Tag Archives: Philosophy

Oblique references at reality’s core….

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Ffolkes,

“A mind forever voyaging through strange seas of thought, alone.”

~~ William Wordsworth ~~

georges house

George Orwell’s Home, London….

Hajime…. Nearly a week has passed since the last fresh Pearl of Virtual Wisdom was posted. In that week, I’ve seen this country, and the world, edge ever closer to either a civil war, or a world war, take your pick, as both scenarios are receiving some attention in the available news, whether fake, real, or just out there. Since there is little, at this point, I can do about any of that, beyond what I already have done to prepare myself, I find myself rather bored by it all, sort of Oscar Wilde-ish in my impatience with the tedious nature of most of my species. The very worst of human behaviors are on full public display, as the ignorance of the American people is played out on the world stage in the most appalling manner. SIGH… ah, well, bell curve, is all I can say….

I am working on a rant, but, even the degree of angst I’ve built up watching the nonsense going on all around me isn’t quite enough to have it ready, given the physical and emotional wars I’m waging on a daily basis. Suffice it to say, the rant may get outrageous, so, we’ll save it until it’s fully developed, to savor any potential impact it may produce. In the meantime, over the past four or five days, in the few moments per day allotted to me for sitting in a chair, I’ve managed to string together the basic elements of a fresh Pearl, which I now present for your viewing/reading pleasure. Of course, only you can decide whether it produces the desired effect, but, I’m sure you’ll let me know, if only by completely ignoring it. What the hell, I’ve blogged here on WP for more than six years now; I know better than to worry about how many will see what I produce; basically, it’s a crap shoot, & I never did figure out the odds on craps..

All that said, with the standard lack of purpose or justification, I’m going to be a trifle rude, & drop y’all right here, so I can get this finished & posted in a timely manner. Lots still to do out in the BBR today, laying in supplies for the coming month/times, & generally avoiding the rain as much as possible. Not that I mind the rain; I spent four years living in the state of Washington as a boy, & the rain is just a part of life, one you learn to enjoy, or suffer all the damn time. I like to control my suffering, so, I choose to enjoy the rain. It’s not hard, it’s just cold. So be it. And so be this intro, which I now declare done. Watch this….

Shall we Pearl?

“I am not an Athenian or a Greek, I am a citizen of the world.”

~~ Socrates ~~

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camille-saint-saens-photo2

French composer Camille Saint-Saens

Camille Saint-Saëns

Today, I feel like some classical music; by my personal experience, one cannot choose better than this man’s work, no matter what particular type of orchestral arrangement wishes to hear. Here are two plus hours of violin concertos, to ease your way into the day…. Enjoy!….

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Camille Saint-Saëns
Violin Concertos

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Comedy_Tragedy

Stray Cats

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

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

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

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

~~gigoid~~

4/12/2013

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Notes on Life at Large

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“Death tugs at my ear and says: “Live, I am coming.”

~~ Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. ~~

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“We should consider every day lost
on which we have not danced at least once.”
And we should call every truth false
which was not accompanied by at least one laugh.”

~~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~~

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“Perfect valor is to do unwitnessed
what we should be capable of doing before all the world.”

~~ Francois Duc de la Rochefoucauld ~~

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“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 ~~

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“If you understand, or if you don’t.
If you believe, or if you doubt.
There is a universal justice
and the eyes of truth are always watching.”

~~ Enigma ~~

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“My life is light, waiting for the death wind,
Like a feather on the back of my hand.”

~~ T.S. Eliot ~~

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“What I tell you three times is true.”

~~ Lewis Carroll, “The Hunting of the Snark” ~~

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Well, there you go. I can’t think of anything else this needs, so, I’ll forgo any tricks, traps, or distractions, & merely say, see y’all soon. Not sure when a fresh Pearl will next appear, but, I can guarantee it will, as long as I survive long enough. Until then, be well, and happy as you may… In the infamous words of the Terminator, I’ll be back….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Featured Image -- 11727

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Is that an igloo?….

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9

Ffolkes,

“Where there is much light there is also much shadow.”

~~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ~~

posing-leelu

A moment of peaceful contemplation…

Hajime…. Below, y’all will find a Pearl. It’s a good Pearl. It’s been created in the past couple days, bit by bit, as the opportunity to sit arose, or was noted as necessary, if not exactly condoned. Suffice it to say, it’s done, and will do for the nonce. I don’t have anything else to say, really, so, I’ll forgo the usual amount of nonsense, & limit myself to this lone paragraph. Y’all can tell me sometime later whether you think it works, or, not. Of course, that makes the assumption, perhaps without warrant, that I’ll actually pay attention. But, life is full of uncertainty, isn’t it? Why, yes. Yes, it is. For now, what is certain is, I am done with this, and we can now get this slow on the toad…. Watch closely, or, it will shoot right past, without anyone noticing….

Shall we Pearl?

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart.
Who looks outside, dreams.
Who looks inside, awakens.”

