Tag Archives: Jimi Hendrix

Winsome wiggling only on Tuesdays….

Posted on by
14

Ffolkes,

“It has been said that man is a rational animal.
All my life I have  been searching for evidence which could support this.”

~~ Bertrand Russell ~~

famine memoria

Irish Famine Victims Memorial ~ Galway


Hajime…. Fortunately for me, the process I’ve developed over the years continues to stand in good stead for my muse, who is, apparently, on sabbatical. Until she/he/it has returned, I’m on my own, a sure recipe for disaster, let me assure you. To avoid any such less than optimal outcome, I’ve put together a relatively heavy (don’t worry, heavy in weight, not intensity) Pearl, which, though it may take some time to wade through, will nonetheless provide ample food for thought, and some damn find music, if naught else. Where else could you get all that for this price, eh?

I think, before anyone actually comes up with an answer to that query, I’ll use my recently discovered brevity bone to take us out of the intro in a hurry. I’ve found that doing so will, at the very least, put a damper in any pending lawsuits; something out the air at the oyster beds keeps the process servers away…. Of course, the air there HAS been rated by government agencies as “miasma”, so, perhaps they have something about which to complain…. not that we care at all, but, it gives them something to do besides pick at each other.

Now, where was I, before I so rudely interrupted myself? Oh, right. We’re outta here…. See ya down the page ffolkes, and, I’d suggest you use the conveniently located handholds on the wall…. It’s gonna get bumpy…..

Shall we Pearl?

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult
words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”

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


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

Yield_Logo

Playing For Change


Today, I feel generous; hence, a double shot of love, from some of the world’s best street musicians and singers, all with one message of peace. Enjoy!….

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

One Love

Blues of People

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

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

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


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

Sandclock .jpg

    I’m still working on a new rant, so, bear with me, as we go with one from about two years ago, which, as with all of my rants, seems to be still valid, in all it says…. Enjoy!….

From 3/16/2014:

“…when all government… in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the centre of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.” — Thomas Jefferson, 1821

Before we begin, please read the article attached to the link below; it contains information that will be necessary to a full appreciation/understanding of the discussion to follow…..


After reading this article all the way through, I came perilously close to puking, only resisting the urge, strong as it was, because I wasn’t in a place where it would have been convenient….. However, I WAS able to determine, immediately upon completion of the article, that I would definitely be ranting on this one, for sure and for certain…. This CRIES out to discussed, and, who am I to destroy the wishes of such a plaintive, compelling cry for social justice?

Did you catch the key points in the report on these asshole bankers and their naked avarice? To me, one of the key points in the article, which shows just how ridiculous the whole thing becomes when examined in ANY light, is the sentence imposed on the banks for admitting their guilt…. Essentially, the decision says this: a) the banks were guilty of defrauding their customers (again)…. they admitted it without a qualm; b) they only have to pay back PART of what they stole by doing so, and c) they don’t have to go to jail, they get to stay in business, and keep ALL of the profits they made by this theft.

You know, it makes me wonder…. I’d wager serious money (if I could cover the bet…. I’m not a bank, and I bet with honor….)….. very serious money, that the banks, when they planned out their campaign of theft in this instance, included in their plans a certain amount of money to set aside to pay the legal fees involved in defending themselves once they got found out and sued for the fraud…. I BET they knew before they started that, eventually, the SEC and their counterparts (ie, government thieves….) in the BRC would catch them in their thievery, and take them to court, so they set aside a percentage of the profits to be made to cover that, and proceeded with the plan to steal from their customers, (i.e. US, you and me, and all the other little investors whose money they steal on a regular basis….), knowing ahead of time that they’d never do any time in jail, and could count on a certain amount of profit on the deal…

I don’t think anyone would take that bet, unless they’re stupider than they look….. Ffolkes, how much more proof is necessary? How many times do we have to let these assholes fuck everyone else in the world, and let them get away with it, before we do something about stopping it? Personally, I’ve about had it up to here (makes motion at neck…) with their sheer gall, to carry out a scheme like this, in full view of the public, knowing they’ll be able to not only get away with it without ever spending any time in jail for their crimes, but will make a decent profit by doing so…. a profit they, of course, feel is their RIGHT to make, just because they want it…..

It’s not the money…. though, of course, it would help a lot of people if it wasn’t stolen…. No, it’s the sheer effrontery, the gall, the entitlement that gives these assholes the idea they can do this with impunity that bothers me the most…. It’s the kind of thing calculated to piss me off enough to take some action, even if that action isn’t necessarily the one that will help the most…. No, I’m tempted, almost beyond control, to go buy a gun, and a LOT of bullets that go with the gun, so I could start picking off bankers, and politicians, and judges, and police officers, and all the other assholes who dump their loads of BS all over everyone else in the pursuit of their own agendas, never caring at all how many others they harm in the process…

Yep, ffolkes, the time is drawing nigh when my patience will be at an end, and I’ll actually DO something that will, if nothing else, make me feel as if I’d helped in a small way to put a stop to the bullshit going on all around us…. It may not change society, but I’ll damn sure feel a lot better, you betcha….

Bah, humbug! Writing about this has gotten me as worked up as reading the article did originally; I’m sitting here vibrating with anger at the corporate assholes who are constantly degrading life for the rest of us, and wishing there were some way to speed up the time until I can afford to buy a decent weapon (by “decent” I mean, of course, that it will do all I want it to do….)…. I have a feeling it won’t be terribly long now until that day actually arrives…. and I can’t wait, to tell the truth….

I’m too worked up to rant further about this, though I can feel a lot more inside me that needs to be released…. So, I’ll finish off with a little five-star pearl, using as a parameter the same subject upon which we’ve been gnawing…. Hey, it’s a quick, legitimate way to bring this to a dignified, if choppy, ending….. Enjoy….

— How many politicians does it take to change a light bulb? Four, one to change it and the other three to deny it. — Smart Bee

“Dealing with the government is like kicking a 300-pound sponge.” — Finagle’s Law of Government Contracting

“We are hypnotized into believing that two TV sets will make us twice as happy as one TV set.” — Laura Huxley (wife of Aldous)

“The most certain test by which we judge whether a country is really free is the amount of security enjoyed by minorities.” — John E.E. Dalberg, Lord Acton (1834-1902), — “The History of Freedom in Antiquity”

“I don’t want the cheese, I just want to get out of the trap.” — Spanish Proverb

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

Comedy_Tragedy

Penance, Made Simple

After all the dross is sent away
a celebration can begin,
time will face up to space, to stay
willing, to shine from within.

Anger and confusion come in to share
brushing reason aside,
eager to welcome all that is fair,
alert to danger, eyes wide.

Re-gift the wicked with their own pain
stand with the just;
fail to partake of the ill-gotten gain,
living in honor, the only must.

Standing fast in the face of wrong
is its own prize and reward.
Holding on to truth makes us strong,
well worth working toward.

Little is left to chance by fate
our lessons are never free of cost.
Seldom does reality make us wait
only when alone, are we lost.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/23/2012


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

pearls_3

    Since the beginning, I’ve known some pearls are more, well, coherent than others. This one is, in the final analysis, pretty transparent, while simultaneously exhibiting a certain dignified sobriety, which, to me, enhances the message it carries, as a whole. But, then, I created it, so, who’s to say if any of that will be so? I suppose, as always, that may be taken as part of the point of this exercise…. A clue: this is all stuff seldom considered, but, all fairly significant, in its way…. Don’t worry, you’ll see….

