A seasoning of reason….

Ffolkes,

“If it’s a despot you would dethrone,
see first that his throne erected within you is destroyed.”

~~ Kahlil Gibran, 1923 ~~

bloom

Bougainvillea blooming….

Hajime…. I made it. The holiday is past, for most of the world, and I didn’t go postal. This, naturally, can be considered a victory, mostly. Mostly, I’d just as soon forget the whole month, in many respects, though it was not without moments of exquisite irony, to be sure. But, it’s also mostly gone, so, I can tone down the intensity of my self-control a bit, knowing much of the danger is past. Oh, no danger for me; just for the mundanes. It’s nice to be able to leave off the vest, and only carry the usual number of concealed weapons, rather than the full complement. Less weight, easier on the back, y’know?….

Okay, okay, I’ll just drop the whole subject. I really don’t feel like ranting, except that I do. In this case, it’s for the best if I just note the degree of angst present today, take the necessary precautions, and get on with posting today’s mess. Really, you don’t really want to know the rest; trust me on this. To forgo any further discussion, which may prove unhelpful, I’m using my executive privilege to declare this intro complete, as is… I know it’s too early, and y’all don’t even have your orders placed. But, it can’t be helped; if we don’t go now, the ensuing explosion could throw us completely out of orbit, & it’s best we don’t test that particular potential eventuality. Instead, let’s do this….

Shall we Pearl?

“If I don’t meet you no more in this world
Then I’ll see you in the next one.
Don’t be late”

~~ Jimi Hendrix ~~

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

the-beatles-band-cover-in-black-and-white_72147496118

The Lads

This morning, I wanted some music/entertainment to give the Gentle Reader two things; one, an idea of how I feel today, having survived another Xmas season of insanity. Second, I wanted something fun, or, at minimum, light-hearted, without becoming maudlin, or sappy. A light flashed on in my head at that point, and the name of this movie came scrolling across the ticker-tape in my head; hence, this most excellent blast from the past…. I hope you enjoy it; it’s a classic, you know….

Late note: None of the links on You Tube for the full movie were free; all required some sort of payment, or registration. So, here is a collection of video clips from the movie, with some extras thrown in…. It’s worth it to hear the music, if nothing else…. and, gives an idea of why I don’t much enjoy the Christmas season, due to the commercial flavor of all going on…. Enjoy anyway!….

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

The Beatles
“A Hard Day’s Night”

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Lamenting Empathy, No Grace

Strange, strong, passions burn from within
Selling nothing short, nor out
Consumed, loudly, failing to mark the spin
Sad, resigned, in singular redoubt.

Fallow grounds for twisted seed
Become fated, grow, and die.
Experience never fills critical need
Save perhaps once, in ages gone by.

Shouting in severe, dulcet tone
Brittle, flaking, destiny floats away
Making noise, rattling the bone
Simply ageless fears held at bay.

We mask our illusions in faux belief
Tied to reality by matter of rote,
Send them postcards, without relief
Consecrated time, forever remote.

~~ gigoid ~~

12/19/2014

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

On the path to an eternal Now….

*******

“My standard answer for that is, I don’t know.”

~~ Honest Bee ~~

*******

“Nothing exists except for atoms and space; everything else is opinion.”

~~ Democritus ~~

*******

“A bird does not sing because it has an answer.
It sings because it has a song.”

~~ Chinese proverb ~~

*******

“Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

“Nothing is more dangerous than an idea…if it’s the only one you’ve got.”

~~ St. Thomas Aquinas Bee ~~

*******

“Well, Darkness has a hunger that’s insatiable,
And Lightness has a call that’s hard to hear.”

~~ Indigo Girls ~~

*******

“You thought, as a boy, that a mage is one who can do anything.
So I thought, once. So did we all.
And the truth is that as a man’s real power grows and his knowledge widens,
ever the way he can follow grows narrower:
until at last he chooses nothing,
but does only and wholly what he “must” do.”

~~ Ursula K. LeGuin, _A Wizard of Earthsea_ ~~

*******

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

Now disaster has been averted, (neatly, too, I might add…), I’m going to end this here, using a little bit of that leftover executive privilege mentioned in the intro. I’m not certain it is still valid, but, it will do for our purpose today. To make sure that happens without delay, or consequence, I shall bid thee adieu, until next time. If all goes as planned, that will be tomorrow morning, same time, same bat-station. And, no, I don’t know why; it’s just the way it is….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Featured Image -- 10691

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Yet another hallucination to talk to….

Ffolkes,

17. “When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.”

~~ Instructions for life ~~

day-the-next-006

“Sphere Within A Sphere”, Trinity College, Dublin

Hajime…. Officially, the celebration of this date among those in the world who embrace Christianity as their personal form of religion (delusion), began a bit over 9 hours ago, when it passed midnight in Greenwich, England. For me, that’s fortunate, for it means I now have only 16 hours more to remain secluded; it should be safe for me to go out and about by the time this part of the world goes dark for the day. SIGH…. I hate to be stuck indoors on what promises to be a fairly bright, if cool day here in California, but, it’s best for everyone if I avoid crowds, or the chance of too much interaction with the natives on such a day. My patience, as I found yesterday on my long walk, is just about gone; if I hear one more ‘cute’ version of Jingle Bells, the results could be catastrophic… & not just for me….

It’s a good thing I treasure, and enjoy my solitude; if I find a need to leave the house today, I’ll talk myself out of it, without the attendant guilt, which is, in the final analysis, merely a remnant of early conditioning, long thrown into the trash heap of luggage left behind. I’ve come to terms with the fact of my own difference from those I call ‘mundanes’; it’s too bad they don’t seem to be able to do the same. A bit of reciprocity is a good thing in life, for it mimics reality by it’s flexible amiability, and willingness to just ‘be’…. but, that’s okay, too. They can’t help being the way they are; they gave up thinking for themselves when they accepted the idea of having been the lab experiment of some supernatural, misogynistic bully, who generally seems to display the manners of a two-year-old….

