Puttin’ on some travelin’ shoes….

Posted on January 9, 2019 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Wisdom ceases to be wisdom when it becomes too proud to weep,
too grave to laugh, and too self-ful to seek other than itself.”

~~ Kahlil Gibran ~~

221 B Baker Street, London….

As may or may not have been noted, I disappeared again; the events in the Big Blue Room have assumed a greater significance for me than spending time at the computer. Not to say I have completely gone off the literary rails I’ve ridden for so long; it’s a matter of dealing with what is happening “in the moment”, a place in my mind I am trying to focus upon, for any number of good reasons, not the least of which have been words of advice uttered by many sages in history about the importance of staying there. In the moment, that is….

That said, in lieu of any excuses I might have otherwise been tempted to offer, I have had this Pearl pretty much ready for a couple days, & have just made the time this morning to try to get it posted before getting back to real-time events. Since I have also been practicing getting stuff done without ‘fussing’ around, this introductory passage will remain as short & sweet as I can make it. How short is that? Well, just this short….

Shall we Pearl?

“Better stop short than fill to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.”

~~ Tao Te Ching ~~

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

Jim Byrnes

Image from MySpace via Google Images

I first heard this artist play when he was a cast member of the Highlander TV series; he played a Watcher assigned to watch Duncan McCleod, the show’s primary character. I recently discovered he has a large body of songs on You Tube, which I have included as today’s musical selection. He is an excellent guitarist, with a perfect voice for singing the blues; I hope you enjoy his work as much as I have come to do…. Abondanza!….

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

Blue chameleon

It’s hot today, with chances of pain & rain.
So it says on the news.
Guess there’s nothing to do again
unless it’s sing the blues.

The blues are gettin’ old, though.
So I say, & I should know.
I been singin’ the bloody songs, y’know?
For what seems a long row to hoe.

S’pose it could get better someday.
I’ve heard that tune before.
Always seemed out of tune anyway;
I ain’t waitin’ any more.

Bang those drums & kick the cans.
May as well raise some hell.
Clang together some old pots & pans;
It hides the little voices so well.

Never worry, don’t you fear at all.
We’ve got certificates of note.
Bureaucratic protections, officially small.
Non carborundum illegitimi, he wrote.

Time, and circumstance, wrote me today.
It came in the daily mail from home.
It said I shouldn’t write unless I say
you’ll be charged for the distance you roam.

~~ gigoid ~~

5/28/2016

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

Naked Pearls

Random notes on Life & Death….

*******

“Grow old along with me!
the best is yet to be,
the last of life for which the first was made.”

~~ Robert Browning ~~

********

“After all, to the well-organized mind, death is but the next great adventure.”

~~ J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, ” ~~

~~ spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore ~~

********

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence
is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being.”

~~ C. G. Jung ~~

********

“The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.”

~~ Socrates (470?-399 B.C.) ~~

********

“The true meaning of life is to plant trees,
under whose shade you do not expect to sit.”

~~ Nelson Henderson ~~

********

“I look at you all, see the love there that’s sleeping..”

~~ The Beatles ~~

********

“And though mine arm should conquer twenty worlds,
There ‘s a lean fellow beats all conquerors.”

~~ Thomas Dekker (1572-1632), “Old Fortunatus” ~~

********

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

Once again, I can only say, such as it is, here ’tis. In the near future I will try to post something with a bit more cachet, or, at the very least, a bit more intelligent discourse. For now, I’m off into the day, where I’ll continue to practice staying present in the present, which is, after all, all we really have to be. “Being” is a good thing, I think…. Y’all stay well, be as happy as you may be, and, for everyone’s sake, be strange….. See ya soon, ffolkes…

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

To be real, engage with unreal ideas until full…

Posted on October 4, 2018 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Your actions prove what you think of yourself.”

~~ Will Limon ~~

Cathedral at Cobh, Port of Cork, Ireland…

I began blogging here on WordPress in August of 2011, during my first year of retirement. At the time, my health was not great; I lived with chronic pain which prevented any sort of exercise, & at one point reached 250 lbs., on a relatively diminutive frame, (5’7″). Blogging provided me with a means of distracting myself from what seemed to be a long, uncomfortable road toward death. To avoid allowing this to become either excessively lengthy, or excessively maudlin, I’ll merely say the production of a Pearl of Virtual Wisdom each day became both the focus of my everyday routine, as well as a life/mind saving grace….

Long story short, six years passed, during which time I was fortunate, or stubbornly persistent enough to evolve toward a more joyful existence, until, thanks to having resumed personal responsibility for my health & well-being, (achieved by kicking doctors and the AMA in general out of my life….), I am again living in much better balance. My weight is hovering around 175#, (very acceptable…), my arthritis is much better, with concomitant pain reduction sufficient to allow physical exercise (I walk 2+ miles/day….), and, most significantly, spend a LOT less time worrying about all of those things which compelled me to require distraction. To continue the policy of long story short, blogging has become a secondary, or auxiliary, part of my life. Where once I would have felt great angst at not having written, or posted a Pearl, I now feel satisfied, if only at the lack of angst…..

There…. Having once again said much, to little purpose, I feel as if I’ve gone a little way toward making it up to my neurotic tendencies by doing so, though I’m well aware it’s merely another way to distract myself from things I don’t wish to consider right now. If I didn’t keep shortening what could easily become much longer by the addition of sarcasm, nonsense, or blather in general, we’d never even get to the music, much less the old-school pearls. Goodness forfend! As a means of guarantee, here’s a rather abrupt ending to this rather ambiguous opening. Watch closely….

Shall we Pearl?

“The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal
depends not on what he feels, but on what he does;
just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing.”

~~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus — Meditations, ix, 16 ~~

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

Despite having more than enough time to choose & find some proper music by which to read, I’m going with one of our default choices here on ECR (Exploring Consensual Reality, for those in the pre-coffee darkness…), to wit: a collection of some of the finest classical music on Earth, by some pretty talented composers. All of it has stood the test of time, and, I suspect, will do so again today, here…. Enjoy!….

