End of s Short Era

I'm not in the pic but I played with these guys, Tim and Jeff. They can rock and have sometimes actually got a little jam going. I played Amazing Grace with them and Jeff must have given me four different solos on it. He has done some really good R & B covers. Can't recall the name of the best he did, but hear it in my mind.
I thought someone else was playing with Cliff and me; probably the bass player off frame to right, and drummer who is hidden. City of New Orleans. Everyone does covers I'd never suggest. I even had to sing a verse. But I get to start off with a fast train rhythm which speeds up them slows down. Cliff sounded good and was easy to play with as always. He's really something unique.



It is unusual for me to set aside a particular day or night on a consistent basis for a single purpose. Over the last several months--has it been a year?--I've dedicated most Saturday nights to the Valley Music open mic.

So, Saturday night was the last one. I was house sitting but K and M watched things while I was gone. I wouldn't worry leaving the five mammals and one bird for an hour or two, but from 5 until 11 PM is risky when you are responsible for someone else's house. At night is when creatures like to make mischief, eat remotes, garbage dive, etc.

That was the same day I fell down the stairs. I feel fine but I think it rattled my brain. I'm now a different person.

It was not jam packed with people, but enough. It seemed that everyone who played, including me, was thinking this the last one so may as well play it right. Everyone brought out their best I think. I didn't fret over one mistake or another because I didn't sense any big gaffes. I played twice and was lost in the enjoyment of playing--when nothing else exists, cares are locked out, and time stands still.

People are trying to figure a new venue, and a friday thing has started somewhere I haven't yet been. That is a bad night for me usually, but we'll see. Valley put me in touch with enough people that I can go many places and probably know someone I met. There are musical get togethers all over San Diego county. I just try to avoid going downtown and some of those more difficult places.

Too bad. This thing had grown into something special, and the quality improved at a steady pace.

Wimmin

OK. I guess I've succinctly put all I know about wimmins in just a few words or less, above.

thanks again to person who sent this long ago

Some Quick Questions

Has anyone actually seen the alleged movie about he who cannot be mentioned or critiqued(PBUH), in its entirety? (all I can find are little trailer-type videos, all of which are very cartoonish and comical)

Innocence of Muslims is the title, I guess. Catchy. not really

Does anything beyond the snippets of the flick even exist?

Do you honestly believe that this elusive bit of bad cinema -- which would have remained unknown but for the islamic riots and angry mob noise -- is actually the cause of all this?

Do you think all this hostility against the USA is not orchestrated by the misnamed Arab Spring people? (I think Muslim brotherhood spring is more fitting if you examine the results)

Spontaneous and coincidentally timed to occur on the 11th anniversary of 9-11, or something in the works with organization and intent?

As a pollster I am as obviously biased as the pros.

It may appear that I am not neutral on issues concerning the hurt feelings of the religion of riots, but trust me, I am ever tolerant and loving and only want to understand and make everyone feel better about stoning their wives and sisters to death. I am always thrilled to discover the diversity and unique ways of wild eyed religious fanatics of all beliefs.

Perhaps I should only use elevators, or parachutes

The first time it happened was when I was in 7th grade, if memory serves. It was probably then, because it was at S.Miami Jr. High School. That was before they renamed those institutions of torture "middle school".

My elementary school was all on one floor, the junior high was two story, which meant stairs. One day for no reason at all I fell down the stairs. I wasn't hurt, just puzzled, and, as was my state about 75% of the time back then, embarrassed. It may have happened on other occasions during my tenure in that world of sadistic and perverted educators.

Since then, I have take tumbles in stairways countless times, and almost never is there a good reason for it, like tripping or slipping on ice. Although, in recent years it usually resulted from being too much on the outer edge of the first tread and slipping down to the next one which can set off a chain reaction, cost you your balance and make for a rapid trip down to the next landing.

When I lived in Memphis where my apartment was the second floor of a converted older house, I had to take stairs from my front door up to the rest of the place. It had one landing half way up with a switchback. I tumbled down those stairs multiple times from the top and from the mid point landing. Mostly to no ill effect, but sometimes---OUCH.

I recall, on one occasion, landing head first, and face down at the bottom with my head an inch or two from my front door.

This past weekend I was house and pet sitting for friends who have a three level house with a view of the bay and downtown SD skyline. Due to the nature of the area, in remodeling and enlarging this dwelling they had to stick within very strict zoning parameters which required some unusual design.