“And sometimes the bear eats you.” — Realist Bee

“I find television very educating.  Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.” — Groucho Marx, 1890-1977

“Sleeping alone, except under doctor’s orders, does much harm. Children will  tell you how lonely it is sleeping alone. If possible you should always sleep with someone you love. You recharge your mutual batteries free of charge.” — Marlene Dietrich

“Conventional wisdom says to know your limits. To know them you must find them first. Finding your limits generally involves getting in over your head and
hoping you live long enough to benefit from the experience. That’s the fun part.” — Drew Marold

“No matter where you go, there you are.” — Buckaroo Banzai, Buckaroo Banzai – Across the 8th Dimension

“I’m the one who’s got to die when its time for me to die, so let me live  my life the way I want to.” — Jimi Hendrix

“The only people for me are the mad ones.” — Jack Kerouac

“All that we see or seem, is but a dream within a dream.” — Edgar Allen Poe, from the poem “A Dream Within a Dream”

“You have taken yourself too seriously. Knock it off.” — Cheeky Bee

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

I’m a bit surprised to have finished this with as much aplomb as has been the case. Rather than make the seriously bad mistake of trying to explain that comment, I’ll leave you in suspense, thus obeying the old adage about leaving ’em with something to think about. I will, in spite of all attempts to stop me, or dissuade me, be back tomorrow, to do this again…. I can’t seem to stop myself….

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

dozer3


À bientôt, mon cherí….


					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Isles of Langerhans? No flights from here….

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
						

				2			

					


				

			
Ffolkes,




“Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself.”


~~ Erasmus ~~


Busy Leelu


Leelu, playing with her prey….






Hajime…. ‘Tisn’t often I forgo fooling around when I write. Hell, the whole idea of me writing is fooling around, if it comes to that. Which it has. Come to that, I mean. Therefore, and hence, today, I’m going to do the next best thing to promising NOT to do so, which is to just go ahead and fool around all I frigging want. See, I’m retired, and, as a retired American, old-fashioned variety, I can do whatever the fuck I please, as long as I keep what I do either legal, hidden, or, (for my own benefit), ethically sound. So, gird your grids, ffolkes, we’re goin’ in….


How was that? Any better than the usual crap? Ah, well, I kinda thought so myself….. It isn’t easy to do this EVERY DAY, you know. Perhaps, Y’ALL might try it someday; come up with an interesting opening, bright and charming enough, or compelling enough, to create the desire to keep reading in whomever may stop in to read. Only then can one realize they have completely fucked up, and have locked themselves into an activity which is pretty much guaranteed to drive one absolutely, fucking crazy, trying to do the nearly impossible….. No wonder daily newspaper columnists are considered the elite of the news rooms…


However, I’m the one who chose to do this, and, since the act of giving up isn’t an option for me, due to the strength of my earliest conditioning by the Sergeant and the Mom, (no, I don’t think of him like that; that’s what all the men he worked with in the Army called him, if no officers were around….), neither of whom would approve of abrogating a chosen duty. So, I’ll keep on muddling along, until a good reason to stop presents itself, whereupon I will have to go this entire process again…. Oh, joy….


Since I’ve now depressed even myself. perhaps we should just get on with the rest of today’s messiness….. That seems, to my limited perception, the only way to save this…. In fact, no Luigi, no Guido; I’ll just teleport all of us over to the oyster beds, and be done with it…. No need to hang on, or even put down your beverage; you won’t even notice, as I’ll use the newest toy in the Tardis to get us there; it’s pretty cool…. Watch this….


Shall we Pearl?….


“If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of potential — for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints; possibility never.” — Soren Kierkegaard


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





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




    Today’s musical selection is in the Classical genre, with a composer whose works comprise possibly the largest number of works, of every category, as anyone who ever composed misic. His music is familiar to almost everyone who has watched movies made since before his death in 1921, as many movements from his symphonies were, and are, used as background for many scenes in dramatic and comedic films. I’ve included below a link to his biography on Brittanica.com; he was an interesting man, who led a very full life, adding much to the best art and thought of humanity…. Hopefully, what I’ve embedded will be a collection of his music in 50 You Tube versions, which should play automatically once begun….  Enjoy!….














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


















Camille Saint-Saëns

















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































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



























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




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





le penseur-rodin




    I don’t have the chutzpah, or, any angst to speak of today, to write a rant/discussion, . Can’t say why; might have a lot to do with feeling decent for a change. Nor do I wish to burden y’all with another archived piece…. Whatever the reasoning, or reasons, I will, instead, limit this section to ONE graphic pearl, which just happens to be my favorite of all the memes and little pictures with sayings I’ve collected off the Net over the years…. This one is both a rant, and a discussion, all rolled up into one picture, and, a short verse from the Tao Teh Ching…. It’s all it needs, believe me….





Lao Tzu sez




Q.E.D.


Lao Tzu has spoken.


So be it.




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





Comedy_Tragedy




    I was looking through my poetry files, wherein I found one I haven’t used since 2013. It’s not bad, so, to allow my bones time to make more blood, after the new poem leaked out the day before yesterday (posted yesterday), I’ll use it today…. I hope you enjoy it. To some extent, it’s a metaphoric summary of my life, as it existed, so to speak, in that particular time….




Honorable Request


Days, filled to a brim with fluff and time, pass

dimly into memory, bit by combative bit;

ever mournful, yet loud with life and sass,

only in dream do we meet, and dance, and flit.


Souls, spinning ’round in gleeful wonder, comply

as they must, never given a reason;

somberly proper, yet limber and quite spry,

dancing on to greet each bright new season.


Storms, angered by apathetic care, rage

proceeding into ministerial glare, unknown;

clothed in colors, purified solely with sage,

past an infinite future, already flown.


Life, plumbed to its depths and secrets, keeps

flowing with currents, strong and fairly found;

love stands, asking release, as it slowly weeps,

seeking refuge unasked, to stay honor bound.


~~ gigoid ~~


10/13/2012




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





Yin-Yang-symbol-sun-and-moon




    My only possible comment on this pearl is “Wow”. You’ll note, please, I used that exclamation without the usual exclamation point; that is simply because it’s not THAT important. It is, however, a damn fine pearl, of, perhaps, my favorite sort, a random, harlequin pearl that created itself…. No apologies, but, you will definitely need to be on your mental toes for this one, ffolkes.


It’s strange, as it wanders into distant realms of thought, filled to the borders with truth and beauty; it also dives into the depths of human nature, where darkness, too often, has its way. But, it’s all fucking true, so, fucking pay attention, please?…. Besides, if you get it, you’ll also get a big surprise; something you were not expecting, but, will enjoy immensely…. Promise…. and, you know I don’t use that word lightly, ever…..




“But first, are you experienced?” 


~~ Jimi Hendrix ~~




“Real life is, to most men, a long second-best, a perpetual compromise between the ideal and the possible; but the world of pure reason knows no compromise, no practical limitations, no barrier to the creative activity.” — Bertrand Russell (1872-1967)


“Do not be afraid of enemies; the worst they can do is to kill you. Do not be afraid of friends; the worst they can do is betray you. Be afraid of the indifferent; they do not kill or betray. Yet only because of their silent agreement, betrayal and murder exist on earth.” — Bruno Yasienski, contemporary Soviet novelist


“As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every minute of time.” — John Mason


“Little girls, like butterflies, need no excuse.” — Lazarus Long, “Time Enough For Love”


“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” — African proverb


“I believe in God, only I spell it Nature.” — Frank Lloyd Wright


“In endowing us with memory, nature has revealed to us a truth utterly unimaginable to the unreflective creation, the truth of immortality….The most ideal human passion is love, which is also the most absolute and animal and one of the most ephemeral.” — George Santayana, Reason in Religion


“Socrates was in the right to insinuate, in his elegant Greek expression, that what is got over the Devil’s back is spent under his belly.” — Alain Rene Le Sage (1668-1747) — Gil Blas, Book viii, Chap. ix


“A wise man never loses anything, if he has himself.” — Michael de Montaigne — Essays, Book i, Chap. xxxviii, Of Solitude




“Hospes, ad hunc tumulum ne meias. 


