Immodest noises of patient concern….

Posted on May 6, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“I have been a stranger in a strange land.”

~~ Old Testament — Exodus ii: 22 ~~

Luna ~~ Earth’s Moon ~~ Farside view

(click to see enlarged view ~ it’s awesome…)

Image from the European Union Space Administration via Space.com

Good morning, ffolkes…..

Lately, I’ve been leaving the intro right there, with pretty good results. However, this morning (a morning unlike any other, which, thanks to the conveniently timely application of Time Lord powers, is yesterday afternoon, about 18 hours from now, in the past, which will soon be the present, no longer the future; of course, now can never be the future again, unless….. Oh, never mind…), I must comment, if superfluously, on the opening quote, which you see above the moon up there at the top today.

Generally, when I include something from the Christian Bible, whether Old, or New Testament, or whatever version, it is for the purpose of sardonicism, or, as an example of the delusional content one finds in such copious abundance nested within its pages. I don’t really mean to be mean; it’s just the sheer implausibility of the whole story made any sense to me, and I don’t understand how anyone with a functioning neuron can buy into any of it. This, I suppose, makes me sound somewhat antagonistic to them, though I’m really not… I just wish they weren’t so fanatical about everyone else having to feel the same way. (You’ll note I didn’t say think the same way…. It wouldn’t apply….)

This particular phrase may be, in my estimation, and, according to my memory of what I’ve read of the silly collection of improbable stories, (That comes to approximately 95% of it… Well, c’mon! Nobody reads every single “Absophel begat Paraceltic, who begat Miriam, Peter, and little Bubba, etc….” I’ll bet YOU didn’t read every damn one of them!…. We ALL skipped over that part….), simply put, the truest statement in the entire book…. As well, it has the added caveat of being applicable to just about every thinking person on this planet, thanks in large part to the massive power of delusional thinking so encouraged by faith-based religions….

“I have been a stranger in a strange land.” What a powerfully vague metaphor, vague enough to suit each and every person who finds themselves, as I often do, wondering just how the hell we ended up here, where almost everyone we see, or engage with, is pursuing illusions, based on delusions, manipulated by amoral, evil versions of themselves, rushing down a dark corridor toward a future none of them, master or slave, are going to like at all…. From what I can tell in over 60 years of watching people, most of them aren’t real happy with what they already have for a life….

It’s getting really, really weird out in the BBR, ffolkes, especially if one is able to view the overall picture of all the crap happening, all over the world, as we, and the majority of everyone alive, even those who believe in supernatural safety nets, blindly rush headlong toward a final solution to the problems plaguing this planet….

Oops…. Did it again, didn’t I? Oh, well, it’s going to happen now and again; try not to let it worry you. All of us have our own axes to grind, and our own gardens to tend. Maybe, since we’re alive, there is hope…. We are human, after all, and our imagination has, so far, been equal to the task of figuring out how to get us where we need to be, physically, and, intellectually.

Now, if it can extend that influence to the advancement of the human spirit, to allow us to mature past the need to prey upon others, there is a slight chance we may live to see new stars, new planets, new galaxies…. In short, our true legacy, to understand the Universe, as best we may…. The Universe itself doesn’t care, one way or the other, whether we do, or not; it makes a big difference to me, and a lot of other ffolkes, I’d think….

Shall we Pearl?

“Never frighten a little man. He’ll kill you.” — Lazarus Long, from Robert A. Heinlein’s “Time Enough For Love”

How’s THAT for a quick change of direction?…..

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Sherlock is The Man, of course, when it comes to deductive reasoning and the power of observation. I think this is my favorite story of his exploits; it certainly lends itself well to the movie/TV genre, as produced by the BBC. Here is one of two adaptations of the story, this one with Peter Cushing in the title role, the other, which I could not find in the version I saw on YT, (don’t know where it went) starred Jeremy Brett as Sherlock. Both are excellently done, with humor, and typical Holmesian deductive investigation…. Enjoy!….

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Sherlock Holmes

The Blue Carbuncle

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https://youtu.be/eAPWPDL9aMU

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Here’s a pretty good rant from quite a while ago…. For some unknown reason, I’m always surprised at how relevant these old rants remain in the current world…. It’s as if humanity has completely stopped progressing in any direction but one of self-destruction…. SIGH….

From 8/27/2012:

“In Christianity neither morality nor religion come into contact with reality at any point.” — Friedrich Nietzsche

In perfect demonstration of the accuracy of Herr Nietzsche’s assertion, I give you, Senator Dan Quayle, a veritable paragon of Christianity, speaking, with absolute faith, and insane illogic, the rigid and hateful prejudices as obsessed over by the Church of the Brain Dead….. one of many such cults common to the not-so-outer-fringes of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and other religions, all of which are prone to creation of pockets of entirely too vocal enclaves of zealous fundamentalists, who spew their strident hatred and bigotry all over the innocent, and the different….

“You’re a very strong woman… Though this would be a traumatic experience that you would never forget, I think that you would be very successful in life.” — Senator Dan Quayle telling an 11-year-old girl — why he would want her to have the baby if she were raped — by her father, 10/18/88 (reported in Esquire, 8/92)

After you have recovered from the shock of encountering (again) such abject inhumanity, racism, bigotry, you name it and they are doing it (‘they’ being anyone who even listens to this tripe without gagging, and including any other religious zealotry as practiced in other religions beside the Christian cults) (cults is the correct word, trust me….), I’d like to scare you even further, so take a deep breath….

“If I seem to take part in politics, it is only because politics encircles us today like the coil of a snake from which one cannot get out, no matter how much one tries. I wish therefore to wrestle with the snake.” — Mahatma Gandhi

The just released, official platform of the Republican Party for the 2012 election, lays out in clear detail the very spirit of what Mr. Quayle is quoted to say above. Their stances on women’s healthcare and basic rights to decide for themselves how to live, LGBT rights and marriage (in)equality, immigration, tax cuts for the rich, tax raises for the middle class, continued reliance on the same failed economic policies that killed the economy (trickle-down theory, supply side economics), cuts and actual elimination of Social Security and Medicare for seniors, voter suppression techniques reminiscent of the post-Civil War era….all are designed to turn back the clock to the middle of the last century, and further, in the case of women’s rights, and voter’s rights for minorities (which are no longer minorities….).

“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” — H. L. Mencken

The frightened white, rich bankers and politicos are starting to realize that they are no longer actually in the majority…. close, but not enough to matter, since many, many of us honkies are technically on the other side of the fence, having more faith in humanity and basic human rights, than in religious zealotry, and fear under the guise of politics.

“I know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleges, which they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by thread, into the fabric of their lives.” — Tolstoy

This is so true….. It is insight like this into the very nature of man that frightens the beloved ruling class, and has since the time of Tolstoy, and before. The complacent culture that has derived from the young, energetic society of our forebears has lost the will to suffer change. They cannot imagine life different from what they know, and don’t wish to know.

Unfortunately for them, and fortunately for the rest of us here in the real world, there are now more of us than there are of them….. provided all of us who know, and care, get out there to vote in November. It is a matter of making the, to me, obvious choice, to take a path that leads to a future for all of us, instead taking us back to a time that no longer exists, and is meant only for a few….. It’s a no-brainer, to my way of thinking….

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

Take care ffolkes, we don’t want to end up suffering in Safeway…… really, you don’t want to do that….. I can testify…..

A disciple of another sect once came to Drescher as he was eating his morning meal. “I would like to give you this personality test”, said the outsider, “because I want you to be happy.” Drescher took the paper that was offered him and put it into the toaster- “I wish the toaster to be happy too”. — AI koan

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Written 9/6/2012:

Dreaming, I wait….

In the most patient moments of rationality
kindness flows smoothly in a special milieu,
fallow thoughts speed first from equality
to give no anxious fever, anger to eschew.

Indignant mothers and step-sons in-law
shall fade simply from brilliant to grey,
intoning ritual dogma, fresh, avid, and raw,
falling, falling, in massive pastoral disarray.

Safety lives not, save brightly in ignorant bliss,
it follows us all, silent and infinitely frail,
foremost too often, soft as a virgin kiss,
alive, always eager, willing, and pale.

Intimate knowledge finds only the bold few
with courage and virtue to gift, unbidden.
No solemn royal version may pass in review,
true love for man, never to remain unhidden.

Sweet feathers of Emily’s hope uplift,
calm, drowsy episodes bursting with light,
With final glad cries we set ourselves adrift,
swimming in the oceans of natural delight.

When sorrow is banished, in ages yet to come,
roots solidly anchored, cold and remote,
Ample supplies of kindness sit silent and dumb,
and the old stranger shrugs on his faded coat.

Dreaming, then, I wait with shadows in the night
aspiring to inspire, a message from the muse’s heart
Never forgotten images, framed in color bright,
tempt me only, grieving, steeped in serenity’s arcane art.

~~ gigoid ~~

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Smart Bee is in full rebellion, it seems, so I’ve sent it to a resort for a day or two to recover its equilibrium…. Here is a pearl from the archives…. Enjoy!….

From 5/6/2013:

Just so everything today isn’t old and creaky, I’m putting together an old-school group of pearls for your delectation…. Hopefully, this, too, will feel the freedom of a Murphy-less morning, and turn out well, and quickly…. I think this one might make it onto the Quiz, so you might want to take notes….

