Tag Archives: Philosophy

Marvelous mountains of popcorn…..

Posted on by
2

Ffolkes,
On a day following the last two, this morning’s subject for discussion would naturally progress into a political rant. After all, one can only take so much BS before having to spew. Who am I to go against tradition?….. So, for a while there, watching the Republican circus in the news was getting to be a little scary. I don’t think I’d enjoy having a person in charge of this country who insisted on maintaining the degree of ignorance on display in those debates. A person who questions evolution, and at the same time questions global warming, does not have the intellectual strength necessary to carry out the duties of the job. I consider deliberate ignorance to be the biggest problem we have in today’s society, because it affects everything else. How can I justify giving control over nuclear weapons to a person whose most intellectual pursuit is Saturday morning cartoons?


Yes, it was scary for a time, but I forgot a critical factor, that of natural selection. As time goes by, each of the eight or ten Republicans who have declared their intent keeps on talking with the media. Even though some of the campaigns try to limit access to the candidate, they eventually have to speak out on the national stage, or risk being forgotten. And every time they open their mouth, out comes another little verbal bomb, some statement that shows the public just how stupid and greedy they are. It’s been kinda fun, watching them implode their own campaign by the mere act of speaking their mind. I couldn’t ask for better comedy…..if only it weren’t real….


It is unfortunate that there is nobody in the public arena who speaks sense, whether Democrat or Republican, though it shouldn’t surprise us. We voters are the ones who keep electing these schmucks. It’s almost shark-like behavior, performing time and again the same idiotic actions that let these idiots into office, and then complaining because they lied to us. Of course they lied; they’ve been programmed to lie, as history shows it to be the best way to get elected. Lie to the voters, then reverse positions once in office; it’s a time-tested sure-fire method of how to steal from the public, and convince them they like being screwed over. If you think you can explain it any better, feel free to write back and show me some evidence of intelligent life in D.C……meanwhile, here are some pertinent Pearls. Enjoy!….

How you do anything is how you do everything. — Zen proverb

He sinks into thy depths with bubbling groan,
Without a grave, unknell’d, uncoffin’d, and unknown.
— Lord Byron (1788-1824)
— Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Canto iv, Stanza 179

“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot.  In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” — Oscar Wilde

Only the educated are free. — Epictetus

“The ultimate evil is the weakness, cowardice, that is one of the constituents of so much human nature.  When, rarely, unalloyed nobility does occur, its chances of prevailing are slim.  Yet it exists, and its mere existence is reason enough for not wiping the name of mankind off the slate.” — John Simon

“One of the annoying things about believing in free will and individual responsibility is the difficulty in finding someone to blame your troubles on. And when you do find someone, it’s remarkable how often their picture turns up on your driver’s license.” — P. J. O’Rourke

In light of today’s political scene, the last Pearl is downright frightening…..y’all take care out there…..

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

gigoid

Kowabunga!

Lime biscuits with tea and sympathy….

Posted on by
4

Ffolkes,
Yesterday’s discussion of the nature of Reality was fun, as usual. This morning I’d like to comment on another aspect of the subject that is quite as important as understanding the inner nature of what is real. I’m speaking of the concept of perspective, a purely subjective stance that is partially responsible for determining our reaction to what we perceive. If, for example, one’s perspective in the morning is measured pre-coffee, the results would be rather on the negative side. Post-coffee, the world at large assumes a warmer, friendlier tone, and a more positive approach to deciding the day’s activities is enabled. Our perspective is a key feature of our attitude, and its degree of plus or minus can make a huge difference in how we react to our perceptions, and in how we decide on whether or not to act, and whether that act is one of defense, or one of attack. Or any other type of action that falls between the two extremes.


Since perspective is subjective, it follows that it is within our powers to make changes in that perspective. Our reasoning mind can persuade other facets of our nature to view data in varying ways. We can set up filters, to keep unwanted factors out of play, to block out unwanted perceptions. We can set up rule systems to categorize incoming perceptions into certain channels that are pre-set to process that type of data. We can put on rose-colored glasses, if we wish, and perceive everything as positive. Or we can put on black lenses, and sink into neurosis; this is unfortunately an easy method to start and maintain, as it rewards negativity, becoming an ever-stronger, repetitive cycle that ultimately leads to madness and despair. Negativity is an insidious trap; it seems so useful at first, keeping one sheltered from possibly harmful events. But over time, it becomes obsession, dragging one down into depression, a very deep hole from which to climb.