Visitors, kindly do not piss on these bones.”


~~ Anonymous Roman epitaph ~~




buddah-out-to-lunch_s





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


Done, in spite of several complicating factors. So complicated, the act of completing this missive became more than just a small challenge. Having successfully navigated the winding course to bring us this far, I’ll perform now my best act of compassion of the day. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, if the Internet is still functioning…. Odds are good….




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 -- 5012




À bientôt, mon cherí….





		
	
					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
ALL policies are foreign….

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
						

				9			

					


				

			
Ffolkes,




“Illusion is the first of all pleasures.”


~~ Voltaire ~~


Leelu willing me to play


Leelu, asserting her will….






Hajime….


Other than the fact I’ve been up now for six days, there’s no really good reason not to do this. Therefore, I’ll do it. I won’t, however, make any claims as to quality, or, for that matter, quantity. It’s here, it’s done, deal with it. I have to, so, you may as well. I’m also damn tired of coming up with new shit for this intro, so, fuck it. Let’s do this…..


Shall we Pearl?….


“It is the edge and temper of the blade that make a good sword, not the richness of the scabbard; and so it is not money or possessions that make man considerable, but his virtue.” — Seneca


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





vivaldi-antonio




Antonio Vivaldi



Image from 8tracks.com via Google Images




Today’s musical selection is, without doubt, my favorite single piece of classical music. When I worked the night shift, this concerto got me through more hours than any other piece… Enjoy!….






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


















The Four Seasons

Antonio Vivaldi

















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































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




























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




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





Aristotle_Bust_White_Background_Transparent




    I’ve a fresh rant brewing, but, ’twasn’t done, and, besides, it’s been a tough night. I’ll sublimate, again, with a nice little discussion from the archives. Enjoy!….


From 4/17/2013:


“A thing is not proved because no one has ever questioned it…. Skepticism is the first step towards truth.” — Smart Bee


As I was cruising through Smart Bee this morning, looking for inspiration for section 3, I came across this little gem, unattributed. It sounds like it could have come from a number of different philosophers, all of whom are noted for their wisdom and perspicacity (another great word….). It is also a part of the human flaw that has contributed to many of the problems we face as a society, and as a species.


Actually, it might be more accurate to say that the lack of this in humans is part of the flaw; most people one talks to would not agree with this idea, as stated. In fact, it is directly opposed to the educational premises of many cultures, especially those heavily influenced by religions, such as those in Mexico, Central and South America, where Catholicism is a powerful factor in society, and in the governing of that society. India, and much of the Eastern Hemisphere, too, have societies that are heavily influenced by religion, though with more participant sects than is true in the Western Hemisphere; Hinduism, Buddhism, Shinto, to name a few, are always a contributing factor in the political events that have shaped history.


“The common dogma [of fundamentalists] is fear of modern knowledge, inability to cope with the fast change in a scientific-technological society, and the real breakdown in apparent moral order in recent years That is why hate is the major fuel, fear is the cement of the movement, and superstitious ignorance is the best defence against the dangerous new knowledge. When you bring up arguments that cast serious doubts on their cherished beliefs you are not simply making a rhetorical point, you are threatening their whole Universe and their immortality. That provokes anger and quite frequently violence.” — G Gaia


As a result of this influence, many people tend to reject skepticism, as it doesn’t fit in with what they have been taught, which is to never question anything told to them by persons in positions of authority. Churches tend to encourage this sort of attitude, as their outrageous claims of divinity, and supernatural events performed by their deities, do not stand up well to scrutiny by an objective eye. The leaders of the churches thus play right into the hands of the Beloved Ruling Class, as they counsel their flocks to obey worldly, temporal authority as readily as they are conditioned to obey the secular variety…..


“I just stepped on a factoid!” – Zippy the Pinhead


Thankfully, not all of humanity is defenseless against this sort of conditioning. There are many ffolkes out there who don’t buy into the sort of psychological blackmail being promulgated by the preachers, priests, imams, and shamans of all shapes and sizes around the world, and a large number of them seem to end up blogging, right here on WordPress…. So, I end up preaching to the choir pretty often. But, that’s okay, too, because I know that occasionally, one of those folks who do believe in what they are told, without any questions or doubts, will read this, and, if nothing else, will think about what I’ve said…. Who knows, maybe I’ll go viral, and the whole world will remember that WE ALL ARE GODS?”…… (Remember?  Axiom # 3…. “Thou art God, you know…. Let’s do lunch….)


“Youth of today!  Join me in a mass rally for traditional mental attitudes!” — Zippy the Pinhead


I suppose that’s a note from my subconscious, to let me know I’ve gone far enough off the rails for now, and should let these good people get on with their lives, rather than wandering around in mine…. Goodness knows where we’ll end up…. So, anyway, just remember to cultivate your sense of doubt, your “crap detector”, as it were, and never, ever take anything “on authority”, without tangible proof…. You’ll find Life to be less confusing that way; certainly, it makes it a lot easier to look yourself in the mirror in the morning…..


“This is patently absurd; but whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities.” — Bertrand Russell


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





Comedy_Tragedy




Accentuated Lessons


Bold statements of calculated intent

Become common rule of the malcontent.

Avarice assumes such attractive wear

Beguiling deception, illusory and fair.


Grasping and pulling with ghostly hands

Legally proper in all the signatory lands.

Seeking and finding each vulnerable soul

Anguish as payment for exacting the toll.


Wraiths of commerce’s invisible dead guards

Still haunt the dreams left in sad empty yards.

While absentee nobles sit in stiffly elegant splendor

Served by sad-faced detainees in abject surrender.


Escape from reality is illusory at best

Often we falter and fail its daily test.

Only when focused on inner strength

Does peace stay with us for any length.


Peace lies within, always…..


~~ gigoid ~~




Written 9/27/2012.


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





About Hopi Indian Symbols




    A slightly recalcitrant SB finally gave up a closing pearl for this one, an event it’s been putting off for twenty-some hours.  I think it came out well; the final result makes the wait worthwhile for me. Enjoy, ffolkes….


“I must invent my own philosophical systems,  or else be enslaved by other mens'” — William H. Blake


“I’m the one who’s got to die when its time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” — Jimi Hendrix


“Is consciousness just a special form of hallucination?” — Frank Herbert


“The trail is the thing, not the end of the trail. ravel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.” — Louis L’Amour, Ride the Dark Trail


“How could the drops of water know themselves to be a river? Yet the river flows on.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery


“All teachings are mere references. The true experience is living your own life. Then, even the holiest of words are only words.” — Deng Ming-Dao




    I saw Eternity the other night,

Like a great ring of pure and endless light,

All calm, as it was bright;

And round beneath it,

Time in hours, days, years,

Driv’n by the spheres

like a vast shadow mov’d; in which the world

And all her train were hurl’d.


~~ Henry Vaughan ~~


~~ The World ~~




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


This one is another testament to stubbornness, as much as anything else. Nonetheless, it’s done, and that’s all I care about. Especially at almost 2 AM. I guess I’ll go get it posted, and see if maybe I can fall out for an hour…. Fat chance. I will, however, be back tomorrow, regardless of whether or not Fate allows me to gather Morpheus’s boon to my breast….. Who needs sleep? Apparently, not 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








dozer3




À bientôt, mon cherí….



