Friends and Lovers

A cliche title, not necessarily to be taken literally.

I should be a politician or a lawyer, the way I can say yes and no at the same time, but make it sound like I actually said something.

Today was one of those days when it was good to know I have a few friends around the country who somehow make me look at things in a more hopeful light, even though the conversations had little to do with the fact that I needed that boost. That is how it is.

In general, people confuse me, even though I consider myself one who likes people. Maybe I like people because I am one and hope it will help me approve of myself more than I do. Who knows.

That is why it is quite a treasure to know people who don't confuse me and who tend to be uplifting just because of the mutual respect.

In the case of Sally it also goes into the realm of extended laughter. We should take notes and make scripts for movies and TV series from the fruits of our conversations. It just happens, and pretty soon imaginary worlds, intrigues and complicated events are created from one simple statement or observation. And it is the sort of story that has weight and quality, bizarre as it may be.

Now that I think of it, maybe I can recall some of those things and write something. The trouble is I often can't recall the scenarios at will. That's just a minor obstacle most likely. At least I remembered to tell people I get my protein on the black market if they ask me, "So, if you don't eat meat, where do you get your protein?", which is a question posed with a tone of accusation most of the time.

It is freaky how often that question has been thrown my way. I can only conclude that I worry less about where my protein is copped than many carnivores. You'd think it would be the other way around. So far no one has shined a bare bulb lamp in my eyes and trapped me in an interrogation room when quizzing along those lines. It has often been clear that they wanted to and would if they could.

That's the kind of wisdom that comes out of having a few good, trusted friends. Also, they tend to point out the plus side of my existence without lecture or overdoing it. It just seems to flow and then I realize that I am not doomed, living in hell, or in much of a bind if I don't want to be.

They can't do much about that toenail that wants to fall off. I keep it taped there. I do not want to know what is underneath, or to deal with that last bit of tissue holding just one millimeter of it to my body still. Even friends don't want to deal with your toenails, in most cases. Hence the old saying, "It is lonely in a shoe".

I Lied, Once Again

My life is not really exciting. It is confusing. Mostly to me, but sometimes to others. I guess we're even because I am perpetually baffled by the effectiveness with which most people manage their lives. They may not see it that way, but they have no idea how confusing the basics are to people like me. This sometimes results in me feeling like we are not speaking the same language even though it is all in English.

Remind me if I forget; whether it is superstition or voodoo, my best hope is some kind of blind faith that I'll manage to do the right thing, and It Will All Be OK.

I should be looking forward to the holiday travels. So far, I am not looking forward to much, and that is bad. One should always have something to anticipate happily and with enough excitement to produce some adrenalin. I'll work on it.

I saw a documentary about the Pixies 2004 re-united tour. It was pretty good. I didn't know who they were but the flick made me like them. I may not be thrilled with all their music but I liked elements of all of it, and I liked the creativity.

So, that documentary inspires me to write more songs and become a country singer, believe it or not--(either way you could be right).

In health notes: that big toe nail which took a beating in the great unexpected step into a jaccussi --how to spell it?-- is now trying to fall off. I guess the blood which kept it glued on finally dissolved. I am keeping it taped down.

There is intrigue in the land of Big O's buddy, as far as his local house management. I keep feeling like I am being eased out, but it could be that this involves other things which could be quite troublesome for certain operatives who aren't me. I strain to give a clearer picture while not saying anything which would not be wise at this juncture. Not prudent.

My Exciting Life

If you actually knew, you'd be shocked, dismayed, puzzled and chagrined. But you don't because one can only talk about so much on the net if he is even marginally prudent. I consider myself marginally prudent. No more, and maybe just a little less. Judgement calls have not always been my strong point, that's why it stands out when I do exercise a bit of wisdom.

So there you have it; my life is not quite as boring as it sounds.

Pennies From Heaven

So, according to my brother, an unexpected little windfall is coming my way which will make the Ballistic Holiday road trip possible. Who knew?

It's peanuts to some, but this will make joining those of my gene pool for Christmas much less stressful. Every bit helps these days. And it seems to be because the government overly robbed one of my dead relatives. Something that ought not happen in a truly free country.

