Consumer product review #10726 and 10726.2,:: and I was thinking

Popcorn. Jolly Time is a name you can trust.

I think that says it all. It won't stop me from expounding, though. Microwave popcorn is for people with a desire to eat flavored styrofoam. MSG, maybe DDT, and LSD. It just is not the same as Jolly Time cooked in a pan.

It takes no longer to make it the right way, anyhow. Each to his/her/its own. Jolly time is the real deal. It tastes like the real America. Pop it right and you can't lose. I give Jolly Time 2 thumbs up. The bag is re-sealable, and unlike most resealable bags, it actually works.

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Those little plastic things they often use in lieu of a twist tie. They are an abomination. What is the point of that? They tear the plastic when you wrestle them off so you can get to the bread, then when you try to close the bag with them, no way they keep air moisture and dreaded diseases out. You could drive a bus in there if you were a gnat and the bus was to scale.
Whoever came up with that bright idea was only trying to shave manufacturing costs and did so at the expense of quality. I denounce that person as a rude pretender who is of the ilk that give free enterprise a bad name.

Two thumbs down for the plastic pseudo clip on the bread packaging.

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Do people like Sean Penn and Oliver Stone think they would have survived had they been living in Cuba as they are here- fame fortune, money-- and that Castro and Che would not have either killed them or stripped them of their wealth when they marched in? So many of those people, the Che shirts and Hollywood elite amaze me. I do not think they see even a shred of reality. And they are rich. You don't have to have much insight in order to be wealthy. (My pep talk for the day).
So when O. Stone and gang sing the praises of Hugo Chavez and claim he's not an abuser of rights, I kind of wish they'd move to a place like that and see how long it takes to lose. All that has to happen is that their happiness no longer be a benefit to the propaganda machine, and bam, they are among the masses. They would not like that.
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I still think the cutting edge in wheelchairs, as far as what normal people in need can afford, is light years behind where it should be. It is absurd that someone confined to a chair doesn't typically have the ability to rise up to cabinet level, overcome curb size bumps in terrain, etc. I know. Those who complain about technical and design issues should take the trouble to design something better. Otherwise you sound like some entitlement ingrate whiner.

If the money putting braille at drive up windows and putting ramps where no one goes had been put to designing versatile, go anywhere mobility devices, we might be ahead of the game. That's ok. This nut will be one day cracked. Maybe that guy who designed those 2 wheel scooters is still working on that. He had a chair with gyro/computer stabilizing technology, like in the Segue, and it did a lot of good things. I don't know if they ever went further--got cost down, made it more adaptable to a variety of disability types, etc. Sometimes I wonder at the priorities when it comes to infirmities. I definitely wonder about the approach. Like always it misses the real underlying issue.

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I do not think I buy the argument that if we "weren't fighting them over there, we'd be fighting them over here". The MidEast is a lunatic land, with religious states and civil wars also revolving around religion. You cannot reason with that and you cannot fix that. Stability can never be had. You want to take out a group or leader--go for it--assassinate. It sounds crude but it would be less bloody and expensive than now.

We may have to deal with them over here anyway. We keep kissing up to people by not understanding that freedom of religion does not mean everyone else has to somehow contribute to you by accommodating you peculiar needs and desires. WORSHIP AND BELIEVE WHATEVER YOU WANT, as long as you are not violating my rights, my space, etc.

How would you know if you won a victory in one of those places? How can you tell? I am not sure I've heard it defined in any terms simple enough for me to grasp. I have never approved of our involvement in that part of the world. That goes back several decades. It is a sick trouble making thing, and I am not totally clear on motive other than the strategic nature of the location. I learned that playing Risk, way back when.

California Dreamin--part 724

Sometimes radio ads aren't that intelligible. I would have sworn I heard the ecited lady in the ad say, "The best thing about Burger Barn is that they use CRACk fed beef!!!".

Well, it is the land of fruits and nuts, maybe someone has been feeding crack to their cattle. Possibly it started accidentally. I imagine the drug enforcement people were winding their way up the driveway and an alert crack dealer threw the stuff in a feeding trough, the cattle ate it, he had a big cookout to celebrate 4-20 and everyone raved about the beef. An idea was born.