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

Premises, premises….

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

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

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

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

~~ gigoid ~~

12/19/2014

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

Naked Pearls

More Signs on the Path….

*******

“The miracle is not to walk on water.
The miracle is to walk on the green earth in the present moment,
o appreciate the peace and beauty that are available now.”

~~ Thich Nhat Hanh ~~

*******

“Hang sorrow! care ‘ll kill a cat.”

~~ Ben Jonson — Every Man in his Humour, Act i, Sc. 3 ~~

*******

“There is nothing noble about being superior to some other man.
The true nobility is in being superior to you previous self.”

~~ Samuel Johnson ~~

*******

“It is a good thing to be rich and strong, but it is a better thing to be loved.”

~~ Euripides ~~

*******

“Education is not a preparation for life;
Education is life itself.”

~~ John Dewey ~~

*******

“Some say that my teaching is nonsense.
Others call it lofty but impractical.
But to those who have looked inside themselves,
this nonsense makes perfect sense.
And to those who put it into practice,
this loftiness has roots that go deep.
I have just three things to teach:
simplicity, patience, compassion.
These three are your greatest treasures.
Simple in actions and in thoughts,
you return to the source of being.
Patient with both friends and enemies,
you accord with the way things are.
Compassionate toward yourself,
you reconcile all beings in the world.”

~~ Tao Te Ching ~~

*******

“No matter where you are, there you are.”

~~ Oliver’s Law of Location ~~

*******

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

I love it when a plan, even an ill-considered plan, comes together…. I wish to point out the rather ‘perfect’ status of our final pearl today, for it perfectly says all there is to say at this point. Not that it matters at all where we are, but, here we are. And, now, we’re not…. or, about to not be. Hmm… That might just be a little TOO subtle, even for me. I’ll just say, be well, ffolkes, and happy as you may be. Being strange is also an option, one I strongly recommend…. See y’all in a day or three…

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Veiled sarcasm for sale or trade….

Posted on September 29, 2018 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“A man who does not think for himself does not think at all.”

~~ Oscar Wilde, “Oscariana” ~~

Shop Street, Invergordon, Scotland….

If you called me irresponsible, it wouldn’t be particularly out of place, except for the fact that there’s only one person in the world to whom I have any specific responsibility, & that is me. Oh, sure, I have some responsibility toward all the other silly monkeys, and other forms of life on the planet, but, that’s merely the same responsibility that all Life forms have toward each other, not something specific, at least in the sense that being irresponsible won’t necessarily cause them harm. But, irresponsibility for self ALWAYS has consequences, & they are seldom pleasant….

In the case to which I refer today, I have shown a lack of responsibility by not posting for three days, in spite of having most of this done for two days. Instead, I blew off both Thursday and Friday, spending most of both days playing around & soaking up public conviviality, without any concern for my own personal, private agenda, in which I do try to invest some of my remaining store of self-discipline. To be perfectly clear, I drank too much, & accomplished little beyond some rather enjoyable conversations…. SIGH…. I call most humans “Silly monkeys”, & should not forget that I am to be included in that group….

Ah, well, nobody got hurt, & I managed to do my playing without falling off-diet, & am not currently suffering more than the usual age-related issues this morning, so, my overindulgence has induced no lasting harm. I am still hovering around 175#, which is 5# more than I weighed when I graduated from high school; solid…. I am now six days without a tobacco cigarette, so, that’s going well, as well. In fact, all is reasonably well in my life, which, of course, makes me nervous, & itchy, trying to watch all around to get some advance warning of when Murphy will step in & poop on my serenity…. But, in the meantime, let’s get THIS done, okay? It’s simple enough; all I have to do is this….

Shall we Pearl?

“Appearance must not foil, nor shifted sphere confuse thy brain.
Ample are time and space–ample the fields of nature.

~~ Walt Whitman, “CONTINUITIES, from Leaves of Grass” ~~

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

Melissa Etheridge

Image from Pinterest via Google Images…

I’ve never listened to this artist much; though I’ve enjoyed hearing it on the radio, etc., I just never followed up on the impulse to hear more. I suppose one cannot expect to see ALL one wishes to see (or hear, or perceive at all…). But, in listening to the beginning of this live concert, I know I WILL be listening again, and often…. I hope you enjoy it….

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

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 ~~

4/9/2013

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

Not So Naked Pearls

From 8/22/2015

*******

Our final entry today is another random pearl speaking about Life at Large…. Life can be a formidable proposition, and it behooves all of us to gather to our bosoms as much wisdom regarding the living of it as we can find…. Not that the answers aren’t all right there inside us, but, we humans have a tendency to look outside ourselves for those things we forget we already possess, such as peace, courage, compassion, and, well, everything we need…

*******

“He took his vorpal sword in hand
Long time the manxom foe he sought
Till rested he by the tumtum tree
And stood awhile in thought”

~~ Jabberwocky, by Lewis Carroll (Charles Dodgson) ~~

*******

“You can easily judge the character of others
by how they treat those who can do nothing for them or to them.”

~~ Malcolm Forbes ~~

*******

“A person is not given integrity.
It results from the relentless pursuit of honesty at all times.”

~~ Anonymous, most ancient human sage ~~

*******

“Life without music would be an intolerable insult.”

~~ Edward Abbey ~~

*******

“He conquers who endures.”

~~ Perseus ~~

*******

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.”

~~ Mark Twain ~~

*******

“Fill your bowl to the brim and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.”

~~ Tao Te Ching ~~

*******

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

Whew! I wasn’t sure I’d get it done, but, hangover or no, I did it. Well enough to keep, too, I think, so, I’ll forgo any further nonsense & just get it posted, so I can get on with some real Saturday fun…. whatever that means. Y’all be well, be as happy as you may, and, for goodness’ sake, be just as strange as you can possibly be. Don’t worry, you’ll fit right in…. See ya, ffolkes….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

A long lesson in humility….