It becomes easy to see that self-examination is important; introspection on the subject of ourselves can determine the shape and color, and the emotional content and effect, of our life’s events, and can be a powerful ally in the daily battle with the forces of an uncaring, indifferent Universe. Holding our mind’s course to a straight and narrow path can be tricky, to say the least. The Universe has a lot of tricks up its sleeves, and isn’t afraid to use them on us. Staying positive in one’s outlook is a powerful weapon, as is negativity. The bad news is that it is all our choice. The good news is that it is all our choice……choose well…..

Reality can be beaten with enough imagination.

“An ancient buddha said, ‘Mountains are mountains; waters are waters.’ These words do not mean mountains are mountains; they mean mountains are mountains.” — Dogen

“Love doesn’t just sit there, like a stone, it has to be made, like bread; re-made all the time, made new.  — Ursula K. LeGuin, The Lathe of Heaven

But Memory blushes at the sneer,
And Honor turns with frown defiant,
And Freedom, leaning on her spear,
Laughs louder than the laughing giant.
— Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)
— A Good Time going

“A man never discloses his own character so clearly as when he describes another’s.” — Jean Paul Richter

“Wow!  Look!!  A stray meatball!!  Let’s interview it!’ — Zippy the Pinhead

Zippy always makes a good point at which to call a halt to these pieces; his unbridled enthusiasm is hard to resist. Plus, his comments always seem to add just the right touch as counterpoint to the rest of the Pearls. Tres bien!….. y’all take care out there….

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

gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Half-dozen of the other….

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
The nature of Reality is a fascinating subject, due in part, I believe, to that part of its nature that is amorphous, ever-changing and unpredictable. It is also hard, uncompromisingly immutable, and always the same. In these two facets, it is much like us, coexisting on the edge of light/dark, sharp/dull, sweet/sour, pleasure/pain. As we feel, so our view of what is real changes to suit those feelings. But though our view of it will alter to fit our whim, reality itself is immune to such manipulation. Its nature is to provide the truth that our illusions keep us from seeing, not to change at our direction. But it too will change, for entropy is the rule for which exceptions exist (see below), and entropy cannot be denied.


Thus even though our nature is but a mirror of Reality, it is not Reality itself, wish as hard as we might that it would be so. We are left with only our reasoning mind to cope with the dichotomy. And that is fine, for we are also dichotomous by nature; all of our senses obtain their information from the universe by registering presence/absence of substance (touch), molecules (smell), air waves (hearing), more molecules (taste), and photons (sight). So dichotomy is something with which our minds are comfortable.


But, though we can be comfortable with perceiving Reality, we still must be cautious, because danger, by its nature, is duplicitous, and can hide right out in the seemingly open. Our perceptions require us to review their veracity on a regular basis, lest surprises occur. Surprises, while nice coming from one’s boy- or girl-friend, can be rather unwelcome coming from Reality. Especially those little conundrums that Life always seems to hand us that have their roots in the past; old debts, old friends, old enemies, all have a tendency to show up in our lives just when they are least welcome. Goes to show, I guess, that the old saw about an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure makes a lot of sense when considered in that respect. Leading us back to another old saw…..be alert! The world needs more lerts. And so do we…..

“I went in search of my art, often in danger of my life. I have not been ashamed to learn those things which to me have seemed useful — even from vagabonds, barbers, and executioners. For we know how a lover will go a long way to meet the woman that he loves. How much the more, then, will the lover of wisdom be tempted to go in search of his divine mistress!” — Paracelsus

“The soul would have no rainbow had the eyes no tears.” — John Vance Cheney

“I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is
purely destructive. We’ve created life in our own image.” — Stephen Hawking

A mighty pain to love it is,
And ‘t is a pain that pain to miss;
But of all pains, the greatest pain
It is to love, but love in vain.
— Abraham Cowley (1618-1667)
— From Anacreon, vii, Gold

“To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence;  supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without
fighting.” — Sun Tzu (fl. c. BC 500)

“If for every rule there is an exception, then we have established that there is an exception to every rule. If we accept “For every rule there is an exception” as a rule, then we must concede that there may not be an exception after all, since the rule states that there is always the possibility of exception, and if we follow it to its logical end we must agree that there can be an exception to the rule that for every rule there is an exception.” — Bill Boquist

Well! I don’t know about y’all, but I feel MUCH better!…… y’all take care out there…..