Cogito, ergo sum. (I think, therefore I am) — Rene Descartes

Down, down, down into the darkness of the grave Gently they go, the beautiful, the tender, the kind; Quietly they go, the intelligent, the witty, the brave. I know. But I do not approve. And I am not resigned.” — Edna St. Vincent Millay, “Dirge Without Music”

“God is an invention of Man. So the nature of God is only a shallow mystery. The deep mystery is the nature of Man.” — Nanrei Kobori,
— late Abbot of the Temple of the Shining Dragon, Kyoto, Japan

Made still a blund’ring kind of melody;
Spurr’d boldly on, and dashed through thick and thin,
Through sense and nonsense, never out nor in.

~~ John Dryden (1631-1700) — Absalom and Achitophel, Part ii, Line 413 ~~

“A note of music gains significance from the silence on either side.” — Anne Morrow Lindberg

“To a rational being it is the same thing to act according to nature and according to reason.” — Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (121-180 AD) — Meditations, vii, 11

Cogito sum, ergo sum. Circa basta. (I think I am. That’s close enough.) ~~ gigoid

That turned out well, I think, and this is my blog, so that’s good enough…. 😆

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Thus, the cookie crumbles….

For another day, anyway…. I mean, it’s not as if I’m responsible for excessive Entropy, now, is it? Just because more of it seems to happen here than in other loci, doesn’t mean we aren’t done for the day…. And, the cool part is, if I’m wrong about that, there’s always tomorrow. Even if the powers of a Time Lord aren’t available, as they were today, we always have tomorrow, right? Right? Hey, where did everybody go?…..

See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, though, who I’m talking to I’ll never know…. Sheesh!…. Crumbs EVERYWHERE!…..

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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Mmm…… Lizard gizzards in aspic!….

Posted on March 30, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Distrust interested advice.”

~~ Aesop ~~

Artist’s rendition of Mars One Habitat Hydroponic Farm

Image from Space.com

Having been up for almost an hour already, I am unusually alert and rational to begin. Nonetheless, here I sit, as I have for the last ten minutes, wondering what the hell to put in the huge, blank white space in front of me. It’s a scary sight, believe me, when my mind is as blank as the screen, but, with less definition to the blankness…. It kinda makes me wonder just what the hell I think I’m doing here. Even when I rant, with the most accurate, up-to-date information, and tellingly real indictments of real people, it doesn’t feel as if anyone who needs to hear it is listening….

Ah well, lack of readership isn’t any big deal for me; I don’t write for anyone else. But, it is nice to think that what I say isn’t completely wasted, in terms of effectiveness; we all like to make ourselves felt in this world, hopefully making it a better place. But, in today’s world, almost everyone alive, other than the monied elite, hasn’t the time to spare from the daily demands upon them to think about how enslaved they are; it’s not an easy thing to think about, anyway, so, most people never even try….

As a result, we have the world we live in, which does its very best to keep each and every one of us under the complete domination of a small group of psychopathic money grubbers, who believe in nothing but themselves, and their own desires. What more proof do you need, than to just look around, and see that 99.999% of the entire human race is too busy to even think about their own slavery? How many people out there in the great unwashed masses even knows they haven’t a single one of the freedoms our forefathers tried to secure for us? I’d say the number five would be about right…..

And, sadly, even those five don’t have the time to do anything about it, other than shrug and get back to work so they can eat tonight….

Having thus completely ruined a perfectly fine intro with a mini-rant, I think it would be best to just go on, & see if I can’t find a bit of inspiration by picking a video for today; maybe it will help me find a reason to keep going, other than the primary goal of maintaining a grasp of reality that won’t hurt anyone, except, perhaps, me…. SIGH….

I meant to tell you; I have a new method for getting past this sort of issue. Here’s how it works…..

Shall we Pearl?

“Human language is like a cracked kettle on which we beat out tunes for bears to dance to, when all the time we are longing to move the stars to pity.” — Gustave Flaubert

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Image from Smithsonian Folkways via Google Stock Images

To sublimate the urge to rant today, as well as provide some musical counterpoint to your reading, here is one of the twentieth century’s most influential musicians, whose work and life were a throwback to the days of the troubadours in the Middle Ages, when music and songs carried the most powerful political messages from place to place…. It was not for nothing the court jesters of the time were considered the most dangerous courtiers of all who served the Kings…. Woody had his faults, like anyone, but, his music told the story of his time like nobody else…. Enjoy!….

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Woody Guthrie Library of Congress Recordings Pt.1

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https://youtu.be/dUiVRIuCOCY

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“It is only logical that the pauperization of our soul and of the soul of society coincides with the pauperization of the environment. One is the cause and the reflection of the other.” — Paolo Soleri

It may confuse you a bit to see the picture I use to grace the ass-end of these Pearls at the top of this section…. That’s okay, it’s supposed to do that, so, I win….

Today’s ranting section is to be devoted to a very simple lesson….First, assume the attitude expressed by Dozer, the bulldog…. Having achieved that state, keep the above quote in mind, as you think for a moment about the state of our world today, noting how accurate a picture of reality it paints…. Then, read the following Rules…. You may note that almost every problem we have in our world today can be directly attributed to the failure of some man to follow these rules…. It’s that simple, and the fix is just as simple…. Unfortunately, it can’t be applied, as each man must make his own choice to follow these rules, and there are too many who refuse, out of their own sickness of spirit….

Think about it; if just HALF the men in the world followed these rules, what sort of world would it be? I’d bet, a better one…. You tell me….

“My greatest fear in life is that no-one will remember me after I’m dead.”

~~ Anonymous ~~

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Image from Google Stock Images

I’m up early enough to search, so, you get a bonus today…. no poem from me…. Instead, we’ll go with someone known for their brilliance in this respect…. I hope you enjoy it, right before it chokes you…. just kidding! Us poets can be a bit emotionally unstable, y’know?….. This one was, but, hey, what’s a bit of psychosis between friends?….

Witch Burning

In the marketplace they are piling the dry sticks.
A thicket of shadows is a poor coat. I inhabit
The wax image of myself, a doll’s body.
Sickness begins here: I am the dartboard for witches.
Only the devil can eat the devil out.
In the month of red leaves I climb to a bed of fire.

It is easy to blame the dark: the mouth of a door,
The cellar’s belly. They’ve blown my sparkler out.
A black-sharded lady keeps me in parrot cage.
What large eyes the dead have!
I am intimate with a hairy spirit.
Smoke wheels from the beak of this empty jar.

If I am a little one, I can do no harm.
If I don’t move about, I’ll knock nothing over. So I said,
Sitting under a potlid, tiny and inert as a rice grain.
They are turning the burners up, ring after ring.
We are full of starch, my small white fellows. We grow.
It hurts at first. The red tongues will teach the truth.

Mother of beetles, only unclench your hand:
I’ll fly through the candle’s mouth like a singeless moth.
Give me back my shape. I am ready to construe the days
I coupled with dust in the shadow of a stone.
My ankles brighten. Brightness ascends my thighs.
I am lost, I am lost, in the robes of all this light.

~~ Sylvia Plath ~~

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“If you are out of trouble, watch for danger.”

~~ Sophocles ~~

I guess, somewhere deep inside, I always knew I’d find proof of Murphy’s existence in other cultures; now, I’m sure. The quote at the start of this section, from Sophocles, to my mind, is absolute proof of this. I’d bet, if we had someone who actually spoke ancient Greek, we’d find the actual translation of his words were a direct match of the lyrics from the old Grateful Dead song, “Uncle John’s Band”, to wit: “…. and, when life looks like easy street, there is danger at your door.”

In celebration, I’ve put Smart Bee at work to dig up some appropriate pearls to go with the idea of a deeper knowledge of the powers of Chaos and Entropy, and their Earthly manifestation, Murphy himself…. I’m not entirely sure about the results, but, hey, I’m the one who set it loose without supervision…. Here is what SB came up with; be careful, it’s a bit strange…..

“Ignorance can be cured, but, stupid lasts forever.” — Aristophanes

“If you pray hard enough, water will run uphill. How hard? Why, hard enough to make water run uphill, of course!” — Robert Heinlein

“Should I do my BOBBIE VINTON medley?’ — Zippy the Pinhead

“If It doesn’t matter, and what if it did?” — Smart Bee

“How can I tell…that the past isn’t a fiction designed to account for the discrepancy between my immediate physical sensations and my state of mind?” — Douglas Adams, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”

“Ah, Louie, Louie….oh…me gotta go!!” — The Kingsmen

“I like smoke and lightning, heavy-metal thunder; racing with the wind, and the feeling that I’m under.” — Steppenwolf

“Dying is a wild night and a new road.” — Emily Dickinson

“Will I dream?” — HAL-9000

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Well, I’ve done it. As is normal for me, I’m not entirely sure exactly WHAT I’ve done, but, I do know it’s done, and, right now, right here, that’s all that matters…. Okay, so, it’s not ALL that matters; it’s all that matters to me, and, now, to you…. until you decide to go do something else. This might be a good time for that, as I’m outta here. 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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Bowled over by a Boston Brahmin….

Posted on March 29, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Reality is not a constant.”

~~ Smart Bee ~~

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

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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…..

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The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Purple Haze

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https://youtu.be/pjWfxhEfM6U

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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….

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….

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

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 ~~

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

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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Our annual pre-apocalypse sale….

Posted on March 26, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“It is impossible to get anywhere without sinning against reason.”