~~ Carl Jung ~~

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pinterest-edie-b

Edie Brickell

Image from Pinterest via Google Images

Though I’ve heard this lady’s music on the radio, I never pursued any of it beyond that; I see now that was a mistake, for she’s done some rather fine work. In addition, she seems to find a lot of rather excellent musicians to play with her, as well as being married to Paul Simon, not a bad performer himself…. Ah, well, we can’t listen to it all, but, I’ll be listening to her more, for sure…. Enjoy!….

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Edie Brickell & Friends

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Comedy_Tragedy

Dreaming of Calliope

La belle dame sans merci speaks aloud through endless night,
torturing dreams, with powerful words and stentorian phrases.
Manifest visions bathed in unbearable grace and light,
destroying all direction, standing lost, in unfathomable mazes.

Fate plays a part, one that will never face denial,
as fear and courage eternally vie for ascendancy.
Conflict becomes valid, gifting strength in open trial,
but honest emotion wears no costume so fancy.

Blood, sweat, and tears stroll on avenues of gold,
unlikely heroines heralding as in ancient lore;
Sharp, competent knives cut through tales untold,
eternally shifting reality past the naked shore.

Drifting toward origin, bereft of mandate or cause,
finished, nay, abandoned, tied with a figurative bow.
No simple gift from muses to give comfort or pause,
save that all we need to know, we already know…..

~~ gigoid ~~

12/13/2012

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Subtle notes on process & program….

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“First things first, but not necessarily in that order.”

~~ Doctor Who, MEGLOS ~~

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“Any fool can know.
The point is to understand.”

~~ Albert Einstein

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“We dance round in a ring and suppose,
But the Secret sits in the middle and knows.”

~~ Robert Frost “The Secret Sits” 1936 ~~

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“Always store beer in a dark place.”

~~ Lazarus Long

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“Are all your stars shining?”

~~ JD Salinger ~~

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“I think it’s good that everyone becomes food.”

~~ Hobbes, the Tiger ~~

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“It’s a fool’s life,
a rogue’s life,
and a good life
if you keep laughing all the way to the grave.”

~~ Edward Abbey ~~

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Today’s Pearl is, in at least one respect, a most efficient, and iconic example of the genre. Moreover, I’ll not detract from that pristine nature by waxing overly philosophic, or extensively, here at the end. Instead, I’ll merely say, I hope you enjoyed it, and I’ll do it again, soon as I can. Meantime, y’all be alert, stay as happy as you may, & all will be well. How else can it be, but what it is?…..

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

dozer3

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Observational evidence of previous habitation….

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4

Ffolkes,

“What I am is what I am.
Are you what you are, or what?”

~~ Edie Brickell & the New Bohemians ~~

iconic-pepper-tree

Black Pepper Tree….

Hajime…. I have managed to put together a Pearl for today; what I didn’t manage is to find any particularly creative energy within myself to write anything more complicated than a short intro paragraph for the music. The rest is, as they say so often in Silicon Valley, what you get. Suffused, as I am, with the angst so carefully built up over the past few days of watching the US government shake itself to pieces, I find it difficult to find the words to express the degree of horror implied by the massive display of duplicity, ignorance, bigotry, and, well, stupidity we have witnessed, as the Trumpette goes about his business, feeding into the ignorance of his ‘fans’, and rewarding all the assholes who helped him get into this mess….

Any further comments on that would easily fall into ranting mode; I’ll cease and desist now, rather than try to regain control later. The few words I’ve already written today came close enough to cover that, and will sit more comfortably in the psyche of the Gentle Reader if not augmented by further displays of angst. Besides, I’m really NOT in the mood to rant; I feel too good to let it wreck what’s left of the day. Instead, I’m going to go all executive, and cut this off while still in its prime, in favor of just getting on with what I’ve got. For y’all, that’s probably a bonus; it certainly makes my job easier, so, we’ll go with it, and let the chips fall where they may…. That, by the way, looks like this….

Shall we Pearl?

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

~~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~~

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playing-for-change

I’ve decided to use the music from various artists in this organization as our default, at least for the time being. Since I’m not spending a lot of time at the computer, it will save some of it for actually creating Pearls, which is already hard enough without the extra time. Here is one that I feel is, or should be, the single most important piece of music I know, for it shows humanity where our true salvation lies, to wit: within our own nature, and not in chasing after an illusory supernatural being who loves us, which has no evidence to support it. “It is in the shelter of each other people live.” Here’s one of the building blocks of that shelter….

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Imagine
Playing For Change

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Comedy_Tragedy

Bulletin

Patterns exist to bring sanity, if illusory, at best;
follicular, reality seems to slip and slide.
Still, formal insanity consistently fails the ultimate test,
why place faith in answers. from which truth can hide?

Following the music brings us back in good time;
forever seemingly retreats from relevance.
Crazy, time stands still with yet another innovative rhyme,
no burgeoning intentions for sale, to shimmy. or dance.

Folly sits easily upon this brow;
fateful and afraid, entropy bows in shame.
Into the river of time, slowly, forgetful of how
courage gives strength, no matter the game.

Capricious, the muse demands obedient attention
at risk of exhibiting true durance vile.
Bereft, single copies sit unused, despite all intention;
while singular examples of fate pass at the stile.

