K and Wait for IT

Those are my peeves of the moment.  I hate it when I am texting someone about something for some reason, taking my time not to type gibberish, confusing anagrams and abbreviations, or uninteresting slang, and the other person comes back with "k".

I let them know.  "What?  Did you just f^&**ng K me?"  Really.  How dismissive, while pretending to be current, savvy, and too sophisticated for manners.  Don't be K'ing me.  That is the long and short of it.

And another thing; why do people feel it necessary to post a video with the caption "Wait for it..."?  They often have the ellipsis.  Is the video so bad and unnecessarily long and boring that the only way you get anyone to watch it is to advise them they need to wait for the punch line?

It is because people are sheep and like that sense of power.  Anyone can post anything.  So the first to figure that out somehow saw themselves as speakers in front of a huge auditorium of adoring fans.  They took to calling this invisible multitude "folks".

If you say "folks" when you want to sound as if you are addressing thousands, maybe millions, people realize you are a big leader and probably an expert.  One thing for sure, you know the answers.  "Folks.  Be afraid.  Be very afraid."  Thank God that one petered out for the most part.  Ha. Perhaps there IS a God after all.  Yay.

OK.  So a chubby kid at the beach makes a running dive toward the waves and stages a belly flop on the wet sand.  And they tell you to wait for it.  It is a GIF for crying out loud.  A few seconds.

But it is so bad that the author fears his audience has reflexes you would not expect from "regular folks".  Lightening fast.  So quick are they that they can realize, after only half a second, that the next 3 seconds of this GIF aren't worth it.  But wait!  They told you to wait for it, so you give it a shot.

Your initial instinct was right.  Quite often, I am able to ignore the "wait for it" trick and I do not even run the video.  This is a new skill on my part.  I used to wait for it, sublingually cursing whoever posted the wait-bait all the while.

I am not sure on these things if the original idea is even close to as annoying as the repeaters of the ideas.  It is like a double whammy; arrogant nonsense based on a false notion of importance and reality, coupled with the piteous spectacle of the unoriginal parroting that which they think gains the most peer approval while pretending to be deep clever, intellectual and creative.  Barf city, folks.

I do not K people.  The very least they get is an OK.  Even that is rare.  I affirm in ways that let people know I am paying attention and understand the fact that they may be human and actually deserve to be treated as such.

It is an odd life

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FUN FRIDAY!!!!!

Ah, but today is Monday, what the heckety heck heck heck?   Just how it works.  That is what makes it fun--it isn't even today.  Things in the distant past or future often look more fun than they are.  So that's why.

This is the kind of crazy other band from the Texas one that I play in.  (secretly molding their sound, too, through subliminal suggestion and demand).

I have let my beard grow since the wedding.  It is so grayish pale and soft, it just looks like a dirty face.  Little pepper there but primarily salt from what I see.  After much cajoling from Valor and Lace I said I'd see what happened if I didn't shave awhile.  Any I like I will keep.  The rest I shave.

I resist at all costs the goatee/ Van Clapp or whatever it is; that sort of beard.  No.  I resist this peer pressure.  Half the baby boomers in America and some of the alphabet generations all have those goatees.  Used to be only pimps, mobsters and strip club owners had them.  It was the most overt badge proclaiming sleazery yet contrived.    Now we are all sleazy.  And yet, I am alone and lonely.  What the heckety heck heck heck? wthhhh

The thing with shaving is, A. It takes time and I don't like to do it, B. I keep getting slight, almost invisible nicks that bleed.  It is not the blade it is because sometimes I bleed too easily.  I have had spots appear on my arm and at times one or another would bleed some.  Stigmata, not just a hazard to your eyesight any more.  Obamacare may be involved, no doubt.