But, that’s just me, I guess, & I don’t hold their belief against them. I also, however, try not to use it against them, by taking advantage of their gullibility any more than is necessary for personal security (which is more than can be said of their ‘preachers’ who use their belief to manipulate their minds endlessly, and shamelessly. If there is a viable candidate in reality for feeling guilt, they are the ones who deserve it….). It isn’t very hard, for they’ve been conditioned since they first learned to understand their own language, by their parents, first, who pass along their own conditioning, then by peers also under the thrall, and, by the clergy, the bureaucrats, the predators of humanity, who use these ‘mundanes’ as their own personal slaves…

Hmm… this has turned a bit rantish, hasn’t it? I really didn’t mean to get into a discussion of what I consider the futility of such religious holidays this morning; when I sat down I had the intention of going humorous. I guess, in thinking about how much religion has stolen from humanity, including much of our potential, and any hope for change unless stopped, it gets to my sense of justice, and, voilá, I rant. Oh, well. So be it. I’m a curmudgeon, and I don’t buy any of the bullshit they’re trying to sell. It’s my own thing, and, to keep from alienating anyone who feels the need for such nonsense as conflict, with attendant emotional investment, regarding ideas (the sure mark of a mundane, to my mind….), I’ll cease and desist, here, and now…. Besides… We have better stuff we can do; the Pearl for today is, if naught else, highly entertaining….

We have some rather fine music, (unless you’re tone deaf, or, deluded, you’ll like it….), a decent, if somewhat metaphorically metaphysical poem, and the usual collection of wisdom from the sages of the ages. It’s kept me (relatively) sane for the past couple hours, putting it together, so, it’s all good in my book. I’ve read enough of that book now, so, why don’t we get the slow on the toad, eh?….

Shall we Pearl?

“The world has taken on a thickness of vulgarity
that raises a spiritual man’s contempt to the violence of a passion.”

~~ Charles Baudelaire ~~

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

roy orbison mtv

Image from mtv.com via Google Images

Don’t bother asking, because I can’t explain it. As I pondered what music to include today, all I could hear was this man’s voice. Since it’s one of the finest voices to ever lift itself in song, why not? I hope you enjoy it; I picked a collection with most, if not all, of the cuts from A Black and White Night, one of the most incredible performances ever seen by some of the best musicians alive, or dead, ever to play & sing together, with Roy’s brilliance leading the charge…. Incredible is one of the few words that can come close to describing this night’s music…. Abondanza!….

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

Roy Orbison & Friends

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Stray Cats

The veils that billow and fold
between dreams and reality
may sometimes part,
showing the visions of one to the other,
blending, bleeding as one,
only to bring us up short,
closely jammed against immovable fate.

Still, we keep our watch,
seeking to find the vision
that brings with it the mark of reality’s regard,
a humble mind, and a compassionate heart.

Events of broad impact draw us away again,
distracting with shiny glitter and tinny music,
leaving our feelings raw and bruised,
the victim of universal disregard.

Now, in the twilight of years, the music is fading,
and the glitter has all gone….
yet the memory of visions remains sharp and clear,
melancholy reminders of reality’s promises,
unkept….

~~gigoid~~

4/12/2013

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

All paths lead to, and, from here….

*******

“Confusion is the only true road to understanding.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

“In matters of belief, he who is absolutely sure he is right
is almost certainly dead wrong.”

~~ Kelvin Throop ~~

*******

“If you cannot find peace within yourself,
you will never find it anywhere else.”

~~ Marvin Gaye ~~

*******

“In order to be, never try to seem.”

~~ Sagacious Bee ~~

*******

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.”

~~ Aristotle ~~

*******

“When the ten thousand things are seen in their oneness
We return to the source to remain where we have always been.”

~~ Seng Ts’un. ~~

*******

“Do you know that disease and death must needs overtake us,
no matter what we are doing?
What do you wish to be doing when it overtakes you?
If you have anything better to be doing when you are so overtaken,
get to work on that.”

~~ Epictetus ~~

*******

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

I find myself, again, at the end, without knowing fully what I did to get here. But, the process is one I’ve learned to trust, (with qualification, of course…), which means I can bring it to a successful close, should I so choose. And, I do. So choose, that is. In fact, I’m done, and, I’m gone…. until tomorrow, naturally, when I’ll be back to torment, er, entertain y’all once again. Just try to stop me….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

The blank faces of myrmidons….

Ffolkes,

“Socrates thought that if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap,
whence every one must take an equal portion,
most persons would be contented to take their own and depart.”

~~ Plutarch ~~

~~ Consolation to Apollonius ~~

belfast-009

The Bar at White’s Tavern, Est. 1630, Belfast, Ireland

Hajime…. Hmm… Here ’tis, early in the morning before the day our society’s most common delusion is celebrated. Those of us who don’t buy into that particular fallacy have not much reason to join in the game being played during this massive distraction from reality, but, we enjoy the simple fact that all who do are, usually, in a better mood, making it less likely we will need to employ any curmudgeonly techniques to keep them at bay; sort of a mini-vacation, as it were, from the stress of maintaining the socially amenable face so necessary during the rest of the year, negating the necessity of engaging in dishonorable battles of wit with an unarmed populace. I guess you could call that our seasonal gift….

That said, I’ll refrain from any further comments on the season, other than to wish y’all a peaceful holiday, filled with love and family, and a happy new year, whatever that means. Don’t worry, no ranting today. In fact, the Pearl for today is done, I’m just filling in this space, as is our wont, so it won’t look so empty and cold. It’s cold enough outside, right? Right. Wet, too, around here, anyway. But, that’s a story for another time.

For now, I think I’ll just get this slow on the toad, so we can all go about our scheduled activities…. On such days, it’s for the best; ffolkes have other stuff to do, and reading my drivel probably isn’t at the top of the list….. S’okay by me; even us curmudgeons have people to see this time of year…. Not that we expect them to be home, but, hey, the drive is always nice….

Just kidding; I’m going back to bed a while, then going for a long walk. In the meantime, here’s today’s mess, all dressed up & ready to go. Take a deep breath, & close your eyes…. It’s less scary that way….

Shall we Pearl?

“Most people are on the world, not in it…”

~~ John Muir ~~

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

camille-saint-saens-photo2

Camille Saint-Saëns

Image from mfiles.co.uk via Google Images

Rather than play another playlist of boring Christmas music we’ve all heard too many times, here is one with music from one of the most prolific composers of the Romantic Era…. He’s one of my favorites, for I’ve never heard any of his music I didn’t enjoy…. You will, too….