Seminal events bring their own weight;
no scale necessary, no guessing by eye, or hand.
Only one lesson to learn, just pay the freight;
the music is playing, and you’re part of the band.

~~ gigoid ~~

8/6/2016

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Listen, and learn….

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“The map is not the territory.”

~~ Alfred Korzbyski ~~

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“Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul.”

~~ Mark Twain ~~

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“Something we were withholding made us weak
Until we found it was ourselves.”

~~ Robert Frost ~~

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“Immortality lies not in the things you leave behind,
but in the people your life has touched.”

~~ Sagacious Bee ~~

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

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

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

~~ Ursula K. LeGuin, “A Wizard of Earthsea” ~~

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“If you do not understand my silence, then you will not understand my words.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

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That’s it. That’s all I’ve got; besides, my butt’s done with the chair for now. I think I’ll go for a walk in the early morning cold and dark, & see what sort of mischief there is to find…. I don’t know when I’ll be back with a fresh Pearl, but, you may rest assured, I shall. Until then, y’all be strange, and stay alert. It’s getting pretty weird out there in the BBR…. See ya….

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….

Four signs, but, only two portents….

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4

Ffolkes,

“Life, like a dome of many-colored glass, stains the white radiance of eternity.”

~~ Percy Bysshe Shelly ~~

yellow rose 1

Late blooming rose…

Hajime…. It has been well over a week since I posted a fresh Pearl; my psyche is feeling the buildup of angst quite frequently. Physically, I am still unable to sit for more than a few minutes before the conditions I’m working to improve tell me it’s time to get up again. There is some slow improvement, and a strong hope/plan to see more. For now, it’s all I’m able to do to spend five minutes at the computer before I’m compelled to go do something less sedentary, in a different gravitational configuration than the one sitting places us automatically. It makes writing, as might be guessed, a bit problematic; reading & surfing are also relatively hard to accomplish standing up for any length of time, so, I’m necessarily finding other things to do, all of which are healthier for me, though not as mentally soothing, in the sense of the release it gives my fractured psyche.

As this is being written in short spurts of sitting, I’m hoping to manage to keep this intro smooth, without exhibiting too much of the the broken timing so obviously a part of such a routine. To promote that hope, I’ll quickly issue an apology for missing so many of the posts of those I follow; I hope to be able to get back to it eventually. But, if I wish to live, with any degree of independence, re-establishing my health is of primary importance; I’ve still much to do before my time here is up, & I’d best be getting to it, before that time runs out. I hope to publish a bit more often, but, if not, I hope y’all can forgive me for being selfish to this degree….

I can’t think of any tricks, and I need to get up & move, so, I’ll end this here, & go close it off so I can get it posted. I’ll try to get by some other blogs today, if my time here in the chair doesn’t become too onerous. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the mess I’ve thrown together for your perusal… For the nonce, we’ll do this….

Shall we Pearl?

“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 ~~

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playing-for-change

I believe this organization is doing as much as anyone in the world to promote peace and goodwill among men. I support them with a monthly donation, and feel I get my money’s worth every time I listen to a new tune…. Nothing better than live music ffolkes, and no better way to spend your time, or money than to hear/buy this music…. Enjoy!….

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Playing For Change

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Comedy_Tragedy

To fill in this space without resorting to the work of others, thus avoiding any embarrassment for them, here is a poem I wrote exactly five years ago yesterday. Since it’s been raining here for about two weeks straight, it fits right in…. I hope you enjoy it….

An Old Man, Snoring….

Winter arrives with gusts of wind and rain,
clover spreads green amongst the hedges.
Urban gardens quiver, and dream of spring again,
gargoyles stoically crouch on corniced ledges.

Umbrellas sprout over heads shrouded and hatted,
dotting the sidewalks in colorful profusion.
Urban denizens pose sketches, framed and matted,
adding casual beauty to fill the illusion.

Hissing tires, swishing along with the wipers
join nature’s orchestra smoothly, as percussion.
Dripping gutters sound gong tones, true pipers,
a sudden roar of wind hushes all discussion.

Dreams of summer heat form the crux of desire
as winter chills our souls from without.
Sitting in warmth, gazing into an imaginary fire;
content to know spring will come, no doubt.

~~ gigoid ~~

12/21/2012

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pearls_3

This pearl came together over several days, managing to maintain its original shape and purpose the entire time. Here then, for your reading pleasure, is a rather classic old-school pearl, with a fine message…. Enjoy….

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“A life without cause is a life without effect”

~~ Barbarella ~~

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You can be happy or you can be miserable – the choice is yours.

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

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“We turn not older with years, but newer every day.”

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

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“Fear is the lock and laughter the key to your heart.”

~~ Steven Stills~~

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“For water continually dropping will wear hard rocks hollow.”

~~ Plutarch — Of the Training of Children~~

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“If you cannot find it in yourself, where will you go for it?”

~~ Confucius ~~

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“Death is every man’s final critic. To die well you must live bravely.”

