Song of the South; part 2010

Another of the surprises which befell me after moving to SoCal is the general attitude toward the south. It comes out in off-handed comments on radio and TV, and elsewhere. Clearly, these people have not experienced much of that region.

Just like CA, it depends upon where you live whether you are surrounded by rednecks and ignorance and narrow mindedness, or not. CA is a beautiful place with a mostly nice attitude, but there is an abundance of what would be considered rednecks if we were in the South. Often people appear to be one dimensional, then when you know them one on one they prove to be intelligent and kind.

Most of my life has been spent in various parts of the South. I guess I get defensive when I hear an obviously uninformed slur which is born of a Hollywood construct. I lived in several parts of that region and I still consider parts of NC to be among the best places in the country.

I think it is the same mentality that suggests the public is too stupid to know how to govern themselves, that also assumes that people in the heartland and in the south are somehow too narrow to read or hold passports. I've heard rants to that affect on air America before it went belly up for the last time. It is often the stuff of the banter of smarmy political comic commentators.

Most people do not enjoy hearing their group lampooned or slammed, regardless of the basis of delineation; race, region, hair color, etc. When it is done from an obviously uninformed perspective it annoys. Most of us can laugh at ourselves, and do. But the humor comes from the knowing first hand of which we speak. When the outsider paints the picture based on hearsay and Hollywood stereotypes, then we don't laugh.

Wisdom From the 1930's

Even then advertising was aiming to press your buttons.

Fool, you probably thought smoking wasn't healthy and that she was faithful and telling you no lies.

Winter Olympics: part 2: Curling ROCKS !!!

Finally, I had a chance to watch some of the winter Olympics on a regular TV. A big one. I don't get NBC on my antenna driven box, so I've not seen much of it.

The flying tomato, Shaun White---clearly the best. I like that type of thing, always have. For some reason, almost anything to do with winter olympics holds my attention. Last night, after the spectacular stuff and speed races, all that was on was curling. You'd be surprised how engaging that can be when you pay attention. It was all women, and some were pretty. The skill and strategy are interesting to observe.

After awhile I was wanting to text the Canadian team, advising them on strategy. I didn't do it. It was late and I had work to do this morning so I forced myself to go to sleep without seeing how the matches ended. And without exerting influence on the teams.


They not only practiced curling at the 1924 Olympics, but they also knew how to dress for the occasion. Chamonix, France

Bears: have we given them too many rights?

One of the most surprising revelations from my experience on the BallisticTour was that everywhere you go in the west you are badgered about how to treat bears. No one seems to be asking the bears to be polite, only the people. Of course many people have fed and otherwise trained bears to know where junk food is, what coolers are for, and to seek human activity for free meals and vandalistic entertainment.

Even so, I hold that they need to observe at least a few rules themselves. Number one would be, don't mess with my stuff. Or eat my children. Well some children might not be missed, but most of them should be off limits. I think this is a real fear.

Just check out this evidence of a bear about to eat a cute child, then tell me this special bear treatment hasn't gone on too long. It is time our fellow mammals are taught manners, as well as those humans who appear to be witless.


case closed

Ooops!!! Maybe we were too late

Movie Review: Eli

Actually, it is called The Book of Eli. I won't spoil it but there is a twist to it here and there. The tough part is buying into the premise of the villain's motivation. Denzel's screen presence works regardless of story or script. The acting was good enough all the way through. Pretty much. Jennifer Beals and Mila Kunis were good just because they are naturally hot.

Much of the story uses the same technique some promos for local news teams use; slo-mo walking with camera angle shooting somewhat from the ground up to give that bigger than life effect. The NFL promos used to do some of that too. If you like slo-mo walkin', this is the flick for you.

It held my attention throughout and I would have stayed and watched the sequel had they kept going. It looks like one could happen, but I doubt it would work well unless they are more clever than I think they are.

It's set in a post massive war era. Must have been a nuke fest. This won't spoil anything, but the people who made cannibalism their main dinner habit all had very shaky hands. That's how people knew. You go into some strange place and they want to see your hands to be sure you won't filet them when they aren't looking.

Now I need to find out if a steady diet of human really does that. It could prove useful in avoiding cannibals down the road sometime. You never know. And since predators generally like herbivorous prey, I fear that normal omnivorous humans who turn cannibal might want to eat vegetarians first. Of course, I'd be happy to throw the obnoxious ones, who try to influence the diets of others, to the wolves, as it were.

I'm going to learn that slow motion power walk thing. People automatically think you are special, somewhat mystical, and tough when you can do it right. It is better for your image than even the moon walk.