There are no switchbacks between floors, and this place has very high ceilings. So, the stairs from the main (middle) level to the lower level are one straight, long, steep shot, with smooth wall on either side. It has a hand rail on one side, attached to the wall.

I was headed downstairs with a handful of clean but wrinkled shirts in the hand on the side by the handrail. So, no hand was on the rail. I thought I'd put the shirts in the dryer with a damp cloth to improve their look. And it did.

The trouble came at the first step down. I was barefooted, and from nowhere some force took my feet and threw them out in front of me. These stairs are of a very nice, beautiful, hardwood construction. My elbows and else can attest to this.

The unique thing was that I was unable to halt the downward momentum until my rude arrival at the lower floor itself. My first thought was, "Holy S&^%!!! Whatever you do, don't break a bone or get knocked out--lest your insurance criminal status be discovered."

My velocity increased as I travelled down. You'd have thought each step would have slowed me as I slammed it. No. B a m b a m b a m turned into bababababababamboom!

My last thought was, "Why didn't you just let go of the shirts and maybe grab the bannister or use your hand as a brake against the wall? Were you thinking if you let go of the shirts they'd spill or break?".

Seriously, I was trying to protect against injury and slow myself down while holding a bunch of wrinkled shirts up out of harm's way, just like a beer drinker would do if he were holding a beer while falling off a roof. I've been there.

None of the bruises of which I'm aware show. Just below that ball and socket deal with the hip joint on the left side is seriously black with a bit of blue. Some less colorful bruises appeared on the side of my thigh, but they pale compared to the major one.

No use looking for booboo sympathy; can't show anyone because it gets into the kind of territory where casual acquaintances rarely venture-- dagnabbit! I must have turned to that side so I could better hold the shirts up so they wouldn't spill, break, or get dirty. I think my left arm was trailing behind hoping for something to grasp.

Seriously, I so wish I had this on video, shot from above, especially, but from the top or bottom of the stairs would do. It would be great.

My first reaction was to get the stuff in the dryer quick before I found out if I was actually hurt. First rule of stairs tumbles is if you arrive conscious, and can get up, do it quick and get out of there.

Often as not you can get away before the injury catches up and makes camp.

No doubt though, you will feel some strained semi-pulled muscles and things that you never use, or always use, or both.

In this country, there are any number of people who would now be wearing a neck brace and only talking to their friends through a lawyer. Is that sick or what? Not their fault. I have a long history of taking the fast way down the stairs.

One of these times the stair tumble is going to mess my life up or end it. So, from now on, I stop, look, hold on to something, and wear a helmet.

Once again, if there were a law and someone to enforce it, I could have been saved from myself. Perhaps I can sue San Diego for not forcing me to hold the handrail and wear protective gear.

What I learned is that it is OK to let go of wrinkled textiles while bouncing down a series of aggressive speed bumps at near terminal velocity. And I must be in better shape than I thought; I survived and am not too sore to move. I was a bit dazed and cloudy just after the journey ended, though.

The Memphis stairs were carpeted which absorbed much of the impact, but I suffered more from the last one or two of those stair dives. I'm either getting better or else I'm losing the sense to feel it as much.

For once, no witnesses to my lapse of poise, and yet I wish I had it on film. It is indeed a strange life, or perhaps a strange view of it.

Got to be Kidding

Here we have the Secretary of State, the President, and no telling who else apologizing for a film which was unknown until embassies were attacked. It is clearly a trumped up diversion. Seriously, if they wanted an excuse they could find any number of things on the internet which do not discuss islamist states or that whole culture in a favorable light.

I seriously doubt Hillary and Barack have viewed any of this flick. It is comedy, at best. I couldn't find the full length version but I found various parts, which combine to account for maybe a third of the film, assuming it is 1.5 hours in length. It was very amusing because it seems to have been shot against a green screen then pasted over the desert background.

In one part he is entering and exiting a tent, and since the desert part is an added background, it looks like everyone is walking in mid-air.

No one in the world would reasonably consider this the usual American made movie. And no one of any sense would apologize for it on behalf of a nation, especially since hardly anyone had ever heard of it until they began ranting and pillaging overseas, using the film as an excuse.

