Tag Archives: You Tube

This is NOT ‘rapt’ attention….

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6

Ffolkes,

“If you never assume importance you never lose it.”

~~ Lao-tzu ~~

poseur-leelu

Momentary peace….

Hajime….

I stood
Among them, but not of them; in a shroud
Of thoughts which were not their thoughts.

~~ Lord Byron ~~

~~ Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, Canto iii, Stanza 113 ~~

Today is proclaimed a wash. I have only a few pearls, of which the snippet from Lord Byron assumes primary focus. This particular stanza has always appealed to me, as being a very accurate description of much of my life. Without going into a long, expansive treatise on why that should be so, I’m going to fake the rest of today’s mess, and be done with it, for I’m not in the mood for coherency. Or, for expansiveness, for that matter. In short, I’m in a funk, though not a hole. So be it. There isn’t much, but, it all has something to say. You can decide for yourselves if you needed to hear it…. Today, everything is left as an exercise for the Gentle Reader. So be it….

Shall we pearl?….

“From childhood’s hour I have not been
As others were — I have not seen
As others saw — I could not bring
My passions from a common spring.”

~~ Edgar Allan Poe, “Alone” ~~

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

As per our default standard, classical music is on the menu for our musical accompaniment. I hope you enjoy it; the choice is, naturally, as random as I can make it, chosen simply for the picture that caught my eye…. Enjoy!….

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Classical Music

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Comedy_Tragedy

Random Exposure

If I only knew what I was doing here,
I could give others a clue.
Reality gets stranger every year,
and I’m not sure what I should do.

Singing happy old tunes, in an old, gravely voice,
gives me a lot of pleasure.
I’m only glad I can still make a choice,
to look at life, to take its measure.

Memorable moments keep passing by
gilded, framed in precious emotion.
I never have to ask anyone why,
no need for a stronger potion.

Everything in life is clear, to me
there is no doubt, no misunderstanding.
We’re all good, as you can see,
members of Life, in good standing.

Life can be hard, or it can be great fun;
the right path is there for each of us to take.
That choice is often a difficult one;
pay close attention to the choice you make.

~~ gigoid ~~

4/22/2013

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Good things come in threes….

*******

“If you don’t know where you’re going, when you get there you’ll be lost.”

~~ Yogi Berra ~~

*******

“What lies before us and what lies behind us….
are small matters
compared to what lies within us…
and when we bring what lies within into the world…
miracles happen!”

~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~

*******

“What’s money?
A man is a success if he gets up in the morning
and gets to bed at night,
and in between he does what he wants to.”

~~ Bob Dylan ~~

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Over the course of the last five years, I’ve learned to put aside my own feelings at times, in order to find the chutzpah to post. Today is such a day. Tomorrow might be different, and it is that ambiguity I am both counting on, and hoping for. That said, there’s naught else to impart, so, I’ll take my leave, stage virtual, with the reassurance I shall return tomorrow, like it, or not…. So be it. 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

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

A complex straightening of entropy….

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6

Ffolkes,

“How prone to doubt, how cautious are the wise!”

~~ Alexander Pope ~~

~~ The Odyssey of Homer, Book xiii, Line 375 ~~

escape

Beauty breaking free….

Hajime…. It isn’t as if I need such indulgence, but, it’s always a good feeling to find a pearl from the past which, in my mind, tends to justify the process of pearling, and, the wisdom of doubt as a policy of mind. I don’t need it, for I’d do this anyway; there are times I can point to which demonstrate clearly how important this is to my sanity. But, it’s still good to know I am not the only person, now, or in history, who believes in the sanctity of human thought, and the necessity for examining our perceptions for truth and accuracy. I’m human, go figure….

Today’s offering almost didn’t happen, but, with a few contortions, and a bit of time with the Tardis, it all worked out. I’m not going to make any foolish predictions, or judgments, about quality, or even quantity; it is what it is, and that’s all it is. So be it…..

To keep from becoming completely maudlin, which often occurs in just this sort of situation (Hey, pain, PTSD, animal husbandry issues, ants…. all in one morning, but, no pressure….), or, worse, fall into full-blown curmdugeonry, I’ll cut this section short. Oh, not too short, and certainly not as short as some of our most recent efforts. Just short enough to save us from looking so awkward and sophomoric; we do have our standards. Of course, those standards are not what most would term ‘normal’, or even ‘slightly eccentric’; in fact, we won’t go into what we have been termed at all, to save us, and y’all, a plethora of embarrassment.

Why, look! It’s the end of the intro, coming up fast. We’d best stop fooling around, (as if we did anything else around here….), and get to it. Let’s save some time, and electrons, okay? Watch that last step there….

Shall we pearl?….