Good news is I am weathering this blistering heat without big attacks of hot needles.  I have to do strange things to make it work out but you do what you can when intractable discomfort and pain come in waves./  So, I haven't had that in awhile.  Trying to maintain the upswing of my pendulum ride.  I will get my Valor and Lace fix this week; rehearsal on thurs. Play Hard rock downtown on Friday, and then coolest restaurant tavern in the county on Saturday.   Pine House Cafe on Mt. Laguna.

All part of the plan to quit living in paralyzing depression or whatever that is.  Seems to be working.  Really helps to get a Texan fix.  In my life, it has been really hard to be down around genuine Texas people.  The Horse Boy's dad was a complete jerk that time I sought them out--somewhere outside Austin a ways.   But he wasn't a real Texan, he was a limey who kept talking about the Royal special forces or some such.  I thought maybe he was a veteran--no, just an insufferably arrogant rude whinging brit.

Pine House is on the Pacific Crest Trail.  People hike from Mexico to Canada.  They often are given shelter in the Cafe.  She lets them put sleeping bags on the floor.  She or her son lives upstairs so it is semi safe.  She has been very kind to hikers.  Last time there was a group laying out various things to dry on an old rail hitching post thing just outside under the overhang.  But they had to come in a buy dinner to hang with us.  The place filled up with others mostly.  Hikers are rarely on a fine dining quest.

Emperor Has No Threads On; What They Mean Is Aberrant Lives Matter

The convoluted logic of victims the world over results in some rally stupid circumstances.  And I agree, Europeans are the problem.  But not for the reasons Aztec descendants would proffer.

Europeans are insane pushovers when it comes to ridiculously contrived bits of pseudo-logic.  Like "hate crimes".  You don't get that sort of garbage elsewhere.  Europeans are the ones who have enough self loathing to twist reality around in order to bask in guilt while destroying or otherwise stifling the best and brightest among them.  Of course they reserve superlatives like "best and brightest" for anyone but themselves, even if the best and brightest may include many of their own countrymen.

Obviously those people haven't done enough penance.  They may seem uninterested in racial matters, racial differences or other condition, not constituting a matter of choice, philosophy or character.

So, someone said, "Hey!!  I have and idea!!  Let's see how far we can push the victim thing, and the unwritten rule that the victim is justified in using any means he/she/it chooses no matter how egregiously they violate the rights and sanctity of the alleged oppressor.  Doesn't even have to be an oppressor.  We'll beat the hell out of any politician we don't want to win.  It is self defense because I don't like that politician's attitude.

Stop traffic because we are victims.  Throw rocks at cops, because we are victims. Throw rocks at horses. Intimidate, ambush, beat, assault those who attend political rallies you don't like.  Then make asinine comments about race and racist6s, and ethnicity. Because you are a victim, first and foremost.  We will create facts as needed to support that premise.

 It is garbage.  Your message is loud and clear, rammed down the throats of those not bothering you, "ABERRANT LIVES MATTER'  because we will mug you rob you, rape you and it is your own damn fault.  We are victims of your inability to stop us from being worthless anchors in the specie's attempt to evolve into something less self defeating than what we are now.   Your fault.

The hysteria I hear is surprising.   It is part of the script though.  Marketing nailed it.  They have people convinced that Trump is a huge imminent threat to the nation and world, so any disruption or vandalism or violence which occurs in the effort to stop this diabolical madman are justified.  And the Bill of Rights does not apply to him,  or his gang, really, because he is wrong.  That is the thinking.  Remember we're victims.

I may not be too gung ho for anyone who approves of using imminent domain to ensure they get their way with development projects.  I am not a fan of a group or person deciding your land should be theirs even if you do not want to sell.  And then use the guns of government to be sure you vacate your property.  They feel good because the do pay people.  Usually.

But, that certainly does not put me in the Hillary camp.   I personally think it is a joke that the kool aid meme is that Trump is dangerous (use hysterical voice) and must be stopped.  What a joke.  Do they not think Hillary is dangerous?  They are all dangerous.  But this band wagon is rolling along pretty well.  Just keep saying Trump is dangerous and get emotional whenever you say it.  Like maybe you saw him eating an unbaptized baby.