~~ Albert Einstein ~~

Artist’s rendition of Mars One Habitat: Image from Space.com

Pleasant morning distractions finished, I sit to write, after a two-day hiatus…. The lay-off, while necessary, and fairly successful in terms of meeting goals set, was, nonetheless, too long for my sanity. But I’ll not regale y’all with any of the internal indications which complicate matters; instead, I’ll just say, it’s done for now, and we can go on…. It’s no doubt for the best, anyway…. Y’all wouldn’t be either thrilled, or particularly enchanted, by what I’ve put myself through, so, we’ll leave it all where it belongs, in the past….

Since I shan’t be talking about my time off, what can I find to say to get us started? Well, your guess, in this case, as in many in the past, is as good as mine. I suppose I AM in charge, nominally, but, I think it’s obvious that has never made much of a dent in Reality’s attention; if it had, you’d see a lot less dithering and angst displayed here. I wonder what might happen if I…. no, better not. Last time I tried that, I fell into the royal “we” mode, babbling about our opinions, our clothing, and our royal prerogatives until everyone was doubtlessly sick of it. It took me three days to clean it out of my style….

Ah well, I suppose none of it matters now. We’re here, in a new Pearl, with a full tank of gas, and several new oyster beds to explore…. Since I can’t think of anything else to bore you with here, I guess we can bring this to a halting stop, counting our blessings to have made it this far without any explosions…. Tough to do with the pressure gauge running so high, so, we’ll be thankful, while we’re diving, okay?…. Okay….

Shall we Pearl?

“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” — Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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

Image from ravepad.com via Google stock images

Whenever I think of the world’s best music, ALL of this man’s work must be included…. I listened to this concert, to make sure it was good enough to put here…. I won’t ever forget again just how much genius he displays when playing; he is, truly, one of the finest musicians ever to share his inner vision with the world….. I give you, the One, the Only, Carlos….

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

Carlos Santana

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

https://youtu.be/48z01HxVtjA

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

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

Le Penseur ~~ The Thinker

Auguste Rodin ~~ Image from The Rodin Museum Website

A small discourse from a couple years ago, since I didn’t write ANYTHING while gone…. I’ll get to it…. For now, this will do….

From 2/25/2013:

“I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, wouldn’t it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them? So, now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe.”– Marcus, Babylon 5

Marcus brings up an interesting point here, when he talks of the general hostility of the universe. I don’t think he quite has a handle on the actual shape of Reality, though; in his desire to avoid responsibility for his own cupidity, he casts the universe as the villain in his play. Our universe isn’t hostile to us, as he would like to think. Unfair? Yes. Hostile? No…. The universe really doesn’t give a crap about us, one way or another. Things seem unfair, not because they are stacked against us, but, rather, because they are not stacked in our favor, a slight but distinct difference…..

Reality plays no favorites, beyond a tendency to allow itself to be adjusted by those who have an understanding of how it works, without granting them any dispensation, but rather rewarding their cleverness and wit. Those who believe the universe is out to get them are defenseless against the trials and tribulations that are a natural part of living, because they begin from an attitude of helplessness. Those who at least have the confidence to act in their own behalf, to stand up against the demands of Fate, are much more able to achieve their goals, than anyone who allows Reality to push them wherever they end up, without any direction made by choice…..

Thus, it becomes clear, courage, as well as knowledge, is necessary to the ability to confront Reality on its own terms. Not only is it necessary to pay attention to the way the universe works, seeking to learn how it interacts among all its parts, but, ’tis necessary to have the courage to act on what is known, according to what the person believes to be right, in a moral sense. Of course, the universe doesn’t care one way or another if we are moral; it rewards those who act out of immorality as well, if they are bold enough to act. We just feel better about ourselves if we act from right thought, making it easier for others to do the same. Acting immorally only benefits the one who is doing the acting…..

It should be noted, cowardice is also rewarded by the universe; the rewards aren’t very palatable, seeing our every wish denied, our every act dismissed, as incompetent, illegal, or just plain dumb….. Lack of courage, along with lack of knowledge thus become their own rewards, thereby allowing the person’s misguided views about reality lead them into issue after issue of conflict with the rest of reality. In this way, they continually reinforce their own misapprehensions, and the universe is out to get them, and everyone else…. This, in spite of the fact that they are looking at, and dealing with, the same Reality as everyone else, who don’t all seem to have the same problem…. Instead of giving them a clue that maybe they should do things differently, they merely assume that the other people have cheated them somehow…. because that is what they would do….

It’s really too bad in some ways, that so large a percentage of humanity is so lacking in courage and wit as to find the view stated above to be congruent with their own view of the way the universe operates; it’s part of what makes it so easy for those in the BRC and the 1% to control them, and to pull the wool over their eyes. These folks are so convinced of their own helplessness in the face of all they don’t understand, they will latch onto almost anything someone tells them, if it soothes their fears, and gives them someone or something other than themselves to blame for their misfortunes…. Sad, but true, and a perfect description of what has transpired in society for several thousand years now, as the BRC keeps the majority of humanity in the proverbial dark about what is true, and what is real….. They’ve had a lot of practice, and they’re very good at it….

But, then, it isn’t hard to control someone who is brainwashed to believe that it is the way reality is, so I can’t say it is due to any particularly large degree of wit or talent that allows them to do so…. It is more that the folks who they control are so stupid, they ask to be controlled, because they can’t, and more importantly, won’t, trust themselves to do it….. Sad, but true….

At his point in this narrative, I am becoming a bit enraged, a not uncommon reaction to a rant about the BRC and the 1%…. Heck, this time, I didn’t even have to mention the papists or preachers who are their shock troops, on the front lines of the brainwashing process, in order to get upset and angry over their machinations…. until now. My rage is growing, as it always tends to do when I start to rant on this subject, and I’m not ready to deal with the consequences of letting it get any bigger right now…. too much other stuff to get to today. But, just let me say this…..

Those in our society who deliberately control others for their own benefit are my enemies. I believe them to be responsible for virtually ALL of the social ills we have, as well as the global and environmental issues that are threatening our very survival as a species. They are, for their own personal benefit, hoarding the resources of the planet, and refusing to share them with the remainder of humanity, all because they can, and they want to. The welfare of others is of no concern to them, so they automatically become my foes, in my battle to try to make a world my children, and grandchild, can have the opportunity to live a full and complete life of their own, without being oppressed and controlled by assholes who don’t give a shit about anyone but themselves….. As my old martial arts instructor used to say…. “Fuck ’em….. hard.”…..

— “Bother!”, said Pooh, as he dropped his bombs.

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

This one just seems to fit here….

Seeing is Conducive to Belief

Folly sits so comfortably upon my fevered brow
one would easily believe that I would know how
to look at Life with a jaded, weary eye
seeing enough, and more, to know Why.

Such seems the case, as I will it to be,
an open book of a face, it looks so like me;
what’s known to be so, needs no close attention
familiar sights require no minding, nor mention.

The eye is drawn at once to the stark and new,
and sent back to sleep by successful review.
Once we find evidence we feel we understand,
curiosity languishes, dismissed at command.

Ancient sages knew the insidious value of illusion,
preachers and pundits know the power of confusion.
Each pair of eyes contains its own point of reference,
each mind sets its own standards of preference.

Seeing is believing, for those who live in thrall,
accepting what is perceive is all they ever recall.
Unknown to them, reality follows another set of rules,
Deeper, more dangerous, and no place for fools.

~~ gigoid ~~

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

Today’s final, old-school pearl is as fresh, and as classical a pearl you’ll ever see. Well, fresh when created, anyway. Let it be enough to know, it’s all new, to me, and y’all, so, y’all should likely pay close attention. This one’s about life, but, not exactly from the viewpoint to which we’re all accustomed. I can’t say exactly what my subconscious mind was up to, but, it seems to work just fine…. I’ll let it percolate, as should you, to let it bring whatever piece/peace there may be to perceive into focus….

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” — Confucius

“Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind.” — Leonardo da Vinci

“I like a bit of a mongrel myself, whether it’s a man or a dog; they’re the best for every day.” — George Bernard Shaw 1856-1950, Misalliance [1910], episode I

“Like jug, like lid” — Ingrained Serbian Proverb

“He who dies with the most FRIENDS wins.” — Smart Bee

“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” — Charles DuBois

“What I like is when you’re looking and thinking and looking and thinking… and suddenly you wake up.” — Hobbes

“Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn’t go away.” — Philip K. Dick

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

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

It feels pretty good to be back; I hope the results justify the process, and the break taken. If not, well, we do get another chance tomorrow, don’t we? Or, rather, don’t I? I suppose, in this case, “we” isn’t all that inappropriate, as I continue to drag y’all along with me while I pursue my personal folly…. Ah well, it could be worse, I suppose…. I could have left out all the artwork…. think how boring THAT would be….. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes…. fair warning….

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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Days of beer and pansies….

Posted on March 23, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Happiness is a state of mind. Not happy? Change your mind.”

~~ Smart Bee ~~

Artist’s rendition of Mars, millions of years in the past

Image from Space.com

Today’s Pearl will be quite short, consisting of an intro, and a closing. I don’t feel well; without going in to details, I feel unwell enough to keep me from writing any more than this. What’s more, I find myself without any compelling reason to fight back enough to get posted with a normal-looking Pearl. In fact, I am going to take an actual break, of at least two days, to give myself a chance to overcome what ails me, and to find my muse, who seems to have taken a powder, as the saying goes.

Since I really don’t have much to say other than that, I’ll leave you to get started on my days off. Below, you’ll find one pearl, which is actually a reprint of the Pearl for a date in 2011, a couple months after I first started posting on WordPress. In a couple of days, I’m sure I’ll feel better, and be back with new energy, and commitment to excellence…. or, something resembling excellence, at least….