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

Camille Saint-Saëns

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Last year, at this time, I was going through the final stages of withdrawal from the opioids I had been taking for ten years. I’m not sure how, or, why, but, on this date, I wrote a poem for Christmas; here ’tis again, just because I can….

A Seasonal Gift

Affordable, these moments in time,
all quite free, not costly, nor for sale at all.
Merely more misspent periods making rhyme.
seeking a peaceful heart, as my words fall.

A price, many will tell you, or me,
is due for every transaction.
In truth, everything you see is free;
Illusion seldom offers any real satisfaction.

Some also tell us we need some sort of god,
we’re told ’tis the only path to immortality.
On the path I’ve followed, that seems rather odd;
I’m quite happy with honorable mortality.

Some days it gets a bit lonely, for a bit,
out here in the cold light of reason.
Solitude is, however, well worth it;
Love, felt and treasured, gives warmth all season.

I suppose one could easily say,
this poem is the only gift I’ll give.
If I can teach love and kindness with the words I say,
such will be fine; it’s enough to live.

Happy Winter to All…

~~ gigoid ~~

12/24/2015

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Notes on the Journey….

*********

“If you come to a fork in the road, take it.”

~~ Yogi Berra ~~

*********

“Since everything in life is but an experience perfect in being what it is,
having nothing to do with good or bad, acceptance or rejection,
one may well burst out in laughter.”

~~ Long Chen Pa ~~

*********

“You may not, cannot, appropriate beauty.
It is the wealth of the eye, and a cat may gaze upon the king.”

~~ Theodore Parker ~~

*********

“Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along,
listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

~~ Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne ~~

*********

“How much pain have cost us
the evils which have never happened.”

~~ Thomas Jefferson, “Writings” Vol. XVI ~~

*********

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness,
and nothing is so gentle as true strength.”

~~ Ralph Sockman ~~

*********

“In anything at all,
perfection is finally attained,
not when there is no longer anything to add,
but when there is no longer anything to take away.”

~~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery , Wind, Sand & Stars ~~

*********

“An it harm none,
Do what ye will.”

~~ Wiccan Credo ~~

*********

“Isn’t this my STOP?!”

~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~

*********

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

Okay, then; it’s done. Upon looking back over what I wrote, I can find much to improve, yet, nothing I’d change. I guess, for what it is, it’s about as good as it’s going to get. Go figure, eh? Funny how being done can make it look different, if not better. I suppose that’s what Einstein was talking about when he codified his Theory of Relativity… which, most simply stated, says, “It’s ALL relative…”. On that odd little note, I’ll take my leave, with the hopes that Santa’s sleigh doesn’t knock down your chimney, and that you have a very happy seasonal celebration, however you may choose to go about it. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; it’s my only hope….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Afflicted by shadows….

Ffolkes,

“So then, these are the foundations, as they call them,
of all mixt bodies, and of all wonderful operations:
and whatsoever experiments they proved,
the causes hereof rested (as they supposed) and were to be found
in the Elements and their qualities.”

~~ Giambattista Della Porta – Natural Magick ~~

ignoring-it-all

Ignoring it all, as only a magicat can….

Hajime…. Rather than search through what I’ve already found to be an empty well, I believe it’s time to reiterate one of the most important, if not critical elements of these Pearls, which we are compelled to label as Virtual Wisdom, in order to maintain the proper frame of reference. Maintaining that frame is the responsibility, of course, of the Gentle Reader, aided as well as possible, when possible, by yours truly, in what I write, and what I try to provide, in the way of validly useful information to give shape, color, and tenor to the frame. The title, then, assumes an important place in the process, since it’s the first thing seen by each reader. That’s why it never has anything to do with the actual Pearl itself; you see, if we tried to do that, you’d come into this with an image, and an idea, that came from your interpretation of whatever the title may say…. To avoid any predisposition, the title, as far as I can make it so, means nothing, and has no relation to what passes below.

This may seem a bit, well, odd, but, it’s what I have found will work the best to prevent the reader from heading off into areas which will prejudice their flow of thought. Instead, knowing it means nothing relevant, each Gentle Reader learns to leave their mind open, free to hare off in whatever direction my insanity takes us; insane, yes, but, on the road to enlightenment. Crazy people aren’t necessarily stupid, you know; crazy isn’t always a handicap for humans. If you’ve ever been there, you’d know…. Besides, if the reader doesn’t know what to expect, it makes for better entertainment, if only for me.

That being said, to as little purpose as I could manage, I can now relate the bad news. Well, maybe it isn’t bad; like most of the news we see nowadays, it’s just news. Attach too much importance to it, and it can take over your life, leaving you in a state of continuous depression, as wave after wave of downright crazy shit bombards your sensibilities, as the world wends its wobbly path toward its destiny, whatever that may be. Since most of humanity has no clue, about where they’re going, or even where they’ve been, you can see the potential for disaster, I’m sure.

Oh, right, the news. The news is, I’ve got a Pearl finished. It’s not bad, even without a rant to stimulate and balance our angst; I kind of gave up ranting here on ECR, to spend the angst and energy commenting on other blogs & Twitter. I’ve also taken to dropping little rant bombs on Facebook, which amuses me no end, as well as providing valuable cathartic elements for my therapeutic relief. All that aside, this Pearl, while fairly standard, has some decent stuff included, which I find to be comforting, for unknown reasons. But, since the whole point of this process is to find my own balance and sanity, even comfort found without attribution is welcome….

I guess four paragraphs of rambling, introspective blather is enough for any intro, so, without any further waffling, I now declare this Pearl open for business….

Shall we Pearl?

“The worst deluded are the self-deluded.”

~~ Christian Nevell Bovee ~~

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

mckennitt1

Loreena McKennitt

Image from innerviews.org via Google Images

I’ve heard this artist’s name a number of times, without ever taking time to explore her work. Like much in my experience, I’ve heard some of it, enough to make what I now hear familiar… It doesn’t detract from the purity of her voice, or the connection her music creates within the listener; it appeals to ancient rhythms that live already in our consciousness, though not perhaps, consciously. I hope you enjoy learning about yourself while you listen, as I do….

