Occupied Failure

Despite my best efforts at the Occupy Descanso, the ATM inside Perkins store still charges a fee. Filthy bourgeois oppressors.

I demand legislative action. It won't dispense cash if your account is temporarily short, but I know it has the money and could if it wanted. That ATM needs to be taken down!

It still seems like we'd have more success if I weren't the only occupier in this grass roots movement here in the back country.

Darn and Dang It

The more I look at it, the more it looks like I'll not be making a Christmas road trip. I may have to get my major car service done here rather than at the best Subaru service department ever, in Dallas. And then I could fly south and be at the mercy of others for week, and fly back.

That lack of escape option bothers me. I like to be able to hit the road at will. It is easy for my family visits to run their course in just a few days. Flight prices are such that I would be there a week, should I choose to fly.

Due to our security regulations and the airlines bizarre practice of charging you if you bring luggage, I wouldn't have much there with me to pass the time should I need a mental escape. I guess I can bring my computer without issue, so there is that. Clothes-wise I'll have to travel rather light.

I suppose I should make up my mind soon. I don't think the tickets are going to drop in price and it looks like they are fairly booked up. Flights to Miami are already prohibitive. Ft Lauderdale is the only hope which means they have to drive a long way to pick me up and drop me off.

It is tempting to call the whole thing off, but I think I'll forever regret it if I do. This may be a last chance of some kind. It seems that way but I can't say why. Once in awhile my hunches pan out. Usually they are probably off. I don't know because I generally forget the hunch.

Won't You Donate to My Cause?

My remaining family consists of a brother and his offspring, as well as an aunt and her off spring. I have other cousins on my father's side but they refuse to communicate. That was a huge surprise to me, but I get the idea that my father and his wife must have said some things which put me and my brother in a bad light. It is too bad because he would only have done that to cover his own abuses.

Then again, if people are dimwitted enough to go by hearsay and not find out for themselves when it comes to the character of others, I guess they deserve what they get, or don't get.

This Christmas is one in which all of my brother's brood, small though it is, will be together in Florida. They have encouraged me, more than they normally would, to show up. I think it is because this won't be a yearly gathering. Now that his sons are hooked up with good looking, splendid chicks, they will do the holidays with their sweethearts families at least every other year.

It used to be an annual gathering and my mother was there for most of those. I finally began showing up, too, and I rarely had a better time. Maybe I never had a better time. My sister in law's brother (not sure of correct syntax for that possessive, so this will do) is married to a good looking Cuban and they have the best party of all time on Dec 24th, the Buena Noche party, or something close to that name.

I've not been there for the last couple of years. Maybe three.

Somehow I am not sure if there will be more gatherings which have that same flair after this one. So, I think I should go. Besides I don't know what my future will bring, if anything. I feel more mortal than usual lately.

That is where you can help. This trip will cost plenty and if I am to see Texas cousins and my aunt, and make it to Tavernier in the Florida Keys (just south of Key Largo), then your contributions may be necessary. A few hundred from ten of you would be great, or just send me a few thousand or more. The sky's the limit!!

I'll work on ways to make it tax deductible. And you can rest easy knowing that I will plant things all along the way to offset your carbon footprint.

I'll send you a certificate which proves you are fighting climate change and making life better for mutant hermits. That's an offer no one could resist.

Thank you in advance for taking responsibility for my wanderlust and family ties.

Interesting Ideas Never Cease to Occur

Whether you think the sky is falling or that we're all going to hell in a handbasket, people continue to create. Even if Al Gore or your local university guru suggests that there are only so many ways to do something, someone out there will prove them wrong.

That is the error of subsidizing chosen industries, especially in the field of energy production and conservation. You promote a narrow band of technology in doing so, when it is likely that other things which would survive the market suffer as a consequence. Time and money end up being wasted on things that are probably not the best approach. It happens.

An interesting reader who seems to know plenty about me sent me this link http://www.popsci.com/popsci/flat/bown/2007/innovator_2.html. The linked story tells the tale of a guy who has created a machine that uses microwave technology to extract fuels out of many every day objects, and it yields more energy producing gases and substances than it uses.

Here's a picture of the guy and his pal. He's lighting the torch off of fuel from the recycle device. You can throw tires in there and get all kinds of good things. This idea is an excellent one which doesn't involve screwing up land, taxing manufacturing companies for carbon footprint or any of that. It only makes sense that things like this would be developed. But does it please those who only see solutions in mandate, taxing, and controlling all? Doubtful.