~~ Edward Abbey ~~

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Having completed my task, I shall bid thee adieu, until next time, which, hopefully, will be relatively soon. Compared to recent times, that’s a pretty good bet. See ya when I am able, ffolkes…. Stay strange; it’s cool out there….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Dozer

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Bitter whimsy…

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4

Ffolkes,

“Rotten wood cannot be carved.”

~~ Confucius ~~

~~ Analects, Book 5, Ch. 9 ~~

homebase

gigoid’s hideaway….

Hajime…. Bitter whimsy, indeed, my friends. It’s been at least three days since I last sat to compose a Pearl, though I’ve spent a little time collecting pearls to use. Most of my time, sadly, has been spent feuding with the powers that be, in the guise of banks, and robotic zombies in service to soulless corporations. As usual, the conflicts in which I’ve been compelled to engage have ended in what can best be called a draw; I get what I need, the myrmidons get confused, and we both feel a bit unsettled afterward. Mostly, it works, though there seems to be little point to any of it.

In fact, if you consider our opening lines from Confucius (the real one, not the one with the weird fake accent everyone uses… this is from the books he actually wrote, back in the days of Lao Tzu and the emperors of various dynasties in China…), taken together with the intro closing quote from Bert Russell, it gives the flavor of how my time out in the BBR has gone, for the most part. Relatively productive in terms of task completion, but, with the concomitant angst and stress from having to deal with mundanes, myrmidons, zombies, and simple idiots, to go along with the more rarely encountered true human, those who are able to display rational behavior, and a human ability to display empathy toward others.

I miss the conversations involved in blogging; in the past six or so years, I’ve met some of the best ffolkes I’ve ever known; several have become very good friends, and I am reluctant to completely give up the time I spend connecting with them. But, I am finding, also, I am less filled with the background of tension that comes from having to soak up so much bad juju, which is hard to avoid if one follows current events. There are literally dozens of issues being played out in the world today, all of which are relatively critical in nature; the failure to meet some of the challenges necessary to resolve those issues will have serious effects on the entire world, including our own species, effects which conceivably lead to our demise as a species. It ain’t pretty, ffolkes; humanity has been ignoring the basic rules of reality for a long time, hoping against hope the delusions/illusions upon which we have based our existence are powerful enough to withstand conflict with the real world. I’m unhappy to report, they aren’t….

But, that’s a rant for another time, yes? Yes. For now, I’m going to once again slough it all onto a back burner, & throw together a Pearl of Virtual Wisdom, just because I can, and, probably should, given the alternative, which none of us should contemplate without a better handle on things…. For now…

Shall we Pearl?

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

~~ Bertrand Russell ~~

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mikegordon__leo_kottke

Image from LIVEmusicblog.com via Google Images

Leo Kottke has been a legendary performer on the 12-string guitar for most of my life; I first saw him in concert in my first year at UC Berkeley, where he blew me, and the rest of the audience, right out of our shoes. Mike Gordon is much younger, but, no less a phenomenon, as a studio bassist, and for the popular rock band, Phish, with Trey Anastasio complementing his bass licks on lead guitar with his improvisational genius. Leo and Mike got together prior to Phish, to play in concert, also making a number of albums treasured by aficionados of great improvisational music…. Enjoy, ffolkes; these are two of the best, having fun together….

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Leo Kottke & Mike Gordon Live

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Comedy_Tragedy

Adjectives of Quality ~~ Bloody Friday

A baleful lump of ironic introspection
sits upon my shoulder today
leaving traces of fey reflection
with a smattering of true dismay.

Resistance may be futile, many have said,
belief didn’t necessarily follow.
Abnegation of fear marks all bills paid,
leaving such empty threats hollow.

Symbolic courage never sleeps so deeply
as when delusion holds sway.
Bartered virtue, sold far too cheaply,
stands in shame, until honor fades away.

Too many culprits exist to count just one;
all of us bear obvious blame.
Evil is as evil does, only, when it’s done,
it begins again, all same-same.

Nobody seems to care enough to deny the lies.
Ignorant fear rules humanity’s masses.
When evil passes unremarked, innocence dies;
silence equals guilt, leaving only hope’s ashes.

Reality screams; tales of terror unfold,
flames fanned with purposeful malice,
insidious dangers hide beneath atrocity untold
as Gaia weeps into an empty chalice.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/3/2015

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Odd, but, true….

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“Everything can be filed under “miscellaneous”.”

~~ Dilbert, Scott Adams ~~

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“There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth:
(1) not going all the way; and
(2) not starting.”

~~ Buddha ~~

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“Freedom is not free. Free men are not equal. Equal men are not free.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

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“The keenest sorrow is to recognize ourselves
as the sole cause of all our adversities.

~~ Sophocles ~~

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“As I look at your image,
I see only the light which was not absorbed.”

~~ Mark Middleton ~~

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“It will not out of the flesh that is bred in the bone.”

~~ John Heywood (c. 1565) — Proverbes, Part ii, Chap. viii~~

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“What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy?”