I give the movie a solid B maybe a B+. Just solid B I think. Not bad. I actually wanted to see The Blind Side, but it wasn't playing there any more, and this was the movie that was playing in just a few minutes when I arrived at the theater.

A side note: the place is called Edward's Cinemas, however at night, since the neon is not working throughout the sign, it becomes "Edwar inemas". I never enter after dark--just in case.

This was a late birthday present to myself. One of many, I'm sure. It seems I've only seen one other movie there. I don't hit the theater much. A costly place. I wait for Hulu or Redbox. Or the library.

Winter Olympics: part 1

Since my boondock connection is spotty and slow tonight, I can only cover a bit at a time. So, rather than the usual marathon entry, bla bla bla

Tonight I want to know why sports like the following haven't been displayed since 1928. If they didn't want to use horses they could use fast running humans, or snowmobiles. I guess engine power is not in the spirit. Maybe some form of ice boat with a sail?


The good old days--

Random memories

A day from last big road trip. Montana, playing a little music with a bluegrass ace. Not bad on blues either. I liked playing with Bob.

Did I ever tell you about the phys ed coach at South Miami Junior High who took sips of Aqua Velva throughout the day? I suspect he substituted something in there for the after shave, or else he figured he'd smell good inside and out and no one would suspect he was a little drunk. I think half the faculty and administration of that school were perverts and un-convicted felons. They'd fry quickly in today's world, and should have probably fried back then.

There is a story my brother recently brought to my attention. Years ago in Miami, I was at a wedding and some strange girl decided I was approachable. She beamed as she announced, "I might be pregnant". I forgot my response, byt reportedly I replied that I may be happy for her. The girl was not quite right. I used to attract weirdos like a super charged magnet. I still do but not as powerfully. They used to travel miles, I'm convinced, just to drop little gems like that on me. It was supernatural.

I had a "67 MG sometime toward the last months or year of my drinking. That last couple of years was a blur. I do not have the slightest idea what happened to it. No clue whatsoever. I think I may have forgotten where it was parked, then forgot I owned it. That may have been when I ended up in the home for wayward musicians, siphoning heating oil from the abandoned house of the Cat Lady, who'd been institutionalized some month's prior to that. We had a big oil fired heater which I fixed so it would work We did not freeze. That is where I learned to wash clothes in a sink.

If you know what happened to my burgandy MGB, please advise. It ran well and the top did not leak. I remember putting new batteries in--two 6 volt batteries in tandem under that panel behind the seats. So, I know where I put the batteries but not the car.

This is not a story but I will advise with convinction that if any third parties ever try to interfere mediate or otherwise serve as some sort of agent between you and a love interest, boot them out, ignore them, do not explain anything to them, and if possible kick them within an inch of their lives.

Comedians often annoy me. Cheap shots on personalities which are borderline cruel get old quick, like years ago. I think the art of lampoon, satire, and that sort of thing has turned into something different. Sometimes it is still done cleverly and with style, but too often it is just thinly veiled cruelty or sadism. No examples given. It just happens.

A good combo for some entertaining ad lib is Rickles and Greg Ferguson.

A friend of mine was once murdered by a gangster and everyone knew who did it and that it was not self defense but he never even stood trial. Clearly much of Miami's law enforcement community and the attorney general of the state of Florida were corrupt. later the news caught that A.G. taking bribes on film, and he still did not suffer so much as a forced resignation. There was enough evidence and eye witness info that I wrote a letter to the state attorney general. Representatives came to the house while I was in school and grilled my mother about irrelevant info on me, assured her they'd 'look into it" and that was that. They knew I'd be in school. The letter included enough info on me and my relationship to the 17 year old that got shot on Christmas eve that past year.

A lot of people dream up reasons to support their belief that they are superior to the majority of the people they know. Unfortunately, I have had to listen to this while one of those sucked a relative into that conversation. They both concluded they were simply more evolved than losers like me. They did not mention me by name but every plus they analyzed was an achievement or outward reward that I did not possess. I felt like dirt that day, and I was visiting, and had flown in, broke, so there was no immediate escape. First time we came within spitting distance of the airport, I bolted. I took the earliest flight out. That visit still haunts me.

I don't know if one ever comes to grips with the lack of respect felt from flesh and blood, especially when it is not directly stated, just demonstrated. That is extremely difficult because it can't be hidden and probably not helped. But it would never be admitted. Lack of respect is pretty hard to hide and it stings in a way few things do. I suppose the source is what gives it weight or not. I regularly soak myself in motor oil hoping things like that will roll off, like water off a duck's back. No wonder some of my kin silently think I'm an idiot.

I probably think I'm not the brightest bulb in the chandelier myself. Or is it brightest bulb in the shed, or on the tree? See how this works?