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

Loreena McKennitt Live

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Blithely Untitled

A poem came to me today, willy, nilly,
along with a sharp blow to the head.
Since it left me feeling just a bit silly,
anything that rhymes should lessen the dread.

Manifesting destiny into a small, insidious group
we push on toward sanity, concentrating hard.
Full engaging moments spent navigating the loop
shall ever make a difference to victims found in the yard.

Still corpses of creatures, straight out of nightmare
fill up the corners of our tortured minds.
While ever saddened, the iconic male, most debonair,
gazes softly, ironically, at all the mutual interest he finds.

Moronic public statutes compel outbreaks of sanity,
responding to momentary impulses toward inducing peace.
Still, the motions get completed, in fertile stages of inanity
while the bulk of our inmates can find no surcease.

Reluctant motivation to continue is unbound,
striving to ascertain how far there yet remains to go.
No precognitive guesswork will make any less of a sound
to soften the final strains, or teach us to truly know.

~~ gigoid ~~

2/7/2014

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Esoterica….

*******

“How admirable, he who thinks not,
Life is fleeting,
When he sees the lightning!”

~~ Basho ~~

*******

“The least initial deviation from the truth is multiplied later a thousandfold.”

~~ Aristotle ~~

*******

“It’s exhilarating to be alive in a time of awakening consciousness;
it can also be confusing, disorienting, and painful.”

~~ Adrienne Rich ~~

*******

“I like reality. It tastes of bread.”

~~ Jean Anouilh ~~

*******

“Freedom is what you do with what’s been done to you.”

~~ Sartre ~~

*******

“Because it’s there.”

~~Sir Edmund Hillary ~~

*******

“Education never ends…
It is a series of lessons with the greatest for the last.”

~~ Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ~~

*******

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

Having developed the process for creating Daily Pearls of Virtual Wisdom over more than five years now, on WordPress alone, I have come to trust it implicitly, for just the reason demonstrated today. It’s done, and done well, in spite of my own mental fog, and a conscious will still only half-awake. Not bad for 0455 am on a winter’s morn, eh? I think so, and, that’s what counts here. Besides, it’s done, and now I can go find something more realistically productive to do. (Fat chance of that…. shhh, he’ll hear me…) Let’s get started on that, shall we? See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; on that you may rely….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Biddable at the point of sale….

Ffolkes,

“Distrust all in whom the impulse to punish is powerful.”

~~ Nietzsche, “Thus Spake Zarathustra” ~~

mt-tam

Mt. Tamalpais, crowned in clouds, at dusk….

Hajime…. ‘Tis another day here in the home of gigoid’s folly, which we greet with both joy and trepidation. Joy, because we survived another night, to have the opportunity once again to get this living stuff right. Trepidation because, damn it, I’m human, and start the day with the handicaps such existence carries with it, as part and parcel of our nature. Given the extent, and depth, of those parts of us which give us fits, it’s a wonder we bother at all; I guess the joy will continue to supply us with good reason to keep on keepin’ on. If nothing else, the delicious ambiguity engendered by the contrast of those two sides of us will keep me distracted long enough to get this mess posted.

In truth, today’s Pearl is rather less of a mess than usual; can’t say why, but, who am I to disdain a gift horse? Just because it’s old, feeble, & well past its prime doesn’t make it less of a gift. No, indeed; there is treasure in the smallest gift, no matter its value in worldly terms. The act of giving lends to any such offering a mantle of honorable joy, which is intrinsic to the act. In short, I’ll take it, and run for the border. Go figure, eh?

Our inclusions today help give the gift cachet; two of the finest guitarists to ever play the instrument grace the entertainment section, while one of my better poetic efforts found its way to the poetry section. Finally, the old-school pearl fashioned itself into a quite attractive, if insane, gathering of tongue-in-cheek pieces of old wisdom, leading to another proof of the pudding. You’ll see; hopefully, you’ll get it, too, but, no matter. Fun is its own reward….

Hey, I’ve got an idea. Watch this….

Shall we Pearl?

“It is better to trip and end up on the floor,
than to not trip and end up on the floor for no particular reason”

~~ Noidea Butrue ~~

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

doc-n-merle

Doc & Merle Watson

Image from 6eyes.com via Google Images

If you enjoy good guitar, of any style, you have to like these guys…. If you aren’t familiar with their music, you’ve missed part of your cultural heritage as an American. So, listen up, and you’ll hear two of the best to ever play…. They’ll be pickin’ & grinnin’, & by the end, you will be, too….

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

Doc & Merle Watson Live

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

I know I’m in the now, if only…..

Oh, there it is again, fiddle faddle;
Begone, I said, vamoose, skedaddle!
It looked at me as if I were insane:
Scoffed, it did, filled me with pain.

Where does it come from?
Where does it live?
I’d stick out my thumb,
if I had more to give.

If only, should, would, could it be?
It went away again, this time free.
It will be back again, this I know;
or I’m wrong, and it won’t show.

Who cares?
Who hears?
Such goings on wobble the sphere,
I wish it wouldn’t do that here.

I’ve been wrong before…..

~~ gigoid ~~

4/192013

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Proof of the Pudding….

*******

“If we weren’t all crazy, we would go insane.”

~~ Jimmy Buffet ~~

*******

“I’m dangerous when I -think- I know what I’m doing.”

~~ Any random human being ~~

*******

“I don’t know if I like the idea of seatbelt laws.
Enforcing intelligence seems, somehow, unamerican.”

~~ David Pugh ~~

*******

“Somewhere, beyond space and time
is wetter water, slimier slime.”

~~ Rupert Brooke ~~

*******

“We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.”

~~ Aesop~~

*******

“Humans are unreliable, inefficient, often lazy, sometimes pregnant,
liable to strike, need to be fed and paid,
take up a lot of space and are slow by computer standards.”

~~ Big Blue ~~

*******

“”When living on the fringe, make sure to enjoy all the fringe benefits.””

~~ Sardonic Bee ~~

*******

“I’m sorry…were the voices in my head bothering you?”

~~ Hallucinatory Bee ~~

*******

“Here at the quiet limit of the world.”