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Puccini? No. Verdi? Ah!…. Book ’em, Dano…

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
						

				15			

					


				

			
Ffolkes,




“Sex is better than reading; no overdue fines.”


~~ Jean-Luc Picard ~~


yeoldemanscythe_UK tel 7-19-15 1251


Ye Olde Man & Scythe, est. AD 1251



Image from the UK Telegraph, article on the oldest pubs in England, July 2015




Good morning…. I wasn’t entirely sure it would be…. Yesterday morning, I fell into a very Murphy-like trap, no doubt of my own making in some way; most of his work is usually connected somehow to a moment of inattention on our part…. Just because I complain about Murphy’s Law doesn’t mean I don’t also understand karma…. It’s all on me, ultimately. Like most ffolkes, and, for that matter, all folks, we need to vent the frustration of our own stupidity now and again…. Thankfully, my whining never lasts long; then, I can get on with fixing whatever I’ve broken, metaphorically, or literally…


Yesterday’s troublesome issue fell into the latter category. Firefox has been my browser of choice for many years, but, the latest version doesn’t seem to agree with one or more of the security programs I choose to use; essentially, every time I opened it up, it froze up on me, big time…. I was unable to successfully troubleshoot it, so, I had to figure out a workaround, which meant I didn’t get posted until about 0715, much later than usual. The mere fact yesterday’s mess got posted at all should earn me a ‘geek of the week’ award. for finding a quick workaround, that promises to be a better fix than planned…. Essentially, I switched to Opera, as my default browser, and all seems to be well… That works for me, for the nonce, which is way better than not, anachronism or no….


Right. I’ve done it again, haven’t I? I’ve blathered to open up the day’s adventure in folly, thus guaranteeing a certain degree of peretroinyeka, which is an obscure, not to mention non-existent Ukrainian word meaning “nothing at all”. See, my lawyer told me to stop making guarantees, so, well, we have to resort to little tricks like that to keep from breaking any rules that could lead to litigation…. The budget won’t stand it any more….


Okay, we’re lost good and proper now, aren’t we? I may as well just throw my hands up, and be done with it. Nothing else seems likely to get us anywhere at this point…. So, imagine, if you will, me, rolling my eyes, throwing up my hands, and cursing the gods of blogging, whom we know as Norm and Nancy the Nifty…. Okay, okay, I’ll stop. You don’t have to get all weirded out…. Shoot, go back above, & have a pint in the pub, then we’ll get started… Go ahead, we’ll wait…. Ah hell, no we won’t…. Luigi, let’s go; we’ll give them a refund when we get back….


Shall we Pearl?….


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


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





jackbruce




Image from bbc.co.uk via Google Images




Jack Bruce is one of my favorite old time rockers; he’s remained true to his music, and way of life, since I first heard/saw him, way back in his days with Cream, in the 60’s, of which time I have many good memories….. Contrary to popular belief, not ALL of us were so stoned we don’t remember it…. I will confess to partaking of my share, and possibly more, but, hey, we were all young once, right? Here is a documentary on Jack’s life and work which I think y’all will enjoy…. Besides, it get us down the page with some really good music…. Enjoy….






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



















Jack Bruce – The Man Behind the Bass


 (BBC Documentary)



















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



























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























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




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





We the People...




“Men rattle their chains to show that they are free.”


~~ Smart Bee ~~


“…and so castles made of sand slip into the sea eventually.”


~~ Jimi Hendrix ~~




Though I’m up in plenty of time, I’m not in a ranting mood; I feel better than usual, which causes less angst to accumulate…. It did give me time to find a good rant for today, though. This one is, sort of, a summary of indictments of our Beloved Ruling Class, may their skin itch unbearably…. It’s fairly short, and, I think it’s one of my best…. but, then, I’m biased…. You tell me what you think, if you should feel the urge…. Otherwise, just read, and think about it; I’ll be happy with that….


Written June, 2012; last posted November, 2013:


“….when all government…. in little as in great things, shall be drawn to Washington as the centre of all power, it will render powerless the checks provided of one government on another and will become as venal and oppressive as the government from which we separated.” — Thomas Jefferson, 1821


The framers of the Constitution knew what they were doing when they tried to build in safeguards into the system of government they chose after the revolution against England. They structured it with checks to the balance of power in each section, Executive, Legislative, and Judicial, reserving, as well, several rights to the people that had historically been reserved for the governments themselves, including the right to bear arms, one every government in history has tried to restrict for its own use. The right to bear arms, the right to vote, the right to gather to protest, to speak freely, all these have, at one time or another through the last four or five millennia, been restricted by governments, until men like Jefferson, Mason, and Washington took those rights for themselves, supposedly securing the same opportunity to their descendants.


In fact, I regard it as proof of this assertion, to find that the government, not only of this country, but all of them, is STILL trying to restrict the rights of the populace to bear arms. To my way of thinking, the most recent attempts by the government to curtail the public’s ability to obtain the means to protect themselves adequately merely serve to point out how accurate are statements such as the above, showing how little human nature has evolved, or advanced in the intervening years…. I’d be hard pressed to call the changes we’ve seen anything other than a retreat, from achieving a more civilized society. The populace continues to live in fear, most of which is manufactured by that very same government, to distract them from what is going on behind the scenes; for example, observe the data mining and illegal surveillance being carried on by Saint Obama and the current administration….


Sorry to apply the sarcastic epithet to the POTUS, (no, I’m not, but, I AM polite….), but, his recent actions have revealed a lot of stuff that indicates, yes, he IS a politician, and, as such, has been lying to the public on a regular basis since entering office, a habit much practiced by all those who enter those hallowed doors, as it turns out.


Historically, it seems, ever since I’ve been alive, for the last 64 years, each and every man who has been in the White House, with the possible exception of Jimmy Carter, has lied to the public on a regular basis, without qualms, and without apology…. This isn’t news, or new news, at all…. just go back over the headlines and op-ed pages over that period, and the evidence of what I have asserted is plain to see….


This is why I won’t ever consider any alterations to the second Amendment, or the First, or to any of them…. I still regard them as law, and see any attempts to restrict them as being acts of treason against the principles by which they were conceived and enacted. I DON’T trust ANY politician, not one who spends millions to get elected, even if, or especially if, the money isn’t theirs…. The mere act of WANTING to be an elected official implies insanity to me, either of a sociopathic nature, or an evangelical one, either of which is dangerous to allow into any position of authority over others, as they will ALWAYS act to serve their own self-interests first…..


’Nuff said….. gigoid has spoken, and has no more to say on this subject, except….. Leave my Bill of Rights alone, or pay the consequences…..


“Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man’s original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made, through disobedience and through rebellion.” — Oscar Wilde


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


Note from 2015:


I’d been working on an old-school pearl for this section, when I found the above & decided to re-use it. As it turns out, what I’d been working on was right in the same vein, so, I just left the needle where it was, and here they are, to finish this section with a bang…. sort of…..




And Katerfelto, with his hair on end

At his own wonders, wondering for his bread.

‘T is pleasant, through the loopholes of retreat,

To peep at such a world,–to see the stir

Of the great Babel, and not feel the crowd.


~~ William Cowper ~~


~~ The Task, Book iv, The Winter Evening, Line 86 ~~




“It’s possible to fight intolerance, stupidity, and fanaticism when they come separately.  When you get all three together it’s probably wiser to get out, if only to preserve one’s sanity.” — Adam Dalgliesh, in Devices and Desires, by P.D. James.


