Dreaming of dragons on the wing….

Posted on September 2, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“He that feareth is a slave,
were he never so rich, were he never so powerful.
But he that is without fear is king of all the world.”

~~ E. R. Eddison, “The Worm Ouroboros” ~~

Neighborhood scoundrel at play….

Hajime…. Yesterday, this sleepy little seaside town saw 103º F, which lasted through the night; it was still 85º at 10:00 pm. It’s 0630 now, & already pushing 80º, with a high predicted to reach 105º. But, climate change is just a myth, so, nothing to see here, move along. To watch people try to deal with such temps would be amusing, if it weren’t so pathetic, and, for many of society’s less capable or challenged individuals, dangerous to their health & well-being. Like Bert Russell once noted, sometimes one must be moved to a bottomless well of pity for the suffering of mankind…. I would share his sentiment, if it were not so clearly their own damn fault most of the time.

But, it’s too damn hot, and early, to rant; moreover, I really don’t want to do so very much, not any more. What’s the point, when virtually nobody listens, or makes any attempt to change their lives, or the way they approach it, which is, almost always, the root cause of all their suffering? Oh, well, I suppose some folks enjoy drama in their lives, though I can’t claim to understand why. I guess, when one suffers from a sense of helplessness and confusion, drama seems like a way to feel something other than dread and despair. SIGH…. Silly humans….

Rather than continue in such a fruitless vein, let’s do something else. Since I have most of this done, I suggest we move on down the page, listen to a bit of music, enjoy today’s poem choice, & some fine, if relatively obscure pearls of virtual wisdom, strung together on a common thread, together becoming greater than the sum of parts. Plus, if nothing else, it will serve to distract me from the ridiculous heat we’re experiencing around here, long enough to run a cool bath…. See y’all down the line….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Don’t ever become a pessimist, Ira;
a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist,
but an optimist has more fun
— and neither can stop the march of events.”

~~ Robert Heinlein, “Time Enough For Love” ~~

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Yesterday, we went with one default; today, we’re going with the other. I still donate every month to this organization, which pursues peace in the world through the application of music, and the teaching of human cooperation thereby…. Enjoy!….

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Ripple
Song Around The World

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Today’s poem is for those living in the greater Pacific Northwest, who, with me, are suffering the heat; it’s a winter poem, & may provide a bit of cooling distraction, if only for the time it takes to read and consider…. Enjoy!….

A Seasonal Approach

Absolute stillness grips a frozen field,
anticipating dawn with such patient yield
morning burgeoning in dark winter’s hold
brings promise of tales yet to be told.

Lengthening days of pale sun unto night
slowly tell of time’s subversive flight
bringing such original songs of natural fire
with melodies complex in casual attire.

The months are certain they will always win
it is just the way it has always been.
None may argue, nor yet slow life down
Nor dim the eternal beauty of nature’s gown.

Winter evolves from fall into spring,
sending flocks and hearts ever awing.
Summer follows suit, t’other way ’round
Spring into fall, often without a sound.

Life is meant to be lived, beginning to end
choices abound, and change can be a friend.
Yielding with grace to reality’s compelling ploy
fills our plain existence with clean, honest joy.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/2/012

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Naked Pearls

Notes on Process & Program

*******

“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 ~~

*******

“If you view your problem closely enough
you will recognize yourself as part of the problem.”

~~ Ducharm’s Axiom ~~

*******

“An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered;
an adventure is an inconvenience rightly considered.”

~~ G. K. Chesterton, “On Running After Ones Hat, All Things Considered”, 1908 ~~

*******

And so the little freighter sat upon the sea,
and, though Africa came closer day by day,
the freighter never moved.
She was old and weather-weary,
and she had learned to let the world come round to her.”

~~ Beryl Markham, “West With the Night” ~~

*******

“People are strange when you’re a stranger.”

~~ Jim Morrison ~~

*******

“The true perfection of man lies,
not in what man has, but in what man is . . .
Nothing should be able to harm a man but himself.
Nothing should be able to rob a man at all.
What a man really has is what is in him.
What is outside of him should be a matter of no importance.”

~~ Oscar Wilde ~~

*******

“I know who I am. Sometimes you go away, but I’m still here.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

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Well, it’s late, but, it’s also done, so, I’m going for it. It’s already too hot to think deeply, so, I’ll forgo any more tricks, & just say, see y’all tomorrow, if’n I don’t melt first…. Stay strange, ffolkes; these days, it’s your best defense against the madness….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Slight traces of affability….

Posted on July 26, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“I call a fig a fig, a spade a spade.”

~~ Menander (292 BC) ~~

Two bridges, one strait….(the Carquinez, if you must know…)

Hajime…. In my defense, there are reasons for being so late, as well as for my recent inconsistency in posting. Since going into detail would be both indulgent, and pandering, I’ll skip all that, & just go with ‘there are reasons’…. So be it. All the proper elements of a complete Pearl are in place; it’s all fresh, though not particularly so, since all but the final section includes previously used sources of material. The final, old-school pearl is a good one, though, with some rather telling metaphoric sarcasm shaping the conclusion to be inferred. I like it, and so will you….

Not only am I late in posting today, I’m in a rather strange mood, even for me. It feels as if anything I write could turn on me, should I, even for an instant, lose track of my balance, which, though solidly embedded, nonetheless seems delicate. To head off any outbursts of sanity before they occur, we’ll cut this intro short, so as to maintain the illusion we’ve worked so hard to establish, that of a mind in control of itself, if only for this moment in time. In that vein, I appeal to your sense of compassion, or empathy, whichever works best, to allow some leeway before judging us too harshly. If, for some reason, your own sense of balance is shaky, well, try harder…. I’ve done, as is my wont, all I can do, & that, as you know, is all one can do.

Shall we Pearl?….

“To lead the people, walk behind them.”

~~ Lao-Tzu ~~

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French composer Camille Saint-Saens

In the relatively recent past, I’ve experienced a number of times when my anger… no, my rage… has gotten the better of me, thanks to a combination of physical issues aggravating PTSD symptoms, so generously provided by my broken mind, as a result of past choices in work. Without going into superfluous detail, let’s just say, the music of this man, Camille Saint-Saëns, has helped me to find my way back to some balance more than any other music, save perhaps Bonnie’s, or Eric’s (if I have to include surnames, y’all haven’t been paying attention sufficiently….). In any case, it always hits the right notes, so, please, enjoy….

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Camille Saint-Saëns
Symphonies

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Early Observations

Until I knew there was more,
I wanted to know God.
They said he was a nice guy,
and would let me live forever.

All I had to do, they said,
was live my life for Him,
always living by scripture
cleaving only to his Way.

But, everyone I saw in church,
acted different at home.
Living wild, cussin’ and fussin’,
nobody lived like they said.

Still, I tried to be like Jesus,
he was sort of cool.
He never hurt nobody
and walked on the right path.

‘Course they killed him for that,
they couldn’t stand his example.
Turned him into a martyr,
hid his real words among their own.

Then I found the Buddha,
and met Lao Tzu at the gate.
They saw things real different,
showed me how to see straight.

Right thought, and right action
replace blind obedience and faith.
Reality becomes manageable,
fear retreats, the universe expands.

Brother John said it pretty well,
“Imagine there’s no heaven,
it’s easy if you try.”
Sounds like he knew why.

Day to day, life is grand,
we walk in eternal beauty.
Open your eyes and hearts,
find yourself already immortal.

~~ gigoid ~~

4/12/2013

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Naked Pearls

A metaphoric précis of Human History….

*******

“Yes, many primitive people still believe this myth…
But in today’s technical vastness of the future,
we can guess that surely things were much different.”

~~ The Firesign Theater ~~

*******

“One never realizes
how much and how little he knows
until he starts talking.”

~~ Louis L’Amour ~~

*******

“Ancient custom has the force of law.”

~~ Wise Bee ~~

*******

“When the need arises — and it does —
you must be able to shoot your own dog.
Don’t farm it out —
that doesn’t make it nicer, it makes it worse.”

~~ Lazarus Long ~~

*******

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

~~ Anais Nin ~~

*******

“It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.”

~~ Arthur C. Clarke ~~

*******

“Ward, I’m worried about the Beaver.”

~~ June Cleaver ~~

*******

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I’ve checked to make sure, & all the parts are where they’re supposed to be; on a morning such as this, that’s more than merely satisfying, moving right past that into edifying, as well as encouraging. I’ll take it, and run. See y’all next time, whenever that may be; it’s too iffy today to make a prediction. I’ll shoot for tomorrow, & with a bit of luck & perseverance, we’ll see y’all then. Be well, be alert, be strange, and…. well, you know the rest…. Don’t worry; if you don’t, reality will provide you with clues…. so, pay attention!….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Madras pants in seasonal colors….

