It's a Hard Luck Life

Not mine. My life is not a hard luck life, but the overall deal these days outside of my bubble is peculiar.

I was listening to people discuss healthcare pros and cons regarding regulation and lack of it. I have to admit, I see the sense on both sides of that concern. What doesn't seem to be within the thought process is a great deal of knowledge about how things became as they are.

All the explanations tend to be missing a lot. I think there are factors which involve government, insurance companies, and health providers (including the world of pharmaceuticals). Then there is also the influence of lawyers and the courts. My belief is that the unholy interaction and partnership of all these entities has corrupted the process to the point where people actually believe more of a collusion of these interests, overseen by the IRS will somehow improve our world.

On one hand, people ask if it is right to deny someone care. On the other, I ask if it is right to force insurance on those who may not want it at this point in time, due to personal circumstances, yet do not expect others to pay the costs they may incur due to medical needs.

Here is where the philosophies diverge. Some believe "we must all sacrifice for the greater good of all". That would be the group who likes the new law controlling healthcare--although I've yet to find anyone who knows exactly what the thing entails, or who has actually tried to skim and look into any of the actual text.

Some believe it is anathema to a free society to force individual sacrifice for what others deem the greater good. I tend to fall into that group.

Still others fall somewhat in between. They don't so much mind the whole thing of forced sacrifice for what they consider the greater benefit, but they don't trust the mechanism for executing this if it means that federal bureaucracy has total administrative autonomy.

Seeing their points and feeling good about them are two different things. I believe that an honest picture of how things became odd even before this law is almost impossible to find. It is like looking through a window on a foggy morning after a hundred disgruntled kids unloaded a hundred eggs on all the transparent surfaces of your abode. How do I know that and on which end of the eggs' flight was I? Maybe neither. I'll never tell.

I've been considering the thoughts of those people who were in the discussion. I've concluded that the only reasonable approach is a very tedious one. All the regulations have to be filtered through and analyzed regarding right and wrong, not who will kick back to your campaign.

Throw out what doesn't belong. I suspect that would involve laws and regulations passed over the last 6 or more decades. Not all of them, but some. This may involve things like requiring a prescription for many medicines and drugs which ought not require it.

Sure people can kill themselves or others through misuse of some of these, but they can do the same thing with clorox and ammonia, for cryin' out loud. And that is but one tiny piece of it.

Why can't insurance be competitive nation-wide?

Anyway, it is not impossible to think of things which do not violate my idea of human rights, individual liberty, and which still allow for a system in which little johnny isn't required to rot away from gangrene because his parents are flat broke. I would turn away most illegals. And probably people I just don't like.

Do people do much checking to see how hard it is to legally move to other countries? Believe me, they do not welcome broke individuals who sneak in with open arms. They don't welcome just average, hand to mouth, willing to work, types with open arms. And they really don't want you if you are over 40. Unless of course you come bearing flowers and a pot of gold which you plan to park on their doorstep.

Regardless of people who sneak over hoping to do the work I now do, does it make sense to accept something that forces sacrifice, even though you don't even know all the sacrifices, and from whom, it requires? I guess if you trust people who make laws, then exempt themselves from its requirements.

Don't trust insurance companies but you are now required to do all your physical upkeep through them? I don't get it. I do get that many people need things they can't now afford. I'm all for ways that would facilitate some of that care. But anything reasonable can only be done by a real purge of the bad deals, corrupt rules and regs which produced this expense and confusion.

What do I know? Just thinking.

Maybe I'll go test my tent at the naked place. Cheapest and best facilities and no one knows me so what the heck. Test it, go to work to finish teak work bloc two, then purge my own house of what is nonsense, then off to the great Northwest.

Just Too Much

Plenty of material in the world, if I wanted to write. The difficulties I have are with the nature of the material, and the fact that many people, friends and family included, are on board with half the futuristic prophesies of Orwell and others unfolding before their eyes.

More than the reality shaking which happens every time I learn a new detail about some law or agency, the general approval and acceptance of it by my fellow citizens/non-citizens/lowlife/comrades/peers/hyenas-masquerading-as-human. I'm not sure what we or they are to be called any more.