It cheers me up to discover that people have created great new inventions or clever designs. I realize when those things come to my attention that life and being human is not about pain, suffering and jumping into causes formulated by those who will forever create, then combat such problems, but about the thrill of seeing a thought about something that improves life reach fruition, and about enjoying the good things which are in one's personal world. The collective hoopla is primarily a limiting factor when it comes to the good things.

 But I guess the creators are not the bulk of humanity, and the majority will forever be confused by them. Of course some creative people do use the herd to lock out others when they lack the integrity to do otherwise, but that is very often not the case. Many and inventor has been too busy and focussed on his ideas to even comprehend the corruption which gets in the way.

There are some really cool things out there. Thank you Verbi for sending some of them to my attention.

Is This Man Insane?

Or just evil...

"It's very clear that private-sector jobs have been doing just fine; it's the public-sector jobs where we've lost huge numbers, and that's what this legislation is all about," Reid said on the Senate floor.

Harry Reid, you are a whore who knows no shame, and you never cease to reach new depths in proving that you think citizens of this country are idiots. Your checks from the unions such as SEIU are in the mail.

Blazing on a sunny afternoon, in a summertime

It became summer again. I thought we'd slipped straight into winter, then we had some hot days over 85 degrees. No way to figure this climate.

Exciting Times With Magic Wax

Once upon a time I was clueless about the finish on the Englishman's garage doors. Misinformation mixed with rare initiative led to a disaster which I feared might cost me thousands of dollars to make right.

I wrote about it at the time. I fretted and searched for answers, and fretted some more. Then I met Raul who had applied the magic finish in the first place. He kindly let me in on the secret. Making the doors right involved sacred rituals, culminating in the application of Raul's secret Santeria wax formula. It smelled a bit like gasoline, and looked like black shoe polish.

Those were the days; probably 100 hours hand sanding the textured wood, then performing the prescribed rites. The end result was stellar and saved my reputation. He told me to re-apply the stuff every six months or so, and to charge a lot. I still don't charge enough.

It has been more than six months, maybe more than I year--I lost track. I had some of the formula left over from before but it was pretty well solidified. To solid to brush onto anything. You brush this paste on then after awhile, wipe off the excess.

I do not possess a gas can and don't have a lawn mower and homeowner implements so I only keep gas in the car. It was my first choice for something to soften the dark glob of sacred material. Then I recalled that the person who revealed the elements which combine to make this stuff said "or diesel fuel" right after listing gasoline as final ingredient.

Being the clever one, I thought to myself, "mineral spirits is not so different from diesel fuel. That is what I used and it appears to have worked, although the behavior of the coating was a little different. I'm not sure it didn't work better. It dried more slowly so I treated larger areas before wiping it down. The ticket is for the dark stuff to remain in nooks, crannies, and crevices. It gives it a aged, rustic look while leaving a waxy soft feel to the wood.

Eight hours later I was done. These are big doors. Six of them.

Now I am an expert. And that makes me think it is time to find another source of income. It is nice to do something like that a couple of times, but in reality I am not Mr Home repair and maintenance. It is like the teak. OK. I learned, I experimented with ways to deal with a couple of different types of it and I did the maintenance. Now it is repetitive and not much for holding my attention.

But, until I get the alternative decided, and up and running I better keep this stuff going. It does give me the inside line on this administration, and some glimpse of how they live on the other side. People in some ritzy areas are no fun at all. That is clear. But you go to some other ritzy 'hoods and those people have fun. Even the trophy wives and trophy teens are more personable.

In Rancho Pricko their greatest fear is being caught smiling or being courteous if there is no obvious social or business advantage to be had. I guess you get thrown out for that, or they take away your sugar daddy or trophy wife. Or trophy gigalo, just to be PC. Truthfully you see very little of that. Tennis pros are the trophies of the trophies, but that is somewhat on the sly.

It is always interesting to see how people behave in certain settings though. That kind of thing has long been studied in my travels. The puzzling aspect is why that particular circle of people, or that town, has so many very wealthy people who seem so unhappy or angry. Rich people should be happy, even though it is considered evil to be rich if you listen to news.

Rude, polite, happy, or bitter, I whole heartedly approve of wealth. Wealthy people pay far better than poor folk, and they have more bizarre and interesting projects quite often. Do not hate the rich. Their wealth is not the reason for your lack of it. Not a zero sum situation.