It makes sense. I think the main entrepreneurial opportunities in the state are drug related. Most of your employees don't care to be listed on the books and you can maintain a relatively low overhead. Normal stuff doesn't pay, and hiring people that you have to list is heavy liability.
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I was thinking of that song, "If you're going to San Francisco/ be sure to wear flowers in your hair..."
It puzzled me that all the toilets I'd seen were those 6 liter/1.5 gallon jobs. Often they do not work well at all. Then I realized it was something mandated in the name of green and saving water. The trouble is that it often takes 10 flushes to do the trick.

And this is not just me, over at the political puppeteer's place there have been issues unrelated to me from time to time.

Then after I thought of that song, I thought of the beginning of an updated version:

"If you're going to California// be sure to wear a plunger in your hair"

I'm afraid to dwell on further lyrics. That is a catchy start though.
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I haven't checked out this site, however this animation di recently cross my credenza, and I cannot argue with their assertions regarding what is right and wrong concerning rights.

http://www.isil.org/resources/introduction.swf

May be a radical outfit, but the part to which I refer is philosophically straightforward, neither promotes nor targets any group. It is nice to see something purely based on principle. I'll have to see the rest of the site to know if they just suck you in then go off in directions which contradict the asserted value system.

Here's another amusing item that crossed my credenza. That credenza is like friggin Grand Central Station these days.


PS: I do think the earth's temperature is cycling, but I do not think this cycle can be changed by ceasing human activity, nor do I think human activity has significantly influenced the situation. It is like me telling you there will a lunar eclipse if you don't pay me money and do as I say. Those things come in cycles.

Why This Won Blues Award

Jason Ricci won harmonica player of the year at the Blues awards, something more important in that world than grammys, partly because no harmonica player of the year is awarded at grammy festivities. Everyone wants a grammy, don't get me wrong. I want a grammy. And an oscar and the nobel prize, even if I think louts and no accounts have wormed their way in to receiving a few of those. I still want one or all.

Here's a great solo improv by Jason Ricci, in Ft Lauderdale, a bit over a year and half ago. He since got robbed, flooded out, sick and is beginning a new project which is out of New Orleans--the Sex Kitten band--I heard one cover they do and think it is doomed to succeed.

If only I would customize my harps for overblows and had the effects he plays through. It would not make me play like this--just nice to have. Believe me he can play through no mic or anything and bring the house down.



He is one step beyond almost everyone. One of my favorites for sure. And a rather bright, personable guy.

Missing the Point on Hot Rod Sherrod

When the famous tape came out in which Shirley indicated she did not feel as encouraged to help a white farmer due to race, way back when, I also saw the part in which she said it opened her eyes.

Nothing about the event surprised me, although I found much of it a little bit troubling. However, I think it was blown up stupidly. As much by her fickle friends and associates as by those who broke the story. More so, when you consider all things.

Instead of it being about black vs white, she sees it as have nots vs haves. Wrong again Shirley. It is about right and wrong, about willingness to take what is not yours and willingness to use government to do so.

That may not be clear when you look at every case of the moment, but behind the problems somewhere you will see the ugly truth--avoidance of enforcing protection against force and fraud while enacting regulation after bogus regulation pretending to correct problems created by an irresponsible government.

Some problems will happen in anyone's life. Can't change that, much as you try.

It seems quite clear to me that Shirley had and may still have a skewed view of other cultures and races. Her implication that a white lawyer is a white farmer's "own kind" is way off base. "Own kind" is rarely felt by white people based on race alone. It is not how it works. Her comments sounded eerily like the politically incorrect use of "you people" in addressing African Americans--even the ones who are totally American, and not at all African.

I'm amazed that the administration went off on her without even asking her what the tape was about. Then they blame those who publicized the video. Same with the NAACP--running off half baked to avoid credibility issues. Makes you wonder how many other times they take action without vetting facts or seeking the whole truth. That is a very scary thing.

More disturbing than Ms Sherrod's feelings that the white guy deserved less help for being white, was the snickering in the background. Obviously a room full of people who relish the thought of a poor white guy getting pay back for things not of his making. She was making the point that the difficulties of poor farmers aren't a race issue. I give her credit for that.

I'm sure we disagree on the role of government, period. But those things happen.

Although I believe there is no question that this administration is often supportive of racists, and so is the NAACP, I think the whole Sherrod debacle was a stupid exercise on the part of those who oppose this government's policies.

I oppose almost everything this Congress and president have done, but I am often embarrassed at the stupid approach many other dissenters take. They end up doing the same game of half truth and gotcha that typifies the heavy handed government supporters.