The term "citizen" means almost nothing any more, just like gay no longer means happy and festive in a universal sort of way. And the rainbow can't just be a goddam rainbow without visions Barney Frank haunting one's mind.

In this world it does not matter whether you have something to hide, or not, as the typical gung ho cop or cop supporters seem to think. Sooner or later what you felt you had no need to hide will be off limits or require permission. It will come back to bite you. All of it.

And you, too will become a fugitive. Maybe not an insurance fugitive like some of us, but you wait. It will come. Perhaps you'll become an obesity fugitive or, a caffeine outlaw. Any number of possibilities, and you can be sure you wouldn't even guess some of what's to come.

What is easily guessable is the look on the faces of those who achieve success in the imposition of whatever new and fantastic bit of tyranny people will tolerate. Many will wildly embrace it, as they do now. You think people will not enslave themselves? Geez, just look around. All it takes is to lay down a trail of cookie crumbs and whole segments of our society willingly remain ignorant, violent, bitter, yet compliant when it comes to supporting the ruling class who keeps them stupid and miserable. Part of the great pretense.

Hot Days and Product reviews

where to get a haircut in Misenheimer, NC. 4 stars out of 5.

Even after a few years here I marvel at the significant variance in temperature and general conditions from day to night and from one location to another less than ten miles apart. Yesterday I left my house where it was 90 deg. F. and went to work in Rancho Santa Fe where it was 75. Today it was up to about 95, and now it is hovering between 68 and 70. It will cool down more as the night progresses.

When I left work last evening, it had already dropped to 66 in a matter of a couple of hours. The cool nights save me because it tends to warm up in the Ballistic cabin after awhile. Insulation can save you for only so long when the sun is beating down unimpeded by cloud or tree.

That brings me to the most poorly designed aspect of the Subaru Forester. Underneath the engine is a rubbery plastic splash guard. You can't really call it a skid plate. It has a panel held with very unreliable plastic fasteners which, when unfastened, allow one to rotate it out of the way to provide access to the oil filter and oil plug.

I've battled to keep it fastened for a long time now. The fasteners tend to fall out when you aren't looking. One time a rabbit bumped it's head or hind end on it as I was driving a night. I noticed a scraping sound when I was on the interstate so I stopped to see what was what.

The panel was hanging down scraping the road. I had a coat hanger and my trusty Leatherman tool so I made clips and put it back. They held better than the plastic things. I was going to some event which required me to be somewhat dressed up. The whole operation was tricky.

Anyway, when I had some things done at the dealer they installed new plastic clips. Some shook loose. This time I did not hear the scraping. But I did notice something was awry.

The thing rubbed half itself into oblivion. I fastened what was left of it but don't like the big gap exposing the pan. I'm considering getting an aftermarket skid plate made of aluminum. Or whatever. One outfit makes these and it is talked up on forums of Subaru owners.

One place sells the panel I need but won't ship to a PO Box. When an item is not that large I think refusing PO shipment is stupid. I'll just go to the dealer and see what's what if I don't hear back from the skid plate people soon.

None of this would be under discussion if A) Subaru used decent fasteners for this item, or B) they put a decent skid plate on the cars from the start. The problem with this item and with their clips is almost universal among Subaru owners, at least through 2008, yet they did not change it by the time my car was made. If they aren't careful I'll buy a Kia or a Hundai next time. Maybe even a Toyota, although now matter how much I like them, they never feel quite right on me. But you give me an FJ and I'll adapt.

I'm optimistically assuming I'll have the money to do such a thing. Unfounded optimism is one thing I do like about myself. I may dislike plenty but it makes life easier believing all will be OK, and I will be able to make marketplace statements by tailoring my purchases to reward or punish in some small way.

But, to be honest, if I had lots of money, I'd probably just buy another Subaru, and if it had a flimsy underneath splash guard, I'd get the best skid plate available to fix that flaw. Their cars just feel right and I like them.

Norton sandpaper is still the best. A 3M company, but not made in Minnesota. Made in Canada by mounties and hockey pros.

The Ridgid 1/4 sheet sanders have done well under hours of rough continuous use.