Andy Roddick has one damned good looking wife.

I wish I did not have to do paperwork in order to live life. I'm behind on a lot of it. and I lose important documents regularly. It used to be that I was always losing my shoes somewhere in my dwelling or car. Now it is document loss. The trouble is I'll know there is some doc that needs attention but I'll forget which one or what it pertained to.

I'm going to save up so I can take another long winding road trip. Life keeps getting shorter. I'm pretty friggin old to be as young as I am. You can take that 2 ways. Only one is real. I want to parasail across the fruited plains. maybe catch some thermals and make it last for a hundred miles or so.

Astral projection

You have to wonder how I know it is snowing in Dallas and was able to bring back a picture of this snowman in that city without leaving home. I did not search and find it on the internet.

I put myself into a trance, tucked a camera in my shirt then mentally left my body, flying straight across the desert and other terrain until I reached Love Field. Dodging aircraft I made my way to the other side of town where I caught this snowman. By then it was time to come back home.

You can travel faster than planes when astral projecting. No sonic boom or anything because you don't actually bring that much mass along.
So, here's proof of the adventure, in case you doubt my story.

Conspiracy Theorist, Anarchist, Scofflaw, or reasonably sure we've been had from every angle

Recently I watched a documentary about the institution known as the corporation. Certain elements rang of truth, other parts were clearly skewed to elicit a predetermined conclusion. It was amusing to see cameos by Michael Moore in which he had to rant on about rich white men and how they are out of touch with real people and the world because a) they are white b) they are men and c) they are rich. He didn't add the pejorative "fat" this time.

Given that Moore is a rich white man, I am curious what separates him from those he hates? He even stretches the truth about his roots. He's from a small, rather stable town kind of like a Mayberry of the midwest which is not too far from Flint, but not Flint and not of the same situation. Who cares?

Anyway, from my own experience with a couple of corporations, one a giant, I found that they become almost indistinguishable from the government in many ways. They invariably have some political cause that they urge employees to support or fight. Always an obscure bit of legislation which applies specifically to that industry and the right or wrong of it is irrelevant.

I wondered how the culture of business grew to be what it is in the realm of heavily influential companies. Influential in the world of government. It irks me to hear the people who speak for or run such organizations claim the virtues of capitalism and free enterprise when their success and operation is nothing of the sort. Mini fiefdoms operating under protection of the King, using the booty confiscated from the serfs and subjects to further their aims. The set up is not proper.

The way it has gone, the ones hurt are the individual enterprises which are motivated to do a particular thing the best they can, not to use public resources to feed themselves at the expense of others. It is a big mess, actually.

People have been duped into believing that the choice is between unfettered activity by large companies which own other companies and ultimately no one can follow the trail of benefit and interest, or government control, oversight, permission, regulation, etc.

How anyone can assume that a body which praises one of their fallen members as "the King of earmarks" (Murtha---or as I liked to call him, Mothra. may he rest in peace and have no living twins ) is somehow just, altruistic and to be trusted with wealth and resources is beyond me.

The actual corporate structure in a legal sense developed from a very limited structure designed to serve a specified goal to what it is through legal actions which stretched constitutional amendments designed to ensure the free status of a people, post slavery.

Just about everyone knows that there is something wrong with the way the system has developed, but they assume that this is what has provided the standard of living we experience. I think that industry, initiative, free enterprise in a pure sense, and inventiveness provided this. Mass production and all that. Those things are not dependent upon despotic institutions which influence wars taxes, penalties for competition etc.

The only way these things get out of hand is to have full time life long agents in the government to do the dirty work. They have the guns on their side, and exercise increasing control over citizens. I wonder why, as controls have increased, people are less comfortable letting their kids go play outside without being guarded? It has not increased security or safety.

At this time, I have no real solution in mind. I do think the economic structure is screwed up on every level, from the FED to the stock system.

Much of it comes down to the fact that people in this country have totally forgotten that our structure was designed specifically to protect people from inevitable encroachment by government, and from the tyranny of the majority over the minority. That's why everything is not done by a majority vote of the people to implement whatever whim might be popular that day. I have heard many people tell me that the constitution is an old document and has to grow or bend with the times because things and people change. Few of these people have actually read it, or explored any background to see why things were structured as they were.

It was wrong to steal 500 years ago, and it is wrong now. No one has developed a better system for a country this size. It was designed to avoid the diminishing returns and resultant tyranny over centralization brings.

So, because we allowed two parties to dominate and be authorities over our lives we stupidly think we really are choosing between evil corporations or the "voice of the people". You are just choosing between puppets, and that ought to be obvious.