If it wasn't done using other people's money, I would not care how they felt regarding race. I'd love to see that become a non issue. Last thing I want to do is to automatically think of friends' race when interacting. Lately that is hard because it is all you hear. Racist this, Cracker that, Black power, Nazi, KKK, oh he said this, she said that.

Say whatever you want. Just don't enforce your bigotry with the taxpayer's dollar. You have every right to hate white people, black, people, any people. You have no right to harm them or restrict their life and freedom.

We are entering an age in which saying a thing is verboten, but actually interfering with another's rights is not. That is bass ackwards. I prefer you don't hate every iota of a cracker, but as long as you don't suggest murder and such, have at it.

So, Shirley, if "my kind" was defined only by race, life would be easy. But the truth is, my kind are the sort who focus on things other than race, can use common sense, and who do not assume they have the right to what belongs to others, including the evil RICH.

Most white lawyers and, sometimes, white farmers, do not fall into the subset of humanity you'd refer to as my "own kind". It is tough for you to make that leap into looking at content of character, etc. rather than race in seeking "your own kind" since you lived in the days when the Jim Crow era was breathing its last dying gasps.

But if you truly want to be fair and believe in equality under the law, then you must force yourself to let reason guide your emotions.

Also, with a boss like that, I'd watch my back. Obviously the whole truth is the last thing they go for in making decisions.

Character Flaws Start At Home

Once again I have to face the fact that I have allowed myself to be something other than the man I think I should be. It is stupid and I have no explanation why I am as I am, and why this has been something which has followed me on and off for years.

It's the damned clutter/mess build up issue. I leave places in as good or better shape than I find them, yet while there I seem to become overwhelmed by my own mess and clutter. Damned if it hasn't happened again.

The result is that I never invite anyone over, and I hide like a scared mouse from the landlord. In my case, I am renting a cottage from very nice people. Yet I think I feel I have somehow violated a trust because this place is a total clutter fest---boxes, papers, containers not yet opened and sorted from the move two years ago, lost plates in the mess, empty water bottles and I don't know what. I've been here before. Too ashamed to let anyone in, and too befuddled to fix it until there is no choice.

Now there is no choice. Mr R wants to paint the front porch and posts in front--TOMORROW. Painting the wood stoop may mean actually opening the door. Yikes!!! He is a naturally neat type. His carport workshop is orderly, a place for all and all in its place. Cars are always immaculately clean. Woe is me.

So...I have hatched a plan.

Since I am not quite as steeped in fear of fellow humans as I was a few years ago in Memphis, and Greensboro before that, I'm not so paralyzed.

I will move all these containers to the back deck, move the myriad of trash to trash bags, maybe even opening an unopened piece of mail or two, I will then be able to see the floor which can be vacuumed. I will start at about 3AM, in case I don't feel like doing it this minute.

Then I can deal with whatever is in the containers, consolidate, reject the needless, donate the worthy, and become somewhat organized. It is not that damned complicated but of all the things in life it is by far the most painful of tasks to me. I find dealing with power outages and hurricane damage less taxing.

This personal weakness is one reason I never bitch about who works and who doesn't. I merely focus on the fact that no one has the right to steal or demand support from others. If that landed me in the woods the so be it. I'd love to be able to blame THE MAN for my shortcomings, or my race, or the fact that I'm not gay, but I cannot.

We shall overcome. This is the perfect opportunity to get moving on with life. All my nearly baked and half baked schemes and plans rely on this clutter dissolution anyway. It is a sign.

So is the ambivalence about certain work in the wonderland place where I earn most of my money. Hedge your bets, young man!! That is what message I hear loud and clear. I'm particularly impressed that the Powers That Be call me "young" man.

It's America, anything is possible

I'm trying to program myself to think like the above board immigrants who sought freedom, and the right to carve out their own opportunities, in days past. That is slightly different from seeking a way to suckle off the governmental, publicly funded teat.

I'm amazed at the degree to which this country has reverted to a mentality of tribal, ethnically based politics, and bias. You cannot disagree, dislike, or criticize anyone's philosophy without it becoming an issue based on condition of birth rather than condition of ideology. It is of course more this way depending upon whom you criticize.

I believe those who can't resist that manner of quelling opposition have been duped. Obama's administration is no more about race than Bush's. Inviting the ethnic bigots into positions of power is merely a tactic to galvanize voter groups and stay in control, and in office.