Also the pressure washer made by Green Works, sold at Lowes, is a very good item for medium duty stuff, and for cases in which finesse is required to avoid over doing it so the object under the wash won't be damaged. That is the name of the game in the teak cleaning business.

There are several things I like about that item for the jobs on which I employ it.

A little tip--do not attempt to rinse off your rubber gloves, even under the 45 deg nozzle while wearing them. It will slice them quickly. Most of you wouldn't have to be told, but I had to try it, thinking I could be quick and cheat destruction.

Gettin' While The Gettin' Is Good

Oh forget it. There is nothing you can do. You're whizzing in the wind. You can't change it. What makes you think you know better than the brilliant people who have been at this for decades? Really, it is not that simple. Would you have old people dying in ditches, and children go hungry? And what about...blablabla.

All the usual reasons why expressing my views, theories, and thoughts on issues which might involve government in some way is asinine and ought not be done. The problem is, from the time the speed-trap mentality, and random road blocks became an accepted part of our daily lives, I've suspected that this could lead to variations of tyranny which could affect the lives of the innocent. Namely, my life.

Obviously, the health care thing puts me in a bit of a crunch. Considering that insurance for one my age would easily cost $500 or more per month, and that it is unlikely I would spend even half that in the average year, and considering that I do not want to seek medicaid, nor do I expect others to pay for my care, I do not benefit from this.

I would much rather pay as I need to, directly, for whatever medical things I need. If I can't pay, then I may have to simply die. My choice. Or it once was.

I have a friend who works for a large retail outfit. He says that due to the intricacies of the new laws, and expense to his employer that they simply do not hire replacements when someone leaves. In his case, three are now doing the work that six could barely handle, and they are adding more responsibility on those three.

He's a hard worker, but not a kid, and it is wiping out his morale, and his health. He is going to quit. There are other incentives because of his age, and the punitive laws against collecting social security if you earn money somehow.

All that is confusing because he doesn't qualify for some things and does for others. The rules changed. He has some IRA money to carry him awhile.

Since I do not know the specifics of his company's situation regarding what they have to do under this un-affordable healthcare act, understand I'm just relaying what he said. We were discussing other matters so cross examination would have been inappropriate.

I do know my circumstances, and think I am better to do things I might have put off, rather than wait until all of this is in full swing and the heavy boot of the law prevents me from living as freely as I now can. That leads me to think that the plan for now ought to be a carpe diem sort of deal.

It is funny, and sick, how people who are neither poor nor without something like health insurance pretend to know how those in other circumstances think, and what they need. Have you ever attempted to avail yourself of any government program? Do you know how powerless and demeaned it can make you feel?

That is why I would rather opt out. I do not find it morally acceptable to place clerks and bureaucrats in the position of judging me worthy, and I find it tough to give them the power of permission over my personal decisions.

Does it still not cause people to question the motives for all this when those who pushed it through excepted themselves from its requirements, as well as exempting certain special interest big campaign donor organizations as well?

I think that the more powerless people feel, the more willing they are to see things enacted which impact others, or even themselves sometimes. Knowing there are people opposed to such authority gives them the thrill of being on the side that won and was able to overpower the dissenters.

Sort of a vicarious path to possessing muscle.

Talk about crony capitalism; buy or die insurance, yet I can't seek the better deal in Tennessee or wherever because they don't allow competition across state lines. People have been duped for a long time.

The first step was to convince you that insurance was the only way to handle medical care. For it to work, everyone has to pay more than what the average cost of care for an individual would be. It is like the casinos, they aren't in business because people win more than they lose.

I'd be happy to see everyone get all the medical stuff they want, all the drugs they can handle, operations like crazy. The reality is that this set up is designed so that the executive branch of the federal government gains power over your life and your decisions in ways which were once unthinkable. The pure weight of this new bureaucracy will be staggering.

And isn't it comforting that the always respectful, fair, and true to your liberties IRS is the arm of enforcement?

In the mean time, reportedly more US casualties have occurred in Afghanistan is the last four years than in all the years of the Iraq whatchamacallit; can't really call it a war, and the goals there were not much clearer than they are in Afghanistan. If anyone is claiming to "liberate" the place, or stabilize it so that they can enjoy some kind of democracy, that is purely nuts. That goes for all those countries.