It is serious business what is happening, and seems to be choreographed, but by whom, I wouldn't speculate. One thing for sure, there is no way that this unknown bit of comedy movie making is really the culprit. To even address that by condemning it or acknowledging it does nothing but give validity to the murderous vandals and to the film itself.

The entire scenario, and the official reaction, is impossible to believe. I wonder what is really up. The stories being put out about outrage over an unknown video and an inadequately protected embassy stretch credibility to say the least.

This is the result of governments and religions running amok in the world for so long. People are conditioned to believe in both in a way that precludes reason or productive rebellion. So we all become useful idiots for whatever program of control it is that is being promoted.

At any rate, I wouldn't pay money to see that film, but it is good for some WTF? type chuckles. It is certainly less offensive than real life films of religious stonings led by imams.

Bet She Hopes It Goes On Forever

The CTU president, Karen Lewis is clearly smitten with the thrill and power of celebrity. If you've ever played to a large crowd, and it went well, you know the feeling. Same thing giving a talk to a large group, and you know you have them. Works best if you aren't reading the speech.

It is fun to watch narcissists. It makes me feel less of one. If you notice, she makes it as much about her as anything whenever she can. She's a star, on the news, and has a flock of people following her, many of whom sport Che shirts, but don't know who he is or what he did. I suppose it is they who do know, but still wear the shirt that bear concern.

This is a war between tax paid celebrities for power and adulation. Rahm was ambushed so he is losing the celebrity battle big time. It has nothing to do with citizens or children. She may even be after his job next term, although her position is fairly powerful right now. In the future she'll be in a city near you, stopping traffic and doing the union thing, in the spotlight, for the children.

Ever optimistic, rank and file CTU members and supporters urge Ms Lewis to do a stage dive

Your Religion Is A Superstitious Excuse to Lie Cheat Steal and Kill

...and on occasion rape, diddle children, torture and generally be a pest.

If that statement offends you, then it is probably true. I don't even have to point out the ridiculous superstitious, ritualistic nonsense that qualifies for religion in some circles, or their insistence upon everyone tolerating their annoying, abusive rituals, habits and superstitions while showing no respect or tolerance for others who are not nearly as pushy and disrespectful as themselves.

If anyone should ever make fun of you or call that which you worship by name or depict it in a cartoon or movie, I DO NOT CARE, and I am not sorry if it hurts your feelings. (unlike many politicians. Please let me retract their apologies. Many of us are not sorry, carry no guilt) With luck maybe you'll pay attention and realize that you've been duped by pure nonsense and superstition by ever present holy men who love power, sadistic pursuits, and maybe money. You've been tricked.

You traded the cow for the magic beans, but unlike Jack, you ended up with beans that don't grow. They aren't even beans--just pebbles. Well, at least you can do the holy thing and stone someone.

Don't call me phobic, I'm just telling the truth. Your religion is worthless superstition and a source of laughably insane rituals. The only benefit is that it provides a structure and discipline for people to keep them off the streets--unless of course they are on a jihad mission, protesting invented insults, or blowing up some public place with bombs strapped to their bodies.

Oh, you say the bad stuff is only the extreme version of this joke. I don't see the others distancing themselves from what are labeled "extremists". Not really. The others are suing over nonsense and whining that no one likes them. Not many people do. Get over it, or quit being nuts. It's the 8th century ambiance that bugs people, not to mention the stonings, beheadings, bizarre deal with women and sex. Various honor killings or punishments.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I think what annoys people is that you are pushy, backward, insane and proud of it.

You think there is no such thing as mass insanity? You cannot reason with this, cannot "talk and come to understanding". I still hold that not all people are alike. Some of them are total nut cases. But they are holy as hell, so that makes it OKSorry, Ma'am, just carrying out the will of the prophet, pbuh, etc. Why? Because I am an idiot stuck in the dark ages, and damned proud of it. And I'm a victim of all the islamophobic meanies. Prepare to meet your doom as we throw rocks at you until you die for some non-crime crime.

Am I islamophobic? No. Are islamists reason-phobic? Or Sanity-phobic? No, I just dislike everything about it. Sorry. That is why I do not leave to go live in some country that is run by islamic theocracy. Fair enough.

It is one of those religions that is a bit more insanely brutal than most, and wrapped in ritual. And I do not think it is the fringe making the trouble because I don't hear or see the rest of the group reigning them in.