Posted on May 24, 2016 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“A fire eater must eat fire even if he has to kindle it himself.”

~~ Salvor Hardin ~~

~~ from Foundation, by Isaac Asimov ~~

Alaskan Taxicab

Hajime…. As I begin today’s post, several, no, many things are running through my head, most of which are unprintable, thanks to the reappearance of Murphy in this process. I’m trying to ignore his usual tricks, including the bloody mess in the water closet, so, that’s the last we’ll speak of it. It’s just depressing, anyway. Instead, I’ll jump right into some light housekeeping, in a manner of speaking, so we can get on with the rest of today’s mess, such as it may be.

I’ve been home from Texas for three full days now, but, still haven’t fully recovered from either the jet lag, or the near-complete exhaustion into which I drove myself, in order to do what I had promised to do. I completed my vow, but, with a slightly reduced degree of my usual excellence, due to a number of factors, led by the difficulties presented by my own reduced physical abilities, which tended to complicate all the rest. That, of course, is an obscure reference to getting old, a wall against which I am still banging my head too often. But, it got done, and done to a turn, so, all is well, with a good time had by all.

I have managed to put together a Pearl, complete with a fresh rant-like discussion. A new poem is leaking out, but, hasn’t quite gelled enough to finish, so, we’ll outsource there today. In some ways, I’d call what we have today a standard Pearl, not too shabby, but, not blindingly bright. So be it. It’s going to take some time, I think, to get back to our normal (hah!) routine, but, with Leelu’s help, we can do it. Perhaps my decision to return to Facebook will complicate matters, but, it’s good, I think, to take ourselves out of our comfort zone now and again, and, it certainly won’t hurt me to socialize a bit more….

All that said, to our usual lack of purpose, and, the obligatory lack of clarity, I’ll get this slow on the toad, so we can all get on to something more productive, if less fun. I suppose I should issue one or more of our usual warning/disclaimers, but, I’ve decided, from now on, y’all are on your own in that respect. If y’all don’t have a clue by now how it goes around here, well, you’ll just have to deal with it as it is, for, we have done all we can do to prepare you sufficiently to protect yourselves…. In short, welcome to reality…..

Shall we Pearl?….

“The stupid are deaf to the truth;
they hear, but think that the wisdom applies to someone else.”

~~ Heraclitus ~~

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It’s been a while since posting at all, so, naturally, Murphy has stepped in with his usual precise timing, to throw a spanner in the works. First day back, & I find myself late, and rushed to get it done…. Hence, our default musical choice, again chosen for the picture which drew my eye…. Enjoy, ffolkes….

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Classical Music

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https://youtu.be/v83uhOqSHu8

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“In the arena of human life
the honors and rewards
fall to those who show their good qualities in action.”

~~ Aristotle, Nicomachen Ethics (4th c. BC) ~~

Though he lived more than 2500 years ago, Aristotle is still regarded as one of humanity’s greatest minds. There are points in his writings which indicate certain fallacies, but, most, if not all, may be attributed to the time in which he lived, for no man, or woman is free from the prejudices or assumed facts with which he is raised, and lives his life. Given that caveat, his thoughts on ethics, morality, and philosophy remain one of the standards by which excellence in thinking is judged.

If we can assume the validity of this aphorism, it clearly indicates how our modern world, so full of conflict and strife, has reached such a dangerous point in our journey toward developing a mature culture, able to survive into the unknown future. If we may define ‘human life’ as those parts of culture which best describe humanity’s hope for that future, then the culture we have been manipulated into accepting has nothing to do with being truly human, for all the honors and rewards go to those who display our most destructive characteristics, such as lack of compassion for others, the ability to deny their own responsibility to the species at large in favor of personal gain, and the use of their imagination for self-service, rather than for humanity at large.

Thus it is clear to me, because we have denied the ethical, human side of our nature, we have become a culture which is slowly, but, inevitably, heading for self-destruction. Moreover, thanks to the part of our modern culture which encourages dependency and mental laziness, almost all of those who will die in the imminent chaos are completely unaware of the danger, or their own part in bringing it to their own lives. As long as those who control the media, especially television, most of the world will go to their deaths without ever knowing of their peril at all…..

“It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.”

~~ Arthur C. Clarke ~~

I’ve written on this subject previously, as you know; some might say I’ve beaten this poor horse to death. But, given the absolute cluelessness of the general public on this planet, I would think some repetition might be necessary. In fact, given that same reluctance to use their minimal powers of reasoning, some serious pounding with a two-by-four piece of pine might also help it sink in, thought that remains a question. The need for the masses of humanity to WAKE THE FUCK UP is greater now than ever, I think; it’s also completely unlikely to happen….

When I returned to my online haunts, I checked in at chuq’s blog, where a lot of the discussion revolves around politics, and foreign policy, with a bunch of our current election news thrown in for discussion. I’m going to let y’all off easy today, by ending today’s rantish piece with my comment from the first post I saw…. It’s a good summary of how I’m feeling, politically, these days, so, we’ll go with it, and leave it at that for now…. As y’all know, I’ll probably come back to this again, because it’s all I can do….

“SIGH…. After seven days of completely ignoring politics, I can only say how ‘odd’ it all seems with a bit of perspective. I am reminded of the old joke about, “but, if you do, it only encourages them!”

The only way left to defeat the corporations, who are the real enemy (governments are merely the tool with which they distract us), is a complete boycott of their systems, returning to barter as our form of economics, which places value on human effort, not on illusions, ideas which do not exist in the physical world. If we didn’t pay our taxes, they wouldn’t have anything with which to threaten us, would they? How would they pay their myrmidons to arrest us all?

Capitalism must go, so must governments, and religion. Together, they have been used, as tools of manipulation, to direct the entire world for the benefit of just a few, disregarding any moral considerations in favor of their narcissist, sociopathic selfishness. It’s time for them to go away, and leave the rest of us be…. That includes all the Democrats, all the Republicans, all the Popes, and Imams, and Prophets, and ALL the bankers…. along with all the other assholes who sell their souls to the corporations, so they can be part of the elite….

…. may they rot in their own version of hell, instead of giving it to everyone else…. & you can tell ’em I said so.”

So be it.

gigoid has spoken….

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A Book

There is no frigate like a book
To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

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Naked Pearls

Instructions for Life

*******

“Only the actions of the just
Smell sweet and blossom in the dust.”

~~ James Shirley — Contention of Ajax and Ulysses, Sc. 3 ~~

*******

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow.
Learn as if you were to live forever.”

~~ Gandhi ~~

*******

“The closing of a door can bring blessed privacy and comfort
— the opening, terror.
Conversely, the closing of a door can be a sad and final thing —
the opening a wonderfully joyous moment.”

~~ Andy Rooney ~~

*******

“As threshing separates the wheat from the chaff,
so does affliction purify virtue.”

~~ Richard E. Burton ~~

*******

True wealth is measured not by what you accumulate,
but by what you pass on to others.

~~ Larry Wall ~~

*******

“I leapt headlong into the sea,
and thereby have become better acquainted with
the soundings, the quicksands, and the rocks,
than if I had stayed upon the green shore,
and piped a silly song, and took tea and comfortable advice.”

~~ John Keats ~~

*******

“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth,
so virtue appears from good deeds,
and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind.
To walk safely through the maze of human life,
one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.”

~~ Buddha ~~

*******

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It’s late, but, it’s done, as well as I can do it, given the current status of reality. So be it. As noted, peripherally, above, all we can do is all we can do. Since it is patently clear we’ve done all we can do, I’ll quit pounding on the poor wee beastie, & allow it to expire of its own accord. As is my habit, I’ll try again tomorrow, with, presumably, fewer issues with which to deal. Hope springs eternal, as they say. See y’ll tomorrow, ffolkes; that’s the only warning you’ll receive…..

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

“Do unto your data that which you can undo.”

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Uncanny visions in sauce aubergine….

Posted on April 2, 2016 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Yow! Did something bad happen or am I in a drive-in movie?”

~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~

Iconic Alaskans, Pre-Zombie Age

Hajime…. In spite of the rather excellently nonsensical title for today’s Pearl, I can make no claims to any particular excellence, as it isn’t done yet. However, having, somehow, managed to fall into some pleasant hours of actual sleep, there is hope for, at least, some degree of coherency, if not erudition. Plus, having already used up half of my most elegant vocabulary in this paragraph, the rest may suffer somewhat. So be it, as they say downtown; I’m too happy to care. Sleep is a weapon, and, for the first time in what seems like a decade, I am armed well to start the day.