Dear 99%

If the people claiming to represent the 99% truly do represent 99% of this country, then I am in the 1% who think the 99% are full of it.

Winter? Again? and etc

Just last week it was about 90 deg one afternoon. Today, I bet it didn't get above 60. Factor in the windchill and I'm sure it showed a "feels like" factor of maybe 59. Time to quit jogging nude.

Ballistic Mountain weather is certainly a puzzling thing. San Diego county, in general, is a puzzling hodge podge of micro climates, all of which are almost ideal if you compare them to other parts of the country. That quickly causes one to be super sensitive to little changes in humidity and temperature. And if it rains, close the schools and hope for the best.

It has been IN THE FIFTIES just after sunset lately. If that doesn't qualify as winter weather, then I don't know what does.

I'm trying like hell not to point out that examining fine print, etc. would reveal that the big O's college loan relief plans only benefit a small fraction of people who owe or will owe. It is smoke and mirrors, so don't let that unabashed bribe buy you off. It is a lie.

The part that does trouble me is the part about claiming it is on behalf of the people that the elected executive of the country is wanting to by-pass the elected legislators of the country as if the separation of powers means nothing, and as if they were not elected by people, just like him.

It sounds very dictatorial. But, I've long noted that people forget what the president's job is supposed to be. It is not to make laws or approve budgets or to run lives. Those who run for that office act as if they are running for supreme ruler, monarch or dictator. It is sad how this snowball of authority has been rolling down the hill gaining momentum and mass for over a hundred years. And how much of the population has helped push it along at higher and higher speed.

Why not just import Castro or Chavez? The talk and attitude are the same. I find it hard to comprehend how people can be so easily duped. It is because they think there is something in it for them; like the fake student loan relief. Those college kids are all over that. Do your homework, Junior, you been had. Again.

I heard I share a birthday with Gumby and Charles Lindbergh. Can't complain. They had a bank robber here called "the Gumby bandit" because he tried to rob a place dressed in a Gumby suit. He failed. Got his hand all tangled in the pocket trying to prove he had a gun.

Just one of many odd bandits. We had the Geezer bandit, who they think was wearing a realistic old man mask, and one called the dandy or suit bandit or something like that because he was super dressed up and daper. We got em out here in SoCal. There are more but I don't keep up very well. Some get caught. Most get caught or screw up and run away.

No way I can really be from this planet. Between the bears' rights, and people like PETA suing Seaworld for slavery, and occupy this and that, and helmet laws, and laff tracks on TV, I must be another species of being from somewhere else.

Video Curse Continues

It turns out the video taken of me at the party was not of the cut loose Cmin jam. It was just me trying to play a little blues over a progression a couple of guitars were doing. I think all three of us had a different idea of where it was supposed to go. Besides I sometimes suck at that sort of blues. If there were vocals and all that, then I'd be better--I hope.

My conclusion of this is that the other thing went well. Whenever I really nail it the camera is off. Or, if it is on, then the picture is of the pavement, the port-o-lets, the sky or the bar room floor. Usually, it is off, out of tape, out of memory, or out to lunch. It must be a karma thing of some kind.

The good part is that I expected no recording of this and I made no effort to see that anything got recorded. I've given up on that temporarily.

I think G2, the older guy with the beard and interesting local history was best in show. He did a few songs by himself and he was clearly a cut above. G1 did a good job on the only song I recall him doing. That was all of us playing on that. No two songs. G1 is the most consistent of everyone in all ways.

K aka G1 is the responsible anchor of the mountain and the group, and he has more control over his emotions. He behaves the best on a consistent basis. Puts up with me and C aka G2. And of course he puts up with his lovely wife who I maintain is perfect. Because she is, and I am the kind of guy who always sides with the chick --when I am being smart. I like her voice. It has a very nice quality to it, plus she is one who always has my back. Some women look out for me and I appreciate it more than I let on.

