YES!!! There is a God!! or something

The latest adventure which took in Vegas, of all places (you can have a great time there without gambling a dime if you know where to go) and a point north was as surreal and amazing as I could stand. These are most definitely the good old days.

My nephews figured in, briefly, to this excursion, and they seemed as happy and together as I've seen them. N2 was especially at his best ever, think. That is saying a lot because in the past I somewhat envied the balance and solidity that both seemed to possess in a quantity I'm not sure I'd ever achieved. And they were and are merely young punk, runny nosed kids, relatively speaking.

At the age of N1, I was recovering from two or three car wrecks in fewer month's time, found myself with no roof of my own begging a couch at the home for wayward musicians, and my mode of transport was my two tired feet. To see them building good relationships with nice women, in which mutual respect seems apparent, as well as doing OK on the financial front is a joy to me. One of us in my family per couple of generations is plenty enough to travel the sort of path I stumbled down.

I hope when they reach my age that they feel as content and happy as I do today. The future is uncertain, of course. Otherwise it wouldn't really be the future. Right now is quite an extraordinary thing. I just feel fortunate and I don't feel the need to place conditions on that feeling.

If I could explain the part of this adventure which entailed the northern-most exposure to myself, I might put it down here. All I know will be one of those landmarks by which I measure time and file memories. Some things defy explanation. It may be that certain experiences are of a nature which touch a part of the spirit too far inside to be verbalized or quantified. Efforts to do so just screw it up.

I will say that everyone from the two Ns to new people I met struck me as delightfully extraordinary, and my life was awash with one pleasant surprise after another. It is quite a gift when I come out the other side feeling like being me is OK, and I needn't lament the fact that I couldn't change the essence of that even if I tired.

That lament does sometimes haunt me. Not that I want to be what I'm not, just that I sometimes wonder if that dooms me to a destiny which precludes aspects that I'd rather it include. Regardless of what is down the road, I believe now that I am not doomed to that unless I chose to be.

On a musical note, I saw my favorite jazz harp player do a good show which included some spontaneous jamming. He pulled another harmonica wizard on stage and they blended like harp payers never do. usually when two or more harp players jam it is worse than listening to ice cream truck music. That is actually some version of affected CALLIOPE music.

Calliope was my new word for the weekend. I had no idea what it was but some smartass threw it out in a sentence as if any fool would know. Not to wane too far into the negative, but calliope music sucks. Apparently it was originally produced with steam passing through variously pitch train whistles. If that won't scare the cows off the track, nothing will.

So, what did I learn this trip?
That the ice cream truck music I despise is canned calliope music, that the Brick is a pretty cool tavern, that I have a good shot of thriving among the living, that I need supervision to properly tie my shoes or tape tin foil around a T shirt, and that there is sometimes blissful mercy on me from the powers that be.

This Dimension May Be Different than That One, But It is OK

Life seems so much like some kind of a dream, especially this past year, and right now. I like Seattle better than I did last year and it's about 150F in the afternoon.
I'm really impressed with N2's house which will be undergoing renovation for a long time, but is comfortable and feels right anyway. And his girlfriend who seems absolutely perfect for him. N1 is well and in good wit and his fiance is ready for the next phase. I enjoy them all. I even had my own friend meet them as we strolled the streets looking for weeds in the yards of others, and people to mug.

What an incredibly great trip this has been, starting this past Tuesday. I think it is still rolling well.

I see that the ins company was true to their word and has mailed the check already. Now fingers are crossed that I don't have to go to the supreme court for the deductible. Sherlock Holmes would see the value of my case instantly. Maybe even Larry Curly and Moe would get it. I expect the rest of officialdom, as it applies to me to do the right thing, even if it pains them to do what's right.

These are interesting days, and I like it.

Among the Living

This idea occurred to me recently, as I was deep in the throes of buyer's remorse, even though the new car drives and handles splendidly, --the idea came to me that in spite of thinking, "why didn't I take the money and run to the first high quality disposable car?", that it was all OK and life is just that way. OK the idea I never got to was that I am living life, whereas for years I felt as if I was stuck on the river bank never able to jump in and float along. That is what I told my friend, who pretended I was making sense.