Posted on February 14, 2018 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it.
For every truth there is an ear somewhere to hear it.
For every love there is a heart somewhere to receive it.”

~~ Ivan Panin ~~

Colors of dusk on San Francisco Bay….

Hajime…. For close to seven years, the early hours of the day, before dawn, were the most productive time I spent, in terms of writing. Now I’ve achieved a degree of physical capability impossible for me during that time, I have rejoined the world of the diurnal, going to bed later at night, and arising well after dawn, just like most of the people in the world. While I find the advances in physical well-being quite elevating, I do miss the productive aspects, and some extent, the ‘oddness’ of nocturnal existence. In any case, I have returned, so to speak, to the world of living, and find it intriguing, if not fully exciting. In the words of the dubious one, so be it.

This Pearl, while fresh, and relatively coherent, still lacks any new material, other than the usual suspects, to wit: the old-school pearl section has all freshly chosen elements, as always. The poem, while one of my better ones, is included here today merely to fill in for the half-completed poem which continues to leak out of my head at a ridiculously snail-like pace. The relatively incomplete nature of what has transpired today can be considered as the result of trying to write while actively engaged with Reality…. In short, it’s not working out quite the way I’d hoped. It is, however, done enough to suit my always low standards; while acceptable, it’s not excellent. Well, perhaps that’s hasty, but, feelings don’t care much about that….

Rather than belabor such a less than useful point any further, why don’t we get on with the rest of today’s mess? I know, we’ll use my favorite fill-in phrase to indicate efficient progress is necessary, with whimsy and fervor…. Ffolkes, let’s get this slow on the toad…. BEFORE it implodes, injuring us all….

Shall we Pearl?….

“And as we stand on the edge of darkness
Let our chant fill the void
That others may know
In the land of the night
The ship of the sun
Is drawn by
The grateful dead.”

~~ Tibetan “Book of the Dead” ca. 4000 BC. ~~

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

No introduction should be necessary for this artist; anyone who doesn’t know who he is has been living in a dark bubble for many moons. He’s played with just about every famous band and/or musician with a guitar in the world, getting better & better all the time. This is one of my favorite concerts, over an hour of some of the best music you’ll ever hear. Enjoy!

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

Eric Clapton
MTV Unplugged 1992

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

Illusory Time

Viewed from askance, the river is long;
deep, uncompromisingly intent, swift and strong.
In duality, perception creates our only reality;
such faux metaphoric paradox enforces mutability.

By two we perceive, both zero, and one;
digital, binary, on or off, such fun.
Separate, melded, we exist, knowing not what we know
ego, striving to be solitary, looking above, seeing below.

Furiously asleep, cultural anomaly claims a victim of choice;
validly unconscious, nobody speaks, nary a voice.
Potential escapees stir in dreams, fighting to wake,
until taking the wheel, for their own bloody sake.

Pots boil in due time, when the fire’s hot,
time exists to our advantage; or, not.
The solitary warrior, head bent in pain,
fights on, with, or without gain.

Night fell, day after day it persisted;
of those who knew, none showed any care, or resisted
Angels, ministers, none had any defense, nor grace;
all that remains is a face.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/22/2016

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

Naked Pearls

Signs on the Path to being Human….

*******

“Everything that has a beginning has an ending.
Make your peace with that and all will be well.”

~~ Buddha ~~

*******

“My imagination makes me human and makes me a fool;
it gives me all the world and exiles me from it.”

~~ Ursula K. Le Guin ~~

*******

“The Master doesn’t talk, he acts,
when his work is done, the people say,
“Amazing: We did it all by ourselves!”

~ Tao Teh Ching ~~

*******

“Not to decide is to decide.”

~~ Harvey Cox ~~

*******

“Doubt is not a pleasant condition but certainty is an absurd one.”

~~ Voltaire ~~

*******

“Our care should not be to have lived long as to have lived enough.”

~~ Seneca ~~

*******

“To see the world in a grain of sand,
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
And eternity in an hour.”

~~ William Blake, “Auguries of Innocence” ~~

*******

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

Since I managed to get the intro done in short order, I’m going to apply similar techniques here to bring it home. Besides, at this point in the day, I’m fresh out of anything else to say, or, do…. Rather than play the fool, I’ll play the odds, & leave it at that. I’ll be back in a day or three, with bells on. Maybe. In any case, y’all be well, be as happy as you may be, and remember…. The easy way is always the hardest, so, buckle down & face life, head on…. See ya….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Cogent metaphors for sale or trade….

Posted on December 1, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Knowing your own darkness is the best method
for dealing with the darknesses of other people.”

~~ Carl Jung ~~

Butterfly & herb garden, urban style….

Hajime…. During the early days on this blog, and, for that matter, for the entire time I’ve pursued this demon, finding the right words to open the festivities has been the most challenging piece of the puzzle. I found it is NOT easy to come up with something witty or interesting right out of the gate each day; it’s more like the intense anxiety and effort it takes to face the consequences of a bad decision. In short, not fun at all. But, I persevered, and managed to come up with some relatively effective techniques, if only because they got done.

Now, with more than a thousand posts under my belt over the six-plus years of writing & angsting over it, I find it no simpler a task than it’s ever been. Even if I merely relate the cause of my absence, it’s no less daunting in it’s sheer terror. But, as I have ever done, I persist, for some unknown, but, compelling reason. Perhaps, one fine day, I’ll come to understand why I keep trying; for now, I’ll merely be content to have completed my task, thus fulfilling my self-imposed duty, and taking what comfort from that I can. SIGH…. I am SUCH a Bozo….