~~ Alfred Tennyson — Tithonus ~~

*******

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

I’m afraid I’ve done it again…. Here we are at the end, & I’m not sure how we got here. Fortunately, in this process, and at this time, that’s going to have to do, because I can’t think of anything else to do. This, naturally, bodes oddly for the upcoming day, but, we’re accustomed to that particular phenomenon; odd’s my third middle name, right after ‘terribly’ in the sequence my folks saddled me with, once they’d figured out what happened. And, yes, I know that’s a little strange, even for me. To prevent any further forays into what promises to get pretty weird, I’ll just say, see y’all tomorrow, ffolkes. You know what that means, so, take heed; it’s the only warning you’ll get….

Y’all take care out there,
and May the Metaphorse be with you;
Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy
and everyone else, too…

When I works, I works hard.
When I sits, I sits loose.
When I thinks, I falls asleep.

Which is Why….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes,
I just sits.

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Motions worthy of adjournment….

Ffolkes,

“Poetry is the eloquence of truth.”

~~ Joseph Campbell ~~

fish-house

Hajime…. How’s it going, you ask? Well, I’ll tell ya…. On second thought, perhaps I won’t, since mostly what I’d have to say would reflect my current inner state, which can only be described as tentatively enraged, and, can only be ascribed to the manifestation of former indiscretions in the latter day. Is that sufficiently obscure to give the idea, without pulling any covers we’d rather not pull? Why, yes. Upon re-reading it, I think it manages that quite well. Since we are now at the closing lines of this paragraph, I believe I’ve saved us from what otherwise may have devolved, into a session of whining and sulking worthy of a two-year old.

That’s a good thing, right? Well, I think so, though this pedantic exploration of indistinct possibilities hardly serves the same purpose. But, though probably less entertaining for y’all, it’s kept me from losing what little credibility I might have counted upon, at least in my own eyes, if not yours. Given the scope of the condition already observed, I’m going to need all the credibility I can muster, if only to provide me with adequate chutzpah to finish what I’ve so inelegantly begun. ‘Twould doubtlessly be a far better thing to forgo any such displays of misspent angst, but, obsession has to count for something, or, what’s the point of doing this at all?

Hmm…. Now, that’s a question I am positive we’ll be better off not to explore too deeply. In fact, it tells me we’d best be on our way down the page, before anything happens to disengage our rationality any further; it’s already sprung several leaks, just getting us to this point in our narrative. To save us all from any embarrassment, I’m going to employ our most efficient tool to get us the hell out of here. It’s so efficient, I probably won’t even get to finish this paragraph befor….

Shall we Pearl?

“Though leaves are many, the root is one;
Through all the lying days of my youth,
I swayed my leaves and flowers in the sun.
Now I may wither into the truth.”

~~ W B Yeats ~~

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

sheryl-crow

Sheryl Crow

Image from sherylcrow.com via Google Images

In today’s world, I doubt this young woman needs introduction, so, I’ll just say, enjoy!….

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

Sheryl Crow Live

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Unsolicited Gratitude

Fear becomes familiar when reality bodes us ill
pain assumes first position, no matter our will.
Powerless, we founder, no strength to prevail
anguished and afraid, against unwanted Fate we rail.

Still, a grain of hope deep inside, hidden well against need
gives us reason to survive, our starving souls to feed.
Failure of courage burdens time, of being bested,
until our souls, in submission, become foully infested.

Bitter tears wash through us each day, with little care,
no thought, no feeling, no wish, or need to be fair.
Rendered clueless, confusion falls upon us, as prey,
we surrender a piece of our soul, little as we may.

Yet, always, a bright beam of hope is seen from afar,
no matter how dreary, or dark, it may seem where we are.
None knows, nor would consent to tell, it seems
from whence it hails, or why it so brightly gleams.

Saving our sanity, absolving our unwanted fears,
dispelling the myths and lies that come with the years.
Each man has known the precious gift that hope may give
And gives glad thanks, as long as he may live.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/10/2012

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Subtlety works, beginning to end….

*******

“It is not enough to be busy; so are the ants.
The question is: what are we busy about?”

~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~

*******

“Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors.”

~~ Aldous Huxley ~~

*******

“A likely impossibility is always preferable to an unconvincing possibility”

~~ Aristotle ~~

*******

“Oh, come ON! A one-man religion?”
“There is no other kind.”

~~ From THE QUESTION ~~

*******

“Nothing valuable can be lost by taking time.”

~~ Abraham Lincoln ~~

*******

“All perception of truth is the detection of an analogy.”

~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~

*******

“Because I have loved life, I shall have no sorrow to die.”

~~ Amelia Burr ~~

*******

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

Oh, look? I’ve made it to the end! If I seem a bit surprised, well, can you blame me? I mean, just look at the intro; we’re lucky to have survived, at all, ffolkes, so, let’s not bust our britches moaning about it, shall we? Instead, I’ll use a similar method as the one we employed in that now infamous intro, which allows me to say, see y’all tomorrow. Consider it your solitary warning….

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

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Bits & pieces of a broken whole….

Ffolkes,

“Ignorance is the soil in which belief in miracles grows.”

~~ Robert Green Ingersoll ~~

posing-w-laser-eyes

How magicats can see in the dark….

Hajime…. Fortunately, I don’t think it will explode. That’s a good thing, right? If it had, neither of us would be here, reading this, just as if we had some purpose for doing so. Now, since the universe doesn’t care, one way, or the other, (neither do I, but, that’s another story…), I’ve made the only logical decision, which is, most simply, to keep on keepin’ on, no matter what anyone says. So, there…

Some of our Gentle Readers may already recognize what is happening here. You see, they’ve seen me in this state before; pale, sweaty, anxious, yet, firmly committed to creating a Pearl worthy of your consideration. They already know what to expect, and, most likely, came prepared for just such an eventuality. The rest of y’all, having no clue as to what might happen, have, no doubt, already found ample reason to bolt; let me caution you against any such reckless reactionism. When you arrived, the defensive shields allowed you to enter; they’re not so sanguine about letting people leave, so don’t. You wouldn’t enjoy the experience, of that you may be sure.