“All governments need enemies. How else to justify their existence?” — Edward Abbey


“We must never forget that if the war in Vietnam is lost… the right of free speech will be extinguished throughout the world.” — Richard Milhouse Nixon, 10/27/65


(Yes, he actually said that, in public…. No, I have no idea what he was thinking….)


How sharper than a hound’s tooth it is to have a thankless serpent.” — Smart Bee


“And some of your elders remember pleasures with regret like wrongs committed in drunkenness. But regret is the beclouding of the mind and not its chastisement. They should remember their pleasures with gratitude, as they would the harvest of a summer. Yet if it comforts them to regret, let them be comforted.” — Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet


(No, I don’t always understand myself…. but, it fits, doesn’t it?….)


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





Comedy_Tragedy




    A new poem has been leaking out, a few verses at a time, for several days; it has apparently stalled after two stanzas, & I don’t want to force it, or it could simply disappear altogether…. Here’s a two-fer sublimation, with a couple of my older poems, along the same lines as today’s overall theme, whatever that may be…. Enjoy, please….




Momentary Terror


Absently casual, memories pester endlessly 

   leaving only bleeding remnants, amiable and loving. 

Coming awake, I cry to still the pain, shamelessly.


Elsewhen, time gives surcease, if only to live,

   shoring broken pilings, worn and gray.

Passing on, I laugh at the pain, accept all it will give.


Time will build a shelter, warm and ever safe

   save for Fate’s busy hands.

Enduring, I follow the pain, knowing it will chafe.


Fixed against a darkened sky of starry black

   such beauty brings us to our knees.

Entranced, I welcome the pain, ’tis all I lack…..


~~ gigoid ~~


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


Making Room


Our souls, they say, are like shapeless, infinite bags

in which we put all our pain, all our joyous wonder.

Broken hearts and thrilling love, riches to rags,

endless perceptions of serenity, and thunder.


‘Tisn’t simple, this spiritual journey to peace

memory is fickle, easily led astray;

darkness, ever lurking, without surcease

turning innocence to harm, from simple play.


Balance is the key.


Timing is everything.


Good can change bad, bad can change good.


Pain makes room for more joy in our souls.


The only power we need is the power to change ourselves.


~~ gigoid ~~




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





Aristotle_Bust_White_Background_Transparent




    When y’all see Aristotle at the top of this section, it should be clear it’s time to put on your thinking caps. Although this nine-star collection of gems has only one entry by one of Mankind’s earliest polymaths, the point(s) being presented are all well within the sphere of influence of his ideas. One of his sayings was, (not the one included here), in fact, the inspiration for axiom #4 of Peruaosophy, which, as you all know, states, “Excellence is its own reward.” Each of these, then, is a reward to its author, and a gift to all of us…. Enjoy….




Als das Kind noch Kind war, gab es diese Fragen: 


Warum bin ich mich, und warum nicht dich?

Warum bin ich hier, und warum nicht dort? 


“When the child was a child, there were these questions:


Why am I me, and why not you?

Why am I here, and why not there?”


~~ Rainer Maria Rilke ~~




“Know, first, who you are; then adorn yourself accordingly.” — Epictetus


“The only courage that matters is the kind that gets you from one moment to the next.” — Mignon McLaughlin


“Belief is the death of intelligence.” — Robert Anton Wilson


“… as sight is in the body, so is reason in the soul…” — Aristotle — Nicomachean Ethics, Bl. I, Ch. 6, 10966, lines 29-30


“All I know of love is that Love is all there is.” — Emily Dickinson


“Love withers under constraint: its very essence is liberty: it is compatible neither with obedience, jealousy, nor fear.” — Percy Bysshe Shelley


“Curiosity will conquer fear even more than bravery will.” — James Stephens




And if I laugh at any mortal thing,

‘T is that I may not weep.


~~ Lord Byron ~~


~~ Don Juan, Canto iv, Stanza 4 ~~




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


It can be a challenge to actually determine the quality of each day’s mess around here; it’s all a bit close to home for accurate judgment with an objective eye…. Nonetheless, I’ve spent enough time on this one to ensure a pretty high degree of, if nothing else, relative coherency, if not outright clarity…. both of which would be, no doubt, a refreshing change for y’all…. I do love my obscurity. But, it’s enough; my sanity is intact for another day, so, I’ll take it out into the BBR and give it a test run up against the real deal…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, unless one of you tracks me down, & shoots me… Oh, with a camera, of course…. Bye!….




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








dozer3




À bientôt, mon cherí….





					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Off with their Keds!….

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
						

				3			

					


				

			
Ffolkes,




“Cat philosophy: When in doubt, cop an attitude.” 


~~ Smart Bee ~~


OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA


Your will is my will….




Good morning…. For someone such as myself, deeply connected to the power of the Metaphorse, the feeling with which I awoke today is terrifying…. I can’t seem to find any understanding of metaphor anywhere; my mind sits and stares blankly, just trying to make some sense of the simple, uncomplicated expressions with which I am presented, such as the fine statement of confusion, below, from our old pal Zippy…. Anyone with the most simple understanding of such matters would realize Zippy was just looking for condiments; he was probably holding a Polish Dog, so he was temporarily overcome by the olfactory stimuli…. He has such a sensitive proboscis, after all…


Nonetheless, we have a job to do…. It’s a tough job, cleaning out a mind like gigoid’s every day, but, it has to be done, or the Space/Time Continuum would take a severe beating, and nobody wants that…. So, rather than whine any more, let’s just get on with it, hoping against all hope that Smart Bee isn’t in the mood for bullshit…. I’m afraid, if that’s the case, it could get a little messy before we’re done…. Oh, well, no choice, so, let’s get on with it….


Shall we Pearl?


“Is a tattoo real, like a curb or a battleship? Or are we suffering in Safeway?” — Zippy the Pinhead


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






groucho and carmen


Groucho & Carmen



 Image from Pinterest.com via Google Images




Since we began the day with silly, it behooves us to continue in the vein…. What could be sillier than Groucho?….




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















Copacabana















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


























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























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




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





le penseur-rodin




    In February of this year, I created a pearl of good quality, which I ended up giving a title, an extremely unusual event, to be sure. It seems to be the right choice for today’s ranting section, simply to avoid any conflict with the tone of the rest of today’s effort…. In short, it seemed like the right thing to do, so, deal with it…. Really, it’ll be fine….


From 2/12/2014:


I’ve never gone for titling Pearls of Virtual Wisdom, or pearls, either, for that matter. For this one, though, if I were asked to give it a title, it would have to be:




The Rise and Fall of Homo Erectus


We shall never cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.


~~ T. S. Eliot ~~




“Life is pleasant.  Death is peaceful.  It’s the transition that’s troublesome.” — Isaac Asimov


“Everything is simpler than you think and at the same time more complex than you imagine.” — Goethe


“Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what each man wishes, that he also believes to be true.” — Demosthenes


“Expedients are for the hour; principles for the ages.” — Henry Ward Beecher


“If a man could pass through Paradise in a dream, and have a flower presented to him as a pledge that his soul had been there, and if he found that flower in his hand when he awoke – Aye, and what then?” — Coleridge, “Anima Poetae”




Like leaves on trees the race of man is found,–

Now green in youth, now withering on the ground;

Another race the following spring supplies:

They fall successive, and successive rise.