“Obey the spur of the moment.These accumulated it is
that make the impulse and the impetus of the life of genius.”

~~ Henry David Thoreau ~~

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bonnie (2)

When I can’t think of anything else to put here, I fall back to my default position, where I find this lady waiting, every time…. Enjoy, ffolkes; you can’t find better music….

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Bonnie Raitt

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Comedy_Tragedy

Penance, Made Simple

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

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

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

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

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

~~ gigoid ~~

10/23/2012

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

“Notes on Process and Program…”

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

~~ Sophocles ~~

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“Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.”

~~ Things We Can Learn From Dogs ~~

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“Common sense isn’t.”

~~ Practical Bee ~~

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“If you call a tail a leg, how many legs has a dog? Five? No, four.
Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it a leg.”

~~ Abraham Lincoln ~~

*******

“There is a kind of poetry in simple fact.”

~~ Edward Abbey ~~

*******

“Sometimes it takes great effort
to discover that life was meant to be effortless.”

~~ Anonymous ~~

*******

“Before enlightenment, one carries water and chops wood.
After enlightenment, one carries water and chops wood.”

~~ Zen Proverb ~~

*******

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Since I wasn’t completely certain of finishing this in time to post, I’m happy. Well, happy as may be expected. Moreover, such lightness of spirit bodes well for the rest of the day. I think I’ll go find it while I’m in the mood. Fair warning, though; I will return tomorrow, most likely, with another attempt to find sanity in an insane world…. Maybe you could help me find it?….. Well, maybe not. But, I’ll be back, anyway…. 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

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Aggrandizing for the masses….

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9

Ffolkes,

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

~~ Emily Dickinson ~~

primroses

Simple Beauty….

Hajime…. Probably, what’s going on is merely a function of my own mind, in dealing with all the crap that builds up in there. Whatever the case may be, I’ve been going into some strange places lately. In my head, that is; sadly, I don’t get out enough to say that about the Big Blue Room. These places have the unfortunate ability to keep my attention on them, rather than on Reality, where I have things that need to get done, if only for my own comfort and serenity. I can’t say I’m suffering, per se; I can say I am not happy with Reality just now, and the only responsibility for it rests securely on my own head.

I’d say life can be a bitch, but, that’s not taking responsibility, and the world suffers THAT way too fucking much for me to add to it. I can’t say I’ll be able to put it all aside with any degree of simplicity, but, I will do so, regardless of how much more uncomfortable I get. If I don’t it won’t change, now, will it? Nope. Such is life….. With all that said, I can get to the meat of the matter, which is simply this: I didn’t get much of a Pearl done. I’ll finish it up, best I may, and post it, but, it’s not anywhere close to what can usually be expected around here. All I can say is, oh, well…. Moreover, I’m going to go against my usual habit, and make that all I say. I have a feeling, ruthlessness is the only thing that will get this posted, so, here is ruthless…

Shall we pearl?….

“Do nothing secretly; for Time sees and hears all things, and discloses all.”

~~ Sophocles (496-406 BC) ~~

~~ Hipponous, Frag. 280 ~~

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

As is our wont, we’ll go with our old standby, classical music, because I know it will always do for its purpose…. Today’s selection purports itself as being designed for reading…. Enjoy!….

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Classical Music

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Comedy_Tragedy

Off the proverbial cuff….

I never meant to kill that period of time,
it didn’t give me any choice.
It tried to hem me in without reason, or rhyme,
refused me any vote, or any voice.

You have to admit, I buried it deep and fast,
just as if I cared.
I knew, though, it would never last,
or ever be fully repaired.

No news, no pictures can bring it back,
once is all we get.
No pleas of public good, or even public lack;
in stone the past is set.

Futuristic visions now occupy my dreams,
I’m ready to go on.
Look! It fills up the screen, and it gleams!
Where’s the moment I’m sitting on?

Now, I remembered, at long, long last,
is all we really can hold.
Every moment goes by so bloody fast,
we’d best fill them all with beauty, warm and bold.

~~ gigoid ~~

4/30/2013

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pearls_3

Today’s final, old-school pearl requires a moment of explanation. It is what I call a random harlequin pearl, chosen completely by instinct. Smart Bee offers up a group of pearls, and my unconscious mind picks out the ones that have something to say to us for today. Don’t ask me how it works beyond that, because I don’t know, and wouldn’t say if I did. If I look too closely at it, it might go away. In any case, here is our offering for today. There is a meaning to it all, but, you have to figure it out yourselves…. Enjoy!….

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“For age is opportunity no less
Than youth itself, though in another dress.
And as the evening twilight fades away,
The sky is filled with stars, invisible by day.
It is never too late to start doing what is right.
Never.”