Maybe They Make It All Up

Being in the least is best school of public management and politics, I tend to favor most of Ron Paul's agenda. But even if I didn't I would find it transparently manipulative the way Romney and Perry keep getting shoved to the front of this republican debacle.

Hell, Cain is as much or more of a front runner than either of them. Just like always, two choices are being narrowed down for us through clever PR. What gets me is how the major media outlets are tools of whatever or whomever is orchestrating this farce.

It is hard to watch this game. Given my philosophy as hinted at above, it is obvious I am not at all on the same page with Obama. Allegedly this band of republicans is out to get one of their own elected in his place. Is it just me, or does it look like they are doing everything they can to ensure another term for the big O? And in the process pave the way for more Pelosi types.

You'd think the time is right for people who don't believe in the present economic policies, foreign policy, etc. to do well in elections. The trouble is, anyone like that is painted as a kook regardless of documented support.

It is impossible to know the truth of the Occupy events without being there, and I have no desire to go see for myself. But from what I hear it is not a ground swell of support for the present administration. That doesn't mean much. I suspect it is like many such events; people show up and say whatever doesn't rock the boat with their peers.

It is also reported that 15% are unemployed. That means the vast majority of them are not people frustrated because they don't have a job, if that statistic is correct. Not that I care. Still, it is bizarre that Obama, whose policies enriched those being villanized, is the one attempting to capitalize on whatever this movement is. Looks to me like it could have been hijacked by almost anyone.

Anyway, I can't believe the spectacle the supposed opposition to the current administration is making of themselves. At least the ones the news covers, insisting they are front runners. They insisted they were front runners before their numbers actually supported it. They forgot Dr. Paul was even around. He at least conducts himself in a civil manner and shows a bit of class. So does Cain. I think, given fair coverage, that Cain and Paul would be the front runners. And lately friggin Grinchgrinch (I know. I just like to make the name how I choose) is showing more class and savvy than the two appointees of the press and whoever pulls their strings.

Since the laws and structure make third party efforts almost impossible, I have to pay attention to this circus. Besides, I still tend to dig Paul. Especially because he's come out wanting to eliminate a slough of federal agencies. I haven't checked the list yet, but I doubt I'd mind if he got his way.

It just seems so staged, or surreal, or something. It just can't be real. I only caught bits and pieces of the latest debate which unfortunately stopped short of a cage fight between the Mittmeister and Ricko. I guess they figure any attention is better than none so they went for it. It is becoming obvious that the repubs will once again offer something I do not consider acceptable. Just like last time.

I don't think McCain would have been much better than Obama, or different. Not worse, most likely. So, I had to vote third party. People say that is throwing away the vote. I think not. I couldn't vote for the winner, and I prefer to have my vote count among those who want something akin to freedom.

But, putting what I think aside, does anyone believe the GOP is actually trying to set up for a win? I don't. I saw them insist on losing when Clinton bumped Bush 1 out of office. It became clear during the fray that he had no intention of winning.

If I didn't know better, and I don't, I would say forces are at play which would fit the criteria of a conspiracy. And that could give rise to a theory. Only I have no theory.

The other bit of news that is true but sounds too bizarre to be true involves a guy in Nevada whose jewel package weighs over 100 lbs. It only grew like that in the last few years and they don't know why. They ruled out diseases which can cause that. Seriously, to put it in G rated terms, I'm talking the family gems. 100 lbs. It has ruined his life. He has to wrap them up and can hardly get around. No love life for sure, and he can no longer work. They can do an operation but it will cost a million bucks. He's hoping the publicity will get him some kind of donations to get his junk back down manageable. All his junk hasn't blown up like that, just the two eggs. I don't think he can even see the remaining item in the package trio at this stage.

It makes one appreciate what he has without any thought that maybe he got shorted. Maybe someone said, "Why don't you grow a set!" and he took it too much to heart. No one would say that now. I hope he gets it fixed and lives happily ever after. It does confirm the notion that more trouble is generated from that part of the body than from all other sources in the universe combined. Usually the trouble is of a different nature, but trouble all the same.

On the other hand, if having cajones gives you the nerve to do great things, this guy should have no shortage of gall and initiative.

Truth Is, I'm Not Tempted

Previously, I pretended to be tempted to take a side. The truth is that there isn't a side worth taking in most of the matters that enter the public media outlets.

My side is that what you do is not my business until you cross over into my world's limits. That is called freedom.

The other night I was listening to one of Art Bell's old shows. They play vintage Art Bell on Saturday nights. He was talking to a guy from PETA. I only listened for awhile, partly because I was driving, and partly because they were debating carnivore vs vegetarian. Both of them were out in left field somewhere.