That’s all, ffolkes. Y’all have a nice couple days, & I’ll see y’all on the flip side….. I’m going to take Smart Bee’s advice, above, and go change my mind….

Shall we Pearl?

“Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace.” — Dalai Lama

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

From 9/17/2011:

Picking out today’s Pearls turned out to be a marathon. Just couldn’t find the right stuff to lead off a lazy Sunday. So, we’ll have to wing it…. Hmmm…..nothing is rising to the surface. Even stirring the contents briskly has nothing sticking to the spoon. I suppose we could take a few moments here for an advertisement disclaimer, but, it being Sunday, I don’t much feel like diving back in to the oyster beds to find where I left it. I could go nonsensical; that’s always fun. But Lewis Carroll did that already, and I don’t much feel like trying to out-Jabberwock a dead author. I suppose I should find a newsworthy event to share, or comment on the current political scene, but I also don’t feel like putting on the necessary high-top boots for wading around in that filthy pool. It stinks, also, and I’m out of nasal plugs. Well, this means we will be going to last resort tactics, and saying just this; today’s Pearls are being brought to you by your generous donations, and by a grant from the Idiosyncratic Corporation, makers of fine eccentric philosophies, which come complete with a full line of optional accessories……

I stared into the abyss. The abyss stared into me. Neither of us liked what we saw.

“Adulthood, one could say, is when it begins to occur to you that you may not be leading a charmed life.” — Adam Phillips

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 ~~

“Beware the man of one book.” — St. Thomas Aquinas

“Stupidity cannot be cured with money, or through education, or by legislation. Stupidity is not a sin; the victim can’t help being stupid. But stupidity is the only universal capital crime; the sentence is death, there is no appeal, and execution is carried out automatically and without pity.” — Robert A. Heinlein — Lazarus Long

WARNING: The Meaning Of Life Is Subject To Change Without Notice.

Whoa, there big fella! Whew! Almost couldn’t get it to stop…..’tis a fine day for nonsense, don’t you think? Have fun with it, and y’all take care out there….

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

Okay, ffolkes, I’m done, and damn lucky, too, to have finished prior to an internal explosion…. and, ’nuff said on that! I’m outta here. I’ll see y’all in a couple of days…. I’m shooting for Wednesday, or Thursday; look for a new Pearl then….

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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Switch over to the Itsy Bitsy network…

Posted on March 14, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

No slave is ever freed, save he freeth himself.

~~ Smart Bee ~~

Artist’s rendition of Mars One Colony outpost: picture from Space.com

It won’t do. It simply won’t do…. Unless, of course, it does, in which case, we have no opening…. SIGH. Well, ffolkes, I seem to have done it again…. Here I am, clueless as to how to begin, again, with a large amount of blank white covering the screen, and, my mind’s inner vision…. I wouldn’t want to put any blame for this anywhere it doesn’t belong, but, pretty soon, I’m going to have to assign a scapegoat of some kind, to get rid of all this angst; at least, then, I’d have something to feel guilty about….

I must say, though, I’m not much into guilt, having decided long ago it’s a pretty useless emotion, based generally on misconceptions of entitlement having nothing to do with the real world; only our own false ideas of how we DESERVE to be treated can cause us to ignore that which will not change at our command. Moreover, the whole deal becomes doubly useless when one considers one is experiencing guilt, anger, or other inappropriate frustration, over something we never had any right to demand in the first place….

Having thus far managed to avoid any such nonsense here on ECR, I think I’ll just use another facet of the human condition, one we ALL have practiced to some degree, to wit: total denial of reality in favor of one of our delusions…. It’s a common practice for us homo bozoidus’ to dump all the blame for what happens in our lives onto damn near anything, or anyone, other than ourselves; anyone who says they haven’t done this is, quite simply, a liar. We ALL have practiced such denial, at one point or another in our lives, if only to protect our own egos from the depredations piled upon it almost every day by our culture; denial of having done so is futile. It doesn’t make you a bad person, merely human….

And, goodness knows, we humans have our flaws…. But, the intro isn’t really the place to go any further into such matters. In fact, we’ve pretty much used up all the available space with my wandering around this concept, without ever really nailing it down. SIGH….. I suppose that’s what happens when I try to use the gestalt method of getting my thoughts down…. Sometimes it works; other times, not so well…. I will leave it to y’all to judge how it worked out, because I must now get us out of here, before we get stuck here for the rest of our allotted time…. In fact, look!…. It’s good ol’ #4, just sitting there, wagging its tail, waiting to take us out of here….

“Captain, I sense… a PLOT DEVICE!” — Smart Bee

Nah! Couldn’t be that!….. But, we’ll use it anyway, okay? Okay….

Shall we Pearl?

“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” — Buddha (B.C. 568-488)

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

Photo from http://www.markknopfler.com/gallery/tracker/

Got a bit lucky yesterday…. I subscribe to Rolling Stone’s email newsletter, for just this reason…. Mark Knopfler, the virtuoso of Dire Straits fame, is about to mark the 30th anniversary of “Brothers In Arms” with the release of his latest album of new material. It’s called “Tracker”, as related in the Rolling Stone article interviewing him ahead of the new album’s release in a few days. They are allowing people to share it, so, here it is….. It is GRAND, to say the least….

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Mark Knopfler: Tracker

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https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ1fPXv2cuEwRv6lCtWm2efm5LfuxkaOv

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

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

“God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent- it says so right here on the label. If you have a mind capable of believing all three of these divine attributes simultaneously, I have a wonderful bargain for you. No checks, please. Cash, and in small bills.” — Lazarus Long

From 8/15/2012:

“It is not the possessions but the desires of mankind which require to be equalized.” — Aristotle

Life is tough, but not as tough as it used to be. It’s been a long time since we humans had to actually go out and be responsible for our own survival, a pastime that, up until about 2500-3000 years ago, was pretty much a full time occupation for the majority of people. Very few folks back then could be spared to sit around doing nothing, using up resources that were acquired by the others of the group; everybody had to pull their own weight, or they starved…..

But once the species figured out farming, and how to produce food more efficiently than having to go out to find it, life got a lot easier, at least from a physical standpoint. Farming kept folks from needing to move around so much to look for food, so cities began to form, and civilization began to organize into its various strata….. beloved ruling class, priestly hierarchy class, warrior class, and, of course, the patsy class, also known as the worker bees, or peons, depending on one’s particular degree of sliminess….

To look at what Aristotle says above, one might think it speaks to the upper classes, suggesting that, perhaps, if they wanted less than they have, which is more than they need, then there might not be as many folks who want only enough to survive, but can’t find even that. It isn’t as if they don’t have enough…..However, thanks to the priestly hierarchies, who act as the protector of the ruling class, the less fortunate are lied to, and are told that THEY are being tested, and not to want more…. The priests have them all convinced that all they should want is just enough, in reward for which they will be compensated IN THE NEXT LIFE! It’s one of the most egregious scams that has ever been perpetrated on the masses, and continues today….

“Most of the dogmatic religions have exhibited a perverse talent for taking the wrong side on the most important concepts in the material universe, from the structure of the solar system to the origin of man.” — George Gaylord Simpson

The problem now becomes this; almost all the available resources of the planet are used up… only by drastically reducing the total number of people can the species continue to survive…. and, we all know who is going to get the short end of THAT stick, don’t we? Once people realize that the available resources needed for the species to survive are being hoarded and manipulated by the powers that be, all to favor themselves, the unwashed masses are going to be, shall we say, less than happy with the beloved ruling class, and even less happy with the priestly hierarchies who prop them up. It will be Mother Nature’s way of saying “you wouldn’t play nicely with others, and now you’ll have to pay the price for that failure….” Of course, she would probably make it sound less pompous than I do….

Being able to control one’s desires is a very valuable skill, and one worth learning, for certain. But when the desire is the simple desire to survive, it is not one that either can, or should, be eliminated…. For many centuries, the beloved ruling class and the priestly hierarchies who are in league with them have been lying to the general populace for their own benefit; history, even when written by the winners, makes that very clear.

“History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.” — Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821)

Soon, they will have to come to terms with that treachery, as the planet’s resources, and its ability to support our form of life, are reduced to where we can no longer grow enough food, or breathe the air due to the addition of carbon monoxide…. When the general public realizes that the PTB are the assholes who have put us in this position, I don’t think they are going to be very happy about it…. and my only hope is that they don’t take so long to come to that conclusion that it is too late to make the needed changes…. which is a distinct possibility…. Small hopes are better than none…..

“Jesus is coming, everyone look busy.” — Bumper Sticker

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It’s been a long while since I posted this poem; it’s always been one of my favorites, as has the poet himself….. Enjoy, ffolkes, this is humanity at its best…. Well, in the twentieth century, anyway….

À Bas Ben Adhem

My fellow man I do not care for.
I often ask me, What’s he there for?
The only answer I can find
Is, Reproduction of his kind.
If I’m supposed to swallow that,
Winnetka is my habitat.
Isn’t it time to carve Hic Jacet
Above that Reproduction racket?

To make the matter more succinct:
Suppose my fellow man extinct.
Why, who would not approve the plan
Save possibly my fellow man?
Yet with a politician’s voice
He names himself as Nature’s choice.

The finest of the human race
Are bad in figure, worse in face.
Yet just because they have two legs
And come from storks instead of eggs
They count the spacious firmament
As something to be charged and sent.