~~ Alexander Pope ~~


~~ The Iliad of Homer, Book vi, Line 181 ~~




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





Comedy_Tragedy




Unbidden, treasure unfolded…


Taken by surprise, Psyche sits numb

   Amidst tall phrases worn of elder time

Seeking a not-new place from which to come

   No shiny new horizon, nor altered paradigm.


Sudden regrets shape dreams as times maintain

   Shades of memories bring poignant clear sight

Visions of duty, each chosen wild campaign

   Shouts echoing clamors to enfold the night.


Arisen from less than eternal havens of sleep

   Facing moments created in torment and pain

Destiny weighs upon those chosen to keep

   As the sparrow flies now to sever the twain.


Faded pathways lead away, hazy and long

   Burned out verges, so long unknown

Images of yesterday, clear and strong

   Bleed into today, though t’is but my own……


~~ gigoid ~~




“Poetry–even bad poetry–may be our final hope.” — Edward Abbey


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





A-laughing-girl-and-her-camel




    Okay, that does it…. This is the last time I give SB, or anyone, for that matter, free rein to pick out their own pearls…. The following nine-star group of gems (for lack of a better word) has to be the strangest damn pearl I’ve ever seen…. But, it all hangs together, and, damn it all if it doesn’t make a weird kind of sense…. You tell me….


“You can lead a yak to water but you can’t teach an old dog to make a silk purse out of a pig in a poke.” — Opus


“Happiness is inward, and not outward; and so, it does not depend on what we have, but on what we are.” — Henry Van Dyke


“To say yes, you have to sweat and roll up your sleeves and plunge both hands into life up to the elbows. It’s easy to say no, even if it means dying.” — Jean Anouilh


“While all things have their opposites, it is also true that in each the spirit of the opposite exists. — Hazrat Inayat Khan, Sufi writer


“I reject that philosophy. The impossible often has a kind of integrity which the merely improbable lacks.” — Douglas Adams through Dirk Gently


“Clay is moulded to make a vessel, but the utility of the vessel lies in the space where there is nothing. … Thus, taking advantage of what is, we recognize the utility of what is not.” — Lao Tzu


“If a camel flies, no one laughs if it doesn’t get very far.” — Paul White


“So, this doesn’t mean anything, but at least it’s not obvious nonsense.” — Hugh Young


“‘Scuze me while I kiss the sky…” — Jimi Hendrix, Purple Haze


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


I think, maybe, tomorrow, I will take a bit more interest in what takes place here…. Today’s effort, such as it is, was brought to you by the number 13, and through the kind auspices of that fine old philanthropic institution, Bones For Bozos; fortunately, for them AND us, they didn’t know anything about it. I’ll be back tomorrow, to see if some sort of amends can be made to all who were offended by today’s nonsense…. We’ve got a slush fund that may be able to help any who suffered DNA damage…. As long as I’m not incarcerated at some undisclosed location, I’ll see y’all tomorrow, 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








dozer3




À bientôt, mon cherí….





					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Turnips & aquavit; breakfast of champions….

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
						

				2			

					


				

			
Ffolkes,




“Nothing in human affairs is worth any great anxiety.”


~~ Plato ~~


3-1-2015 009


Afternoon sun shines


brightly through the pepper tree.


Beauty strikes at will.


~~ gigoid ~~






Oh, no! Just when I thought I had this figured out, I get up to find myself again confronted by a vast white space, with nothing worth writing to be found anywhere in my mind…. Scary, and frustrating, since I had achieved a bit of success at getting them done in a timely fashion…. Y’know what, ffolkes? I’m not even going to fuss with it at all. The damn screen up here can remain blank, for all I care. I’m going to be as ruthless as I’ve ever been, even counting the time I…. no, I probably shouldn’t share that. The statute of limitations hasn’t passed yet. Ah well… Any who, I think we’ll just end this right here, before we get fully started, and before this gets any stranger than it already is…. Luigi, get us out of here!….


Shall we Pearl?


“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.” — Oscar Wilde, “Oscariana”


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






elvin b


Image from elvinbishipmusic.com via Google Free Images




One of this artist’s peers once said of him, “He’s ain’t good lookin’, but he sure can play.” Elvin Bishop’s primary source of fun in life was playing music on stage; one could tell that by the constant grin on his face as he played. No other artist I ever saw in a live performance consistently gives his all for his fans onstage like Elvin; I’ve been to see him in a lot of different venues, and it is ALWAYS a great time…. In fact, I’m thinking of making his song, Travelin’ Shoes, my theme song…. Enjoy, ffolkes, it doesn’t get any better than this for live music….




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




















Elvin Bishop ~~ Travelin’ Shoes 1975 BBC




















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



































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























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




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






le penseur-rodin


Le Penseur ~~ August Rodin






A short, but, potent rant from the intro section of the Pearl posted on 10/5/2013:


Unbeknownst to the remainder of the world, I struggle, here in the dark of the morning, waging war with the always-present, never-sleeping, force of evil, that the world calls Bob, or sometimes, Steve-a-rino….. No matter what name we use, by any other token, they are very, very bad evils, whether in their initial, merely bloody, sharp-sword incarnation, or if they’ve gone into complete chainsaw mode. Either way, somebody is in for a world of hurt….


“What the hell is he babbling about now?”, is probably the foremost question in your mind(s) right now…. (I know, assuming that more than one mind currently reading this is being, perhaps, too hopeful…. My readership has taken a severe dip lately….)…. I’m babbling because, hey, it’s what I’m best at, and nothing else seemed as if it was going to get me down the road toward a real Pearl, so, I just went with it…. It’s not as if y’all had gotten accustomed to a more elegant format around here, now, is it? No, we’ve been stuck in bourgeois mode for quite some time now, with no real change of venue in sight…


Not that there’s anything wrong with being bourgeois; it’s only when we start trying to break into proletariat mode trouble begins, as it always does in such cases….. The human animal, though it always seems to fall into some form of hierarchical society, seems to function most efficiently when categories such as bourgeois, proletarian, or any others based on financial worth, are NOT used to determine one’s relative place in society…. The only truly honorable form would be a society where one’s social standing was based solely on how much one gave back to that society…. This, however, is mere speculation, since no human society has ever been structured in such a manner that it could be considered as “honorable”…..


Society has always been structured to favor those with the most resources under their control, which is why we are seeing the issues we now have to deal with, as the effects of entropy over time wear away at the foundations upon which it is built. Money is an artificial concept, not really a part of reality, other than as we humans perceive it to be, and therefore, only has the importance that we place on it. Making it the primary social factor that determines how high up in society one rises in the estimation of peers is destined to become a problem, as human nature tends not to share very well…. in short, people get greedy, and hoard all the resources (money) to themselves, ensuring their own place, and keeping others in a place lesser than their own….


Politicians, bless their black, lying, little hearts, would have us believe we live in a classless society, that everyone is equal, and has equal rights…. Well, ffolkes, guess what?…. That’s just another of their ubiquitous lies, and society isn’t like that at all…. At every level, built in prejudices and misconceptions, guided and kept true by unseen, but iron-clad cliches, color people’s viewpoint with the brush of discrimination, based on how much money a person makes, or what color their skin may be, or where they were born, or whether or not they stand up to pee…


People use a myriad ways to decide that other people aren’t as good as they are, all of which are lies; all of those thousands of prejudices are taught by, enforced by, and continuously enabled by the BRC, our Beloved Ruling Class, who believes their place at the top of society is inherently theirs. Given this long-held delusion, and the fact that it has held sway over the rest of society for over ten thousand years, it seems clear they have no intention  of ever relinquishing that place to anyone else….