It’s odd to have such clarity so early, but, let’s see if we can’t take some advantage of it, to make a decent effort at a fine, lustrous Pearl, of great beauty and value. Or, we could fake it, which may happen further down the page, as one can never tell just how cooperative SB will be on any given day, and, we must always be aware of the kind attentions of our old nemesis, one Murphy, the ultimate asshole. Oops, he doesn’t care for that epithet, but, hey, he knows how I feel about him, so, as they say in certain areas of the city, fuck it.

And, we’ll apply that attitude to the intro today, in the interests of getting on with it, since I’m rapidly running out of patter. In fact, I can’t seem to find even a tidbit left in there which might have any useful effect on what is happening. As can be observed, we are rapidly getting close to a point from which extrication may be impossible…. To forgo any possibility of derailing our purpose today, I believe I’ll use this little toy right here, which is, possibly, our most efficient toy. It’s pretty cool, and it works like this….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Are people more important than the grizzly bear?
Only from the point of view of some people.”~~ Edward Abbey ~~

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One might have guessed I’d go with a classical composer today; it’s my default. When I really want to concentrate, and be soothed at the same time, this is usually the composer to whom I turn. One of the most prolific composers of all time, I give you Camille Saint-Saënz, for your listening enjoyment….

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Camille Saint-Saënz

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https://youtu.be/eIZpyoKHhXo

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Today’s rant will be from the archives, simply because I’m in too good a mood to spoil with such vitriol as might come forth. Here instead is a relatively short discussion of the tendency of the human animal to resort to violence as a means of expressing their innermost demons…. sort of. It will do for our purposes today, which, at this point, merely involve getting down to the next section…. Keeping that in mind, please enjoy our little foray into the fairly recent past…

From 1/23/2013:

“I’ve never killed a man, but I’ve read many obituaries with great pleasure.”

~~ Clarence Darrow ~~

I really love the power of understatement; this one from Mr. Darrow is an excellent condemnation of a huge class of people, unnamed as yet, but whose names are indelibly etched on our memories, just waiting to be included in a list of people the world would be better off without…. We all have a list by that title in our heads; anyone who denies it is a liar, plain and simple, and fooling no one. As a human being, it is part of our nature to hate, and nobody is so morally chaste as to escape those kinds of feelings now and then. Nobody…..

Sometimes, what amazes me about modern life is that there are so FEW outbreaks of random violence… I’d think that, with all the pressure our society puts on people, there would be a lot more of us who crack, enough to lose control over our baser impulses, and start trying to cross names off our list of preferred targets….. The way they usually go about it isn’t the most logical, or tactically intelligent, but what do you expect from somebody in an emotional crisis? Logical thinking? Not going to happen, sorry….. I’d say it would be time to get nervous when some guy starts blasting away, then disappears, only to attack again later, in a new place…. That would indicate more planning and strategy, and a much more dangerous person…..

I’m not sure just why I started this pearl…. It might have been in response to yet another random shooting spree reported yesterday in the news, in which a teenager started firing at people because of some argument he/she had with another teen, or something like that… another totally insane reason to start killing people, but, then, do you really expect rational from these people? It isn’t rational to expect them to have an understandable reason for their insanity, it doesn’t work that way…..

But, the media will spend an incredible amount of time and energy exploring every nuance of what this idiot was doing when they snapped, until no secrets are left to the young person’s life…. In looking at the entire incident, including the media coverage, I am tempted to give a big sigh, and lament the death of society, or at least the apparent death of decency…..

Amorphous anxiety seems to be our legacy as members of today’s culture; our lives consist of a series of unpalatable events fueled by unwarranted lies, and made worse for a societal tendency toward sloth combined with a severe lack of compassion; the sheer futility of it all seems to be the only message that comes through clearly. The fatal flaw in human nature that keeps us from becoming truly moral creatures is still in control of our destiny, and any impetus toward rationality is disallowed.

“The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crises maintain their neutrality.” — Dante Alighieri (1265-1321)

This is the flaw we possess, all of us, and that which has plagued us throughout our history. One of my blogging friends commented a day or two ago with a relatively famous quote, in response to another discussion around the recent spate of reported shootings…. “All that is needed for evil to succeed, is for good men to look on and do nothing.” (She didn’t report the attribution, but according to Google, it was first stated by a man named Edmund Burke, with a number of slight alterations in wording since its appearance.) This single truth has been the biggest stumbling block to human progress for our entire history, and continues today to keep us from making any progress toward improving our chances of survival in the long run.

Once more, I’ve painted myself into a virtual corner, so to speak, since I don’t have any good solutions to offer to our dilemma. Oh sure, I can tell anyone what is needed for us to start making the world into the kind of place that would be home to EVERYONE…. I think, down inside, all of us KNOW what is needed for the world to be a better place. But, until it becomes common practice for people to make decisions based on compassion and love, rather than ambition and avarice, things aren’t going to change much, because the folks who don’t care about others aren’t going to stop what they’re doing…. there’s nothing in it for them if they do. Only when good men stand up, and refuse to allow that kind of usurpation of the rights of everyone else, will any changes take place…..

So, you tell me….. When is that going to happen? And how do we convince people that it needs to happen? Answer those two questions, and we might have a direction to go……

“If you ever go temporarily insane, don’t shoot somebody, like a lot of people do. Instead, try to get some weeding done, because you’d really be surprised.” — Deep Thoughts, by Jack Handey

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Intelligent Crimes

The value of wit is often said to cause harm,
for those who think, such is its greatest charm.
The new and the bold cannot be fulfilled
if innovation and change is left unwilled.

Society behaves at its base as a mob
conformity and submission its primary job.
Any sign of rebellion against the mob’s rule
is met with resentment, naming such rebel the fool.

Intellect and talent are looked at askance,
expressing artistry stands nary a chance.
To stand out from the rest of mankind
is fraught with danger, for body and mind.

Often I stand to watch in solemn dismay
as beauty and joy are left by the way,
ignored and reviled by the unwashed masses
who prefer darkness, and acting like asses.

With shouts of derision the normals make known
their fear of intelligence, greater than their own.
They hope to stop all semblance of progress;
for thoughts and ideas, they couldn’t care less.

The world struggles on in spite of all opposition,
managing to maintain its advanced position.
Pulling the foolish along in spite of reluctance,
helping each to learn the survival dance.

Hard though it may be to keep up with the future
genius manages its plans to develop and nurture.
In the final analysis, those who live by reason
enjoy life the most, season to season.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/7/2012

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Our final pearl today is a rather simple, yet definitive pearl, of the pointed variety. This points us toward a way to approach our lives with elegance, rationality, and a degree of style. If you don’t get it, just go by the final injunction, and you’ll be fine…. Enjoy!….

“The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.” — Sagacious Bee

“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

“I’m not a teacher only a fellow traveller of whom you asked the way. I pointed ahead – ahead of myself as well as of you.” — George Bernard Shaw, “Getting Married,” 1908

“Don’t take anything seriously except happiness.” — Albert Camus

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” — Mark Twain

“If you get confused, listen to the music play.” — Robert Hunter

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The smooth efficiency with which this Pearl came together makes me nervous; however, having trusted the process thus far, I must go with the flow. Since it’s also done, perhaps I’ll forgo the usual idiocy here at the end, & merely take my leave. Yeah, that’s the ticket. I’ll see y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, unless somebody comes up with a weapon I can’t deal with…. The odds are good, as always….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Baleful gazes and worn-out cliches….

Posted on March 7, 2016 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“I may be going to hell in a bucket, but at least I’m enjoying the ride.”

~~ Bob Weir ~~

Leelu being diligent….

Advanced Nap Training Session

Hajime…. Oh, what the….? Ah, okay. It’s fine; never mind. Good morrow, ffolkes. And, how are y’all this fine morning. Bet you never thought you’d hear me say that one, did ya? Nor did I, he said, with a crooked grin. Nor did I necessarily mean for such adjective to direct or determine the course of your day, which is, as ever, completely up to you. Me I get tired, very tired, of hearing “Have a nice day!”. and have taken to replying, “Not today, thanks. Got other plans….” It does generally discourage conversation beyond that point, but, hey, I was on my way out, anyway, right?….