So..It's one two three, what're we fighting for

don't know, don't give a damn

next stop is whatever-stan

etc.

I have little faith in Romney or republicans, but they are the only ones at this point who at least pretend not to be Bolsheviks and Castro clones.

Maybe I'll end up checking out the free state project and moving to New Hampshire. If it weren't for the constant fire worries, and knowing there are always legal roadblocks thrown up to plans which would mitigate this threat, I'd find it unthinkable to leave the West. It is just a hint of an idea, not a resolve by any means. The trouble is, CA is as over reaching and authoritarian, and broke, and money grubbing as the federal, alleged, government.

If only I could be on board with the cool people, like the babes in Hollywood, then it would be so much easier. But I can't unless my mind is rendered ultra numb by drug or scalpel. So, I remain uncool. When will the Leave Me Alone party ever gain traction? REpublicans sometimes talk a good game economically and 2nd amendment, then they get all legal about whether you stay pregnant or be gay.

These days they tend to be a little better on first amendment as well, but after Bush firing up the unneeded Homeland Security dump, I wouldn't think that assertion would stand much scrutiny.

Just get government out of pregnancy and who people diddle, and let it go whether you like it or not. Otherwise you'll never know freedom. Besides, if you look around, you must agree that the world would be better had many of its inhabitants been snuffed before having a chance to take a breath. Cruel reality.

I may have a personal code that precludes something, but often I would vote against making my code law because it leads to tyranny. Plus I think you should have a few years to decide if you really want that kid. Animals and human cultures throughout history have rejected the young they don't want, often in quite cold and heartless ways. Or maybe it is actually kind. Leave it to the parents, painful as that may be.

So, repubs, if those of you who claim to champion freedom actually do, choose the essential battles and realize you just can't have it both ways. There are battles which are best left to the dynamic of the culture. Like using a fork as well as a knife to eat. No law against using your fingers for all of it, as far as I know.

I gave up on the dems because I've heard too many who openly praise Castro, the Chinese system, and who think the little people need their parentage. They also pretend not to be tied to big money and that is one whopper of a lie. The very biggest money, the kind that can tip the stock market, almost at will, is firmly pulling many of their strings.

Of course, there is that one democrat representative who tried to save Guam from capsizing. He certainly deserves to be in office.

They said I'd change with age, but the longer I live, the more Libertarian my sentiments.

I'm Thinking Coastal--incredible to have choices

It is still difficult for me to recognize choices in my life, and not fall prey to the inner voice that tends to imprison me. Leaving Memphis was a huge exercise in stepping back and realizing that it was possible for me to take off into the unknown if I so chose. And so I did.

There is a purpose for this trip as I know my destination is to make it to the family celebration in Oregon, of all places. None of us live there, but that is how we roll these days.

It seems too complicated, expensive, and too much long haul driving with time constraints for it to make sense to hook up with vagabond lady. Things don't always time out for my convenience.

The low pressure plan is to ride the coast north of LA all the way up to Oregon. I've never done it and it seems a shame to be here and not give it a shot, now that I am in the mood. And because it is possible. Breaking away from the usual always feels odd, like I need to go to confession, or like I've stolen something, SHOULD BE doing other unknown things.

Truth is, I could be smashed by errant space objects and never have lived that bit of adventure and beauty which is here to enjoy. As time goes on, many things are best done sooner than later.

Guess I'll finally have to get a new windshield, that long standing S shaped crack is crawling again. These are expenses which cut into the kayak fund. Besides I haven't decided what is ultimately the best craft for my use. I'm not planning to shoot rapids, I don't think. Maybe I'll just wait for Lotto to call my name and settle for a ChrisCraft. I doubt it, though.

Countdown to a Road Trip

All I know is that I need to be north of CA by the first part of August for the big hooplah. Both my nephews are now married, and one has a child. It is a miracle. I spent most of my youth with the tacit conviction that my sibling and I could not possibly be real humans and produce more such creatures.