So, I'm tempted to yell into my cell phone as I pace around, "I'M AT THE AIRPORT. NO, NO, NO, I WON'T PAY A PENNY MORE THAN 6 MILLION FIVE, DAMMITT!! YOU PEOPLE WANT MY BUSINESS YA GOTTA STEP UP TO THE PLATE.
TELL LEW TO SCREW OFF. AND DON'T CALL ME BACK UNTIL YOU GET REAL.
I'LL TALK to BRAD AND ANGIE LATER--
WHAT THEY THINK I'M ON CALL 24/7?
OK YEA, SELL OUT AT FORTY TWO SIX.
YA, YA YEP YA.
OK, HAVE THE LIMO WAITING IN VANCOUVER.
OK, GOTTA GO, YOU BORE ME"

Oddly at 7 or so in the A.M. in Las Vegas, not too many loud talking cell phone quackers (the guys who talk so it sounds like they are quacking, as they try to get the edgy bass thing going and sound eastern, urbane and hostilely business-like.

Geez I look up innocently and Ms g cup straight across the way, well my god, why don't you rent advertising ? She guarantees no one will miss them by her methods of display. More effective than little ad signs on the wall.

OK. Good she is on an earlier flight and now boarding. Seriously, I am as fond of the hoo ha concept as anyone, but I think it is a little better to have a slight choice in the matter. Don't stick those babies in the faces of strangers then bitch about men not looking at your eyes. It becomes almost uncomfortable trying to look elsewhere so you don't feed the problem. Subtle people can be appreciated much more thoroughly and subtly. That's a bit of wisdom you should teach your kids. Or your parents, if they are dense.

So, I am leaving Vegas, pronounced, VAY gus. Who would have dreamed I'd be here, after a day or two cruising the strip, pronounced THE STRIP, seeing an amazing show, riding the roller coaster from Hell, and not even flying home? Yep, I'm on my way to see the wizard. Sorceress is more fitting. I won't elaborate, except I am happy as something happy, to be going. One adventure after another.

The couple of days here were great. I was with friends, and someone's birthday was involved. It was one of the more wholesome Vegas trips ever, most likely. And I have to say, I like it that way. Getting drunk, gambling and making friends with the girls on the cards nice seedy gentlemen were passing out on the sidewalk, is not my idea of a good time. Maybe when I didn't know better that could all sound like fun.

It looks to me like a drunk could lose his money in a big hurry here. Mostly, people were just like normal people. Everyone in customer service is a cut above. People seemed friendly helpful and glad to be doing the job. Must pay well.

It's a fluke, like most of my life, that I was included on this venture. No fluke that I am flying out to see Ms ?. Although I have no idea when or how the plan was formed. I woke up one day and it seemed like this was in the plans for awhile. Life has really been great since I decided to change it for the better, and realized I had the chance to hit the road west.

Did It Again

No, not wreck. I rambled on with my views about public policy. Dumb. It is to no effect, so why do I do that?

Tomorrow I'm off on an another adventure with friends, then off on yet another to see a friend. I'm attempting to protect the innocent here. In any case I will probably have better connection than I do on Ballistic Mountain, and more of note to mention, however I doubt I will, just because it may not be the thing to do, and I won't have time.

This has been a rather bizarre couple of weeks. Maybe the whole month. I have a feeling the next 6 days will go much too quickly. That is because time is not a constant. Its velocity and nature vary a great deal.

It is mostly in the last year that I realize how easily I tend to bond with certain creatures. I guess I considered myself capable of of having some sort of telepathic understanding, but usually did not get friendly with them. I was pals with the downstairs cats in Memphis but I neglected that friendship more than I should have. Times were tough. I remember when there was just one and I'd agreed to drop in to say hello now and then, I'd go down and just sit with the cat by my side, pondering my world and wondering if I'd ever get out of the rut. It seemed to help to have the counsel and advice of the cat. She mostly just asserted that all we had to fear were shadows and floor creaks. I think she was right.

Nw I regularly see a couple of little dogs and a few cats. One cat, in particular, makes it a point to spend quality time when possible. We just seem to get along. Same with the most worried of the two dogs. I'm amazed how I can just gesture and the dog knows what is OK and what is not, and she cooperates. The other dog does OK but that one is not playing with a full deck. Very cute and harmless. Much has to do with what owners expect and accept. It helps when people understand the order of priorities in life forms.

Often, given the chance, domestic animals get the pecking order better than people who think dogs and cats are people too. They are life, and seem to think, but they are not human life. They have just made the choice to sell out for security in most cases. That's why so many are neurotic. Well, the fact that they take on the emotions of the owner contributes as well.