Isn’t Leelu cute? I think so, and I’m pretty familiar with cute, having raised a daughter, as well as lived with cats, kittens, dogs, frogs, snakes, and other forms of domesticated and semi-domesticated livestock for my entire life. We had a dog when I was born; another dog taught me to walk. We had goats, parakeets, fish…. If it wasn’t overtly dangerous, I’ve been around them pretty much the whole road I’ve traveled, one way or another. However, none of that is either relevant to the current task at hand, nor, probably, of particular interest to most folks, and even most ffolkes. (I’ll explain that some day, for those who don’t know why I label people in such a manner…. Maybe. Then, again, maybe not. Probably, I’ll forget.)

Okay, where was I? Oh, animals. Or, more prudently, not. Perhaps, at this point, it would be best to go on to another intro-appropriate attempt; the above seems to be a bit, shall we say, off-topic, if not completely non-sequitor? Whatever the hell it is/was, we’re not there anymore, we’re here, fortunately, so, we can, should we choose to accept the mission, hare off in some other idiotic direction. Alternately, we could calmly, and with some dignity, hare off in some other ridiculous direction. Or, I could just stop, and we’ll get on with the rest of today’s mess…. Yes, I think that’s the best idea.

Now, if only we can figure out…. Wait. I know. We’ll do it this way…. Watch close, it’s tricky…. No, no, not for me, for you…. Watch….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.”

~~ Voltaire ~~

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royalty-free-clip-art-vector-logos-of-black-and-orange-floral-acoustic-guitars-by-seamartini-graphics-6573

Today’s video is, once again, set to default position; this, of course, means you get more classical music. It’s not as if you HAVE to listen, but, if you do, it will soothe your spirit as you read…. Try it, you’ll like it…. It’s not a guarantee, but, trust me, it works….

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Mozart Symphonies

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https://youtu.be/Mv6J25zOanw

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I’m running late, and Leelu wants her time, so, I’m forgoing the rant I had planned to write, using the statement below from Hemingway. Instead, here is the intro section from a Pearl posted about two years ago, which is one of the best I’ve done, both rant, and intro-wise…. I hope you enjoy it, and, of course, treat it with mindfulness for its content….

“Cowardice … is almost always simply a lack of ability to suspend the functioning of the imagination.” — Ernest Hemingway

From 2/25/2014:

Terrible things could happen now…. they could, you know. And, we’ll deserve every second we experience of mind-numbing, soul-chilling, petrifying terror, because, hey, we’re the ones who left the door wide open, inviting it to enter our domain, bringing with it our ultimate doom…. Yes, it’s our own damn fault, and we will know the truth of the matter, because we have been warned, having previously been given wisdom such as this….

“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.” — Albert Einstein

This is not new wisdom, that we’ve never before seen or suspected; history has provided us with innumerable instances proving the truth of this aphorism….. Time after time throughout our short span of existence on this world, we find examples of men or women who had prior knowledge of an issue, and, by their silence, allowed it to take place, to the detriment of all…. It doesn’t make it right, but, it is certainly not an uncommon issue for mankind…. Such issues are not, perhaps, of those we are given by Reality, our favorite gifts, …. In fact, many don’t look on this, or any knowledge, as gifts, and THAT is a big part of the entire problem….

Our problem is a failure of spirit, that has to do with a basic virtue, one that has been claimed as the basis for all other virtues; without this characteristic, none of our finer qualities are ever seen in the light of day…. That pillar upon which all other virtue rests, then, is Courage…. Yes, plain and simple, courage….

I have found, in my fairly long life, that most of mankind, I’m afraid, are cowards…. I’m not an exception, though it IS something I’ve tried hard to mitigate…. Fear is a hard thing for most of us to admit, even though it isn’t considered abnormal; it’s strength, and the way it causes us to lose control frightens us… However, that is also its saving grace, as the guilt one feels, for having given in to it, can, and does, stimulate us to greater effort, whereupon we can find that courage within ourselves, the next time we are in danger of giving in…. This is how almost everything we do, and have done, of an ethical nature, ever gets done…. because someone discovers they DO have the courage to act when there is danger to themselves, or to those for whom they care…..

That is what it takes, you see…. No virtuous act can ever take place, unless good people have the courage to act in the face of the Evil that exists, in spite of the fear they feel in the presence of that Evil. If they don’t summon, or find somewhere with themselves, the courage to act ethically, or morally, if that is needed, then Evil has free rein to let itself out to play in human affairs, to the detriment of us all….

Each of us has to find that courage within ourselves, the courage to put aside our fear, to carry on with what we know to be right, even though expediency and comfort are left behind in such cases…. Living with honor and integrity is never the easiest path we can take; it is always fraught with danger, because it doesn’t avoid evil, because it’s too hard, but, rather, confronts it, endeavoring to deal with it in a straightforward, upright fashion…. thus, preserving one’s own honor, when forced to have truck with what always leaves us feeling a bit dirty….

Now that we have wandered so far afield this morning, I’m not sure what will happen to this Pearl…. Minor ranting isn’t uncommon in the intro, but, I do try to limit it to no more than eight or ten paragraphs, so we don’t take forever to get into just the first section…. a resolution which, this morning, is NOT unfolding according to plan…. Allow me to sum up, and get on with it, if you will…

All of what I wrote above is true and complete, to the best of my knowledge, and constitutes a fairly accurate assessment of today’s situation here on planet Earth…. Evil is out there, and when we… that’s you, and me…. fail to stand up to it, look it in the eye, and tell it to “fuck off, you bloody sod!”, then it will continue to manifest its existence, causing untold pain and suffering for us all…. So, be brave, ffolkes, and don’t let Evil have its way without at least some token resistance, ‘kay?…. “Kay!…..

Shall we Pearl?…..

“Asked what he gained from philosophy, he answered, “To do without being commanded what others do from fear of the laws.”” — Diogenes Laertius (c. 200 AD) — Aristotle, xi

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To finish off this section, here is the perfect pearl to go with the above….

“It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value.”

~~ Arthur C. Clarke ~~

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Mad Dogs at Bay

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 ~~

7/15/2015

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Our final pearl today is somewhat esoteric. In general, it speaks of the mind, and how we learn to use it, but, it’s not quite that simple, I think…. You’ll see…. Enjoy!….

“If you think education is expensive,
Try Ignorance.”

~~ Andy McIntyre ~~

“I am defeated, and I know it, if I meet any human being from whom I find myself unable to learn anything.” — George Herbert Palmer

“He who dares to teach must never cease to learn.” — John Cotton Dana, libraria (motto of Kean College of New Jersey)

“In the end it will not matter to us whether we fought with flails or reeds. It will matter to us greatly on what side we fought.” — G. K. Chesterton

“The hands that help are better far than the lips that pray.” — Robert Green Ingersoll

“The effect of one upright individual is incalculable.” — Oscar Arias

“There are no dangerous thoughts; thinking itself is dangerous.” — Hannah Arendt

“What we know is not as important as who we are.” — Subtle Bee

“Knowledge by suffering entereth,
And life is perfected by death.”

~~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning ~ A Vision of Poets, Conclusion ~~

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Once again, we have reached the final section, without having, to my knowledge, caused any bloodshed, unless it be amongst the targets of my vitriol, for whom bloodshed is the intended result. Having thus spit out the last of my humanity, I shall fold my tent, and fade into the sunrise, or sunset, depending on where you reside on the planet. Are we confused yet? Good. My job here is done. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; of that you may be sure….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Incunabula seem scarce this season….

Posted on November 24, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

~~ Mark Twain ~~

Gaelic Welcome

Hajime….

“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

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I’ve shared this video once previously, but, it bears repeating as often as necessary, to educate as many people as possible…. Listen to what these guys have to say with an open mind, and, believe, because, it’s all true…. I’ve done my due diligence on the issue, and I can attest…. Do your own; then you’ll know, too, and spread the word yourselves….

Share to educate. All rights on this video belong to: https://www.facebook.com/anonymousforjustice

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We Are Anonymous-
“Cannabis cures Cancer”

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https://youtu.be/HaxOPEU3ecQ

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“In everything one must consider the end.”

~~ J. de La Fontaine ~~

~~ The Fox and the Gnat, Book iii, Fable 5 ~~

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….)

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Banishing demons….

Endless nights lead inexorably into endless days
while the battle for peace rages.
Lost arts find new meaning used in new ways;
to burn, yearn, and turn all the new pages.

Darkness falls heavily on bowed shoulders, contrite;
fireworks travel fast in nervous tissue.
The pace is kept, clean, but, never erudite;
such a pale tale of ancient issue.

Peering in terror down long, long halls of night
brings only confusion, destitute in sorrow.
Cannot time become our enemy, eager to fight
on the side which may never see tomorrow?