But, since I claim to be a fairly rational Bozo, I’ll forgo any further attempt at coherency, because I can tell already, there isn’t a lot of that I can find today. Why? Don’t know, don’t care. Today, the way my mind is wandering about in fields of blank spaces, I know only this: if I don’t do it now, it won’t get done, & then I’ll feel incomplete all damn day. So, we’ll employ one of our most effective techniques for moving this along…. Yep, it’s old # 4, and it works like this….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Trouble rather the tiger in his lair
than the sage amongst his books.
For to you Kingdoms and their armies
are things mighty and enduring,
but to him they are but toys of the moment,
to be overturned by the flicking of a finger.”

~~ Chinese proverb ~~

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

Sammie Jay

Image from SammieJaymusic.com via Google Images

While cruising You Tube one day a month or so ago, I came across a video of this young singer, busking on the streets of London, where she resides. I was, quite simply, amazed at her vocal range and skills, and impressed with her musicianship, as she plays guitar and sings in a unique style. I could gush over her easily for a long time, but, will merely say, listen, and watch. You’ll see a modern incarnation of Terpsichore the Muse, alive, singing, playing, dancing and spreading happiness with each note…. Enjoy!….

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

Sammie Jay

https://www.sammiejaymusic.com/home

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

Blithely Untitled

A poem came to me today, willy, nilly,
along with a sharp blow to the head.
Since it left me feeling just a bit silly,
anything that rhymes should lessen the dread.

Manifesting destiny into a small, insidious group
we push on toward sanity, concentrating hard.
Full engaging moments spent navigating the loop
shall ever make a difference to victims found in the yard.

Still corpses of creatures, straight out of nightmare
fill up the corners of our tortured minds.
While ever saddened, the iconic male, most debonair,
gazes softly, ironically, at all the mutual interest he finds.

Moronic public statutes compel outbreaks of sanity,
responding to momentary impulses toward inducing peace.
Still, the motions get completed, in fertile stages of inanity
while the bulk of our inmates can find no surcease.

Reluctant motivation to continue is unbound,
striving to ascertain how far there yet remains to go.
No precognitive guesswork will make any less of a sound
to soften the final strains, or teach us to truly know.

~~ gigoid ~~

2/7/2014

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

Naked Pearls

Way stations on the map of the Path…

*******

“How you do anything is how you do everything.”

~~ Zen proverb ~~

*******

“If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old.
You will just keep growing.”

~~ Gail Sheehy ~~

*******

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive,
nor the most intelligent,
but the one most responsive to change.”

~~ Charles Darwin ~~

*******

“Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.”

~~ Tao Te Ching ~~

*******

“And the time will come when you see we’re all one
and life goes on within you and without you.”

~~ George Harrison ~~

*******

“Dying is a wild night and a new road.”

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

*******

“The road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began
Now far ahead the road has gone
And I must follow if I can.
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way.
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say”.

~~ J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Lord of the Rings” series ~~

*******

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

There, that wasn’t so bad, was it? Wait…. Don’t answer that; I’m not sure I’m ready to hear it. Let’s just call it a draw, and use the time saved to get on with the rest of today’s agenda, whatever it may entail. For me, it’s a day for dealing with capitalism, combined with a bit of housework. So be it. I hope your day works out well; I’m off to walk before the work begins. Be well, be happy as you may, and, for goodness’ sake, be strange…. You can believe I will….. See ya in a couple days, ffolkes….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Howling the eternal ‘yes’….

Posted on November 20, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“It takes two to speak the truth–one to speak and the other to hear.”

~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~

SF Skyline framed by the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge….

Hajime…. Since making the decision not to post regularly, the Big Blue Room has continued to draw my attention much more frequently than the events taking place in cyberspace. On Saturday, I attended a play in which my grandson played two small parts. I attended with both my kids, as well as my son’s daughter & step-sister. Such family events have been few and far between for me/us, but, the fact we now are able to get together on occasion brings me a lot of satisfaction, to say the least.

I’ve also spent a lot of time walking, putting in about five miles one day, without collapsing into exhaustion; this is also a new, rare feeling, one I welcome in lieu of the lack of physical ability I’ve ‘enjoyed’ for much too long. All in all, I have to say I’m enjoying my time back in Reality more than I thought would be the case, given the state of that frame of existence. Oh, there is plenty out there at which to rage; the continual reminders of homelessness in society, the lack of community feeling fostered by our divisive leaders, the rampant capitalism which most of society tends to ignore, in favor of chasing the shiny, insubstantial dreams offered for their distraction from how much they are being manipulated. Hell, just watching any major sport on TV can stimulate my ranting button, when I think of all the wasted time & money which could be put to use to aid those in need, rather than making the rich richer.

But, mostly, I have been enjoying the blue skies, the rain, the clouds, and the still-extant panorama of life on this planet, all of which helps me to connect with what is real, rather than what is due to humanity’s imagination, and their insistence on forcing reality into the shape they desire. In some way, all of what I now perceive is bringing me closer to clarity, in my thinking, and in my actions. Sadly, I still do not find very many people who can appreciate my thoughts about reality; most of the folks I meet out in the BBR are too focused on the shiny distractions of life, and completely miss the stuff going on that is actually real, and, in my view, much more important than ANYTHING they see on a TV, or their phone, or, on a computer. If I were still giving in to the urge to rant, I’d find no lack of issues about which to do so.

I suppose one could call all the above a paean to Life as I now see it; it seems more important to me to find clarity, and the realness of life, than to engage in any of the nonsensical pastimes society fosters upon us in its paroxysms of insanity. The leaders of this world’s political/religious oriented culture are, in my estimation, ALL verifiably insane…. sociopathic narcissists, mostly, though in certain cases, massive ignorance and bigotry mark them as just plain assholes, akin to what many would call ignorant rednecks. We’ve got one of those in this country, right in the White House; I guess that’s why all the 50 million other ignorant redneck assholes who reside here are in such a dither of entitlement, & busily spreading their particular brand of selfish bigotry as far & wide as they can…

Wow. I think I just spewed out a rant, didn’t I? Ah, well, old habits die hard, I guess. To make up for it, let’s go see what else I’ve thrown together for today’s offering, shall we? I think, given how easily all that vitriol spewed out, it would be a good idea, lest I fall right back into where I no longer wish to go. Instead, let’s make use of this old #4 I found lying here, & get on with the rest of today’s mess. It works just like this….

