Tag Archives: Jethro Tull

Blatantly aphoristic rumination….

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Ffolkes,

“Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is.”

~~ Albert Camus ~~

sleeping gaia

Sleeping Gaia…. Can you see her?….

Hajime…. Words flow, at times, like a melodic brook falling softly down a forest glen; still other times, they fade away, disappearing into the grey fogs swirling always at the edges of the mind. No matter which side of the universal coin they present, seemingly at the whim of fate, the need to use them, as the means of stilling the cacophony which builds up, in reaction to perception of our confusing, complex, beautiful world, remains an undeniable impulse. Better yet is to find the place inside where the words merge and meld into music, often as if meant for no other purpose; such moments are true epiphany, for me, for any truly human being….

I have to write; it’s no longer an option to keep from doing so, if only when I can physically tolerate the numerous repetitive actions, while seated, required to perform the very act,  all of which puts stress on our bodies, so accustomed to activity. In the recent past, I’ve come to understand my time of introspection needs to turn toward action, in the sense I must now, as Joe Campbell would put it, ‘follow my bliss’…. So, I intend to try to meld my need to write with my love of music, & start practicing on my guitar, & trying to fit some of my poetry into the music I find in me…. I can’t say any of it will ever reach the stage of showing it to the world, but, the attempt itself will be a learning experience, so, we’ll see what I learn.

For the moment, which comes two days after composing the above paragraphs, we’ll jump right in to the effort I’ve made over the last few days of recovery, since last posting a fresh mess. It wouldn’t help to detail this particular morning’s events, as I am neither happy about them, nor content with my own state of being; I’ve been up since 0230, thanks to some negative behavior seeking by the resident fur-bearing extortionist, after a long day with 3 naps yesterday, trying to recover a bit of energy. Suffice it to say, the rest of the day has to go better, for it couldn’t have been much worse so far….

In fact, only concentrating on finishing this episode of my personal quest to find, or create, some rationality in an insane world has kept me from felinicide, or taxicide (fyi, the killing of cats & cabbies who never show up….), so, I’m going to get it posted, hopefully before I get arrested. I’ll even give up trying to explain anything, & get on with it, post haste…. That, of course, looks like this….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Freedom begins when you tell Mrs. Grundy to go fly a kite.”

~~ Lazarus Long ~~

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Jethro_Tull

Jethro Tull

Image found on random Russian WordPress site via Google Images…

Today’s musical selection is a find of most excellent flavor. The video you’ll see below is called the ‘best version’ of the song played by the iconic band from the 60’s & 70’s… I have to agree with the title’s assumption, having seen or heard it many times, both live & on the radio of the day. Incredible performances by the entire band mark this as a truly iconic representation of the spirit that burgeoned during that era; the energy is incredible. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have, & use the links in the player to listen to some of their more recent work, as they are still playing & living their music….

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Jethro Tull
Aqualung, BBC 1977

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Comedy_Tragedy

Life as we know it….

As we grow and learn to be, in this sad, yet joyous parade,
we only have our Self with which to face life;
small, we are, and weak,
but, smart.

Reality, in studied contrast, is an invisible, ubiquitous shade
dispassionate ambivalence brings us mostly strife.
It’s never enough to seek.
Take part.

The universe won’t make a compromise, but will make a trade.
Give away your fear for knowledge, and a reasoned life.
It often requires a tweak;
live Art.

Love is an essential part of our own particular charade
without it, life can be filled with strife.
Souls perch high on a peak;
sweet, tart.

Pain  always balances with joy, the price has to be paid;
for us humans, each must be equal in life.
To know one, the other must speak.
Never apart.

We are all actors, playing parts we’ve chosen to have portrayed;
the director’s absence produces endless strife.
Trying to make sense brings only pique.
Go. Start.

~~ gigoid ~~

11/27/2015

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Yep, that about covers it…

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“And now, let the fun begin.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

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“Then somebody spoke, and I went into a dream….”

~~ The Beatles, “A Day In The Life” ~~

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“There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.”

~~ Napoleon Bonaparte ~~

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“A desire not to butt into other people’s business
is at least eighty percent of all human wisdom…
and the other twenty percent isn’t very important.”
“You butt into other people’s business.  All the time.”
“Who said I was wise?  I’m a professional bad example.
You can learn a lot by watching me.”

~~ Lazarus Long & Ira Johnson, “Stranger in a Strange Land,” Robert A. Heinlein ~~

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“As great scientists have said and as all children know,
it is above all by the imagination
that we achieve perception, and compassion, and hope.”

~~ Ursula K. LeGuin ~~

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“If you don’t care where you are, you ain’t lost.”

~~ Rune’s Rule ~~

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“Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies.”

~~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~~

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“They can because they think they can.”