But, don’t worry; as long as you keep reading, & make no sudden moves, you’ll be fine. Besides, they only shoot rubber bullets, which leave a mark, but, theoretically, won’t kill you. That’s handy, isn’t it? It’s also by design; if you’re dead, you can’t read. And, we hate hauling bodies out so early in the day; the trash won’t get picked up until tomorrow, & the smell…. well, let’s not go there, okay?

By this point, you have probably realized, you’ll get no sense out of me today. I’ve come to the same realization, & though it pricks my conscience a bit to give up before actually saying anything, it would be best to get on with the rest of today’s mess, before reality steps in to sink us all. As the blog administrator, I am allowed to do, or say, whatever it takes to get it done, even if it causes environmental, or ergonomic damage. Since I can’t afford any more outlay for damages, without annoying the lawyers no end, I’ll just do this….

Shall we Pearl?

“Learning maketh young men temperate,
is the comfort of old age,
standing for wealth with poverty,
and serving as an ornament to riches.”

~~ Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.) ~~

*grin* Well, one may hope it does; hope is free….

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

mozart2

I figured to use classical music today, but, couldn’t decide what type we should choose, to soothe what are. by now, a number of savage breasts. To settle the issue with a bit of elegance, we’ll go with the complete symphonies of Wolfie Mozart, just because we can…. Abondanza!….

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

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Complete Symphonies

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

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

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

Emily-Dickinson

In a place somewhere inside my head, there are new poems being constructed; the process generally takes place without conscious involvement from me; when they’re done, they leak out in their own way. But, none are near ready, & I’m tired of recycling, so, today, I will retreat, without shame, to one of my favorite poets… Enjoy!….

The Blue Jay

No brigadier throughout the year
So civic as the jay.
A neighbor and a warrior too,
With shrill felicity

Pursuing winds that censure us
A February day,
The brother of the universe
Was never blown away.

The snow and he are intimate;
I ‘ve often seen them play
When heaven looked upon us all
With such severity,

I felt apology were due
To an insulted sky,
Whose pompous frown was nutriment
To their temerity.

The pillow of this daring head
Is pungent evergreens;
His larder — terse and militant —
Unknown, refreshing things;

His character a tonic,
His future a dispute;
Unfair an immortality
That leaves this neighbor out.

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

“In uffish thought, he stood….”

*******

“Indeed, what is there that does not appear marvelous
when it comes to our knowledge for the first time?”

~~ Pliny the Elder — Natural History, Book vii, Sect. 6 ~~

*******

“Before you can build a house,
you must first believe
that the bricks are in fact bricks.”

~~ Arthur Schopenhauer ~~

*******

“In formal logic, a contradiction is the signal of defeat:
but in the evolution of real knowledge,
it marks the first step in progress toward victory.”

“” Alfred North Whitehead “”

*******

“It is common sense to take a method and try it.
If it fails, admit it frankly and try another.
But above all, try something.”

~~ Franklin D. Roosevelt ~~

*******

“Arouse the mind without resting it on anything.”

~~ Diamond Sutra ~~

*******

“I take a simple view of life: keep your eyes open and get on with it.”

~~ Laurence Olivier ~~

*******

“I don’t have a weird sense of humor.
Your reality is just weird.”

~~ gigoid ~~

*******

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

Today’s Pearl has been brought to you through the auspices of the human imagination; any failure to acknowledge the rights of Reality are strictly forbidden. You may, however, choose to forget you chose to stop in today, without penalty. Normally, you would suffer the agony of extreme ambiguity, but, we made a special deal with the prosecuting demon, so, all’s well that ends well. Now, all we have to do it end it, if I can ever find the right… Oh, there it is. Okay. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, when I’ll try to find a bit of rationality to share. Doesn’t seem to be any to be had, today. Stay strange, ffolkes; it’s getting pretty real out there….

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

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

The possibilities are endless, y’know….

Ffolkes,

“If a little knowledge is dangerous,
where is the man who has so much as to be out of danger?”

~~ Thomas Henry Huxley ~~

few-and-far-002

Battling for sunlight….

Hajime…. Bah! Humbug!

I would guess, given my opening statement, the season has finally gotten past my defensive shields. It may also be a clue to note, my first coherent thought today upon awakening had to do with homicide, which leads me to some understanding of the need to parrot Scrooge. I feel dangerous, and, not to myself; I’d say the world of mundanes should probably be alerted, but, they wouldn’t listen, & might very well send me some sacrificial lambs in a futile attempt to assert some sort of fictional control over me. That’s okay by me; I haven’t killed anyone in years, & the practice might be useful. Hmm…. I guess I should make sure the abbatoir is ready, and the disposal pit has been prepared….

Now, most of the times I wake up in this state, (still more frequently than I’d prefer…), the act of voicing my inner wish to maim and destroy will generally take the greater part of the pressure off; in this way, it acts much like a steaming pot, where lifting the lid will allow a lot of heat to escape. So far, today, that’s not happening. In fact, I’m feeling more homicidal, and less in control, the longer I’m up. It’s probably just a delayed reaction to all the Christmas muzak we are all subjected to this season, which means there are only six more days to get through until it’s done for another year…. I’ve gotta say, the commercial crap we must endure is just wrong, and I don’t understand how people can so thoroughly deny reality….. but, then, I guess I’ve always felt that particular puzzlement.

At this point in my narrative, I feel I must assume some sort of control, if only to the extent needed to move us along where we’re supposed to be going. If I continue in this vein, we’ll end up ranting, which, at this point, and, given the seasonal fog of smarm so prevalent amongst the unwashed masses, could easily turn on me, & become an agenda for action; that wouldn’t be a good thing, mostly. Oh, sure, I’d feel better, but, what about the families of those idiots I’d have wasted? No, best to just join the rest of humanity, in the world of make-believe, just as if I didn’t want to ace the first fool to display their idiocy in front of me….. In short, I’ll be staying home today, seeking to find reasons to keep myself from rationalizing, a sure road to perdition.

Well, since it isn’t working the way it’s designed, I guess I’ll wing it from here. Don’t fret; I’m accustomed to wrestling with my demons, & haven’t actually killed anyone in recent memory…. and, my memory’s pretty good. So, I’ll just sit here, twiddling my mental thumbs, and stay out of jail. As for the rest of y’all, I’d suggest finishing the Pearl we’ve begun, then getting on with whatever you had planned for today. To dwell upon the issues we’ve explored thus far would be detrimental to all our future endeavors, so, best to simply file this one under, “Oh, well…”, and be done with it. The Pearl, I can say, isn’t too shabby, & should distract y’all sufficiently to help; if naught else, it’s good music, and fun for all in the final section…. Now, lets’ do this….