The one ethnic group which is most difficult to solidify into a voter block is the one comprised of white Americans. By convincing all other groups to be angry and to aim that at whites, as if they had a racial agenda and more power than they actually do, you can garner a controlling interest in many respects. The difficulty comes when people think in terms of philosophy, right and wrong, and not in terms of race.

If it weren't for race constantly being thrown up in the news, and drawn into matters in which ethnicity is irrelevant, a huge portion, likely the majority of whites would rarely even think in such terms. Most still don't entertain private discussions on the matter, even though it is constantly thrown out there. Many fear that any analysis of the matter might get them accused of being racist, even though they are not.

It has been the goal of many to ensure that blacks and hispanics, among others, think always of ethnicity first, no matter what the issue. They have succeeded in instilling this mind set. They have also convinced various groups that the average white gathering includes racial talk, which is purely bogus.

I am sorry to see that Obama has fueled this fire, in what appears to be a very calculated manner. But, considering that his party and the republicans both seek something other than ensuring maximum choice and freedom for their constituents, it is not unusual that he would seek personal power, and power for his party no matter the ultimate cost to others.

That is one thing I definitely do not miss about the south, particularly Memphis and Atlanta--the ever present black bigotry. In the stores, on the street, everywhere. You notice the cases in which you can interact human to human because most of the time the atmosphere is anger because you aren't black. I don't need a history lecture, but maybe they do--I and my ancestors had zero to do with the past or present condition of Africa and Africans, and nothing to do with people in Memphis. I am of the era when it hurt more than helped if prospective employers knew my race going in.

One thing I do miss is the interaction with those of other ethnicity who are not racists and constantly seeing the world in those terms.

I've seen white racists too. The difference is that for many decades they've been loudly derided by other whites, and they are a very weak minority. In the case of black racists, this is not so. KKK gets shouted down by whites when they make a scene, New Black Panthers don't get that same very strong put down from blacks, they get a chorus of "black power".

Not equal freedom, period, or liberty for all--power, meaning control, based on ethnicity. That is the very thing that gave rise to the alleged roots of the anger. I say alleged because you'd think no one would want to be the same as that which they despise. Apparently it is not the act or philosophy they hate, only that they weren't of the slave owning class.*

*also note, since many not from the south do not know, only a very small percentage of people owned slaves, and some of those were black. That makes nothing right, as forcing involuntary servitude is pure evil and why I despise an ever intrusive state. Wrong is wrong but get the facts before blaming millions of uninvolved people a century or so after the fact. Why are you not outraged that there is still African owning African slavery in some areas? It absolutely is the most evil of acts--forced control over another human;

So, the mess will continue because how else can Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, and the NAACP stay in the spotlight and make money? And of course this obvious bigotry seems to bring neo nazis and kkk types back out of their hole. I notice I hear mention of KKK more than ever, not because of any gatherings or activities, but because the hate instigators keep bringing their name into the discussion to avoid discussing principles. That will of course summon them. It's like satanists performing rituals to summon the devil. What the hell is wrong with you?

Changeling Gypsy

The more I attempt not to try to fit molds that just don't work, the more I find some of my choices and attitudes toward what I want shifting. It is not easy to explain exactly what that means, probably because I don't care to divulge every detail.

For some reason, I have spent a lifetime confused over how to fit myself into polite and 'normal' society. What is craziest about that is that I usually get along with people, enjoy more trust and affection in ways than I would ever expect. Yet, I'm inwardly more confused about the way of things than seems reasonable.

What is cool about the last few years is that I'm finding it easier to accept where I am and what I am, even though I still don't know what. It is that feeling that I need to justify my existence and choices which is fading. Some things stay constant, and some don't.

How this relates to the Texas tour is unknown. Oh, just brought that up out of nowhere. It is only a feeling, but I think there is a connection there. I'm becoming increasingly excited about the prospects of a road trip. It takes money so I am determined to find a way to earn enough as quickly as possible.

At first I thought I had great opportunity to earn a lot in the next few weeks but it seems that some projects I was ready to do did not resonate well with the house manager when I mentioned them, on the phone just minutes ago. There is still work, but the specifics are not as thought, or so it seems.

Can't worry about that. A few nights on the gigolo circuit ought to make up for that. I'm seeking blind clientele who aren't too good with seeing with their fingers. Bound to be a ton of women in that category who have tons of money and an indiscriminate libido which is only active if they are paying top dollar. Yes, I know that makes me a bit whorish, but what the heck. It is all a part of liberating the sexes.