Shall we Pearl?….

“Men do not quit playing because they grow old;
they grow old because they quit playing.”

~~ Oliver Wendell Holmes ~~

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

Each year, in November. the ffolkes who run the official Grateful Dead website dig into the extensive archives of live Dead concert recordings, to share a daily download of classic cuts by the iconic band. Some of the finest performances by the band, with any number of fan favorites, can be added to one’s personal collection. It’s a grand way to collect live music, from a band who played concerts every year on tour, for 50 years, and more. I’ve included two links; the first is to the home web site, the other is to one day’s offering, on which page you can obtain all the previous days’ downloads, for the entire month. I hope you enjoy it, even if you’re not a Dead Head….

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

30 Days of Dead
2017

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

http://www.dead.net/

http://www.dead.net/30daysofdead?cmpid=dn/2017November1/30DaysDeadIsBac-GetStartedHere-main-more-1&eml=2017November1/4164005/6131962&etsubid=39846924

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

Raging at Aging

As old as you feel, we are told, is old as you are,
custom assures such vision will carry us far.
Reality begs to differ, may it be so bold
it is really quite painful, and very, very cold.

The power and strength felt in our halcyon youth
desert us with age, yet another unwelcome truth.
Irony rules our time here on this bountiful earth
as we reflect the changes over time since our birth.

As physical powers fade from this fragile shell,
we learn our mind can serve us quite as well.
The strength that once filled our bones and hearts
is now applied by our will, to more arcane arts.

Life’s greatest gift is our freedom of choice
no matter how often we forget, we still get a voice.
Energy, or apathy, by our will we may choose,
failing to do so, our only way to lose.

Each of us lives in the grip of time and space,
always seeking our balance, our own chosen place.
One must accept reality, for it is true at the core,
all we can do, is all we can do, and nothing more.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/17/2012

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

Naked Pearls

Further notes on Life at Large….

*******

31. Read between the lines.

~~ Instructions for life ~~

*******

“Is dishwater dull?
Naturalists with microscopes tell me
it teems with quiet fun.”

~~ G. K. Chesterton ~~

*******

“If ever I become entirely respectable
I shall be quite sure that I have outlived myself.”

~~ Eugene V. Debs ~~

*******

“I can handle reality in small doses,
but as a lifestyle it’s much too confining.”

~~ Lily Tomlin ~~

*******

“Youth, large, lusty, loving-
Youth full of grace, force, fascination.
Do you know that Old Age may come after you
with equal grace, force and fascination?”

~~ Walt Whitman ~~

*******

“Don’t walk in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t walk behind me, I may not lead.
Walk beside me, and just be my friend.”

~~ Albert Camus ~~

*******

“The path is the way.
The way is the truth.
It is found, but not held
walked on, but not followed.”

~~ Tao Teh Ching ~~

*******

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

SIGH…. I have a cat who is insistent my time at the computer is done; she’s been lobbying for some attention for about 20 minutes now, while I finished ranting in the intro. She’s correct that it is now HER time, so, I’ll just end this here, and now, so I can go throw some paper for her to fetch. or kick her ball around so she can play soccer, which she apparently loves. As for me, & blogging, well, I’ll be back in a day or three, possibly with a new poem, which continues to leak slowly onto the screen. For now, be well, be happy. and for gosh’ sake. be strange. It may not seem like it, but, it really does help…. See ya, ffolkes….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Bearing malice toward none….

Posted on October 20, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship.”

~~ Louisa May Alcott (1868) ~~

The road to SF via the Bay….

Hajime…. Good morning. Well, sort of. In any case, I have the elements of a complete Pearl, but, find myself with less than nothing about which to write here in the intro. Instead of fooling around, & trying to fill up space, I’ve decided to just say this…. Here it is. I hope you enjoy it, spare as it may be. That’s it. I’m still in a funk, mostly, so, this is what I’ve got. I’m pretty certain, in the long run, it won’t matter, but, even if it did, I don’t think I’d care. As has been my habit to say in the past, so be it….

Shall we Pearl?….

“The only people for me are the mad ones,
the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved,
desirous of everything at the same time,
the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing,
but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles
exploding like spiders across the stars…”

~~ Jack Kerouac, “On the Road” ~~

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

It’s been awhile since I last used music from this organization, so, it’s time today, since I’m posting late. Here’s another link to some of the finest live music you’ll ever hear, from an organization that uses the power of music to teach humanity about being truly human…. Enjoy!….

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

Playing For Change
Redemption Song

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

Ah Ain’t Sho, but Mebbe So….

Fried eggs got nuthin’ on me
Ah’m not even sure of mah name,
or how Ah come to be;
no idea from where Ah came.

Ah does like a mystery tho’,
puzzlin’ things out so’s Ah knows,
good from bad fo sho,
Ah sho don’t want no rock pillows.

If’n Ah cain’t figure out what’s best,
Ah just falls back on mah Daddy’s words,
seems he knowed just whut’d stand the test,
‘n how to gentle the scaredest birds.

‘Course, he’d lived a good long time,
‘n had lots of stuff go on by;
Went to a war, n’ lost a piece or two,
never once used it fer an alibi.

He tol’ me once Ah’d best learn to learn,
school’s only cool if ya ain’t already a fool.
Yer own good measure you can earn,
by startin’ yer learnin’ with the Golden Rule.

Always seemed to me as Ah growed up,
he mostly only spoke if it wuz true,
‘n by doin’ that clued me to what’s up,
kept me from stuff that’d a made me blue.

Without ever sayin’ the word itself,
Ah learned ’bout honor, ‘n helpin’ others
not some fake stuff from some shelf,
but, knowin’ whut’s right, ‘n that we’re all brothers.

