necessity of engaging in dishonorable battles of wit with an unarmed populace. I guess you could call that our seasonal gift….
That said, I’ll refrain from any further comments on the season, other than to wish y’all a peaceful holiday, filled with love and family, and a happy new year, whatever that means. Don’t worry, no ranting today. In fact, the Pearl for today is done, I’m just filling in this space, as is our wont, so it won’t look so empty and cold. It’s cold enough outside, right? Right. Wet, too, around here, anyway. But, that’s a story for another time.
For now, I think I’ll just get this slow on the toad, so we can all go about our scheduled activities…. On such days, it’s for the best; ffolkes have other stuff to do, and reading my drivel probably isn’t at the top of the list….. S’okay by me; even us curmudgeons have people to see this time of year…. Not that we expect them to be home, but, hey, the drive is always nice….
Just kidding; I’m going back to bed a while, then going for a long walk. In the meantime, here’s today’s mess, all dressed up & ready to go. Take a deep breath, & close your eyes…. It’s less scary that way….
Shall we Pearl?
“Most people are on the world, not in it…”
~~ John Muir ~~
********************************
Camille Saint-Saëns
Image from mfiles.co.uk via Google Images
Rather than play another playlist of boring Christmas music we’ve all heard too many times, here is one with music from one of the most prolific composers of the Romantic Era…. He’s one of my favorites, for I’ve never heard any of his music I didn’t enjoy…. You will, too….
*************************************
Camille Saint-Saëns
*************************************
*************************************
********************************
Last year, at this time, I was going through the final stages of withdrawal from the opioids I had been taking for ten years. I’m not sure how, or, why, but, on this date, I wrote a poem for Christmas; here ’tis again, just because I can….
A Seasonal Gift
Affordable, these moments in time,
all quite free, not costly, nor for sale at all.
Merely more misspent periods making rhyme.
seeking a peaceful heart, as my words fall.
A price, many will tell you, or me,
is due for every transaction.
In truth, everything you see is free;
Illusion seldom offers any real satisfaction.
Some also tell us we need some sort of god,
we’re told ’tis the only path to immortality.
On the path I’ve followed, that seems rather odd;
I’m quite happy with honorable mortality.
Some days it gets a bit lonely, for a bit,
out here in the cold light of reason.
Solitude is, however, well worth it;
Love, felt and treasured, gives warmth all season.
I suppose one could easily say,
this poem is the only gift I’ll give.
If I can teach love and kindness with the words I say,
such will be fine; it’s enough to live.
Happy Winter to All…
~~ gigoid ~~
12/24/2015
********************************
Naked Pearls
Notes on the Journey….
*********
“If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”
~~ Yogi Berra ~~
*********
“Since everything in life is but an experience perfect in being what it is,
having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection,
one may well burst out in laughter.”
~~ Long Chen Pa ~~
*********
“You may not, cannot, appropriate beauty.
It is the wealth of the eye, and a cat may gaze upon the king.”
~~ Theodore Parker ~~
*********
“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along,
listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
~~ Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne ~~
*********
“How much pain have cost us
the evils which have never happened.”
~~ Thomas Jefferson, “Writings” Vol. XVI ~~
*********
“Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
and nothing is so gentle as true strength.”
~~ Ralph Sockman ~~
*********
“In anything at all,
perfection is finally attained,
not when there is no longer anything to add,
but when there is no longer anything to take away.”
~~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery , Wind, Sand & Stars ~~
*********
“An it harm none,
Do what ye will.”
~~ Wiccan Credo ~~
*********
“Isn’t this my STOP?!”
~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~
*********
********************************
Okay, then; it’s done. Upon looking back over what I wrote, I can find much to improve, yet, nothing I’d change. I guess, for what it is, it’s about as good as it’s going to get. Go figure, eh? Funny how being done can make it look different, if not better. I suppose that’s what Einstein was talking about when he codified his Theory of Relativity… which, most simply stated, says, “It’s ALL relative…”. On that odd little note, I’ll take my leave, with the hopes that Santa’s sleigh doesn’t knock down your chimney, and that you have a very happy seasonal celebration, however you may choose to go about it. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; it’s my only hope….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
“So then, these are the foundations, as they call them,
of all mixt bodies, and of all wonderful operations:
and whatsoever experiments they proved,
the causes hereof rested (as they supposed) and were to be found
in the Elements and their qualities.”
~~ Giambattista Della Porta – Natural Magick ~~
Ignoring it all, as only a magicat can….