One thing has not changed--I still think air conditioning is one of the best inventions ever, even though I do not have it here on Ballistic Mountain, and restrain from using it most of the time in the car--saving fuel.

Believe it or not, I do remain silent at times

Just now something came to my attention and I had plenty to say. But I didn't comment. Let sleeping dogs lie. Or lying dogs sleep. There was no lying involved in this instance. Just ghosts.

It is not easy to play like you are with it when you know you have never been. Maybe it comes from that ringing in the ears. That has been there so long I don't ever recall not having it. The main time it is a bother is when they do advertisements designed to make you notice it, and when I am outside in a woodsy setting or on Ballistic Mountain. It is tough to tell if there are an abundance of crickets chirping or if it is just the usual noise produced internally.

I want to ride thermals in some sort of hang glider that would keep climbing indefinitely. I wonder how high I could go before passing out. And if I did lose consciousness, what would happen next? Probably wake up as I approached land or hit a mountain or tree. It's would be worth finding out.

Watching a "Debate"

I was just watching a slow streaming video of a debate between various candidates for governor of Illinois--green, two independents, constitution, and libertarian. Republican and Democrat didn't show up. Why would they? If they don't show the news doesn't cover it, and they can be sure the public ignores the fact that they are not the only ones running.

Even so, it amazes me to listen to all these people claim that they can do better those things government ought not do. It is not so much the fact that tax money is wasted or that program will or won't redesign humanity as we know it. The problem is that we let go of the limits on the function of government long ago, and without super strict limits, it will always be wasteful and more corrupt than not. Laws against force and fraud, infringing on property rights and individual liberty, are not uniformly enforced, if enforced at all.

So instead of it being about what basic functions should be served, it is about everything else. Oldest trick in the world--the old misdirection play.



Oh well. So, I intend to roam around a bit as soon as I save a little more money. I'll keep my eye open for good places to settle when we enter the era of health insurance outlaws and scofflaws. No use dwelling on what I can't change, but when it does affect me, it is not a bad idea to be aware of what is going down. Since I am willing to draw the line and not follow dictators or authoritarian regimes, I simply won't cooperate. Not out to do any harm or mischief.

Maybe it is good I have less to lose than most. Maybe I have more, who knows. Less tugging at me to be herded with the rest. No family to be hurt or any of that. I can see if I had kids at home, they'd think I was nuts, then later in life they'd possibly think I was right. I do think now is the time to live, and screw cooperating with the insanely intrusive and abusive.

It is not easy to be a gypsy. Got to have a po box at least, insurance, licenses (driving, fishing, one to own a cat, one on the car, etc.) bank account, and not look suspicious. You'd be surprised.

So, contribute to the gypsy vagabond relief fund. If you don't I'll get public service ads made and put them all over the place with film of me looking pitiful, victimized, alone and forlorn--the usual guilt trip. It will be sickening. You can prevent this.

Gypsy Blood

It has been thought that I may have gypsy in my genes. No, not a gypsy in my jeans, although depending upon the gypsy, I don't reject that plan. Lots of good looking gypsy women, if movies are true to life, and I'm sure they are.

That trip in the fall keeps coming to mind. I may have enough work between now and whenever to pull it off. Most likely it won't include much more than a run to Texas and then back, but let's not think in restrictive terms. It could be a wide ranging tour, depending on factors both known and unknown.

That kind of thing makes me smile inside. But I also realize this is an indication that I am ahead of my time.

Long before I heard it from an Art Bell guest in the late 90's, I reasoned that the only way the human race will endure into a future almost unlimited is to find another planet, solar system, galaxy. Pretty much in that order. Eventually the sun is going to swallow us up and the neighborhood will not be what it was.

I think we have plenty of time, but only if we advance in all ways. I think there will be some system which involves dimensions and time and twists not yet considered. In any case if this species wants to survive billions of years, we need to embrace our inner gypsy. Or, you can embrace me, your outer gypsy--depending upon who you are, mentally, spiritually, and aesthetically. Not necessarily in that order.

Good thing there is no urgency for billions of years, I have yet to even enjoy all the cool places just in this country.

Help fund my trip. It is tax deductible, I give you a voucher that says so, signed by me.
You can make your checks out to "cash" if you choose, and just send them to Descanso, CA, or Ballistic Mountain, CA. Should be fine.