Anyway, I have grown very fond of these creatures. I take animals like people, on an individual basis. Not all of them are good, trustworthy or likable. Some are. People who say otherwise probably have never experienced the slightest communion with any living thing. They are just nuts and want to hide their hate for mankind behind a blanket love of even psychotic animals.

There I go. All I'm saying is that I like a particular few creatures, a lot. Why did I have to editorialize? I guess so someone wouldn't trivialize it into , "yea, all dogs are great and people suck" I've been in that discussion before.

Cash for Clunker Hoax

The unbelievably outside the Constitutional intent of government program called CARS came to my attention recently. It occurred to me that this is a move to encourage the exact same behavior that supposedly led to the economic woes we are now experiencing.

Personally, I think the fact that people have been borrowing more than they should is just a partial explanation for the trouble. It is hard to just list one thing without listing the 10000 ther things that led up to it. They focussed on the housing market, but the car market has thrived on people borrowing who shouldn't for decades. The most money is made off of shakey credit people who have become convinced that if they will finance it, buying is the thing to do. Then they end up in dire straits, often showing up on the news as a victim of the Man. They'll ay whatever as long as they get financed and someone tells them they can afford the payment.

It is true that those peddling wares on time to the greedy and ignorant poor do not go out of their way to educate these eager lambs on their way to slaughter. I say "greedy poor" because that is basically what they are. The lust for more than they can afford outweighs their good sense when the goods are waved in front of them, and conventional wisdom says, "it's ok, make payments". It is an easy trap to fall into. You tend to think things will fall a certain way later on and you'll catch up. I've been there.

I've also been in the spot of wanting to remain within my means, however meager, and in need of transportation. The smart thing is to buy the cheapest beater I can find which will serve the purpose. That is the responsible thing, not financing a car when times are tough. This government program is going to hurt people who want to make that decision. The availability of cheapo used vehicles will not be what it was as people decide to take more from the government toward a new, approved vehicle.

Those who have the means and the beater will take advantage of the money, and those with the beater and just enough credit to get approved will take the money. Once again, in the name of green and helping out the common people, a sneaky, regressive hidden tax on the responsible poor is born. Anyone of modest means trying to start from scratch.

The idea of using tax money to overpay for cars they want off the road is evil. Pure and simple. Those are the cars that help the people with less money, the ones trying to get off the street, those who are determined to get out from under burdensome debt. Exactly the opposite of what is claimed.

I hope those who can will resist participating. The big picture long term result is less mobility and independence for those of minor means, which inhibits their ability to work, better their lives or go live outside the urban areas where public transportation is the alternative.

Why there is such a lack of reverence for freedom and why everything from Bin Laden to CO2 has been transformed by political alchemists rob people of that, I do not know. Probably because those who are not hurt by these things really feel better when everyone else is under control and kept close to home.

Now I've convinced myself I should have found a cheap disposable car instead of what I bought. Dumbass me. I did not finance though.

On the Road Again

Due to a series of circumstances I picked up the car today. I'm glad I know that business well enough to catch a few loose ends even when my mind is asleep. I think this will be OK. It seems faster than the other one and handles even better, if that is possible.

It will be parked in a day or two while I head off on other out of town adventures by other means of transport. Like, who cares? Just saying.

What a mess in here. All the work stuff from places where I'd been doing work, and all the stuff I had packed into the blue car. All of it in the middle of my iving room, which is also dining room, bedroom, study and kitchen.

Life is OK these days. A lot was accomplished this past week. Didn't know I had it in me. None of it would have gone so well without a lot of help from my friends.

Sly Eugenics

Consider the definition:
–noun (used with a singular verb)
the study of or belief in the possibility of improving the qualities of the human species or a human population, esp. by such means as discouraging reproduction by persons having genetic defects or presumed to have inheritable undesirable traits (negative eugenics) or encouraging reproduction by persons presumed to have inheritable desirable traits (positive eugenics).

Now, if you substitute "beliefs" for "genetic defects" and usefulness for "undesirable traits", we arrive at a meaning very close to today's trends.

For example, Obama stated the he isw offering "the American people" a health care plan "LARGELY" on a par with what he and Congress have. There are more sick implications to that statement than I can address. The most glaring is the idea that they are they, and the rest of the nobodies constitute the American people. In a way that is a relief. I'd hate to think that American people by and large were so lacking in conscience and integrity. But what is the deal with this separation? We are being controlled by people who consider themselves something other than American people?