The ridiculous stuff tend to make me more for the person under organized attack.  I admit there is a huge difference between Hillary and Trump.  Lots of difference between a flood and a wildfire.  Either one will ruin your home and possibly your life.   They both suck and are unpredictable.

I do like like Trumps little petty insult battles and such, but the attack campaign on him is obvious and it is as if the fear mongering propaganda spinners want to pretend that only their approved candidates have a right to run.  They aren't scrutinizing the others or trying the same tactics.

Trump flushed these bastards out.  Look at who is claiming to be the sane faction; those who violate rights, attack people, burn cars, etc.  And then have the gall to play self righteous.  In California in places, I believe the local law enforcement was somewhat complicit with the loud and violent bullies.

Really.  If both sides decide the other is dangerous, then maybe mobs of each persuasion will shut the other down, violently, every time they try to hold a rally.  Possibly the net result is that all candidates get shut down so not one has to hear anything they have to say.  Just do what a huge number of voters do, vote according to gender, ethnicity, and any other characteristic unrelated to policy, belief, competence, etc.

I get points here: Mexican bass, two women, one of whom is the front person/group leader.  I got points out the wazoo.  Soothe the guilt that comes with privilege and a perfect life, which had to have meant a bad life for someone.  of course

Extra points for combos; like you can get lady points and race points all at once.  Not this election, but other times.  This time you can get a lady point.  Maybe.  Let's see for sure how this circus ends.

Here's the truth.  Many people are not feeling the love.  They are hurting as much or more than they were back before the big turn around that is alleged to have occurred.   The don't even have a clue what is Obamacare and how can you get some.  Their last efforts to deal with government may not have been entirely successful or pleasant.

Republicans say it is a failure, but the people of whom I speak have no more and no less now than they did then, healthcare-wise.  So your harping is not resonating with them.  Tell them that if you are elected they will fix your hernia.  That kind of thing.  And make it so they don't have to hunt you down.  Promise to round up herniated people in one fell swoop, fix them all, the scoop up all the appendix problems.

But for crying out loud don't fine people who can't afford insurance, or life for that matter, for not having it.  Friggin by or die.  That part must be a bit chaotic.  Had I not had the friend I do, I would be absolutely lost re insurance.  I'd probably be trying to go out of pocket or who knows.  That would not have lasted a year, I guess.  I got lucky.  Afternoon of last day for buy or die.

But for those of you who resent the totally free version of healthcare plans for Po Folk, believe me, that scheme is designed to kill the po folk while pretending to help.  If they have anything pressing like advanced pneumonia, or any number of maladies requiring a specialist and targeted tests, you will most likely die before they get on the right track, or any at all.  So, it is adios poor person.

Cheaper to bury you than to marry you.  Hahaha.  A little insurance joke alluding to the woes of customers who refuse to die and seem to have you over a barrel, in a way precluding divorce from the list of likely remedies.

This is why I had to sweat it to see if I made enough to buy  supplement to my subsidized insurance which gives me more personal control that the usual model.  I just recently established a primary care Dr.  But prior to that I needed the specialists and had no time for other doctors.  Once things smoothed a bit I got that worked out.  Anyway.  If I said I made less money, then I would have pretty much clinics run by physicians assistants and everyone speaks valley girl talk hyped on speed.  I cannot understand any of it.

I certainly question Trump's view of the Constitution and what not.  I already know Hillary and Bernie see it as a nuisance.  Outdated.  But the claim that Trump is racist?  That is for two reasons; 1-because he is white,  and 2-because he is not basing a campaign on kissing up to anyone not white, and apologizing for not being them.  It is a pandering joke what Hillary does.  Except it is not all that funny.

I may vote Libertarian or I may not vote or I don't know.  It is of less emotional impact than usual.  Although when I see or hear propaganda I get worked up.