~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~~

“… denn da ist keine Stelle,
die dich nicht sieht. Du musst dein Leben andern.”
(… for there is no place that does not see you. You must change your life.)

~~ Rainer Maria Rilke, “Archaic Torso of Apollo” ~~

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“…all progress depends on the unreasonable man.”

~~ George Bernard Shaw ~~

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“Deeds, not words shall speak me.”

~~ John Fletcher ~~

*******

“If a person is to get the meaning of life
he must learn to like the facts about himself —
ugly as they may seem to his sentimental vanity —
before he can learn the truth behind the facts.
And the truth is never ugly.”

~~ Eugene O’Neill ~~

*******

“Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.”

~~ Things We Can Learn From Dogs ~~

*******

“Are you a good witch or a bad witch?”

~~ Subtle Wiccan Bee ~~

*******

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Okay; it’s done. Possibly the fastest ever created, but, we won’t worry about that. We’ll just post it, and be on our merry way. To fulfill our regulatory obligations, I’ll mention I will be back tomorrow. Use the time between now and then wisely; it’s your only real possession, you know…. See ya, ffolkes; count on it…..

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

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Surrounded by militant budgies….

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4

Ffolkes,

I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life spell,
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered “I Myself am Heaven and Hell.”

~~ Omar Khayyam ~~

moving

Wow… that’s a lot of coffee….

Hajime…. It may only be some sort of unconscious adjustment going on in my brain, but, for the last few days, I get a few hours in the morning of coherent thought; then, about nine or ten in the morning, it shuts down, refusing to do anything more complicated than watch old, foolish movies (Such as Father Goose, if that gives you a clue…), or read uncomplicated fiction. Anything beyond that just doesn’t seem to bring any sort of satisfaction, or serenity. I suppose it isn’t particularly heinous in nature, but, it’s damn disconcertin’ to not be up to be more active, or at least more coherent.

I’d hate to think I’m getting old, though all the evidence is pointing that way. There’s no turning back now, so, I guess I’ll just keep on plowing ahead, best I may. Today, I think that means I should get this going early. There isn’t a lot; some good music, a poem from the past, and some silly pearls that say more than they seem. Let’s be what might be termed as maximally efficient, and get started right away. That, of course, looks just like this….

Shall we pearl?….

“Always store beer in a dark place.”

~~ Lazarus Long ~~

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fred_neil2

I am in the mood for the music of my youth. This man wrote at least one song that, for a time, everyone in the world was singing…. Though recorded by another artist when it became a hit, almost everyone knew who wrote it, as he followed the hit song with an album, that demonstrated one of the finest baritone voices ever heard…. I hope you enjoy his music….

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Fred Neil
Sessions

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Comedy_Tragedy

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 ~~

8/18/2013

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Tongue-in-cheek Truths

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“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.”

~~ Dr. Seuss ~~

*******

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

~~ Goethe ~~

*******

“Right-handers go over there,
left-handers go over there,
the rest of you, come with me.”

~~ Yogi Berra ~~

*******

“”Do what you love.
Know your own bone;
gnaw at it, bury it, unearth it, and gnaw it still.”

~~ Thoreau ~~

*******

“.. I think I’d better go back to my DESK and toy with
a few common MISAPPREHENSIONS…”

~~ Zippy the Pinhead ~~

*******

“Do what you wanna, do what you will;
Just don’t mess up your neighbor’s thrill.
And when you pay the bill, kindly leave a little tip
To help the next poor sucker on his one-way trip.”

~~ Frank Zappa, You Are What You Is ~~

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“Dead, huh? Well, that’s one less thing.”

~~ Beverly ~~

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Since that went so well, I’ll continue the ruthless behavior here, and be done for another day. I will, however, be back tomorrow, to do this one more time. There doesn’t seem to be any reason to stop, so, I’ll keep going until, well, I’m done…. I ain’t done yet….

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

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Flaws in the walnut….

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9

Ffolkes,

“A chief event of life is the day in which we have encountered a mind that startles us.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson~~

crosseye

Who’s cross-eyed?….

Hajime…. Unavoidable, if semi-volitional events transpired this morning, preventing a smooth transition into writing mode. Fortunately, I ignored it all, and did it my way, which proved to be the most efficacious method, as, well, here I am, writing. I will submit that there may be some who would argue that what goes on here resembles writing much less than it does foolishness, but, we stopped listening to them long ago. My favorite response to such criticisms is, “We are not amused.”, followed by a Bronx cheer. They never pay any attention anyway, but, it does keep them quiet from the shock for a time, usually long enough for me to shut the door in their faces.