What is "broke", to quote the mfwics, is the law and the government, not the health care system per se. Had not slimy, yet smart people figured out how to twist legality into huge lawsuits, a la John Edwards, based on junk science or merely class envy, some of the problem would be gone. There are many other factors, very few not generated by the same body that now pretends they'll make it better.

Who has lived such a short time that they haven't witnessed a decrease in individual freedom, and a corresponding increase in instances of politicians claiming there is no choice but for them to step in and fix things not really covered constitutionally? The result is then a worse problem at best, or several more, typically.

This same pattern is obvious when you look at the misuse of our military for purposes not defensive or even productive. They figured out how to never stop having war, and how to never quite lose, and never quite win. That is because, no matter how die hard a person is, he doesn't truly know why we are there, wherever we are. Angrily shouting that they fight so we can be free, may have validity from the standpoint that this is what most American soldiers want, and hope. Those sending them spout off about spreading democracy. Yet they enrich dictators and lunatics daily. Besides, why are we spreading democracy? Unchecked by extreme constitutional limits democracy is death to liberty. We are a democratic republic which was supposed to be under wraps as far as its involvement in private life.

The helth care costs may suck, and there are reasons which do not so much fall on private business, except when they are willing to be on the government dole in one form or another.

This initiative is not to make care more accessible to all. It is an effort to control the care, how it is given, and to whom. That brings me to the police situation.

Recently a guy who must be thrilled to have his day in the sun, was in a confrontation which resulted in arrest, and dropped charges. I wasn't there. Obama wasn't there. Neither of us can reasonably render judgement on the matter. However the sensationalized version we are hearing with the question being asked, "What does this say about race relations in America?" What is says is nothing. Reverse races---no issue. I had as much call to raise hell as that guy, but I'm one of the "American people", a nobody.

The real problem this highlights is the fact that some time ago the tone, training, and dirctives controlling police work moved from protect and serve to control the masses. I doubt this had squat to do with race and everything to do with someone not being under control. The thing is, people don't always have to be under control. Are others being threatened? Then hell with it, walk away. So what if you don't get the respect you feel you desrve. Next time a burglary is reported at that address, send Al Sharpton. Or no one.

Like I said, I wasn't there. I might have just shot the guy if I'd been that cop, or I might have yelled and talked trash like the Harvard demagogue. I don't know. I do know that minorities often think that whites are treated nice by police and that they trust them and aren't bothered. I had that discussion with a couple of Mexican women yesterday. I can tell you, that is simply not true.

What is true, from my observation, and I think it makes sense, is that besides being of a metal fix to control people, police don't tend to want to bother people with power. It so happens a lot of powerful people are white. There are a lot of them in this country, white people. Police will more likely abuse someone they think can't sue them successfully and who has no connections which might pose a threat to the job or promotion. Not all cops are bullies, but that trade attracts more than its share.

If the laws were not so plentiful and so many of them unnecessary, and the goal was to protect rather than control, there would be a different mindset instilled in Johnny Law, and you'd have fewer of these issues. But then they'd have to seriously deal with gangs and others who bother normal people. That is not being done, no matter what they say. It's much easier to go write tickets because someone did not turn the wheels to curb, or to collar a guy for growing pot. There are many ways to solve certain problems, like drunk driving for example. It is no coincidence that the favorite one is to stop everyone at a roadblock then require them to prove their innocence. Why not just hit the bar parking lots?

I know, there are many people who find no issue with the jackboot tactic of a roadblock requiring you to show credentials. I don't even drink, so I have nothing to hide. But what if I look at some cop wrong or don't show enough obeisance? Scary struff. We are headed to Stalin and Hitler's dream state, through the back door, and a lot of smart people are encouraging it.

Being smart is not a virtue unless it is used to good purpose. Controlling and stealing from others is not good. I've heard the argument against the views which goes, "So what do you suggest--just let everyone run amok?"

Just because I don't believe in punishing the good people because there are bad or irresponsible people does not mean I support the activities of the damned. Just because you can't think of a better way doesn't mean I can't, or that there is no better way. ============




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So today was a highly productive day and I kept out of trouble. Forgive me though, for I fear I may have had an impure thought or two. Mostly I had pure positive thoughts and felt grateful. The former thinking was more a would be grateful if sort of thing.