I Have Got To Make a Documentary

It can say whatever I want it to say.  I can pull a Michael Moore and pretend nonsense comparisons are valid.  Last clip I saw, he was convincing Italians that they would receive no vacation, or much else, from their employer if they worked in the USA.

He bases that on the alleged fact that by law Italians get so much paid leave bin various forms, something like 25 years vacation for every one year you have to work.  Sweet.  All paid.  Italy is friggin utopia.  Mike proves it in a short clip that is an excerpt from one of his scrupulously honest and factual documentaries.

If that Italian couple, cornered by Mike to be his shills, moved to America, they would be on the streets no matter who hires them.  As long as they aren't Wall Street CEOs.  But the Italians did not look like they even want to be CEO.  Of course they live in Utopia.

The thing is, states set a lot of the labor laws for companies in their state.  I cannot think of a state in which I have worked which did not mandate so much paid vacation and such.  I usually enjoyed much more time off than prescribed, but I worked horrendous hours so it still worked out to well over forty in a week.  In any case, Michael neglects to mention that states do mandate some things.

I guess that is a lie of omission.  It seems that "by omission" is more correct, but I always have heard it with the "of".  Old dog, new trick.

So, I played the Memorial event in wealthy land.  Then the wedding. That was Valor and Lace. It was great.

Tonight I played Kaffe Meister with Enter the Blue Sky and it was great, too.  I decided to rip some extra measures on one song, and Sande read it perfectly.  Crowd cheered and applauded the solo.  That was nice.  It was appropriate on that song to just wail away.  It can be rhythmic or melodic or both.

And I play the fair on Wed.  Do not care for fairs, as a rule.  And have zero interest in playing secondary stage for basically nothing.   This is where Sande and I sometimes do not see eye to eye.  I do not say anything but Chris, who has a fraction of the experience of any of us, has already gravitated to the point of usually clearing more than gas and expenses.  Nothing great.  Have to play most nights to make a living at that rate.

The point is, he knows his market.  And I keep talking myself into finding ways and excuses to end up in Texas.  I believe if I apply myself like crazy, maybe I can split time.

The summer will mostly be Enter the Blue Sky.  In August we play a thing called Gypsy Fest way east of here at a clothing optional resort.  You can camp.  They have some headliner group coming in from France.  4 stages and I do not know what else.  This is going to be way interesting.

I told the band they have to wear clothes because of laws.  Otherwise they get harassed like strippers. In SD the squad that deals with that got busted for being highly corrupt and abusive to the exotic dancers in town.  I do not hang in those circles.  Anyway.  I expect old hippies.  I am OK.  Maybe I will camo there a day or two.  I can get the therapeutic UV when the band is not in the hood.

UV or sunshine is one of the best defenses against aquagenic pruritis.  A substantial tan helps.  Since blood issues I have not tan.  I think it will help.

100 deg today and I did not much.  But still, I did laundry in Alpine and did other things.  No AC.  It was hot.  I perspired, but did not expire.  The fire ant attack threatened but never came all that close to happening.  This happened once before.  The I had to decrease the dose I am on.  Decrease is rare.  It is another little sign that demonstrates my unusual brand of fortune--or luck.  Maybe karma or the art of the gods.  Yea, like I am seriously throwing out possibilities.   Not really

Anyway it is great I had no big attack.  Kaffee Meister was nice and cool inside.  Relatively speaking.   This had to be one of my best efforts with this group.  I think I helped the overall sound and dynamics.   Where the people came from, I have no idea but the place was packed when they gave me the spontaneous kudos.

Valor and Lace instrumental, the other night when lights were bright and I couldn't see the crowd, also seemed to get cheers and noise of approval. Both Richard and I were working it, so they likely were happy with either or both.  That is what we like, for any band that has us to be getting applause all over the place.  Is that too me-centric?

OK. How are you?  Gimme dollah.