~~ Ursula K. LeGuin ~~

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‘Tis now 0510, which means this process has done its job admirably; I’m still relatively sane, and nobody died in my vicinity, whether due to my action, or inaction. Plus, compared to the general run of mundanes, I’m still sane, and as free as anyone in this sad old world can be. Rather than entertain any opinions of a different nature, I’ll just ease my way off screen, & get on with the re-ordering of my personal reality. It’s a tough job, but, who else will do it, if I don’t? No one. Since that remains the case, I’ll see y’all later; the exact date remains, at this point, a mystery, but, don’t fret, it won’t be too long… It seems to keep pulling at me…. See ya, ffolkes….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

dozer3

À bientôt, mon cherí….

A pimpled list of weight….

Posted on by
5

Ffolkes,

“How often I found where I should be going
only by setting out for somewhere else.”

~~ R. Buckminster Fuller ~~

cork

Cork, Ireland, looking Northwest

Hajime…. Yes, let it begin…. There are some of those reading this today who may not understand much of the following; there are others who may. All of y’all will need to bear with me, as I attempt to impart my meaning without getting overly pedantic, and, without giving away any information I cannot afford, at this time, to part with at all. This will stretch even my prodigious writing skills to the maximum, (hah! for the irony…), as well as most likely sounding relatively obscure. So be it….

As you may have noted, I was entirely absent yesterday; not only did I not post at all, I made no visits elsewhere to comment, and, other than a couple responses to a Twitter feed, spent very little time online at all. I’m busy dealing with the real world, as many more of us really should be doing. Trust me on this; the common human ability to deny reality will, sooner than anyone knows, or realizes, soon become more than merely an annoying characteristic, as it assumes its actual importance, to wit: our own intransigence is going to kill a very great number of us, sooner than any of us think. That’s a sweeping statement, I know, one many will reject out of hand; but, that’s my point, ffolkes.

You, and me, and every one of humanity’s members, have all been ignoring what is important in reality for a long time, and, the price is about to come due…. You might think I’m being overly worried about stuff that can’t be helped, but, that isn’t the case at all. What I am is pissed off, and sad, and very NOT amused any more. A small percentage of mankind has been misusing their own control of the planet’s resources, which they’ve spent millennia hoarding to assuage their own fears of inadequacy, to the point where they’ve, unilaterally, decided most of the planet’s life forms must die, as they’re just too much bother. Sounds odd when stated out loud, but, no odder than the simple fact they’ve actually managed to do it, right in front of the rest of the idiots who refused to pay attention to what is going on around them….

All that said, without ever coming to enough of a point, I’ll just say, my own absence here is due to my own feeble efforts to come to terms with, not just this, but, my own reaction to the knowledge I have accepted as the current new paradigm, which, like any paradigm, will cause much strife and pain when first changing; change, remember, starts with destruction of the old ways…. The world, like it or not, is going to change, drastically, over the next very short period of time; anyone not able to see, or understand this, is simply not paying attention to the things happening right in your own block. For goodness sake, ffolkes; wherever you are, just look outside; you’ll see the changes happening, as the weather goes madder with each passing month.

That’s enough for now. I don’t know if the time I will need to spend away from doing this will be of any help for anyone, but, I must do so to keep my own head up enough to meet my own eyes in the mirror. I may or may not be posting every day, and the contents will be rather random. But, I’ll be around, if only to continue to use this time, and space, to keep my own level of sanity at a point where it is, at least, my own, & not under the aegis of any other soul or group…. I know, obscure, but, trust me, accurate.

All I have today is what you see below. I’ll be back, when I can pull it together enough to do so…. For now, we’ll do this….

Shall we Pearl?

“Better clean death than dirty life.”

~~ Frank Herbert ~~

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Pearls of Virtual Wisdom

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“Nature does not bestow virtue; to be good is an art.”

~~ Seneca ~~

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“The more we study the more we discover our ignorance.”

~~ Percy Bysshe Shelley ~~

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“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play
than in a year of conversation.”

~~ Plato ~~

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

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

“Courage is not the absence of fear,
but rather the judgment that something else
is more important than fear.”

~~ Ambrose Redmoon ~~

*******

“In a word, neither death, nor exile, nor pain,
nor anything of this kind is the real cause
of our doing or not doing any action,
but our inward opinions and principles.”

~~ Epictetus — Discourses, Book i, Chap xi ~~

*******

“No human thing is of serious importance.”

~~ Plato ~~

*******

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I’m done for today. I have much to do out in the BBR, so, I’ll get to that. Y’all take care out there. My next post will, perhaps, explain a bit more than this obscure little ditty; we can hope for clarity, yes? Yes. Meantime, stay loose, stay alert, and keep your weapons close at hand…. You’re going to want them soon…..

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….

Bones & stones in the dust….

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4

Ffolkes,

“Writing is easy. All you do is stare at a blank sheet of paper
until drops of blood form on your forehead.”

~~ Gene Fowler ~~

dancing ferries

Dancing ferry boats, Victoria, B.C.