~~ Virgil ~~

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“Living Dead
the path is chosen,
to live forever is to die forever.

To not know when you’ll die
is to find life
wherever you are.”

~~ Alagad ~~

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I’ve gone over what is above, & found it to be all there; I’ll make no judgments regarding quality, as that is your task. Feel free to tell me what you think, though, I’ll note any critical comments will be cheerfully ignored…. or, at least as cheerfully as I can be, on a day that started like this one. No complaints, & no worries; the sun will come up again tomorrow, & we all get a new chance at it…. I’m hoping to see some small improvement; it doesn’t take much to smooth the waters, really…. I hope to have another fresh Pearl tomorrow, so, I guess I’ll see you then…. I promise I’ll be in a better mood; not hard, as it can’t get much worse today…. Blessed be, my friends….

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

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À bientôt, mon cherí….



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On the thirteenth of forever….

			
						

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Ffolkes,


“The mountain remains unmoved at seeming defeat by the mist.”


~~ Rabindranath Tagore ~~


laocoon-and-his-sons-1348967845_b


Laocoön and His Sons


Image from Wikipedia via Google Images


Hajime…. Putting this Pearl together has taken me about two weeks, mostly waiting for parts of me to heal sufficiently to type. During much of this period, it seems my life was ‘farmed out’ by Murphy, to Eris, that ancient nemesis of the Greeks. Who is Eris? Ah, you know her, even if you don’t…. Allow me to elucidate….


“:Eris: /e’ris/ n. The Greek goddess of Chaos, Discord, Confusion, and Things You Know Not Of; her name was latinized to Discordia and she was worshiped by that name in Rome. Not a very friendly deity in the Classical original, she was reinvented as a more benign personification of creative anarchy starting in 1959 by the adherents of {Discordianism} and has since been a semi-serious subject of veneration in several `fringe’ cultures, including hackerdom. See {Discordianism}, {Church of the SubGenius}. — from The on-line Hacker Jargon File V423


As may be surmised, it’s been different around here. Enough so it’s given me some new epiphanies to assimilate into my personal files, some of which are quite penetrating in their effects. Of course, they’re only of value if I take them in, so, we’ll see how that goes, eh? In the meantime, I have for you today a complete five part Pearl, with old-school galore, some great music/entertainment, a relevant exploration of modern times, and, a pretty decent poem…. I’m happy with it, so, y’all, in spite of any possible trepidation, will be happy with it, too, should you make it all the way to the rather distant end. To save us all a bit ot time, we’ll get right to that, okay? Okay….


Shall we pearl?….


“A wise man,

recognizing that the world is but an illusion,

does not act as if it is real,

so he escapes the suffering.”


~~ Buddha ~~


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JANIS_JOPLIN_pearl_album_cover__


Pearl


We lost Pearl in 1970. Though with us for only a short while, her spirit shone bright. A friend’s blog acknowledged her passing, which showed some synchronicity, as I had already decided she was just right for this Pearl. Here is a live performance, one of only a few we have to see on You Tube. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do….


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As this Pearl evolved, it grew. Go figure. In the process, I decided to make it epic enough to be able to stop ranting altogether. It’s a manifesto, so to speak, of all I think is real, and true for today’s world. I don’t need to keep beating a horse that’s not coming back alive, so, this may be the very last one. It’s pretty complete, I think. You tell me….


Plato-Aristotle


“As scarce as truth is, the supply has always been in excess of the demand.”


~~ Josh Billings ~~


I suppose it is fortunate, for me, writing requires enough focus of attention to distract me from a lot of perceptive stimuli from external, or even internal sources. In short, I can concentrate sufficiently I don’t mind the 96º heat, as long as I’m perched within five feet of my only fan. I also can keep from thinking about pain, in my shoulders, hips, and back, or my hunger, from dieting, or any of the other silly little things we use to keep from actually thinking about stuff we don’t want to face, or deal with, or are painfully uncomfortable. That makes this act one of survival, as well as one requiring some rather merciless honesty, self- and, otherwise; without it, I don’t believe it will be worth it.


I am exceedingly weary of living in a culture/society which is based on deception, exemplifying what I believe to be the worst part of human nature, i.e. the ability to put our humanity aside to pursue our personal gain or agenda. To a small extent, we do it naturally, as a survival tool. However, in a larger sense, most of us don’t always base life on our own agenda; we feel connected to, and responsible to the rest of humanity. But, those who do choose self over species, as their primary focus of living, throughout history, have been allowed to order our society, based on false information and deception.


At this point, I feel I should explain my assertions, which are, in essence, three. My observations and study have led me to realize these three concepts, held to be true by the great majority of humanity, are all false in their basic assumptions of reality. This allows a distance between what is real, and what is seen to be real. This basic disconnection from true perception, in my mind, is what has caused most of the trouble and misery our species’ history has experienced for more than ten thousand years. The three concepts to which I refer are religion, money, and government.