Shall we Pearl?

“There are two things on earth that are universal, hydrogen and stupidity.”

~~ Zappa’s Law ~~

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

playing-for-change

I haven’t posted any of this organization’s music in a while, but, they have a new release, so I’m including it below. Every release they create does good for people, and I’m proud to be a contributing member. Enjoy some lighthearted music to lighten the day’s burdens…. Can’t hurt, right?….

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

Take Me Home, Country Roads
Playing For Change

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

For a reason all-too-well-known to me, I’m not in a good mood this morning. For some other reason, this poem seems to fit my mood, so, here ’tis…. Can’t say I hope you enjoy it; such finer sentiments aren’t currently accessible just now. Try to do so anyway….

Augmentation: Inner Aye

Distant, peals of thunder, vividly.
Closer, a patter of rain, falling gravidly.
Between the light and the darkness of fear
find merely the remnants of one lonely tear.

Do not hate us, though we have not sinned;
eager for courage, upon whom all hope is pinned.
Tales of insolence, hatred, or fallen virtue
fill us up, not down, in such pristine foreign venue.

Capable hands severed, able hands tied;
the future is angry, all but now denied.
Multiple times, warnings sounded across the pale
nobody heard, nobody came to tell the tale.

Gifted by time, salience fails in epic rhyme;
watchmakers watching, each a separate crime.
Logical solutions refuse to emulsify
forever pretending to cruelly crucify.

Blood will fly alongside pertinent composure,
never seeking, never finding tea, or closure.
Falsely laid trails on mountains of gold
imply no happy endings, no fortunes told.

Ages past have no time for repetition;
further chances only lead to perdition.
Destiny feels a shameful portion of guilt,
for a thousand sand castles, never built.

~~ gigoid ~~

3/2/2016

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

And now, for something a little different….

*******

“A thing derided is a thing dead;
a laughing man is stronger than a suffering man.”

~~ Gustave Flaubert~~

*******

Penguin Trivia #46:

“Animals who are not penguins can only wish they were.”

~~ Chicago Reader 10/15/82 ~~

*******

“The road to truth is long, and lined the entire way with annoying bastards.”

~~ Alexander Jablokov, “The Place of No Shadows” ~~

*******

” … for these truths hold good for everything that is,
and not for some special genus apart from others.
And all men use them, because they are true of being qua being …
For a principle which everyone must have
to understand anything that is, is not a hypothesis …
Evidently then, such a principle is the most certain of all;
which principle this is, let us proceed to say.

It is, that the same attribute
cannot at the same time
belong and not belong to the subject
in the same respect.”

~~ Aristotle ~~

*******

“Insufficient data for a meaningful answer at this time.”

~~ Isaac Asimov ~~

*******

“If they mention penguins, be afraid. Be very afraid!”

~~ Cheeky Bee ~~

*******

“I prefer to remain anomalous.”

~~ gigoid, the dubious ~~

*******

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

In a very real sense, this one is a victory. It’s done, which means I did it, and, nobody died. All good, so far. To keep us on that path, I’ll set us all free…. until next time, of course. At that time, we’ll again set our critical sights on trying to make some sense out of a world gone bonkers. Until then, do like I intend to do, & try to refrain from giving in to your/our homicidal urges; trust me, it’s for the best. Provided I have some minor success at that, which will mean I’m not yet incarcerated, or dead, I will be back to do this again. Since about 80% of this is hyperbole, and/or, just plain BS, the odds are good…. See ya, ffolkes….

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

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Sipping the bright tan plastic….

Ffolkes,

“There will come a time when you think everything is finished.
That will be the beginning.”

~~ Louis L’Amour ~~

mt-diablo

La Montaña del Diablo….

Hajime…. Some folks, (as opposed to ffolkes….), might see this blog, & think the creation of what they see isn’t particularly difficult to come up with each day. They are, as you might imagine, living in a dream world, of their own making; it certainly has no relation to the reality I face every morning, when I sit down, coffee at hand, but, without anything resembling coherent thought, or for that matter, a reasonable degree of sanity, making its presence known anywhere inside my head. Generally, what is happening there has a stronger likeness to chaotic confusion. The ffolkes who consistently patronize the Daily Mess we call Pearls of Virtual Wisdom are quite aware of this, having witnessed it any number of times. They know better, having explored Reality with us numerous times, and know just how slippery is that slope at this time of day.

However, to demonstrate any awareness of the type of reader who may stumble upon our efforts is tacky, not to mention fraught with ambiguity so great, it sweats bullets. It also tends to cause a ripple in the narrative we so carefully construct; it’s hard to merge the concept of insane prattle with the sort of prose the reading public expects. Plus, it doesn’t do to allow any awareness of such distinctions into the thought process needed to create worthwhile literature; they can affect the outcome outrageously, turning it away from snarky wit to pedantic whining. Go figure….

Thus, we’ll take another path, one I’ve discovered works quite well to distract both the regular readers who drop in, and those who may be less familiar with the relative lack of structure so prevalent in our daily ramblings. It’s not particularly complex; hell, it’s damn simple, if you’re watching closely. It is also, however, quite tricky to pull off, as the timing is critical. So critical, there are times it sneaks up on ME, like today, when all I have left to do is this….

Shall we Pearl?

“Fear teaches us in the most graphic terms just what it is we value.”

~~ Limon ~~

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

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

Go figure, eh? As I did not relate above, distracting myself with literary tricks, I am late getting started, which always tends to put me in a place I don’t particularly enjoy, where guilt jostles the elbow of panic, all because of my damned sense of duty to self. Music such as this will usually sort me out, so, that’s why it is my default choice. I’m old, I’m grumpy, and I don’t like having to deal with either of those states. Let’s see if the choice today will fill the bill…. I’ll go with the man considered both the father of modern classical guitar, and, by many, the best to ever play it…. Andres Segovia….