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

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Ubiquitous persnickety swans…..

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
Life tends to run in spurts. I mean, not always, of course, but much of the time, we tend to alternate being  busy as a one-armed paperhanger with periods of feeling as if everything is moving through molasses. Cold molasses, at that. This is not always the case, obviously, but generally speaking we prefer to fill our lives with roller-coaster rides rather than idyllic barges floating down a slow, peaceful river. I think this is a good thing, as most people, if anything like me at all, would get bored quickly with Nirvana. This may be a clue into the true nature of human beings at large. What does one say about a creature who will deliberately sabotage a smoothly running series of events, just so they will be provided with something to occupy their tiny little minds? I’ve seen this a ‘sagan’ times (think, billions and billions), so much so that I, and probably you with some practice, can tell just when and how it will happen. This comes in handy in my own life, as it gives me the opportunity to protect my own affairs from the unknown and possibly deleterious effects of such sabotage, prior to its actual advent. It has the added bonus effect of keeping me alert, a condition I recommend to all.


The week prior to my monthly infusion of George Washingtons is usually spent in worry mode. Then for the next few days after George’s arrival, my brain goes into extreme juggling mode, calculating different scenarios with lightning speed, and doling out equal amounts of cash and soothing noises to those creditors slavering outside the door. After putting out as many fires as possible with inadequate water, it becomes a matter of maintaining basic existence until the next go-around, which is both easier and more difficult than it appears at first. At least this month I’m doing something more to improve my situation, so hope remains for a brighter, less stressful lifestyle in a foreseeable future. If naught else, I always have diving for Pearls to look forward to each day…..enjoy!…..

“We are all born mad. some remain so.” — Samuel Beckett

“The soul is indestructible and its activity will continue through eternity. It is like the sun, which, to our eyes, seems to set at night; but it has in reality only gone to diffuse its light elsewhere.” — Goethe (1749-1832)

The tree of deepest root is found
Least willing still to quit the ground:
‘T was therefore said by ancient sages,
That love of life increased with years
So much, that in our latter stages,
When pain grows sharp and sickness rages,
The greatest love of life appears.
— Mrs. Thrale (1739-1821)
— Three Warnings

Money isn’t everything: usually it isn’t even enough.

“Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s life.” — Mark Twain

Never tell a pawn the rules of chess.

Sometimes I surprise meself….the last line above is the shortest, but upon consideration, it could also be classed as the deepest….levels upon levels of meaning….. y’all take care out there……

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

gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Delusions of adequacy….

Posted on by
2

Ffolkes,
A great confusion arose in my mind yesterday; a confusion so great I could not find a way out, and several things that should have been done were not. This missive is one of those things…..I actually had most of it done, but my ever-present extremely high level of anxiety had me out doing other things that seemed more important at the time. Turns out it wasn’t but, hey, Murphy knows me by first name, so it doesn’t surprise anymore when stuff goes wrong. Thus today I must play clean-up on yesterday’s unfinished tasks, thus keeping me from what I’d like to do, which is get some writing done. No hope there today, not when it takes almost all I’ve got to write a Pearl. Speaking of which, I finally found the little poem that explains about the Pearls, at least from a minimalist standpoint. I merely take it as proof that I am not alone, that others have walked this path before me, seeking out the finest oysters, and bringing their Pearls of Virtual Wisdom into the light of day……

Errors, like straws, upon the surface flow;
He who would search for pearls must dive below.
— John Dryden (1631-1700) — All for Love, Prologue

“Nothing is rubbish if you’ve got an inquiring mind.” — Doctor Who

:sagan: /say’gn/ n. [from Carl Sagan’s TV series “Cosmos”; think “billions and billions”] A large quantity of anything. “There’s a sagan different ways to tweak EMACS.”  “The U.S. Government spends sagans on bombs and welfare — hard to say which is more destructive.”  — from The on-line Hacker Jargon File V423