See? I’m writing…. Where else could you find complete nonsense right at the start of a post? Oh. Well, okay, but, it’s my own nonsense, which makes it acceptable for consumption, under the proper conditions, easily identified by their bright, pink faces. Still, it’s heartening, to think I can do this kind of thing, and not get prosecuted. Such moments in life are rare, thankfully, so, we should treasure them. If only it made any sense!….

Very well. I can see I’m not going to find anything worthwhile to discuss, unless I start telling you about today’s Pearl. But, why should I do that, when all you need to do is scroll down to find out? Instead, I’ll resort to one of our older, more ruthless methods for closing the intro, by breaking out the old #4, our most commonly used, and most effective technique. It works like this….

Shall we pearl?….

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

~~ Buddha ~~

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celtic design

I enjoyed yesterday’s music enough to repeat it today, though with a different selection from You Tube. Here is more from Adrian Von Ziegler, a young man who composes a lot of it…. Enjoy….

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More Celtic Music

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Comedy_Tragedy

Dead Hands,Typing…

Puzzled anew by anomalous blocks of pain
caught, bemused, chained to routine, insane.
Stilled within breathless beauty
Engaging epiphany, insistent, called to duty.

Knees bent in lieu of a faithful rendition
suffuses, confuses, locked into stale perdition.
Clearing corrosion with hands encased in stone
Singular frozen follicles, masked by bone.

Partial focus brings unfiltered flavors to light
coloring each particle in simple delight.
Forlorn, novel conceptual artists singing in tune
nine notes in harmony, soft as the moon.

Honed blades of carbon steel flash in rhyme,
filling sensual receptors well past closing time.
Borrowed from neighbors in a week-old game
still bloody, without a proper name.

No flooded memories can justify such cost
no simple stationery, bilious, afraid, lost.
Ten times ten will never be enough
To fill so empty a stolen trough.

Bartering simplicity takes well into the night
solidly temporary pillars turned bright.
Unknown to all the pretty children who came
none were called, none had any remaining flame.

~~ gigoid ~~

2/25/2015

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Pay attention….

*******

“All that we see or seem,
is but a dream within a dream.”

~~ Edgar Allan Poe ~~

*******

“The more you know… well, the more you know!”

~~ Realist Bee ~~

*******

“By definition, when you are investigating the unknown,
you do not know what you will find.”

~~ The Ultimate Principle ~~

*******

“Do I dare disturb the universe?”

~~ T. S. Eliot ~~

*******

“Reality corrupts.
Absolute reality corrupts absolutely.”

~~ Subtle Bee ~~

*******

“If I repent of any thing, it is very likely to be my good behavior.”

Henry David Thoreau

*******

“You only live once — but if you work it right, once is enough.”

~~ Joe E. Lewis ~~

*******

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Well, I guess, compared to what used to transpire around here, this isn’t much. But, like all the others, it’s done, so, we won’t question any of it; at least, not out loud. In fact, to continue the efficiency begun in the intro, I will use the ending I see approaching rapidly. In fact, it’s here. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes. Just try to stop me….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Our buckets weren’t anointed first….

Posted on by
3

Ffolkes,

“When someone loves you for a long time,
really loves you,
then you become Real.
Generally, by the time you are Real,
most of your hair has been loved off,
your eyes drop out,
but this doesn’t matter . . .
when you are Real you can’t be ugly.”

~~ The Velveteen Rabbit ~~

glacier-melt

Glacier melt run-off, Tracy Arm Fjord, Alaska…

Hajime…. Today didn’t begin well. I’ll skip the details, as relating them would only serve to reignite my feelings, which I’ve just managed to put back into the bottle. Suffice it to say, I’m not in the best of moods, and shall be making a strong effort to keep from allowing my human nature to assert itself. If I don’t, there could conceivably be much to regret tomorrow.

That said, I’ll also make another ruthless, executive-style decision about today’s Pearl, to keep this intro, and the closing section, short and sweet. Well, short, anyway. To do so is, in truth, quite a simple matter, which I should probably employ more often. I won’t, but, I should. But, if they all looked like this, I’d go off the deep end in a matter of days. Wouldn’t want that, would we? No…. So, let’s do this, instead….

Shall we pearl?….

“Anyone who has got a book collection/library and a garden wants for nothing.”

~~ Cicero ~~

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forest

Image from http://www.flickr.com via Google Free Images

Given my incredibly foul mood, I’m going today with some relaxing mood music, that always seems to soothe my Celtic soul…. Enjoy!….

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Celtic Music

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Comedy_Tragedy

Is It Alive?

Fighting into the light, words push hard to exist
each step closer to real brings another unique twist.
Shedding meaning for meaning, until bright, alone, and right
sculpting useless shapes, yet undefined, in pale morning’s light.