Intermezzo:


At this point in this exploration, it becomes clear I have bitten off quite a bit more than can be adequately addressed in a single attempt, no matter how clear, or solid the connection between the three relevant elements. In truth, nobody will much care, anyway, but, that is irrelevant, as well. What remains relevant, to me, in essence, is to relate just how I think these three ideas/concepts/delusions have kept humanity from achieving our potential, and, in the process, the potential of our entire world. Together, given the nature of the human beast, the potential godhead, these three ideas have provided the means for our complete undoing, as a species, and, as a viable form of life.


I guess that’s a bit depressing, isn’t it? Okay, I’ll stop for now. I was going to stop ranting altogether, but, perhaps such an assertion would be premature. For now, let us go on, to this…..


During the research period while composing this, the following extensive collection of old-school pearls was amassed. Let this suffice for any further indictment of the three villains of human history. Besides, this just shows, I’m not the only one who has had second thoughts about all the bullshit we’ve been fed from the cradle. I’ve put them into three categories, for simple clarity…. Enjoy, ffolkes.


And, please. Think about it all, will you? Thanks….


*****


“In the beginning Man created God; and in the image of Man created he him.”


~~ Ian Anderson ~~


~~ Jethro Tull, Aqualung ~~


“The mistake began when God was created in a male image. Of course, women would see Him that way, but men should have been gentlemen enough, remembering their mothers, to make God a woman! But the God of Gods–the Boss–has always been a man. That makes life so perverted, and death so unnatural. We should have imagined life as created in the birth-pain of God the Mother. Then we would understand why we, Her children, have inherited pain, for we would know that our life’s rhythm beats from Her great heart, torn with the agony of love and birth. And we would feel that death meant reunion with Her, a passing back into Her substance, blood of Her blood again, peace of Her peace! Now wouldn’t that be more logical and satisfying than having God a male whose chest thunders with egotism and is too hard for tired heads and thoroughly comfortless?” — Eugene O’Neill, “Strange Interlude” [1928], Act II


“So far as I can remember, there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.” — Bertrand Russell


“Any system of religion which has anything in it which offends the mind of a child cannot be a true system.” — Thomas Paine


“Some foolish men declare that a Creator made the world. The doctrine that the world was created is ill-advised, and should be rejected. If God created the world, where was He before creation? How could God have made the world without any raw material? If you say He made this first, and then the world, you are faced with an endless regression … Know that the world is uncreated, as time itself is, without beginning and end.” — The Mahapurana, Jinasena


“God is an invention of Man.

So the nature of God is only a shallow mystery.

The deep mystery is the nature of Man.”


~~ Nanrei Kobori, — late Abbot of the Temple of the Shining Dragon, Kyoto, Japan ~~


*****


“All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind.”


~~ Aristotle ~~


“The value of money has an objective regulator only when it is linked to a real commodity, like gold, itself requiring the cost of human labor to be produced. By comparison, the value of inconvertible paper money has no objective regulator, its marginal cost of production being nearly zero.” — Lewis E. Lehrman (See? Nothing real… Only what we agree to hold so….)


“As far as I’m concerned, if something is so complicated that you can’t explain it in 10 seconds, then it’s probably not worth knowing anyway.” — Calvin


“I refuse to believe that trading recipes is silly. Tuna-fish casserole is at least as real as corporate stock.” — Barbara Grizzuti Harrison


“What do they call a comedian who doesn’t get any laughs? A philosopher.” — Phil Proctor


*****


“Power, like a desolating pestilence,

Pollutes whate’er it touches…”


~~ Percy Bysshe Shelley ~~


“It’s said that ‘power corrupts’, but actually it’s more true that power attracts the corruptible. The sane are usually attracted by other things than power. When they do act, they think of it as service, which has limits. The tyrant, though, seeks mastery, for which he is insatiable, implacable.” — David Brin, The Postman


“Every nation ridicules other nations, and all are right.” — Arthur Schopenhauer


“It is proof of a base and low mind for one to wish to think with the masses or majority, merely because the majority is the majority. Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.” — Giordano Bruno (1548- burned at the stake, 1600)


“As formerly we suffered from crimes, so now we suffer from laws.” — Tacitus


“He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and

ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is nothing but an act of murder.” — Albert Einstein


“In the part of this universe that we know there is great injustice, and often the good suffer, and often the wicked prosper, and one hardly knows which of those is the more annoying.” — Bertrand Russell


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Comedy_Tragedy


I am working on a poem, which seems to be leaking out in a chaotic fashion; it looks good, though, so we’ll let it play out as it pleases. Here’s one that fits, today, and often. Especially when it is followed by an old-school pearl that carries its title…. Keep reading….