The big deal is I made it a couple of days or more with no big attack.  It is like migraines, I am convinced. And over time I quit having those.  I learned how to sense the onset and avoid triggers, etc.  It worked.  Now naproxen does the trick so no prescription stuff.  Anyway.  Much the same with this.  If I catch it quick, I slow my metabolism, heart etc.  Find the coldest spot I can.  Shady and breezy if no AC.  And it will act like it is coming and I will get sort of half a chill.  Crazy.

The deal is, I think this will not last forever.  I believe I may be gaining the energy and insight to influence this for the better.  The best thing would be to just get paid enough to play until I drop.  It is therapeutic, and good for lungs, brain and who knows what.

I would be more self satisfied creating cool energy, clean interior air and water, better personal mobility devices for all manner of patient. Things like that.

Anyhow.  I think I will go hear a guy tomorrow who I think is a harmonica player that could be worth hearing.  It might make me do better if he is at all similar.

Sometimes I am cryptic here, and sometimes not.  That probably creates confusion for those who skim and may need brushing up on retention.  Not mentioning any names.  Just mentioning...

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DEAR Olympic Committe and WHO, got 3 words for you. And then a bunch more...

OK.  First, three words; D D T

I am not prepared to debate the ills of using a little of the stuff once in awhile.  Seriously, saving some human lives and pain is not a bad thing.  Sometimes you have to weight things out.  And here is where we run into trouble.

There seem to be varying and competing ideas of what things weigh.  Some see the value of a one celled organism as more valuable than human life.  Certainly many value mink, polar bears, or minnows more than humans.  Not that there really ought to be so many of these issues.  Lunatics always seem to spearhead these little warring factions.

I thought I would look at Drudge incase I could figure out what some facebook picture was about.  I avoid a lot of news so I am often behind on the trivia.  This thing touted a rally in which a hundred thousand bikers showed up and heard Trump and no one made trouble, fought, beat up cops or horses.

Was it a real thing?  Or imagined?  Or maybe only half true?  We just don't know.

But what struck me was a headline claiming the now famous dead gorilla was really just protecting the boy at the zoo.  So I hit the link to the story which contain the alleged video proof.  What nonsense!

I watched the video and the gorilla dragged the kid suddenly and unbelievably rapidly through the shallow water.  Nothing even slightly gentle about that.  It was freaky.  I do feel, from the background hysteria and nonsense that maybe they should have capped Mom first.  But this outrage is insane, giving existing circumstances.

 Of course you can't have a zoo without really working to maintain any idiot-proof features you can dream up.  No way you can depend upon people to manage themselves or their children.  Most people are OK, but plenty are worthless and screw things up one way or another wherever they go.

Why the blatant lie and misrepresentation by Drudge and the Daily Mirror, I have no idea.  But that is really bad.  How can you watch the video and believe it shows the kid was safe?  They have such a low opinion of people that they think they can let you see proof that they are lying but that you will think the opposite because that is what told you to think.

And really, Olympic people, forget all this nonsense trying to be politically obnoxious. Just do summer games in Sydney and maybe alternate with whatever Canada wants to do.  And Winter Olympics should always be in Norway and, I would say France, but they have too many lunatic muslims running amok.  Maybe Canada somewhere for that too.  Or some small but not insane country I cannot right now draw to mind.  But no USA, no China or other totalitarian regime, and no place like Brazil that is overrun with riffraff and mosquitoes.

It is stupid to give it to places that cannot pull it off.  But I hate olympics in the US any more. Just asking for trouble in present environment.   Most of Europe is the same way as far as being too vulnerable through fruits of their own pretense and stupidity to reasonably and prudently host the Games.

Texas Ranch-Style Wedding; best ever

I was a groomsman.  What a blast.  This Valor and Lace experience is really helping me pull out of near hopeless feeling blues.  Depression, I guess.

The Holy man somehow cued Chris to repeat the first bit, but it was Emily's line.  He bagan asking himself to be blablabla

Anyway, when I am around this bunch and included in things like their wedding, it makes me feel like my life is probably worth living, and actually enjoying.  I have trouble with that, I confess.