Though man created cross-town traffic,
The Daily Mirror, News and Graphic,
The pastoral fight and fighting pastor,
And Queen Marie and Lady Astor,
He hails himself with drum and fife
And bullies lower forms of life.

Not that I think much depends
On how we treat our feathered friends,
Or hold the wrinkled elephant
A nobler creature than my aunt.
It’s simply that I’m sure I can
Get on without my fellow man.

~~ Ogden Nash ~~

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I didn’t mention it above, but, I AM rather late getting this done, so, you get another fine archive entry in lieu of a fresh pearl…. deal with it. And save the complaints; the judge isn’t listening….

From 10/1/2011:

Well, that took for-frigging-ever….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; I have lots to do today, & didn’t intend to spend so much time on the process of picking out today’s offerings. I was forced to make three separate dives, each one 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; all will be well.

Five minutes later, he came to his senses, after fixedly staring off into the distance, with that vacuous expression that tells you, for sure, 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, & it’s way too early for a conversation with James or John. I’ll have to resort to flaming bonhomie, then, 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.” — Smart Bee

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal Name.

~~ Lao-Tzu ~~

~~ Opening lines, Tao Teh 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…..

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Rather than make any egregiously idiotic comments here, I’ll use this sterling opportunity to rest on my laurels, withered though they may be….. I will also stop any further harassment for today, leaving you, not in the lurch, but, rather, in the nick of time…. 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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Probably impossible? Or, possibly probable? You decide….

Posted on March 7, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“I am deeply CONCERNED and I want something GOOD for BREAKFAST!:

~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~

Artist’s rendition of Mars One Colony’s first landing. Picture from Space.com

We all must, at one time in our lives, or another, learn to deal with disappointment. Today is one of those times…..

You see, there is no time to complete this Pearl today; I have urgent business to take care of today, and this blog isn’t QUITE important enough to take precedence over Reality. Of course, that has not always been the case, but, today we have to pay attention, if we hope for any kind of successful resolution to the issue…. All that being said, what this means is another day of cheats….

I feel compelled to point out, however, we could have said nothing about it, letting y’all believe we were being fresh and creative today, instead of merely dutiful. So, if y’all want a less honest blog, well, you’re out of luck there, as well…. Of course, such honesty has no actual effect on the issue, but, it does make me feel better about all of it, so….

That’s all, ffolkes. We’re bailing early again, using #4 method like it was candy….. I’m kind of digging it; how about y’all? Well, either way, we’re outta here for today, so, grab the closest handhold, and we’ll go directly to our destination, where we can begin today’s dive…..

Shall we Pearl?

“Not to know what has been transacted in former times is to be always a child. If no use is made of the labors of past ages, the world must remain always in the infancy of knowledge.” — Cicero

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Spacecraft Dawn approaching Dwarf Planet Ceres Orbit, Space.com

The exploration of our own solar system seems to be progressing nicely, in spite of all the crap going on back here on Earth, in most other areas of human endeavor, such as politics, culture, and, our mad rush toward extinction via environmental disaster, created by our own hand…. It is projects like this in which our salvation as a species exists, in my humble opinion…. We are destined for space, if we can live long enough to get there….

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Dawn Probe Orbits Dwarf Planet Ceres: Full Coverage

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http://www.space.com/28736-dawn-spacecraft-ceres-arrival-full-coverage.html?cmpid=559175#ooid=tzYWFwczo6m5bujUhVXnZSQufeSZ3kQJ

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As promised, here is one from the archives…..

From 3/2/2013:

“He who imitates evil always goes beyond the limits of the example, whereas he who imitates what is good, always falls short.” — Confucius

Perfect! If ever a quote could be applied to fit one group of people, this one would; it fits the folks who occupy elected office in this country like the proverbial glove. Ooh! Ooh! Here’s another one…

“Ignorance: When you don’t know something and somebody finds it out.” — Jethro Burns

Okay, that’s a good start…. Now, we all know that politicians lie to us…. It’s what we’ve taught them to do, by our calm acceptance of all the other lies they’ve told, from the very beginning. We expect them to lie… then, when we catch them at it, there is this huge public outcry, as if it had never happened before. Sometimes, the behavior of the American public toward the political beast reminds me of a shark…. to wit: no memory of the past to slow down their willingness to rush into dangerous situations….. For millions of years, sharks and dolphins have lived together in the oceans. For just about all that time, whenever a shark attacks a dolphin, it gets killed, unless the dolphin is injured in some way, or, it is a baby inadvertently left alone. Always, if things are even, the shark dies, because the dolphins are smarter, and faster swimmers.

After millions of years, you would think the sharks might learn to let them alone, but, they don’t, which is evidence of their lack of ability to learn. The American voting public has the same problem…. they never learn to expect to be lied to, and always seem surprised to learn that their elected officials are, shall we say, less than perfectly honest? It, quite frankly, drives me nuts…. What is it about people that does that to them? Why are they so unwilling to use the mind that sits between their ears, rather than just carrying it around from toilet to toilet, which is all most folks seem to do with it? (Almost forgot it was a question….) I wish I knew….

“There is one way to find out if a man is honest–ask him. If he says yes, you know he is crooked.” — Groucho Marx

I’m starting to feel a bit of anger, actually, and I have a hard time not letting it out on the voting public, the idiots. But, it really isn’t all their fault, as the people who run for office are the ones who are actively imitating evil, and, obviously, exceeding the limits of their example. And the voting public can’t help never being able to quite reach the good for which they reach. This is why I get angry about it…. The folks who run for office tell the public they are going to work for the people when they are elected; we all know they are lying, but we elect them anyway. Now, how stupid is that? Pretty stupid, in my book…..

On the one hand, the stupidity displayed by the politicians is deliberate, in its adherence to principles of theft and prevarication; on the other hand, the stupidity displayed by the voting public is, perhaps, not deliberate, but at minimum, misguided, and, ultimately, just as evil, in placing its trust in evil people. In the dispassionate view held by the universe, stupid is as stupid does, and the sentence of death is the same for both types of stupidity, deliberate and unconscious. It doesn’t care about why, it only looks at results….

What can be done about this? Not a damn thing…. Not only do I find that most people are unconsciously stupid, but they are stubborn about it, even when it is clear how being stupid is hurting them. Rather than use their minds to find a new way of dealing with these issues, they retreat into platitudes and dogma, and run right back out to vote for another idiot who promises them manna from heaven, or, more accurately, from Washington D.C. If confronted with their idiocy, they become even more stubborn, as they are unwilling to accept they might be wrong, and refuse to either examine any evidence of being wrong, or, will deny its existence altogether.

The politicians, who choose to live in stupidity, by lying and cheating and stealing from their own people, don’t even WANT to choose otherwise. Why should they? They’ve got it easy, with a ready supply of host bodies on which to practice their symbiotic parasitism, a body that not only accepts all their lies, but encourages them to even further depredations with their complete acquiescence with whatever the politicos want. All the politicians have to say is that the public is in danger, from this, that, or the other, and the public will allow them to do whatever they choose, as long as they feel safe from whatever fictional fantasy they have been told is dangerous…..

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift; the rational mind is faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” — Albert Einstein

It’s an interesting spectacle to observe from the sidelines, but it arouses in me a strong feeling of sadness, with the anger underlying, as I watch, day after day, as so many millions of foolish people get taken advantage of by a few assholes. It definitely makes me want to buy a gun, even though I would only use it if pressed; I have a feeling I may get pressed some day, if I continue to make noise about all this.

I’m fairly well protected thus far by a lack of notoriety; the BRC and the PTB aren’t going to worry about me until I have an audience a lot larger than a couple of hundred folks, of which perhaps fifty regularly read my work. If what I am saying began to gain popularity, and was being read by millions, I’d be in danger; until then, I’m as safe as I can make myself with the tools at hand… which, if I say so myself, are not entirely inconsequential…. If I said any more, I’d be giving away my precautions, and that wouldn’t do, so, just rest assured… I am ready to deal with anything short of assault weapons, with what I have on hand…..

“Many, if not all, of my presidential opponents are certifiable idiots.” — Miriam Defensor Santiago — The World Almanac and Book of Facts, 1993

See? I’m not completely alone! Actually, if you pay close attention, you will note this was uttered by a politician, about their peers, so it really doesn’t count as support of what I’m saying here. What, exactly am I saying here? Hmm, okay, since I’ve already written about 1200 words or so on this, it’s a good place to wind it up…. so, here goes…

Ffolkes, you are being lied to, daily, and hourly, by those who have been elected to office to look out for your interests. I hate to tell you, but those folks never intended to do anything of the sort. So, it would be a good thing if everybody in this country would OPEN THEIR FUCKING EYES AND GET A DAMN CLUE!!!!!….. I don’t think I can say it any clearer than that….. That’s all, for now…..

“Ignorance kills daily. “– Smart Bee

So be it.

gigoid has spoken

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

I measure every grief I meet
With analytic eyes;
I wonder if it weighs like mine,
Or has an easier size.

I wonder if they bore it long,
Or did it just begin?
I could not tell the date of mine,
It feels so old a pain.

I wonder if it hurts to live,
And if they have to try,
And whether, could they choose between,
They would not rather die.

I wonder if when years have piled–
Some thousands–on the cause
Of early hurt, if such a lapse
Could give them any pause;

Or would they go on aching still
Through centuries above,
Enlightened to a larger pain
By contrast with the love.

The grieved are many, I am told;
The reason deeper lies,–
Death is but one and comes but once
And only nails the eyes.