Notes of process and program…


Poems, alas, don’t chase through my head,

bumping and pushing each other like brothers at dinner.

They’re more ripped out of my innards, instead.

Time and circumstance reveal no ultimate winner.


Simmering and bubbling near my unconscious mind

these maddening rhymes blind me sans glimmer.

Building until bursting as if to be dined and wined,

the remaining denizens appear much slimmer.


Fiery visions retain such glorious fatal dimension,

in retrospect, yet fail to leave a permanent scar,

until blessed, or cursed, with focused attention,

singing, crying, bleeding, fast as a movie star.


Pretty soon can’t be soon enough, she said

to a chameleon colored thief bathed in moonlight.

Fancy candles in stripes of blue, gold, and red

foster honest dreams in shades of white.


Passage to daylight is problematic, at best:

beastly ghosts of insomniacs cast no shadow.

Even judges with robes can pass the wrong test

while the rest of us go with what we know.


~~ gigoid ~~


1/3/2013


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pearls_3


Naked Pearls


“Notes Of Process And Program…”


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“It seems like once people grow up, they have no idea what’s cool.”


~~ Calvin & Hobbes ~~


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“We must beware of whatever insights we have into ourselves.

Our self-knowledge annoys and paralyzes our daimon

– this is where we should look for the reason Socrates wrote nothing.”


~~ E.M. Cioran ~~


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“”Human beings are perhaps never more frightening

than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right.”


~~ Laurens Van der Post, The Lost World of the Kalahari (1958) ~~


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“Be prepared to go mad with fixed rule and method.”


~~ Horace (65-8 B.C.) ~~


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“Honor isn’t about making the right choices.

It’s about dealing with the consequences.”


~~ Midori Koto~~


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“Reality is in the eye of the beholder.”


~~ The Keeper, from Stargate ~~


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“When I was a lark, I sang;

when I was a worm, I devoured.”


~~ Theodore Roethke ~~


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“I’m pretty tired. Think I’ll go home now.”


~~ Forrest Gump ~~


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Well, ffolkes. There you have it. Not only do you have it, but, you’ve got ALL of it. I don’t believe I can do this any better, but, what the hell? I’ll be back again to try. Could take a bit of time, but, it seems the wait might be worth the effort. See y’all tomorrow, as long as the sun comes up….. Pretty good odds, I’d say….


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 -- 9949


À bientôt, mon cherí….

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
A fair wind, a rising tide, and four broken promises….

			
						

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Ffolkes,




“When you win, nothing hurts.”


~~ Joe Namath ~~


11-24-15 leelu 004


Miss Leelu the Giantess, A.A.L.I.H.O.M.*, Posing on her Tower






Hajime…. Oh, right. A.A.L.I.H.O.M.* = Already A Legend In Her Own Mind…. Wait ’till I figure out how post videos of her; you’ll either all be sick of her in no time, or she’ll become an internet sensation, make us both rich, and take us out of reach of the worst aspects of reality. Hey, who knows? It could happen, right? Sure.


Well, perhaps, until then, we’ll find something else to discuss. It might be tricky finding it in THIS brain, as I’m quite sure all the ones wobbling around in there just now are suspect, in some fashion or another. But, then, if not this brain, whose, may I ask? Why, nobody’s of course, or, in our case, everybody’s. Ooh, that’s subtle, isn’t it? I should be more careful; I could hurt myself with something that sharp so early in the process. I hate blood on the keyboard.


Why, golly…. I seem to be completely unable to find any sort of rhythm, direction, style, or mode that will get us anywhere. Everything so far has gotten us nowhere, if you don’t count further down the page. Even that is minuscule, in relation to, well, just about anything bigger than a doll’s severed head. Gotta be careful with those, too; they’ll talk to ya, try to fool ya into doing weird stuff. Better than leaving the head in place, though. You don’t want to know.


I’m certain now I don’t want to know anymore, either. In fact, if pressed, I’ll never admit I did, so don’t count on me as a corroborating witness, unless you’re talking about witnessing consistent examples of rampant stupidity, about which I’ll testify at the drop of a cliche. But, for now, you lucked out because I’m sick of this shit. It just won’t gel, and what’s a morning Pearls without a bit of gel, I ask you? So, without even waiting for Luigi to get here, I’m taking us out to the oyster beds myownself. Don’t worry, I’ve completed MOST of the course now; what could happen?


Shall we Pearl?….