Oops, it happened again, didn’t it? I fell right into another opening rant, never realizing what I was up to until I was a thousand words down the pike… I guess it’s okay; I don’t see any casualties, other than my own readership’s numbers, so, apparently nobody was standing close enough to get hit by the flying shrapnel….. The fact that there ARE no casualties is not necessarily a good thing, you know….. a couple of bodies would at least indicate that there is SOMEONE reading this stuff, but, I guess my ego doesn’t really need THAT kind of proof…. It’s all a wash anyhow, as I ran out of lime and sulfuric acid, and I’d have a hard time disposing of the corpses… so, it’s just as well….


On that note, I think I’d best get on with it…. Shall we Pearl?…..


“By space the universe encompasses and swallows me up like a dot; by thought I encompass the Universe.” — Pascal, Pensees, n. 265


“To sit silently,  and look wise, is not to be compared to drinking sake and making a riotous shouting.” — Ono No Tabitu


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





About Hopi Indian Symbols




    I found this poem from e.e. cummings hiding in Smart Bee, whereupon it was instantly chosen for today’s poetry section, because, hey, good stuff. The Kokopelli adornment above just seems appropriate; if the reason for that is unclear, I suggest googling the name for some background….


Most simply put, according to the Navajo/Hopi beliefs about Reality, Kokopelli is a spirit form, which they see as a very basic part of everything, a representation of one of the eternal principles they saw in the world; in this case, of Entropy, in flesh form…. Coyote, the Trickster is one of the manifestations of his spirit; sometimes seen as his companion, other times he is a shape-shifter who assumes coyote form… One can never tell what the Trickster might be up to in Reality, so, it’s well to plan for his presence….




jake hates

   all the girls(the

shy ones, the bold  paul scorns all

ones; the meek           the girls(the

proud sloppy sleek)  bright ones, the dim

all except the cold  ones; the slim

     ones  plump tiny tall)

    all except the

           dull ones

gus loves all the

   girls(the

warped ones, the lamed  mike likes all the girls

ones; the mad      (the

moronic maimed)   fat ones, the lean

all except   ones; the mean

   the dead ones  kind dirty clean)

    all

       except the green ones


~~ e e cummings ~~




Hmm…. I may have chosen better than I knew… It occurs to me, perhaps Mr. Cummings wasn’t talking about girls, at all…. ya think? Bears thinking about, I’d say….


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





buddhacat




    Today’s final pearl, in my mind, is pretty obviously a recipe…. Any ideas as to the dish it describes? Feel free to comment below….


“Each of us bears his own Hell.” — Publius Maro


“We are all captives of the pictures in our heads.” — Walter Lippmann


“I’m the one who’s got to die when its time for me to die, so let me live my life the way I want to.” — Jimi Hendrix


“If you hate a person, you hate something in him that is part of yourself. What isn’t part of ourselves doesn’t disturb us.” — Hermann Hesse, _Demian_, 1919


“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on them unless they act.” — G.K. Chesterton


“There are two sentences inscribed upon the Delphic oracle, hugely accommodated to the usages of man’s life: “Know thyself”, and “Nothing too much”; and upon these all other precepts depend.” — Plutarch (46-120 AD) — Consolation to Apollonius


“If a man remembers what is right at the sign of profit, is ready to lay down his life in the face of danger, and does not forget sentiments he has repeated all his life when he has been in straitened circumstances for a long time, he may be said to be a complete man.” — Confucius — Analects, XIV.12




When I ‘m not thank’d at all, I ‘m thank’d enough;

I ‘ve done my duty, and I ‘ve done no more.


~~ Henry Fielding (1707-1754) ~~


~~ Tom Thumb the Great, Act i, Sc. 3 ~~




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


Since I managed to begin with alacrity, I shall end the same way. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, with the usual caveat…. to wit: as long as I remain at liberty….




Y’all take care out there, 

and May the Metaphorse be with you;

Blessed Be, dearest Carole, Mark,Theresa, & Richy

and everyone else, too…


When I works, I works hard.

When I sits, I sits loose.

When I thinks, I falls asleep.


Which is Why….


Sometimes I sits and thinks,

   and sometimes,

I just sits.


gigoid, the dubious


PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.


“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch






dozer3




À bientôt, mon cherí….



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Bowled over by a Boston Brahmin….

			
						

				Posted on   by  			

			
						

				2			

					


				

			
Ffolkes,




“Reality is not a constant.”


~~ Smart Bee ~~


A Starry Combination


Image from Space.com Pictures of the Day, 3/23/2015








“Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen…” Imagine you’re hearing that on the radio, standing in the shower, thinking about the past…. Then, imagine, for just a moment, you are not naked. What the hell are you doing in the shower fully clothed? Are you nuts? What possessed you to…. Oh, never mind…..


Howdy, ffolkes. As might be noted, I’m a bit under the weather, or, is that over the top? Probably the latter. Nevertheless, this still must get done; hence, the nonsensical BS in the opening paragraph, such as it is. I have little clue as to why that popped out, actually. It just seemed to want to be a part of today’s mess, though goodness knows why. It’s bad enough for us, who HAVE to do this, or go mad; choosing to do so isn’t what I’d call showing the best sense. But, then, what can one expect from a completely imaginary figment of my imagination, but for nonsense…..


I’m late again, of course; that’s why I can’t seem to find anything to talk about here. It’s all screwed up…. or, I suppose it would be more accurate to say I have once more screwed it all up. Such incompetence isn’t my natural milieu, I swear. I used to be considered a fairly competent person, back in the day…. I guess we all fall into that hole when we get to a certain age; it sure doesn’t help to know that, I’ll tell you for sure. It does, however, offer an excuse, and, maybe, if we’re bold enough, it will get us out of this seemingly endless display of idiocy….


You may be asking yourself WHY you made the decision to stop in, today of all days, when I can’t seem to find my way out of the intro. Go ahead, ask…. it doesn’t matter, because I can’t tell you. I’m having enough trouble hooking up this emergency kit, which, if I don’t get done in the next 20 seconds, won’t work at all…. There! Got it…. Okay, ffolkes, I’ll have to ask y’all to return to your seats now. This particular little method for getting us down the page is a little rough; oh, hell, I’ll be honest. It’s a fucking disaster, but, it works. Just close your eyes, (or, put on the masks provided in your seat back in front….), hold on to your neighbor’s hand, and pray!….. We’re goin’ in……


Shall we Pearl?


“It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson


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


jimi h





Image from http://www.shoutout.com via Google stock images


It’s time for another blast from my past…. This man needs no introduction; simply, the most talented guitarist who ever lived…. Had he lived longer, the entire world would have known his name, forever. As it is, his early work remains some of the strongest, most brilliant pieces of impromptu, innovative brilliance ever heard on the guitar; the like will never be heard again…. Ladies and gentle ffolk, I give you Jimi Hendrix…..




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


The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Purple Haze 


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


https://youtu.be/pjWfxhEfM6U


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




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






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


Ffolkes….. I first wrote this ode shortly before Noah’s passing, in 2011, posting it online at some pet-oriented website by Triond, an online posting brokerage for bloggers, or other authors wishing to post anything online… I have used it here on WP a couple times, correcting typos here and there as I find them. This time, I’ve gone through to polish up the style and errors of syntax, grammar, or just plain dumbass non-professional writer mistakes which I’ve learned to avoid, or edit. It should have more impact, and be easier to read; I hope you enjoy it. I loved this dog as much as any I’ve had in my life, if not more; he was indeed my best friend for a long time….




 OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA


Noah Dog, 1994 ~ 2011








“We give them the love we can spare, the time we can spare.  In return dogs have given us their absolute all.  It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” — Roger Caras, “A Celebration of Dogs”


An Ode to Noah


Noah came to live with us when he was about 10 months old; we rescued him from taking the long walk at the Humane Society kennel in Santa Rosa. It was my son’s fifteenth birthday; he wanted a dog, swearing up & down he would take responsibility for its’ care. Pets were always part of family life when I grew up, a policy I’d followed in my own; our last dog had been gone for a bit over a year, so it was time to expand the family once again.


As the door opened into the kennel where the dogs were held for viewing, a large variety of dogs started a welcoming cacophony of different barks; shrill tiny ones, deep booming ones, polite yips, all blended together in an almost desperate frenzied concert, as each animal, many of them almost frantic, tried to get our attention. Some pawed at the gate, some jumped up, some looked nervous, others looked friendly, and all of them, it seemed, were making noise.


When we drew near the last cage in the aisle, we saw a medium-sized, sad-eyed, black and white dog, not barking, not jumping, just sitting down, leaning against the wall by the gate. He was looking me right in the eyes, with an expression on his face that just said, “Get me out of here, please!”. What could we do? He was obviously our dog, so, we told him we’d be right back, then, went back out to the office to announce our choice, & complete the paperwork.


The attendant brought Noah in to us just as I finished. He looked a bit nervous, but, looked around with a curious, calm eye. That is, he was calm until I clasped his new collar around his neck, then hooked on his leash. All of a sudden, he realized he wasn’t going back into the kennel; instantly, he was a new dog, wagging his tail furiously, looking at us with his eyes shining, almost dancing and vibrating in his eagerness to go. As we walked back to the van, he walked proudly in front of us, looking back every few steps to make sure we were still there, tail and ears up, a very happy dog…..


Noah settled into the family immediately. He proved to be very well-mannered, both with people, as well as in his personal habits. When on walks, he would stop to sniff, and lift his leg, on every interesting bush and tree, just like any other male dog. But, when he had to do his secondary business, he made it clear he preferred to go behind a bush, or somewhere out of the way, preferably out of sight.


He’d assume a very embarrassed expression when not sufficiently hidden from sight, turning away, refusing to look up, as if he felt guilty. A very private, discreet individual, to say the least. If he had been overlong between walks, so much in a hurry he made a mistake on the sidewalk, he would act just like a cat, refusing to even look at it, pretending it had not happened. “What mess? Who, me? I don’t know what you’re talking about. C’mon, let’s GO….”


Noah was an extremely intelligent dog. I can say that, as I’ve known a great many animals in my time on this old planet; he was one of the smartest I’ve ever been around, in spite of very minimal formal training. When he came to live with us, he already knew how to sit on command (both voice and hand), to lie down, and to stay. All without needing to be reinforced, I might add….


Well, in truth, he did have a little bit (actually, a LOT) of trouble with the whole concept of stay; he didn’t like being left alone, I guess. When told to stay somewhere out in public, he would often follow after a minute or two; it’s like he just didn’t want to believe we really MEANT for him to stay. He figured he should be with us so he could do his job. As long as he could see us, he’d stay where he was; if he couldn’t, he believed it was his place to find us; in his whole life, we just couldn’t come to terms about it; on this point he was firm.


We also never had to teach Noah any tricks, as he seemed to have figured stuff out on his own, & his way was definitely cool…. The first time I ever gave him a treat (a milk bone), I showed it to him, told him to sit. He sat. I told him to speak; he gave one quick, obviously joyous howl. I held out my hand, & he offered his own to shake. I straightened up, tossed the treat in the air, for him to catch….


I then watched him not merely catch the darn thing, but, after making the in-air snag, he tossed it back up into the air. With a gleefully joyful expression, he watched it hit the floor, whereupon he dove on top of it, rolled over on his back on top of it, & began to perform  a happy dance, by twisting his back and hips as if scratching his back on the floor. I swear, he looked just like Snoopy doing the Dance of Joy. When he was done dancing on his back, he rolled over, with a smug smile, proceeding to enjoy his milk bone, with a big twinkle in his eye. I always wanted to video the move to submit it for Stupid Pet Tricks on the Letterman Show, but never had a camera handy when he performed his feat, so Noah missed his chance for stardom.


Noah’s gotten old now; we just observed his 17th birthday in February of this year; in dog years, he’s going on 120 or so. He can’t hear anything but very loud noises, can’t see more than a few feet; I suspect all he sees now is mostly shadows and moving light. I’m afraid he will be passing on soon, as he can no longer get up without assistance, or fully control his bodily functions. I sometimes feel like I should have him put down, to ease his pains, but he doesn’t act as if he is hurting, and I can tell he enjoys just lying around, dozing, as long as he knows I am near.


For his entire life with us, over 17 years, Noah has been a true and loyal companion. He has observed, with honor, the pact made between man and dog, many thousands of generations ago. Thus, taking care of him in his declining years is both a privilege, and an honor. In my entire life, I have never known anyone more loyal, human, or animal, more compassionate, or more courageous in standing up to life. He is by far the best friend that any man could hope for; what’s more, he is, by far, the best person I’ve ever known……


Rest in peace, my old friend….


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




Comedy_Tragedy




Image from Google Stock Images






Today, it is only one of mine, simply because I’m so late I didn’t have time to go look for anyone else’s…. Since I have not ranted in DAYS, this one should sublimate for me a bit….




gigoid’s lament


Not a bit of all the pain I feel

is worse than all I see;

all worldly truth, solid and real,

has faded away, never to be free.


Honor stripped of all regard, 

while compassion simply fails;

 Ignorance , powerful, hard,

crows as reason wails.


Crushing resistance, mandating the vote,

selling illusion, smiling all the while.

Pundits, speaking purely by rote,

arrange all the lies in a tidy pile.


Stupidity ’tis said, is a risky choice;

the price is always the same.

Reality has no pity, no warning ever voiced,

only a gravestone, carved with, our name.

~~ gigoid ~~






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






Morning muse




    Ffolkes…. the following old school pearl is damn near perfect. I say so only because there is nothing about it I can find to indicate it is anything LESS than perfect…. Ergo, it would be a good idea for y’all to pay close attention, and use all of your reasoning abilities, both inductive, and deductive, to form the intended conclusion(s)…. There… if that wasn’t obscure enough, or confounding enough, well, I can try again…. No, okay, here you go; pay heed, this will definitely be on the Quiz we all must take to exit this life…..


What’s madness but nobility of soul

At odds with circumstance?

 

~~ Theodore Roethke, “In a Dark Time” ~~




“If it had been a bear it would have bit you.” — Jonathan Swift (1667-1745) — Polite Conversation, Dialogue i


“The devil does not stay where the music is.” — Smart Bee


“It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards,” the Queen remarked.” — Lewis Carroll, “Through the Looking-Glass”


“Each of us visits this Earth involuntarily, and without an invitation. For me, it is enough to wonder at the secrets.” — Albert Einstein


“I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together!” — (The Beatles) I Am The Walrus


“Anything that kills you makes you…well, dead.” — Very, very Smart Bee


“Sure, understanding today’s complex world of the future is a little like having bees live in your head.  But there they are . . .” — The Firesign Theater, “I Think We’re All Bozos on This Bus!”


All things must change 

to something new, to something strange.~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~~






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


It’s done; not without a struggle, but, done nonetheless. (I will say, this vertigo crap is getting old, fast.) In fact, so done, I’m already gone…. See y’all tomorrow, 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


PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.


“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch












Featured image




À bientôt, mon cherí….