I am the guy with the white shirt, black hat, and cowboy boots.

This band is like a family in a way that few are.   I cannot explain it.  Clearly, I have a lovely family.  I am not one who thinks I want to substitute or discount blood and all that.  But this is still family. Most people have that sort of thing in some way in their lives.

**The rest of us backed another guy who sang some songs, and people danced like crazy.  Emily is a superb dancer.  It is like a real expression of joy with her.  Country and western people do line dancing and such too.  I think because you don't have to deal with a particular partner if you don't want.  

This is the whole group.  Richard on resonator, JRod on bass, Chris, Emily, and the harmonica player. 

Chris' charisma is really amazing.  Women like him, and even seem like the fact that he is all Emily.  And guys like him.  He was a badass scout sniper in Afghanistan.  And almost got blown up. Like most musicians other than myself, his hearing is a little screwy.  That's why the in-ear monitors he and Emily use made so much different.  When he can hear, he is not pitchy, and it is good.  I have never seen anyone make such progress vocally and instrumentally in such a short time. 

They'll be heading to Texas, north of Austin, Georgetown - Weir vicinity.   Richard resonator too.
If I  can figure a way to slit time, between states, that would be ideal.  That would require some effort and change everything, make more money and find some way to get healthier.

I met a guy who uses cbd oil and has had huge success in combating Mesothelioma.   Upon diagnosis, he was thought to have less than a year to live.  It has been over six and you would never know he had issues.  They don't just ignore the medical world, but his wife took a lot of this into her own hands, so a combination of cannabis oils containing various thc to cbd ratios and such has really made a difference.  Food for thought.

Under certain circumstances, these measures can be a Godsend to a person suffering.  That is not BS as you may have heard.

So I really liked all the Texans there.  Not that many there, but it was great.  I'm glad I have family living there now, both native Texans and transplants.  If only the Seattle nephew wasn't seriously allergic to Austin.  We have yet to pin it down.  It is his excuse to his brother for not moving. Besides they love Seattle.  Another story.  I love Seattle, too.

It is very flattering to have been asked to be in this wedding.  That is a very significant gesture, coming from Emily and Chris.   The type of loyalty involved with this group is not like people who grew up in Miami usually encounter.  Not with my group.  Heartbreaking in a way.

So, this band is getting better, and we made a big splash up the coast on Friday.

So the kid I gave my spare Suzuki Manji to has been listening to all kinds of harmonica and blues stuff, trying to master certain sounds or licks.  I heard he was holding court with it at recess at school, playing whatever he has learned to play and his mom says he was a big hit with the kids.  She implied the lick mastery was more in is head than real.  I get that.

That kid will be a monster by the time he is 12.  I better learn his name.

So, I have been a bit torn.  I have my interest in playing with Enter the Blue Sky as well.  I think they have very different markets. It is just my niche that I work well with both.  I do not see any of the other players of either group playing with the other.

I would love to have the fluidity of movement to work with both bands and particularly figure a good marketing strategy for Sande and ETBS.   Chris and Emily are doing better at moving Valor and Lace along than I ever could.  It is a very different deal.

Also, I don't know that I can stop the subtle self defeating strategy that I feel ETBS(enter the blue sky) sometimes employs.  Right now, I do not have enough energy to figure out how to make her material bring money and implement a plan.  But, I guess I can be a critic.  Sometimes critics are right.

The thing is, I developed somewhat of a different style by playing with Sande, and it is a good thing.  So, I will play.  I enjoy it, just not when we play venues I hate.  For little or absolutely nothing.

Chris and Richard, his wife, Sharon, and Emily all say I am coming to Texas soon enough.  If I can find the right things to keep me going, plus playing with Chris and them, I will do it.  I want to be nearer family, but not when I am isolated, useless, and down on myself.  I have to approve of what I am doing rather than waste away.  If I am near them, I have to be better.  Just how it is, Plus there are little kids there.  Have to always up the game.  The deal of being an example of what not to do is pure bunk and garbage.  Show kids what you want for them and from them, not the opposite.  It is how the mind works.  Although an electric shock when they don't comply is perfectly good practice, if you want results.