Do you want me to tell you something really subversive? Love is everything it’s cracked up to be. That’s why people are so cynical about it. It really is worth fighting for, being brave for, risking everything for. And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.” — Erica Jong


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“After silence that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”


~~ Aldous Huxley ~~


jethro tull


Jethro Tull



Image from http://www.last.fm via Google Images




Jethro Tull was another iconic rock band from the 1960’s & early 70’s, famous for hard, driving, rambunctious shows led by their charismatic lead singer and legendary flutist,  Ian Anderson. I hope you enjoy another trip down my memory lane; never got to see them live, but, never missed a broadcast of their concerts on fm radio…. A rocking good time, ffolkes…. As we said then, dig it….






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We the People...




    Oddly enough, I got a little sleep last night, near dawn. But, I still don’t have the wherewithal to produce anything particularly cogent, so, I’m sublimating with something from the archives. It’s a long one, but, worth another read, if only because the same shit, but a different day, is still going on; only the dates have changed…..


From 10/17/2013, entitled  “Forlorn moments of epistemological apprehension….”:




First, a word from the Founding Fathers….


“I place economy among the first and most important virtues, and public debt as the greatest of dangers. To preserve our independence, we must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt.” — Thomas Jefferson


Now, a bit of insanity, on the identical subject, from a more modern source….


“By all accounts, though, an end seems near for the impasse that has once again exposed a government so divided that it sometimes borders on dysfunction. Though the House failed to muster sufficient support for a conservatives-only bill in the GOP-majority chamber on Tuesday, enough Republicans there seem likely to join House Democrats to approve a bipartisan version if it can be approved by the Senate and sent to them. ”



http://www.sfgate.com/news/politics/article/Senators-closing-in-on-deal-to-reopen-government-4895884.php


I was reading the news last night, online, and the latest reports from the capitol say that a deal will get done prior to today’s deadline…. as it always does…. The difference in the deals that get done and those that don’t get done are relatively insignificant, in terms of real life; they only make a difference to those involved in whatever struggle is current. Nobody really understands any of it anyway… not the politicians who spout all the platitudes and figures, not the experts who supply the detailed analysis of those figures, and certainly not the public, who don’t even WANT to understand the complexities…. which is something the pundits know well, and, in fact, depend on to assist them in their endeavors…


“Morality is a private and costly luxury.” — Smart Bee


Sadly, this statement, though found without attribution, was made by an observer who knows human nature well, one who has obviously observed our history closely, drawing from those observations the only possible conclusion…. Society, as exemplified by its leaders, in both the secular and clerical arenas, loudly and boldly tout the twin concepts of morality and ethics, laying claim to them as if they were a coat left lying about. The noise they make in making these claims is generally quite noisome, to my ears, but, serves to cover their asses when later accused of impropriety; they can point to their strident statements as being proof of sincerity, though, logically, sincerity and morality have no real connection.


However, sad as the statement is, it is accurate, and never more so when looking at the budget crisis that we are witnessing today. The assholes who inhabit Congress, especially the conservatives in the House of Representatives, ( an oxymoron, if I’ve ever heard one…. ), DO NOT represent the people who elected them, not even close…. They lie to them, they steal from them, they follow their own agendas, but, they DON’T represent them…


How can they? They are not even in the same economic class as most of them, and never have been…. and, please, DON’T try to tell me you don’t think we have economic classes in this society…. Sorry, ffolkes, but American society is NOT classless, and never has been…. It has ALWAYS been separated into classes, based primarily on economic factors, with those who have more money having more influence and, more importantly, more rights, than those with less money…. The most cursory examination of history, of the world, and of this country, will show this as a fact of little possibility of dispute.


The average US income (which doesn’t give a completely accurate picture, but is useful to make the point….) is somewhere in the tens of thousands of dollars ($10, 001 to $99,999, somewhere between the two….). This translates into a basic demographic breakdown of being a very few people making more than they need to survive, as contrasted by a very large number of people who are struggling to even eat on a daily basis…. This accounts for 99% of the population, and about 1% of the actual money available to that 99%….


On the other side of that coin, we have a few thousand people, the remaining 1%, who have 99% of the money, all making more than a million dollars a year, on average…. Of this small percentage, we find that ALL of the Senators, about half of the House members, and the President, of course, are all part of that 1% of the population, a part that has never had to worry about where their next meal came from…. I wish that this were not true, but, these are facts, with the supporting evidence available to anyone with a library card, so they can go there to look up the numbers….


Of course, the fact that they are “more successful” in economic terms is only proof, in their minds, of their inherent right to make the decisions for everyone else in the country, even though they have no real grasp of the needs of those people. The fact of their disconnection from reality cannot penetrate their sense of entitlement, and they fully BELIEVE in their own mandate…. “Somehow, it never hurts to step back occasionally and ask yourself “Am I contributing to the solution of the problem or aiding in making a bigger problem?”…. this is a process, and a question, that never occurs to them…


This is why I call them delusional, and can honestly claim that I believe them to be clinically insane; a person so disconnected to what is real cannot be considered sane…. except, perhaps, in an insane society. Making assumptions about having the right to decide about the wants and needs of others is a sure sign that one has an unreasonable belief in their own importance to the universe, an assumption that can only be termed as a delusion. This kind of behavior is one society cannot afford to allow, because, if nothing else, these types of delusions are dangerous to the rest of us.  Allowing these “crazies”, for wont of a more accurate term, to act out their fantasies in the real world tends to lead to trouble for more than just themselves…..


“Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying! I grant you I was down and out of breath; and so was he. But we rose both at an instant, and fought a long hour by Shrewsbury clock.” — William Shakespeare (1564-1616), King Henry IV — Act v, Sc. 4


I’m down, and out of breath, from shouting into the wind, at the mountain… A futile task, at best, I know, but, what else can one do at 5 AM? Mountain moving is my specialty, after all…. The truth of the matter is, after two hours by Shrewsbury clock, I’m tired of shouting at the mountain; it’s hard work, to little effect. I suppose it’s all I can do, and that is why I do it…. It’s cheaper, and, in the long run, less troublesome to my spirit and karma, than going out, buying a gun, and making a list of targets…. Less chance of getting shot back at, too…


There comes a time, however, when even I must admit to the futility of this particular task, and grow a bit discouraged…. I’m just not the kind of person who can give up completely, though, so, I’ll be back to rant on this subject another time…. “They” are always out there doing something on which I can comment. For the time being, I’ll leave you with this final lament…


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


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





Comedy_Tragedy




Made from broken bricks and spit….


I could dodge a bullet train, easy,

if I could find one to dodge.

They aren’t so easy to find, you know

in so unloaded a station as this.


It isn’t like I don’t appreciate the effort;

 it isn’t much of a goal anyway.

I only made it up that way to see

if anyone was listening to me.


I never know, you see,

behind all these electrons.

I can only wish for magic to exist;

it’s the only wish I have left.


Wishes make me think of horses.

Funny, huh?

Maybe by the end of this stanza

I’ll find a poem.


Nah.

But I don’t care anymore.

If I did,

it would sing 

like the moon in November 


Mightier than the sword

I take up my pen.

Oops.

Sword bought a gun.


Try NOT to laugh.


~~ gigoid ~~




Kinda strange, huh?…. Well, you would be too, in my state…. Fuck it; I like it…. Does that make me perverse? So be it.


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





pearls_3




    I like this one, and not just because it came together fairly easily (SB seems to be in a good space lately ~~ Yay!). No, it’s because it seems to be about the beautiful humor and sad irony that epitomizes so much in the average Life at Large of most human beings. As with any assessment, necessarily a generalization to some extent, this one probably has exceptions. But, I will point out that only helps to validate the connection there is to Truth in what I suggest. In any case, each one is worth the reading, so, that’s enough for me…..




   This cowboy looked at me and said

   With a sort of a smile,

   A sorry hand is in the way all the time,

     A good one just once in awhile.


~~- Cowgirl poet Georgie Sicking ~~


“Those who fear death most are those who enjoy life least.” — Edward Abbey


“If you turn on your side after the hour at which you ought to rise, it is all over. Bolt up at once.” — Sir Walter Scott


“A man is not old as long as he is seeking something.” — Jean Rostand


“In a fight you don’t stop to choose your cudgels.” — Skilled Bee


“Word is a shadow of deed.” — Democritus (400 BC)


“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and for deeds left undone.” — Harriet Beecher Stowe


“If you can’t solve it, it’s not a problem — it’s a reality that needs to be faced.” — Barbara Coloroso


“Eternity is a mere moment, just long enough for a joke.” 


~~ Hermann Hesse ~~




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


Not bad at all, if one may consider all things, especially given my current mental state. Fragile is probably the kindest way to describe it, and, for the purpose of keeping to our purpose here, I won’t go into that any further. After all, this IS the ending, right? No time to start up new shit. I can say, though, I will be back again, because, in spite of how good this one may or may not be, it sure ain’t perfect yet…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes; plenty of folks have tried to stop me, and all have died….




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….



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
The jewel burns with an eerie light….

			
						

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Ffolkes,




“I told you I was ill.”


~~ Written on grave ~~


day2 London 010


     I’d make a comment about the picture above, in which Charlie C. and I try to out-silly each other, but, once the quote that adorns the top o’the page today sinks in, it will make our silliness fade into insignificance…. Either way, that is to say, in either case, I’ve managed to completely screw any formal or serious opening, so, whatever takes place from this point on, don’t expect a lot of precise reasoning, or the cerebral comfort of clean, clear logical thought…. because I’m pretty sure we’re fresh out….


