Is Nothing Sacred Anymore?

So, I spotted a story about the Pope (el Papa, if you are from S. Florida) naming seven new saints.  Apparently this move was to spark interest in certain groups around the world.  I don't know.  They finally have a native American saint--not sure what tribe.  Probably had high cheek bones like the Massachusetts politician.  My info could be bad, but I detected a hint of PC pandering in this big saint fest.

Maybe it was Pocahontas who got tagged for sainthood.  That would make sense.

I'm thinking the Church has been infiltrated by the people who run the Nobel Committee---especially those responsible for awarding the peace prize.  If they start canonizing jihadists we'll know the church has finally jumped the shark.

Don't think this guy made the cut, nor his alter ego over his shoulder there.  Like many holy men, he freaks me out and I wouldn't want him in my car or house.  I think he's holding a molotov cocktail which he's about to light and throw.  Now, you don't see the Pope doing that.  Give credit where it is due.

I did not see myself on his list.  Even my mother was not on the list and everyone knows she was a saint.  My ex-wife didn't make it, but that is probably less surprising than it should be. Somehow, I'm just not buying it.  The people who invent things like air conditioning or toilet paper are never recognized by the Church, any church, and they have done more to alleviate pain and suffering than all the holy persons I've ever met, or about whom I've read or heard.

Those were just two examples of helpful inventions and things that make life better, not the only ones.  If you've ever had a migraine headache and happened to be lucky enough that the prescribed pills worked, I can tell you that, at that moment, the inventor of those pills was holier in your aching eyes than any pope or mullah or rabbi or saint.

Could my bad attitude and irreverence result in Benny appearing like this, floating around in my room giving me the stink eye?  I hope not.  Now I won't be able to sleep--I'll be too scared.  Always getting into trouble.

This is why I will probably never be admitted into the priesthood, and it is unlikely that I will ever be named Pope.


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I.B.

There are a number of Bs in the San Diego area; OB, PB, IB, and maybe even more I can't recall.   In North Carolina OB means Outer Banks, and it is one splendid coastal area, maybe my favorite ever.

Here, OB means Ocean Beach.  It is a bit congested and tight as far as driving, but it is a cool beach.  Then there is Pacific Beach nearby which seems to attract drunk lunatics who stab each other under bizarre circumstances like while being run over or riding bikes and skateboards.

IB stands for Imperial Beach, which is the furthest south you can go without crossing the line into Mexico.  Tijuana is just south of this beach.  IB is the one where I'd have a place on the ocean if I could.

Some time ago I visited a relative of my friend, Sally, there.  Right on the beach, it was a memorable place and great times.  Sally lives a long way off so that all changed a bit.  However, I was invited to a party in IB this weekend.  Another case in which playing harmonica got me on the list.  The people wanted some music players so I guess I got lumped in with a few others.

This couple recently scored a condo which is on the same street as Sally's people but about half a mile north.  Their place is also ocean front but in a condo building, as opposed to a quad-plex like the Sally folk.  They are on the first floor with a large patio.  You walk off the patio and you are on the beach.

I said it before, IB is the best kept secret in SoCal.  I think you could enjoy ocean front there more than in LaJolla or many of the better known places.

Anyway, it was a nice gathering, and we had a great time in the living room playing music.   Three guitars, and more singers, and my own bad self.  I'm always impressed with people who seem in tune with one another and appear to find hosting a group so natural and easy.  It was a very comfortable evening.  I didn't manage to pick up any chicks, though, but it could yield results in the future.

this photo robbed from the intertube webs was taken very close to the party condo. Sally's people are to the left on the other side of the pier a ways. Pic doesn't do the place justice, but then I don't want to encourage riffraff to come settle there anyway.

I'm kind of sick of being the lone ranger.  Even so, if I don't fit, I can't pretend just for fear of being alone. Perhaps I need to work on being a bit more flexible and eligible.

It was not the type of evening which made me feel awkward or lonely though.  It has just begun to bother me some.  There is some indication of interest in some quarters but I don't quite feel what I'd like, so back at square one I guess.