Ah’ve been around long enough now, Ah think
to get around the block at least two times.
I s’pose long as my head don’t shrink
Ah’ll keep on doin’ right, ‘n makin’ these rhymes…..

~~ gigoid ~~

4/6/2013

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

Naked Pearls

A blank map….

*******

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

~~ Lao-Tzu, “Tao Te Ching” ~~

*******

“Give me health and a day,
and I will make ridiculous the pomp of emperors.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~

*******

“Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced,
not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious,
but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature.”

~~ Tom Robbins ~~

*******

“When you follow your bliss…
doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors;
and where there wouldn’t be a door for anyone else.”

~~ Joseph Campbell ~~

*******

“Wonder is the feeling of a philosopher, and philosophy begins in wonder.”

~~ Socrates (470?-399 B.C.), [quoting Plato] ~~

*******

“It is not length of life, but depth of life.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~

*******

“It is good to have an end to journey toward,
but it is the journey
that matters in the end.”

~~ Ursula K. LeGuin ~~

*******

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

It’s probably clear by now, what you see is all you’re gonna get. If not, well, this should cinch it. I’ll be back, though I cannot say exactly when; life keeps intruding into cyberspace, & I can’t find any reason not to go with the flow. Until my return, be well, be happy, & be excellent to each other. See ya, ffolkes….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Destructive impulses on permanent display….

Posted on June 23, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“Everything has been figured out, except how to live.”

~~ Jean-Paul Sartre ~~

Poised for flight….

Hajime…. As is my habit, to begin this Pearl, I arise, stumble through my routine morning activities until some clarity settles, then turn to this introduction, as the first creative moments of the day. Generally, I don’t begin until I know the rest of the mess is ready to go; I’ve found this to be the most efficient method for the posting process, as well as providing the impetus, and opportunity, for some kind of imaginative opening. As a rule, though, I sit to begin, whereupon I encounter a huge blank space occupying most of my mind, as it casts about, almost in desperation, seeking inspiration, or, a note from the Muse, at minimum… Most days, I end up tricking myself, and y’all, in the search for quality and clarity….

Today, I have no dearth of material from which to choose; spending two days putting this together, in moments of pertinent capability (i.e, when I could sit long enough), afforded a number of instances pointed sufficiently to provide me with things I can use to open with. Naturally, reality intruded, as soon as I booted up, & drove all that saved material into oblivion. Instead, I’ve been dealing with a failed communication, with concomitant emotional overtones, as well as an uncommonly intrusive cat, to go along with the usual angst that formulates around this process, and the vicissitudes of life at large.

As can be seen by now, I’ve managed to get it all in order, in my head, if not in reality, enough to begin blathering, examining the morning in minute detail, to give me, if nothing else, a bit of space to decide what direction is best to lead into what I’ve prepared for today. I’ll get right to that, as it is patently clear, if I don’t, we’ll never get anywhere, In fact, lets abandon all attempts to disguise what is taking place as either willful, or, rationally intact, & just go for it. Hang on, it requires a sharp turn, here….

Shall we Pearl?….

“As men, we are all equal in the presence of death.”

~~ Publius Syrus (42 BC) — Maxim 1 ~~

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

Duane “Skydog” Allman

Image from Metrolyrics.com via Google Images

Today’s music is a bit different than usual. The piece embedded here is the one I want y’all to hear first. I’ll only say, I wept, in joy, as I listened to it. For more music from Duane, use the button on the YT player which allows you to watch it on You Tube, where you will find as much of Duane’s work as you could wish for, much of which is just as fine as this….

When I mentioned to a friend I had wept in joy when listening to this, I was accused of sentimentality, as well as seeking solace in the past… Without knowing the answer, I would guess my friend does NOT play an instrument, for, my weeping was not a sentimental reaction to the song (Amazing Grace), but, rather, sheer unadulterated joy, generated by hearing the ‘music of the spheres’, knowing full well the artist playing the song was deeply immersed in that sphere, allowing the universe to flow through him, thus, essentially, playing in an unconscious state….. while playing, he WAS the music. Having felt that, though never with such force as his talent makes available to him, while jamming along with friends on the guitar, I can attest, nothing in Life brings us closer to the truth of our own existence as connecting to that universal sphere of joy, which hurts as much as it uplifts…..

All that being said, please, let if flow, and, enjoy!….

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

Duane Allman
Amazing Grace

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

I have related how I spent a year, or more, in the Hell of withdrawal and cleansing of opioids from my body; this poem came pouring out in the period nearing the end, as I had begun to emerge from the haze of chemical oblivion into reality’s often as harsh, but, cleaner light. I’m rather fond of it, just for that…. Watch the metaphors; they’ll cut ya…

Increments

Meaning fades to distant reality
while gazing at such triviality.
An insane world, where utter finality
is reward for disability.

Metaphorically, as a matter of course.

Moment to moment, passion blooms,
swells, and fades, swept by new brooms.
Bitter dreams catch fire in empty rooms,
waiting for broken time, which never resumes.

Superficially, with great force.

Dire wolves stand snarling at the door
called to existence from a distant moor;
discordant strains sound a mad, sad roar,
a dirge for those who went before.

Morbidly, without vital recourse.

Honest effort fades from human ken
until entropy finds home in every when.
Illusory fear inundates imagination, then
buries hope, in its own ashes, hidden.

Cruelly, absolutely no remorse.

Silence falls until it shatters the night.
The universe has refused the fight.
Illusion is now reality, such a fey sight.
Who has courage to live in the light?

Really? It could be worse.

~~ gigoid ~~

2/15/2016

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

Naked Pearls

Pearls both weird and subtle, all gems…

*******

“This is the strangest life I have ever known.”