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

Classical Guitar Music
Dedication ~ Andrès Segovia

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Savory

Blown across steppes of imagination, a spore
finds a niche, takes root,
tries to live longer than now, before
chaos/peace descends, and desire is moot.

Feathered into fecundity, another possibility
builds a nest, hatches kin,
aims at immortality, sans responsibility,
chance manifests, as it does, again.

Leading toward peril, entropy saves creativity,
making tools, and lazy time;
solid signs imply such simple nativity,
as another snitch drops his dime.

Subtle compassion billows, passion to unfold,
covering hearts bloodied by time,
burning flesh made valid, unwaveringly bold,
turning love to brilliant rhyme.

Years weigh lightly, supported by youth,
gaining weight with each year,
only the old men know the actual truth,
peace comes only when we lose our fear.

~~ gigoid ~~

4/9/2013

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Points to ponder….

********

“He took his vorpal sword in hand
Long time the manxom foe he sought
Till rested he by the tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought”

~~ “Jabberwocky”, by Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) ~~

*******

“Patience, and shuffle the cards.”

~~ Miguel de Cervantes ~~

~~ Don Quixote, Part ii, Book iii, Chap. xxiii ~~

*******

“Without fear there would be no courage.”

~~ Robert Puller ~~

*******

“Man is not the creature of circumstances.
Circumstances are the creatures of men.”

~~ Benjamin Disraeli (Earl Beaconsfield)~~

~~ Vivian Grey, Book vi, Chap. vii ~~

*******

“It is only when we forget all our learning that we being to know.”

~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~

*******

“It is the ability to choose which makes us human.”

~~ Madeleine L’Engle (Walking on Water) ~~

*******

“So what else is new?”

~~ Walter Cronkite ~~

*******

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

I’ve done it, haven’t I? I’ve finished another Pearl, just in time to keep myself from falling into the abyss, which abides, ever near, calling me in a siren’s voice, to join the demons who wait for me there…. But, that’s a story for another day; today, I’m free, to find my inner balance out in the real world, away from the darkness which dogs my existence when I stay too long in my mind. Clearly, I will be back tomorrow; I have a feeling I’ll need to do this again, to keep the demons chained…. It’s not a threat; it’s just the way it is…. See y’all then, ffolkes….

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

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….

The 11th of whatever….

Ffolkes,

“The measure of a man’s life is the well spending of it, and not the length.”

~~ Plutarch — Consolation to Apollonius ~~

blanket-fun

Fun with blankets….

Hajime…. Were I in any way normal, I’d still be in bed. Since I’m neither of those, I’m up, again, staring at the blank screen, wondering what the hell I’m going to write about to bring some joy into the lives of my Gentle Readers. I’m pretty sure such joy isn’t why most of my readers come here; it is, after all, in generally short supply anywhere in the world, and, here is not the exception. However, that doesn’t mean I can’t make it at least a temporary goal, right? Right. Doesn’t mean we’ll be successful, either, but, since any failure is just another way to find out how to succeed, we’ll give it a shot, & see what happens….

Okay, so, this isn’t happening, is it? I’ve just spent five full minutes, trying to figure out how to do what I wrote above, and, for the life of me, drew a bigger blank than I started with today. Go figure, eh? More proof of Murphy’s presence in my life, I suspect, but, rather than give him the satisfaction of knowing he’s done it to me again, I’ll cheat a little, by completely ignoring him altogether. I can do it, if I make an extreme effort, which, given the current stat of this intro (to wit: completely lost…), is pretty much mandatory, if we wish to get through this, at all. Here goes….

Well, that didn’t work, either. Still no ideas bursting through the fog to supply us with the means to finish this. Rather than continue to batter myself about the head and shoulders, I think I’ll resort to this old literary trick a friend showed me the other day. It works like this…..

Shall we Pearl?….

“To see what is right and not to do it, is want of courage.”

~~ Confucius Analects ~~

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

Eric_Clapton_Unplugged

I know I’ve used this video previously, but, oh, well… It just happens to be one of my favorite sessions, period, which I turn to whenever I want to hear some great guitar work. Since that’s what I want, that’s what you get…. I think we can all live with it….

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

Eric Clapton
Unplugged

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Random Exposure

If I only knew what I was doing here,
I could give others a clue.
Reality gets stranger every year,
and I’m not sure what I should do.

Singing happy old tunes, in an old, gravely voice,
gives me a lot of pleasure.
I’m only glad I can still make a choice,
to look at life, to take its measure.

Memorable moments keep passing by
gilded, framed in precious emotion.
I never have to ask anyone why,
no need for a stronger potion.

Everything in life is clear, to me
there is no doubt, no misunderstanding.
We’re all good, as you can see,
members of Life, in good standing.

Life can be hard, or it can be great fun;
the right path is there for each of us to take.
That choice is often a difficult one;
pay close attention to the choice you make.

~~ gigoid ~~

4/22/2013

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Walking the walk….

*******

“Everything that has a beginning has an ending.
Make your peace with that and all will be well.”

~~ Buddha ~~

*******

“But my dear man, reality is only a Rorschach ink-blot, you know.”

~~ Alan Watts ~~

*******

“And through the spaces of the dark
Midnight shakes the memory
As a madman shakes a dead geranium”

~~ T.S. Eliot ~~

*******

“As long as anyone believes that his ideal and purpose is outside him,
that it is above the clouds, in the past or in the future,
he will go outside himself and seek fulfillment where it cannot be found.
He will look for solutions and answers at every point
except where they can be found
–in himself.”

~~ Erich Frohm ~~

*******

“Some people never find it
Some only pretend, but me
I just want to live happily ever after
Every now and then”

~~ Jimmy Buffet ~~

*******

“Become what you are.”

~~ Buddha ~~

*******

“You’re at the end of the road again.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

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

Sorry about the abrupt exit from the intro; if I hadn’t done it when I did, we probably would never have made it to this point. Since we have, I’ll again take advantage of circumstance, to take my leave, letting y’all get on with your day. Hopefully, our efforts here today have enhanced your ability to address reality for the day; if not, well, we’ll refund every penny you paid. Hah! On that note, I’ll bid thee adieu, with the standard caveat, to wit: I’ll be back… It’s probably best if you note that in your calendar….

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

Featured Image -- 2780

À bientôt, mon cherí….