Still, how cool is it to be playing music with nice people, in a plush crib, looking out at the best breaking waves you could ask for?  The water is a bit cool at this point for going in without a wet suit. That is the biggest drawback to this coast.  But the sound and feel of IB is tough to beat anywhere.

It felt all the better because I had been there before and knew something of the place.  Maybe IB has not seen the last of me.

Voted Too Early

Free Pot Offered To Lure Residents To Vote...

Not much else to say, except maybe I should have settled further up the coast.  If you can't vote often, may as well vote happy.

I wonder if I should have held off on that mail in.  Maybe Descanso or Alpine will get creative at the last minute; give away obamaphones or free gas.

Oh well, my ballot has already made it to voter central by now, where Igor probably opened it, read it, and tossed it in the trash.  How can a mail-in ballot possibly be secure and secret?

Sort of a civic placebo I guess.



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See It Like

In about 1979 Miami thought a good PR campaign would be to center an ad with sex appeal around the slogan, "Miami.  See it like a native".  I think they kept the slogan but had to change the graphics.

They printed a bunch of the posters but were immediately slammed by feminist groups who called it sexist, degrading, etc.  I guess the critics were not women who enjoy scuba diving topless.

Lately, I keep wondering if they think it is sexist that only men have to register for selective service--the draft, should they decide to enforce that.  Few heed the warning, but I still believe that those who have pushed the military to cover all groups will wonder what happened when the mood swings and they start forcing people into military service.  

Many will pine for the days of don't ask, don't tell.  I say that not because I care who serves sbut because I am not a fan of the draft and hope those who are not on board with whatever war comes up can find a way out which doesn't involve hiding out in another country.  I'm a fan of having the choice and taking advantage of any loophole to secure that choice.

Anyway, I was thinking of untapped markets, and the idea of travel tours to Benghazi came to mind.  I'll bet no one is doing it.  

Imagine the new poster:  Benghazi.  See It Like An Infidel.   Or, if you want to see it like a native, we'll issue rifles and grenade launchers to our tourist group and maybe bomb some buildings.   It will be a whole new genre in the travel world.  I doubt the eco-tourist will find much to do in that part of the world, but that's just a small part of the tourism market.  Adventurous thrill seekers will love these outings.

We'll definitely have waivers signed which confirm the client's understanding that this may be a trip of no return.  Like they do the disclaimers on most prescription medication, people will probably ignore the unpleasant possibilities.   

Always looking for a new angle to enter an interesting business venture.  Maybe the Libyan government will hire me to do PR and help change their image so they can bring in tourist dollars. 

There may be a few details that need ironing out before we actually market the tour.  It would definitely be a ballistic tour.  Of that I am certain.  "Try not to lose your head" will be a little sub-slogan.

There was a take-off on the 'see it like a native' effort in Miami, which was more visible on the streets of South Florida than the official version.  That may have been due in part to the fact that after the feminist outrage, the city actually shredded all the posters.  23000, I believe.

But, for a time, the most ubiquitous bumper sticker in Miami had the words "Miami. See It Like A Native" with a picture of a gun aiming at you.  It was done so that you were facing the business end of a .38 or some common pistol of the time.  I can't find a picture of that but wish I could.  It was the most appropriate symbol of S.Fl. during the early '80s.  

I think some version of that might serve my Libyan tourist enterprise very well.  

All that is left is to deal with the minor details involved in getting this thing rolling. 

I think I could put together a few different tours:  Benghazi.  See It Like A Jihadist, as well as the one for infidels.  Whatever we settle on is sure to be a big hit.  

hmmm....what about Green Jihadist Libyan Tours?  We'll go in with bow and arrows made of recycled materials.  Not sure what we'll do for explosives---maybe do that thing with smashing paper bags full of air.

Missing the Mark

There have been a number of women with whom I could have, or should have, stayed for the duration.  Not all at once, of course.  Cases of missed opportunities.  In each situation the culprit that spoiled things was my difficulty with real life, I think.  (There is an internal debate whether one or another would have been the best choice or if I actually never knew any of them.  I settle for assuming I should have stayed married for better or worse.  She was quite adorable back in the day, which is why I left before totally ruining her life.  That is truly insane, maybe)

That thing my brother once said about how I am, or could be, extraordinary, if you could get past that often comes back to haunt me.   Mostly because he was right, and because that is a hard thing to define, yet I know it is as real as rain.   He said it to someone I was with at the time.  One of the few who ever met my family.