He clearly proved me wrong. Not only that but he did a great job of it. I'm not so sure I would have. Besides, no one who was ever in that kitchen wanted to pull any of my offspring out of the oven. Is that a metaphor of some sort? Not sure if it is just mixed or mixed up. My tale of woe when it comes to such things is a sad saga best suited for another day. Or never.

Anyway, my nephews are my heroes. They both have done things much like I think I might have, had I any sense for the first half of my life. At least everyone pretends that my influence on them was significant and positive. Probably true.

They were too young to know of my most desperate moments, but I avoided family during those years anyway. They were well schooled by their parents, and smart enough to realize that they possess the genes which could easily render them hopeless alcoholics or hop heads should they get too careless. Then again, I suppose by some twist of fate one could be a hopeful hop head/alcoholic. Not that it would do any good.

That is just another way of saying that I am determined to be there to celebrate young L's betrothal. Young; he was cautious and didn't get hitched until he was almost 33. Same age I was when I got divorced. Boy oh boy. Then later I find out, "Oh no, I never intended to have kids". I know I wasn't that drunk. Maybe you could have said so one of those times I was fantasizing out loud about the value of having 5 or 7 or 9 babies. I thought an odd number would be good at that time.

Now I think one or two children provide about all the abuse anyone needs in one life.

So, it will either be a slow trek up the coast, or a zigzag over to Yellowstone for a few day fling, then back to OR. I'm leaning toward the coastal route. I'm not sure the flingee is really making enough of a good faith effort. There may be reasons, but it still leaves me to be the one jumping through hoops. That is the only thing about this age--good looking women who are reasonable candidates for whatever are far and few between. Throw in my intrinsic difficulties and eccentricities, and we have odds approaching those of winning the lottery.

Hey Obama, screw spreading the wealth, let's spread the love, dammit. I see plenty of trophies with wealthy guys who can't possibly be any fun. I should have been a pool boy. In SoCal I think that is a very satisfying occupation. Tennis instructor is right there, too, but a little more complicated.

(although my hat's off to George Hamilton. He's always been a funny guy, and made shameless vanity work well for himself)

America, The Beautiful

w/Jonathan Stone doing something in Aminor. The guy is killer on 12 string
Happy Independence Day



Independence. Free of tyranny. Almost.

The seed of the thought is here. To me the true culture of being American is to neither be a tyrant nor tolerate tyranny. That is the real American dream. The rest follows.

I know that has been lost in the maze somewhere and that the culture is one which is largely unaware of how that works. But thoughts can catch on, just like fads do. I'd think the idea that everyone has the right to be a fool or genius or in between, providing he doesn't force his folly and will upon others, should be easier for people to embrace than the idea that it is cool to wear your trousers so that your ass is hanging out. Just people exercising the right to be fools, I guess. Just like those who keep defining "the American Dream" as some sort of win in the big bingo game of material acquisition.

I know of no modern state which is clearly overbearing and tyrannical which does not enact its oppression in the name of the greater good, and claim it is for the benefit of "the people". In America the protection of the freedom of the individual should be the highest priority. The seed was planted, and discussions of the personal flaws of those who sowed that seed are irrelevant to the idea. We should be becoming a freer state, not the opposite.

The authority of the state exists by our permission. If the balance is lost and we find that we exist by its permission, then we need to abridge or cast off that authority.

I won't give up. I'm glad I live here. It is one beautiful place which was formed in a way which pointed to even greater beauty.
When abuse of power of any kind is less the stuff that feeds ego, and is not taken for granted as business as usual, we'll be on our way. So don't speed up to prevent that person from changing lanes just because you can. These things start with common courtesy and decency.

This is the day to remember the decision to no longer be subjects of authority, but the kings of our own lives. It is not about big military displays, per se. We can be proud, but not just of brute force for its own sake. Independence yields pride on every level.

Who Do You Love? I Heart Colorado

It is always thrilling and ever so reassuring when a political figure flies into a disaster site, often inconveniencing the locals due to security, special precautions and general royal treatment and demands, then pretends that gazing at the destruction of the area with just the perfect serious "Dad look" is somehow productive. These are expensive bits of stage play.