Most people seem to assume that I have an agenda when they don't me, but find out I'm not a carnivore. I do not. If you don't try to cook me, then eat what you want. I support hunters and ranchers. They are exercising their choice, and serving the desires of others.

The bad part is when the people who decide I have some evangelical dietary agenda start arguing before I've said anything. I'm not going to defend my choice, and I don't care why you make your choices. It is highly annoying when it can't be left at that. I recently got lectured about enzymes and all manner of things which do not interest me. I do not plan to change because I already considered it and found I just couldn't do it willingly. Nurses can be the worst when it comes to things like that. They tend to believe everything the AMA puts out there. I don't, but I don't try to make anyone do it my way, either.

That must be the difference. Most people do not possess the self control or reasoning ability required not to try to make you do it their way, even though it in no way actually affects them. That is the crux of many conflicts and problems in the world.

That is what irked me about the PETA guy. He was pleasant but definitely wants the world to operate as he does. I figure if it really is more energy efficient and beneficial, then eventually that is what people will do, given that gangster groups in the form of lobbies and government don't get in the way. I am not expecting a change of everyone's tastes and desires, nor do I care if they change what they eat.

It offends me that Michele Obama goes around telling people how to eat. At least on public money, it offends me. We've got enough ridiculous discussion about obesity, all of it an excuse to dip into the taxpayer's pocket. So, take a side as to what and how you should eat? I'll pass. Don't eat me, and don't give me lectures about how unhealthy and unnatural I am, or must be.

But you see how easy it is to get a topic going which is really no one's business to push one way or the other, then define camps and go at it? That's one of the areas where I veer off from PETA and most nouveau vegetarians. I've always been this way, and it is not a political or public policy statement. It should not be with anyone. IDIOTS.

But my experience has been more from the other side; people constantly wanting to change me or argue my diet without the slightest suggestion from me that I am interested in their opinions or care what they do. Dare to stray from the herd and you will get fried. Or grilled, or roasted.

Some of that is human nature rooted in survival, but much of it is rooted in insecurity and a refusal to evolve to keep up with where we ought to be by now. The new push for tribalism and grouping in antagonistic ways is not a move forward, and feeds the petty pleasure of being part of a herd. It is not the best of human nature by any stretch of the imagination.

I suppose I could find solace if I were a transgendered lesbian vegetarian, and then if you hurt me it could be a hate crime. As it is I will leave the politics of what people eat, and of religion and color to the usual suspects.

Fighting, Sleeve Rolling, Shovels and Boots

The longer I live, the more I'm amazed at the total nonsense highly paid officials speak, while on our dime, without shame, and without consequence.

The last couple of years have seen meaningless phrases like "boots on the ground" and "shovel ready". I say meaningless because in the context used, those phrases have proven to either mean the opposite of what you think, or nothing at all.

Why use a term like "shovel ready"? First off, shovels aren't always used, and rarely the tool of choice for meaningful ground breaking. We use front end loaders and other heavy equipment. Whatever the case, the money being played with in that shell game did not actually find its way to much that makes sense to anyone.

But, got to give credit where credit is due; when the going got tough--in politico terms that means they are having trouble pushing the paper they want to push---they "roll up their sleeves" and get to work!! That roll up the sleeves thing is used a lot, but what does that prove? Is the A/C on the blink in the Dirkson building?

But wait, "we're fighting for you"! What does that mean? Is it like Hoffa and the union guys who will club me with a stick if I choose to work at a place where they won"t? Fighting who and what, I wonder.

Do you think they roll up their sleeves and start punching out people in the Capitol? Maybe that is why they are always talking about things on the House floor. Lots of the boots on the ground in the congress chambers must be attached to people flat on their backs who've been fighting for money to spend on shovel ready jobs.

The boots thing just seems almost disrespectful. Usually, boots on the ground, as I understand it, refers to humans in the military "over there" possibly getting shot at. So to make it sound more pristine and to cloud the fact that we are involved in a skirmish, we call them "boots". If they are walking around in the crossfire I guess that constitutes on the ground. If they are doing some other thing then we just ignore that matter altogether.

I wonder if they issued moccasins and bedroom slippers to get around that boots snafu. I haven't noticed any less involvement, or any more success in the wars which have other names I can't keep track of.