The longing gaze of passion, for reason to live,
must fall ever more faithfully into sedition,
else the clinging visions we claim to give,
shall not prevent reaching inevitable perdition.

Rising up, clarity of purpose shines the light of day
upon such a desolate landscape of absent release.
There is no escape, no furthering of the way.
Time never knows how to grant peace.

~~ gigoid ~~

Yep. It’s new. Written last night, 11/23/2015, amazingly enough, in between bouts of pacing & twitching. Oh, joy!…. It helps. A little…..

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Here is a pleasant little nine-star old-school pearl, all nicely ordered, and ready to have its message deciphered. Hint: it’s about Life At Large…. and, How To Live It….

“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….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Heretical truth , though heresy, remains truth….

Posted on August 25, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

I slept and drempt that life was joy.

I awoke and saw that life was duty.

I acted and beheld that duty was joy.

~~ Rabindranath Tagore ~~

Take me to your leader, and don’t try anything funny!

Image from the UK Telegraph 8/4/2015

Good morning…. Before we actually begin today, I should relate a small but relatively important piece of new information about these Pearls in general, and, more specifically, about individual pearls, and their attribution. As I’ve shared previously, (though not recently; hence this housekeeping event…), when Smart Bee gives me an aphorism/quote/statement without attribution, I try to take time to plug it into Google, which usually can identify it. When it can’t, and I can’t figure out any other way to find out, I just give Smart Bee the attribution, and let it go at that.

From today on, whenever I feel like it, in such cases where the final attribution for any quote is to go to SB, I may, or may not, provide a short, pithy comment on the pearl itself, in the format of an addition/change to the usual form, e.g., Very Smart Bee, or, Sarcastic Bee, etc. It’s just another little way I can let off a bit of steam, which is part of the cathartic effect of the blogging process…. for me. I know for sure there are others who use this process to maintain their sanity, so, I’m not alone in that; hopefully, this little addition will help smooth it out for me, and, in the process, give y’all a chuckle or two…

So be it. gigoid has spoken. We now return you to your regularly scheduled intro, as this portion was pre-recorded for my convenience, then, locked in the Tardis until time to paste in here…. Slick, eh? Okay, here’s your intro….

Gotcha! Okay, Luigi, I think they’re sufficiently stunned; let’s hit it…. Oh, y’all might want to hold on to something, no matter how apt what George says below may, or may not be; bumpy is too mild a word when Luigi’s on a roll….

Shall we Pearl?….

“The power to stand alone is worth acquiring at the expense of much sorrowful solitude.” — George Bernard Shaw

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In today’s video/music/entertainment section, we are going to listen to some more of my default choice, i.e., classical music. As a bonus, just below this paragraph, you will find an extra link. This link will take you to the home page of the SF Bay Area’s classical music radio station, KDFC. On their home page, you will find a button that says, “Listen Live”; click the button, to be connected to the streaming channel for KDFC, where you can listen to one of the finest selections of music ever compiled.

Though fully listener-supported, they stream their programs for free; on the home page you can also connect to listen to archived recorded music of various Bay Area events, such as the SF Symphony, every Wednesday evening, and other recordings…. And, you can listen to this fine selection ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD!….. FOR FREE!….

An excellent resource, I’d say…. Enjoy: http://www.kdfc.com/

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Classical Music For Sleep

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https://youtu.be/dZzA9LesTS0

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“All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.”

~~ Aristotle ~~

I’ve always felt a kinship to Aristotle; everything I’ve read attributed to him, and everything I’ve read about him, makes obvious his genius, not only for its depth of wisdom and rationality, but, for its simplicity, and, most importantly, its connection to what is human. This statement exhibits all those qualities, even though merely a general statement of truth as it applies to human nature.

Examining it for the depth of meaning implied by its simplicity explains a lot, about why the world we live in today has become such a burden to the common man, as society sinks ever further into the naturally occurring chaos which is the only possible outcome of such an unbalanced approach to society. The continuing repression of the masses of humanity by the oligarchy can never lead to any sort of harmonious existence for all; there will always be resentment for the all-too-apparent inequality of privilege, heavily in favor the few, over the many.

Trust Aristotle to put his finger on the core problem; humans are so constructed they cannot seem to handle the acquisition of power over others without losing their sense of morality, choosing every time to act in their own self-interest over that of others, regardless of the consequences for those others. They become so focused on the money and power, and their own desires, nothing else matters to them; not ethics, not morals, and certainly not the welfare of other people. One might think there would at least ONE historical report, which describes another outcome, but, I defy anyone to show me any, anywhere in the recorded history of mankind, from the days of ancient Greece, right up to the present, when society did not eventually fall prey to the same inner corruption we see today.

I’ve issued this challenge previously, and never received a single response; I suspect this is because there IS no adequate response (The more realistic side of me says it’s probably because not very many people see these pearls… but, the argument remains the same.). Any such period of time showing any truly ethical form of government was short-lived, as the oligarchy, in every case, has, over time, used their hidden resources to buy treachery, and to manipulate events to suit themselves…. a process at which they have become VERY adept.

Today’s world, with its new technology, threatens to turn our world into a truly dystopian nightmare, with less than .00001% of the people in the world oppressing the remaining seven billion, enforced by their typical violent means, with the added enhancement of computers and robots to assist them in their aim, which, put simply, is nothing less than to enslave the rest of the human race for their own benefit.

Once again, it seems I could rant forever; it also seems, sometimes, as if I already have. So, I’m mostly done, at least for today….. Here are three quick pearls, to give my opinion on the government we have today, then a short finishing blurb…. These 3 are pretty sharp, and pretty clear; no two-by-four needed….

“All forms of government are pernicious, including good government.” — Edward Abbey

“Love of money is the root of all Politicians.” — Obvious Bee

Laws are only words words written on paper, words that change on society’s whim and are interpreted differently daily by politicians, lawyers, judges, and policemen. Anyone who believes that all laws should always be obeyed would have made a fine slave catcher. Anyone who believes that all laws are applied equally, despite race, religion, or economic status, is a fool.” — John J. Miller, And Hope to Die — (in _Jokertown Shuffle – Wild Cards IX_)

I really think it is time for the people of the world to become aware of how ubiquitously they are being lied to, and, how they are enslaved, with their own tacit, ignorant agreement. When that time comes, when people finally realize their true state, it won’t matter how much control the oligarchs THINK they have. What do you think will happen to the predators of mankind when their prey, all 6+ BILLION of them, all get angry at once?… It wouldn’t be particularly hard to get the message across, as most people have heard the story, if only in music…. such as this, from the English speaking world… (I imagine it would translate well; most music is flexible enough to transcend mere language….)

And the sentence you’re paying is too high priced
While you’re living beyond all your means
And the man in the suit has just bought a new car
From the profit he’s made on your dreams

~~ Traffic, “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” ~~

No amount of technology, no degree of control would be sufficient to protect them, for when all of mankind realizes the truth, the following would become even more relevant, on a scale unheard of in history….

“Beware of that person who is slow to anger. For when it is long in coming, it stays longer and is warmer and dies not so easily. Abused patience is a very strong fuel for a fire not easily put out by any known means.” — Ancient Smart Bee

Hey, it’s a nice dream, isn’t it? Now I just need to write the song…. You Tube can take care of getting it out to most of mankind….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 ~~

Written 8/18/2013.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s a nice little nine-star pearl, with some good stuff to say about life, and the advantages of at least pretending to use one’s mind to live it…. sort of. You’ll see….

“I think, …. Do You?”

~~ Diogenes Bee ~~

” Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The eyes are not responsible when the mind does the seeing.” — Publius Syrus

“The universe is not indifferent to intelligence, it is actively hostile to it.” — Realistic Bee

“A belief is not true because it is useful.” — Henri Frederic Amiel

“Every one is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example.” — Phaedrus — Book i, Fable 26, 12

“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

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” — Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, ffolkes, I’ve been over it twice, or three times now; I can’t find anything I missed. I guess it’s done. Damn good thing, too, as I’ve been done for some time. I hope none of what occurred after that point gets me in any deeper than I am already. Time will tell; it always does. It never can keep its mouth shut. Today, I just hope it can do so until I’ve safely donned my protective armor. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, ambush, or no ambush….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Abusing orphan participles is thirsty work….

Posted on August 19, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
And drinking largely sobers us again.

~~ Alexander Pope — Essay on Criticism, Part ii, Line 15 ~~

Rural Serenity/Scenes from a Train

Good morning…. As the first greeting between people to mark the opening of conversation, I suppose ‘good morning’ is the most common for the same reason many of our human interactions have evolved over the centuries, to wit: it’s innocuous enough not to piss anybody off, first thing. In a culture created by a creature which has turned the act of killing into high art, such grease to the social wheel needs regular application. Say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong time (which fits just about any modern male in the morning, pre-coffee), one takes one’s life in one’s hands….