Never knowing the face is part of the lasting charm
bringing elegant focus, before sounding the alarm.
Advantageous time sends out messages, fears finding voice,
mulling options for flexibility, virtually without choice.

Fortunate man, who embraces the power of change;
’tis magical knowledge, bonding common to strange.
Weaving words of wonder, made strong by love and duty,
into a tapestry of life, and everlasting beauty.

~~ gigoid ~~

1/10/2013

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Notes on Life at Large….

*********

“I’ll talk a word with this same learned Theban.”

~~ William Shakespeare, King Lear, Act iii, Sc. 4 ~~

*********

“Character is who you are in the dark.”

~~ Lord John Whorfin ~~

*********

“I have not ceased being fearful,
but I have ceased to let fear control me.
I have accepted fear as part of life,
specifically fear of change and fear of the unknown;
and I have gone ahead despite
the pounding in the heart that says,
turn back, turn back,
you’ll die if you venture too far.”

~~ Erica Jong ~~

*********

“If you think education is expensive,
Try Ignorance.”

~~ Andy McIntyre ~~

*********

“As you go the way of life you will see a great chasm.”
Jump.
It is not as wide as you think.”

~~ Native American advice ~~

*********

“The psychic task which a person can and must set for himself
is not to feel secure,
but to be able to tolerate insecurity.”

~~ Erich Fromm ~~

*********

“If you can’t be with the one you love,
love the one you’re with.”

~~ Steven Stills ~~

*********

An it harms none, do what thou will.

~~ Wiccan Credo ~~

*********

“Here’s Looking at you, kid.”

~~ Casablanca ~~

*********

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I stated above this would be short, so, short it will be. How short? This short…. I’ll be back, hopefully with a bit more positive attitude. If not, well, so be it. 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

Featured Image -- 10156

À bientôt, mon cherí….

It all seems suitably combed….

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6

Ffolkes,

“Love is, above all, the gift of oneself.”

~~ Jean Anouilh, Ardele, 1948, (2, translated by Lucienne Hill) ~~

spider-sighting

Spider!….

Hajime…. It used to be I’d sit here, staring at a blank screen, wondering where, and when, I’d find anything in my head worth setting down for others to read. Now, I sit here, wondering which of the various approaches I’ve developed over the past five years of blogging to use to begin the day’s mess. Perhaps the one I choose is what makes it a mess, or an offering. Or, perhaps, it’s my own attitude. Ya think? Oops, cover pulled….

Okay, we’ll use the cat method for that one. It never happened, I didn’t say it. So be it. To avoid any possible reenactments, I’ll go back to an older method, though, not far, as it actually was employed (or, is that ‘deployed? Ah, well, no matter…), yesterday. It’s our most ruthless intro format, and it looks pretty spartan, if elegantly smooth and simple. It works just like this….

Shall we pearl?….

“What is the first business of one who studies philosophy?
To part with self-conceit.
For it is impossible for any one to begin to learn
what he thinks that he already knows.”

~~ Epictetus — How to apply general Principles to particular Cases ~~

~~ Discourses, Book ii, Chap. xvii ~~

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

nationlism-meme

Image from https://thefreethoughtproject.com

This is what I call a WSYIWYG rant. The meme you see above from the Free Thought Project pretty much says it all, though to be completely accurate in describing my thoughts, it would include all religions along with nations as being worthy of being fucked….. but, that’s just me. We don’t NEED any of it….

‘Nuff said.

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

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

We are going simple today, with a mix of classical music someone collected as a means of encouraging students to study. Works for any kind of reading, so, enjoy!…..

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

Classical Music

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

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 ~~

8/18/2013

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Serving the truth….

*******

“I am the shadow my words cast.”

~~ Octavio Paz ~~

*******

“In’I no expect to be justified by the laws of men.”

~~- Bob Marley ~~

*******

“Brains first and then Hard Work.”

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

*******

“It is one thing,
to show a man that he is in an error,
and another,
to put him in possession of truth.”

~~ John Locke ~~

*******

“The human condition is such
that pain and effort are not just symptoms
which can be removed without changing life itself;
they are rather the modes in which life itself,
together with the necessity to which it is bound,
makes itself felt.
For mortals, the ‘easy life of the gods’ would be a lifeless life.”

~~ Hannah Arendt ~~

*******

“We don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

~~ Anais Nin ~~

*******

Costing not less than everything.

~~ T.S. Eliot ~~

*******

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

Well, there you go. A bit esoteric in spots, but, altogether, a fine little Pearl for your consumption. I’ll skip any comments on process, or program, or even potential quality, and just say, see ya tomorrow, ffolkes. It seems to be a habit I can’t break…. Not that I want to, mind you…. More to follow….