There’s grief of want, and grief of cold,–
A sort they call ‘despair,’
There’s banishment from native eyes,
In sight of native air.

And though I may not guess the kind
Correctly yet to me
A piercing comfort it affords
In passing Calvary,

To note the fashions of the cross
Of those that stand alone
Still fascinated to presume
That some are like my own.

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

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

Here’s a cute little pearl, a seven-star gem, which seems to be talking about Life at Large….

“There’s always a bigger fish.” — Qui-Gon Jinn, Star Wars Episode I

“The crash of the whole solar and stellar systems could only kill you once.” — Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881)

“Cato said the best way to keep good acts in memory was to refresh them with new.” — Francis Bacon (1561-1626) — Apothegms, No, 247

“If a rock falls on your head it does positive harm, but shame, disgrace, reproaches, and insults are damaging only in so far as you’re conscious of them.” — Erasmus

“For some, reality is an illusion.” — Smart Bee, talking behind gigoid’s back, again…

“He that feareth is a slave, were he never so rich, were he never so powerful. But he that is without fear is king of all the world.” — E. R. Eddison, The Worm Ouroboros

“I feel better about world problems now!” — Zippy the Pinhead

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

‘Tis done. Nothing else matters, though attempts are made which cannot be dismissed. Rather than do so, we will take our leave, without any sort of explanation as to why we are stuck in the royal “we”…. We will try to lose it by tomorrow…. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, if we get the chance….

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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Ham-handed & stupid? Sir, I resemble that remark!….

Posted on March 4, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Nadie tiene mas imaginacion que la realidad.”

(Nodody has more imagination than reality.)

~~ Miguel de Unamuno, “El Espejo de la Muerte”, 1941 ~~

Artist’s rendition of Mars One Colony, picture from Space.com

Today’s post is going to be a strange one, though, not to any degree unheard of in our case. That being said, we will also notify y’all we will NOT be engaging in any of our usual angst over the intro, since there won’t be one…. at least, not in any ordinary sense. What you see is all you get today, as I am operating under extreme conditions of hurry-up, without even the opportunity to explain why we are altering Reality in such an arbitrary fashion… In fact, we have to leave, now…

That’s all, ffolkes…. anything else is just going to have to wait…. For now, we are outta here, and on to the meat of the matter, such as it is….

Shall we Pearl?

“Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” — Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965) — Churchill’s Commentary on Man

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

This video is one of my favorite pieces of musical tribute, with good reason, as it contains music from a great many of the world’s finest modern composers and musicians, all in tribute to a world cultural icon…. Plus, it was handy, making it quick, and perfect for today…. Enjoy, ffolkes, it doesn’t get any better than this…..

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Concert for George [2003]

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http://youtu.be/j9Dr1anRP9w

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

Since I don’t have time to rant, here are enough headlines from the last few days to depress anyone…. Y’all can fill in your own nasty remarks regarding the BRC and the Asininnies you may see in the following articles from the mainstream media…. I won’t say enjoy, but, I will say, stay alert…. You might even find a surprise!….

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/02/los-angeles-police-shoot-dead-homeless-man-after-street-altercation?CMP=ema_565

http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/why-is-this-man-still-in-jail-tony-wright-philadelphia-20150302?
utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=030215_16&utm_medium=email&ea=YWxwaGFnaWdvaWRAZ21haWwuY29t

https://talesfromthelou.wordpress.com/2015/03/02/new-la-riots-coming-soon-cop-shoots-kills-homeless-man-seconds-after-arriving-102/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-31719043#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/04/alabama-judges-halt-same-sex-marriages#rssowlmlink

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/mar/04/uk-properties-held-by-offshore-firms-used-in-global-corruption-say-police#rssowlmlink

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/03/the-results-are-in-study-reveals-average-penis-size

That’s all, ffolkes…. any more would ruin the whole day…. Sorry ’bout that last one; I couldn’t resist….

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In the interests of speed, one of mine will have to do….

Savory

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

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

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

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

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

~~ gigoid ~~

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This is the other group of pearls introduced yesterday in the fifth, old-school section of the Daily Pearl; chosen with carefully random parameters, this one seems to be a group of observations/instructions on life, very powerful taken together, with no little degree of snark to add some flavor, without actually detracting from the otherwise solidly dignified advice…. or, something like that….

In truth, as always, any true conclusions are left as an exercise for the Gentle Reader…. As you may have observed, everything I have to say is generally either the whole and complete truth, the occasional false trail, or blather…. Hey, it’s better than ending on a rant, right?….

“Do not be overly emotional. All people have emotions, but do not be overcome by them as children are. Always guide your energy in the right channel without rushing over the rim.” — Ni Hua Ching

“Live your own life, for you will die your own death.” — Latin Proverb

“Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one less rascal in the world.” — Thomas Carlyle

“The best rule of friendship is to keep your heart a little softer than your head.” — George Santayana

“When an opponent come forward, move in and greet him; if he wants to pull back, send him on his way.” — Morihei Ueshiba

“One sits down first, one thinks afterwards.” — Ah Yes, famous Dubioid scholar

“Quickly, bring me a beaker of wine, so that I may wet my mind and say something clever.” — Aristophanes

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Well, I feel…. soiled and unclean…. I cheated so much, I’m going to have to go shower off when I finish…. Oh well, it’s done, which is all I care about just now…. I’ll do better tomorrow, ffolkes. Well, I’ll do it, anyway…. One way or another…. 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

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

A swift passage through rough waters….

Posted on February 18, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Man is a clever animal who behaves like an imbecile.”

~~ Albert Schweitzer ~~

Artist’s rendition of proposed solar energy plant on Mars — from Space.com

Ridin’ a whirlwind ain’t nothin’ compared to this. But, then, I never asked for any favors, so, whinin’ ain’t gonna quiet the wind. I s’pose that means I gotta either tame this big ugly bastard, or, pull in my spurs and jump…. Don’t seem to have a lot o’time to make up my mind, neither…. I guess I’ll do this…. Mind yer whiskers, there, pardner…

Well. I believe that will be quite enough of THAT. Not that I have anything better in mind, but…. Nope. Not going there, either…. I promised myself, no phlegm. You can thank me later.

Let’s begin again, shall we? Okay, okay, you don’t have to. I have to. If you’ll just…. never mind. Please just have a seat, okay? We can’t move until we’re all seated, & we need to get this slow on the road….. No that’s not a typo. Boy, I’m really lost today, aren’t we? And, not just in voice agreement. Now, if I could feel my fingers, or, even a couple of my brain cells, I could start over….. Ah, I know. Coffee…. I knew I’d forgotten something….

Better. Not good, but, better. Phil isn’t going to like this, you know….. How’s this. I won’t mention any of it if y’all don’t. It might make his blood pressure go up, so, it’s best if we just keep this little glitch to ourselves, okay? Okay. Now, if y’all have your earpieces in place, I’ll fire off the starting gun, again, to let the pilot know we can leave. Be sure to duck, we’re not out of the live ammo yet….

Bang! (I know, but, what do you expect, off the cuff, at this hour? Raymond Chandler? Marvel Comics?… I’ll bet Raymond Chandler didn’t have to type with vertigo…. wimp…) Anyway, that should do it.

Hmm… We’re not moving. Hang on, ffolkes, I’ll be right back…. Oh, NO! Damn it! I knew I shouldn’t have fired in that direction. Blast and damn, that the third pilot this year, and it’s only February. Phil’s not gonna like THIS, either…. Shit, I HATE driving this thing!…..

Well. It’s my own fault, I guess, so, nothing for it. If y’all will resume your seats, I’ll pull the pilot ejection seat lever….. there. He’s gone…. Now, all I have to do is sit down, here, fire up the engines, like this, and, we’re good to go. Ooh, isn’t that a pretty sight! Luigi would never come this close to the bridge….

See how easy that is, when it’s only a blog, and a series of literary tricks & foolishness (no other words fit…), serving as the latest poor attempt at wit, or unreasonable facsimile thereof, to grace the intro section…. Gad, sometimes, I can’t believe my own gall…

Never mind, let’s get on with it, before this deteriorates any further…..

Shall we Pearl?

“A man must consider what a rich realm he abdicates when he becomes a conformist.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

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While following up on a purchase I made online the other day, I was looking through old email from the company, one of which mentioned the following artist’s name. Seeing it reminded me of how many times I had listened to, and enjoyed, his music during my youth…. It’s always an easy listen to hear the familiar finger-picking guitar openings, followed by his strong, evocative voice, sharing visions of great beauty and passion, with intimately personal insight into the human condition…. a true troubadour of his time…

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GORDON LIGHTFOOT IN CONCERT 1972

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http://youtu.be/PqS310cQ0CI

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

“Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you.

Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.”

~~ Bernard Levin, in “Daily Mail”, 1964 ~~

What a perfect opening to discuss the gullibility of the common man, brainwashed into perfect docility, willing to believe whatever they see or hear, as long as it is spoken by a talking head, or someone wearing a suit, or a badge, or, a cassock…. These sad excuses for human beings have allowed themselves to become the ideal slave, fully indoctrinated to the point they are unaware of their slavery at all, believing their state of existence to be just the way it should be, by all they have ever learned…. The statement above, while perfectly apt, is limited, in the sense it is actually applicable to damn near every thought that passes for an opinion in the minds of the average American….