It doesn't matter in the details.  I was too afraid and confused to know how to feel like I was worthy anyway.

Sometimes I hit the road for fear of destroying some nice girl's life.  I use the term "girl" loosely.  We were legally adults in these cases.  Sometimes I just took too long being aloof and they opted to find a better way without me.  That showed sound judgement I thought.

As well as withdrawing socially, I withdrew professionally, and there were times when I actually had some sort of profession.  I had as much confusion in many work situations as I did in relationships.  I'm not sure I regret the stands I took in the workplace based upon principle, even though it was a quick path to the exit.

At this point, all that leaves me worried and scared.  I'll deal with the fear. I always do.  But I have nothing much to go on as far as which way to go from here.  Many years have been passed assuming I would disappear somehow out in the ocean or in a remote mountain with high drops.  That is a lot of work and takes some doing.

I know right from wrong in most cases, and I see through the power structure, I think.  On the other hand, I'm pitifully naive when it comes to people and normal life.  Very odd mix.

There is a pattern which I see fits in both relationship land and work.  Both are activities in which I would love to be immersed.  I actually enjoyed work situations in which I had to put in 12 or 18 hour days, just because that was what was needed to win a particular battle.   Yet I managed to escape those vocations for reasons which have no real validity.

I wonder what is next.  I'm tired of hiding out, and I don't think I'm ready to give up altogether.

Being sick tends to bring out this sort of thought.  Being alone does it as well.  There are those who have done it right, and I am not one of them.  I'm proud, or relieved, yet a little angry that the rest of my family is doing it right.  I wouldn't wish on them what I've been through or what I go through, but I don't think they are that much smarter and better.  It is just that if they have a "that" to get past, they have been able to do it, and I can't.

They tend to think of me as creative and somewhat artistic.  I'm thinking maybe they are wrong.  The only thing supporting their view is something I read recently which claims that artistic, creative people are more likely to be mentally nuts.  Especially writers, they say.  They are more suicidal and such.   But my writing lacks imagery, and is grammatically weak.  Not to mention boring.

I guess I'll end this confession here.  It may be all fiction, and something I dreamt up for no reason.  Or not. Who cares?  Possibly others have felt that same disconnect which prevents them from defining their nemeses and waging the holy war which would set them free.




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Oh NO, I watched the 1st minute

Geez!   I'm so glad I didn't watch this debate on video earlier.  Just catching it on radio as I wandered around doing a few errands was easier.

1st question:   I'm in college and whine whine whine, what about a job whine whine whine?

My answer:  Face it kid, you are about as dumb as a rock and if you really want to spare you parents and all the people you mention further pain, drop out, leave town, and dive into a live volcano.   Who would hire an idiot like you?  Get real.
Next question.

What a crazy thing that set up is.  Huge, ugly woman making a name for herself, and you are stuck on an empty stage with a barstool.  No wonder I'm not president.  I would have exploded the first time I had to participate in a pretend forum like this.

I wish I could fast forward to question which basically asked Romney how he'd approach running against George Bush.  For crying out loud people Bush hasn't been there for four years.  What a plant that question was.  Idiotic.

I'm not sure I can take any more of the video.  It is painful, especially knowing that the job involved here affects billions of lives and trillions of dollars.  I would have taken a stun gun or taser to half the questioners if I were up there, and had my way.  If only they could have done that;  "that's a stupid question and you're a whiner, here's some free shock therapy.."

I need shock therapy after watching only a few minutes of it, and listening to the whole dog and pony show.

Conclusion: most of humanity wants tyranny not freedom.  Nothing I can do for that.  Best thing is to just piddle with the things in life that I enjoy and dodge The Man as best I can.  Maybe shed a tear for friends and family who go along with the feudal lords, and leave it at that.  I think I'll skip my earlier vow to be nice to strangers and those in need, and animals.  Screw them all.