If there were a difference, one of the two would be moving to abolish the irs, the homeland security department, and would be fighting hard to undo various aberrations which allow search and seizure without probable cause, and any other number of laws which favor one group or style of company over another. If everyone is equal under the law, all the things based on condition of birth would be irrelevant.

I remember the phone company in Miami, and how small businesses would call up to have the bill explained and half the people in the company could not explain it. One charge which was usually falsely described as a tax which went to the FCC was, in fact, a charge which went directly to the phone company. They had managed to get a law passed which required them to charge this fee and to call it fcc access. It was supposed to compensate them for their losses when the big Bell was forced to break into smaller Bells--divestiture. I hated that company. It was as Orwellian as anything I've ever seen. But it did prepare me for the double talk of the airlines.

The point is, there is something wrong with the set up. It is the job f corporations to make money for the stockholders, ostensibly. But what happens is that you get the kind of mentality that pervades authoritarian institutions in which a guy may be detaining someone who he knows doesn't deserve it, but he is "just doing my job". It becomes a somewhat sociopathic environment.

That fact provides fertile ground for those who hate successful and wealthy people to play victim and demand that government take over. Of course they plan to be on the good end of that. That path just leads to a fascist or communistic type of tyranny and control. It does nothing to help and often makes it worse. Of course if misery loves company, then there is plenty of love before long because standard of living ultimately takes a dive. People get tired of seeing their freedom to choose go down the drain.

If those things work well, why were so many people from such countries scrambling to get to the USA for so long? As our actual freedoms erode, the character of immigration has changed. More and more people come here only to take what they can while despising the place. It is great for criminals and such. Our drug policies have done nothing more than enrich crime families here and abroad, promote violent crime, and distract people from seeing their rights go down the tubes. Terrorism has been used similarly. Citizens harassed while clearly psychotic religious nuts caught red handed murdering or attempting it get the best defense and benefit of the law; things often skimped on with the regular citizen.

Of course, then you get people who can't tell the difference between a terrorist and a restaurant owner who came here from lebanon in the 70's because he saw opportunity and loves freedom.

Got to have someone to hate so rather than really look at what's what, we can hate banks, white people, other people, Christians, Jews, Druids (no one hates druids), and of course, The Rich. It is off the mark. And it leads to people allowing themselves special treatment at the expense of others. Eventually the inequality comes back to bite. That is the cycle that has to be broken--accepting what is not rightfully yours, and allowing control over others which you wouldn't want applied to your own life.


One progression which is interesting seems to be due the need in people to believe in things greater than themselves. That has led to one form of middleman or another between the individual and his soul or creator forever. You could substitute "purpose" or "meaning" for soul, etc. First you get holy men or the most formidable at violence running things and controlling resources and fruits of labor. Usually there was an alliance between the two.

Eventually the governmental types decided they could cut out the religious leaders, except when it served their purpose, so now huge numbers of people look at government as a sort of god. They are clueless where the money and power come from, they just bow to it for crumbs and retribution against "the rich" or heterosexuals or who knows. It's like GOD, maybe vindictive in strange ways but beyond reproach because it is god. Lot of government worship going on.

Then there is the thing of assuming that all enterprise is good and that whatever a corporation does is OK. They become another type of deity, and often they provide a good deal of security, at least it appears so until that gig ends. The degree of loyalty takes faith and suspension of values far too often. People sell out cheap when it comes to right and wrong. It sucks not to have something powerful, that can put gas in the tank and bread on the table, to worship. Got to believe in something. Other manifestations of tribalism are somewhat taboo, particularly to white heterosexual men, so they do like Mike and try to get an honorarium into a tribe that has some teeth by renouncing what they are.

Too bad the tribe of philosophical basis which promotes choice and freedom regardless of irrelevant factors is minimal at best.

The business of victimization is still thriving and still clouding the knife thrown in the backs of those believing they are getting longed for strokes to ease their frustration. Sad.

Not sure how to fix it. Keeping petty greed in check is a start. Don't take that public money for something you know is pretty useless to the population. Taking public money to study bigfoot is less harmful than some tax expenditures but still a scam.

Thank You Mother Nature!!!

Unbelievably fantastic news. Talk about a silver lining in a dark cloud. I read that over 230,000 government workers in DC are having to stay home because of the snow. That is the best news I've heard in ages. I'm hoping enough legislators are out of the city to prevent a quorum. That would be icing on the cake.

If only this could happen every couple of weeks. Or maybe forever. I love it when the bureaucracy grinds to a halt.

These are wondrous times. Blizzards, which along with droughts, have been decided by deciders to be the result of farm animals, tractors and industry, have come to rescue the masses, if only for a moment. Nature is not as mean as she looks.