The rest of the group whines, and pushes for special treatment in other countries. Equal under the law, fine. Special footwashers in the airport, refusing the blind to bring seeing eye dogs in a taxi when the taxi company takes them, no. Go away. Oh, and how mean of people in a residential area not to be thrilled if you move in with your annoying call to prayer playing every few hours. It is worthless superstition. You won't get 72 virgins to screw when you blow yourself up. You will, for all eternity, be frozen in you last thought which will be "Ow!", and "Oh no, I'm an idiot!!" No virgins, camels, no celestial stoning of the innocent. It does not exist.

But, it is a thing of such beauty.

But hundreds of thousands, or millions of people can't be wrong. Can they?

Oh, yes they can, and they are

A catholic gave me that argument when I said I think the church got it wrong. Well, they've only been at it for two thousand years, so you think know better? Yep. I do. But I haven't seen Catholics blowing themselves up in crowded places or stoning women because the husband claims she's adulterous or disobedient. Or denying her the right to prosecute a rapist because she doesn't have three male witnesses, or however that dumbass rule goes. And they don't kill people over cartoons.

Honestly, it isn't just you, but others who do much less knife work, as well, who are causing me to doubt all that any religion uses as its basis. I certainly doubt their conclusions regarding what it means for behavior and where you are justified in minding the business of others. So, don't feel too singled out by this infidel. I find I'm even doubtful of the truth and sanity of religions which don't require pitching stones, and don't justify unnecessary killing.

It seems they all have some truth, but who doesn't know it is not in long term best interest to murder, or sleep with my wife? (unless of course you've paid the agreed upon fee) And what parent isn't going to say that God insists that their ungrateful little children honor their parents? Too bad they didn't have the foresight to add one that says, "Thou shalt not be a whiny brat".

Anyway, call it a crisis of faith or what you will. I call it refusing to pretend.

I wouldn't make your beliefs illegal---unlike what many in the world do to others---but I wouldn't be on board with catering to your whims and desires to inconvenience everyone else either. If I can't go through airport security with a sack over my head, then neither can you.

Not Exactly a Truther or a Falser

However it happened, the buildings came down. I don't think the airplanes are the whole story, but in some ways it doesn't matter. It changed things; at first for the better, as far as national attitude toward one another. Certainly not for the innocent people affected, or the businesses, or those beautiful buildings. But the event was used to change a lot for what seems the worse. Politically co-opted. Never let a crisis go to waste. See, it isn't just the dems who ride that horse.

Like so many politicized events, there may be some things worth looking at which go against the knee jerk reaction. And different people have different knee jerk reactions programmed in. Like some are programmed to believe republicans are just fat cats all for the big money people and democrats are for the working man, or that democrats are all about taxes and nanny laws while having orgies in the park, and republicans are small government, fiscally responsible, religious fanatics. Some truth in those thoughts, but not a whole lot when you look at the record.

I know the money bit is wrong. If you do not think tons of ultra big money people are democrats, you are simply lying to yourself, or highly misinformed. Same with the other guys. Much of the time it depends on the money source or other circumstances who backs whom. They really do not care about any ideals or philosophy, just influence with whomever is in power.

Anyway, I'm watching the battle lines form over this teacher thing in Chicago. I haven't researched it in detail, but even I know when I hear half truths, and I have on both sides. Don't be fooled, the union president may be a bolshevik, but she is not stupid. The points of contention don't cover a few items which I heard her discuss.

I think what we have is a situation which is fueled by some big money which is benefitting from playing musical schools, pitted against a sort of red army which is after power, security and a collectivist society. Oddly, the two factions in this case are usually on the same side. It just happens that the money people behind all Chicago doings stepped on the toes of a major support block.

The union members tend to lose my support, as if I was ever in solidarinosc with them, when I see them sporting Che T-shirts. This is why I abhor chattering, chanting mobs. Mobs, like committees, quickly develop a group IQ equal to half that of their dimmest member.

WWCD--What would Che do? He'd shoot the opposition and wax poetic about the smell of blood and gun powder

Oh, but it's for the KIDS!!! I can hear that whining battle cry from here. This has zilch to do with the sacred children, our greatest resource. Barf. <that's me barfing

Well 11 years ago, for just a few days, or maybe a week or so, Americans were mostly Americans, and they dropped their hyphens and attitudes for the most part. Even in Memphis.

a day or two after 911, I happened to drive into typical unfriendly, semi-gangland, and had to turn around in one of those gravel parking lots by a small 'hood style grocery store where mean looking men who drink out of brown paper bags hang out. Usually they'd start for the car or stand and bow up in a challenging way, and I would maneuver quickly and speed out of there.