How charming is divine philosophy!
Not harsh and crabbed, as dull fools suppose,
But musical as is Apollo’s lute,
And a perpetual feast of nectar’d sweets
Where no crude surfeit reigns.
— John Milton (1608-1674) — Comus, Line 476

Order is heaven’s first law; and this confest,
Some are, and must be, greater than the rest,
More rich, more wise; but who infers from hence
That such are happier, shocks all common sense.
— Alexander Pope (1688-1744) — Essay on Man, Epistle iv, Line 49

“As the tempest and the thunder affect not the sun or the stars, but spend their fury on stones and trees below; so injuries ascend not to the Soul of the great, but waste themselves on such as are those who offer them.” — Akhenaton? (c. B.C. 1375)

Lotta poetry today, yes? It’s good for the mind to stretch in different ways sometimes; keeps it flexible….y’all take care out there…..

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

gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Tears of rage and sorrow….

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
I have reached a point in this process where each separate step is well-defined, and, and, and…..and I can’t think of what point I was working toward with this sentence. The rules of English grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. are all jumbled up in my head, and are not giving me any tips on how to say what it is I’m trying to say. Which is not to say I shouldn’t say it, but rather that I could, if I only would. See? It’s all going bananas on me. I’m going to stop here, before I hurt somebody….enjoy today’s Pearls, they were a tough row to hoe….

“This neurotic pursuit of sanity is driving us all crazy.” — Solomon Short

“Always watch where you are going.  Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.” — Pooh’s Little Instruction Book, inspired by A. A. Milne

On Siamese Fighting Fish:  “They’re beautiful, they’re elegant, they’re vicious as hell…there’s a real life lesson here somewhere.” — Professor Ralph Noble, RPI, Psychology of Motivation, Fall 1991

“Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.” — Albert Einstein

Truckin’, like the do-dah man
Once told me “Gotta play your hand.
Sometimes your cards ain’t worth a dime
If you don’t lay’em down.”
Sometimes the light’s all shinin’ on me;
Other times I can barely see.
Lately it occurs to me
What a long, strange trip it’s been.
— Truckin’ by Garcia, Weir, Lesh, Hunter

To beat the grass is to risk startling the snake.

Indeed…..having dodged the snake’s first strike, I’ll now stop beating the grass…..y’all take care out there….

Sometimes I sits and thinks,

and sometimes

I just sits.

gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Certain shades of truth….

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
Down the stairs, across the lobby to the heavy door, and through into the night air, with not a word nor a glance toward the slight figure beside him. The street is alive with the denizens of night, crowds of young women and men, laughing, dancing over the concrete, and crowing their defiance against life and its crushing paranoia. The two silent figures walk calmly through the chaos, a little ripple of quiet spreading in their wake. As they approach the corner, a long black limousine pulls to the curb in front of them. The driver, a nondescript little man in black uniform pops out of the door and rushes around to open the door for his passengers. “Good evening, your grace,” he murmurs as they climb in, and shutting the door, slips back into the driver’s seat, and pulls smoothly away into the traffic.


One of these days, I’ll sit down and finish one of these little stories, but today isn’t that day. For a Sunday, got way too much to accomplish, and I’m getting a late start, thanks to my payday treat. This morning’s group of Pearls has no ulterior meaning; it has no interior meaning either, as far as I know. I had no plan or agenda when plucking them up today, just liked what they say, or how they said it. So, you can approach them without fear, as I will not be including these in the final examination…..

“Life has no other discipline to impose, if we would but realize it, than to accept life unquestioningly.  Everything we shut our eyes to, everything we run away from, everything we deny, denigrate, or despise, serves to defeat us in the end.  What seems nasty, painful, evil, can become a source of beauty, joy, and strength, if faced with an open mind.  Every moment is a golden one for him who has the vision to recognize it as such.” — Henry Miller

Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days!
None knew thee but to love thee,
Nor named thee but to praise.
— Fitz-Greene Halleck (1790-1867)
— On the Death of Joseph Rodman Drake

Those who won’t think will have it done for them.

And if I laugh at any mortal thing,
‘T is that I may not weep.
— Lord Byron (1788-1824)
— Don Juan, Canto iv, Stanza 4

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. — Proverbs 3:27

You will please take note of the line from Proverbs. I don’t usually find much quotable material in the Bible, as it usually has too much faith-based language to plow through in order to get to the real meaning. But this one is straightforward, and damn good advice. A lot of people we see every day in the news could take this one to heart; they might begin to make sense…….NOT! Couldn’t hurt though, could it?…Y’all take care out there…..