Hajime…. Having awakened in what can be termed a funk, if not an actual ‘mood’, I find myself unwilling to put a lot of effort into today’s mess. As a result, I can also say, the results bear out the funk, perfectly. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s not good; it does fulfill all of our standard requirements. More than that, I will refrain from addressing, lest I further worsen what is already promising to be a funky day. Rather than complain, any more than I’ve already managed, I’ll limit myself to one paragraph, & just get on with it, before I either change my mind altogether, or having given up, let Murphy have his way. What you see is, patently, what you get….

Shall we Pearl?

“It’s like deja-vu, all over again.”

~~ Yogi Berra~~

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

Yep, you guessed it; more classical music. It’s a default day, & this is my default. Chosen, as per norm, by random methods developed over time to decrease Murphy’s influence. It doesn’t work, but, we use it anyway… Enjoy!….

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Classical Music

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Comedy_Tragedy

Unheralded Sagacity…

To many, who will not see beyond their nose
the world becomes a dangerous place,
a bullet in every gun, a thorn with every rose,
no magic comes to save us, reality leaves no trace.

Minds closed, wrapped tight in manufactured fears,
men become clay, easily molded into complacent form.
No chains needed, held in thrall for years,
lies become gospel, when dishonesty is the norm.

Shed the chains you wear in durance, in kind;
Oh, ye of little faith, and much doubt
Strength is found in an unfettered mind,
Cry “freedom” with a great shout.

No help from any gods can hinder so much
as our own lack of confidence;
finding the light within, knowing it as such
confirms us, becoming consequence.

Illumination…..

~~ gigoid ~~

4/17/2013

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Getting there is half the fun….

*******

“There is more to life than just avoiding death.”

~~ Jeff Hummel ~~

*******

“I prefer to be true to myself,
even at the hazard of incurring the ridicule of others,
rather than to be false,
and to incur my own abhorrence.”

~~ Frederick Douglass ~~

*******

“Anywhere, anytime,
I’d sacrifice the finest nuance for a laugh,
the most elegant trope for a smile.”

~~ Edward Abbey ~~

*******

“I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him.”

~~ Booker T. Washington ~~

*******

“Whatever games are played with us, we must play no games with ourselves,
but deal in our privacy with the last honesty and truth.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~

*******

“Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.”

~~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ~~

*******

“Are we THERE yet?”

~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~

*******

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Still here? Lucky you. I am, shall we say, near the edge, where it seems to be my lot to remain today…. Oh, well, at least it’s a nice view from here. I’m gonna go now, before I do, or say anything I’ll regret later. Of course, that will depend entirely upon whether, or not, I decide to go back & read this again, which might just tip me over into a free-fall through the vast spaces I can see from where I stand. Or, sit. Whatever. I’m outta here, ffolkes, to go find my equilibrium, if it is to be found. I’ll need luck, but, save yours; I’ll pick some up where I find it…. See y’all tomorrow, given a fair wind and a rising tide…..

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….

Reality: the bastardized version….

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3

Ffolkes,

“People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~

g-ville-012

Willows, weeping….

Hajime…. I’ve been plowing my way through Aldous Huxley’s essay on The Doors of Perception, a personal exploration of his experiences in taking mescaline during the initial phases of research into its psychic properties, i.e., how it affected the human mind. Extremely interesting discussion, for sure, one which has helped me during my own battles on the mental battlefield we humans often encounter in our own minds (my own battles are the result of 11 plus years of working in a job where violence was a daily risk; that’s a story for another time….). Though the details of his inward journey differ from my own experiences, his observations have assisted me to come closer to a better understanding of my own reactions.

During one of the battles yesterday, to gain some breathing room, I read from the essay, where Huxley’s words stimulated a train of thought regarding our perceptions, leading to a strong confirmation of what I have always known regarding reality, to wit: the universe in which we live exists in a state of duality, which is echoed in our own ability to perceive its qualities. All our senses of perception are predicated on this duality; we see due to the presence or absence of light; we hear due to the presence or absence of sound waves. The same is true for them all; touch, taste, smell, all depend on the duality of existence, which we observe because of that very duality. Naturally, this has implications for our ability to perceive, as well as our ability to act on what we perceive.

To go further along this line of thought is, without doubt, a long and complex exploration, one ill-suited to the intro section of an otherwise innocent blog post. Probably, I shouldn’t have even begun the discussion, knowing full well it wouldn’t receive the treatment, or the resolution required for full understanding. But, that’s okay. What I’ve already stated should provide y’all with enough to think about, and, perhaps, come to some conclusions of your own, which you may share, or not, as suits you. For me, it’s enough to have brought it forth; dropping it on you like this, there’s no guilt for having strained anyone’s synapses so early in the day. Perhaps, it will help you as much as it does me, to distract me from the issues so persistently part of my reality long enough to re-enter the fray with a fresh mind, and new methods of coping.

All that being said, to the usual little purpose, other than to move us along in the process, we’ll move along. It’s done so quite well, you’ll note; here we are, with going on four paragraphs of reasonably interesting blather, patently enough to pronounce as sufficient unto the day. I’ll cease & desist this exploration, which, if continued, could end up as a massive philosophical discussion of the different levels of reality we all know & love so well. Instead, we’ll be grateful, for having smoothly begun what might otherwise been another chaotic example of the power of entropy, which is always enjoyed far too much by Murphy for my taste.