Now, that may seem to be a harsh assessment, (not to mention brutally formal), but, I’ve been sitting here thinking about it, and, it seems to fit all the requirements of a true statement, as far as I can figure. But, then, the hour may have influenced how harshly I view things. It isn’t every night I wake up a bit past midnight, to realize sleeping further is out of the question… It’s been happening a lot lately, of course, so, one might think I’m getting used to it. One would be wrong. I hate it. I love my sleep. Sleep is a weapon, mine is dulled, and it pisses me off. Most of the time….

Tonight, or, this morning, whichever the hell it is, I decided, when I realized my pillow’s entreaties for me to return to bed would go unanswered, to NOT get pissed off, but, to use the time more constructively. Hence, the foregoing small dissertation on human interaction. What the hell, it’s better than my usual waffling to find ANY thing to say. Maybe.

I guess that’s not really my judgment to make, other than editorially. Which I already did. So, the question with which we are faced now is this: where the crap do I go now? Ah, I know. I’ll get coffee…. Then, there is at least a minimal chance this whole thing can be saved…. Hang on, ffolkes, be right back. You’ll know I’m back when you hear the low, but penetrating low growl/groan of near-ecstatic satisfaction, the kind any addict feels on fixing….

Amazing what a bit of caffeine, sugar, and perspective can do. In this particular case, it’s given me the proper solution to our small dilemma, i.e., what now? That, naturally, is to just get on with it, which, one has to admit, is pretty simple and effective….. Let’s see if we can live up to that description….

Shall we Pearl?….

“It’s not denial. I’m just very selective about what I accept as reality.” — Calvin (“Calvin and Hobbes”)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image from blu-ray.com via Google Images

A friend sent me this clip yesterday; it stimulated several trains of thought which will probably lead to at least two, or more, rants. I love serendipity. I also love this movie, which is perhaps Hollywood’s best reproduction of a science fiction novel. Arthur C. Clarke’s book was fascinating when it came out, and I was thrilled when it came to the movie screen, even if the ending wasn’t quite as clear as Clarke’s book, in terms of the meaning of the images. But, it worked, and worked well.

After watching this video clip, which is just as disturbing now as it was originally, I recommend watching the sequence shown on the You Tube link page, in which the space ship rockets up to the space station to dock, to the music of the The Blue Danube Waltz, by Strauss, one of the most gorgeous, uplifting movie sequences ever made, in my opinion…. Enjoy, ffolkes, I certainly did….

***********************

The Dawn of Man

2001: A Space Odyssey

***********************

https://youtu.be/ypEaGQb6dJk

***********************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s ranting section is comprised of a bit of historical ranting, and a fresh old-school indictment. The following Pearl was the complete post on this blog, mere days after beginning to post on WordPress. I was still working out formatting issues, so I’ve edited it, but, only to the extent of placing the text into the proper positions to fit today’s look and feel. I’ve also used the title used that day, added some art, and cleaned up the punctuation a trifle…. It’s historical because I believe it’s the first post I’ve found in which I ranted in this particular manner, sort an embryonic version of what is usually found in this section these days…. I hope you enjoy it….

From 8/20/2011:

World-weary gnomes travel light….

Ffolkes,
And, so, it begins again. It’s enough to make you just want to rant sometimes. The news every day bombards us with the craziness going on in the world, providing us with the mental equivalent of dried dung in such quantities the Berbers could make a fire lasting all night. Politicians speak out every day, spewing tons of the most amazing crap, proving with every word just how insane they are, and people keep lapping it up like ice cream. The media that reports all this possibly plays the worst part in the charade, as they continue to report on the most trivial BS they can find. They don’t seem to care whether it is dignified, or if it makes any sense; they just want to increase ratings, and bad news does that better than good.

Oh well, I could rant on this forever, and it’s not going to make any difference. It’s unfortunate, because I’m beginning to believe that it is too late for us humans; we passed the turnoff to sanity a while back, and nobody noticed. Our beloved ruling class has decided that they are not going to buy into the idea that we are killing ourselves, and will hold that opinion all the way to the graveyard. I’m of the opinion that we little people only have one choice left, and that is revolution. The conditions which produced the first American Revolutionary War are fully present today; government is NOT responsive to the will of the people.

Hell, they could care less about the people; to them it’s all about what they can get before getting caught, and even then they don’t get prosecuted. How many bankers and Wall Streeters were put in jail for stealing all that money a few years ago? None…instead we gave them bailout money. Ah hell, that’s enough for one morning; if I continue I’ll end up with indigestion, and I’ve only been up for a half hour. Fuck ’em, they’re not going to ruin my day….today’s Pearls were picked out when I had this on my mind, so they may reflect that…..they’re still a pretty good group….

“If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.” — Francis Bacon

“When forced to resort to arms for redress, an appeal to the tribunal of the world was deemed proper for our justification. This was the object of the Declaration of Independence.” — Thomas Jefferson

“I never wanted to see anybody die, but there are a few obituary notices I have read with pleasure.” — Clarence Darrow
(How long is YOUR list?…..mine runs to three or four pages….and the first two are just the politicians (most of whom began as lawyers) and preachers).

“I don’t mind if you don’t like my manners. I don’t like them myself. They’re pretty bad. I grieve over them on long winter evenings.” — Humphrey Bogart to Lauren Bacall, in The Big Sleep

Existing order thrives upon ignorance and lies. Objective truth and individual reason are feared above all.

“The seeker after truth must, once in the course of his life, doubt everything, as far as is possible. What is doubtful should even be considered as false. This doubt should not, meanwhile, be applied to ordinary life.” — R. Descartes, “1-3rd Principles of Human Knowledge”

Well, I feel a little better…..reading pearls always helps me regain my equilibrium. Hopefully, they do the same for you….. y’all take care out there…..

———————–

Note from 2015: Before I found this pearl to use today, I had begun collecting an old-school pearl on much the same litany of issues; I’ll throw them in as a bonus, and, to keep up our reputation for always going over the top…. No worries, it’s only a seven-star pearl!…. Enjoy!….

” Whoever has any authority over you, no matter how small, will attempt to use it.” — Quigley’s Law

“When politics and religion are intermingled, a people is suffused with a sense of invulnerability, and gathering speed in their forward charge, they fail to see the cliff ahead of them.” — Dune, by Frank Herbert

“Americans used to roar for Liberty, now they bleat for Security.” — Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

“Why did you hire that idiot?” “You can’t fool all of the people all of the time, so I’m breeding them for stupidity.” — President Weishaupt

“How can people ignore the petitioners in front of the supermarket, then complain about the sorry state of our government?” — Smart Bee

“Pain is just God’s way of hurting you.” — Smart Alec Bee

(Oops! Sorry, wrong bunch of asininnies. That one doesn’t count….)

“Poor dear, there’s nothing between his ears.” — Margaret Thatcher, about Ronald Reagan, in the 6/2/88 issue of The New York Times

“In times like these, it is helpful to remember that there have always been times like these.” — Paul Harvey (for chuq…)

In French, I believe the phrase is, “Et voilá!”. Or, maybe it was “Houp lá!” Ah well, you know what I mean…. don’t ya?….

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Though I’m up very early, the poem I’ve felt percolating in the vast unknown regions of my mind, where such obscure, random ordering of chaos takes place, isn’t ready to come floating up into my consciousness, where I can open a vein to allow it to leak onto the screen. In addition, I think it would be best not to use anyone else’s work today, in order to spare them the embarrassment of possible association. (Hmph…) Here is one I had forgotten completely; it’ll do nicely….

Unbidden, treasure unfolded…

Taken by surprise, Psyche sits numb
Amidst tall phrases worn of elder time
Seeking a not-new place from which to come
No shiny new horizon, nor altered paradigm.

Sudden regrets shape dreams as times maintain
Shades of memories bring poignant clear sight
Visions of duty, each chosen wild campaign
Shouts echoing clamors to enfold the night.

Arisen from less than eternal havens of sleep
Facing moments created in torment and pain
Destiny weighs upon those chosen to keep
As the sparrow flies now to sever the twain.

Faded pathways lead away, hazy and long
Burned out verges, so long unknown
Images of yesterday, clear and strong
Bleed into today, though ’tis but my own……

~~ gigoid ~~

Written 10/19/2012.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ffolkes, this pearl needs no explanation, or introduction; it speaks for itself quite well.