Go ahead. Ask almost anyone WHY they perform any particular act in their life; the most likely response you’ll receive will be along the lines of “well, that’s how I learned to do it”, or some other variation of “that’s how it’s always been done around here.” The video selection from yesterday, regarding the 5 Monkey Experiment, demonstrated the exact series of steps necessary to shape the behavior any simian on this planet, whether hairy, or hairless, into permanently exhibiting the desired behavior/frame of mind. This particular method of behavioral modification is particularly dangerous, as well as effective, for those being shaped ultimately never know they’ve been manipulated at all….

For millennia, in the real world, by using the concept of money (or the withholding of money) as the metaphorical representation of water in the experiment, these canny, insanely sociopathic humans who essentially control the world, who have enslaved the greater portion of mankind for thousands of years of our history, (Hard to believe? Read it, ffolkes. I have…. it’s pretty clear….), have used this exact technique to create the mindset they desire in the general run of humans, who are brainwashed to accept the lies almost from the day they are born; for certain, the assault on their minds begins soon thereafter.

First, their minds are shaped by parents, already programmed to pass on their misconceived beliefs to their offspring, as guided by the cadre of corrupted manipulators in Religion, the preachers, who encourage/promote the submission of individual will to the authority of temporal and spiritual leaders, at the alleged behest of an omnipotent supernatural being, sealing the conditioning more strongly with every lie they tell.

This manipulation, upon which so many other lies are predicated, is based on the promise of life unending, immortality, but, only for those who submit to accepting, those who choose to believe, without proof, relying only on faith…. The carrot in one hand, (i.e., eternal life) distracts the gullible from the reality in which they exist…. The poor saps are then shown the stick, i.e., the same immortality, withheld; an eternity of suffering and misery, to add fear to the mix, strengthening the behavioral modification, balancing the ultimate reward, promised to them in return for their submission, with the threat of eternal punishment, as the implied reward for independent thought.

Few human children escape at least SOME of this conditioning; fortunately, some of us can throw it off, having apparently inherited a “doubt” gene, or some peculiar combination of chromosomes which influence development of the “crap detector” part of our brain, sensitizing it, thus, affording us some protection from enforced ignorance.

I don’t know about y’all, but, when I was a kid, my crap detector went off all the time, which I consider fortunate, for it provided me with the impetus to become one of the dubious…. In this respect, sadly, I seem to be, if not alone, at least, isolated from very many others, who may have perceived the same evidence as have I…. I think quite a few of THEM end up reading this blog…. But, they’re not the ones who need to follow this train of thought.

Once one sees clearly the problem, it only becomes more complicated to find the courage to face up to the only viable solution. As far as I can see, in order to be capable of changing much of anything in the society in which we all live, any tactics and strategy we use will, of necessity, require us to give up at least one of the ethical positions which led us to the independence of mind we enjoy, to wit: in order to cause those who would rule to change, we would have to became very much like them. We would have to agree to kill, thus giving up that which makes us most human….

I can see no alternative, at this point, to simply removing them from the gene pool, never again allowing them to reproduce whatever sequence of chromosomes that produces people with no connection to their feelings, in essence, who possess no conscience, no restraint upon their most viciously avaricious desires for power and control of others…. Our species cannot allow these base parts of our nature to assume ascendancy, not if we wish to remain truly human, or wish to ever reach our true potential.

You see, they won’t change; as well as possessing the ability to ignore the pain of others, these semi-humans are also mean, tough as an old shoe, and have been in control, or, at minimum, have held the illusion of control in a real sense, for a very long time. They’re not going to give up their privileged position, to which they feel entitled by right of conquest, just because we ask them nicely….. They’re just not built that way…. So, to make them go away, we must, at least for a time, become like them, able to kill without mercy, in order to save ourselves, and those innocents among us, who have never even known they are slaves…..

It’s a very, very difficult ethical and moral decision; how many of us will be able to do our Duty to mankind? Can we put aside that which makes us human, and still be able to pick it back up when we have achieved our goal, to replace insanity with reason, by removing them all from existence?…. So far in history, no one has shown the ability to show such restraint and will; power corrupts those who use it, and, all too often, as Pete would say, the new boss is the same as the old boss….

I don’t know about y’all, but, the one thing that may just push me over that edge, is the thought of how bloody useless the whole issue is…. From a cosmic standpoint, in a hundred, or a thousand, or a hundred thousand years, we won’t matter to the Universe any more than the Dodo mattered to us…. and we’ll be just as extinct, if current evidence is any indication…. The futility of the whole deal just pisses me off, no end….

I swear, IF there is a God, and He is anything remotely similar to what we’ve been told, then, when I get a chance, I’m going to spit right in His beady little eyes…. He’s got a lot of fucking cruelty, and stupidity, to answer for, in my book…

SIGH…. Oh well, so much for another good mood; I kicked it right to the curb, again, didn’t I? I think I’ll go eat some worms….

So be it.

gigoid has spoken, probably too much….

“Whatever you can lose, you should reckon of no account.”

~~ Publius Syrus (42 BC) — Maxim 191 ~~

———————–

“What can YOU afford to lose?”

gigoid, the dubious

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

There are times when nothing will do for me but one of the classics, especially when they are so appropriate to the times, as this one, by an old friend…. I tend to agree with Dr. Baring, in Gaudy Night; Wordsworth IS rather underrated today….

The world is too much with us; late and soon.

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers:
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune,
It moves us not.–Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.

~~ William Wordsworth ~~

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

It’s been a while since SB gave up such a hefty, yet, diverse sprinkling of pearls. This one can only be called a Harlequin pearl, or, as in the biblical tale, a Pearl of Many Colors…. Enjoy, ffolkes… I suggest you don’t bother to try too hard for meaning; just let it all wash over you, looking forward to the dazed, flushed feeling waiting for you at the end, when all nine of them have been consumed, hopefully with relish…. or, perhaps, a spot of ‘spice of life’….

“A zygote is a gamete’s way of producing more gametes. This may be the purpose of the universe.” — Lazarus Long, from Robert A. Heinlein’s “Time Enough For Love”

“Anarchism is the only philosophy which brings to man the consciousness of himself; which maintains that God, the State, and society are non-existent, that their promises are null and void, since they can be fulfilled only through man’s subordination. Anarchism is therefore the teacher of the unity of life; not merely in nature, but in man.” — Emma Goldman “Anarchism: What It Really Stands For”

“Americans are so enamored of equality they would rather be equal in slavery than unequal in freedom.” — Alexis de Tocqueville

“People don’t like the truth, its depressing.” — Fr. Stan O’Konsky, S.J.

“Democracy, which is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder, and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike. — Plato, The Republic. Book VIII. 558

MISS, n. The title with which we brand unmarried women to indicate that they are in the market. Miss, Missis (Mrs.) and Mister (Mr.) are the three most distinctly disagreeable words in the language, in sound and sense. Two are corruptions of Mistress, the other of Master. In the general abolition of social titles in this our country they miraculously escaped to plague us. If we must have them let us be consistent and give one to the unmarried man. I venture to suggest Mush, abbreviated to Mh. — Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary”

“Capitalism says you can win, Socialism says you can break even, and Religion says you can join another game.” — Smart Bee, being a smart aleck

“Plato says, “‘Tis to no purpose for a sober man to knock at the door of the Muses;” and Aristotle says “that no excellent soul is exempt from a mixture of folly.” — Michael de Montaigne (1533-1592) — Essays, Book ii, Chap. ii, Of Drunkenness

“Imagination is the one weapon in the war against reality.” — Jules de Gaultier

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

Having thus discharged my chosen Duty, I shall trouble thee no more. I shall, with appropriate dignity, bid thee adieu for another day. Perhaps, by tomorrow, I shall have managed to lose this silly formal attitude, which seems to have afflicted my fingers here at the end of today’s effort. Ah well, such is life, as they say. Now, if I can only figure out who they are, I can go strike them repeatedly about the head and shoulders, for their asininity…. 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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Can you spell ‘balderdash’ boys & girls?….

Posted on January 29, 2015 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Not life, but good life, is to be chiefly valued.”

~~ Socrates ~~

Euro-Union Mars Science Lab, Artist’s rendition of post-landing configuration.– from Space.com

I’m wondering, if the folks over at Kaiser are feeling a little premonition, a small niggling at the back of the neck, or a vague feeling of uneasiness. If not, they probably should, because I guarantee, they are about to become engulfed in a shit storm. Having reached the end of my patience with the issue they’ve forced upon me, I have consulted the proper authority (Sun Tzu, The Art of War), determined a plan of battle and engaged the first scouts to gather intelligence. Small events have been set in motion, which, combined with the other facets of the plan, will come down on their heads in an avalanche of legal and marginally legal manipulations and court appointments to keep their wolf-pack full of lawyers busy for years to come.

They poked into the wrong beehive this time, picking on a target well able to protect himself from their feeble attempts to control my life, to force me to live according to their perverted version of reality. They will find that to be a decision they will come to regret. I have previously stated my reluctance to suffer the machinations of fools; this is no exception. My father would be disappointed in me if I allowed a soulless corporation to dictate to me how I should live; I have no intention of allowing that to continue, to their everlasting regret.

That being said, perhaps y’all will understand why I am so FUCKING TIRED, of pain, of side effects that bring nothing but misery, of the unending stress; most of all, I’m tired of not sleeping…. go figure. Since Kaiser, along with a group of brainwashed, cowardly physicians, who have surrendered their dignity, and their souls, to keep their jobs, afraid to buck the insane demands of the corporation, lest they lose their place in the insane race to achieve the American Dream, long proven to be an illusion, fostered by the elitists who control the world to maintain the status quo, which favors only them, have decided to fuck with me….. Well, let me just say, I am the wrong choice for them to pull this on….