Can't Wait to See the Movie; more debate

This time, I heard the whole thing on radio.  I guess it was the whole thing, but it wasn't easy to be sure.  I thought I heard someone throw a punch but couldn't tell who did it.  Probably the totally unbiased moderator, who in no way is out for self promotion.

The questions were selected by the moderator from totally random undecided voters.  Oh, come on, give me a break.   I guess it didn't make any difference since the format of the answers and rebuttals went like this:

Question: blablablabla, so what about blablabla?

Answer: Thank you, Syphilisia, for this question, and thank everyone in the world who I will now name for blablabla.  I'm glad you asked that because it gives me time to tell you that my opponent is a liar, a pedophile, and he hates you...blablabla

Rebuttal: None of what my opponent just said is true and he is a liar, a pedophile, and he hates you..and I'd like to further sa...

Moderator: time's up let's move along

Both candidates: shut up!!

Moderator: OK, Mr President, you can say a little more.  Romney, sit down or die!

I'd like to see how the visual worked out.

I found myself yelling at both of them through the radio.

Some parts were a train wreck.  Whether it splits hairs or not, the pres. did not actually label the terrorist attack in Libya an act of terror until way later than they said.  He danced around it prior to weeks after the fact.  They drew it out of something he said which was totally non committal and meaningless the day after.  Romney, to my dismay, did not hammer him for apologizing for that stupid video over and over.  I would have hammered that.  Why does the president apologize for the freedom we have to create satire, opinion, cartoons etc.?   That was unaddressed.

The rest was a flurry of so many trillion here, and so many there, with each being told he was full of it.

I am not thrilled that neither is really a minimalist where governmental function and authority are concerned, but I know from his own words that Obama sees no real value in limiting government's powers as long as "it works", in his opinion I guess.  Ends justifies the means kind of guy.

Mitt has a bit of that ends justifies means too but maybe a little less gung ho.  As far as big money, I think Obama is the guy for those who manipulate markets and make money off of money.  Mitt is the guy for industries that produce stuff, but maybe steamroll their way a bit.   If you were fooled into thinking dems are all about the poor nobodies and reps are all about daddy warbucks, well--you've been fooled.  It's pretty much not quite like that.  Nobody is for the nobodies, not even the nobodies. They just want their obamaphones, and the little crumbs that buy their votes.

It will continue to come down to the same split seen over much of the world.  Do you want central control of wealth and resources and personal freedom or not?  Lately the or nots are in the minority.  I'd think anyone who has experienced stuff done through committees at work and elsewhere, and who has witnessed the bizarreness quotient which spikes the further up the management ladder you get in many companies, would be allergic to more centralization and proliferation of rules and regs.

How to Make Me Vote For 4 More

To sway my vote all that is needed is for Louis Farrakhan, Jesse, and the usual charlatan demagogues to encourage and threaten riots if Romney is not elected.

Then I'll vote the big O and say, riot, you sorry morons, riot.

I can't believe that this sort of underhanded extortionist tactic has not been smashed by both sides.

Good thing I live out in an area where rioters are not likely to tread.  It would be a long hike, and people out here would not observe the same rules of engagement those whose businesses get trashed in riots have to observe.

Nothing on either side of this stupid contest has angered me more than the whispers and proclamations of intended riots.  When you make race a character value in and of itself, this is what results.  And who profits?   The charlatans who control and keep people ignorant and angry.   All based on no value beyond tribal hatred. Al, Jesse, and others who play that game.  Some black, and some white.  Michael Moore attempts to incite racial hatred and class hatred---pretending that under the baseball cap he isn't a disgusting rich fat white man.   It is a money maker, an industry unto itself--if you have the stomach for it and don't mind lying, and inciting violence, even murder.

I guess I'll just mail the ballot in.  No one has threatened to riot if Obama wins, which was dumb of the democrats, because I vote whichever way brings on the threats.

This is another facet of the Great Pretense and I'll go out on a limb and break the taboo code on this subject with the truth.