Hajime…. Rather than search through what I’ve already found to be an empty well, I believe it’s time to reiterate one of the most important, if not critical elements of these Pearls, which we are compelled to label as Virtual Wisdom, in order to maintain the proper frame of reference. Maintaining that frame is the responsibility, of course, of the Gentle Reader, aided as well as possible, when possible, by yours truly, in what I write, and what I try to provide, in the way of validly useful information to give shape, color, and tenor to the frame. The title, then, assumes an important place in the process, since it’s the first thing seen by each reader. That’s why it never has anything to do with the actual Pearl itself; you see, if we tried to do that, you’d come into this with an image, and an idea, that came from your interpretation of whatever the title may say…. To avoid any predisposition, the title, as far as I can make it so, means nothing, and has no relation to what passes below.
This may seem a bit, well, odd, but, it’s what I have found will work the best to prevent the reader from heading off into areas which will prejudice their flow of thought. Instead, knowing it means nothing relevant, each Gentle Reader learns to leave their mind open, free to hare off in whatever direction my insanity takes us; insane, yes, but, on the road to enlightenment. Crazy people aren’t necessarily stupid, you know; crazy isn’t always a handicap for humans. If you’ve ever been there, you’d know…. Besides, if the reader doesn’t know what to expect, it makes for better entertainment, if only for me.
That being said, to as little purpose as I could manage, I can now relate the bad news. Well, maybe it isn’t bad; like most of the news we see nowadays, it’s just news. Attach too much importance to it, and it can take over your life, leaving you in a state of continuous depression, as wave after wave of downright crazy shit bombards your sensibilities, as the world wends its wobbly path toward its destiny, whatever that may be. Since most of humanity has no clue, about where they’re going, or even where they’ve been, you can see the potential for disaster, I’m sure.
Oh, right, the news. The news is, I’ve got a Pearl finished. It’s not bad, even without a rant to stimulate and balance our angst; I kind of gave up ranting here on ECR, to spend the angst and energy commenting on other blogs & Twitter. I’ve also taken to dropping little rant bombs on Facebook, which amuses me no end, as well as providing valuable cathartic elements for my therapeutic relief. All that aside, this Pearl, while fairly standard, has some decent stuff included, which I find to be comforting, for unknown reasons. But, since the whole point of this process is to find my own balance and sanity, even comfort found without attribution is welcome….
I guess four paragraphs of rambling, introspective blather is enough for any intro, so, without any further waffling, I now declare this Pearl open for business….
Shall we Pearl?
“The worst deluded are the self-deluded.”
~~ Christian Nevell Bovee ~~
********************************
Loreena McKennitt
Image from innerviews.org via Google Images
I’ve heard this artist’s name a number of times, without ever taking time to explore her work. Like much in my experience, I’ve heard some of it, enough to make what I now hear familiar… It doesn’t detract from the purity of her voice, or the connection her music creates within the listener; it appeals to ancient rhythms that live already in our consciousness, though not perhaps, consciously. I hope you enjoy learning about yourself while you listen, as I do….
*************************************
Loreena McKennitt Live
*************************************
*************************************
********************************
Blithely Untitled
A poem came to me today, willy, nilly,
along with a sharp blow to the head.
Since it left me feeling just a bit silly,
anything that rhymes should lessen the dread.
Manifesting destiny into a small, insidious group
we push on toward sanity, concentrating hard.
Full engaging moments spent navigating the loop
shall ever make a difference to victims found in the yard.
Still corpses of creatures, straight out of nightmare
fill up the corners of our tortured minds.
While ever saddened, the iconic male, most debonair,
gazes softly, ironically, at all the mutual interest he finds.
Moronic public statutes compel outbreaks of sanity,
responding to momentary impulses toward inducing peace.
Still, the motions get completed, in fertile stages of inanity
while the bulk of our inmates can find no surcease.
Reluctant motivation to continue is unbound,
striving to ascertain how far there yet remains to go.
No precognitive guesswork will make any less of a sound
to soften the final strains, or teach us to truly know.
~~ gigoid ~~
2/7/2014
********************************
Naked Pearls
Esoterica….
*******
“How admirable, he who thinks not,
Life is fleeting,
When he sees the lightning!”
~~ Basho ~~
*******
“The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.”
~~ Aristotle ~~
*******
“It’s exhilarating to be alive in a time of awakening consciousness;
it can also be confusing, disorienting, and painful.”
~~ Adrienne Rich ~~
*******
“I like reality. It tastes of bread.”
~~ Jean Anouilh ~~
*******
“Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you.”
~~ Sartre ~~
*******
“Because it’s there.”
~~Sir Edmund Hillary ~~
*******
“Education never ends…
It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last.”
~~ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ~~
*******
********************************
Having developed the process for creating Daily Pearls of Virtual Wisdom over more than five years now, on WordPress alone, I have come to trust it implicitly, for just the reason demonstrated today. It’s done, and done well, in spite of my own mental fog, and a conscious will still only half-awake. Not bad for 0455 am on a winter’s morn, eh? I think so, and, that’s what counts here. Besides, it’s done, and now I can go find something more realistically productive to do. (Fat chance of that…. shhh, he’ll hear me…) Let’s get started on that, shall we? See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; on that you may rely….