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

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Affability can be an asset….

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11

Ffolkes,

“In the moment between stimulus and response lies freedom.”

~~ Steven Covey ~~

dfw-leelu

Grrr….

Hajime…. Sometimes in the morning, one receives a lesson. Today is not such a day. Any lessons I might have learned this morning would have been fruitless, as my mind resembles nothing more than a colander; most everything is leaking right out. In order to successfully produce today’s Pearl, I will be shortening this intro unmercifully, since anything I write would be suspect. How merciless are we going to be? Well, I’ll show you….

Shall we pearl?….

All that is harmony for thee, O Universe,
is in harmony with me as well.
Nothing that comes at the right time for thee
is too early or too late for me.
Everything is fruit to me that thy seasons bring, O Nature.
All things come of thee, have their being in thee, and return to thee.”

~~ — Marcus Aurelius Antoninus — Meditations, iv, 23 ~~

Today, while appreciating this sentiment from our old friend Marcus, all I can say is, “I wish”….. Onward, he said, grimly….

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

Bob Marley

During the process of yesterday, (you know, getting by, getting through….), I had occasion to use one of Bob’s best lines, to wit: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, …”, etc., (from “Redemption Songs), in a comment on FB. Since I have a touch of OCD about such, using it required looking up the exact wording, which took me to a page with ALL his video mentions in Google, i.e., the Google playlist for his work. I began to listen, naturally, whereupon I decided the mix of songs was perfect for today’s Pearl. Hence, Mr. Marley…. If you listen long enough, you’ll hear everything of his there is to hear, some more than once…. Excellent….

Following the music from Bob, I’ve included a video of an unknown street performer, somewhere unknown in the world, which I found while cruising You Tube. You will NOT believe how good this man is on the guitar, or why you have never seen nor heard of him…. Watch, and try to keep your jaw from dropping; you don’t even have to know anything about guitar to see what a genius he is….

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

Bob Marley

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

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Comedy_Tragedy

Choosing a Theme

Powerful words playing hide and seek in my mind,
teasing with subtle cruelty, pretending to be kind.
Grand visions and flowery verses of beauty and truth
evaded my inner eye all through the days of my youth.

Affable interludes interspersed with allegorical wit
softened the crimes, against all reason, to finally acquit.
Time became at once an enemy, and an ally
Never once compelled to provide an answer why.

Giving gifts of simple kindness are their own pay,
spreading ripples of compassion are felt far and away.
Love given freely is precious, we are ever told,
increasing love received, more than a hundred fold.

Living long and with passion has centered my soul,
allowing me room, and time, to choose my own goal.
Now that I’ve gone past any need to pretend
I love everything in life, even knowing it will end.

~~ gigoid ~~

10/21/2012

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pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Who knew?….

*********

“Reality is a cliche from which we escape by metaphor.”

~~ Wallace Stevens ~~

*********

“Who are you?”

~~ Curious Bee ~~

*********

“Do you have the patience to wait till your mud settles and the water is clear?
Can you remain unmoving till the right actions arises by itself?”

~~ Lao Tzu ~~

*********

“If you would hit the mark,
you must aim a little above it:
Every arrow that flies
feels the attraction of earth.”

~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~~

*********

“Do thou restrain the haughty spirit in thy breast,
for better far is gentle courtesy.”

~~ Homer ~~

*********

“Gli arcobaleni d’altri mondi hanno colori che non so.
Ma lungo i fiumi d’altri mondi nascono fiori che non ho.
[The rainbows of other worlds have colors I don’t know.
But along the rivers of other worlds flowers are born that I don’t have.]”

~~ Fabrizio De Andre ~~

*********

“The strongest of all warriors are these two — Time and Patience.”

~~ Leo Tolstoy ~~

*********

“What is man’s chief enemy? Each man is his own.”

~~ Anacharsis (f1. c. 600 B.C.), Scythian philosopher ~~

~~ Stobaeus, Flor., II, 43 ~~

*********

“In every enterprise consider where you would come out.”

~~ Publius Syrus — Maxim 777 ~~

*********

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

Following the prophetic words from Publius Syrus, we have come out precisely where we intended. Since the ruthlessness displayed in the intro was so effective, not to mention efficient, let’s carry on with that here. See y’all tomorrow, ffolkes, if I’m still breathing, and able to type….. good odds on that….

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

Kowabunga!

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Up to some very old tricks….

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2

Ffolkes,

“Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value.”

~~ J. de La Fontaine (1621-1695) ~~

~~ The Use of Knowledge, Book viii, Fable 19 ~~

smell-tuna

I swear it went inside here….