Tour mobile #2 soon

Who would have thought I'd ever be one to get hooked on the environmental earth worshipper, metrosexual, save the seals, sensitive dyke car of choice? That's rhetorical. Certainly not me, at any rate.

Well I am hooked. I'm as fond of subaru as I was of datsun before they became nissan.

Anyway, I looked at exactly one car, and made the deal. Last time I made the deal, then drove the 200+ miles and looked at ther car, then took it home. Not to say I didn't search around first. I just rarely go look unless I seriously think I might buy.

It is not in hand yet, although I did put deposit and agree to price. Until it is in hand I won't go much farther describing. It is not that almost purple blue, which at first seemed too something but then grew on me. I will say that. I almost wish it was that bluish purple color. I attach so much in the way of positive emotion to the times when that car was in the picture that the color now makes me feel good.

There are still things to be ironed out with ins. The major part has been settled. The rest will be settled soon enough, and I hope it goes properly. Proving innocence requires that people be honest and capable of logic and in this case a small amount of experience and understanding of cause and effect would help.

Remind me never to say a bad word about guitar players ever again. Without the advice support and expertise of friends and my guitar player, I'd not have done nearly as well and would not even have known where to start, as far as asserting my rights and attempting to keep things fair.

Say what you want about California. My old and new friends here are like the kind of people you'd hope to find in Heaven. Truly unbelievable. There are a lot of times when people surprise you out here. Just like everywhere there are wonderful people here and there, it just seems I've run into a disproportionate number of souls who are so kind it humbles me.

I'm relieved that the lizard finally stepped up to the plate enough that I could justify settling. Not that little character's first inclination, I can tell you.

Only thing is now I've committed to not going back east, so I will become one of the few US citizens actually moving TO California. Always swimming against the current. I hope getting the CA license is not too tricky. From the looks of things, it is like most states; ability to drive is not a prerequisite for getting a license to drive.

More Airboat Bob

Not sure where lost episodes have gone. If you know, please advise. Thank you.

This is better than detailing the saga of trying to prove innocence (hence save cost of deductible), insist on fair value so I can replace my beloved, late tour vehicle, and make it understood I am just now becoming a full fledged west coaster with no toe left back in Memphis. I have good fortune in that my guitar player is thick in that biz so he can guide me. Also I have friends who won't wear out for another day or two on this drama. It has to be very boring: "oh they said this and that's wrong. I was in vehicle A and B was where it shouldn't be and poor me, blablabla". No one can take too much of that.

OK. Now I'll put what I can for this installment of the airboat series. I'd fill in the blanks about characters and what little plot there was but I don't remember the details. The story and people must not have been too interesting if the creator of them forgets. Maybe an extrapolation of that syndrome is what gave rise to the God is dead movement. More plausible would be the assertion that God is bored. If everyone were me then he would be so glazed over snoozing he might as well be gone.

That is not to say I actually anthropomorphize God or think it is a He. I only think that if there are a bunch of them, then the one we usually claim to know is the mac daddy. I know what I'd do if I held that position in the scheme of things with a bunch of Aphrodite and such floating around. And you could shape shift etc. Yippee.

This pic is not animated



This one is animated. **It should be noted that, as far as I know there are no beaver in the Glades, however I have seen an otter or two in the canal off of Loop Road. I guess it is OK since this is fiction. Of course it is based on real people and a true story--if you'd like it to be...
It looks like text but it changes in awhile


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I'm pretty sure a missing episode goes here.

Then Airboat Bob and Swamp Buggy Sue are on their way to the little keg party over at Naked Nancy's. Naked Guitar Player is well settled in now. It all happened in a day, probably.


I'll just give the rest of what I have.


Last time I saw Airboat Bob, he was in the parking lot of this place outside Memphis somewhere.



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The End

*****lots of typos in that series. I knew it then and I know it now. A tedious process, and I never got around to changing the errors.



..



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The Real Airboat Bob very first episode

After this then go down to the post below the post below this, then back up to the post above that and under this one.
It appears there may be lost episodes, but there are pictures that clue what they may have been about, like intro to Swamp Buggy Sue whose name is actually Maria. I'm not quite sure how that worked.




S.B.Sue was quite the mechanic, and engineer. Her buggy was a high powered war wagon