. I certainly felt better when Obama stopped in for the obligatory disaster photo op, as I always do when heads of government "tour" a disaster scene. It is somehow overly transparent that they don't really gain any knowledge they couldn't otherwise learn through modern communication means. But it is supposed to reassure those who see themselves as subjects and children of a benevolent and parental power such as the Federal government.

Probably just me, but it makes me a little queazy. Photos get taken, then it is off to raise money for re-election, or find a disaster free zone for some golf or general scheming. It is the whole theatrical thing that annoys me. No one ought to think the president is going to fly in and extinguish a wildfire, fix the aftermath of a hurricane or earthquake. They can direct agencies and other bureaucrats to help in some ways. And they can do it all without the "Tour". I've seen this routine from senators, governors, presidents and any others who can get away with wasting tax money on their self aggrandizement.

But what I was really thinking was how people in this country tend to rally to help those in dire straits. Often they are more motivated if it is a place far away, where people of a different culture dwell. With all the serious trouble here, I can never quite fathom why so much missionary work is always overseas somewhere.

So, I pondered the phenomenon. My conclusion is that, although Americans tend to rush to aid when the worst happens to our own. They rush a bit more if the worst hits people who are already living worse than animals like bears and chipmunks. Why is that? Not everyone of us is of that ilk, but there is that trend in many circles.

I think it is because they like to go places where they feel superior to the locals. Be the big genius and savior. You go cruising in somewhere in which the wheel is barely understood, and the concept of using a pipe and gravity to move water is looked on as God-like magic, you are suddenly SOMEBODY instead of just a regular American fish swimming in the vast American pond. You are now a big fish in a small pond.

When I see such destruction in a place as beautiful and special as Colorado I hope for the resources being spent to build things for other countries to be redirected to help our own people. We build schools and all kinds of things for people who hate us. Yet we still have gangs in cities and people being chased out of their homes by fires while bears and looters wreak havoc in their absence.

I really think any looter caught in the act in such circumstances should be executed and tossed somewhere where vultures, coyotes and other creatures can dispose of the remains. No trial, no nothing.

Bears have been taking advantage as well. I won't say I told you so, but now their true character comes out. Looters, bears, they all suck. Maybe there is hope if bears could be trained to loot from looters and bully them a bit. I guess a bear can't help it if it has such a keen sense of smell, and such an appetite that it seeks out the food left out in a house where people had to evacuate in a hurry. I still don't think they have more right to exist than we do.

There are those who claim we are encroaching on the bears' territory and all that. I wonder exactly what is our habitat? It seems humans, like mice, pretty much make anyplace home. Most of the earth works out for us. Like bears being bears, it is what we are, so why the guilt?

I wonder what is going on this summer--fires in the west, storms and no power to the east. (Has that be toured and recorded, replete with the Dad Look?) Easy going, so far, in San Diego county, except in lies in an ever encroaching nanny state. Pretty much they only mess with the conspicuous, those who own land and things, have children, and hire people. I own little, no kids, and I'm not presently hiring. That keeps me from being destroyed out here. If you go into business, best to find some sort of intangible, don't manufacture or make things. Software is probably as safe as anything.

Well I hope the missionaries go fix the forest in Colorado rather than get served for dinner by some far away cannibal community. Speaking of hostile environments, sounds like DC is experiencing hard times. Poor Virginia. What a bummer to have DC bumped up against your state.

Then again, I may move to CO one day, and I may like it better if the missionaries aren't there.

Product Reviews; part 722012

After a little checking online, I decided to purchase another Dewalt sander. The one I have has done fairly well. The Makita I used for awhile was great in many ways, but the clips which hold the paper fell apart because the metal spring clips are poorly attached into the molded plastic sides, and when that plastic bit breaks off, it is not good.

The Dewalt has OK clips to hold the sandpaper, but it is kind of a pain. They didn't fall off after much extended use, so that is a plus.

We are talking 1/4 sheet finish sanders here. I do, however, use them for pre-finish work a lot. Sometimes you can't go the random orbital route.

OK. So it seemed that Home Depot was as good a place as any to get the sander. I checked various places online and prices were about the same.

Before I forget, the Makita did not come with any sort of carrying case. A big minus--but it was fairly cheap.