—
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.
gigoid
Dozer

Kowabunga!

Beleaguered poltroons in the apiary….

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
Well, that took forfriggingever….I can’t remember the last time I had such a frustrating dive. But then, since Murphy seems to live in my pocket, I should have known, as I have lots to do today, and didn’t intend to spend so much time on the process of picking out today’s offerings.  I had to make three separate dives, and each one was more barren than the one before. If I was doing this for pay, I’d have to dock myself.  Ah well, s’okay, I’ll just pull out the old rescheduling software, as issued to me at retirement, and all will be well.


Five minutes later, he came to his senses, having been staring off into the distance with that vacuous expression that tells you for sure that something shiny has caught his meager attention. It was nothing, really, just another of those little trips to the edge of the universe and back to which I am prone, particularly when pressed for time. But it has left me again without inspiration, and it is too early to apply perspiration to the problem; I haven’t eaten yet. Poetry is out of the question, and it’s way too early for a conversation with James or John. I’ll have to resort to flaming bonhomie, and hope for the best. Remember, ffolkes, it’s all in the timing, and the little twist of the wrist at the end…..

“Nobody ever complains that you are treating them like a child when you listen to their stories, encourage their dreams, and tell them how special they are.” — Callan Williams

“I bid him look into the lives of men as though into a mirror, and from others to take an example for himself.” — Terence (185-159 BC)
— Adelphoe, Act iii, Sc. 3, 61, (415.)

His head,
Not yet by time completely silver’d o’er,
Bespoke him past the bounds of freakish youth,
But strong for service still, and unimpair’d.
— William Cowper (1731-1800)
— The Task, Book ii, The Timepiece, Line 702

“AAAEEEYYYAAAAAEEEEEYAAAAAA” — Johnny Weissmuller (And he means that literally…..)

One spring morning Descartes was strolling in a suburb of Paris.  A local tavern owner recognized him and asked, “Would you honor me by tasting the new excellent wine I just received.” “I think not,” said Descartes, and disappeared.

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.
— Lao-Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Sometimes, I amaze even myself. All in all, it came out splendidly, I think. Now I can get busy with a clear mind….y’all take care out there…..

—
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.
gigoid
Just Dozer

Kowabunga!

Barring further difficulties….

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
Fear not, mes amis, the sun does indeed come up every morning, and since I try to get these done before it gets too far up in the sky, they actually provide me with a reason to get up. Yesterday’s little mini-rant re: my ongoing battle with reality in its baser aspects prompted responses from friends, which I should have realized would happen. I was mostly laying things out so I could examine them, but it did turn out to sound worse than I make it out to be. Sure, I’m uncomfortable sometimes, and actually more embarrassed than anything else, but it could be worse. Seven years ago I was looking at having no retirement at all; zip, zero, zilch. So it could be worse, and I will survive, and be happy, because those are two things I’m very good at….. I’m sorry to have worried my friends, but I guess they wouldn’t be my friends if it hadn’t, a fact for which I am continually grateful.


Meanwhile, back in the real world, I must go out to do battle with bureaucracies in a multitude of guises. Places to go, forms to fill out, stores to cruise, people to avoid or engage, miles to go before I get to the naps to take category. It’s tough, but I don’t mind; as long as I get to the nap, the rest will take care of itself. It’s all just routine, easy but time-consuming BS. I suppose that makes composing this silly thing the high point of the day, eh what? Picking these Pearls was most likely the most fun, and most productive thing I’ll do all day. And if not, well, the sun will be back up tomorrow…..

It really doesn’t matter if you’re the prey or the predator, if you want to live to see the sunset, you’ve got to start the day running.

Seas roll to waft me, suns to light me rise;
My footstool earth, my canopy the skies.
— Alexander Pope (1688-1744)
— Essay on Man, Epistle i, Line 139

Sounds travel slowly. Sometimes the things you say to your kids don’t reach them till they’re in their 40s.