The truth is, in this century, today, the vast majority of racists who are white are self loathing and prejudiced against whites.  They pretend that they are exempt from their genetic group. Whites are presently the largest group and it is a tiny minority who are racist when it comes to other groups.  The majority of blacks are racist against whites.  Maybe not the 95% or so who vote purely based on race, but a large number.  Groups like La Raza, by their very name, are racist, but may not represent the overwhelming majority of hispanics.  In some areas, hispanics are predominately racist toward whites and blacks.

In the last few years, or so, the encouragement by crooked "leaders" and misguided idiots toward tribalism in the name of ethnic pride and fighting racism where it didn't exist has served to create hatred and mistrust in a very sick way.  The code of the Great Pretense demands that we ignore reality, rewrite present day news and past history in order to pander and appease to the point where we pretend threats of violence based on race, as long as they come from easily consolidated voter blocks, such as inner city blacks, are somehow intellectually valid and not insanely inappropriate.  The more conformist among us and the media will just sweep it under the rug and pretend it isn't what it is.  So many other areas of life have been dealt with in this manner as we've accepted the general tenets of Pretending that it comes quite naturally now.

Regardless of the election outcome, what has become a mass pretense won't change much.  We are still under a spell that has caused us to lose sight of what freedom is, and what actually defines the word "rights".  It is a slow process of selling out which took a longer time than I've been alive.  Blind acceptance of so many strange things; from foreign policy to government-business partnerships (so-called crony capitalism), to pretending the democrats were the party of civil rights, which they were not.  Not to give republicans a pass.  They gave us the TSA.  And both have put soldiers in harm's way when they could have done better.  But even in military matters there is a Great Pretense.  We're there--wherever--to win hearts and minds, so don't shoot until they shoot you.  Win hearts and minds?  Are these people really that stupid or insane?  I doubt it.  We just don't know what their real goals must be.  Psychotic or sociopathic would better describe it.

But we go along for fear of being accused of lack of patriotism or of being racist.  Screw that.   And in some circles, if you don't go along with the prescribed program, and you disagree, then you aren't "really" black, even though you are black.  Remember when the usual charlatans were debating whether Obama was "black enough"?   Those people should be jeered off the stage, or the pulpit.  But who wants to experience the wrath of the mindless mob?

The Pretense tends to taint debate on everything, even abortion.  It is assumed that if you don't want to pay for someone else's mishap that you are depriving them of reproductive freedom.  You want to supply me with suitable sex partners, and I'll be the judge of that, then maybe I'll consider chipping in for everyone else's birth control, and after the fact adjustments.  Or not.  That is one discussion which has become way out of bounds.  It is legal to have an abortion.  Some people don't like that and say so. It is still legal, and would be tough to change.  Paying for it is another animal.  Tying having it paid for by others to allowance or denial reproductive rights is an illegitimate stretch.  Reproduce if you can.  Smoke em if you got em.  But remove the pretense from the discussion.

Country Guitar Kindness

A guitar player, who also plays bass, drums, and harmonica, and has played country since forever gave me this delay pedal the other day.  

We were talking about what I like to play through, amp wise, and I mentioned that the main thing other than the amp was a delay, and I'm set.  I have all the microphones I need for the moment.  I always come back to the Audix Fireball anyway.  The next step up would be a very costly mic and I have no call for that unless I am playing scenes which I am not now playing or likely to play.

that's all I need for now, just the basic delay with proper controls. The Bassman will do well with this I think.

I found the generosity quite touching.  Cliff and Linda and I were over at this guy's house and he went into his workshop/music gear room and came out with this delay pedal.  He said he has a few of them.  He does have the gear, no doubt.  He and his wife have hosted some cool events at his house with the PA set up on his back patio, with a lot of musicians playing.

There is a bit of that going on in East county and around San Diego.

I guess I'll start using amps more and maybe bringing the delay and my own mic with me to some of these things.  It could be worth it.  Not much call for the amps just yet though.  That may change when we get out and about with the people I've been practicing with in Poway.  Why not ride with it even if I wonder if I'm nuts.