“This is my death … and it will profit me to understand it.” — Anne Sexton

“Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once.” — Lillian Dickson

“The mind divides the world into a million pieces. The heart makes it whole.” — Stephen and Ondrea Levine

“Without accepting the fact that everything changes, we cannot find perfect composure. But unfortunately, although it is true, it is difficult for us to accept it. Because we cannot accept the truth of transience, we suffer.” — Shunryu Suzuki

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — Mark Twain

“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” — Old Indian saying

“Death is the greatest kick of all. That’s why they save it for last.” — Smart Bee

“Death the last sleep? No, it is the final awakening.” — Sir Walter Scott

“And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make.” — The Beatles, The last lyric of their last song

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Not surprisingly, it’s done. Again. And, again, I’m left with a vast number of minutes/hours to fill until the rest of the world even begins to stir for the day. Hell, half the people here probably aren’t even home from the bars yet, even on a Tuesday night, in a depressed economy. Ah well, I suppose that’s what books are for…. They’ve always been my go-to recreational choice to fill in some time; another default for me. Too bad the books I just ordered a few days ago haven’t arrived…. Ah well, perhaps an old friend…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, no matter what damn time it happens….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Pigeons, smidgeons…. we’re going in hatless!

Posted on June 30, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“It may be that our role on this planet is not to worship God but to create him.”

~~ Arthur C. Clarke ~~

Scenes from a train….

Good morning…. In the still, peaceful quiet of early morn, sleepy birds sing, suggesting the presence of intimate time, filled to bursting, formal and replete. No cats, no rats frighten the flock, yet, they stop, to listen as the spirit of the hunt passes by. No one cries out for safety, no one speaks to the night. Only as the last bird flies away does the last child drop back into the lap of sleep, quickly, before the mast, not after….

Hmm… A bit of fanciful meandering, as it were, through the back corridors of a dark mind, still sleepy after a half-cup of the blood of life, yet determined to complete a fresh Pearl, come what may…. even if I have to…. well, I won’t go there just now, to save us all losing our breakfasts…. Instead, I believe I see an opportunity to set out for the oyster beds right over there, so, we’ll snatch it up, and use it…. Some days, ya just gotta take what presents itself, ya know?….

Shall we Pearl?

“Bodily exercise, when compulsory, does no harm to the body; but knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.” — Plato, The Republic. Book VII. 536

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Image from fansshare.com via Google Images

Everybody knows Betty, but, not everybody knows Betty got banned for being naughty…. Today’s video is a compilation of a number of the cartoons which led to her being put on the list of entertainment thought to be TOO immoral for the American people…. and, no, I don’t know who the hell they thought they were…. But, I enjoyed the cartoons, and so will you….

***********************

Betty Boop

***********************

https://youtu.be/VkG9c1yy2lg

***********************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Everything you know is wrong.”

~~ The Firesign Theater ~~

I’m fairly certain the above quote from the ffolkes at TFT is one of the most cogent, accurate summarizations of this section I’ve come across in my reading. It’s a perfect description of the mental status of almost everyone on this planet over the age of 4 years (right about the time we begin serious interactions with the world outside our immediate family….), based on the assumption the parents of any four year old were slaves to begin with, thus passing on many of their own misguided assumptions about Reality.

Now, I could spend a long time sharing the incontrovertible evidence I’ve accumulated to support such an assumption; in fact, I’ve done so. For the past 3.8 years I’ve posted here on a daily basis, with about 60% of those posts including some sort of rant against the machine, whether of a political, religious, or philosophical nature. I’ve done my best to share what I know to be true, to give those who come to read a chance to compare what I present against their own thoughts and experience…. In all that time, nobody, and that means nobody, has ever presented any arguments suggesting any of the evidence is wrong. None.

This could mean I’m right; it could also mean nobody who disagrees ever comes to read…. My own guess is the truth lies between those two points; mostly I preach to the choir, and those who aren’t convinced to sing aren’t brave enough to argue the point…. or, some combination of factors…. It remains true, however, that what I’ve said is all true, to the best of my knowledge, so, there’s something in that, for what it’s worth….

All that being said, I’m not going to rant today, merely to give us all a break from all the bad/evil shit with which we are surrounded every day on the news…. Instead, I’ll just throw together an old-school pearl, with some random thoughts about those members of the species upon whom I heap all of my disdain and vitriol, our Beloved Ruling Class and Friends…. those silly, yet dangerous humans who prey upon their own kind…. Yes, it’s the Asininnies, all of them…. The Bankers (aka Corporate Snakeheads), Pimps (aka Human Traffickers, aka Scumbags), Politicians (aka Congenital Liars…), Preachers (aka shamans, priests, imams, etc….), Faceless Myrmidons (Police, military, spies, and wannabes…), and, of course, Mrs. Grundy ( aka Everybody’s Nosy, Bigoted, Racist, Fat-headed neighbor….).

Enjoy…. I intend to enjoy putting it together, so, y’all may as well join in the fun….

Who love too much, hate in the like extreme,
And both the golden mean alike condemn.

~~ Alexander Pope ~~

~~ The Odyssey of Homer, Book xv, Line 79 ~~

“Not every soil can bear all things.” — Virgil (19 BC)

“Who is ever secure? Every one of us searches for security. We seek it from our family, from our friends, from our pets, from strangers and from “God.” Once in a while we experience it, only to discover that it was merely an illusion. And yet we never learn that security is an impossibility. For we are only human beings.” — Chen-It Ong

“It is better for a city to be governed by a good man than by good laws.” — Aristotle

“You have to realize that the government, any government, is insane. You have to treat it the way pagans treated their gods: As an irrational, capricious,
and powerful entity which will mete out total destruction if not sacrificed to or otherwise placated.” — Mike Long (future Libertarian revolutionary)

“Any priest or shaman must be presumed guilty until proved innocent.” — Lazarus Long, from Robert A. Heinlein’s “Time Enough For Love”

“Of a rich man who was niggardly he said, “That man does not own his estate, but his estate owns him.” — Diogenes Laertius — Bion, iii

“Our own age is not likely to be distinguished in history for the large numbers of people who insisted on finding the time to think. Plainly, this is not the Age of Meditative Man… Substitutes for repose are a billion dollar business. Almost daily, new antidotes for contemplation spring into being and leap out from store counters. Silence, already the world’s most critical shortage, is in danger of becoming a nasty word. Modern man may or may not be obsolete, but he is certainly wired for sound and he twitches as naturally as he breathes.” — Norman Cousins

Your face, my thane, is as a book where men
May read strange matters. To beguile the time,
Look like the time; bear welcome in your eye,
Your hand, your tongue: look like the innocent flower,
But be the serpent under ‘t.

~~ William Shakespeare ~~

~~ Macbeth — Act i, Sc. 5 ~~

To conclude, let us turn to one of the masters of metaphor, The Kwisatz Haderach (aka, Frank Herbert, author of “Dune”):

“Arrakis teaches the attitude of the knife – chopping off what’s incomplete and saying: “Now it’s complete because it’s ended here.” — Muad’dib

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Future Shocked:

Weeping, I wake;
waking, I weep, I weep.
I weep for the ages to be lost,
for the children never to be born.

Time comes calling, strident and spare,
nudging us toward the future with bony hands.
No pausing, no waiting, always away,
Frantic hearts unseen, unheard.

Spirits are dark, afraid.
And the Beast hunts, hungry and cruel,
seeking out the weak, and the foolish.

We all weep now…..

~~ gigoid ~~

Written 7/22/2013.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today’s final old-school pearl is…. well, I’m sorry, it just IS. Beyond that, deponent sayeth naught….

On a huge hill,
Cragged & steep, Truth stands, and hee that will Reach her, about must, and
about must goe;
And what the hill’s suddenness resists, winne so.

~~ John Donne ~~

Conventional wisdom, isn’t.” — Smart Bee

“No man can purchase his virtue too dear, for it is the only thing whose value must ever increase with the price it has cost us. Our integrity is never worth so much as when we have parted with our all to keep it.” — Colton (1780-1832)

“Death, the most dreaded of evils, is therefore of no concern to us; for while we exist death is not present, and when death is present we no longer exist.” — Epicurus

“Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.” — H. G. Wells

“Excess on occasion is exhilarating. It prevents moderation from acquiring the deadening effect of a habit.” — W. Somerset Maugham

“Sigh… Every day I thank my statuette of Wilma Flintstone that I was born normal.” — Zippy the pinhead

See what I mean? No word, or words, I could come up with would suffice to explain such an event. But, I digress…. I hope nobody got seriously injured on that last turn; more than three would get my insurance canceled…. Oh well, it’s fresh, and it’s all in the “for sure & for certain” category, so….