~~ Jim Morrison ~~

*******

“Here is the world, sound as a nut,
perfect, not the smallest piece of chaos left,
never a stitch nor an end, not a mark of haste,
or botching, or second thought;
but the theory of the world
is a thing of shreds and patches.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson (1845) ~~

*******

“The word good has many meanings.
For example, if a man were to shoot
his grandmother at a range of five hundred yards,
I should call him a good shot,
but not necessarily a good man.”

~~ G. K. Chesterton ~~

*******

“A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.”

~~ Mark Twain ~~

*******

“Fill your bowl to the brim
and it will spill.
Keep sharpening your knife
and it will blunt.
Chase after money and security
and your heart will never unclench.
Care about people’s approval
and you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.”

~~ Tao Te Ching ~~

*******

“All say, ‘How hard it is to die’
– a strange complaint to come
from the mouths of people who have had to live.”

~~ Mark Twain ~~

*******

“I’m going to happydance
among the stars
and wear my stripes anyway I want to.”

~~ Stripes the tiger ~~

*******

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

The universe, in all its majestic indifference, still, will, occasionally, provide us with exactly what we need to accept, and embrace reality’s demands… In today’s instance, I was given some moments of peace and serenity, by being required to provide cuddle time for Leelu, who chose the moment I finished the intro to activate the “Cuddle Clause” in our contract, which we signed the day she arrived…. That clause gives her the right to come to me at any random moment, whereupon I am to modify my structure to that of a ‘cat hammock’, & hold her, pet her, & strengthen the bond we share for enough time for both of us to arrive at a peaceful inner state…. Today, that took about 25 minutes, making me late, and unconcerned to be so….

For today’s Pearl, it just means it gets posted a bit late. So be it. It’s done, & so am I, for the day. While it is still cool out in the BBR, I’m going for a long walk, maybe even a ferry ride… who knows? It’s a wide world, & I am still part of it…. Tell you what…. Let’s all go out in the BBR today, & see what there is to see…. See ya, as soon as the mud settles, & all becomes clear… Maybe that will be tomorrow; then, again, maybe not…. Be sure, I shall return, if only to dump more angst into the well of humanity’s regard, where it can join all the other stuff nobody really cares much about, but for those who place it there…. Hmm… a bit esoteric for a closer, but, ’twill have to do…. Ta, 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

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Oblique references to metaphoric events….

Posted on April 12, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

“To him that waits all things reveal themselves,
provided that he has the courage not to deny,
in the darkness,
what he has seen in the light.”

~~ Coventry Patmore ~~

Okay, so, we need to talk….

Hajime…. Yesterday, for unknown reasons, while productive, was a wash in terms of satisfaction, as each task completed bore its own particular individual issues making it more difficult than either anticipated, or desired. I got it all done, but, was exhausted by 10 AM, & ended up NOT making it to the blogs I wanted particularly to get caught up on. Ah, well, such is life in the big city; everything we do has its piece of dissatisfaction, as we struggle to make sense of an insane world….. I’m reminded, at times like this, of Charlie Chaplin’s movie, Modern Times; not necessarily of the actual events, but, the overall feeling of something being wrong with this picture….

As an elder member of a species whose primary survival skill is adaptability, I’ll utilize all I have learned through the years to throw off that feeling, so I can, if nothing else, complete this Pearl & get on with another day of dealing with reality as best I can. I still have tasks to complete out in the Big Blue Room, so, I’ll see if what I’ve managed thus far will work again for today. In the meantime, rather than explore personal idiosyncracies, such as the need to make sense of things that make no sense, I’ll use my recently-honed skills in time management, mainly comprised of the ability to be ruthless in the act of ‘throwing out the dross’, to move this along as swiftly as possible…. Not my favorite new skill, but, handy at such times as these….

I could choose from among a number of different methods to accomplish this, but, I think I’ll just use the one that works best, to wit: the Drop. It isn’t always the most comfortable, to use or to experience, but, it does the job better than all the others, combined. Which one is it? Easy; this one….

Shall we Pearl?

“The notion that faith in Christ
is to be rewarded by an eternity of bliss,
while a dependence upon reason, observation, and experience
merits everlasting pain, is too absurd for refutation,
and can be relieved only by that unhappy mixture
of insanity and ignorance called “faith”.”

~~ Robert G. Ingersoll ~~

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

This morning, I feel like rocking, & one cannot find anyone who can do that better than this lady and her band. From 1989, introduced by Bill Graham at the Oakland Coliseum theater, here is my own choice for redhead of the century (twentieth, if it matters; there’s a different award-winner chosen for this century; if she reads this, she’ll know to whom I refer….)….. Enjoy!….

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

Bonnie Raitt Live

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

Manifesto, sotto voce

In retrospect, I’ve gotta say,
it’s all been rather a muddle.
Life is tough, so ‘they’all say,
Lots of misery, not much cuddle.

Me, I’ve found life a bit different
than ‘they’ seem to have done.
It’s all been rather excellent;
I’ve had loads & loads of fun.

Sure, there’s been some bad shit.
Who can’t say that?
All of that pales, all of it
when one hugs a dog, a child, or a cat.

I’ve seen, fought, and felt, more than my share,
the presence of evil in life.
The pain that remains often seems unfair;
I ask why I chose to deal with such strife.

I can always find the answer in the same place,
right where it has ever resided.
All we need to do is embrace
the joy we’ve given, and been provided.

Simple is good.
Balance is good.

Life can be both.

~~ gigoid ~~

12/19/2015

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

After composing this old-school pearl, comprised of nine most subtle thoughts from a wide variety of people who have long been considered to be among humanity’s most respected minds, I found myself breathless, from the massive illumination it induced. Each individual pearl, which points a particular way, is part of the idea which came to me as I pondered them, one by one, each leading me deeper into the idea, until it became a near epiphany…. To try to fully explain that idea here would require a long dissertation, so, I’ll leave its expression as an exercise for the Gentle Reader…. Allow your mind dwell upon it, as you read, & perhaps you can find it, too…. Enjoy!….