Alright. I went to the power tool section of my favorite Home Depot--the one in Poway, CA. They had the display model, but were out of stock of the Dewalt sander I wanted. Then I noticed the Ridgid sander--whoever named that brand was a master of subliminal messaging--which was priced the same as the Dewalt. Both are at the upper end of HD's selection.

The various specs were about the same; amps, rate of vibration or orbit, etc. But I noticed the Ridgid unit had a different setup for holding the sandpaper. It looked as if it was less likely to pinch or annoy fingertips, and it seemed an easier and possibly more durable design.

So, I said forget bothering with waiting for the truck and all the things the helpful store rep suggested so I could get the Dewalt. I took the risk and bought the subliminal tribute to my masculine virility. For me, the Ridgid is most suitable, I decided.

This unit has seen hours of constant use--earplugs are worth their weight in gold. Some practice is required, but the system for attaching the paper is far quicker and easier than other sanders I've used, and it seems to be hanging together. The thing functions very well.

I ended up buying another one* so that my helper and I could both be sanding simultaneously. They have worked out well, and believe me, they have endured a little bit of abuse.

They come in a soft case made of heavy fabric of some kind, which I prefer to the hard shell case which houses my Dewalt. The case is no larger than it needs to be, the zipper which closes the top works well, and the pouch is useful.

I'm very pleased with this device and would recommend the Ridgid 1/4 sheet sander without reservation unless you are one who goes for the stuff that costs hundreds of dollars. In that case, you are on your own.

Oh, I like the Ridgid sander's on-off switch setup much better than either Dewalt or Makita.

*part of the deal for me doing this job is that THEY would pay for the sanders.

Another Pic someone sent me

sent to me with the caption, "Harmonica Whore" because I play with a variety of people--almost all who ask--local joke and nickname. shades due to sun shining through storefront as it was setting, causing unpleasant glare. Not sure who took this or others. They make the facebook circuit then a friend clues me in

For once, I really hope to get the video of something I played last Sat. and the big open mic gala/fundraise. Actually, I was part of a contingent of people who were specifically asked to come play and do more than the usual ten minute set. That was nice.

Anyway, I wonder how that one thing turned out. It can feel one way when you run a solo for a few minutes, but you can't know how it projects. Especially because half the sound when playing diatonic harmonica is rumbling around in your head because that crazy thing is in your mouth. Sounds obscene. Could be wherein lies the appeal.

Finally, a day without a big work push. Plenty else to do.

I am lucky for at least two reasons, maybe more. One is that the powers that be tend to smile upon me at unpredictable times for unknown reasons. Another reason is that I realize my good fortune and don't blame you or Bush or Obama for my shortcomings. That doesn't mean I agree with what I see as the slow erosion and increasingly rapid progress of our nation toward a thing of little liberty and personal breathing space. Be that as it may. I still know the important aspects of what gets in my way aside from that, and it is I.

Lately, though, I've been finding the little victories approach working so that I'm surprised I am less bogged down and unproductive. Anything I do becomes a small accomplishment in my mind--laundry, maintenance, work today instead of putting it off until tomorrow, etc. Even tiny things, like washing a dish.

I was very bogged down for awhile. Most of my life, on and off. I'm enjoying the unusual feeling of being alive enough not to crave escape every waking minute. It doesn't feel like a manic swing this time, but who knows if it is or not. It has lasted for about two weeks. Two weeks in which taking that first step toward anything wasn't a huge obstacle and an unpleasant chore.

I don't remember that happening since one time when I was 28 visiting my brother with my then wife. He had some minor projects around the yard that had been put off. I immediately started moving rocks and such rather than analyze the amount of work, the dread which my father instilled in me, etc. I gave that up a year later and got drunk for several years.

Comparing this pic with the one in prev post, it is clear I was working the mic according to what was appropriate at the time. A friend played Orange Blossom Special, his way but kind of like C. McCoy, and sounded really good. Very good guitar player and harp player--much more the bluegrass/country player than I am. You can bet, as much as I do not even care for the tune, I will learn OB Special and be able to do it fast one of these days soon. I hope to play it once and then forever put requests for it to bed. It is like asking me to hit my head with a hammer for your enjoyment. But after hearing Les play, I just have to do it. Once.