Y’all take care out there,
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.
“Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.”
~~ Nietzsche, “Thus Spake Zarathustra” ~~
Mt. Tamalpais, crowned in clouds, at dusk….
Hajime…. ‘Tis another day here in the home of gigoid’s folly, which we greet with both joy and trepidation. Joy, because we survived another night, to have the opportunity once again to get this living stuff right. Trepidation because, damn it, I’m human, and start the day with the handicaps such existence carries with it, as part and parcel of our nature. Given the extent, and depth, of those parts of us which give us fits, it’s a wonder we bother at all; I guess the joy will continue to supply us with good reason to keep on keepin’ on. If nothing else, the delicious ambiguity engendered by the contrast of those two sides of us will keep me distracted long enough to get this mess posted.
In truth, today’s Pearl is rather less of a mess than usual; can’t say why, but, who am I to disdain a gift horse? Just because it’s old, feeble, & well past its prime doesn’t make it less of a gift. No, indeed; there is treasure in the smallest gift, no matter its value in worldly terms. The act of giving lends to any such offering a mantle of honorable joy, which is intrinsic to the act. In short, I’ll take it, and run for the border. Go figure, eh?
Our inclusions today help give the gift cachet; two of the finest guitarists to ever play the instrument grace the entertainment section, while one of my better poetic efforts found its way to the poetry section. Finally, the old-school pearl fashioned itself into a quite attractive, if insane, gathering of tongue-in-cheek pieces of old wisdom, leading to another proof of the pudding. You’ll see; hopefully, you’ll get it, too, but, no matter. Fun is its own reward….
Hey, I’ve got an idea. Watch this….
Shall we Pearl?
“It is better to trip and end up on the floor,
than to not trip and end up on the floor for no particular reason”
~~ Noidea Butrue ~~
********************************
Doc & Merle Watson
Image from 6eyes.com via Google Images
If you enjoy good guitar, of any style, you have to like these guys…. If you aren’t familiar with their music, you’ve missed part of your cultural heritage as an American. So, listen up, and you’ll hear two of the best to ever play…. They’ll be pickin’ & grinnin’, & by the end, you will be, too….
*************************************
Doc & Merle Watson Live
*************************************
*************************************
********************************
I know I’m in the now, if only…..
Oh, there it is again, fiddle faddle;
Begone, I said, vamoose, skedaddle!
It looked at me as if I were insane:
Scoffed, it did, filled me with pain.
Where does it come from?
Where does it live?
I’d stick out my thumb,
if I had more to give.
If only, should, would, could it be?
It went away again, this time free.
It will be back again, this I know;
or I’m wrong, and it won’t show.
Who cares?
Who hears?
Such goings on wobble the sphere,
I wish it wouldn’t do that here.
I’ve been wrong before…..
~~ gigoid ~~
4/192013
********************************
Naked Pearls
Proof of the Pudding….
*******
“If we weren’t all crazy, we would go insane.”
~~ Jimmy Buffet ~~
*******
“I’m dangerous when I -think- I know what I’m doing.”
~~ Any random human being ~~
*******
“I don’t know if I like the idea of seatbelt laws.
Enforcing intelligence seems, somehow, unamerican.”
~~ David Pugh ~~
*******
“Somewhere, beyond space and time
is wetter water, slimier slime.”
~~ Rupert Brooke ~~
*******
“We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”
~~ Aesop~~
*******
“Humans are unreliable, inefficient, often lazy, sometimes pregnant,
liable to strike, need to be fed and paid,
take up a lot of space and are slow by computer standards.”
~~ Big Blue ~~
*******
“”When living on the fringe, make sure to enjoy all the fringe benefits.””
~~ Sardonic Bee ~~
*******
“I’m sorry…were the voices in my head bothering you?”
~~ Hallucinatory Bee ~~
*******
“Here at the quiet limit of the world.”
~~ Alfred Tennyson — Tithonus ~~
*******
********************************
I’m afraid I’ve done it again…. Here we are at the end, & I’m not sure how we got here. Fortunately, in this process, and at this time, that’s going to have to do, because I can’t think of anything else to do. This, naturally, bodes oddly for the upcoming day, but, we’re accustomed to that particular phenomenon; odd’s my third middle name, right after ‘terribly’ in the sequence my folks saddled me with, once they’d figured out what happened. And, yes, I know that’s a little strange, even for me. To prevent any further forays into what promises to get pretty weird, I’ll just say, see y’all tomorrow, ffolkes. You know what that means, so, take heed; it’s the only warning you’ll get….
Y’all take care out there,
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 