So, if you are the one, go ahead and marry me now. Let's just resign ourselves to such fate.  But you must be perfect for me.  Whatever that would be.  Probably pleasant enough and don't find me annoying.

Memorial Weekend

Valor and Lace--the country band with the ex marines and Emily, and JRod--and with me---played Laguna Hills today.
Holy smoke.  What a cool event.

This neighborhood, or maybe the town adopted the Team Dark Horse, 3rd battalion, 5th Marines.  They did adopt them with the purpose of helping them out in various ways.  The houses around the park/ranch where the event took place were like small high end hotels.  You could fit a village in just one house.  Maybe just one of their multi car garages.

And then you were lucky if there was 10 feet between dwellings.  Weird.  These were very high end dwellings.  I prefer a little more rustic.  Rustic is forgiving.  If I do something clumsy,  most likely nothing will be damaged.  Whether it is wipe up a spill or whatever else might fit that bill.

Great outdoor event, lights on towers, nice stage.  We were one of four groups.  With the lights all you could see from the stage was the spotlights and the blue lights up and down the light towers out in front of us.  All else was a sea of black.  I could not see the people.  But I could hear them.

People like this bunch.  Richard the resonator player saw whatever it is with these two first.  Chris was the Marine and went through a music therapy program they started for PTSD, and I think he got off all the meds they were feeding him.  His mother a sister were in from TX for this and he and Em getting married on Sunday.  And I am in it. Along for the ride.  These people are having an impact on me.

That may be good.  I always enjoy being alive when I am around them.  Strange. but good

Demonstrators? Of what?

Media and others tend to call people "demonstrators", and even preface it with the word "peaceful", when they are anything but.  I have no idea why they would be called demonstrator, except the word "demon" is contained within.  What is being demonstrated?

I never did get that.  Protester, I guess.  It makes sense.  But again, what is being called peaceful protesting is nothing but thuggery and sadistic violence to make sickos feel happy.

All I am saying is, if you don't like what Trump has to say, don't go to the rallies, and instead voice your views wherever you do such things.  But you go out there and hurt horses?   And their riders?  I don't care if they are cops.  You are so far over the line, you are lucky to be alive.  If they don't get you, someone like me could end up doing it. I would make you apologize to the horse and rider.  And groom their horses every day for six months.  That is after you pay any money you have to defray medical expenses and property damage caused by you and your bully friends.

If you think it is OK to silence Trump through violence, then, in principle, you are saying it is OK for the government to silence you with guns and such.  You never know when you may fail to be in proper alignment with viewpoint of those calling the shots.

This is not about Trump.  This is about people who twist the victim label around using it as an excuse to commit any violence and lack of reasoning they see fit.  And as prone to violence and hatred as those people are, violence is what they love.   It is kind of low to throw rocks at police, when they don't want to be there but they have to because thugs decide to congregate, hoping to intimidate people out of their freedom of assembly and speech.

I hate mob violence and the mentality of those who have to hang in a pack or a herd.

The New Me, yippee kie yay, lil' dawggies

I already uploaded this pic on facebook. It is a bootleg shot from Blazing Saddles.  Slim Pickens watching Alex Kerras(?) combust due to a bean issue.  I believe that is correct.

Whatever the deal, now that I have cowboy boots, and a white cowboy shirt with snaps, and a black cowboy hat for Chris' and Emily's wedding this weekend, I am changing my name to Slim Belmondo.

But this Friday, we go up the coast to play at a huge veteran memorial day event.  They have other groups, three of them.  They are of a different nature than this group, Valor and Lace.  The wedding is Sunday in this neck of the woods.  See, I talk like a cowboy now.  Boy, howdy, them dawggies.