*******

“A man may love a paradox without either losing his wit or his honesty.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~

*******

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

~~ Dogen ~~

*******

“The man who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

~~ Chinese proverb ~~

*******

“In walking, just walk. In sitting, just sit. Above all, don’t wobble.”

!! Yun-Men !!

*******

“Illusion is the first of all pleasures.”

~~ Voltaire ~~

*******

“Whence come I and whither go I?
That is the great unfathomable question,
the same for every one of us.
Science has no answer to it.”

~~ Max Planck ~~

*******

“Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called ‘Ego’.”

~~ Friedrich Nietzsche ~~

*******

“The farther you go, the less you know.”

~~ Lao Tzu, “Tao Te Ching”

*******

“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet
and the winds long to play with your hair.”

~~ Kahlil Gibran, “The Prophet” ~~

*******

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

Well, there you go. It’s done, & I have to say, it ain’t bad, all things considered…. I’m off now, though being ‘off’ is nothing new. I’m also going to take my leave, forthwith. Now, seeing that, you might think I have more to say before leaving you, but, you’d be wrong. Not only am I done saying stuff, I’m, as we say downtown, outta here. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, as long as reality doesn’t intrude again….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Draped in retrospective affability….

Posted on March 16, 2017 by gigoid

Ffolkes,

:Under all speech that is good for anything there lies a silence that is better.
Silence is deep as Eternity; speech is shallow as time.”

~~ Thomas Carlyle — Memoirs of the Life of Scott ~~

~~ London and Westminister Review — Nos. XII and LV (1838) ~~

Pine Cone Whimsey at Pier 39….

Hajime…. All will be well, and, all will be, well, as well as can be. Hmm… That is, no doubt, a little obscure, but, accurate enough. Leelu will be fine; she was reacting to the stress of my three day absence; it turns out this reaction affects her digestion, severely enough to make her ill. A return to routine, a couple days of bland diet, & she’ll be fine. The bond between us is strong, so, some mild, slow behavioral shaping, to get her used to me being gone, will need to be performed, to help her adjust better to my periodic need to be elsewhere for a time. Such is life, so, we’ll do what we can to keep her content, as we are each other’s whole world, in a sense, & I wouldn’t have it any other way…..

I managed to create a Pearl, cobbled together in pieces throughout the day, & on into this morning. I am still processing a lot of my weekend, which included a great deal of heavy lifting, mentally, but, none of it has evolved into anything to write as yet. We have music, a decent, recent poetic effort, and a pretty good pearl for the last section today, all as right & tight as I can make it on short notice/tight deadline. As such, it will have to do, ‘cuz I ain’t doin’ it over. In fact, I’m still pretty tired from all the hours I spent awake, so, I’ll forgo trying to impress here & now, opting, instead, for brevity, in spirit, and in sooth, by ending this before it becomes unwieldy, which often offers no opportunity to come to a dignified close. In point of fact, I intend to do that, here, and now, merely by doing this….

Shall we Pearl?

“Once conform, once do what others do because they do it,
and a kind of lethargy steals over all the finer senses of the soul.”

~~ Michael de Montaigne ~~

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

I got a bit of a late start this morning, so, we’re going with our default musical selection, chosen, as always, by the one whose accompanying picture caught my eye…. Today, that happens to be Mozart Symphonies…. Enjoy!….

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

Classical Music
Mozart Symphonies 40 & 41

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

Further Proof

No evidence exists, no rumored promise
of a guide on the path we seek.
Salient information lies hidden, seeking solace;
each possibility lost, no longer unique.

The past cascades through today, resolute;
finished and gone, by all reputable report.
Common failings decry any fever in the root,
as pillars of salt offer up little retort.

Longitude has latitude, one dimension to the next;
truth and lies, mirrored, transform on first exposure.
Born in chaos, living in change, by guile and pretext;
artful insanity, with no rational cure.

‘Tis no wonder, some do say now and then,
such creatures are doomed, by their own hand.
Cursed by the force of their very own ken,
until only the leaving seems very grand.

Perhaps, but, then, say those who doubt,
it’s all part of how it works, in fact.
We can’t know, really, what it’s all about
without completing the final act.

Is there any hurry?

~~ gigoid ~~

6/23/2016

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

Naked Pearls

Learning to Learn….

*******

“If the thraskin puts his fingers in his ears, it is polite to shout.”

~~ Doctor, The Time Monster ~~

*******

“Schooling is what happens inside the wall of the school,
some of which is educational.
Education happens everywhere,
and it happens from the moment a child is born
–some say before–
until it dies.”

~~ Sara Lawrence Lightfoot, A World of Ideas, 1989 ~~

*******

“Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her.
But once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide
how to play the cards in order to win the game.”

~~ Voltaire ~~

*******

“Nothing in the entire universe ever perishes, believe me,
but things vary, and adopt a new form.
The phrase “being born” is used for
beginning to be something different
from what one was before,
while “dying” means
ceasing to be the same.
Though this thing may pass into that,
and that into this,
yet the sums of things remains unchanged.”

~~ Ovid — “Metamorphoses” ~~

*******

“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

~~ Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken” ~~

*******

“Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life.”

~~ Bertold Brecht ~~

*******

“By letting go, it all gets done.”

~~ Tao Te Ching ~~

*******

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

Not too shabby, at all, for what it is; I am reasonably content. I shan’t make the error of commenting on its quality; instead, I shall continue the spirit of brevity as so aptly applied in the intro, by using the old “dump ’em where they are” method, which has worked so well for us in the past. Sometimes, ya just gotta do what you gotta do. Since, in truth, it’s already done, I’ll merely say, see ya for now, ffolkes. I’ll be back, probably sooner than I think. What y’all think is, for the most part, not irrelevant, but, unprintable. Well, maybe not, but, what the hell? It got us outta here, didn’t it?…. I know, strange, yet, normal, right?…. Be well, & happy as you may….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

À bientôt, mon cherí….

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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