Hajime…. Thanks to goodness knows what, I’m running late. This is both good, and bad, like most things human. We do tend to try to strip it down to bare bones when possible; today’s post will, no doubt, require us to do so rather ruthlessly, if we hope to find our way to any sort of conclusive resolution. Of course, that also implies we actually know what we’re looking for, or where we’re going, neither of which approaches the truth of Reality in any portion. Go figure that one, eh?

There. That should make it clear you’ll get nothing rational out of me today. That happens to me consistently, I’m afraid, though you wouldn’t know it to watch me perform my antics. I’ve now had an officially long time to practice making it look normal, and, much as the effort costs, it seems worth it to keep those around me from worrying, or, for that matter, from bursting into flames when I look at them. Always a bonus out in public to avoid being noticed for such happenings. I can assure you, I don’t miss the drama….

Okay, that’s all you get today. I’m clean out of fresh ideas, at least for now, so, I’ll bite the bullet, and get this done, so I can say I did without lying about it. I do hate to have to lie, about anything; for us humans the facility comes too easily. I prefer to try to meet Reality on its own terms, which won’t work if we don’t use the rules. Another go figure, but, hey, we’re used to that. I’m going to stop tormenting all of us now, and use this very ruthless technique to get us down the page to where we need to be…. Watch closely, or you’ll miss it….

Shall we pearl?….

“Arouse the mind without resting it on anything.”

~~ Diamond Sutra ~~

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

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

Today I feel like some classical music. I also want to hear the guitar, so, what better way than to hear over two hours of some of the finest classical guitar ever played, by the acknowledged master of the genre, Andres Segovia…. I hope you enjoy it; it will be hard not to do so, since its probably some of the best music ever created by humans… Abondanza!….

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

November Dreams of Spring

Crass and cold, the beggar finds me swollen, so frail and fat
with painful stepping motions, running, like a Republicrat.
Building with straw and spittle, should artists come aground,
we all pay heavily, a billion for a bloody pound.

Too desperate, too ashamed to play such a part
We ask for belief, and sweet liberty, dressing up so smart.
It falls between the simple cracks, always in a hurry
To find a shrunken ego, ashen, swift, and full of worry.

Never there was a more penitent group, such a sterling way
To fast in luxury, making sure the guilty enter, but do not stay.
Forgotten gods can find their diffident suitors tonight
With dream-fitted convention, and a natural sense of delight.

For all the silken babies cried, to see the broken dreams of power
forgiven moments of certitude serve, filling up the maiden’s bower.
All the patient, loving veterans of ancient foreign time,
give up their first impressions, dying, dying for a rhyme.

~~ gigoid ~~

9/19/2012

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Warning: thinking caps required….

*********

“I certainly wasn’t happy.
Happiness has to do with reason,
and only reason earns it.
What I was given was the thing you can’t earn,
and can’t keep, and often don’t even recognize at the time;
I mean joy.”

~~ Ursula K. LeGuin ~~

*********

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

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

*********

“How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness
is in fact for most men at all times
the secret motive of all they do,
and of all they are willing to endure.”

~~ Dean William R. Inge ~~

*********

“There is, nevertheless, a certain respect
and a general duty of humanity that ties us,
not only to beasts that have life and sense,
but even to trees and plants.”

~~ Michael de Montaigne, Essays, Book ii, Chap. xi, Of Cruelty ~~

*********

“Seek not to follow in the footsteps of men of old;
seek what they sought.”

~~ Matsuo Basho ~~

“Good taste is always an asset.”

~~ Rudy Bakalov ~~

*********

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

~~ Steven Stills ~~

*********

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

~~J.K. Rowling, The Man with Two Faces, ~~
~~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, 1997 ~~
~~ spoken by the character Albus Dumbledore ~~

*********

“Aw Mom, you act like I’m not even wearing a bungee cord!”

~~ Calvin ~~

*********

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

Despite some rather spirited competition from the cat, I got it done. I’m going to cut my losses at this point, since, by posting, I win. Of course, it’s only myself I beat, but, hey, gotta take the kudos where you find ’em, or, you might not get ’em at all. I will, as consistently threatened, be back to do this again tomorrow, I imagine…. Odds are running even right now, but, they’ll improve; bet on it. See ya…..

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

dozer3

À bientôt, mon cherí….

Tales of electricity and corn….

Posted on by
5

Ffolkes,

“There are no other colours without the blues.”

~~ Doctor Who ~~

south-of-eugene

Oregon in autumn….

Hajime…. I am not sure, & don’t feel like spending the effort to find out for sure, but, I believe it was R.D. Laing who said, “Insanity is a sane reaction to an insane world.” The past few days, and, hell, weeks, have offered quite a lot of evidence in favor of the truth of that. My own involvement in the process of sanity/insanity maintenance is a core issue much of the time, though it is carried out behind the scenes, so to speak. I am hopeful the picture of me seen by the outside world is one which promotes confidence, but, also imagine that’s a groundless hope. Of course, what other kind is there?….