There's been some bedroom slipper talk. "Time to take off the bedroom slippers and put on the marching shoes, we got work to do". Not sure what that means, but never do officials speak of work in the terms I do. They aren't sanding down teak furniture or running front end loaders, or chopping wood. What they mean is that they want others to do things they don't want to do, or buy things they do not want to buy. Work to the elected official, and appointees, is generally synonymous with extort. "We've got money to extort! Everyone, roll up your sleeves!!"

Work to do usually means make laws to somehow filter more money through them. That's always how it works.

This administration does seem to have thing about footwear; boots on the ground, take off the bedroom slippers, putting on your marching shoes. There may be other examples, but I only keep up so much. My stomach is strong, but I have my limits. I don't even remember what Bush talked about in the way of fashion items. I admit I rarely listened, much like now, except this guy does far more speech giving, so it is hard to miss entirely.

I think sleeves is a general fixation for all politicians. I've heard the thing of rolling up sleeves forever. Some official says he's going to roll his sleeves up, watch out! he means business.

The sad thing is that people think they are supposed to glean some meaning from the rhetoric of these clowns. I guess it is because reporters pretend it has meaning and spend hours analyzing it, discussing such things as "his mood", "forceful demeanor" and sometimes his clothes or shoes.

People who are lying, and know they are doing, or have done, something wrong, talk like that. Everyone has seen it in daily life, from their wayward sons and daughters, neighbors who ruin your lawn mower, crooked boss or coworker, sneaky customer, etc. You know in those cases you're being scammed and the issue is being smoke screened. We don't always do anything about it, but we know. In the case of these officials, the personal attachment is not even there, so why do we allow ourselves to be continually talked to like ripe marks by these con men/women?

Most likely because they tell us we'll somehow get paid and that none of our troubles are our fault or could possibly be remedied by anyone other than them. They offer to relieve us of responsibility, and even though anyone knows the language of liars, we pretend because it is easy.

Tomorrow, I am going to roll up my sleeves, with boots on the ground and fight to complete a shovel ready job involving Raul's secret santeria wood goo, and some shutter clips.

Secretariat

I was able to see the movie on DVD. Someone involved with the ownership of the horse had a house near me in Miami. I never spoke to them but my mother did. What I recall is how they described the horse to her. That made the movie all the more interesting.

Back then, I had no idea what the Kentucky Derby was, but then came Secretariat and my mother's conversation with the people. I watched as the horse set records in all legs of the triple crown. Although his Preakness record wasn't granted, two independent sources clocked him as finishing in record time. The official clock got screwed up and one track guy hand clocked it slower, but it is likely that guy erred.

No horse ever won by such a margin or in the record time he set when he blasted through the Belmont Stakes course. The amazing thing was that the crazy horse was still accelerating at the end.

The actual name they called him was Big Red. It was news to me, but the reason you see such bizarre names in those races is that some committee has to approve the name you submit. I think the first ten names they sent in for Big Red were rejected.

In the movie and in the story told to my mother it was stressed how intelligent that horse was. And how much he wanted to win. I have no idea why I find something about great horses so appealing, but I do. I've hardly ever ridden, but I understand how people could get hooked on that world. It is often a hard life but there is something about it.

Secretariat was the coolest horse ever. And his owner has a story all her own. She went against all odds just to keep the farm, thanks to oppressive estate taxes. I'll never get why something which has been taxed forever has to be taxed again just because it is willed to a person. That is not right, and those who think you do not have a right to see your property go to whom you choose when you die are just mad because it doesn't go to them.

Anyway, I liked the movie. I'm not too critical of how it could have been done differently because I love seeing the race scenes re-enacting what actually happened, then seeing old footage of the real thing. There is no way they exaggerated. What that horse did was amazing enough that it would have seemed pure fantasy before he did it. Especially his Belmont win.

I did find out that the Derby is 1 1/4 miles, the Preakness is 1 3/16 and the Belmont, 1 1/2miles. All the hot shots thought he'd fade on the long race. What they did not know is that Secretariat's heart was actually over twice the size of a normal heart for a horse that size. And it was very healthy. I love it when the smug ones get their come-uppance.

Some people think it is a violation of animal rights to race horses. In the case of Secretariat, I think he liked to race and enjoyed it like a performer loves doing a show in front of a big crowd. Maybe that was one animal who didn't need a self appointed lawyer to speak for him. Save it for the bears and sharks.

When you consider the relationship between humans and horses, and dogs, it is clear that the development of civilization would have been far different without them. It's a strange thing, really; riding on the back of an animal. Somehow it does seem perfectly natural, though.