Deed is Done; Official Ballot Marked and Sealed

My number one motive for getting my official mail in ballot marked and sealed in its envelope was to avoid spilling coffee or food sauce on it.  The longer it floated around this hovel, the higher the risk for an aborted suffrage situation.

I wonder if anyone received a ballot marked "unofficial"

I did a little background checking on some of the propositions on the ballot.   In one case an allegedly neutral random citizen committee redrew lines for voting districts.   Do I want to go with their plan?   How do I know?  Let me check out this committee and see what's up.

A typical condescending pretense.  A committee of professional busy-bodies, most of whom have never lived life in the real world, or else they spent their entire adult lives with an ax to grind because Mom and Dad were sad and lonely.

So, No, I doubt that committee is less corrupt and misguided than whatever it is they were to change.

School boards, and this and that board or commission of vague purpose, I voted those whose titles indicated some real life private sector experience, plus one military guy who I think might be outspoken and intimidating to the others.  I almost wrote you in but wasn't sure if y'all wanted the job.

Now do I send in my vote to help get the momentum going my way, or do I wait until the last minute so I can cast the deciding vote that saves the world?   I'm leaning toward getting the momentum  going. That is what leaders do, they lead.  Besides, what if I lose the sealed envelope?  Better to get it in the mail so someone else can lose it.

I'm having trouble suspending disbelief in this process.  They open the ballot, and see who I voted for or against, and I'm to believe the noble state employees in CA will not do their best to queer my voting deal?   I don't buy it.  And I obviously did not vote in the way that hard core public sector people would vote.

Despite my previous post, I went the route of maximum freedom, least cost.   I voted down a measure to tax those who make 250k or more some additional amount for the next seven years for two reasons.  One, I think it is very dangerous when a person can vote to tax another and be exempt himself.   Two, I do not think this will do anything but chase more people in that income category, and small businesses, out of state.  They abuse the money they have.

It was fun trying to vote for three or four out of a list of names which were all unfamiliar to me.  I ruled out names if they were prosecutors, cops, lawyers in general, or appeared to be lifelong public employees.  I voted for a couple of nurses, small business people, engineers.  Doesn't mean they aren't Bolsheviks, but they are less likely to be sadistic wackos who love to cage people or beat them with sticks.  Less likely.  That is the best I can do.

This may be the year that The Great Pretense, in all its many incarnations, finally implodes in on itself, or explodes on everyone and everything.  Just like the Mayan Calendar said.  Really, I have no idea what the Mayan calendar said.  I don't think those who tell us what it says actually know.

It ends soon.  They probably just figured they'd mapped out stuff far enough into the future for the time being and took a break.  Or else they figured out this would be when the Great Pretense became impossible to sustain.  In one way I hope so.  In another I don't because things will get messy for awhile when the overdo 21st century Enlightenment flashes onto the scene.

This has got to be as un-secret as having my picture taken with the list of my voting choices.  My name is printed on the outside of the ballot envelope and I have to sign the outside as well.  Gee, I wonder whose ballot it is we are pulling from this envelope?  I guess the best check in this system is that so many CA public workers and officials are morons and may be stumped by that question.

I only regret that I didn't make sufficient copies to confuse the process.  I was even unsure on one measure.  To do it over, I'd vote the other way on that.  Oh well, let us hope this particular measure is never one that touches me personally.

I did vote to weaken three strikes.  Take away the barroom tough talk and look at reality and you know this has been abused and is a way to take incompetent judges and dishonest others in the justice system off the hook.  Let baseball be baseball and life be a little more rational.

Oh, for one of the school board things I voted for a kid named Zack, who is a student at a local university.  I pictured myself at that age, having nerve to get on the ballot.  Maybe it was a dare.  You know he'll be thrilled to get elected, or get any votes.  And his name is Zack.  That's a name you can trust.  His odds are good.  There were 8 slots and only 13 choices.

Reminds me when there was a write in campaign at my last college to grace me with an honorary degree.  They had a suggestion box for such purposes.  I won't say that this effort in no way included me, but it did get legs and many people submitted that suggestion even when I wasn't supervising.