That day, though, we exchanged nods and looks that I interpreted to mean, "I have no idea what's going on, but maybe we're on the same side right now." That was kind of how it seemed. I doubt any of us in that parking lot were thinking, "Hey, I guess the smart thing is to add a domestic security force, circumvent the Constitution and make great strides toward a police state. Search me! Please!". I'm sure that was not our initial reaction.

That was the reaction of some, and obviously the strategy the federal government spearheaded as a way of making people think they were taking action. Then we declared another common noun war--terror. Or in W's case, Tara. He declared war on Scarlett O'Hara's ancestral home.

Like the war on drugs, a war on terror leaves room for anything. I guess war on poverty or obesity is wide open to pretty much anything too.

There was some sort of ad or public service announcement, maybe a presidential grandstanding piece of fluff about doing community minded soviet bs on 911. A day of national service or some such nonsense. I worked. I consider that just fine. If you did any kind of work that people need, then you did national service. If you bought something you did a service. People have jobs because people buy stuff.

But, if you wear a special T-Shirt and make a big deal about picking up trash or some other wonderful deed that everyone can witness, I'm sure you feel better. "It feels so good to give back." I keep this up I'll have to eat breakfast and lunch all over again. How such nonsense becomes accepted as a lofty thought, I do not know. If you weren't taking what is not yours would you have reason to give back? Your daily life is just one suck from the community fest, so out of guilt you have to conspicuously give back?

I understand doing things because you can and you think it will help some known or unknown people. I do not call it giving back. I just consider it is living and doing what I think is right or what I want to do. People who do a good job as parents are doing a hell of a lot more for the world than conspicuous self aggrandizing whatchamacallits.

On a politically incorrect note, and I dare you to prove me wrong, never mind. It was out of line but still mostly true. It's been overcast, rainy, and foggy all day in my part of SoCal. About half the drivers don't get that you turn on your lights and refrain from riding the bumper of the vehicle in front of you under such conditions. I guess they do not know that the lights are so you can be seen, not for increasing your field of view.

I wonder if they have to pass any kind of test to get a driver's license in Baja California. Judging from the cars with plates from there, I'd think not. They seem frazzled just figuring out how to make the thing go forward.

"Religion of Peace". Right. Maybe the only one I believe that of is the Quakers.

What Now?

This relates to one of the topics in a post two titles down from this one.

What now? As discussed in that entry, it is a question which I find difficult to answer because I often hide what it is I truly want from myself. That is nuts, I guess. The mind, or mine, is like that; clouding pure thoughts of a particular nature with modifiers, limits, poor self evaluations, pessimism, whatever it takes.

I am working on it. I have the strong feeling the answer involves a woman of unknown identity and location. That's a start. When I have a clear picture of something, and an honest desire, I can usually find a way to make it materialize. Other people do such things every day, so even the damaged souls can achieve a degree of success. Being pure of heart is helpful I think, so I guess I need to work on that.

Wow, On the Edge of the Big Picture

Due to certain newsworthy events, the hotshot is cutting out early from the socal vacation at the puppet master's resort home where I do work. I am fairly certain I know why the sudden departure, cutting about a week off the down time. It is kind of cool in a way. I know who's in a pickle and who needs some bolstering, and, in this case, how the dots connect.

It may be addictive and fuel the ego but life in the thick of manipulated markets and political intrigue has got to be miserable. Or it would be for me and most others with a strong conscience. If your goal is purely some trumped up legacy, and winning--whatever that means in that world--then I guess that is the world for you.

I'm sure this particular hotshot quite innocently possesses the elitist mentality and that he thinks he knows best for the "masses" and that it is kind of him to be in a position of power; tax paid and with many perks. Hopefully the not so secret service didn't trash the BBall net this time. Otherwise, the govt. spooks usually don't leave much mess. They may have special "cleaners" if anything real messy took place. If you know what I mean; like five people check in and only four plus an extra suitcase check out. Maybe they'll make me a spy. I'd be perfect--no roots or history.