Now I’ve made the obligatory reference to the powers of chaos, which obliquely provides us with proof of our own innocence, we can move on, to the rest of today’s mess, which you’ll find in its usual place as you scroll down the page. I hope you enjoy it; I worked on it for, literally, minutes & minutes. (What? You expected some marathon effort? Get real; it’s just a blog….) Let’s take this opportunity, which is rushing upon us very quickly, to get on with it. That, of course, looks like this….

Shall we Pearl?

“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 ~~

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stevie guitarplayerdotcom

Image from guitarplayer.com via Google Images

What can I say? I just feel like listening to some hot, rockin’ blues. Nobody does it better than Stevie did…. The picture above is from his MTV Unplugged show, but, the music is from Montreux in 1985…. Enjoy!….

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Stevie Ray Vaughan
Live at Montreux 1985

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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 ~~

9/27/2012

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Notes on Process & Program

*******

“No trumpets sound when the important decisions of our life are made.
Destiny is made known silently.”

~~ Agnes De Mille ~~

*******

“Nothing endures but change.”

~~ Heraclitus ~~

*******

“Je plie et ne romrs pas.”
(I bend and do not break.)

~~ Jean de la Fontaine ~~

*******

“Walking makes the world much bigger
and therefore more interesting.”

~~ Edward Abbey ~~

*******

“A wise man first determines what is within his control;
all else is then irrelevant.”

~~ Epictetus ~~

*******

“Don’t look for the right person; be the right person.”

~~ Will Limon ~~

*******

“I postpone death
by living,
by suffering,
by error,
by risking,
by giving,
by losing.”

~~ Anais Nin ~~

*******

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

It probably comes as no surprise to anyone but me, but, hey! We’re done. Not unexpectedly, to be sure; I did take an extra day to get this done. Nonetheless, it’s done, and glad to be so. Me, too. Y’all will have to make your own decision on that. To assist you in doing so in a timely fashion, I’m outta here, for the nonce (which just means until tomorrow…). Y’ll take it easy. Or, hard, or however it may come; just take, & enjoy it, whatever it may be. It is, after all, better than the alternative, for most of us. See ya, ffolkes; I’m gonna go play with fire…

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….

A direct correlation to oblique references….

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4

Ffolkes,

“If possible, try to find a way to come downstairs that doesn’t involve
going bump, bump, bump, on the back of your head.”

~~ Pooh in Winnie the Pooh, by A.A. Milne ~~

dublin-street

Outside Trinity College Gate, Dublin, Ireland

Hajime…. Abandoning all hope of dreaming, the old man arises, muttering, to stumble forth, falling into routine with a sigh of relief, which lasts until realizing ’tis, once more, shy of 3 AM. Accustomed to the darkness, he finds his way to the computer, where he sits, to begin another day, in search of the remaining tatters of sanity to be found in the darker corners of the mind.

Then, of course, he realized what a stupid idea that was, so, he started over. Good morrow, ffolkes. And how are y’all? Good. As you can tell by now, my mind is a pretty blank slate…. I’m pretty sure I’m also out of chalk with which to write on it. But, here I am anyway, typing away just as if I had some clue as to what to put here. I could go with some nonsense, or try to salvage the almost clever opening lines, but, it all seems a bit superfluous, when I realize I’m already done, & none of this will make any difference, other than how I feel about it… That, of course, isn’t relevant, either, but, we’ll pretend it is, just to finish off this paragraph with a touch of certainty, an article thus far absent.

How’s that? I think it’s going to have to do for today; keeping at this, when there’s nothing in there to pull out, would be even more useless a pastime than even we can pull off with any aplomb. (Another hard-to-find article around here…) Rather than continue to torment y’all, and myself, I think I’ll just get on with it, so we can get this posted by the time I’ve set for a deadline. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Now, if only I could lay claim to having a clue as to where to go, we’d be all set. Since I can’t in good conscience do so, I’ll do this instead, providing proof of the pudding, as so eloquently stated by Mssr. Heywood, just below….

Shall we Pearl?

“Better is halfe a lofe than no bread.”

~~ John Heywood (c. 1565) ~ Proverbes, Part i, Chap. xi ~~

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ana-myspace

Ana Popovic

Image from myspace.com via Google Images

A friend sent me a video of this young artist yesterday, after listening to the Bonnie Raitt video I used. Needless to say, I’m impressed, and have a new crush… Enjoy, ffolkes, this woman can play….

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Ana Popovic Live

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Comedy_Tragedy

Premises, premises….

Tricked, I stumble, and I fall
dreaming, through an abandoned palace.
Frightened and wary, unheard my call
fading into memory, no cup, no argent chalice.

The people, crushed, cry out to be freed
asking only to take part, or travel.
Nascent oaths spotlight such bursting need
fed by treachery, deep from our well.