Whoops…. I’ve done it again, haven’t I? Oh well, chalk it up to being preoccupied with pain, and the cause of the pain. My anger is so large, the universe is full; it’s got to go somewhere, or I will explode, at which time a large number of assholes will begin to disappear from the face of the Earth, continuing to do so as long as I can evade their clutches. I’ve taken all I intend to take, of being treated like a slave, who has no rights, and no power…. I may not have the resources of a world behind me, but, I think they’ll find I am quite able to gather the necessary elements to create more trouble than they’ve ever encountered, and, I am quite familiar with the arts of warfare, having been born a warrior….

I hope against hope it won’t come to pass; unfortunately, it may already be too late. We’ll see how the next day or two goes, then decide, Meanwhile, I’ve completely screwed the pooch with this intro, so, I’ll just use the ever-popular emergency method #4, to ease us down into the next section…. That one goes like this….

Shall we Pearl?

“I’ve learned to accept birth and death… but sometimes I still worry about what lies between.” — Smart Bee

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

Over the past two days, I’ve been reliving my youth, with cartoons from the Saturday morning lineup I was fond of watching every week. Here is another old friend, Yogi Bear, with his old friends, Boo Boo, and the Park Ranger…. Enjoy!

The New Yogi Bear Show – Grin & Bear It

http://youtu.be/UhqHtxGLt68?list=PL_4hXCUn-FQCnjStEjFb2961a6Ff5xvvj

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

“A power has risen up in the government greater than the people themselves, consisting of many and various and powerful interests, combined into one mass, and held together by the cohesive power of the vast surplus in the banks.” — Johann L. Uhland (1787-1862) — Speech, May 27, 1836

Zowie! Eureka! I knew I’d heard this somewhere before, but, couldn’t remember the author’s name. In stating this observation, made not long after the US government was formed, the author takes the hand of Thomas Jefferson, who expressed his fear of exactly this happenstance, in numerous letters to friends before, and after, the signing of the Constitution. He recognized the overpowering ambition and thirst for power so obvious in those who embrace it, attempting to warn his fellow citizens, many times….

As is plain to see, nobody paid the slightest attention, whereupon the bankers, in close conjunction with their myrmidons, i.e., the pundits and lawyers, continued to pursue their evil intent, to secure their hold over government, and, thus, society…. They’ve been so successful, we see in today’s world, they control every level of the national scene; witness the number of Republican presidential candidates who have been sucking up to the Koch brothers, and the Citizens United PAC, with their unlimited pile of money, in use in today’s world buying the loyalty of every single politician they can pervert to their insane desire to make the world over in their own image…. It doesn’t seem to matter at all to them that image is a clear, crisp photograph of the worst HELL imaginable, or that it would entail oppressing 99% of the human race….

Why are many scientists using lawyers for medical experiments instead of rats?

a) There are more lawyers than rats.

b) The scientist’s don’t become as emotionally attached to them.

c) There are some things that even rats won’t do for money.

~~ Smart Bee ~~

Gee, do ya think I’ve lost some of my respect for lawyers, and their second-slimiest clients, the bankers? (First place in my hell is reserved for pimps, and those who abuse women, children, or animals…. which, of course, lawyers and bankers do by proxy, with their usual complete indifference to the suffering of others….) Why no, of course not. I’ve lost ALL of it, with what I consider damn good reason, based on 64 years of observing the human drama, along with my own personal experience with both categories of asshole…. The only respect for any of them I have, is for those who actually HELP people, without considering what they can get out of it, other than their own satisfaction for helping people find justice, and a reasonable fee for that help, whether the fee is taken in pies & chickens, eternal gratitude, or simply cash….

In keeping with today’s theme of picking on lawyers and bankers, and, to save energy for my upcoming battle, I decided to pick out an old school pearl, aimed at the former, as they’re an easier target, all in all…. They’re just SO…… weaselly! Well, there are some are exceptions, sure, but, the others infest the world so prominently, the good ones are hard to find…. Ah well, here are some observations about them, from Smart Bee, and a number of other people who feel the same as most everybody else, about those lawyers who use their skills to benefit themselves, showing complete indifference as to whether it benefits anyone else….

Liar, n.: A lawyer with a roving commission. — Ambrose Bierce, “The Devil’s Dictionary”

“A group of white South Africans recently killed a black lawyer because he was black. That was wrong. They should have killed him because he was a lawyer.” — A. Whitney Brown

“Always take a lawyer with you, and bring another lawyer to watch him.” — Bo Diddly’s Observation on the Law

“Fleas can be taught nearly everything a lawyer can.” — Smart Bee

“Here’s an amazing story. A man in Orlando, Florida, was hit by eight cars in a row and only one stopped. The first seven drivers thought he was a lawyer. The eighth was a lawyer.” — Jay Leno

“If a lawyer and an IRS agent were both drowning, and you could only save one of them, would you go to lunch or read the paper?” — Smart Bee

“In a man’s world…simian aptitudes are rated high, and so not too many women get in. To succeed as a lawyer, for example, a woman would have to throttle two of her chief attributes: her disdain for the petty accumulations of useless knowledge, and her sharp feeling for the truth. What men in their imbecility consistently mistake for a deficiency of intelligence in women is merely an incapacity for mastering small and trivial tricks.” — H. L. Mencken, Chicago _Sunday Tribune_, January 8, 1928

“In the Norse mythology Loki originally was on the side of the rest of the gods, helping them once or twice using particularly nasty forms of trickery. He was a cunning negotiator with a talent for technicalities. He was sort of the Norse equivalent of a lawyer, no doubt the reason they tied him down in a pit dripping acidic venom on him.” — Martin Terman

“How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb? You won’t find a lawyer who can change a light bulb. Now, if you’re looking for a lawyer to screw a light bulb… ” — Smart Bee

LAWYER: A professional advocate hired to bend the law on behalf of a paying client; for this reason considered the most suitable background for entry into politics. — Definition from “THE CYNIC’S DICTIONARY”

Needless to say, I could do this forever, no sweat, or guilt; there are already nine pearls, and I’ve only used three of the ten pages of quotes I’ve collected on the subject. But, I suppose there ARE more productive things we could all be doing. This is pretty cool, but, as with all good things, it can’t last forever…. Onward, into the day….

Oh, hell…. Naturally, AFTER I’ve finished, I find the PERFECT pearl for this group. Since we’ve already completed it, I’ll just tack it here on the end, where it will enjoy its highlighted position; I call it perfect because it takes a shot at two categories at once, both of which are current players in my personal drama…. This one tells it like it is, for sure and for certain….

“Doctors are the same as lawyers; the only difference is that lawyers merely rob you, whereas doctors rob you and kill you too.” — Anton Chekhov

gigoid has spoken…. So be it.

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

“But groundless hope, like unconditional love, is the only kind worth having.” — EFF co-founder John Perry Barlow, “Cynthia Horner’s Eulogy”, Apr. 1994

Unsolicited Gratitude

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

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

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

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

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

~~ gigoid ~~

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

I managed to get a bit more sleep than usual last night; no idea why, as I was mostly uncomfortable all day, & didn’t expect to sleep much at all. Ah well, gift horses, and all that….. I’ll see now if Smart Bee is awake and aware enough to cough up a few pearls; if not, I’ll find a good one in the archives to take up the slack. Let’s see what happens if I give SB a set of weird parameters, eh? See if you can figure out what they were, why don’t you? If naught else, it will get us down the page to the closing section…..

” Never use your thumb for a rule. You’ll either hit it with a hammer or get a splinter in it.” — Uncle Ed’s Rule of Thumb

“It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry.” — Nikolai Gogol _The Inspector-General_ [1836]

“The laugh of a child will make the holiest day more sacred still.” — Robert G. Ingersoll (American lawyer and orator 1833-1899)

“I exist as I am, that is enough.” — Walt Whitman

“One can endure sorrow alone, but it takes two to be glad.” — Elbert Hubbard

“All men are created unequal.” — Lazarus Long

“Awright, which one of you hid my PENIS ENVY?” — Zippy the Pinhead

Well. Hmm. I think, perhaps, I’ll not comment at all on this one…. We’re done, ffolkes; looking at this pearl tells me, we’re just in time, too….

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

I did it, against all odds…. not that anyone would have put any money down, anyway. Hell, I wouldn’t have bet on me this morning, and it’s my blog. Oh well, I suppose they can’t all be perfectly okay; with this one, I think I’ll avoid any attempts to categorize or label it, all for the better, I think. In fact, I think I should go now, before I lose it any further….. I’ll see y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, given a rising tide and a bit of luck…..

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

À bientôt, mon cherí….

gigoid

Ned Moore, aka gigoid, is a 70 year-old, (!!!… When did that happen?….), retired dilettante, who would rather read than eat, most days. His first blog, "gigoid’s folly", has been emailed out to folks he knows for about 18 years now. He still considers it his best defense against angst, and the ever-present specter of sheer insanity..... Due to rigorous curmudgeon training requirements, he has discontinued his Facebook presence, but still indulges in the occasional Twitter session... In essence, he's socialized, but, not overly sociable; all labels and stereotypes are forbidden in his presence... and he doesn't care what anyone thinks about that..... In fact, he doesn't want to talk anymore.... If you feel you MUST contact gigoid, his email address is: alphagigoid@gmail.com You can go read now.... Go on, beat it.... gigoid, the dubious

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Days of beer and pansies….

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