In the past two days, sanity took a back seat for much of the day. Somehow, I’ve managed to post; in looking back, that seems to have been slightly over-confident, as the rest of both days was spent in the morass of my own mind, trying to keep my balance, a process complicated by living with a small, fur-bearing extortionist, whom I love dearly, but have quite a time finding the inner serenity with which to handle her with any aplomb. It’s a constant day in school, learning ways to adjust to another creature’s needs and desires…. Who knew it could get so complicated? Ah, well, it’s only because I’m so damned self-critical; it’s too late to change that, and I wouldn’t want to, anyway, as it’s part of who I am….

I suppose I should make a choice here; keep wandering fruitlessly through my transparently muddled thoughts, or get on with the process of posting today’s effort. Given my state of mind, the latter is our most likely, and most amenable choice. To keep from getting completely out of hand with the chatty nonsense, I’ll do that now, and do it the quick, easy way. That looks like this….

Shall we pearl?….

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

~~ Oscar Wilde, “Oscariana” ~~

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

Rolling-Stones

Image stolen from Google Free Images

While searching for some music, I came across this concert, which happened to be the first time the old boys had been invited to the Glastonbury Rock Festival in England. Go figure, eh? At any rate, it’s hot, right from the start, so, here ’tis. Enjoy, ffolkes; the old boys still bring it….

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

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

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

Comedy_Tragedy

After the odyssey….

Portraits of iconic symbols, crashing, singing, forgotten;
evolving into mature innovation, as yet pale, and rotten.
Still water justly breeds, impenetrable primal verses resound;
unholy moments tarry, emotion swirls in passion unbound

Spiritual ovulation precedes each pregnant pause;
gravid, time moves on, following destiny’s cause.
Cast adrift on waves of confusion, to a final, damp landing;
salvation beckons sweetly, fed well on understanding.

Dreams directly fall, in night’s grey bower, unbidden;
lingering flavors in simple taste, lovingly, cleverly hidden.
Childish laughter sounds, joyful, bright, and clear;
no need ever to hide, no more monsters to fear.

Temper most foul arrives under unregistered mail;
forgotten taunts live on, lashed by an ancient flail.
Plain dealing delivers such lasting specks of honest hate;
savage in retrospect, never hasty, always running late.

Forever, cries an ambient lover of the pending night;
his pale, weak issue forms its own failing light.
Still, fortune favors such as those who apprehend;
Sweet love of Gaia, let it never end.

~~ gigoid ~~

3/10/2013

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

pearls_3

Naked Pearls

Framed in Idyll….

*********

“He who has the courage to laugh
is almost as much a master of the world
as he who is ready to die.”

~~ Giacomo Leopardi ~~

*********

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us or we find it not.”

~~ Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Essays” ~~

*********

“I see my life go drifting like a river
From change to change; I have been many things –
A green drop in the surge, a gleam of light
Upon a sword, a fir tree on a hill,
An old slave grinding at a heavy quern,
A king sitting upon a chair of gold –
And all these things were wonderful and great;
But now I have grown nothing, knowing all.
Ah! Druid, Druid, how great webs of sorrow
Lay hidden in that small slate-coloured thing!”

~~ William Butler Yeats, “Fergus and the Druid” ~~

*********

“Nature, whose sweet rains fall of just and unjust alike,
will have clefts in the rocks where I may hide,
and secret valleys in whose silence I may weep undetected.
She will hang the night with stars
so that I may walk abroad in the darkness without stumbling,
and send the wind over my footprints
so that none may track me to my hurt:
she will cleanse me in great waters,
and with bitter herbs make me whole.”

~~ Oscar Wilde, “De Profundis” ~~

*********

“Sometimes you win,
sometimes you lose,
sometimes you get rained out.”

~~ Satchel Paige ~~

*********

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

I’m happy I found our final pearl of the day. It reminded me of what’s truly important, which is, as we all know, the ability to be comfortable with ambiguity. I mean, hell, that’s about all we get from Reality, right? May as well learn to like it…. In any case, we’re done here, so, I guess I’ll call it a day. I will, in all fairness, warn y’all; I’ll be back again, to test your sense of complacency. Get used to it….

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

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

Which is Why….

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

gigoid, the dubious

The *only* duly authorized Computer Curmudgeon.

PLEASE STOP READING THIS MESSAGE NOW.

“SCRAM!!!!!!!!!!”- Oscar the Grouch

dozer3

À bientôt, mon cherí….