Now that Richard Resonator is back and sometimes J-Rod plays bass for us, it is really taking shape.  Chris and Em are young 30's and exceptionally good looking in a likable, approachable way.  And they are heavy duty Texas swamp country.  It is getting swampier with what Richard and I do.  Resonator is generic word for Dobro.  The latter is apparently a brand or something. like Coke.

I heard a recording Chris did through the board at our last practice in Em's garage.  It sounded way better than I thought.  Also people are highly attracted to them.  Richard and I help them sound good. But the persona that seems to attract people is that thing they have going.  I cannot tell you why, but every time I am around them, I leave feeling more optimistic and about life, more confident, less negative.

The four of us went to Boot Barn to get stuff to wear at their wedding.  It is a bit of a western-casual affair.  They did not want people to feel like they had to go overboard who are in the wedding.  I am in it.  Richard is best man which is way cool.  He's 70.  Chris is maybe 33.  Of course both had a stint in the Marines in entirely different eras under different conditions, but with much the same scars.  They deal with it better and quicker now in most ways.

So, we were there 2 1/2 hours.  Various reasons, but it was fun the whole time.  And Emily did all the brain work and else.  She found stuff we couldn't.  Really an amazingly capable and high energy person.  I could see her running a large corporation, juggling a hundred things at one time and staying on top of all. I guess most women I know are exceptional in ways like that.

It was clear today that we were quite willing to let her be the brains and also decide yay or nay.

I got some spiffy cowboy stuff now.  I'm going to be tipping my black hat to the pretty girls, "Ma'am. All I'm askin' is eight seconds.  Whataya say?"

Tune up!! Or the harp player gets it!!!

Now I am a cowboy.  I do believe my country music friends are likely to catch on.  I have watched how audiences want to like them. They want to like their music before they hear it.  And now it is good, so they don't have to try to hard to like it.

I am in two bands.  After what the other did in the studio, and how the country one is doing, I am pushing both to apply for South by Southwest in Austin.  It is a huge deal and means something big to get invited.  What if both made it?

So I Benefit the Most

When it comes to healthcare, I do not think I can force trained professionals to serve me, or save me. Believe me, even when they are trying, they are not always very sharp.  Sometimes.

So, the country has been all into the healthcare thing; Obamacare, et al.   It is like a ball of yarn assembled by a cat.

I listen to people whose deductibles went north, whose premiums and coverage are less favorable, etc.  And I know people who have to go to the primary in order to do anything and they get caught in various catch-22's.  The HMO system creates much of what it was supposed to eliminate.  It is a bureaucratic misanthropic construct.  And it is sold to the public as the opposite of its reality.

But in my case, any poorer and I would be screwed.  Any wealthier and I would be screwed.  A whole lot wealthier and it wouldn't matter.   That tells me that my mind is thinking that it is not even worth the effort unless you are going to be a big whole lot wealthier.   Just some wealthier is not worth it.  Not my idea.  Indirectly, IT'S THE LAW !!!

The brings me to an aside.  I remember posters and such put out to indoctrinate the public during the 55 mph phase.  Maybe it is just me, but some posters and slogans put out by government agencies, whether irs, police, blm, or other,  are ridiculous, insulting and moronic.  Not to mention heavy handed.

The one I am thinking of was in a DMV office in Albemarle, NC or somewhere like that.
It had some graphic of a cop car or something scary, and it just said, 55, Not only a good idea, IT'S THE LAW!  Just seemed odd, as if they are saying, "Yes, 'good idea' and 'law' are not necessarily coexistent entities."  And I'd thank you for your candor.

That is neither here nor there.   The real point is my good fortune amid an overall history of odd fortune.  I hesitate to call it bad, or good.  But odd comes without caveat or hesitation.

Be happy.  It looks like I will pay more than I am using this year.  Last year you took most of the hit.  Not all,  by any means.  Now that I look at it.   But that is how things work.

If this keeps up, good news.  Things are always in flux.  When that is a good thing, I don't know.