Wireless Modem Review

Due to my peculiar circumstances, and possibly my peculiar construction and constitution, I have been connected on line via air card modem--cellular system, just like what phones use. G with a number in front. 3G 4G

Anyway, it has been through Millenicom.com ever since I left Memphis. It is a different animal getting connected on Ballistic Mountain. My original intent was to be wired in when I left TN, even as a vagabond, and the setup was as good as I could do up here. It used to be much cheaper, but to maintain the unlimited part I had to start paying more. When I checked what a regular cell company would charge it no longer seemed like highway robbery, and I was not forced into a contract.

It is still a lot, but all alternatives charge a lot up front, require installing a satellite dish or other equipment and still want to limit usage or charge a bundle. When my Franklin modem starting going south--falling apart--I was happy to know I'm grandfathered in to this deal because it is not available any more.

I was nervous when the new Sierra modem arrived. Not only because I wondered if it was something to do with the Sierra Club and lobbying, but because you have to uninstall the software affiliated with the old modem and trust that when you plug this into the usb port that it will install and work.

It took a little messing around but not much. I haven't had this kind of speed in a long time. And I did not have to call up the tech support. That is another thing about Millenicom, when you call tech support, or billing, you rarely wait longer than a minute, and you get an American who lives in the USA. They have always solved whatever issue I had, and I have had ver few over the almost four years with them.

I don't know what all they offer now, but if it is comparable to something you're looking at elsewhere, I'd go with Millenicom. Their service is as good or better than Mindspring back in the late 90's, and they were good.

This turned out to be more of a cellular internet service provider review than a modem review. The Franklin cdu-680 was good and served me a long time. I liked the pouch it came with. This one has no pouch but it is smaller, does not rotate, and uses pretty blue lights that don't blink all the time. So, you have the good and bad, but I think the sierra is somehow more MAC compatible. All seems faster.

The other posts before this are more interesting. And more full of ego if you go down two.

I was prepared to spend hours getting this right, expecting I'd have to get the tech girl on the phone again. They have guys too. I just liked the female who handled the process of getting this sent to me. She said that she was the best for MAC support. Older males are really pitiful.

Maybe I am turning into an old lecher. OK. I was that way when I was younger, too. Now I blame it on being older than dirt.

The Ad That Would Put Romney In The Big White Crib

This Bad Lip Reading video ought to be his campaign ad. They have videos of other candidates, too. They've got Obama doing a rap (which is not so far off of things I've seen from him and Hilary when they want to be homeys in da 'hood). Still, it would be better than usual campaign ads.

I think all of them should just use the bad lip reading version of their exploits--far more entertaining and coherent. Besides, they would offer as much, or more, reasonable criteria for making a voting judgement as people generally possess before visiting the polls.

I've never found Mitt so personable and engaging. None of his other appearances did anything other than leave me cold, and mistrustful of him. This one, though, won me over. I'd vote for a guy who talks like that.

Ballistic House Party

My guitar friend and his singer wife, 2 of the members of Copper Creek with whom I play, had an afternoon, early evening party on Sunday. It was an Oktoberfest theme but I just showed up as I normally do. No little funny clothes or any of that.

K set up the PA out on the deck and lots of people got up and sang and played. We played a little bit, but not that much. Some chick claims she has a video of me doing my Oaxaca jam. That's when I jam off of a riff from a song I wrote that has been titled All I Ever, Fly Away With You, and Oaxaca. It actually has words but we do it without any. I guess it is my chance to try to let loose and let off steam, and show off on a good day.

Mostly it is a bit of a release. We don't do much that requires me to let go and I need to every now and then. So far I haven't seen the video, so I have no idea exactly what I did or even how long I did it. Judging from response, it may have been OK. I felt kind of OK but still felt like I didn't hit the stride I always crave in such situations. It felt better than not doing it at all.

Here's a picture someone took. I hold a harmonica different than you are supposed to. Different than anyone I've ever seen, and I do the hand stuff left handed instead of right. Just the way it works out. If that wasn't me I'd be captioning the photo, "do you think these folks know I'm really up here picking my nose?" I wasn't, of course.

In spite of all I did enjoy that Cminor jam. It's nice that the guitar players put up with it. They have to lay down the progression and they never know when I'm going to stop because I often let it get way quiet like it is about to end, then I rip into harder than before.

I'm not that great a player, really, but I am somewhat different, and that is all I can say on that.