Having thus made it much easier on myself, (funny, while perhaps less deep, is nonetheless no less a challenge than being serious; it IS, however, much more FUN to write…. Far fewer trips into past miseries result from being funny than from being serious….), I shall proceed to the meat of today’s intro section, which, somehow, resembles sausage more than a fillet of salmon, in spite of its tangy smell of citrus and coconut. I’m not sure what kind of recipe for success that will make, but, we all have to use the ingredients we find on the counter, don’t we? Well, I do, anyway…. I hate to throw out a good paragraph, smelly though it may be….


Of course, it isn’t always possible to save some words and phrases; they get overused by pundits and dogma dogs, who pound certain groups of them into the heads of their constituents as often as they can, to help solidify those already calcified organs of thought…. But, that’s not our concern just yet; ranting is strictly prohibited here in the intro; at least, that’s what I hear…. I also hear it happens regularly in spite of regulations, so, maybe if I show y’all what I found that prompted such cynicism so early in the day, you will see to what I refer…. It’s an ugly, yet accurate little phrase, from a social critic of some renown, & goes like this….


“Terrorism: deadly violence against humans and other living things, usually conducted by government against its own people.” — Edward Abbey


Hmm…. we seem to have blown straight past “silly mode”, into “ranting mode”, with hardly a ripple….. I’m not sure just how that happened, but, it did, for sure…. Even if it’s true, the statement from Mr. Abbey completely ruined my silly intro, and I was having such fun, trying to keep things from getting all serious…. But, the quote was attached to the nice, silly one at the top, so, there’s little I could have done, without losing both…. Ah well, at least it got me this far….


In fact, I think I see a…. yes! It’s a way out! I’m taking it, so hang on, ffolkes, & we’ll get on with the rest of today’s mess… Stay in your seats, please, until we are fully emerged from the water.


Shall we Pearl?


“Cicero called Aristotle a river of flowing gold, and said of Plato’s Dialogues, that if Jupiter were to speak, it would be in language like theirs.” — Plutarch (46-120 AD) — Life of Cicero


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


I feel like a bit of time travel would be in order, so, we’ll take a trip back to the days of yore…. (How many years does one have to go back in time to reach “yore”? I always wondered….) Here is a classic cult figure from the late 60’s, that era of societal upheaval and radical change, a time which so many of us remember little, even though we were there…. In fact, there’s an old joke about those days, which goes, “If anyone tells you they remember the sixties, they’re lying!”…. Still, I do remember Jethro…. Enjoy this stroll down memory lane, ffolkes…. at least you’ll hear some dandy flute music….




Jethro Tull Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 2003 Full DVD 





























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


At least once a year, I post this piece, to give any new readers an idea of what this blog is all about, in a manner of speaking…. Naturally, any conclusions are left as an exercise for the Gentle Reader, with the gentle reminder to remember to read between the lines at least half the time; it helps comprehension immensely….


Last posted on ECR on 7/16/2013:


I’m not feeling lazy, but, I AM feeling lazy, so I’m dipping into the past to come up with today’s third section…. It has been some time since I posted this, which I try to do at least once a year, to keep new ffolkes apprised of my history, and provide some background for the stuff I write here…. some of the back story, as it were…. So, here is my philosophy of Life, and some of the rationalizations that prompted its creation….. Though Peruaosophy originally was composed in the 1980’s, this article was posted on the site, GoodBlogs.com, sometime in early 2011, prior to starting this blog on WordPress….




Birds Do It, Bees Do It. So Do I…




In the dim, dark past, when I was, sort of, attending college at UC Berkeley, (1968-70) discussing philosophy was standard in many of the BS sessions in which I participated. In order to not be thought of as someone who was ignorant in the field, I naturally read the classic tomes by such philosophers as Friedrich Nietzsche, Soren Kierkegaard, Plato, Socrates, Epicurus, Solon, and Jung, as well as more modern folks, such as Bucky Fuller, Sartre, and John Lennon (yes, him too…his philosophy tends to lean way to the left, but, does come with guitar accompaniment…).


One day later on, sometime in the 80’s, I was involved in learning to raise kids, deal with a wife, and in general going quietly crazy trying to balance all the balls one must keep in the air to get by in today’s world. As I sat this particular day, it struck me how long it had been since I stretched my mind. It seemed as if I’d been buried in mundane details forever; upon examination & reflection, I decided I wanted to expand my consciousness, using the flight of imagination to lift me above the everyday cares and woes to which I had fallen prey. And I found, as well, that I had been unconsciously acting according to many of the precepts that I had learned in those halcyon days of my youth.


Encouraged by this revelation, I went one step further, and made the decision to codify my own personal philosophy, to put down in writing those things that I consider to be essential to becoming a well-grounded, well-rounded, productive and contented member of society. The process went more quickly than I had imagined, and I came up with seven basic concepts, all of which I hold to be an integral part of what I believe. Axiom #4 was added later as a necessary part of the whole, overlooked in the initial version, bringing the total number of axioms to eight.