So be it.

gigoid has spoken.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Done. All fresh, too. Not bad for an old phart with phlat pheet and phrequent phlatulence, eh? Oops…. By the looks of the last sentence, I think it’s time to get us the hell out of here…. Next, I’ll break out in an old show tune…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, if I can continue to find the rhythm…. Could be tough; the rhythm method is a particularly unreliable resource, in many respects…. or, so I’m told….

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, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

A Nehru jacket? Call the fashion police!….

Posted on March 10, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“You can’t have everything. Where would you put it?”

~~ Steven Wright ~~

American Falls, Niagra, Ontario: 2/6/2015 – Lindsay Dedario- Reuters

Okay, so, YOU try writing with vertigo…. It wouldn’t be so difficult if the keyboard would stop spinning while I’m trying to hit the correct keys…. or, if I could tip my head forward without feeling nauseous. Even though I know how to fix the issue, it’s still a pain in the not-so-proverbial ass…. But, then, whining about it won’t get it done… I’ll be back after the physical therapy fix is applied…

Okay, here’s the deal. I’m just not up to this, but, my sense of duty won’t allow me to completely forgo posting. This, of course, means we cheat…. I’d reblog an old one, but, that always seems like an even more cowardly response than mere cheating…. So, we’ll use archived material to fill in…. We’ll also, once again, use the ever-popular method #4 to get us out of here, so we can get this done sometime today, before my panic-mode activates…. Y’all know how this works, I believe, so, if you would kindly put down your beverages until we have come to a complete stop, it would be helpful, as well as cleaner…. Hang on, ffolkes, it’s bound to be bumpy…

Shall we Pearl?

“He bids fair to grow wise who has discovered that he is not so.” — Publius Syrus (42 BC) — Maxim 598

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Only one video will do for today; perfectly appropriate, wouldn’t you agree?….

***********************

Vertigo (1958) Full movie

***********************

http://youtu.be/mJLwZi0ANnA

***********************

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is a discussion from back in the day…. It will do….

From 7/10/2012:

“If you sincerely desire a _truly_ well-rounded education, you must study the extremists, the obscure and nutty. You need the balance! Your poor brain is already being impregnated with middle-of-the-road crap, twenty-four hours a day, _no matter what_. Network TV, newspapers, radio, magazines at the supermarket… even if you never watch, read, listen, or leave your house, even if you are deaf and blind, the _telepathic pressure alone_ of the uncountable normals surrounding you will insure that you are automatically well- grounded in consensus reality.” — Rev. Ivan Stang — High Weirdness By Mail

Humanity exists, and anything that exists can be expressed with mathematics. For our purpose here this morning, we will use the mathematics of demography of the intellect. When looking at the whole body of people that comprises mankind, if you divide the different levels of intelligence, as rated by IQ, you will immediately see that as a whole, mankind can be expressed as a bell curve. Broken down most simply, there are about 5% of people who are genius’, about 15% slightly above normal, 60% average, 15% slightly below average, and 5% very, very slow thinking folks. It’s a bit simplistic, but it is accurate, believe me….. I’ve done the math…..

“The world is crazier than we think.” — MacNeice

In light of this, the statement from the Reverend Stang becomes a truism, as well as pretty good insight. One cannot say they know what humanity is all about without including those who exist on the fringes, the 5% genius, and the 5% slow. This is obvious…. What is not so obvious is that one can use the same bell curve, and percentage breakdown, to describe the morality of mankind. We have 5% very ethical, morally upright folks, who act rightly, from right thinking. We have about 15% who mostly do good, and mostly try to be moral. We have 60% who very seldom consider either concept (morals & ethics) but generally act from right thoughts taught to them by their parents and peers. Again, there are 15% who act immorally a lot of the time, and 5% who are the actual acolytes of Satan, so to speak….

“Does history repeat itself, the first time as tragedy, the second time as farce? No, that’s too grand, too considered a process. History just burps, and we taste again that raw-onion sandwich it swallowed centuries ago.” — Julian Barnes

What is unfortunate is that the 5% who are totally immoral, or rather, amoral, comprise the largest part of our beloved ruling class. They are joined by the 15% who mainly act immorally; this group is where you will find most priests and others in the sadly patriarchal hierarchies of the religion institutions. This grouping is, to me, the most egregiously evil of all of them. Priests and preachers, in general, counsel their parishioners to obey the beloved ruling class, knowing full well that they are condemning them to slavery. I find this to be reprehensible, but the indoctrination given these people is so strong, they never even realize what they do; they even believe that they are being helpful.

My defence is of God, which saveth the upright… — Psalms 7:10

I believe that people should be treated with respect, right up until they provide evidence that they are not deserving of such, at which time, I place them into the bottom 20%, and figure they are fair game. This policy has provided me with numerous opportunities to puncture some of their balloons, when those silly fools come to the door wanting to proselytize to me about their religion. I have a great time with them, quoting to them from their own bible (whichever one it may be; I’ve looked through all of them….), and using their own premises to show them the fallacies. I’ve sent many a troubled young LDS elder back to the fold with a head full of doubts, and really enjoy the image that puts in my head about the next time they speak with THEIR elders…. the more discord and doubt I can sow in that fecund field, the better I like it.

So, I heartily agree with Reverend Stang, though probably for different reasons. I find it a bit unusual for a Reverend to recommend diversity in education at all, but, hey, no matter why, if he gets folks to at least look at the fringes, it can teach them a lesson or two they would never get in Bible Study classes…. and that is a good thing…..

Besides, I couldn’t resist writing about this, as the good reverend used the term “consensus reality”….. That, after all, is what I do…..

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This poet needs no introduction, especially for such a piece as this…..

I Speak Not

I speak not, I trace not, I breathe not thy name;
There is grief in the sound, there is guilt in the fame;
But the tear that now burns on my cheek may impart
The deep thoughts that dwell in that silence of heart.
Too brief for our passion, too long for our peace,
Were those hours – can their joy or their bitterness cease?
We repent, we abjure, we will break from our chain, –
We will part, we will fly to – unite it again!
Oh! thine be the gladness, and mine be the guilt!
Forgive me, adored one! – forsake if thou wilt;
But the heart which is thine shall expire undebased,
And man shall not break it – whatever thou may’st.
And stern to the haughty, but humble to thee,
This soul in its bitterest blackness shall be;
And our days seem as swift, and our moments more sweet,
With thee at my side, than with worlds at our feet.
One sigh of thy sorrow, one look of thy love,
Shall turn me or fix, shall reward or reprove.
And the heartless may wonder at all I resign –
Thy lips shall reply, not to them, but to mine.

~~ George Gordon, Lord Byron ~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is the only fresh part of today’s Pearl; in the interests of complete disclosure, parts of it were collected yesterday in moments of peace…. Enjoy, ffolkes, it’s the best I can do today….

“Every one is bound to bear patiently the results of his own example.” — Phaedrus (c. 8 A.D.) — Book i, Fable 26, 12

“Great spirits have often encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.” — Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

“You can’t help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right; but spelling isn’t everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn’t count.” — A.A. Milne

“Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.” — Things We Can Learn From Dogs

“If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.” — Benjamin Franklin

“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 — Profiles of the Future (1962; rev. 1973) — “Hazards of Prophecy: The Failure of Imagination”

“It matters not what you are thought to be, but what you are.” — Publius Syrus (42 BC) — Maxim 785

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Well, it’s done. Further, deponent sayeth naught. Not only that, but, I’m outta here…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, if I can find the wherewithal…. Ah, hell, who am I kidding? I’ll be back…. and, that is NOT a threat. It’s a promise….

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, the dubious

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

gigoid

Ned Moore, aka gigoid, is a 70 year-old, (!!!… When did that happen?….), retired dilettante, who would rather read than eat, most days. His first blog, "gigoid’s folly", has been emailed out to folks he knows for about 18 years now. He still considers it his best defense against angst, and the ever-present specter of sheer insanity..... Due to rigorous curmudgeon training requirements, he has discontinued his Facebook presence, but still indulges in the occasional Twitter session... In essence, he's socialized, but, not overly sociable; all labels and stereotypes are forbidden in his presence... and he doesn't care what anyone thinks about that..... In fact, he doesn't want to talk anymore.... If you feel you MUST contact gigoid, his email address is: alphagigoid@gmail.com You can go read now.... Go on, beat it.... gigoid, the dubious

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gigoid

Exploring Consensual Reality

Tag Archives: Arthur C. Clarke

Dreaming of dragons on the wing….

Slight traces of affability….

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