Only the wicked shall find their way blocked
justice seeks them, snug in their hole.
Faint praises never touched, but naked, stalked
singing no gospel, no soul, no rock and roll.

Only the promised will remember the way
from unforgiven trails of sorrow.
To live life, and give death no sway,
saving grace for our only tomorrow.

~~ gigoid ~~

9/6/2012

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Pungently obscure, but, tasty….

*******

“How many Zen masters does it take to change a light bulb?”

“A tree in a golden forest.”

~~ Sardonic Bee ~~

*******

“He was born with a gift of laughter and a sense that the world was mad.”

~~ Rafael Sabatini ~~

*******

“A clown is a clown and will always be a clown.”

~~ Babbaluche the cobbler ~~

*******

“There are some things that are so serious that you have to laugh at them.”

~~ Niels Bohr ~~

*******

“If only we’d stop trying to be happy we’d have a pretty good time.”

~~ Edith Wharton ~~

*******

“Once you can accept the universe
as being something expanding into an infinite nothing which is something,
wearing stripes with plaid is easy.”

~~ Albert Einstein ~~

*******

“A truly wise man never plays leapfrog with a Unicorn.”

~~ Hacker proverb ~~

*******

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The only thing about which we may feel any sort of accomplishment today is to realize it’s done. Rather than beat this particular horse any more, now it’s dead, I’ll just take my leave, with all the dignity I can muster. I will, with some trepidation, but, much hope, try this again, maybe even tomorrow. Wish me luck, ffolkes; I’ve a feeling I’ll need it this time….

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….

Oatmeal is friendly food….

Posted on by
9

Ffolkes,

“In answer to the question of why it happened,
I offer the modest proposal
that our Universe is simply one of those things
which happen from time to time.”

~~ Edward P. Tryon ~~

ensenada-plus-036

Midday light show, La Bufadora, Ensenada…

Hajime…. My purpose here today is single-fold; to get done with this, before I reach complete melt-down mode. I don’t know exactly why I’m in such a state, but, to deal with it most efficiently, it’s best to get this done, & move directly into hunker-down mode, my most powerful state of protective insulation from Reality. I don’t even care much today, so, I’m letting the process dictate the results. I’ve trusted it for this long, so, may as well keep on doing so….

I have nothing stirring in my conscious mind to put into this section; even my unconscious is in limbo. To avoid any accusations of either pandering, or, whining, I’ll just quit trying to be coherent, & get on with what we have for your perusal today. Nothing else to do, but, smile, & get on with it. Smiling may be pushing it, so, we’ll just move on to the latter…. It’s simple, really; this is all there is to it….

Shall we Pearl?

“Do not settle for less than the best your own excellence can command.”

~~ Anne McCaffrey ~~

Oops….

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bonnie (2)

I’ve had a mad crush on this woman for decades, & still regard her as one of humanity’s treasures, for any number of reasons, most of which she displays every time she performs…. Besides, the year is already 3 days old, & we haven’t used her yet…. Enjoy, ffolkes; I will, so, you may as well, too….

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Bonnie Raitt Live

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Comedy_Tragedy

Semblance of Time

The dreams and visions of modern times are pallid and pale
filled with fear and loathing instead of joy and wonder.
Reality is aging poorly, submitting less data to loudly regale
Sad faded images lacking substance, or proof of thunder.

Sisters and brothers of nightly performance speak in spite
building up scars to protect, or keep a semblance of sanity.
Knowing illusion is near and dear, steeped in muscular delight
while compassion and intelligence get smothered by humanity.

Loneliness soon became the friend of many sizes of fools
stealing through mazes of social tests as if truly wise, or old
while companies of sterile opportunity are hiding their tools
from anyone who might be feeling even a little bit bold.

Painful momentary flashes seem to outline society’s fate
until soft, heavy monuments to elder gods fall from grace.
We’re all getting tired of being told we’re far too late
and never ever nearing tolerance, nor regaining any face.

A hard message awaits us all when we dare to even stay
of life’s uncaring disposition and curmudgeonly faux heart
Only with the strength of a hero may such tales make way
Only a poet may turn such pain into a valid work of art.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/5/2012

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Gentle reminders….

*******

“Is the glass half empty or half full?
To some the glass is irrelevant.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

“Grub first, then ethics.”

~~ Bertolt Brecht ~~

*******

“The higher you climb, the more you show your ass.”

~~ Alexander Pope, “The Dunciad” ~~

*******

“If one studies too zealously, one easily loses his pants.”

~~ Albert Einstein ~~

*******

“‘But he hasn’t got any clothes on,’ a little boy said.”

~~ from The Emperor’s New Clothes by Hans Christian Andersen ~~

*******

“The next best thing to doing something smart is not doing something stupid.”

~~ Flo Capp’s Observation ~~

*******

“If you can’t change your mind, do you still have one?”

~~ Caroline Malmgren-Davis ~~

*******

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

I did it; it’s done. That is, really, all there is to it today. In fact, it’s so done, I’m outta here, with no ups & no extras. Mark this date on your calendars, ffolkes; it’s likely you’ll never see it like this again…. See ya….

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….