I held it truth, with him who sings
To one clear harp in divers tones,
That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things.
— Alfred Tennyson (1809-1892)
— In Memoriam, i, Stanza 1

There are two intelligent responses to contemporary Western civilization: laughter and despair. You’ll note I’m not laughing.

“There is one art of which man should be master — the art of reflection.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Remember, kids, it’s all illusion, just a dream. To change is natural, though often a surprise. It is our mind that makes the decision as to whether it is a burden, or a gift…..

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

gigoid

Dozer

Kowabunga!

Deliberate frankness on toast points…

Posted on by
Reply

Ffolkes,
Contemplation of impending disaster, as I can say from experience, is an exercise in futility. It does me no earthly good to be smart enough to realize that everything is going to come crashing down around my ears next week, when I’m not smart enough to figure out how to keep it from happening. By this time next week, I’ll most likely be joining a new economic level, several steps below the poverty level that I have heretofore been struggling with. I am having to make some hard decisions, like having to sell my car, simply because I can’t pay for it, and eat too. Hell, it’s been three months since I could afford the extra money to go get a fast-food burger, and that was the last time I actually had beef to eat. A steak? Forget it, haven’t tasted one in over a year.


In spite of my supposed maturity, I find myself playing the blame game over this situation. It wasn’t my choice to retire when I did; I did it only to keep from getting fired as being unfit for duty, thanks to the callous disregard for common decency shown by the NSH Executive Director. In retrospect, I made an incorrect decision then, and am now paying the price. I should have immediately filed a Workman’s comp claim for my back, and then applied for a disability retirement. Instead, due to my stupid pride, and not wishing to be labeled as ‘disabled’,  I went for the standard retirement, not realizing at the time that it wouldn’t be enough to live on. For nine months now I’ve been trying to stem the incoming tide, and as a result, I’ve fallen behind every month to the tune of about $600, and the interest just keeps on climbing, because I can’t even pay that. Add in to that the passing of my mother, and my best friend, Noah, and you have a perfect picture of a man about ready to go under for the third time.


In the past year and change, I have been forced out of my job, had the great love of my life kick me to the curb, and lost half or more of my income. My dog died, my mother died, and as a result of doing my duty for my mother, I lost out on a cruise (my retirement gift to myself), and my sister and her family put me on their death-wish list. I’ll soon be without transportation. I have no TV, and thanks to having been cut off from all the people I knew at work, I have no friends here in town. My only contact with the outside world is my phone and email; soon I may have to give up the email, because I’m not certain I can afford the monthly  internet charge. If that happens, my only access will be at the library, to which I must walk, since I won’t have a car.


I’m not sure why this all came out this morning, other than the fact that all of this is crashing around in my head all the time, and there’s nowhere else to put it. In some ways it helps me to clarify all the details, so I can better deal with it. But the simple fact is that I don’t have the money to support myself in anything near the level I previously enjoyed. As a matter of fact, enjoyment will be in pretty short supply pretty soon, so I’m holding on to it as long as I can. All of this is not intended to create sympathy for my plight; I’ll survive, and don’t want sympathy anyway. Putting this all down has helped me to look at it all with some emotional distance, without passion, something not to be found inside my head. If hearing this disturbs you, I am sorry. Perhaps it’s time to look at things a bit more positively, so without further ado, we will join the regularly scheduled program in progress……remember, think positive!….

If you’re looking for trouble, I can offer a wide selection.

Marjoe and Doshen were meditating in a field when Doshen just went and smacked Marjoe upside the head.  “What the hell did you do that for?” asked Marjoe. “Nyuck nyuck nyuck,” replied Doshen. At that moment, Marjoe ordered pizza.

A rose is a rose is a rose…. —-‘–,-{@

“I’ve reached that age when a good day is one when you get up and nothing hurts.” — H. Martin

The sky is changed,–and such a change! O night
And storm and darkness! ye are wondrous strong,
Yet lovely in your strength, as is the light
Of a dark eye in woman! Far along,
From peak to peak, the rattling crags among,
Leaps the live thunder.
— Lord Byron (1788-1824)
— Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Canto iii, Stanza 92

Being normal isn’t one of my strengths.

Hell, I’d settle for normal right now, if I could get an offer….. y’all take care out there…..

—
Sometimes I sits and thinks,
and sometimes
I just sits.
gigoid
Dozer

Kowabunga!