The word I coined to describe this philosophy is Greek; “perua” means “pearl”, and of course, “osophy” is “the study of”.  Thus I give you Peruaosophy, the study of pearls of wisdom. Each axiom stands alone; together they describe, fairly well, my approach to Life at Large…..




Peruaosophy


The wisdom of pearls…


(The world is my oyster; which way to the pearls?)


Axioms


1)  I think I am; that’s close enough.


2) The nature of the Universe is Change.  


Unpredictable, innovative transformation of Reality is the Norm. 


If you have a problem with this, you’re in for a rough ride in Life.


3) Thou art God, you know.  Let’s do lunch.


4) Excellence is its own reward.


5) Girls think differently.  So do boys.  Don’t fight it.


6) Axiom #2 X axiom #5 = And God so loved the world, She said, “Quit whining!”


7) Do your Duty.   Respect Life.   Honor the Truth.   Share your Love. 


8)  Go back.  Everything you need to know is in the first seven axioms.


~~ gigoid ~~




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


I am not sure exactly, or even approximately, why I’m including this poem; it has nothing in common with anything else in today’s Pearl…. But, it is what my subconscious wants, and I know better than to argue with it…. The subconscious mind has a nasty, sneaky way of exacting revenge when thwarted, & I’ve learned it’s best to just let it have what it wants…. Hence, today’s poem, about Love, rather than silliness, or philosophy, or anything else but Love…. Go figure….




Beyond Agapé


Passion burns and shines like iridescent paint

yet solitude stands mocking such mundane complaint.

Schemes and dreams promise to tempt attraction

never ending effort spends wit in perverse reaction.


Hale and hearty reports of honor and love

draft recruits to collect manna from above, 

while searching each soul for that which will serve

to bring pure sensation to each expectant nerve.


How simple to fall into complete helpless hope

of two hearts bound in tradition, with cultural rope,

living a simple life, shared, in joy and in grief

promises consummated, in consensual belief.


Reality dictates our degree of control over its state

insisting on changing whether or not we can wait.

Love will be present when we are completely at peace,

 allowing ourselves, to give of ourselves, without cease.


~~ gigoid ~~




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


Smart Bee can be somewhat rambunctious at times, with a sense of humor at which I often shake my head, in wonder…. Most of this pearl was picked out yesterday, and the remainder left to be found this morning…. Smart Bee, though invaluable, can be a veritable pain in the ass, sometimes…. This time, however, it seems to have outdone itself, in terms of relative value…. Let’s take a look, shall we?….


“Is you first responsibility to yourself? The question is misleading; that is, it misleads the person who takes it to heart. It’s like asking, must you shift your weight in order to walk. Of course you must, but anyone who concentrates first on shifting his weight will not walk well.” — Hugh Prather


“When one asked him what boys should learn, “That,” said he, “which they shall use when men.” — Plutarch (46-120 AD) — Laconic Apophthegms, Of Agesilaus the Great


“Euripides was wont to say, “Silence is an answer to a wise man.” — Plutarch (46-120 AD) — Of Bashfulness


“As those persons who despair of ever being rich make little account of small expenses, thinking that little added to a little will never make any great sum.” — Plutarch (46-120 AD) — Of Man’s Progress in Virtue


“All I can think of is a platter of organic PRUNE CRISPS being trampled by an army of swarthy, Italian LOUNGE SINGERS…” — Zippy the Pinhead


Don’t look at ME! You’re the one who kept on reading, aren’t you? I told you at the beginning how damn silly I felt, but, would you listen?….


Just kidding, ffolkes…. Actually, it’s only because SB went soft on me that I resorted to such obvious, ancient-cliche-trickery…. Four perfect lines from ancient sages, then ZIP…. nada, not a damn thing to be found, save for our old friend Zippy…. who once again saved the say…. Ah well, Plutarch won’t mind; he had a good sense of humor, I think…. I KNOW all my Gentle Readers do, of course…..


Maybe it would be best if I go now…. before y’all start throwing stuff at me….


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


I suppose I have to take the blame, but, it’s NOT MY FAULT! Well, okay, yes, it is…. but,  don’t have to like it. Plus, as a human, I’m allowed to lie about it, if I think I can get away with it, so there….. On that childish note, which puts a cap to the silly mood I’ve been in all morning, I’ll leave you in peace…. such as it may be after such a start to your day…. and mine…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes….




Y’all take care out there, 

and May the Metaphorse be with you;

Blessed Be, dearest  Carole, Mark, and Theresa…

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.


Kowabunga!






À bientôt, mon cherí….